Dynamics of bioactive substances accumulation during cauliflower maturation as a way to ensure functional crop properties

Background: Cauliflower heads are recognized as a rich sources of proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, numerous mineral elements, vitamins, and a high content of bioactive substances. Some studies report that the dynamics of accumulation of bioactive substances in cauliflower can be influenced by various factors. Objective: To determine the dependence of the content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) on the stage of maturity of cauliflower heads and on the growing period.Methods: The study investigated the variation in vitamin C, B group vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, inositol), and seven macronutrients (silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium) during different stages of head ripening and cultivation periods in medium-ripening hybrids of cauliflower, specifically ‘Rocky F1’ and ‘Unibotra F1’. Ascorbic acid content in cauliflower heads was determined by the titration method. Quantitative analysis of the water-soluble B group vitamins was performed spectrophotometrically. The content of macronutrients was determined by the chemical-spectral method.Results: The maximum content of ascorbic acid in cauliflower Rocky F1 hybrid was observed at the stage of the heads technical ripening in spring cultivation conditions, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - in the phase of new head formation in summer growing conditions. The content of group B vitamins, with the exception of pantothenic acid, was high in newly formed heads in both studied hybrids. In the conditions of spring cultivation, most of the studied macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the stage of technical ripening of heads, and for Unibotra F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation (Si, Al, Na, P) and in middle ripening stage (Ca, Mg). Under the conditions of summer cultivation, most of the macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - Si, Al, P were high in the phase of new head formation, and Ca, Mg, K - in middle ripening stage. Conclusion: The content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) in cauliflower heads is influenced by the stage of cauliflower maturity and the cultivation period (spring, summer). This should be taken into account when developing targeting diets and growing cauliflower in semi-desert zones of the Republic of Armenia.Keywords: ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients, cauliflower head ripening stage