Biochemical Evaluation of Ornamental and Native Muscari and Bellvalia Genotypes with the Attitude of Using Them as Valuable Edible Species

Muscari and Bellvalia are related ornamental bulbous plants that grow natively in several areas of Iran. These species are highly used as potted and outdoor ornamental plants. Also, these plants have been used as edible species in some regions, but they are not common in Iran. These ornamental plants have the potential to be introduced as valuable edible genotypes and enter the process of domestication and commercial production. Besides ornamental uses, these plants are used primarily as mucilage and filler in cooking. Moreover, various phenolic and saponin compounds affect flavor, too. In the present study, the physicochemical properties of three species of Muscari, including comosum, botryoides, and neglectum, and one species of Bellevalia from native places were evaluated. These antioxidant capacity, total phenol, and total content of saponin, mucilage, alkaloids, and steroids in leaf and bulb extracts were examined. By evaluating the various metabolites of proposed plants, it can be concluded that M. comosum is a suitable genotype for entering the domestication process and as a parent for hybridization. Also, the lesser-known genotype, Bellevalia paradox, in addition to being an ornamental plant, has valuable nutritional properties, and further studies on this genotype will have an appropriate approach.