Investigation of Antioxidant Properties on Some Garlic Varieties and Influence of Farming Inputs on the Quality of Garlic

The antioxidant activities of garlic are influenced by its variety and farming practices. The objectives of this research were to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of garlic varieties which were marketed in Indonesia. The phenolic compounds were determined with Folin-Ciocalteu and antioxidant activities were examined using 2,2-diphenyl-2-phicrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Ascorbic acid was used as antioxidant reference. In this experiment, nine garlic varieties from different region in the world, as well as in Indonesia were investigated. Those varieties were Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, Sangga Sembalun (purple), Sangga Sembalun (white), Sangga Nunggal, Lumbu Kuning, Lumbu Hijau, and Ncuna Sambori. The results showed that antioxidant activities of Lumbu Hijau, Sangga Sembalun (white) and Ncuna Sambori were among the highest but not different statistically (p<0.05). Moreover, Sangga Sembalun (purple), Lumbu Kuning, Indian, Sangga Nunggal and ascorbic acid 15 ppm (as comparison) were in the second level and not different statistically (p<0.05), while Chinese and Egyptian varieties were the lowest. Sangga Sembalun (white) variety was further cultivated with different dose of farming inputs (manure, dolomite, NPK, SP-36, ZA, Urea and KCl). Results showed that the antioxidant activities of Sangga Sembalun (white) which was cultivated with different dose of farming inputs were not different statistically (p<0.05). In general, different dose of farming inputs in farming practices were not changed the antioxidant activities of garlic variety.