Title of the R&D project: Biological and Ecological Characteristics of Cultivating Ginkgo biloba L. as Organic Raw Material for Pharmaceutical Use through the Establishment of Plantations in the Northeastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine (0107U006533)
Project leader: Kovalenko Ihor Mykolaiovych, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor
Implementation period: October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2020
Funding amount: 1,223.489 thousand UAH
This research was the first to determine the optimal parameters for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Ginkgo biloba leaves collected in the Sumy region, identified as a potential location for industrial cultivation of the plant. Comprehensive studies of G. biloba plantations confirmed the species’ viability and suitability as medicinal raw material in Northeastern Ukraine. Despite stressful growth conditions, G. biloba demonstrated high resistance and adaptability, supported by comparative morphometric and vitality analyses.
Due to the young age of the seedlings, further studies on plant adaptability are not only desirable but necessary. The optimal particle size of raw material for extraction was found to be 1–0.5 mm. Slightly smaller sizes (0.5–0.25 mm) can be used with minimal loss of phenolic content. The most effective solvents for extraction were purified water and 50% ethanol. The highest yield of phenolic compounds was achieved with a single 30-minute extraction. The optimal raw material to solvent ratio for purified water was 1:30. Full extraction was ensured through two-stage extraction using the mentioned solvents. The best drying method was natural drying at 30–40°C.
Maximum phenolic content was recorded in leaves harvested from 10–15-year-old trees (behind the main building) in September–October. This study is the first to propose the use of Ginkgo biloba-based phytopreparations in veterinary medicine. Toxicity and antibacterial profiles of the ethanol extract were tested in vitro on 12 microbial strains, including Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria innocua, and L. monocytogenes.
The extract showed a stronger antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant strains compared to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and azithromycin, which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. The extract also demonstrated immunostimulatory properties.
A comparative analysis of the morphological traits of Ginkgo biloba seedlings revealed that those transplanted from greenhouses to open soil at two years old had better growth rates (main shoot length, stem diameter, leaf count) and a higher vitality index (Q), ranging from vitality class “b” to “aa.” This supports a two-stage seedling cultivation scheme, with transplantation at age two recommended for Northeastern Ukraine.
Sumy National Agrarian University received official status as an organic operator in a two-year transitional period for the field where the Ginkgo biloba plantation was established, certified by Organic Standard LLC (Certificate No. 18-0889-01-01). Upon completion of the transition, the university plans to obtain a certificate for fully organic cultivation of Ginkgo biloba, which will significantly increase the product’s value.
