Search

Wild garlic (Allium ursinum L.) is one of the species widely distributed in Europe and Asia and is often nutritionally neglected, characterized by a high content of various phytochemicals with high therapeutic potential and a range of biological activities. The aim of this study was to determine the content of bioactive compounds in the leaves of wild garlic populations collected from different micro-locations, and to determine the differences in the content of phytochemicals in the vegetative and generative phases. A significant content of different specialized metabolites was detected in all analyzed leaves of wild garlic populations regardless of the different factors (location and phenophase): vitamin C content with the highest determined value of 63.31 mg/100 g fw; total phenolic content with the highest determined value of 186.18 mg GAE/100 g fw (according to gallic acid in fresh sample); and antioxidant capacity with the highest determined value of 2230.66 µmol TE/L (according to Trolox). Significant differences in all the phytochemicals analyzed were observed depending on both the location and phenophase of the plants, with the most pronounced differences depending on the phenophase. Thus, lower levels of polyphenolic compounds and vitamin C were generally observed before the flowering phase, while the trend toward higher levels of pigment compounds was observed during the flowering phase of the plants. The results suggest that the leaves of wild garlic can be considered a valuable source of a variety of specialized metabolites with high antioxidant capacity, and thus have high production potential for various functional products and food supplements of natural origin, which are important for the promotion of human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have evolved various adaptive mechanisms to environmental stresses, such as sensory mechanisms to detect mechanical stimuli. This plant adaptation has been successfully used in the production practice of leafy vegetables, called mechanical conditioning, for many years, but there is still a lack of research on the effects of mechanically-induced stress on the content of specialized metabolites, or phytochemicals with significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the content of specialized metabolites and antioxidant capacity of lettuce and green chicory under the influence of mechanical stimulation by brushing. Mechanically-induced stress had a positive effect on the content of major antioxidants in plant cells, specifically vitamin C, total phenols, and flavonoids. In contrast, no effect of mechanical stimulation was found on the content of pigments, total chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that induced mechanical stress is a good practice in the cultivation of leafy vegetables, the application of which provides high quality plant material with high nutritional potential and significantly higher content of antioxidants and phytochemicals important for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its distinct aroma and flavor, because of which it is often used in various foods and dishes, basil has recently become increasingly popular because of its rich and beneficial nutritional composition. The presence of several varieties and cultivars makes it a species rich in many specific phytochemicals, which is why it is increasingly used in phytotherapy. The aim of this study was to analyze and valorize the nutrient composition and morphological characteristics of three different basil cultivars ('Genovese', 'Dark Opal', 'Minimum') under two growing methods, conventional in open field and floating hydropon. The results of morphological and chemical characteristics showed a significant influence of cultivar in both growing methods. The cultivar 'Genovese' obtained the highest yield in floating hydropon (4.02 kg/m2), followed by cultivars 'Minimum' and 'Dark Opal' (2.03 and 1.83 kg/m2, respectively), which were 31%, 97%, and 16% higher compared to soil cultivation. Based on the analyzed physicochemical parameters, the highest values of dry matter, total acids, vitamin C, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were generally determined in all analyzes basil cultivars grown in the open field compared to those grown in floating. Significantly higher values of the analyzed pigment compounds were found for all hydroponically grown basil cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]