Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry study of the root and herb of Smallanthus sonchifolius.

Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) is a new prospective plant cultivated in Europe as a natural sugarcane substitute. It is used for diabetes and for the prevention of obesity. The study of carboxylic acids in the roots and herb of S. sonchifolius was carried out for the first time by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). As a result of the study, 12 components were found in the roots of S. sonchifolius, 9 of which were carboxylic acids. The S. sonchifolius herb contained 41 components, 18 of which were carboxylic acids. The dominant compounds in the roots were: undecanoic acid, methyl ester - 546.04 mg/kg; 1-benzazirene-1-carboxylic acid, 2,2,5a-trimethyl-1a-[3-oxo-1-butenyl] perhydro-, methyl ester - 360.63 mg/kg; 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester - 119.21 mg/kg. In the herb of the yacon dominant is cyclohexanol, 1-ethynyl - 28.67 mg/kg. Key words: Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) carbo- xylic acids GC-MS.