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.

Vegetable chips are extremely popular due to high content of antioxidants, valuable biological activity and long-term storage. During the investigation optimal methods of drying and chips storage from celery (Egor and Dobrynya cvs), parsnip (Krugly, Bely aist and Zhemchug) and parsley (Zolushka cv) roots were developed using the criteria parameters of taste, aroma, color and antioxidant content. The highest organoleptic properties were recorded for celery chips of Dobrynya cv, parsnip chips of Krugly cv and root parsleyThe highest differences in chips organoleptic parameters between convectional and freeze-drying methods reached 1.5 times for parsnip Bely aist cv. while the lowest differences were recorded for root parsley (1.05 times). Decrease in antioxidant activity during freeze-drying was the lowest in root parsley and celery Dobrynya cv. Convectional drying did not affect chips total antioxidant activity and demonstrated the highest preservation effect after 8 months storage. On the contrary, vitamin C losses were the highest during convectional drying though during storage vitamin C content in such chips decreased much less than in freezedried products. Aluminum foil provided 1.2-1.8 times higher content of antioxidants than paper and polyethylene package. Significant inter species and varietal differences in antioxidant stability during various methods of drying and storage were revealed.

Relevance and methods. Chips are considered to be one of the most popular food products with high content of biologically active compounds. The aim of the present work was evaluation of quality and antioxidant self-life of beet chips from different cultivars. Effect of drying method (convection, freeze drying) and storage conditions (paper, vacuum plastic bags and aluminum foil) on beet root chips from 4 cvs self-life was investigated. Biochemical methods of analysis and tasting evaluation were used.Results. Beet intervarietal differences in self-life of chips fat soluble antioxidants were indicated. Paper bags were shown to produce the highest AOA and phenolics values of convection drying products contrary to freeze drying chips in vacuum plastic bags. Differences in AOA and phenolics self-life of products produced via convection and freeze drying are absent. Tasting evaluation (appearance, taste, texture, aroma) revealed the lowest score for Gaspadynya cv. The highest polyphenols loss in chips stored in aluminum foil was typical for Gaspadynya cv chips, while storage in paper bags – for chips from Dobrynya cv chips. In a whole, the results of the present investigation indicate the importance intervarietal differences in beet chips production, as genetic differences determine taste and storability of the product.

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.

Relevance. High voltage electric power transmission lines (HVEPTL) cover a fairly large area of agricultural land all over the world. Investigations of electromagnetic field effect on growth and development of plants are held in various countries. The reaction of individual plant species and even varieties to the electromagnetic field manifests itself in different ways. The network of HVEPTL is growing steadily in our region as well. Nevertheless, information about the effect of the electromagnetic field on bean plants is rather scares. The aim of the present work was to evaluate HVEPTL effect on the growth and development of vegetable beans, depending on the intensity of the electromagnetic field.Material and Methods. The work was achieved on green beans Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Sakfit, Pagoda, MBZ 556, Arishka cvs) grown in conditions of different electromagnetic field values under HVEPTL. Biometrical parameters, plant productivity, yield, dry matter, photosynthetic pigments content, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity and total phenolics were determined.Results. In the ranges of electric field values from (5-10) to (400-440) B/m and magnetic field from 0 to 0.53 μT a beneficial effect of electromagnetic field on accumulation of leaves photosynthetic pigments (15-65% increase of chlorophyll а and 6-52% increase of chlorophyll b), polyphenol content (increase up to 17%), antioxidant activity (1-15% increase), and dry matter content (2,5-11% increase) and beans ascorbic acid levels (12-28% increase) were registered. Accordingy, increased plants growth, development and productivity were demonstrated. Peculiarities of beans plants grown under HVEPTL included decrease leaves carotene levels at electric field level of 60-100 B/m (70 m form HVEPTL), and lack of correlation between chlorophyll and carotene in leaves and total antioxidant activity and phenolics content at the stage of technical ripening.

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).

Relevance. New types of vegetable crops, previously unknown on a large scale, appear on the market. Japanese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica (L. H. Bailey) Hanelt) is one of such crops for the middle zone of the Russian Federation. Due to the high content of vitamin C and microelements, Japanese cabbage can be classified as a rational balanced diet, including dietary one, and it can also be used as a raw material for the medical industry. Methods. The study of a promising sample of Japanese cabbage selection at the Federal Research Vegetable Center consisted in phenological observation of the stages of plant growth and development, morphological study of economically valuable traits, and biochemical analyzes of the content of ascorbic acid, dry matter and photosynthetic pigments. Results. The results of observations made it possible to establish the timing of the onset of phenological phases in Japanese cabbage plants and showed that the active formation of leaf mass in plants occurs 20 days after planting the seedlings. A close direct relationship was established between the duration of economic shelf life and the number of leaves in a plant (R = 0.95) and the length of the leaf plate (R=0.92). In the conducted biochemical studies, it was revealed that the content of ascorbic acid in the promising sample is 37.84±0.88 mg%, and the dry matter is in the range of 11.3±0.42%. The content of antioxidants in terms of HA and AA is within 5.72±0.72 and 19.5±2.46 mg/g, respectively. The study of the morphological characteristics and biological characteristics of Japanese cabbage plants contribute to the maximum use of the potential of vegetable crops in the conditions of the Moscow region.

High nutritional value of parsley determines constant interest to this agricultural crop as a source of natural antioxidants to humans. Biochemical characteristics of 6 parsley varieties (Federal scientific center selection) are investigated. Dry matter content was in the range 20.56-25.92%. Monosaccharides concentrations varied from 1.29 to 2.14%. High correlation between dry matter and monosaccharides content in leaves was revealed (r=0.97). The highest concentration of ascorbic acid was demonstrated in leaves of two varieties: Nezhnost and Breeze. The highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content were typical for leaves of root-parsley and curly variety Krasotka (45.1 mg-eq GA/g d.w., 16.6 mg-eq GA/g d.w. and 55.55 mg-eq GA/g d.w., 15.8 mg-eq GA/g d.w. accordingly). Antioxidant activity level was found to be strictly connected with the content of ascorbic acid and a strong correlation was demonstrated between these parameters (r=0.92, P<0.01). The highest concentration of photosynthetic pigments was typical for Nezhnost variety. A quadratic relationship between dry matter content/monosaccharides and AOA/ascorbic acid happened to be peculiar for parsley. Significant intervarietal differences of macroelements accumulation in parsley leaves are revealed. Thus the highest levels of manganese accumulated Nezhnost cultivar, zinc and copper – Krasotka variety, iron – Krasotka, Moscvichka cvs and root parsley.

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.