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).

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.

One of the urgent tasks at the present time is to obtain and widely use functional foods that have antioxidant  and anticarcinogenic effects, which serve not only to meet human needs  in   proteins,  fats,  carbohydrates, micro  -   and macronutrients,  but also contribute to the immune system, improve the heart and other human organs. For food plants, rich in antioxidant protection components, include perennial onions, from the variety of wild species which are in demand by modern medicine are only very few. The Republic of Komi is classified as the most uncomfortable  territories for human habitation.  In the flora of the Komi Republic there are three types of perennial bows – Allium angulosum  L., A. schoenoprasum L. and A. strictum Schrad.   The collection of the Botanical garden of the Institute of biology, Komi scientific center includes more than 150 species. Comparison of the chemical composition of  four  types  of  onions  from  the Botanical gardens of the Komi scientific center and Moscow state University (MSU) showed that  the  total  content  of flavonoids in  onions, Komi scientific center of  the  BS  is much higher, and the content of selenium is lower than in the same types of BS, Moscow state University. In samples of onions sticking out in the Republic of Tuva, the Republic of Buryatia,  in the Altai Mountains, the Se content is also much higher than in regional species. The soils of the Komi Republic are  depleted  Se,  however, as  shown  by  our research, wild and cultivated species of the genus Allium, are batteries of this trace element. According to our calculations, the use of 100 g of fresh herbs of chives may meet up to 60% of the daily needs of the human body in ascorbic acid, up to 94% manganese, 20% copper, 12% zinc.

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.

Hormonal regulation is considered to be a unique mechanism controlling growth and development of living organism. The review discusses the correlations between pant hormonal status of non-accumulators and hyper-accumulators of Se with the accumulation levels of this microelement. The phenomenon of stimulation and redistribution of selenium as a result of phytohormone treatment, the peculiarities of phytohormones effect among different species and cultivars, and influence of plant sexualization on selenium accumulation are described in article. Data of hormonal regulation of selenium level for spinach, garlic, perennial onion, Brassica chinenesis and Valeriana officialis are presented in the review.

Relevance. Contarinia nasturtii Keiffer is one of the most dangerous insect pests of Brassicaceae plants dramatically affecting plant yield and seed productivity.Material and Methods. The effect of single foliar application of sodium selenate, ionic form of silicon (Siliplant fertilizer) and garlic extract on the efficiency of Raphanus sativus lobo defense against Contarinia nasturtii infestation was evaluated in condition of greenhouse. Concentrations of the applied reagents were: sodium selenate 26.4 mM; Siliplant – 1 ml/l; garlic extract – 8 g/l. Seed productivity and C. nasturtii infestation levels under Se, Si and garlic extract administration under infestation were determined along with the analysis of plant antioxidant status and sugar content.Results. Foliar application of Siliplant singular or in combination with Se provided the highest seed productivity and mass of 1000 seeds. Plants treated with Si, garlic extract and Si+Se demonstrated lack of C. nasturtii infestation only a week after the preparation supply. Contrary, selenate provided less pronounced defense. Among biochemical parameters tested the values of the total dissolved solids were the highest in plants treated with Se and Se+Si. Changes in the intensity of plant defense due to garlic, Se and Si supply were reflected in the increase of the total phenolic content compared to the values typical for control plants and in a significant accumulation increase of disaccharides, participating in tissue recovery after herbivory attack. Silicon application also provided an increase of selenium accumulation by lobo leaves.

