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CHARACTERIZATION OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.) ACCORDING THE

GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN BY ANALYSIS OF MINERALS

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© by PSP Volume 26 ± No. 6/2017 pages 4292-4298
CHARACTERIZATION OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.)
ACCORDING THE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN BY ANALYSIS
OF MINERALS
Murat Ali Turan1,*, Suleyman Taban2, Nilgun Taban3, Lutfiye Yilmaz Ersan4
1
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, 16059 Nilufer, Bursa - Turkey
2
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara - Turkey
3
Agricultural Engineer, 06110, Ankara, Turkey.
4
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, 16059 Nilüfer, Bursa ± Turkey
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the
concentration of major (N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, S),
and minor elemets (Zn, Fe, Mn and B) in garlic
bulbs grown in different geographic region of
Turkey. Mineral contents were determined using
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission
Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Based on the results, the
overall mean (n=88) of the major element
concentrations of garlic bulb samples were
determined for N (23.81 g kg-1) P (3.90 g kg-1), K
(12.,33 g kg-1), Ca (0.42 g kg-1), Mg (105.09 mg kg-
1
) and S (10.23 g kg-1). On the other hand, the
overall mean (n=88) of the minor element
concentrations of garlic bulb samples were
determined for Zn (24.94 mg kg-1) Fe (114.69 mg
kg-1), Mn (7.27 mg kg-1), B (10.02 mg kg-1) and Na
(23.40 mg kg-1). Many positive correlations were
found between the some parameters analyzed but a
negative correlation was found between Fe and S.
Hierarchical cluster analysis is a useful tool for
differentiating garlic samples according to region.
KEYWORDS:
Major and minor elements, garlic, Turkey
INTRODUCTION
The major (e.g., Ca, P, Mg, S, K, Cl and Na)
and minor (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, etc.) minerals in food
are important not only because of their essential
nutritional value but also because of their beneficial
effects on human health. The biological roles of
these mineral elements, which are consumed in
food, in the human body are as follows: i) essential
constituents of enzymes and hormones; ii)
regulators of a variety of physiological processes,
such as osmotic pressure maintenance, oxygen
transport, muscle contraction, and central nervous
system integrity; iii) necessary for the development
and appropriate functioning of bones muscles and
teeth. Mineral elements cannot be synthesized by
4292
Fresenius Environmental Bullet
the human body, DQG WKHLU GH¿FLHQF\ leads to
disease; thus, they must be supplied by food.
Throughout the world, there has been an increasing
interest in the use of supplementary foods,
including mineral elements, to prevent various
diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular
disease, and aging and to combat mineral
deficiency. Therefore, analyzing the mineral
composition of a variety of food samples has
critical importance in the human diet as well as in
determining of the geographic origin of crops and
production yield [1-5].
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) belongs to the
Liliaceae family and is mainly produced in
Mediterranean and European Union countries,
India, China, and the USA. In 2011, Turkey
produced 79203 tons garlic on 9694 hectares of
field and was the fourteenth largest garlic producer
in the world, producing 0.33% of the world and
10.23% of Europe's total garlic production [6].
Garlic has been used as flavoring, preservative and
condiment in the food industry in items such as
pickled products, mayonnaise and tomato sauce. It
can also be added to yogurts, breads, soups, salads
and main dishes to give proper taste and aroma in
traditional Turkish cuisine. Garlic contains water,
FDUERK\GUDWHV SURWHLQV ¿EHU DQG IDW DV ZHOO DV
sulfur compounds, amino acids, minerals, vitamins
(B1, B2, C) and energy (39-140 cal/100 g), and thus,
it has been considered as a good source of nutrient
densities. It is known to be part of a group of
³IXQFWLRQDO IRRGV´ which have antimicrobial,
antioxidant, anticholesterol, anticancer and
antiaging properties. In addition, scientific studies
have confirmed and recognized the medicinal
effects of garlic, including the reduction of risk
factors for cardiovascular disease, the lowering of
blood pressure and glucose concentrations, the
stimulation of immune function, and the restoration
of physical strength. The above mentioned positive
effects of garlic on human health are due to their
chemical composition [7-12].
The mineral element contents of garlic are
known to be affected by the genetic characteristics
of the plant; the physical, chemical and biological
© by PSP Volume 26 ± No. 6/2017 pages 4292-4298 Fresenius Environmental Bullet

