2025-10-01 GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION 2025 72(卷), 7(期), (8049-8063页)
This study investigated the pollen morphology and chemical composition of selected medicinal plants from the cold semi-arid climate to enhance taxonomic classification and authentication. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis were utilized to differentiate closely related species based on palynological traits. Quantitative findings revealed that Salvia officinalis had the highest carbohydrate (30.2 mg/g), lipid (9.3%), and vitamin C content (0.14 mg/g), while Hypericum scabrum exhibited the highest protein content (5.1 mg/g). Mineral analysis showed S. officinalis contained the highest calcium (1.5 mg/g) and potassium (8.5 mg/g). Antioxidant activity, assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, demonstrated that S. officinalis exhibited the strongest radical scavenging capacity (71.8% and 79.4%, respectively). SEM analysis revealed significant morphological variations, with pollen grains classified based on symmetry, aperture type, and exine sculpturing. The findings contribute to the standardization of pollen identification methods, ensuring improved quality control and authentication of medicinal plants for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.