This study evaluated the elements of production, the content of bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant activity of some types of garlic: softneck—Allium sativum L. var. sativum, Rocambole—A. sativum var. ophioscorodon (Link) Döll, and chives—A. schoenoprasum L. The mean yields and the distribution of bioactive compounds in the bulb, in the cloves of the bulb, as well as in the bulbils formed in the inflorescence, were determined. The average production/ha in the case of chives highlighted a yield of 27.83 t ha⁻¹ of mature bulbs. All these were determined to obtain a better understanding of the biological functionality of the different morphological parts of this species. The content of vitamin C and flavonoids was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in Rocambole than in the other varieties. The phenolic compounds were higher in the case of chives, followed by Rocambole and then by softneck garlic. The content of bioactive compounds was higher in the younger organ, depending on the morphological organ (bulbs, cloves, and bulbils on flower stalks) within the same variety. The vitamin C content was higher in the cloves (15.68 mg 100 g⁻¹), followed by the bulbils in inflorescence (14.64 mg 100 g⁻¹), and the mature bulb (13.14 mg 100 g⁻¹) in Rocambole. The bioactive profile of garlic depends on the age of the morphological organ, and the bioactive concentration decreases with its maturity. Therefore, unripe garlic has the best potential to be used for its health benefits. The versatile health effects and nutraceutical properties of garlic can be attributed to the variety of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenolic substances with strong antioxidant properties, as well as the morphological organ (mature bulb with cloves, a one year bulb derived from bulbil, or bulbil in bloom).

Sweet potatoes have multiple uses as food, feed, and in industrial production. They are characterized by their need for high temperatures for optimal development. This study aimed to analyze the quantitative and qualitative aspects of growing sweet potato cultivars in southwest Romania using mulching and non-mulching systems. The effects of mulching on the production of tuberous roots and the contents of total soluble substance, vitamin C, starch, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were evaluated in three cultivars with white pulp (the ‘Pumpkin’ and ‘Chestnut’ cultivars) and with orange pulp (the ‘Italian’ cultivar). It was found that mulching with polyethylene film improved the production of sweet potatoes, amounting to 41.42 t/ha in the case of the ‘Italian’ cultivar. Moreover, the effect of mulch induced increases in total soluble substance (16.40%) and starch (16.01%) in the ‘Chestnut’ cultivar, in vitamin C (9.23 mg/100 g d.w.) in the ‘Pumpkin’ cultivar, and in antioxidant activity in the ‘Pumpkin’ (2716.55 µmol AsA/g d.w.) and ‘Chestnut’ cultivars (1131.31 µmol AsA/g d.w.), while the polyphenols in the ‘Italian’ cultivar decreased.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are the most cultivated and consumed vegetable species in the world and deserve special attention due to their nutritional and functional value. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional value of organically grown tomatoes in greenhouses, at different maturity phases. Five hybrids were studied: Antalya F₁, Cemile F₁, Lorely F₁, Tiger F₁ and Sacher F₁. The observed parameters in each harvest phase were: Content of chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoids, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and titratable acidity (TA). Taking into account the content of TSS and TA, taste and maturity index was established. Tiger F₁, Sacher F₁ and Cemile F₁ hybrids were significantly standing out for all analysed parameters. Sacher F₁ had a carotene content of 10.3 mg 100 g^-1 FW in green fruit and 17.0 mg 100 g^-1 FW in red fruit. Vitamin C was 6.2 mg 100 g^-1 FW in green fruits, increasing to 16.0 mg 100 g^-1 FW in red fruits. The mineral content depended on the hybrid and harvest stage. In the rose phase the highest K content was in Cemile F₁ (151.53 mg 100^-1 g), Ca in Lorely F₁ (8.16 mg 100 g^-1), Mg in Sacher F₁ and Tiger F₁ with values over 22.0 mg 100 g^-1, and Tiger F₁ and Sacher F₁ distinguish in Zn, Cu and Fe content. In the red fruit phase, Tiger F₁ and Sacher F₁ hybrids are representative for almost all minerals excepting Lorely F₁ and Cemile F₁.

Cucumis metuliferus E. Meyer ex Naudin belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is an annual vegetable species known as horned melon or kiwano. Fruits are recommended for the daily diet because they provide vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals to alleviate malnutrition and improve human health. In this study, kiwano was cultivated in the climatic conditions of Southwestern Romania, which is characterized by warm summers, lower precipitation, and high temperatures, ensuring optimal conditions for growth and development. The fruits were harvested at three stages of consumption: immature stage (green), intermediate stage (white–yellow) or the mature stage (yellow–orange). They were also subjected to analysis on the productive yield and physical–chemical properties. The results showed that the number of fruits ranged from 13.9 to 15.3 fruits/plant, and their average weight had values from 204 g to 234 g, depending on the harvest stage. The results obtained for bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity indicated significant differences (p ≤ 0.05), depending on the harvesting stage. The highest values for the antioxidant capacity (140.90 μM TE/100g DPPH) and total polyphenols (48.78 TPC mg/100 g) were recorded in the immature fruit phase, as well as for the carbohydrate content (3.56%), total protein (1.98%), ascorbic acid (4.3 mg/100 g f.w.), and carotene (0.98 mg/100 g) in the mature fruit phase. These results may stimulate interest in the introduction of this species as a niche crop and for consumption as a source of natural antioxidants for the prevention of diseases due to oxidative stress.

Basil is a species of the genus Ocimum, Lamiaceae family recognized for its bioactive constituents that underlie applications in nutrition, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This paper presents a comparative study on the mineral content, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity of a selection of 12 basil genotypes cultivated in the southwest of Romania. The results demonstrated that the studied genotypes exhibited different antioxidant profiles, being an excellent source of mineral substances and phenolic compounds that can be used to address nutritional and antioxidant deficiencies in the daily diet. The mineral element concentrations in the studied genotypes varied as follows: Ca from 17,901 to 29.490 mg kg-1 D.W.; Mg from 5.891 to 11.997 mg kg-1 D.W.; K from 12.502 to 29.209 mg kg-1 D.W.; Na from 33.10 to 95.63 mg kg-1 D.W.; Cu from 6.28 to 11.2 mg kg-1 D.W.; Fe from 105.0 to 293.0 mg kg-1 D.W.; Mn from 37.9 to 89.0 mg/kg-1 D.W. and Zn from 11.0 to 57.9 mg/kg-1 D.W. The antioxidant activity, determined by the DPPH method, ranged from 27.43 µM TE g-1 D.W. to 30.66 µM TE g-1 D.W., while the total polyphenol content varied from 1.056 mg g-1 D.W. to 6.087 mg GAE g-1 D.W. These results support that the genotypes studied can be cultivated and used as raw material for obtaining nutraceutical products or in the food industry. These genotypes could be further cultivated and used as raw material for the production of nutraceutical products or in the food industry.