Planta Med 2011; 77 - PL28
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282677

Biodiversity of carrot genetic resources – variation in secondary metabolites

R Baranski 1, C Allender 2, I Kaminska 3, M Jemiola Rzeminska 4
  • 1Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Science, Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
  • 2Warwick Genetic Resources Unit, The University of Warwick, Wellesbourne Campus, Wellesbourne, Warwick, The United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
  • 4Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Daucus genetic resources comprises a few thousand accessions collected in gene banks mainly in USA, Europe and Russia. In 2009 a sub collection of 94 accessions representing edible and wild carrots was established that should represent available biodiversity. The choice of the accession was done mainly based on their passport data supplemented with data obtained during European programme on carrot characterization during which morphological characters were assessed.

The aim of the presented work was to assess variation of the chosen accessions with regard to their composition of secondary metabolites. The analytical investigation was focused on carotenoids, including alpha-, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and their precursor phytoene, reducing and non-reducing sugars, phenolics, including anthocyanins, flavonols and phenylopropanoids and tocopherol. The results obtained revealed considerable variation of secondary metabolites content depending on genetic background. Edible carrots possessed higher carotenoid content, while phenolics dominated in wild relatives. Several accessions with high level of these compounds with importance for human health were identified. These materials may be prioritized in genetic and breeding programs for the development of high nutritional carrot cultivars.

Acknowledgement: Research was supported by Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (grant No. HOR hn-078 dec-1/10).