Investigation of antioxidant activity of lipid fractions of peats from the deposits of Russian North

To evaluate the antioxidant activity of lipids extracted from the samples of tundra peat of the Arkhangelskaya Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug taken at different depths the method of microcalorimetry is used. The model reaction of initiated cumene oxidation shows that the total amount of lipid antioxidants is (7–112) × 10−3 mol/kg. It is found out that the concentration of antioxidants is maximal for peats, where berry producing shrubs such as cranberry, cowberry, and cranberry are present as peat-forming plants. Marsh berry fruits are characterized by the high antioxidant activity, which is due to the synergistic complex of tocopherols and other biologically active compounds. The content of tocopherols is determined by chromatography-mass spectrometry. These methodological approaches help to optimize the search for peat to produce lipid fractions with high antioxidant activity. The peat extracts could be used for the selection of raw materials for manufacturing of cosmetics and therapeutic preparations with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.