properties of the soil; weather conditions during the

growing season (temperature, rainfall and
humidity); type and amount of fertilizer used; and
the state of the plant¶s maturity at harvest
[7,8,13,14]. Characterization of the mineral profile
according to different geographic origins protects
domestic production and prevents illegal trade.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the
concentration of biologically essential mineral
elements (N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, S), and minor
FIGURE 1
elemets (Zn, Fe, Mn and B) in garlic bulbs grown in
The geographical districts of garlic samples
different regions of Turkey by using Inductively
Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry
Sample Preparation. Garlic bulb samples
(ICP-OES) following a microwave digestion cycle.
were kept in cooled bags for transport to the
For this purpose, 88 garlic bulb samples were
laboratory. On arrival, the bulbs were cleaned of
collected from eight important regions of Turkey.
foreign material such as dust, soil particles, etc., and
Correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses were
their fresh weight was determined. The bulbs were
applied to investigate the relationship among
dried at 65 °C and ground.
minerals and to differentiate garlic samples
The samples were prepared for ICP-OES
according to region.
analysis according to the published method [15].
Approximately 0.1 g of ground garlic bulb samples
was accurately weighed and transferred into an
MATERIALS AND METHODS acid-washed Teflon digestion tube containing 4 mL
of 65% HNO3. The tube was heated in a microwave
Samples Collection. Garlic bulb samples were oven (Berghof-MWS-2, Germany). The heating
collected from eight different regions that have program is shown in Table 1. After the microwave
been recognized as important places for cultivating digestion cycle, high-purity deionized water was
and growing garlic in Turkey. These places were added to the digested solutions to adjust the final
the Kastamonu (n=%DOÕNHVLUn=.ÕUNODUHOL volume to 14 mL. Three water blanks were run with
(n= 0X÷OD n= .DKUDPDQPDUDú n=8), each batch of samples.
Karaman (n=6), Hatay (n=8) and Antalya (n=5)
regions (Figure 1). Standard Preparation. Working standard
solutions were made from stock solutions (1000 mg
TABLE 1 L-1) of all elements, which were supplied by
Heating program in microwave digestion system Inorganic Ventures Crop, USA. High-quality water,
Step 1 2 3 obtained using a Human UP 900 system, was
T (ºC) 145 190 100 exclusively used.
Power (%) 75 90 40
Time (min) 5 10 10 Determination of mineral element
concentrations of garlic bulbs. Total phosphorus,
TABLE 2 potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur,
Operating conditions for ICP-OES and detection zinc, iron and manganese concentrations were wet
wavelengths digested with concentrated HNO3 (65% Merck) in a
Detection Wavelengths Berghof-MWS-2 Model microwave [15], and garlic
Settings ICP-OES bulb samples were analyzed using ICP-OES
ȜQP
Argon Phosphorus (P) 213.617 (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission
plasma/coolant gas Potassium (K) 766.490 Spectrometry, Perkin Elmer Model DV 2100). The
flow (L/min) 15 Calcium (Ca) 317.933
Argon nebulizer gas Magnesium (Mg) 285.213
instrument operating conditions and detection
flow (L/min) 0.55 Sulphur (S) 181.975 wavelengths are given in Table 2.
Argon auxiliary gas Zinc (Zn) 206.200
flow (L/min) 0.2 Iron (Fe) 235.204 Statistical Analysis. Mean values for the
Power (watt) 1450 Manganese (Mn) 257.610
Plasma aerosol type Wet Boron (B) 249.677
variables were obtained by using Tarist, a statistical
Nebulizer Type Meinhard Sodium (Na) 589.592 software, and the correlation coefficients (r) were
Nebulizer set up Instant calculated to indicate relationship between two
Sprey chember Per-Elmer minerals. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)
Sample flow rate
(mL/min) 1.5
based on mineral contents was carried out by the
Replicates 3 unweighted pair group method using arithmetic
averages (UPGMA) with a dissimilarity matrix
using JMP 7.

