This study is designed to
investigate the antioxidant status and the presence of biologically-active
compounds in Allium roseum L. and to
compare the results with those of Allium
sativum L. The content of thiosulfinates (Thio) and the levels of flavonols
(quercetin and rutin), ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione reduced (GSH),
glutathione oxidized (GSSG) and the antioxidant enzymes activities of
glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT),
were evaluated in bulbs, bulblets, flowers bulblets, leaves and flowers. Our
study shows that bulbs of Allium roseum contain levels significantly higher of GSH, GSSG, AA, Thio, rutin and the
activity of GPx and GR significantly higher than bulbs of Allium sativum. Moreover, the bulbs of Allium roseum show a significantly higher content of GPx, GR, CAT, GSH and GSSG than
bulblets, flowers bulblets, leaves and flowers of Allium roseum. In Allium
roseum, the greatest content of Thio is present in the flowers bulblets, while
the levels of AA, quercetin and rutin are greater in the flowers. In
conclusion, our result shows how Allium
roseum exhibits antioxidant capabilities in all its fresh organs. The
bulbs, bulblets, flowers bulblets, leaves and flowers are a good source of
important bioactive compounds. Allium
roseum possesses properties comparable to garlic indicating its possible
nutritional and medicinal value.