Onion Species Research Articles

A Comparative Study on the Antioxidative Activity and Phenolic Content of Fresh and Black (Fermented) Allium Vegetables

Allium genus vegetables have significant functional effects on health. In recent years, consumer demand for black forms of these vegetables, produced from fresh Alliums through spontaneous fermentation at high temperature and humidity, has increased, while their functional effects have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant capacity and total phenol content of various Allium vegetables (yellow onion, red onion, white onion, and garlic) in both their raw and black (fermented) forms. For the production of black onions and black garlic, unpeeled raw forms of these vegetables were kept at 75 °C and 90% humidity for 9 days. Afterward, fresh and fermented samples were lyophilized, dried, and evaluated for total phenol content by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and for antioxidant activity by the ABTS and DPPH methods. The total phenol content increased significantly in all samples after fermentation (p < 0.05), with the highest increases observed in garlic (216%), while the increases in onion species ranged between 44.6% and 118.3%. The increase in antioxidant capacity was also significant in all samples (p < 0.05) and was higher in garlic than in onions. Changes in antioxidant capacity and total phenol content indicate that fermentation improves the nutritional quality of these vegetables.

HS-SPME GC/MS Volatile profile of the Onion Allium fistulosum L. variety Pereirana, cultivated in Colombia

The study presents a characterization of the volatile organic compounds found in both raw and the essential oil of the “Pereirana Onion,” an endemic Colombian Welsh onion variety for which the composition has not been previously reported. The analysis was conducted using four distinct fibers through the HS-SPME/GC-MS method. The results revealed that chopped Pereirana onions release as many as 29 different compounds, with concentrations up to 20 times higher than those observed in other evaluated onion species (Biónica, Veleña, and Veleña Sonsón). Most of these compounds are sulfur-based, including dipropyl disulfide, (E)-1-(Prop-1-en-1-yl)-2-propyldisulfane, disulfide, methyl 1-(methylthio) propyl, dipropyl trisulphide, and (E)-1-(Prop-1-en-1-yl)-3-propyltrisulfane. Furthermore, steam extraction of essential oils from Pereirana onions led to the identification of up to 70 different compounds. Simple correspondence analysis (SCA) revealed that Veleña and Veleña Sonsón onion species share common compounds but significantly differ from Biónica and Pereirana varieties cultivated in Risaralda, Colombia. These findings suggest potential applications in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries, paving the way for future research and industrial utilization.

Разработка элементов технологии возделывания малораспространненных видов многолетних луков на Среднем Урале

Abstract. In experiments conducted in 2021–2022. on the basis of the educational and experimental farm of the Ural State Agrarian University, studies were carried out on the influence of the feeding area and planting dates on the productivity and biochemical composition of perennial onions. The territory of the Middle Urals is located in a difficult climatic zone, with severe winters and warm summers. The weather in this area can change very quickly, and therefore, for cultivation in the Middle Urals, plants should be selected that will easily endure the vagaries of the weather, including green crops. These characteristics correspond to perennial onions, which are able to produce high yields of green leaves even in risky farming. Good resistance to pathogens, less susceptibility to pests compared to onions, as well as a wide variety of species that differ in external characteristics and taste make perennial onions excellent plants for obtaining valuable vitamin greens. The purpose of the study: to study the biological characteristics of perennial onions, as well as to find out the effect of the feeding area on their yield and biochemical composition. Methods. In the experiments, the following factors affecting the yield of perennial onions were investigated: leaf length, number of leaves per plant, the appearance of flower stalks, individual plant productivity. Results. In the course of the study, it was found that the highest yield is observed in all types of onions when grown with a distance in a row of 5 cm, the highest individual productivity was shown by batun onion plants when grown in a row with a distance between plants of 15 cm and slime onion with a distance between plants in a row of 25. In addition, there was a deterioration in the biochemical composition of the leaves of all the studied types of onions when planting in 2022 compared to 2021 and an increase in the concentration, electrical conductivity and acidity of cell sap in 2022 compared to 2021. Scientific novelty. Ledebur onion is the least studied of the onion species presented in the study, but it has good commercial and nutritional properties. Previously, this type of onion was not studied in the Middle Urals as a vegetable plant.

