Biochemical composition of seed and green mass of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Chia ( Salvia hispanica L .) is an annual herbaceous plant which seeds have been eaten for thousands of years. Current research results indicate a rich biochemical composition that has a beneficial effect on the human body at all stages of life. Interest in this raw material has been inexorably increasing lately due to its high nutritional value. The article presents the results of chemical analysis of seeds and green mass of a new agricultural crop - chia (Spanish sage), indicates its importance as a source of nutrients in the nutrition of the population, and assesses the possibility of introduction and further selection in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The results of the conducted studies indicate a high content of sucrose in the seedlings of Spanish sage seeds, which varied depending on the ecological and geographical origin of the samples and ranged from 17.2% to 25.4%. The averaged indicators of the analysis results for the sucrose content in the leaves of the plant also allowed us to identify valuable sources for further breeding work. Laboratory tests of the introduced sample conducted in the testing laboratory of the Omsk branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Center of Quality Assurance for Grain” and the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Center of Agrochemical Service “Omsk” showed a high nutritional value and possible ways of using chia culture, which is a valuable source of protein, fiber and such important elements as zinc, calcium and phosphorus. Spanish sage is a valuable raw material, the technological and useful properties of which can be widely used in various industries.