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TABLE 3
Total Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur concentrations of
garlic bulb samples collected from different regions in Turkey
N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S,
g kg-1 g kg-1 g kg-1 g kg-1 mg kg-1 g kg-1
Minimum 14.80 2.66 7.80 0.32 1.52 10.24
Kastamonu (n=23) Maximum 35.41 3.93 12.41 0.59 176.47 18.94
Mean± SD 23.10±5.66 3.39±0.36 10.08±1.47 0.42±0.09 65.40±54.03 15.08±2.63
Minimum 19.70 3.45 12.17 0.35 1.59 2.08
%DOÕNHVLU
Maximum 29.70 5.07 15.15 0.73 187.50 6.44
(n=18)
Mean± SD 22.08±4.29 4.17±0.62 13.21±1.20 0.49±0.15 73.57±75.94 4.15±1.97
Minimum 15.01 2.92 9.16 0.15 1.62 3.31
.ÕUNODUHOL
Maximum 34.80 4.87 14.31 0.73 221.71 11.72
(n=11)
Mean± SD 22.30±5.18 3.72±0.50 11.68±1.30 0.30±0.12 107.04±69.30 7.41±2.12
Minimum 15.60 2.52 8.19 0.24 6.46 6.46
0X÷OD
Maximum 26.00 4.36 13.85 0.59 259.69 17.36
(n=9)
Mean± SD 20.51±3.20 3.73±0.58 11.17±1.78 0.44±0.13 111.09±87.32 11.30±4.01
Minimum 12.10 3.72 8.96 0.42 53.5 4.36
.DKUDPDQPDUDú
Maximum 25.81 5.23 16.04 1.32 216.13 11.72
(n=8)
Mean± SD 19.23±4.79 4.29±0.47 12.42±2.95 0.63±0.29 125.16±55.44 7.19±2.13
Minimum 21.30 3.78 14.25 0.25 116.66 11.8
Karaman
Maximum 45.20 5.97 17.69 0.42 296.92 25.31
(n=6)
Mean± SD 33.34±7.82 4.96±0.80 16.03±1.50 0.30±0.07 196.33±73.80 17.24±4.63
Minimum 12.61 3.25 7.95 0.48 55.36 4.89
Hatay
Maximum 30.50 5.64 36.00 1.02 206.45 10.65
(n=8)
Mean± SD 21.97±5.67 4.11±0.76 14.93±8.91 0.63±0.17 123.27±52.42 7.15±1.66
Minimum 11.07 3.03 8.87 0.27 1.62 7.30
Antalya
Maximum 59.01 4.78 18.16 0.59 253.38 14.59
(n=5)
Mean± SD 26.42±11.57 4.01±0.58 13.66±2.53 0.37±0.09 102.55±68.95 10.7±2.19
Minimum 11.70 2.52 7.24 0.15 1.52 2.08
General
Maximum 59.01 5.97 36.00 1.32 296.92 25.31
(n=88)
Mean± SD 23.81±7.01 3.90±0.67 12.33±3.51 0.42±0.18 105.09±71.48 10.23±4.57

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
High variability was observed in the
macroelements composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) of
garlic samples from different regions (Table 3).
Macroelement contents were found to be different
values depending on the regions. Some parts of the
garlic bulbs grown in different locations were found
to have inadequate elements, especially phosphorus
and zinc (Table 3, 4). This reason may be closely
related to concentrations of these elements in the
soil. The results showed that the amount of minerals
contained in garlic is a direct function of the
presence of these minerals in the soil, the amount of
sunlight, air, fertilizers, and water [16]. Lee et al.
[17] reported that K, P, Mg, and Ca were the main
components in garlic. Some mineral concentrations
obtained in this paper were similar to data reported
by Camargo et al., [18] who determined the mineral
content of garlic grown in agro-ecologic condition
of Argentina. Variations in the mineral composition
of garlic determined by different researchers may
be due to many factors, such as agro-climatic
conditions, farming conditions, genetic factors, and
analytical procedures.
The nitrogen concentrations of garlic bulb
samples taken from eight different regions varied
between 11.70 and 59.01 g kg-1 in dry weight and
the average concentration taken from these regions
was determined as 23.81 g kg-1 dry weight (Table
3). The highest average nitrogen concentration
(33.34 g kg-1) in garlic bulbs was from the Karaman
region (Table 3). Bloem et al. (2011) reported an N
content of 27.1-27.5 N mg kg-1 of garlic cloves
influenced by nitrogen and sulfur fertilization. Li et
al., [19] reported nitrogen values in the range
15.624-17.723 g kg-1 for garlic bulbs, which is
similar to our values.
Phosphorus is a major component of bones,
teeth and biological membranes. The dietary
functions of phosphorus are to support tissue
growth during development, pregnancy and
lactation. Phosphorus concentration ranged from
2.52 and 5.97 g kg-1 dry weight. The average
phosphorus concentration taken from these regions
was determined to be 3.90 g kg-1 dry weight. Its
highest average concentration (4.96 g kg-1) was
found in the Karaman region (Table 3). Values
reported by other authors were 1.29 mg kg-1 in
Nigerian garlic species [20], 6.01 g kg-1 for
Kastamonu garlic [21], and between 4.35 - 4.88 g
kg-1 [19] and 4.78 g kg-1 in garlic cultivars [22].
Potassium, sodium, and chloride are the major
electrolytes of osmotic pressure and electrolyte
balance within the body. However, potassium is a
cofactor for enzymes and plays important roles in
many systems such as the cardiovascular,
respiratory, digestive and endocrine systems.
Potassium concentrations of garlic bulb samples
varied between 7.24 and 36.00 g kg-1 dry weight
and the average concentration was determined to be
12.33 g kg-1 dry weight (Table 3). The highest
concentration (16.03 g kg-1) was found in the garlic
bulbs grown in the Karaman region (Table 3).

