Edible flowers: A review of the nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and effects on human health

Fernandes, Luana; Casal, Susana; Pereira, José Alberto; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Ramalhosa, Elsa

doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2017.03.017

Cited by 230 publications

(254 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Edible flowers add a fresh and exotic aroma, delicate flavour and a visual appeal that makes them increasingly used in gourmet cuisine. Dahlia mignon, Rosa damascena 'Alexandria' and R. gallica 'Francesa' draft in R. canina, Calendula officinalis L., and Centaurea cyanus L. are among the most popular edible flowers (Fernandes, Casal, Pereira, Saraiva, & Ramalhosa, 2017). The consumption of various types of edible flowers provides health benefits to the consumer, since they are a good source of phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds (Fernandes et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dahlia mignon, Rosa damascena 'Alexandria' and R. gallica 'Francesa' draft in R. canina, Calendula officinalis L., and Centaurea cyanus L. are among the most popular edible flowers (Fernandes, Casal, Pereira, Saraiva, & Ramalhosa, 2017). The consumption of various types of edible flowers provides health benefits to the consumer, since they are a good source of phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds (Fernandes et al, 2017). These compounds have been related to the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease, as well as different types of cancer through the inhibition of their initiation and progression by modulating genes involved in key regulation processes (Anantharaju, Gowda, Vimalambike, & Madhunapantula, 2016;Gutiérrez-Grijalva et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

Pires¹,

Días²,

Barros

et al. 2018

Food Research International

182

132

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A B S T R A C TThe edible flowers are widely used, but there is still a lot to be done in relation to its bioactive potential and its correlation with the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was determined the individual phenolic profile in the hydromethanolic extracts and infusion preparations of four different flower samples (Dahlia mignon, Rosa damascena 'Alexandria' and R. gallica 'Francesa' draft in R. canina, Calendula officinalis L., and Centaurea cyanus L.) and their bioactive potential (antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antibacterial capacity). All the studied flowers presented different profiles regarding their phenolic composition and revealed biological potential. The bioactive potential of the studied flowers was moderate, the hydromethanolic extracts of rose petals showed the best results for antioxidant and antibacterial assays, while the antiproliferative properties were only present in some of the tested cell lines, for the hydromethanolic extracts, in which dahlia and rose showed the best results. These results demonstrate that edible flowers can be used as a source of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential, which can be applied in the food sector, as foods and as sources natural ingredients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

Pires¹,

Días²,

Barros

et al. 2018

Food Research International

182

132

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In recent decades, the interest in edible flowers has been increasing as a result of consumers demanding high‐quality, safe products providing convenience and fresh‐like attributes, as well as improved food‐processing technologies . Edible flowers are an important source of bioactive ingredients with antioxidant activity, capable of scavenging free radicals (reactive oxygen species; ROS) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high levels of phenolic compounds in edible flowers are correlated with their increased antioxidant activity . Flower antioxidant scavenging activity is related to flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins and alkaloids . This antioxidant capacity is important because it can protect the edible flowers from senescence and deterioration by preventing/protecting ROS accumulation and action on biomembranes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiochemical properties of petunia edible flowers grown under saline conditions and their postharvest performance under modified atmosphere packaging and ethanol application

et al. 2019

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BACKGROUND Edible flowers have both great nutritional value and sensory appeal; however, their shelf‐life is limited to a few days because they are highly perishable. RESULTS The impact of postharvest ethanol (ET) treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality and storage of edible flowers collected from short‐term salt‐stressed plants was tested. Hydroponically grown petunia (Petunia x hybrita L.) plants were subjected to salinity (0–50–100 mmol L–1 NaCl) and harvested flowers were stored for up to 14 days in MAP and/ET vapours. The salinity of 100 mmol L–1 NaCl decreased plant biomass and negatively affected physiological processes as a result of stomata closure. Flower polyphenols, antioxidants, carotenoids and anthocyanins increased with 50 mmol L–1 of NaCl, indicating a higher nutritional value. Short‐term exposure of petunia to salinity decreased the flower N, K and Ca concentrations. During storage for 7 days, salinity lead to deteriorated flowers that showed browning as a result of tissue breakdown, whereas CO2 production and weight loss were unaffected by salinity. After 14 days of storage, salinity decreased flower respiration and increased weight loss, whereas ET application completely destroyed the flowers. Carotenoids and anthocyanins were decreased by a combination of salinity and ET. Petunia flowers revealed the induction of both non‐enzymatic (i.e. proline content) and enzymatic (catalase) mechanisms to overcome the stress caused by salinity at harvest stage and/or ethanol at storage. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrate that a short‐stress salinity of 50 mmol L–1 NaCl can be used for petunia growth and also that flowers of nutritional value can be stored for up to 7 days, whereas ET application failed to preserve petunia flowers. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

