D.M. Popov, A.V. Naumov

Stellaria media L. or stitchwort is widely used in ethnic medicine of Northern folks. However chemical composition of this plant is not well known. Objective of the study was to investigate qualitative composition and quantitative content of amino acids in Stellaria media. The object of the study was herb of Stellaria media collected in summer time during flowering and dried in open air in shaded place. Extract of Stellaria media herb was prepared with 70 % ethanol in proportion 1 g in 20 ml. Certain amount of the extract was evaporated to dry. Dry residue was dissolved in 0,1 М hydrochloric acid and hydrolyzed at heating for 15 minutes at temperature 60 оС. Analysis of amino acids in hydrolizate was conducted on amino acid Hitachi analyzer on steel column 0,4х15 sm packed with cation-exchange resin 2619. Citrate buffer was fed with the speed 32 ml/h and ninhydrin reagent  with the speed 20 ml/h. Primary amines produce purple coloring measured at wave length 570 nm, secondary amines (proline and oxyproline) form a compound with yellow coloring measured at wave length 440 nm. In the herb of Stellaria media 20 amino acids are found. Prevailing amino acids are glutaminic, asparaginic acids, proline, oxylysine, valine, glycine, serine, leucine, alanine.