Carotenoid, Carotene and Anthocyanin Levels of Naturally Grown old Garden Roses (Rosa ssp.) in Van

Secondary metabolites especially phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids have potential antioxidants and antimicrobial activity. Carotenoids are important antioxidants and bioactive compounds supplying to the health benefits of different foods and rosehips known for high bioactive content. Anthocyanins have physiological importance because of their abilities to protect leaves from photooxidative injuries without significantly compromising photosynthesis. Numerous studies shown that roses are rich sources of bioactive compounds. The genus Rosa contains various species that are widely grown in Europe, Asia, The Middle East and North America. In this study it was aimed that determination of carotenoid, carotene and anthocyanin amounts of naturally growing old garden roses species in Van ecological conditions. In this study eleven species of rosehips (Rosa damascena, Rosa damascena var. semperflorens, Rosa laxa ssp. harputensis, Rosa alba, Rosa multiflora, Rosa pisiformis, Rosa foetida, Rosa foetida var. bicolor, Rosa hemisphaerica, Rosa hemisphaerica var. plena hort, Rosa heckellana subsp. vanheurckiona) naturally grown in Van conditions were used as plant material. The fresh leaves (100-200 mg), immediately after harvesting, were homogenized by 80% aqueous acetone and filtered by white tape filter paper. In the extracts, carotenoid, carotene and anthocyanin levels were determined by using UV spectrophotometer in 470 nm, 537 nm, 647 nm, 663 nm wavelengths respectively. As a result, the highest and lowest carotenoid levels were found as 3.18 µg/ml and 0.59 µg/ml in R. heckellana subsp. vanheurckiona and R. damascena var. semperflorens. The highest anthocyanin level was determined in R. damascena as 0.06 µg/ml.