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“…Present in medicinal plants, trace elements play a significant role in the formation of active chemicals such as Zn, Cu and Fe constituents and only become toxic at high concentrations, while others such as Pb and Cd are considered dangerous to the body while in low concentrations (Abugassa et al, 2008;Nookabkaew, Rangkadilok, & Satayavivad, 2006). Recently, plant species have been identified that contain nutrients displaying new beneficial medicinal or therapeutic properties trace elements have both a curative and a preventive role in combating diseases (Fernandes, Casal, Pereira, Saraiva, & Ramalhosa, 2017). It is therefore of major interest to establish the levels of some metallic elements in common herbal plants because, at elevated levels, these metals can also be dangerous and toxic (Nischwitz et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<b>Multi-element analysis in aerials parts of <i>Verbena minutiflora</i> and infusions

Soares

Pianoski

Finger

et al. 2018

Acta Sci. Health Sci.

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ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the mineral content in the infusions and aerial parts (leaves, flowers and stems) of Gervão (Verbena minutiflora) for four consecutive years using the atomic spectrometry. The different parts of air V. minutiflora showed significant variability between certain mineral levels. The leaves and flowers showed the highest concentrations of all minerals, except for K, regardless of year of collection: stem (Fe = 50; Ca = 20, Zn = 770; Mg = 7.5; Cu = 4450; Al = 110; Na = 350, K = 13520 mg kg ). Notably, the concentrations of toxic elements (Pb, Cd and Cr) were below the limits of detection and quantification of the analytical technique in any shoot of Verbena. Minerals determined in aqueous infusions showed proportions ranging from 1.7 to 57.1% of the total value of minerals found in the leaves of Verbena.Keywords: medicinal plants, mineral levels, gervão, verbenaceae, atomic absorption.Análise multi-elementar das partes aéreas da Verbena minutiflora e infusões RESUMO. Este estudo objetivou determinar o teor de minerais nas infusões e partes aéreas (folhas, flores e caules) do gervão (Verbena minutiflora) durante quatro anos consecutivos usando a espectrometria atômica. As diferentes partes aéreas da V. minutiflora apresentaram variabilidade significativa entre os teores de minerais determinados. As folhas e flores apresentaram as maiores concentrações de todos os elementos avaliados, exceto para o K, independentemente do ano de coleta: caule (Fe = 50; Ca = 20; Zn = 770; Mg = 7,5; Cu = 4450; Al = 110; Na = 350; K = 13520 mg kg ). Notavelmente, as concentrações dos elementos tóxicos (Pb, Cd e Cr) ficaram abaixo dos limites de detecção e quantificação da técnica analítica, em qualquer parte aérea da Verbena. Os minerais determinados nas infusões aquosas apresentaram proporções que variaram de 1,7 a 57,1% do valor total de minerais encontrados nas folhas da referida espécie de Verbena.Palavras-chave: plantas medicinais, teores minerais, gervão, verbenaceae, absorção atômica.

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Edible flowers: A review of the nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and effects on human health

Cited by 230 publications

References 94 publications

Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

Physiochemical properties of petunia edible flowers grown under saline conditions and their postharvest performance under modified atmosphere packaging and ethanol application

<b>Multi-element analysis in aerials parts of <i>Verbena minutiflora</i> and infusions

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