RAD-Seq analysis of wild Japanese garlic (Allium macrostemon Bunge) growing in Japan revealed that this neglected crop was previously actively utilized

Allium macrostemon Bunge, commonly referred to as "no-biru" in Japan, is a widespread wild onion species found across the country. Despite being deeply entwined in ancient Japanese culture, it remains an underutilized crop in Japan. Determining the origins of its domestic populations and understanding their genetic composition is crucial to highlighting the plant's historical significance in Japan. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the genetic diversity of 47 A. macrostemon samples from various regions in Japan using RAD-Seq. Our analyses distinguished unique population structures, dividing the samples into three distinct groups: A, B, and C. Notably, groups A and B showed clear evidence of bulb propagation, while group C did not. Group C formed four subgroups: C1, C2, C3, and C4. Hybridization between subgroup C1 and either group A, B, or both, resulted in the emergence of subgroups C2, C3, and C4. Thus, groups A, B, and C1 are posited as the ancestral populations. Additionally, our morphological observations indicated distinct differences among these three groups. Our findings also suggest that human migration may have influenced the plant's distribution, hinting at active usage in the past that later waned, causing its current underutilized status.

Improving the technology of obtaining high-vitamin greens of minor species of perennial onions during forcing in protected ground

In 2022-2023, experiments were conducted to study the effect of additional lighting on the growth, development, and vitamin C content of perennial onions during their forcing in protected ground in winter. Getting green vegetables in the cold season is of particular relevance in the Middle Urals, since the population during this period is particularly susceptible to immunity decrease, due to a lack of solar energy, a deficiency of vitamins and biologically active substances, therefore forced to use synthetic vitamins to strengthen its immunity. Although it is known that the vitamins contained in food bring the greatest benefit. Adding green onions to food is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to enrich the diet of the population. The use of perennial species of onions, which have a different appearance and taste different from each other, is also a way to diversify it. The purpose of the research: to study the effect of additional lighting on the yield of perennial onions and the vitamin C content during their forcing in winter using the method of immersion hydroponics. During the experiments, such indicators as changes in leaf length and the number of leaves on the plant, as well as individual plant productivity and yield were recorded. In addition to phenological observations, research was conducted on such indicators as the concentration of cell fluid, electrical conductivity, PH of perennial onion leaves. As a result, it was found that Allium nutans, which was grown without supplementary lighting, has the highest yield – about 2.5 kg/m2. For all the studied types of onions in 2023, results were obtained for higher electrical conductivity in onions grown with additional lighting. The difference was 27-61%. All the results obtained were processed using mathematical statistics methods. The results of experiments on the effect of additional lighting did not give unambiguous results, further more detailed study is required.

The Flora of Çelikhan District (Adıyaman) and Near Surroundings

This study was carried out to determine the flora of Çelikhan District (Adıyaman) and it’s near surroundings. 592 plant samples were collected from the research area. As a result of the evaluation of these plants, totally of 454 taxa were identified, including 295 genera belonging to 62 families. Of these taxa, 3 belong to Pteridophyta and 451 Spermatophyta divisions. Coniferophyta and Magnoliophyta subdivisions in the Spermatophyta division contain 2 and 449 taxa, respectively. It was determined that 449 taxa belonging to Magnoliophyta subdivision, belong to 385 Magnoliopsida and 64 Liliopsida class. It was determined that 30 taxa from the study area were endemic and the endemism rate was found to be 6.6 %. The distribution of taxa according to phytogeographic regions is as follows: Anatolian-Turan 158 (34.8%), Mediterranean 34 (7.5%), Euro-Siberian 33 (7.1%), multi-regional and unknown phytogeographical regions 229 (50.4%). The first five family according to the number of taxa; Asteraceae 42 (9.2%), Fabaceae 37 (8.1%), Brassicaceae 36 (7.9%), Lamiaceae 35 (7.7%), Poaceae 31 (6.8%). The first five genera according to the number of taxa; Astragalus 9, Silene 8, Salvia 7, Trifolium 6, Vicia 6. Within the scope of the study, a new and endemic onion species was discovered, named Adıyaman and this species was introduced to the literature as Allium adiyamanense Kılıç & Yıld.

