ANTIOXIDANT ABILITIES OF CULTIVATED AND WILD-SPECIES OF GARLIC

The antioxidant abilities of cultivated and wild species of garlic wer e investigated. Huge quantities of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide (O-2(.-)) and hydroxyl (OH.) radicals were observed in the abovegroun d parts of plants examined. The highest quantities of O-2(.-) and OH. were observed in the aboveground parts of wild Allium vienale L. where lipid peroxidation was also the highest. Carotenoid and vitamin C con tents were the highest in leaves of cultivated Allium vienale L. where quantities of MDA, O-2(.-) and OH. were small indicating its high ant ioxidant ability. (C) 1998 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.