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The recent study aimed to investigate the composition of monosaccharides and their derivatives in the leaves of vegetable species Amaranthus tricolor L. cv. 'Valentina' of different ages, as well as, their vital role in enhancing the adaptive potential of the plant. Forty-eight monosaccharides and 28 of their derivatives have been identified in the composition of amaranth leaves of different ages. The maximum number of hydrophilic carbohydrate metabolites clustered in the young leaf. However, in older leaves, the number of water soluble metabolites showed similarities to that of the soluble in ethyl alcohol. Along with the general carbohydrate metabolites, the old leaves also contained specific monosaccharides, such as, lixopyranose, glucose, sorbose, mannobiose, cellobiose, and monosaccharide derivatives, i.e., methyl galactoside, glucopyranosiduronic and glucuronic acids, and alcohol erythritol. However, in Amaranthus tricolor L., the young leaf is characterized by arabinofuranose and carbohydrate derivatives, i.e., alpha-ketogluconic, arabinohexane, glucaric, galactaric, xylonic-D, lactone acids, and alcohol pentatriol. The leaves of different ages' composition showed polyhydric alcohols (glycerin, ribitol, and myo-inositol). It also showed osmoprotective and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In global climate change, drought stress is one of the environmental restraining factors that can significantly influence the growth and development of crop plants. Drought stress conditions can also cause undesirable changes in plant physiological and metabolic processes. The influence of soil drought on the mineral composition of leaves and seeds of two species of amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.) with C4-type of photosynthesis was studied through energy dispersive spectrometry (ESD). The recent investigations were carried out during the years 2020-2022 at the Department of Genofonde and Bioresources of Plants, Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Moscow, Russia. The research results showed the leaves of both amaranth with major elements, i.e., K (11.23-15.33), Ca (5.15-7.61), P (3.91-3.92), Mg (2.81-3.36), and Cl (1.86-2.29), whereas, relatively lower values were recorded for Fe (0.05-0.48), and Na (0.07-0.11) mass% respectively. Regarding amaranth plants seed composition, the major elements were K (13.86-13.97), P (7.02-9.76), Mg (3.78-5.64), Ca (3.31-4.78), Cl (2.81-5.30), and Mo (2.80-2.86) mass% respectively. In the species, A. tricolor, a strong correlation was observed between the elements, i.e., S-Cu, Mg-Si, Na-Cu, Na-S, Na-Ca, Na-Si, and Si-S in leaves, while in seeds, these were between Ca-Cu, Mg-Cl, Si-Mn, Ca-Mo, and Cl-Mn. In the other species of amaranth, A. cruentus, the elements viz., Mg-S, Mg-Mo, S-Mo, Mg-Cl, S-Cl, Cl-Mo, Cl-P, P-S, Si-Cl, Ca-Mo, S-Ca, Mg-Ca, Mg-P, P-Mo, and Mg-Si in leaves, while Ni-Cu, Mg-P, Si-P, and Si-Cl in seeds also showed strong relationship. Effects of drought led to a weakening of these ties and the formation of new ones. The accumulation of mineral elements in the leaves of amaranth plants varies from species to species under drought conditions, and A. tricolor cv. Valentina was found most resistant to drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative studies on the complex biochemical indicators of the fruits of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars were conducted as a new focus, to recognize their genotypes. Eight sweet cherry cultivars were procured from the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology, and Nursery (FSBSO ARHCBAN), Moscow, Russia, namely, Moskvoretskaya, Chermashnaya, Italyanka, Iput, Tyutchevka, Fatezh, Sinyavskaya, and Podarok Ryazani, and two cultivars, i.e., Regina and Krasa Kuban from Azerbaijan and the Southern Federal District of Russia (Republic of Crimea), respectively. The studies were conducted through traditional (potentiometry, refractometry, and spectrophotometry) and modern analytical (energy-dispersive spectrometry, gas chromate-massspectrometry) methods. Considerable genetic variations were detected among the evaluated cultivars of the sweet cherry for all studied traits. The most harmonized taste from the balanced content of acids and sugars in the fruits is noted with the sweet cherry cultivars, i.e., Sinyavskaya, Fatezh, Krasa Kubani, Podarok Ryazani, and Regina. Cultivars Italyanka, Sinyavskaya, and Podarok Ryazani have 2.3, 3.5, and 4.2 times more, respectively, phenolic compounds than the cultivar Krasa Kubani. The following decreasing order of the accumulation of various macro and micro-elements was observed in the sweet cherry fruits, i.e., K > P > M? > Mg > Ca > Se > Co > Mn > Fe > Zn. The comparison of sweet cherry fruits? metabolomic profiles revealed the composition of organic and phenolic acids, sugar alcohols, carbohydrates and their derivatives, amino acids, and other compounds. In total, 41 individual compounds were determined. In sweet cherry fruits, carbohydrates are presented by monosaccharides, which are the components of a healthy diet, and their derivatives. Among organic acids, the most significant differences were detected in the presence of arabinoic, fumaric, and erythro-pentonic acids; fatty acids found in sweet cherries are valuable for human nutrition. The biologically active substances, i.e., kojic acid and myo-inositol, were also detected in the sweet cherry cultivars, Moskvoretskaya, Fatezh, Podarok Ryazani, Sinyavskaya, Krasa Kubani, and Regina. The metabolome is an important biochemical indicator of the plant's phenotype and it allows to reveal hidden differences in their genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to study the leaf micromorphological and biochemical features of columnar apple cultivars that are immune and moderately resistant to Venturia inaequalis, the causal agent of scab disease, during 2017-19 at the Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology, and Nursery, Moscow, Russia. Results revealed that the immune cultivars showed a higher level of adaptability to the fungus V. inaequalis than the moderately resistant cultivars. The large number of leaf trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface that confer protection was characteristic of the immune cultivars. The immune columnar apple cultivars had 6% fewer leaf stomata than the moderately resistant ones. The stomata of the immune cultivars were placed high in the leaf surface, were surrounded by chords and folds, and had high cuticular peristomatal rings that provided additional protection by preventing pathogen entry. Inclusions with parallelogram and rounded-star shapes were found in the cross-section cut of the central leaf midrib of the immune cultivars. By contrast, the inclusions were mostly rounded-star-shaped in moderately resistant cultivars. Analysis through electronic microscopy with energy dispersion spectrometry revealed that the Ca and K contents in the parallelogram-shaped inclusions were 3 and 2 times higher than those in the rounded-star-shaped inclusions, respectively. In terms of ash composition, the P, Mg, and Ca contents in the leaves of immune columnar apple cultivars were 1.5, 1.5, and 1.6 times higher than those in the leaves of moderately resistant cultivars. The ultrafine surface study was more reasonable than other methods for identifying the phytopathogen resistance of fruit trees. The use of modern instrumental analytical methods for the complex evaluation of fruit crop leaves to reveal adaptations to biotic factors is meaningful for breeding use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the limiting factors affecting the environment worldwide. It adversely affects crop plant growth and development. The stressful effects of arid conditions cause changes in the morphological traits and physiological processes of plants. This study, photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthetic system 2 (PS2) activity, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compound (TPC) amounts were determined in the leaf extracts of two species of amaranth (with C4-type photosynthesis), namely, Amaranthus tricolor L. cultivar 'Valentina' and Amaranthus cruentus L. cultivar 'Krepysh'. The same parameters were determined in two species of actinidia (with C3-type photosynthesis), specifically, Actinidia arguta cultivar 'Taezhny Dar' and Actinidia kolomikta cultivar 'Narodnaya'. All parameters were measured before and after drought stress. The seedlings were initially grown in the laboratory, then planted in separate pots and kept in the greenhouse under a canopy to protect them from the rain. Chlorophyll (Chl) a and b, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compound contents were determined spectrophotometrically. PS2 activity was determined by using pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry. The functional state of PS2 was more resistant to water deficiency and drought in amaranth than in actinidia species. Certain differences were established in the resistance of PS2 to dehydration between the two species of amaranth under drought conditions, and the highest Chl fluorescence indexes were characterized in the tricolor amaranth cultivar 'Valentina'. Car content was 6.5 times higher in the leaves of A. arguta and 2.5 times higher in the leaves of A. kolomikta than in the leaves of the control plants. The highest correlation was found between Chl a and Car (r = 0.985) and Chl b and Car (r = 0.977) in the leaves of both species of amaranth. Under moisture deficit conditions, the antioxidant activity of water and alcohol extracts in the leaves of both species of amaranth increased from 1.5 time to 2.5 times. A high correlation (r = 0.77, r = 0.91) was found between the antioxidant activity of the water and alcoholic extracts and the TPC in the leaves of both amaranth species, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth is an indispensable C4 agricultural crop with considerably reduced productivity under hypothermia loading. During seed ripening, chilling stress (1 °C–2 °C) can harm the photosynthetic organs in the plants and reduce the efficiency of low-molecular-weight defense systems. The studies on the content of low-molecular-weight antioxidants commenced in the leaves of the Amaranth cultivar Valentina cultivated in an open field in the post-stress period (after a chilling stress). After chilling at 2 °C in the post-stress period, older leaves of the main shoot displayed partial damage, while young leaves of the lateral shoots visually maintained a native appearance. The ascorbic acid (AA) content showed significant variations in the leaves. The content of possessing antioxidant properties revealed red-colored amaranthine decreased during this period, i.e., 1.5–1.9 times in young leaves, 3.5 times in leaves damaged by cold (DC), and non-damaged by cold (NDC) leaves showed a 1.1-times decrease. The decline in photosynthetic pigment content varied from 14% for carotenoids (Cars) to 60% for chlorophylls a (Chl a) and b (Chl b) in NDC leaves. The water and ethanol-soluble antioxidant contents improved with repeated cold stress (2 °C) in young leaves. The same pattern was also evident for the ascorbic acid and amaranthine content enhancement (20%–25% and 30%, respectively). The formation of hypothermia-induced tolerance in the leaves of different ages in autumn, which are the prime producers of low-molecular-weight antioxidants, signified a close relationship to the functioning of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study in 2019-2020 assessed the productivity, the quality of fatty and essential oils, and the mineral composition of eight nigella genotypes at the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution (FSBSI), Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Simferopol, Russia. Of the eight genotypes, two cultivars originated from Crimea, Russia (Nigella sativa cv. 