STUDI FITOKIMIA DAN FARMAKOLOGI BAWANG DAYAK (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr)

At present, the existence of herbal medicines has succeeded in attracting global attention and many countries in the world are participating in conducting research on these herbal medicines. There are many diseases that can be looked for alternatives with compounds found in plants, including one of the Dayak Onion species (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr) which can be used as microbial agents, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antidermatophyte, anti-melanogenic and has anti-inflammatory activity. cytotoxic because of the content of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids or triterpenoids, phenols, and quinones and their derivatives. There are many other uses of Onion Dayak which are only based on empirical experience. Therefore, further development in pharmacological research on Dayak Onions is needed to fulfill the medical interests of the general public.

USING INTRODUCED SAMPLES OF ONION CROPS FOR BREEDING IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE SOUTH OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The biological diversity of our planet largely depends on human impact on the environment. Globally, there is a large variety of perennial plant species worldwide. One of the methods of genetic preservation of wild species is introducing them into the culture. In the conditions of Altai Krai, scientists have found approximately 28 species of wild-growing onion crops. Wild-growing onion species have important agronomic characteristics. The current research aims to examine, evaluate, and select clones, and create a variety of perennial onion crops. The research objects are samples of three types of perennial onions: Welsh onion, Altai onion, and Chinese chive. The trial establishment, observations, and selections were conducted using instructive methodological regulations. According to the Welsh onion culture, 27 samples were studied. Early growing forms and samples with a long regrowth–bolting period were selected, which determines the duration of economic use in the culture. The least volatile variables were identified. There were 18 samples of Altai onion in the research. A sample of this type with the maximum duration of the regrowth–bolting period was identified. Further research on the selection of clones allowed the identification of promising forms. The selection of clonal material on Chinese chives was carried out using 21 samples. Phenological and morphological evaluation of the samples was performed in this culture, and interesting breeding forms were identified. As a research result, one sample of each type was transferred to the state crop variety testing. According to the results, three new varieties of perennial types of onion crops were zoned: Welsh onion Premiera, Altai onion Viktor, and Chinese chive Zelyeny dol.

Bacterial viability, antioxidant stability, antimutagenicity and sensory properties of onion types fermentation by using probiotic starter during storage

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the bacterial viability, antioxidative activity, antimutagenicity and sensory evaluation of fermented onion types by using probiotic starters after fermentation at 37 °C for 24 hours and storage in the refrigerator for 28 days.Design/methodology/approachFor onion fermentation, Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5), Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB-12), and Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) were utilised. This research was conducted on three types of onion: white onion, red onion and scallion. With a 5% brine solution, the onions were sliced into 3-5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide slices. The process of fermentation was achieved by adding 2% (108 CFU/ gm) of fresh probiotic starter and incubating it for 24 hours at 37 °C. The fermented onion samples were kept in the refrigerator for 28 days. After fermentation and storage, the pH and total acidity were estimated, the vitality of probiotic bacteria was evaluated in samples of the onion species. The Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used to identify the bioactive components in fermented onion types. The antioxidant activity of fermented onions was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity test. The Ames test was used to detect the antimutagenicity of fermented onion samples.FindingsAfter fermentation, the fermented scallion (p = 0.036) has the highest vitality of all the starter bacteria species. The fermentation of onion types produced a pH of between 4.1–4.7 and 0.19–0.23% total acidity, which is in the range of reduced 3.1–3.5 pH values and 0.42–0.63% total acidity after 28 days. The viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in fermented scallions was Log. 7.79 and 7.57 CFU/gm. The GC-MS technique found 14 bioactive compounds in fermented white onions and 13 compounds in fermented white onions, with 15 compounds in scallion fermentation. The majority of these bioactive compounds are strong antioxidants. The antioxidant properties of fermented scallion significantly increased after 28 days of storage time, showing an inhibitory effect on the DPPH assay (p = 0.02) and the scavenging activity of the hydroxyl radical assay (p = 0.01). Sensory evaluation tests revealed that the fermented scallion was a suitable product in terms of appearance, aroma and overall acceptability.Originality/valueCommercially accessible probiotic foods account for a sizable portion of the consumer market. Furthermore, as consumer interest in healthy eating grows, so does demand for plant-based goods. All onion types fermented with probiotic bacteria have many chemical compounds that have both antioxidant and carcinogenic activity. The fermented scallion onion sample was significantly superior to the rest of the other types of onions.

