[Formation of flavanolignane in the white-flowered variety (Szibilla) of Silybum marianum in relation to fruit development].

In our present work we studied the white-flowered lady's thistle variety 'Szibilla' improved by our Institute and having received state acknowledgement in 1997. During our investigations we established the following facts: --flavanolignanes having liver-protecting, cytoprotective effects can be found only in the developing and ripe achene fruits. The vegetative organs contain flavanoids of different types; --around the tissues of the fruit (Silybi mariani fructus) known as drug raw material for therapy and the pharmaceutical industry, effective agents are contained only in the fruit wall having undergone significant changes as well as in the woody (ligneous) seed-coat. The endosperm and the plant embryo contain effective agents only in traces; --during ontogenesis--following the pistil's organization into fruit and seed, respectively--we revealed that the biogenesis and accummulation of flavanolignanes correlate with the wood formation (lignification) of the seed-coat.