Determination of triterpenoids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and antioxidant capacity in Allium ursinum L. at different times of harvesting and anatomical parts

Sabina Lachowicz,Jan Oszmiański,Rafał Wiśniewski

doi:10.1007/s00217-018-3042-3

Abstract

Triterpenoids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and antioxidant capacity of individual parts of wild garlic at different times of harvesting were studied. Leaves, flowers, bulbs, and stems of Allium ursinum were used in this study. The contents of triterpenoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were determined by UPLC–PDA-Q/TOF-MS, and the antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS and FRAP assay. A total of 21 compounds including 3 triterpenoids, 11 carotenoids, and 7 chlorophylls were identified in anatomical parts of A. ursinum in March and June 2016. These compounds present in individual anatomical parts of wild garlic were determination in this study for the first time ever. The average content of total triterpenoids ranged from 750.7 to 4159.5 mg/kg dry matter (dm) and that of carotenoids and chlorophylls ranged from 14.4 to 14,424.5 mg/kg dm for bulbs and leaves. The average level of the antioxidant capacity ranged from 37.1 to 91.7 µmol Trolox/g dm in bulbs and leaves, respectively. The leaves, flowers, and stems of wild garlic are a good source of health-promoting compounds. They can be used as functional food ingredients, dietary supplements, and additives.

Highlights

Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in alternative plants, which can be a source of active compounds in the treatment and prevention of diseases such as metabolic cancer, stroke and coronary diseases
Results of qualitative analysis obtained by the UPLC with a PDA detector and FL are presented in Table 1 and Fig. 1
The detected compounds were identified as betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids were based on the comparison of their retention times (Rt), Table 1 Triterpenoid compounds in different anatomical parts of wild garlic

Summary

Introduction

Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in alternative plants, which can be a source of active compounds in the treatment and prevention of diseases such as metabolic cancer, stroke and coronary diseases Such plants may include wild garlic, which is a valuable component in the human diet. The growing period of garlic begins in early spring and ends at the beginning of summer During this period, changes in the contents of active compounds and pigment in various parts of the plant occur [3]. The color of Allium ursinum is due to chlorophylls and carotenoids, which are natural dyes and are located in the chloroplasts of leaves. The present work evaluated antioxidant capacity and bioactive compounds in wild garlic in different anatomical parts (leaves, stems, bulbs, and flowers) collected in March and June. Stems, roots, and flowers were determined for concentration of carotenoids, chlorophylls, and triterpenoids with UPLC–PDA-Q/TOF-MS

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Compliance with ethical standards