Garlic (Allium sativum L.) – the content of bioactive compounds

Genus Allium belongs to the family Alliaceae , which contains more than 600 species. Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) is the most popular food ingredient widely used all over the world. During the last few decades, garlic has received tremendous attention for their wide range of therapeutic properties and great health benefits. Garlic has possessed antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, anticholesteremic, anti-cancerous, and vasodilator characteristics. In this work the total polyphenols content, total sulfur content and antioxidant activity was compared and evaluated in four studied varieties of garlic (Mojmir, Lukan, Zahorský and Makoi). The analyzed samples of garlic were collected at the stage of full maturity in the area Bardejov. The total polyphenols content was measured using the spectrophotometric method of Folin-Ciocalteu agents. The total polyphenols content in studied varieties of garlic were determined in the range 612.23 mg.kg -1 (Mojmir) to 566.01 mg.kg -1 (Lukan). The total polyphenols content in garlic can be arranged as follows: Mojmir >Makoi >Zahorský >Lukan. The determination of the total sulfur content is based on dry combustion in the presence of oxygen and allows for the quantitative conversion of sulfur to SO 2 . Statistically significant highest level of total sulfur content was recorded in 0.638% (Mojmir) and the lowest level was in 0.421% (Makoi). According to determined values of total sulfur content the studied varieties of garlic can be arranged in the following order: Mojmir >Lukan >Zahorský >Makoi. Antioxidant activity was determined by the spectrophotometric method using a compound DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl). The highest value of antioxidant activity was measured in Mojmir (15.24%). The lowest level was observed in Makoi (11.73%). The antioxidant activity in garlic declined in the following order: Mojmir >Lukan >Zahorský >Makoi. In all studied samples of garlic was confirmed by the strong dependence of the total polyphenols content, total sulfur content and antioxidant activity.