Relevance. Production of functional food with high levels of antioxidant status and selenium is essential for human protection against viral and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer.Methods. Evaluation of the efficiency in foliar sodium selenate biofortification (25. 50 and 75 mg Se/L) was achieved on three chervil genotypes.Results. Intervarietal differences in biofortification level was demonstrated: from 15.5 to 31.1 for 25 mg Se/L dose; from 36.9 to 64.6 for 50 mg Se/L dose; and from 72.9 to 130 for 75 mg Se/L dose. At the chosen doses, selenium supply did not affect significantly the yield, antioxidant properties and photosynthetic content of chervil. Total antioxidant activity was in the range from 30 to 42 mg GAE/g d.w., phenolics content from 9 to 13 mg GAE/g d.w, flavonoids from 5 to 12 mg-eq quercetin/g d.w., ascorbic acid from 33 to 66 mg/100 g fresh w. High levels of carotene were a typical feature of Se fortified and non-fortified chervil. A direct correlation was recorded between phenolics content and total antioxidant activity (r=+0.954, P<0.01), and between water soluble compounds and nitrates accumulation (r=+0.920, P<0.01). Biofortification with selenium did not affect significantly the mineral content of plants. Consumption of 100 g of fresh chervil leaves, fortified with selenium, provides from 50 to 75% of the adequate selenium consumption level and from 16 to 20% of potassium. Taking into account that both selenium and potassium normalize heart activity, the new functional food product may be recommended for prophylactics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and for the human selenium status optimization.

Evaluation of biochemical characteristics of 8 perennial Allium species is achieved (A. ramosum, A. caeruleum, A. erubescens, A. obliquum, A. moly, A. aflatunense, A. oreophilum and A.ursinum). High nutritional significance of separate decorative species is demonstrated. A. caeruleum is shown to be a leader in the accumulation of ascorbic acid (more than 9000 mg/100 g d.w.) and polyphenols (more than 8000 mg GAE/kg d.v.). Detected ascorbic acid concentration range for 8 studies Allium species was 568 (A. ramosum) – 9980 (A. caerulum) mg/100 g d.w.; polyphenols 1392 (A. obliquum) – 8582 (A. caerulum) mg GAE/kg d.w.; water-soluble compounds 28 (A. aflatunense, A. obliguum) – 69 (A. ramosum) mg/kg d.w.; chlorophyll 0.54 (A.oreophilum) – 1.69 (A. ursinum) mg/100 g d.w.; carotene 0.07 (A. oreophilum) – 0.25 (A.ursinum) mg/100 g d.w.; selenium 72 (A. ursinum) – 245 μg/kg d.w., (A. ramosum). Adequate consumption level of vitamin C may be provides by 6.2 g of A.caerulum leaves. Antioxidant activity of Allium species alcoholic extracts composed a range from 1.5 (A. obliquum) to 6.4 (A. ursinum) mg GAE/g d.w. A. ramosum and A. oreophilum demonstrated the highest content of total soluble solids. The highest content of photosynthetic pigments happened to be typical for A. ursinum. The ratio between antioxidant activity of alcoholic and water extracts of Allium leaves was in the range between 0.89 and 2.21 depending on plant species: the highest value was registered in leaves of A. ursinum, the lowest – in leaves of A. ramosum. In a whole the highest content of antioxidants was demonstrated for leaves of A. caerulum. The highest levels of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activity of alcoholic extracts were indicated in leaves of A. ursinum.

Increase of plants resistance to adverse environmental factors is considered to be the basic factor affecting the production of sustainable yields and high quality of agricultural crops. Anomalously high and low temperatures, water logging and drought, bacterial infections and herbivore attack compose significant risk factors during cultivation of different agricultural crops including tomatoes. In last decades great attention is paid to the possibility of plants protection against oxidative stress via biofortification with selenium. Effect of selenium biofortification in adverse ecological conditions of the Chechen republic (high humidity and low temperature) on yield and biochemical characteristics of two tomatoes varieties (Utro, Krasny Velican) was investigated. Dose of 4 mg Se/sq. m in triple processing during vegetation resulted in 18.9-89.9% increase of fruit yield depending on the cultivar tolerance to cladosporium. For the first time the possibility of selenium utilization in protection of plants against cladosporium was demonstrated. Biofortification of plants with selenium resulted in 1,36-1.41 increase of ascorbic acid content, 1.1 times – of carbohydrates, 1.13- 1.22 times – of titratable acidity, 1.9-1.23 time – of betacarotene, 1.55-1.36 times – of licopene. Taste index of tomato fruit also increased by 10%. 16 Fold fortification level of tomato fruit provides 22-29 % from the adequate selenium consumption level with 300 g of the product.

Selenium accumulation level in basil plants is investigated. A direct correlation between selenium concentration and essential oil content is demonstrated for basil and other aroma plants. No correlation is found between selenium and flavonoids.