Abstract
This research aimed to determine the effect of different harvesting times on the chemical composition of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.). The leaves of nettle were harvested at the same place once a month in the period of April–September 2019. The analysis focused on the contents of dry matter, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, ash content, and macro- and microelements. The nettles harvested in April were characterized by the highest levels of soluble solids and some macro-and microelements (P, K, Fe, Zn). The plants harvested in May were distinguished for titratable acidity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents. In this month, the plants were determined to have the highest antioxidant activity during the entire vegetation period. The plants collected in July contained the highest amount of Mn, but the antioxidant activity of these plants was the lowest during the vegetation period. In August, the plants had the highest levels of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and ash, while the plants collected in September were characterized by having the highest amounts of Ca, Mg, and B as compared to those established in other months of vegetation.
Highlights
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a perennial herb with a long history of traditional medicinal uses in many countries
They established that leaves of the stinging nettle harvested in September contain the lowest dry matter (DM) content, while the highest DM quantity was obtained in May-harvest plants
Our research showed that wild-growing nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves can be harvested from April to September in the same plot due to accumulated chemical compounds
Summary
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a perennial herb with a long history of traditional medicinal uses in many countries. Each year, stinging nettle produces new shoots from rhizomes and stolons, but research data show the decrease of above-ground green mass yield with crop senescence [1]. This valuable plant is characterized by the presence of numerous biologically active substances. Nettle leaves are rich in chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, organic acids, minerals, and trace elements [2–7]. The main carotenoids established in plant leaves are β-carotene, violaxanthin, xanthophylls, zeaxanthin, luteoxanthin, and lutein epoxide [8]. This nettle has a rich vitamin composition. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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