Relevance. Photosynthetic seedlings, as a model object, are interesting both in the study of nutritional value and the species response of a plant organism to the cultivation.Material and methods. The study was carried out on the basis of the laboratory analytical department of the FSBSI FSVC. The material of the research was sprouts of Brassica chinensis L., cv. Vesnyanka; Brassica oleraceae L. var. italica Plenck, cv. Tonus; Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala DC., cv. Malinovka; Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L., hybrid F1 Sonata and cv. Venskaya Belaya 1350; Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. capitata L. f. rubra (L.) Thell., cv. Gako 741. The seeds of the 2018 harvest were germinated in filter paper cassettes using distilled water. The cassettes with seeds were placed in a thermostat under constant illumination and a temperature of 25°C. They have been germinated for 8 days, after which a biochemical analysis of the samples was carried out.Results. It was found out that the total content of water-soluble antioxidants in the studied of cabbage crops was in the range of concentrations from 3.58-4.57 mg-eq HA/g (wet weight). According to this indicator of 8-day-old seedlings, red cabbage variety Gako 741 was distinguished by the maximum values. The total content of antioxidants in the alcoholic extract ranged from 21.24 to 28.23 mg-eq HA/g (dry weight). The content of polyphenols – in the concentration range of 16.39-24.94 mg-eq of HA/g (dry weight). As a result of the research, direct correlations of the studied characteristics were revealed. A high correlation was shown between the content of water-soluble antioxidants and dry matter (r=0.72...0.98) and between the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls (r=0.98...0. 99).

Almost all species of Allium L. come from the main center of species diversity of Allium L., which extends from the Mediterranean basin to Central Asia and beyond. Allium species are rich sources of biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, organosulfur compounds and saponins with beneficial effects on human health. Allium's genetic resources in Russia are a potential source of genes for expanding the genetic base of crops. The purpose of the work was to collect information on the diversity of food Allium L., their natural habitat, information on the biochemical composition and biological activity, traditional methods of use in food by different peoples and the prospect of introducing them into the culture. The review focuses on the most characteristic facts and important modern scientific information about representatives of the Allium L. food industry, which may even acquire pharmacological significance in the future. The review included databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, SciFinder, WoS, RSCI, etc. Other online sources were used (Research Gate, National Center for Biotechnological Information (NCBI), Springer Nature Open Access, Wiley Online Library, etc.). The list of studied Allium species is presented according to the standards adopted in the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) or The Plant List. This study presents the natural habitat of edible onions, provides information on the biochemical composition and biological activity, traditional methods of food use by different peoples and the prospect of introducing them into the culture. For future activities in the field ofgenetic resources, serious efforts must be made to conserve Allium L., as part of the genus is at risk.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biochemical components in the heads of some red cabbage accessions (Russian cultivar Mikhnevskaya, Russian hybrid from Co Sedek Promethey F1, Turkish variety Mohrenkopf, hybrids from the Netherlands Zomiro F1, Pecky F1, Remala F1, Japanese hybrid Pretino F1), during cultivation in the conditions of the Leningrad region. The content of dry matter, nutritional compounds of protein and sugars, biologically active pigments anthocyanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic acids expressed in gallic acid equivalents, as well as the level of antioxidant activity using DPPH were determined. It was found that the content of most chemical components varied greatly between accessions, especially sugars, pigments, and phenolic compounds. As a result of metabolomic profiling, nine monosaccharides (84% of the total) and two disaccharides were identified, including five sugars common to all studied accessions, the predominant of which was fructose. The content of total chlorophylls in heads of cabbage was in the range of 0.48-50.43 mg/100 g (chlorophyll a was 70%), carotenoids in the range of 0.95-15.58 mg/100 g. Carotenoids included carotenes, represented mainly by βcarotene, luteins, violaxanthins, xanthophylls. The main anthocyanin in red cabbage accessions is cyanidin. A total of 19 components of the anthocyanin profile were identified; of which there are six main components, that account for 80% of the total. 11 phenolic compounds of various nature were identified, and all studied accessions contained quinic, ferulic, and sinapic acids. Sources of valuable biochemical traits have been found for breeding on quality for healthy nutrition: the cultivar Mohrenkopf stood out for its high content of dry substances; sugars – hybrid Zomiro F1; anthocyanins – hybrid Pecky F1; phenolic compounds – Pecky F1 and Mohrenkopf; high antioxidant activity - Mikhnevskaya, Mohrenkopf and Pecky F1.