Morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum L. wild growing in the northwestern part of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

Allium ursinum L. (ramson) has been used for centuries as a food and medicinal herb. Generally, the phenology, morphology, as well as health benefits of Allium ursinum plants have been scientifically validated; however, the knowledge about geographic variation in morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum are fairly scarce. The aim of this study, therefore, was to reveal the habitat preferences of Allium ursinum in different geographical regions of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and to evaluate its morphological characteristics of stems, leaves and bulbs and its antioxidant properties. Morphological characteristics as well as antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum plants including total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined. In this study, the high abundance of Allium ursinum plants was recorded at five different locations: Laktaši, Kozara, Prnjavor, Kneževo and Drinić. The results of this study revealed that Allium ursinum prefers forest habitats and that their morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties are strongly dependent on both geographical location and habitat conditions. We hereby suggest that Allium ursinum can be considered a valuable source of phenolic compounds with relevant antioxidant activity.