Relevance. Increased demand in Russia for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties of domestic breeding has stimulated the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center of breeding to intensify research on the creation of new asparagus bean varieties of vegetable direction.Materials and methods. Four vegetable bean varieties – Secunda, Lika, Ulyasha, Si Bemol of the laboratory of selection and seed production of vegetable Legume crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center were used as the material for the study. The counts and observations were made according to the Methodology of the State Variety Trial of Agricultural Crops, 1975. The count of productivity was carried out in the technical stage of ripeness by replications. Harvesting was carried out when the biological stage of ripeness was reached. Biochemical studies of plants were carried out in the laboratoryanalytical department of the FSBSI FSVC. The biochemical composition of vegetable bean (green bean) varieties was studied according to the following indicators: determination of the total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid, dry matter, polyphenols, monosaccharides, total sugar content and starch.Results. Evaluation of samples by aggregate factors contributes to the selection of the most promising and high-quality varieties for their introduction into production. As a result of the research of vegetable bean on the main economically valuable features and biochemical composition for the period from 2018 to 2020, the varieties Lika and Ulyasha were selected. They were distinguished by high productivity of beans and seeds. Green bean variety Lika was noted for the highest total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid and the total of sugars content, the green bean variety "lobio" Ulyasha - high content of polyphenols and the total of antioxidants in the alcohol extract. Stable high yield, adaptive potential and high quality of beans, confirmed by the results of biochemical evaluation, allow us to recommend these varieties for consumption by the population as part of the diet and as an alternative to meat and dairy products.

Material for research was fresh leaves of Amaranthus tricolor L. varieties Early Splendor. They were grown in a greenhouse (Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, Moscow region). Using GC-MS, 8 and 11 amino acids were identified in extracts of hetero- and autotrophic leaves. One of the mechanisms that provide resistance to stresses of various natures is the accumulation of free amino acids; therefore, the total content of antioxidants can serve as an indicator of plant resistance. The amino acids found in amaranth leaves have pronounced functional activity in the human body. For example, tyrosine is the most important neurotransmitter, stimulates the brain, is involved in the control of stress. In humans, the precursor of tyrosine is the essential amino acid phenylalanine, while tyrosine is formed by hydroxylation of the phenyl group of phenylalanine. In this case, the lack of the latter in food leads to a deficiency of tyrosine in the body. Tryptophan controls the body's protective and adaptive functions. Amino acids valine, leucine, glutamine, proline - stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal flora and biomass accumulation. Thus, the amino acid composition determines the nutritional and pharmacological value of amaranth leaf biomass. This indicates that amaranth leaves are a promising raw material for creating functional products and herbal remedies.

Seed storage of agricultural crops in the conditions of International Space Station (ISS) is an effective method of quick plant breeding aimed to enhance the adaptability, and improve the biologically active compound accumulation and crop yield. Biochemical and mineral composition (ICP-MS) of lettuce grown in greenhouse from seeds stored for one year at the ISS was assessed. High varietal differences in lettuce tolerance to the effect of micro-gravity and radiation were evaluated using the values of yield, biometrical parameters, antioxidant status and plant mineral composition. Among the cultivars studied, i.e. Petrovich, Synthesis, Moskovsky parnikovy, Picnic, Cavalier and Bouquet, only the cvs. Retrovich, Synthesis, Moskovsky parnikovy and Picnik retained seed viability. Significant yield increase was recorded for the cv. Moskovsky parnikovy, while the cvs. Petrovich, Synthesis and Picnic demonstrated a tendency to the yield decrease. Improvement of photosynthetic pigment accumulation due to seed space storage was recorded for the cv. Moskovsky parnikovy and, particularly, the latter cultivar differed from the other cvs. due to the significantly higher proline level and lower MDA levels in leaves. Though space stress did not cause any significant decrease in antioxidant accumulation of plants, the latter demonstrated valuable changes in mineral composition. Among the 23 elements tested, V, Se. Fe and Cr showed higher concentrations compared to those in the control plants. Positive correlations between Ca, Sr, Cd, Cp, Mg, Mo and Pb were recorded (r > 0.9; p < 0.001).

