Analysis of morphological diversity, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of mutant MV1 shallots treated with gamma irradiation.

Abstract

The importance of this study lies in identifying functional mutants as potential seed sources for shallot cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate morphological diversity, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of MV1 shallot (Allium cepavar.aggregatum) mutants subjected to gamma-ray irradiation. A completely randomized design was used with six gamma irradiation doses (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 Gy), each replicated three times. Field trials were conducted at the Center for Integrated Farming, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia. Gamma irradiation significantly affected A. cepa growth, yield, and biochemical composition, with the LD50 estimated at 125 Gy. Although higher doses reduced most growth parameters, the sprouting percentage declined by only 3%. Gamma doses between 25 and 125 Gy increased bulb number in A. cepa, reaching a maximum of 5.7 bulbs per plant at 100 Gy. The 100 Gy treatment also produced the highest total phenolic content (76.99 mg GAE/100 g DW) and antioxidant activity (2.7653 µmol TE/g DW). Overall, gamma irradiation significantly influenced the morphological traits and metabolic profiles of A. cepa mutants. Notably, the 100 and 125 Gy treatments formed distinct mutant groupings, indicating pronounced morphological and metabolic alterations.