Screening of onion species against white rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. in Manipur

White rot of onion caused by Sclerotium rolfsii has devastated onion cultivations at various small scale onion growing locations in Manipur. The maximum white rot disease incidence was observed during the month of April in all the onion species and the minimum disease incidence was observed during February month. The disease symptoms were not apparent during the first three months after planting. The symptoms of white rot became evident during second week of February with yellowing of leaves starting from tips and gradually progressing downwards. The disease became most obvious during last week of March to first week of April when the basal part of onion stem starts rotting and drooping and the plant wilts and collapse. The bulbs of infected plants are decayed and accompanied by the signs of the pathogen including white mycelium and sclerotia.

EDIBLE ONION FLOWERS (ALLIUM L.) AS A SOURCE OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES

The results of comparative study of the content of biologically active substances in the flowers of 10 species of perennial onions Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch., A. altaicum Pall., A. flavum L., A. microdictyon Prokh., A. nutans L., A. obliquum L., A. ramosum L., A. rosenbachianum Regel, A. schoenoprasum L., A. senescens L. var. glaucum Regel (A. senescens ssp. glaucum (Schrad.) N. Friesen) are presented. The freshly collected raw materials in the phase of mass flowering were analyzed. The dry matter content was determined by drying 1 g of raw material at 100–105 °C to a constant mass. The amount of phenolic compounds, pectin substances, total sugars, and carotenoids was determined spectrophotometrically using SF-56 (Russia) and SF "Agilent" 8453 (USA). For the first time, data on the quantitative content of the main groups of secondary metabolites in onion flowers were obtained. It has been established that in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, flowers of Allium species contain: 10.7-22.5% dry substances, 6.6-26.2% total sugars, 3.3–18.6% pectin substances, 3.6–10.6% phenolic compounds, 3.0–23.4 mg% carotenoids (per mass of absolutely dry materials) and 35.4–157.8 mg% ascorbic acid (per mass of raw materials). The highest values were found for A. rosenbachianum, A. flavum, and A. aflatunense. The high variability of the accumulation of biologically active substances is due to the species and the influence of weather conditions during the growing season. The study showed the prospects for using onion flowers as a source of various bioactive compounds, including when added to food.

Направления и результаты селекционной работы по луку шалоту (Allium ascalonicum L.) в условиях Московской области

Onion crops and their beneficial properties have been known for centuries. The biological characteristics of onion crops allow using their fresh green mass and bulbs almost all year round. Onion crops overwinter well, grow in early spring and are used at a time when no other crop yet pro-duces from open ground. One of the most common onion species today is the shallot (Allium ascalonicumL.). Varie-ties are needed for the successful introduction of the shal-lot into the production process or for cultivation in the gar-den. At present, 65 shallot varieties have been entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use. Taking into account that the crop is diverse in its mor-phological structure, response to growing conditions and the ability to realize its biological potential, the plant breed-ers do a lot of work on selecting promising material and development of varieties for specific cultivation regions. The goal of this research was to study the shallot collection nursery regarding the main economically valuable traits under the conditions of the Moscow Region, to identify promising forms and develop new varieties on their basis. The study was conducted from 2017 through 2019 in the Moscow Region at the Federal Scientific Center of Vegeta-ble Crop Productionon the experimental plot of the Labora-tory of Onion Crop Breeding and Seed Production. The research targets were 80 shallot candidate varieties of var-ious ecological and geographical origins. In our study, the response of the candidate varieties to growing conditions varied significantly. The shallot is cultivated to obtain green onion and bulbs. Of all the varieties under the study, 10 varieties significantly out-yielded the standard variety Yashma (16.6 t ha) in terms of bulbs. The maximum yield of bulbs was obtained from the Zolotaya Zvezda variety -21.3 t ha; this variety exceeded the value of the standard by 46.4%. The findings obtained by studying the shallot collection material regarding the main economically valua-ble traits made it possible to identify the promising forms that may be used in further breeding work as genetic sources for developing new varieties.