'Krymchanka,' and Nigella damascena cv. 'Yalita'), and one each from six European-Asian countries, i.e., Dagestan, Uzbekistan, and Sweden (Nigella sativa), Pakistan and India (Nigella indica), and Belgium (Nigella damascena). The Russian nigella genotypes served as control. Genotypes from three European-Asian countries (Sweden, Pakistan, and Dagestan) distinguished from the rest by their highest seed productivity, i.e., 1.0-1.6 g plant-1, which was 1.7-2.7 times higher than the control cultivar 'Krymchanka.' The seed productivity of the genotype N. damascena cv. 'Yalita' control was 1.5 times greater than the nigella genotype from Belgium. The N. indica produced the highest fatty oil content (29.9%), which exceeded two other species, i.e., N. sativa and N. damascena by 16%-22%. Fatty oils of nigella also contained essential oils of 0.5% for N. sativa and 1.2% for N. damascena. The essential oil of N. sativa contained dominant components, such as, p-cymene (53.5%) and thymoquinone (19.2%), while N. damascena contained p-cymol (82.2%) and other principal components. The identified samples with the maximum accumulation of fatty and essential oils, and macro and microelements can be used to treat and replenish the deficient elements in the human body. Nigella genotype samples exhibited high accumulation of microelements, viz., potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and molybdenum in the leaves and seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an important food crop source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Different species of amaranth showed considerable phenotypic variations and could possess diverse nutritional properties. The presented study strove to determine the diversity of amaranth collection for morphological and biochemical traits and their antioxidant potential for developing new cultivars adapted to the environmental conditions of Central Russia. The selected 16 amaranth accessions had high variability in morphological and biochemical traits. With red-colored leaves, amaranthine content ranged from 0.319a to 2.031f mg/g fresh weight (FW). The water-soluble antioxidant content ranged from 0.425a to 1.439h mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FW. In amaranth accessions, the phenolic compound content in leaves varied from 2.700a to 4.825g mg GAE/g FW. In the amaranth collection, the total chlorophyll content ranged from 0.9946a to 3.5467j mg/g, and carotenoids from 0.2196a to 0.8289i mg/g. A strong positive correlation (P ≤ 0.05) was evident between total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (r≈0.90), plant height and inflorescence length (r≈0.79), and inflorescence length and seed weight harvested per plant (r≈0.76). In summary, when evaluating the antioxidant levels in various samples, the Valentina cultivar, characterized by red leaves, appeared to have the highest amaranthine concentration. Both Valentina and Fakel cultivars exhibited the maximum overall antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the Valentina and Duimovochka cultivars emerged as the top accumulators of polyphenols. These findings highlight the significant antioxidant potential present in these specific cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants for their protection. In Allium species, the principal bioactive phytochemicals include organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, and saponins. Most of them have also displayed antioxidant activities aside from other biological properties. Selection for productivity, disease resistance, and long shelf life has brought the biologically active substances out of control of selection. However, at the same time, enhancement of their contents could result from hybridization with some wild species of Allium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest review discusses the chief metabolites of the genus Allium L., which characterize their nutritional qualities. The publications presented in the leading databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and NCBI bore analysis. The vital active phytochemicals of Allium species include ascorbic acid, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Many believe these biologically active compounds can prevent cancer development, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are low in calories, however, they provide the precious content of vitamins, minerals, organic acids, carbohydrates, and, especially, carotenoids (β-carotene and lycopene), as essential requirements for the normal functioning of the human body. The latest study aimed to quantify the various compounds that exhibit antioxidant activities in different tomato cultivars. Tomato landraces with the supreme content of individual chemicals and complex of varied traits can serve as genetic sources in breeding for obtaining the tomato genotypes with the highest content of carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenols, dry matter, and soluble sugars. Comparative analysis of tomato cultivars showed that to obtain genetic material with an enhanced content of secondary metabolites, the following tomato cultivars are recommendable for the