Studies of Nitrate Accumulation in Fresh Echinacea Purpurea Herb and Its Processed Products

The accumulation of nitrates in fresh Echinacea purpurea herb grown in the conditions of the non-chernozem zone of the Russian F ederation in 2009 - 2010 were studied in its constituent parts, the juice, and the pulp, in relation to plant age (2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 years of growth) and year of analysis. The greatest accumulation of nitrates in the plant was seen in the stems. The highest nitrate content was seen in the juice, where levels were 1.4 - 2.7 times higher than in the medicinal plant raw material.