Relevance. Garlic is one of the most popular agricultural crops characterized by high nutritional value and unique chemical composition providing significant beneficial effect on human health.Methods. The review summarizes the most significant publications on garlic biochemical composition, utilization in medicine, human nutrition and agriculture for a period from 1988 to 2024 with the predominant utilization of Scopus and WoS publications.Results. The diversity of garlic processing products (fresh, dry powder, ‘Green' garlic, Laba garlic, garlic essential oil macerate, ethanolic extract (‘aged garlic extract' AGE) and black garlic) provides the diversity of biochemical composition and the direction of biological effect. The possibility to utilize both garlic bulbs, leaves, stems and peel in medicine and agriculture (for yield and stress resistance improvement) are the most important factors for successful waste free production and wide utilization of garlic.

The review is devoted to the nutritional significance and prospects of garden rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) utilization in food industry. High yield of juice reaching 90% and the ability to complex rhubarb stems processing for juice production and pectin extraction from rhubarb stem pomace are empathized. Rhubarb stems pomace recorded up to 21-23 % of pectin, which is significantly higher than in natural industrial sources of pectin. Medicinal value of rhubarb juice is discussed: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, cardioprotective and anti-diabetic properties are indicated. Examples of high antioxidant content and unique organic acids composition of rhubarb juice are highlighted. Sorbic and benzoic acids are indicated as important components of juice widely used in food industry as food preservatives. Citric acid is shown to be the main component of rhubarb organic acids in spring. Special attention is paid to the non-waste production of juice thanks to the possibility of pomace processing for pectin recovery. Juice biochemical characteristics of four garden rhubarb cultivars (selection of Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Production) are described: Udalets, Malakhit, Zaryanka and Krupnochereshkovy). Expediency of further selection on high anthocyanin content in rhubarb stems are empathized.

Production of functional food with high levels of selenium and other antioxidants is very valuable for human protection against different forms of oxidant stress. Among leafy vegetables parsley demonstrate the highest levels of antioxidants. Biochemical analysis and fluorimetric determination of selenium revealed that foliar biofortification of 4 parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cultivars and Mitsuba (Cryptotaenia japonica) with sodium selenate (25 mg L-1) resulted in the highest biofortification level in curly parsley cultivar Krasotka (102.9) which showed the highest leaf surface area, antioxidant activity (65 mg GAE g-1 d.w.) and flavonoids content (25.9 mg quercetin equivalent g-1 d.w.), and the increase by 1.4 times in carotene content and 1,5 times in total chlorophyll content. ICP-MS method of mineral composition evaluation recorded extremely high levels of B and Si in Mustuba, which increased due to Se supplementation by 1.23 and 1.46 times respectively. In a two-year experiment with control and Se-fortified, leafy parsley, cultivar Moskvichka reached high values of seed yield and viability, and seed Se content (6170 µg kg-1 d.w.). The results of the present investigation demonstrate high prospects of parsley and Mitsuba selenium biofortification for production of functional food with elevated levels of microelement and high antioxidant activity.

In recent years, interest in mountain savory is increasing and this is due to the rich biochemical composition, useful properties and decorative qualities of this plant. The materials were sortopopulyatsiya savory mountain. The study was conducted in the open ground in Moscow region (2012-2018) on experimental plots of the laboratory green, spicy taste and floral crops of FSBSI FSVC. The work on improving the source material by applying individual selection, the most aligned with economically valuable traits form ЧГ32-12 with high potential productivity of inflorescences and green mass, decorative, flavour and hardiness. Conducted testing and pre-multiplication of promising accessions, which was transferred into the "GOSSORTKOMISSIA" in 2018 called “Bobrik”. The yield of green increased in vegetation years in the first year of vegetation was 0,650 kg/m2, in the second – 3.0 kg/m2, and in the third year reached 5.4 kg/m2. Indicator sign "plant height" increased over the years of vegetation (11.4 cm, 25.5 cm and 40.2 cm, respectively). The values of the sign "number of shoots" in the first year of vegetation was 11.6 PCs., in the second year – sharply increased (255.1 PCs.), in the third year – reached its maximum (787.3). The accumulation of dry matter in the years of vegetation increased: the first year contained 20.08%; the second year – 26.95%; and the third year of vegetation – 29.71%. The content of ascorbic acid in the flowering phase in the second year of vegetation increased compared to the first year (8.21 mg/% and 5.87 mg (%). The amount of water-soluble antioxidants in the second year of the growing season has increased almost two times in comparison with the first year (to 22.7 mg/g and AAE 42.39 mg/g of AAE), in the third year there is a decrease in rate – 28.6 mg/g of AAE. Thus, the green of the mountain variety "Bobrik" is a source of biologically active substances, such as ascorbic acid and carotenoids, so the culture can be recommended for the use of young shoots and leaves in fresh and dry form, as a seasoning for salads, sauces, marinades, meat and fish dishes, as well as spicy and aromatic additives for the preparation of drinks.

