Antioxidant capacity of Rosa damascena petals and leaves was studied using samples from se ven industrial-scale plantations (Kazanlak, Zelenikovo, Moskovets, Bratsigovo, Strelcha, Mirkovo and Gurkovo) in Bulgaria, representing different climat ic conditions, during two consecutive growing seaso ns (2009 and 2010). In addition to the free radical-sc venging ability, the contents of total polyphenols and anthocyanins (in rose petals) were determined. Whil e igher total polyphenolic contents of rose petals were observed in the year 2009 for all plantations, the total anthocyanin concentrations were signific antly smaller (except for Mirkovo sample). The antioxidan t capacity correlated well, R = 0.78-0.88 and R = 0.97, with the contents of total polyphenols in ros e petals and leaves, respectively. Interestingly, significant correlations between both the radical-s c venging ability ( R = 0.72) and total polyphenolic content ( R = 0.78) and rose plantation altitude were observed for the leaf samples. The results obtained show that environmental stresses within the growing regions have significant effects on the polyphenol ic content and antioxidant capacity of Rosa damascena petals and leaves. This may affect their applicati on as a rich source of polyphenols that might be used as health-promoting ingredients of functional foods r as natural antioxidants, preventing lipid oxidation in food systems.

Rosa damascena Mill. f.Trilgintipetala, named Kazanlak oil - bearing-rose is an emblematic plant species for Bulgaria with important economical sense. Its importance is detennined by the extremely high quality of rose oil, which is obtained after distillation of rose flowers. The methods of propagation play a general role in maintenance and improving the quality of oil rose. Traditionally, the oil-bearing rose is vegetative propagated. In this review are considered the advantages and disadvantages of classical methods of propagation (by grafting, layering, cutting) and in vitro methods for propagation. Special attention is directed to the problems that accompany the use of these methods. The layering and grafting are not preferred for use, because their more time consuming and low multiplication rate. The cutting is the preferable way for oil rose propagation in Bulgaria. This method has high generative rate, but obtained plants are not always healthy. In vitro techniques are used for rapid multiplication with high rate, production of healthy and disease-free plants, but they are costly.