Analysis of Rutin Content in Asparagus Cultivars for the Development of Value-Added Products

Rutin, a flavonoid commonly found in higher plants, has numerous health benefits including reduced risk of cancer, reduced incidence of coronary heart disease and increased life expectancy. Cultivar, climate and location can have significant effects on rutin concentration in asparagus; light intensity is especially important. Variation in rutin content over a six-week harvest season was examined by collecting spear samples of cultivars, ‘Jersey Giant’ and ‘Guelph Millennium’, at weekly intervals from two locations at the Simcoe Research Station. Samples were also collected from five commercial fields in unique geographical regions of Southwestern Ontario. ‘Guelph Millennium’ consistently had higher rutin content than ‘Jersey Giant’ at the Simcoe Research Station. Rutin concentrations were variable among commercial fields and no consistent cultivar effect was observed.  At the different locations sampled rutin concentration, increased, decreased, or remained stable as the season progressed. The function of rutin in the plant is to protect photosynthetic cells from UV-B radiation damage caused by sunlight. Therefore, fluctuations in rutin content during the season are highly dependent on weather conditions that affect light intensity and duration.