Antioxidant abilities of cultivated and wild species of garlic

The antioxidant abilities of cultivated and wild species of garlic were investigated. Huge quantities of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide (O2˙−) and hydroxyl (OH˙) radicals were observed in the above-ground parts of plants examined. The highest quantities of O2˙− and OH˙ were observed in the above-ground parts of wild Allium vienale L. where lipid peroxidation was also the highest. Carotenoid and­vitamin C contents were the highest in leaves of cultivated Allium vienale L. where quantities of MDA, O2˙− and OH˙ were small indicating its high antioxidant ability.