Comparative assessment of fungicidal activity of widespread wild-growing and endemic species of the Allium genus growing in Tajikistan

Aim. To conduct a comparative assessment of the fungicidal activity of widespread and endemic species of the genus Allium growing in Tajikistan.Material and methods. The initial ethanol extracts were obtained from fresh plants of 15 onion species from different climatic and geographical regions of the Republic of Tajikistan. The antifungal activity of species of the genus Allium was studied against the yeast-like fungi Candida albicans using the disk diffusion method.Results: The highest fungicidal effect on the reference strain of Candida albicans was demonstrated by alcoholic extracts of the widespread wild species A. elatum Regel, A. oschaninii O. Fedtsch, A. obliguum L, and endemic species A. shugnanicum Vved. Low antifungal activity was found in extracts of 4 widespread wild-growing plant species - A. altaicum Pall, A. suworowii Regel, A. carolinianum DC, A.longicuspis L.Conclusions. The antifungal activity of 13 species of widespread wild-growing and 2 endemic species (A.shugnanicum Vved and A. pamiricum Wendelbo) was studied for the first time. A. elatum Regel, A. oschaninii O. Fedtsch, A. obliguum L, and endemic species A. shugnanicum Vved had a maximal inhibitory effect on the yeast fungus. The extracts obtained from the bulbs and seeds of the studied plants are characterized by the highest antifungal activity.

Review of the current state and prospects of studying Kazakh species of the genus Allium L.

Onions Allium L. are promising economically valuable plants of Kazakhstan’s flora which are found almosteverywhere and distinguished by a large species diversity. In the Tien Shan mountains genus Allium is represented by 56Tien Shan endemics and 25 of which grow in Kazakhstan. Five new endemic species are described in 2021 for Kazakhstan’sflora. The results included analysis of the state of studied Kazakhstan’s species of this genus where were determined speciescomposition and status, degree of introduction research, application and prospects of 134 species of onions of Kazakhstan’sflora including 47 endemic and 12 rare species. Almost half of onions have been tested in culture including 15 endemicand 8 rare species. Introduction studies on decorative, food, medicinal and melliferous properties was relatively high. Incurrent time, the collection of Kazakhstan natural flora is represented by 16 species of onions.

The Phenolic Compounds Profile and Cosmeceutical Significance of Two Kazakh Species of Onions: Alliumgalanthum and A. turkestanicum.

Numerous species of Allium genus have been used in the traditional medicine based on their vast biological effects, e.g., antimicrobial, digestion stimulant, anti-sclerotic, soothing, antiradical or wound healing properties. In this work, unpolar and polar extracts from two lesser-investigated species of Allium growing in Kazakhstan, Allium galanthum Kar. & Kir. (AG) and A. turkestanicum Regel. (AT), were studied for their composition and biological effects. In the HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analyses of water and alcoholic extracts simple organic acids, flavonoids and their glycosides were found to be the best represented group of secondary metabolites. On the other hand, in the GC-MS analysis diethyl ether, extracts were found to be rich sources of straight-chain hydrocarbons and their alcohols, fatty acids and sterols. The antimicrobial activity assessment showed a lower activity of polar extracts, however, the diethyl ether extract from AT bulbs and AG chives showed the strongest activity against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, B. cereus ATCC 10876, some species of Staphylococcus (S. aureus ATCC 25923 and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228) and all tested Candida species (Candida albicans ATCC 2091, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, Candida krusei ATCC 14243 and Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019) with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125–0.5 mg/mL. The highest antiradical capacity exhibited diethyl ether extracts from AG bulbs (IC50 = 19274.78 ± 92.11 mg Trolox eq/g of dried extract) in DPPH assay. In ABTS scavenging assay, the highest value of mg Trolox equivalents, 50.85 ± 2.90 was calculated for diethyl ether extract from AT bulbs. The same extract showed the highest inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase (82.65 ± 1.28% of enzyme activity), whereas AG bulb ether extract was the most efficient murine tyrosinase inhibitor (54% of the enzyme activity). The performed tests confirm possible cosmeceutical applications of these plants.