desired hybridization to make possible cross combinations, i.e., Black Jack, Shirley, Bosare blue, and Christmas Blueberry and can suggest more precisely for high carotenoids content. Tomato cultivars VS169-19 and Paul Robeson can benefit as sources of soluble sugars and antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and polyphenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the selection of tomatoes with a high content of biologically active substances and antioxidant properties at the large green and breaker stage is relevant since mature tomatoes cannot tolerate storage and transportation. For this purpose, 11 tomato genotypes, chosen in a preliminary study in 2018-2020 from the Genetic Collection of Plant Resources of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC), Moscow, Russia, and Tomato Genetics Resource Center (TGRC), the University of California, Davis, USA, for further studies during 2020-2022 for antioxidant pool changes: measuring the contents of chlorophyll, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and lutein. The experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design proceeded in the film unheated greenhouses. The results showed five promising tomato genotypes, i.e., VFN Hi Sugar, VS-420, Paul Robeson, Black Cherry, and VS-410. The genotype Black Cherry fruits with breaker ripeness contained 42% lycopene and 93% β-carotene, while the genotype Paul Robeson at the same stage contained 80% β-carotene. The three other tomato genotypes, viz., VFN Hi Sugar, VS-420, and Paul Robeson, also gave a higher content of ascorbic acid in the fruits at the breaker ripening stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium cepa L. genotypes with different ecogeographical origins revealed the highest nutritional values when grown in Crimea, Russia. However, their environmental adaptation should be further investigated. This research was performed during 2016–17 to evaluate the qualitative, antioxidant, and mineral composition characteristics of 15 onion genotypes, of which four originated from the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution, Research Institute of Agriculture, Crimea, Russia. Sweet onion genotypes exhibited high ascorbic acid contents of 11.8–27.3 mg/100 g. However, some genotypes had a narrow range of ascorbic acid content (11.8–21.1 mg/100 g) due to their different ecogeographical origins and proved to be appropriate for industrial processing because of their spicy taste. Intensely colored bulbs had a high content of polyphenols (anthocyanins), which are known to have a positive influence on human health. Electronic microscopic assays revealed the morphological characteristics of A. cepa L. genotype leaves and demonstrated the differences in epidermal structure and adaptability potential. The 12 main mineral macro- and microelements with the highest contents in onion leaves were analyzed. The hyperaccumulator genotype with the highest leaf macro- and microelement content could be used to address mineral element deficiencies in humans. In onion genotype leaves, the contents of the mineral elements followed the order of Zn > Fe > Si > Na > Р > Cl > Mo > Mg > S > Ca > Cu > K. The biochemical analysis of 13 onion cultivars showed that the majority exceeded the standard values of dry matter and sugars (mono- and disaccharides) by 13% and 46%, 11% and 48%, and 36% and 150%. In onion genotypes, leaf surface microstructure was specific, and the largest stomata corresponded to the most productive cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, raspberry breeding has shifted its emphasis from agronomic performance to characteristics related to the sensory qualities of the fruit and its potential health benef its. The therapeutic and preventive properties of raspberries are related to their biochemical composition. In this regard, the purpose of the work was to determine the content of macro- and micronutrients in fruits of different cultivars of repair raspberry using modern high-tech analytical methods and the selection of genetic sources of the analyzed elements for further breeding. The objects of the research were 17 cultivars of repair raspberry of different ecological and geographical origin from the genetic plant bioresource collection of FSBSO ARHCBAN. It was found that the ash residue of berries contains 12 major elements, which form the following descending series: K > P > Mg ≥ Mo > Ca > S ≥ Ni > Zn > Mn > Se > Fe ≥ Co. The largest proportion of ash residue in raspberry fruits is K. Depending on the cultivar, its quantity averaged from 12.81 wt % (Samorodok and Karamelka) to 22.37 wt % (Atlant). The minimum K content was observed in the ash of the Carolina cultivar (5.62 wt %), while in berries of this cultivar Mg (2.91), Ca (2.62) and Zn (0.14 wt %) accumulated above average. Among the group of early maturing cultivars, the cultivar Yubileinaya Kulikova stands out with a high content of Mo (4.63), Ca (2.19), Fe (0.25) and Co (0.21 wt %). The cultivar Pingvin is characterized by a high content of K (22.65) and Se (0.31 wt %). The medium maturity cultivar Samorodok is characterized by a higher content of P (4.08), S (0.47), Ni (0.51) and Zn (0.26 wt %). Among the late maturing cultivars, the cultivar Poranna Rosa stands out with the preferential accumulation of nine elements: Mg (2.98), P (4.42), S (0.36), K (20.34), Ca (1.71), Mn (0.14), Co (0.13), Se (0.21) and Mo (3.08 wt %). Correlation relationships between the elements have been established. Samples with the highest accumulation of macro- and microelements in berries represent genetic sources for further selection of raspberry for improvement of the mineral composition of fruits., (Copyright © AUTHORS.)