Evaluation of Persian Shallot (Allium hirtifolium) Ecotypes for Phytochemical Components and Antioxidant Activity

Phytochemical constituents, such as total phenol, allicin and pyrovic acid as well as antioxidant activity of thirteen ecotypes of Allium hirtifolium Boiss. from different regions of Iran were evaluated. Average contents of total phenol, allicin and pyrovic acid of bulbs extracts per g fresh weight were 0.647 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE), 2.127 mg and 84.412 µmol, respectively and antioxidant activity was 63.717%. The ecotypes that exhibited greater contents of studied phytochemicals consequently possessed higher antioxidant activities. Among the analyzed antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity was present in the greatest quantity (61.501 U mg-1 protein), followed by ascorbate peroxidase (54.182 U mg-1 protein), polyphenol oxidase (46.219 U mg-1 protein), peroxidase (1.972 U mg-1 protein) and catalase (0.49 U mg-1 protein). Correlation analysis showed the accumulation of A. hirtifolium phytochemicals was associated with mean annual temperatures and precipitation. Cluster analysis on phytomedical characters arranged the ecotypes in five groups. The ecotypes of group D presented by Isfahan ecotypes showed the highest pharmaceutical potential which could be considered in future breeding programs. The ecotype groups were not strictly concordant with their bioclimatic or geographic location, so it can be concluded that the genetic factors as well as environmental factors affected the antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium ecotypes.