Содержание биологически активных веществ в зеленой массе многолетних луков (Allium L.)

Abstract. The aim of the study was to determine the content of the main groups of biologically active substances in the green mass of 8 species of perennial onions (Allium L.) during flowering. Methods. The freshly collected raw materials – leaves and flower scapes in A. altaicum Pall., A. flavum L., A. nutans L., A. obliquum L., A. ramosum L., A. schoenoprasum L., A. senescens L. var. glaucum Regel and A. strictum Schrader were analyzed. We used the generally accepted methods of phytochemical analysis. The dry matter content was determined by drying 1 g of raw materials at 100–105 °C to constant weight. The amount of phenolic compounds, pectin substances, total sugars, and carotenoids was determined spectrophotometrically. The amount of ascorbic acid was determined by the titrimetric method. All biochemical indicators, except for ascorbic acid, were calculated on the absolutely dry weight. Results. It has been established that the green mass of onions during flowering phase contains: dry matter – up to 28.3 %, flavonols – up to 1.8 %, tannins – up to 6.3 %, pectin substances – up to 14.7 %, total sugars – up to 42.9 %, ascorbic acid – up to 105.4 mg %, and carotenoids – up to 43.8 mg %. The content of catechins is 0.05–0.19 %. A. flavum and A. obliquum have the highest contents of main groups of biologically active substances, and the relatively low indicators are in A. ramosum and A. senescens var. glaucum. Scientific novelty. The quantitative content of catechins, tannins, pectin substances and carotenoids was studied in the onion species for the first time. The findings testify to the prospects of perennial onions as a source of various bioactive compounds.

К биологии разных образцов лука черемши в условиях Башкирского Предуралья

Abstract. The purpose is to study the phenology, morphometry, reproductive biology, and propagation characteristics of the following species and samples of wild ramson onion: A. microdictyon Prokh. (Bashkir sample), A. victorialis L. (Moscow and Syktyvkar samples), A. ursinum L. (Moscow sample), A. ochotense Prokh. (Syktyvkar and Irkutsk samples). Methods. The study of wild ramson samples was carried out in 2016-2020 under the conditions of the culture in the South-Ural Botanical garden-institute of the UFRC RAS (Bashkir Cis-Urals, northern forest-steppe). The study of the seasonal rhythm of growth and development was carried out according to the method of phenological observations by I. N. Beideman and I. V. Borisova. Determination of winter hardiness and resistance to adverse weather conditions, pests and diseases, reproduction coefficient and seed productivity was carried out according to generally accepted recommendations. Results. According to the phenorhythmotype, the studied species are short-growing, spring-early-summer flowering. A. ursinum – ephemeroid, A. microdictyon, A. ochotense and A. victorialis – hemi-ephemeroid. The flowering phase occurs in late May-early June. The duration of flowering of wild ramson samples by year is 13-22 days. Seed maturation occurs in July. A. ursinum vegetation ends in July, the remaining samples-in August. The largest number of fruits and seeds are allocated samples of A. victorialis and A. microdictyon, the smallest – A. ursinum. Samples of A. microdictyon, A. ursinum and A. victorialis have a high percentage of fruit blooming. The weight of 1000 seeds of A. microdictyon is 3.6 g, A. ursinum – 5.9 g, A. victorialis – 6.3–6.7 g, A. ochotense – 7.9–8.5 g. Wild ramson seeds when sown in the open ground do not germinate in the same year: autumn sowing sprouts in 17–18 months, spring – in a year. To accelerate germination, it is recommended to stratify seeds for 2.5–3 months at a temperature of 0–3 °C. Scientific novelty. Research work on the study of wild ramson onions in the region of the Bashkir Cis-Urals has not yet been carried out. These species of onions have a wide resource value, which was caused by the high relevance of these studies.

Bioactive compounds in the aboveground part of hemiephemeroid onions (Allium L.)

