# Physico-Chemical Characteristics of _Rosa canina_ L. Seeds and Determining Their Potential Use
## 3 Results and Discussion
Other authors have found Al, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, and Zn in seeds, among which the predominant minerals--as in the present study--were calcium (7948 ug/g), potassium (3786 ug/g), and phosphorus (1781 ug/g) [42]. As they cannot be synthesized in the human body, minerals must be acquired from the diet, which should satisfy the requirements for both macroelements (Ca, P, K, Na, and Mg) and microelements (I, S, Zn, Fe, Cl, Cu, Mn, Se, Co, and Mo). As cofactors and coenzymes in various enzyme systems, minerals support the regulation of biochemical and physiological functions in the body and are also responsible for the functioning of the skeletal, circulatory, nervous, and endocrine systems. A deficiency of microelements has an adverse impact on human development and health [43]. Rosehips have the highest content of L-ascorbic acid of all fruits and vegetables, and for this reason, have long been used as herbal teas or vitamin supplements [44]. In the present study, the L-ascorbic acid content was determined to be 1783 ug/g seed. The content of other valuable phytochemicals with antioxidant properties was determined as well, such as phenolic compounds (2639 ug/g) and carotenoids (3.13 ug/g) (Table 7). The results are consistent with those obtained in analyses of rosehip seeds from Turkey, which contained 1798 ug/g vitamin C, as well as 2554 ug/g phenolic compounds and 2.92 ug/g carotenoids [36]. Other available data refer to the content of antioxidant substances in rosehip seed oil. For example, [PERSON] et al. [7] reported carotenoid content of 36.4 mg/kg and 107.7 mg/kg and polyphenic content of 783.55 and 570.73 ug/kg in various types of cold-pressed rose hip oil obtained from various oil manufacturers. Other authors have observed variable content of carotenoids in rosehip seed oil obtained by various extraction methods, such as traditional solvent extraction with ultrasound extraction (57.8 ug/g), microwave extraction (118.7 ug/g), Soxhlet extraction (137.5 ug/g), supercritical fluid extraction (45.8 ug/g) and subcritical fluid extraction (145.3 ug/g) [42]. Antioxidant capacity is an important parameter defining the quality of medicinal plants, and it is determined using various in vitro methods. There is a lack of data presenting an assessment of the antioxidant properties of rosehip seeds. The antioxidant properties of rosehip seeds measured in the present study by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging methods are presented in Table 7. Other authors used the ABTS method to evaluate methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts from seeds and reported TEAC values of 10.40, 7.29, and 10.71 umol/g) [36]. Polyphenols and carotenoids, as natural antioxidants protecting cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA against free radical attacks, play a key role in maintaining human health. An important role in the protection of cells against oxidative stress is ascribed to vitamin C, which interacts with carotenoids, vitamin E, and antioxidant enzymes [45]. Studies show that these compounds inhibit carcinogenesis at various stages of tumour formation and development, in part by scavenging free radicals and eliminating oxidative damage. They also inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, protect against the negative effects of oxidative stress on the circulatory system, and slow down ageing processes. The positive effects of these bioactive substances can also be observed in the context of skin health. Vitamin C takes part in collagen synthesis, \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline
**Total Phenolics** & **Total Carotenoids** & **L-ascorbic Acid** & **FRAP** & **DPPH** \\ **(\#g/g FW \(\pm\) SD)** & **(\#g/g FW \(\pm\) SD)** & **(\#g/g FW \(\pm\) SD)** & **(\(\mu\)mol TE/g)** & **(\(\mu\)mol TE/g** \\  & & & **FW \(\pm\) SD)** & **FW \(\pm\) SD)** \\ \hline
2633 \(\pm\) 10.7 & 3.13 \(\pm\) 0.21 & 1783 \(\pm\) 9.5 & 191 \(\pm\) 0.58 & 229 \(\pm\) 1.52 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}