Silymarin content and antioxidant activity of seeds of wild Silybum marianum populations growing in Greece

Selection of milk thistle genotypes for commercial cultivation depends on wild population resources. The evaluation of these populations could contribute to the development of new milk thistle varieties with desirable traits. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate 30 wild populations growing in Greece. Significant differences in silymarin content were recorded among the populations studied, with values ranging from 2.31 to 7.71%, as well as in flavonolignan and taxifolin content. Our results showed noticeable levels of diversity in silymarin content, indicating that a valuable gene pool for exploitation in milk thistle breeding programmes exists in Greece. Selection of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) genotypes for commercial cultivation depends on wild population resources, rather than on selection of varieties. The evaluation of these populations could contribute to the development of new milk thistle varieties with desirable traits such as high silymarin content. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate 30 wild populations occurring naturally in Greece, based on seed silymarin content. Seeds were collected from populations growing in localities presenting different environmental conditions. In addition, we also investigated the diversity in levels of silymarin constituents, as well as observed correlations among them. Significant differences in silymarin content were recorded among the populations studied, with values ranging from 2.31 to 7.71% (avg. 3....
Source: Annals of Applied Biology - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research