Fortification of Wild Garlic With Selenium

Abstract

Production of functional food with significant antioxidant and anti-carcinogen activity is considered to be extremely significant in conditions of global ecological crisis. Among Allium species, wild garlic (Allium ursinum L.) along with the ordinary garlic are known to be the leaders in accumulation of natural antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds with strong anti-carcinogen activity. Taking into consideration that Allium species belong to a group of natural accumulators of selenium, foliar biofortification of wild garlic with sodium selenate was achieved in Gudermes region of the Chechen republic. It was demonstrated that fortification of plants with selenium resulted in significant increase of chlorophyll a and b as well as carotene content, and two-fold increase of both polyphenol concentration and total antioxidant activity. Total dose of 2 mg Na2Se04 per square meter provided 14.4-fold increase of selenium content in A. ursinum leaves. Biofortification of plants with selenium resulted in 1.36, 1.28 and 1.38-fold increase of Cr, Fe and V concentration in leaves compared to leaves of non fortified plants. Leaves of A. ursinum fortified with selenium showed anomalously low Si content compared to non fortified plants. Compared to A. ursinum grown in Moscow region, wild garlic of the Chechen republic accumulated 2-fold lower levels of dry matter and 4.8-fold higher levels of monosaccharides. Compared to non fortified garlic leaves, those of A. ursinum demonstrated significantly higher levels of Cu, Fe, Mg и Zn. The results obtained suggest that A. ursinum fortified with selenium may be considered as a new functional food with strong antioxidant activity.

Yield, Quality and Antioxidant Properties of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Response to Foliar Biofortification with Selenium and Iodine

“…The comparison of the present results with literature reports suggests that the stimulation of Se and I content increase recorded in B. juncea is not detectable in other Se-accumulators plants, such as Allium species. Indeed, foliar application of sodium selenate to wild garlic in the Chechen Republic did not affect I accumulation [42]. Conversely, spraying A. sativum with sodium selenate solution in Moscow region decreased I accumulation by garlic bulbs [43].…”

Joint Cultivation of Allium ursinum and Armoracia rusticana under Foliar Sodium Selenate Supply

“…The comparison of the obtained results with the data of an earlier attempt at the foliar Se supply of ramson grown in the natural habitat (forest) [ 9 ] revealed that in field conditions, Se supply resulted in a significant AA accumulation, while a negligible effect was recorded in the forest. On the contrary, Se biofortification provided a higher beneficial effect for AOA and TP levels in plants grown in the forest ( Figure 2 A,B).…”

“…The beneficial effect of low Se doses on plant growth and development was previously described for many plant species including representatives of the Brassicaceae and Amaryllidaceae families [ 9 , 18 , 23 ]. In the case of ramson and horseradish joint cultivation, Se supplementation improved the growth of both plants.…”

“…Intensive ramson growth in early spring determines a possibility of quick replenishment of vitamin deficiency in the human body, including vitamin C and other antioxidants, and improves immunity [ 8 ]. This plant was shown to be tolerant to high Se concentrations and may be attributed to a group of plants, indicators of the element [ 9 ]. Attempts to obtain ramson biofortified with Se revealed the high responsiveness of the plant to foliar selenate supply leading to the enhancement of the total antioxidant status and nutritional value of the product [ 9 ].…”

“…This plant was shown to be tolerant to high Se concentrations and may be attributed to a group of plants, indicators of the element [ 9 ]. Attempts to obtain ramson biofortified with Se revealed the high responsiveness of the plant to foliar selenate supply leading to the enhancement of the total antioxidant status and nutritional value of the product [ 9 ]. This product is highly demanded as a valuable source of biologically active Se and a natural antioxidant in prophylactics and organism protection against cardiac, oncological, and viral diseases, including COVID-19 [ 10 ], and to normalize brain activity and reproductive function [ 11 ].…”