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© by PSP Volume 26 ± No. 6/2017 pages 4292-4298 Fresenius Environmental Bullet

TABLE 4
Total zinc, iron, manganese, boron and sodium concentrations of garlic bulb samples
collected from different regions in Turkey
Zn, Fe, Mn, B, Na,
mg kg-1 mg kg-1 mg kg-1 mg kg-1 mg kg-1
Minimum 12.44 63.42 4.53 6.04 9.58
Kastamonu
Maximum 43.79 157.81 7.78 15.70 111.47
(n=23)
Mean±SD 26.05±14.12 89.92±22.86 5.96±1.11 8.04±2.54 36.76±26.63
Minimum 19.13 74.91 7.61 15.58 8.67
%DOÕNHVLU
Maximum 79.05 108.01 10.94 48.44 12.59
(n=18)
Mean± SD 33.89±3.58 91.37±12.70 8.41±1.42 24.93±13.43 10.54±1.71
Minimum 8.00 47.78 4.80 7.68 9.46
.ÕUNODUHOL
Maximum 60.61 219.20 19.96 17.75 54.22
(n=11)
Mean± SD 21.14±10.99 115.42±40.23 8.01±2.95 10.82±3.17 20.51±11.84
Minimum 6.20 65.75 4.71 4.71 6.38
0X÷OD
Maximum 32.34 185.05 9.33 8.07 36.96
(n=9)
Mean± SD 20.37±8.62 91.30±36.23 6.67±1.68 6.15±1.48 18.26±10.56
Minimum 20.49 105.27 6.31 6.15 11.73
.DKUDPDQPDUDú
Maximum 50.26 275.44 9.64 11.14 36.1
(n=8)
Mean± SD 37.47±9.65 179.61±64.22 7.88±1.43 6.91±1.72 19.79±8.17
Minimum 11.17 82.89 6.14 7.68 13.97
Karaman
Maximum 32.45 140.95 11.09 9.74 28.01
(n=6)
Mean± SD 20.27±7.08 108.31±26.61 8.67±1.71 8.93±0.88 19.08±4.92
Minimum 18.65 108.87 5.48 5.47 11.08
Hatay
Maximum 49.51 274.26 10.06 10.16 34.00
(n=8)
Mean± SD 36.06±11.61 174.29±61.54 7.43±1.66 6.60±1.48 18.74±7.73
Minimum 1.62 67.76 3.15 8.1 15.26
Antalya
Maximum 28.35 127.20 9.14 29.54 137.28
(n=5)
Mean± SD 16.12±8.07 138.94±18.49 6.53±1.63 13.31±6.06 25.02±36.12
Minimum 1.62 47.78 3.15 4.71 6.38
General
Maximum 79.05 275.44 19.96 48.44 137.28
(n=88)
Mean± SD 24.94±12.21 114.69±48.28 7.27±2.12 10.02±5.98 23.40±20.16