Food and pharmacological value in onion leaves is mainly represented by ascorbic acid, chlorophylls and secondary metabolites: carotenoids, phenolic compounds. At the same time, their quantity depends on the conditions of cultivation and treatment with biostimulants. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse on sod-podzolic soil in the Moscow region under conditions of natural insolation at a temperature of 20 ... 25 ° C in March using varieties of VNIISSOK selection – Chernyj princ and Zolotnichok. The effect of Albit and Amir biostimulants on the content of antioxidants and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of onion was studied. The work shows the promise of using growth-stimulating plant and bacterial preparations for foliar treatment of onion leaves, which allow increasing the yield of leaves and the content of antioxidants. In the leaves of the Chernyj princ variety, an increase in the content of ascorbic acid by 30% was observed when treated with biostimulant Amir, as well as an increase in leaf weight by 8% when treated with Amir and by 14% when treated with biostimulant Albit. Foliar treatment of onion leaves with biostimulants Albit and Amir resulted in an increase in the amount of ethanol-soluble antioxidants.

Sprouts of agricultural crops seeds are considered to be functional food products with high content of antioxidants. Though seeds of Allium species plants are used in some countries as spices the possibilities of appropriate sprouts utilization have never been investigated so far. Evaluation of perennial and A. cepa seeds biofortification with selenium revealed high nutritional value of the resulting sprouts characterized not only by high selenium content exclusively in a form of selenomethyl selenocysteine (a natural anti carcinogen) but also with high levels of antioxidant activity and high polyphenol content. It was demonstrated that among seven studied representatives of Allium species Allium cepa variety Krasnoye krugevo and perennial onion Allium fistulosum give seeds sprouts with the highest levels of selenium (10500-11000 μg/kg d.w.), polyphenols (9.3-10.8 mg-eq GA/g d.w) and the largest values of antioxidant activity (14.7-17.1 mg-eq GA/g d.w.). Utilization of one g of dried seeds sprouts powder, fortified with selenium provides up to 15.7% of the adequate consumption level of selenium exclusively in a form of selenomethyl selenocysteine possessing powerful anti carcinogenic activity.

Vegetables are considered essential for well-balanced diets since they supply vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and chemicals. Thechilli pepper fruits (Capsicum spp.), like many other vegetable crops, are a source of important biological components – the macro-, microelements and antioxidants. In this regard, the chilli pepper can be included in the category of dietetic foods.The most cultivated in Russia chilli pepper varieties belong to the Capsicum annuum L. At present, in the world and in Russia huge number of varieties are selected, with different color, shape and hot and pungent taste of the fruits with a high content of carotenoids, capsaicinoids and ascorbic acid. These varieties belong to the species C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum and C. pubescens. The fruits of these forms and products of their processing are suitable for industrial applications and are the basis of many sauces, pastes, ketchups, and ingredients, which is used in food, pharmaceutical, confectionery, alcoholic beverage, military and other industries. Chilli peppers, in addition to nutritional value, are ideal for ornamental horticulture, because of the compactness or vice versa weeping form of the stems, suspended like bells and differently colored like a rainbow, fruits, colorful combinations color of leaves and fruits. You can use them and direct planting in the ground, and as a potting culture in balconies, loggias, winter gardens, in combination with other plants.