CHARACTERISATION OF NUTRACEUTICAL FATTY ACIDS AND AMINO ACIDS IN THE BUDS OF POPULUS NIGRA, POPULUS ALBA, AND POPULUS X EURAMERICANA BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Populus species (poplars) are deciduous trees commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere, typically growing along rivers, in meadows, and urban environments. Their buds, leaves, and bark contain important bioactive compounds with known anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties. In this study, the buds of three Populus species (P. nigra, P. alba, and P. × euramericana) were analyzed for their bioactive compounds, focusing on fatty acid and amino acid profiles. Ethanolic extracts were evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing a diverse composition of nutraceutical compounds. Key fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid, as well as glycerides like 1-monopalmitin and glyceryl monostearate, were identified. Essential amino acids, including L-alanine, L-valine, and L-proline, were also detected. The results indicated a high content of unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids, supporting the potential use of poplar bud extracts as valuable sources of nutraceuticals and bioactive ingredients for applications in health and cosmetology.