6D¶DGDWXDQG0VKHOLD [20] reported a concentration
of 68.26 mg kg-1. Li et al. [19] determined that the
potassium content of garlic bulbs in the different
selenium-sulfur interactions ranged from 8.31 to
11.52 g kg-1.
Foods of vegetable origin contain calcium,
which is known to be among the ¿rst essential
minerals in the diet. Calcium is required for normal
growth and development of the bones, the
regulation of nervous excitability and muscular
contraction. The concentration of Ca in garlic bulbs
ranged from 0.15 to 1.32 g kg-1 in dry weight and
the average concentration was determined to be
0.42 g kg-1 dry weight (Table 3). The highest
average calcium concentration (0.63 g kg-1) was
found in the garlic bulbs grown in both the
.DKUDPDQPDUDúDQG Hatay regions (Table 3). Other
values of Ca concentration in garlic bulbs from the
literature are 8.64 mg kg-1 in Senegalese garlic
species and 6.93 mg kg-1 in Nigerian species [20].
Li et al. [19] determined that the Ca content of
garlic bulbs in the different selenium-sulfur
interactions ranged from 0.68-1.03 g kg-1.
Magnesium, an essential dietary component, is
the second most common cation found in the body.
It is required for a wide range of fundamental
cellular reactions such as the stabilization of ATP
and the development and maintenance of bone. The
magnesium concentration ranged from 1.52 to
296.92 g kg-1 dry weight and the average
concentration was determined as 105.09 g kg-1 dry
weight (Table 3). The highest average magnesium
concentration (196.33 g kg-1) was found in the
garlic bulbs grown in the Karaman region (Table 3).
6D¶DGDWX DQG 0VKHOLD [20] found 51.60 mg L-1 in
Chadian garlics, while Li et al. [19] found 0.102 -
0.144 g kg-1 in the garlic bulbs.
Sulfur is an essential element in the
composition of some amino acids such as
methionine and cysteine. In addition, some vitamins
such as thiamin and biotin, contain sulfur.
Therefore, it is an important mineral element for
both plants and humans [23]. Sulfur concentrations
of garlic bulb samples varied between 2.08 and
25.31 g kg-1 dry weight, and the average sulfur
concentration taken from these regions was
determined to be 10.23 g kg-1 dry weight (Table 3).
The highest average sulfur concentration (17.24 g
kg-1) was found in the garlic bulbs grown in the
Karaman region (Table 3). Bloem et al. [24] found
S at concenrations of 5.2-9.0 mg kg-1 dry weight in
garlic cloves after N and S fertilization. The
amounts of S in the garlic bulbs of the present study
were simiODU WR WKRVH VWXGLHG E\ ĩXUDZLN and
ĩXUDZLN [25].
The catalytic, structural, and regulatory
functions of zinc in the human body include the
following: i) as a component of a variety of
enzymes, including dehydrogenating enzymes and
carbonic anhydrase, ii) as part of the structure of a
number of proteins and cell membranes, iii)
influences hormone release and nerve impulse
transmission, and iv) regulates gene expression by
acting as transcription factors [26, 27]. Zinc plays
important roles in neurological and behavioral
development in children. The zinc concentrations of

4295
© by PSP Volume 26 ± No. 6/2017 pages 4292-4298 Fresenius Environmental Bullet

TABLE 5
The relation between some mineral element concentrations (r)
P K Na Ca Mg S Zn Fe Mn B
N 0,380*** 0,311** 0,120 -0,194 0,439*** 0,319** -0,024 -0,133 0,238* 0,309**
P 0,706*** -0,278** 0,088 0,658*** 0,065 0.214* 0,014 0,256* 0,172
K -0,282** 0,102 0,436*** -0,005 0,089 -0,045 0,038 0,107
Na 0,006 -0,028 0,154 -0,030 -0,022 -0,014 -0,096
Ca 0,022 -0,089 0,486*** 0,329*** -0,059 0,023
Mg 0,144 0,175 0,183 0,466*** 0,121
S -0,006 -0,340*** -0,149 0.086
Zn 0,367*** 0,028 -0,202
Fe 0,273** -0,157
Mn 0,229*
* P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001

