Content of vitamin C, carotenoids, chlorophylls and polyphenols in green parts of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) depending on plant height

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the level of vitamin C, carotenoids, beta-carotene, chlorophylls and polyphenols in dill plants 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 cm in height. Analyses included the leaf blades, petioles, whole leaves (leaf blades with petioles), stems and whole plants (whole leaf with the stem). In all parts of dill plants, with the exception of petioles, the content of vitamin C decreased with plant growth. The content of carotenoids and beta-carotene tended to increase with growth, with the exception of stems and whole plants. The proportion of beta-carotene in the content of carotenoids varied within the range of 9-17%, the highest being noted in leaf blades. The taller the plants, the higher the level of chlorophylls and polyphenols in the analysed parts of dill, except in whole plants and-in the case of polyphenols-also in stems. The taller the plants, the lower the ratio of chlorophyll a to b. Of all the constituents analysed, the highest content was found in the leaf blade and the lowest in the stem and the petiole. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.