Comprehensive Comparison of Phytochemical Contents in Acclimatized In Vitro-Cultured and Naturally Grown Wild Garlic (Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum) Seedlings at Similar Developmental Stages

Abstract

Wild garlic (Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum, AVVP), a valuable wild vegetable and medicinal plant, was studied to compare the chemical compositions of plants propagated by different methods. This study compared the chemical profiles of in vitro plants acclimatized in a greenhouse and ex vivo plants propagated from seeds in a forest. Both groups were derived from the same clonal line and harvested after 12 months of growth. The moisture content of acclimatized in vitro plants and ex vivo propagated plants was similar, and the extraction yield of acclimatized in vitro plants was higher. The inorganic content was generally higher in the shoot than in the bulb, with ex vivo propagated plants showing higher inorganic content in the bulb. The total sugar content was higher in acclimatized in vitro plants in the shoot, and similar in the bulb. The amount of carbohydrates was similar in the shoot, and higher in ex vivo propagated plants in the bulb. The content of moisture, total dietary fiber, and free sugar was high in acclimatized in vitro plants in both shoot and bulb. The content of crude oil, free amino acid, and the total polyphenol was higher in the shoot of ex vivo propagated plants and in the bulb of acclimatized in vitro plants. A total of 36 types of volatile compounds were detected, and dimethyl sulfone was the main component, and the types of compounds were similar in acclimatized in vitro plants and ex vivo propagated plants. Antioxidant activity was higher in ex vivo propagated plants compared to acclimatized in vitro plants. These findings indicate that chemical differences are primarily influenced by environmental conditions rather than plant age or genetics. This study provides valuable insights for the optimized propagation and use of wild garlic and similar medicinal plants in both forest and controlled environments.