garlic bulbs varied from 1.62 to 79.05 mg kg-1 dry
weight, and the average concentration was found to
be 24.94 mg kg-1 dry weight (Table 4). The highest
average zinc concentration (37.47 mg kg-1) was
found in the garlic bulbs grown in the
and the average concentration of boron was
determined as 10.02 mg kg-1 dry weight (Table 4).
The highest value (24.93 mg kg-1) was found in the
garlic bulbs grown in the %DOÕNHVLU region (Table 4).
Choi and Jun [33] found 4.21 mg kg-1 B in their
.DKUDPDQPDUDú UHJLRQ 7DEOH  The zinc values
obtained in our study are in agreement with zinc
contents of raw garlic published by deQueiroz et al.
[28] who reported a dry weight of 28.14 mg kg-1
and Akinwande and Olatunde [22] who reported
66.08 mg kg-1.
Iron is an essential component for a number of
vital functions in living organisms, including
growth, reproduction, healing, immune function and
the nervous system. It is a component of
hemoglobin, myoglobin and various tissue
enzymes. It aids in the transport and storage of
oxygen from the lungs to cells, assists in the return
of carbon dioxide from cells to the lung for
excretion, and prevents anemia [29]. In this study,
the iron concentration range was from 47.78 to
275.44 mg kg-1 dry weight and the average
concentration was determined to be 114.69 mg kg-1
dry weight (Table 4). The highest average iron
concentration (179.61 mg kg-1) was found in the
garlic bulbs grown in the .DKUDPDQPDUDú UHJLRQ
(Table 4). Values reported by other authors were
46.43-99.18 mg kg-1 [19], 95.40 mg kg-1 [30], and
42.10 mg kg-1 [31].
Manganese acts as a catalytic or structural
components of enzymes such as superoxide
dismutase, arginase and pyruvate carboxylase. It
also participates in different reactions and of
enzyme functions. The manganese content ranged
from 3.15 to 19.96 mg kg-1 dry weight and the
average manganese concentration was 7.27 mg kg-1
dry weight (Table 4). The highest average
manganese concentration (8.41 mg kg-1) was found
in the garlic bulbs grown in the %DOÕNHVLU region
(Table 4). Concentrations of Mn found in this study
were similar to those given by Li et al. [19].
Boron is an essential minor element for the
growth of many plants and is needed for membrane
function and bone metabolism, especially together
with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D in the
body [32]. The boron concentrations of the garlic
bulbs varied from 4.71 to 48.44 mg kg-1 dry weight
4296
garlic samples.
Sodium regulates osmotic and electrolyte
balance, nerve conduction, active cellular transport
and the formation of mineral apatite of bone in the
body. The sodium concentrations of the garlic bulb
samples taken from seven different regions varied
between 6.38 and 137.28 mg kg-1 dry weight, and
the average sodium concentration taken from these
regions was determined to be 23.40 mg kg-1 dry
weight (Table 4). The highest concentration (36.76
mg kg-1) was found in the garlic bulbs grown in the
Kastamonu region (Table 4). Similar results for
sodium were obtained by Sajid et al. [30] and
Odebunmi et al. [31].
Since mineral elements must be taken with
food by the human body, from the viewpoint of
human nutrition, consuming the recommended
dietary allowances (RDAs) of 100 g of garlic
accounts for 7% of P in adults. The amound of K,
Zn and Mn per serving of garlic supplies 3-5% of
the recommended daily intake of these elements for
adults, according to the results of in this study.
A correlation coefficient, a number
representing linear dependence and ranging from -1
to +1, was calculated to investigate thr garlic
samples of different regions (Tables 5).
The data were subjected to statistical analysis
and the correlation coefficient (r) was reported
between major and minor elements for 0 variables.
All variables showed significant correlation (at
0.05, 0.01 and 0.001) with at least one other
variable. The correlations between K-P (r=0.706),
Mg-P (r=0.0.658), Zn-Ca (r=0.486) and Mn-Mg
(r=0.466) were found to have high correlation
coefficients, while statistically significant negative
correlations were found between Na-P (r=-0.278),
Na-K (r= -0.282) and Fe-S (r=-0.340).
Figure 2. Shows the dendrogram obtained
from the HCA, which was performed on all the
analyzed elements to obtain a more simplified view
of the relationship among the regions. As seen from
the figure, two different clusters were observed.
© by PSP Volume 26 ± No. 6/2017 pages 4292-4298
The different agronomic, environmental, soil and
climatic conditions were the parameters for the
formation of the clusters. The mineral
concentrations of the garlic bulbs grown in the
.DKUDPDQPDUDú DQG +DWD\ UHJLRQV VKRZHG WKH
highest similarity, while those of Kastamonu and
Balikesir regions had the lowest similarity.
FIGURE 2
Classification of the different regions by
hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) on the major
and minor elements
Based on the results of the mineral element
concentrations of garlic bulb samples collected
from different regions in Turkey, garlic bulbs seem
to be a good source of essential elements. Garlic
bulbs were richest in N, K, S, P, and Ca, and were
poorest in Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, B and Mn. The
differences in the composition of not only the major
elements but also the minor elements between
garlic grown in different areas were determined.
The environment, as well as agronomic practices
such as the physical and chemical properties of soil
and fertilization programs, could affect the genetic
information of the seeds, determining changes in
the major and minor element composition.
However, garlic, owing to its nutritional and
medicinal properties, is one of the most popular
crops and commercial products in the world. The
data on the mineral content of garlic may also be
useful in determining geographic origin and
detecting illegal labeling.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was supported by TUBITAK
(The Scientific and Technological Research
Council of Turkey) Project number: 104 O 506.
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