Genotype Variation of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Activity of Artemisia balchanorum Krasch. × Artemisia taurica Willd

Abstract The results of seasonal variation of total polyphenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and phenolic acid (TPAC) accumulation and antioxidant activity of Artemisia balchanorum Krasch. × Artemisia taurica Willd. genotypes from the Kherson Oblast of Ukraine represented in this study. The total polyphenol content was identified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and ranged from 20.51 to 132.52 mg GAE/g (gallic acid equivalent). The flavonoid content conducted with aluminum chloride reagent ranged from 8.16 to 70.77 mg QE/g (quercetin equivalent) and phenolic acid content determined with Arnova reagent ranged from 6.26 to 38.67 mg CAE/g (caffeic acid equivalent) depending on genotype and stage of growth. The antioxidant activity of investigated genotypes determined by the DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method (FRSA) varied from 4.68 to 10.38 mg TE/g (Trolox equivalent), molybdenum-reducing power of extracts detected by the phosphomolybdenum method (MRP) and was from 41.43 to 209.93 mg TE/g depending on genotype. The total polyphenol content, flavonoids and antioxidant activity by the phosphomolybdenum method increased from spring vegetation to flowering. The accumulation of phenolic acids and antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was uneven and depended on genotype and stage of growth. It was found a weak correlation between FRSA and TPC ( r = 0.189), TFC ( r = 0.211), and TPAC ( r = 0.111) for genotypes. A strong correlation was found between MRP and TPC ( r = 0.703), and TFC ( r = 0.657). A moderate correlation was detected between MRP and TPAC ( r = 0.481) for genotypes. The obtained data can be used for further breeding work to get genotypes with high antioxidant activity.