BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PARSLEY VARIETIES (<i>Petroselinum crispum</i> [Mill.] Nym. ex A.W. Hill.)

Abstract

High nutritional value of parsley determines constant interest to this agricultural crop as a source of natural antioxidants to humans. Biochemical characteristics of 6 parsley varieties (Federal scientific center selection) are investigated. Dry matter content was in the range 20.56-25.92%. Monosaccharides concentrations varied from 1.29 to 2.14%. High correlation between dry matter and monosaccharides content in leaves was revealed (r=0.97). The highest concentration of ascorbic acid was demonstrated in leaves of two varieties: Nezhnost and Breeze. The highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content were typical for leaves of root-parsley and curly variety Krasotka (45.1 mg-eq GA/g d.w., 16.6 mg-eq GA/g d.w. and 55.55 mg-eq GA/g d.w., 15.8 mg-eq GA/g d.w. accordingly). Antioxidant activity level was found to be strictly connected with the content of ascorbic acid and a strong correlation was demonstrated between these parameters (r=0.92, P&lt;0.01). The highest concentration of photosynthetic pigments was typical for Nezhnost variety. A quadratic relationship between dry matter content/monosaccharides and AOA/ascorbic acid happened to be peculiar for parsley. Significant intervarietal differences of macroelements accumulation in parsley leaves are revealed. Thus the highest levels of manganese accumulated Nezhnost cultivar, zinc and copper – Krasotka variety, iron – Krasotka, Moscvichka cvs and root parsley.