Background. Representatives of the genus Allium L. are valuable food and medicinal plants that have long been used for nutrition and human health. Modern research has proved their high biological activity. Earlier, we investigated the aboveground organs of a number of wild onion species in the consumer ripeness phase. Higher content of secondary metabolites has been observed in the hemiephemeroid species A. aflatunense B. Fedtsch., A. microdictyon Prokh., and A. rosenbachianum Regel. The aim of this work was to determine the content of bioactive compounds in the green biomass of Allium species during flowering.Materials and methods. We studied the freshly harvested raw materials – leaves and flower scapes. Dry matter content was measured by drying 1 g of raw material at 100–105°C to constant weight. The amounts of phenolic compounds, pectic substances, total sugars and carotenoids were assessed spectrophotometrically using the SF-56 (Russia) and SF Agilent 8453 (USA) instruments, and ascorbic acid was measured by the titrimetric method. The result was taken as an average of three measurements for each indicator calculated on absolute dry weight of raw material (except ascorbic acid).Results and conclusions. The green biomass of Allium species was found to contain 8,2–16,2% of dry matter; 4,5–12,0% of phenolics (catechins, flavonols and tannins); 6,9–32,4% of total sugars; 9,5–12,6% of pectic compounds (pectins and protopectins); 20,8–102,5 mg% of carotenoids, and 38,0–197,7 mg% of ascorbic acid (wet weight). A significant range of variation in the content of secondary metabolites was due to the species’ characteristics and weather conditions of the growing season. A. microdictyon had a higher content of dry matter, flavonols and tannins, whereas A. aflatunense and A. rosenbachianum were rich in ascorbic acid and sugars. The findings testify to the prospects of using Allium spp. as a source of bioactive compounds.

Toxicity of the sawdust used for phosphorus recovery in a eutrophic reservoir: experiments with Lactuca sativa and Allium cepa.

Eutrophication is one of the environmental problems arising from the increase of essential nutrient concentrations, mainly phosphorus and nitrogen. In contrast to excess phosphorus, the depletion of phosphate rock deposits used for the production of fertilizers compromises the food supply. Therefore, the development of technologies that propose the recovery of the phosphorus contained in eutrophic environments for its later use for agricultural fertilization purposes is very important to ensure global food security. This work aimed to evaluate the toxic potential of the sawdust (biosorbent previously used for phosphorus adsorption) in order to enable its application in agriculture. For this, toxicity experiments with Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Allium cepa (onion) seeds were performed. The phytotoxic potential was assessed by means of the seed germination index and physiological parameters such as radicle and hypocotyl growth. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity tests were also performed on onion seeds. From statistical tests, it was possible to affirm that the sawdust did not promote inhibition of seed germination and radicle and hypocotyl growth. No genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and, mutagenicity were observed, which allowed to state that the sawdust is not toxic to the onion species, which reinforces the possibility of application of the biosorbent for soil fertilization purposes. Therefore, the use of sawdust for phosphorus biosorption with the subsequent agricultural application is promising and quite important from a global food security point of view.

The influence of germination temperature and ultra-low doses of benzotriazole on morpho-physiological parameters of onions of different species in model experiments

The adaptation of plants is manifested in the preservation of their physiological functions when exposed to various extreme environmental factors. In model experiments, we examined the influence of the combined action of such factors as alcohol solutions of benzotriazole in low concentrations (0,00001; 0,0001; 0,001 mg/ml) and contrasting positive temperatures (+12C and +22C) on germinating ability and growth processes of three species of onions (Allium sulphur , Allium fistulosum and Allium schoenoprasum) differing in various adaptive capabilities. It was found that, regardless of the germination temperature, with an increase in the concentration of benzotriazole solutions in a selected concentration range, stimulation of seed germination is observed for all studied species compared to the control. Benzotriazole had the maximum stimulating effect at a concentration of 0,001 mg/ml when germinating seeds at a temperature of +12C. The effect on growth processes was determined by the average length of the roots of onions on the fifth day of growth. It was found that the length of the roots of onions of all studied species when germinating in benzotriazole solutions at a temperature of +12C does not significantly differ from that in the control. When germinating seeds at +22C, the root length of only two species (Allium cepa , Allium fistulosum) was higher than in the control. Possible mechanisms of the observed phenomenon are discussed.