Phenotypic and genetic analysis of health-enhancing attributes in a garlic (Allium sativum L.) F2 family.

CAVAGNARO, P. F.; IPEK, M.; IPEK, A.; GALMARINI, C. R.; SIMON, P. W.

Acros Fukuoka

Congreso; 6th International Symposium on Edible Alliaceae; 2012

Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University

Allium plants possess organosulfur compounds and carbohydrates that provide unique flavor and health enhancing properties. Previous studies in onion revealed significant phenotypic and genetic correlations between pyruvate content (an estimator of pungency), in vitro antiplatelet activity (IVAA), and soluble solids content (SSC). In this study we analyzed SSC, pyruvate, garlic-induced IVAA and the content of three predominant thiosulfinates in bulbs from a garlic F2 family. A strong positive correlation was observed between pyruvate content and IVAA. The thiosulfinates allicin, AllS(O)SPropenyl and AllS(O)SMe were also significantly and positively correlated with pyruvate content and IVAA, whereas SSC was not associated to any of the variables analyzed. Significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for all the variables were detected and mapped. Chromosome regions with co-localized QTL for thiosulfinates, pyruvate and IVAA were detected. Altogether, these results suggest that thiosulfinates are important contributors of garlic antiplatelet activity and, therefore, that it will be difficult to develop garlic populations with low pungency and high IVAA.