Evaluation of antioxidant activities of extracts from 19 Chinese edible flowers

Abstract

Extracts of 19 selected edible flowers were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), polyphenolic contents and flavonoid contents in the paper. The results showed the extracts of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and Rosa rugosa Thunb. possessed obviously stronger DPPH FRSA (94.221 ± 0.102; 93.739 ± 0.424 and 94.244 ± 0.163%, respectively), superoxide FRSA (55.818 ± 1.518; 52.142 ± 1.374 and 57.321 ± 0.608%, respectively), hydroxyl FRSA (85.872 ± 0.873; 89.307 ± 0.803 and 88.560 ± 0.277%, respectively) and polyphenolic contents (96.208 ± 0.689; 87.938 ± 1.187 and 92.164 ± 0.799 mg CE/g, respectively) that were superior or comparable to black and green teas. Polyphenolic contents did correlate well with DPPH FRSA (r = 0.943, P < 0.01), superoxide FRSA (r = 0.833, P < 0.01), and hydroxyl FRSA (r = 0.500, P < 0.05). It indicated that this potent FRSA may be attributed to its phenolic compounds. These findings showed that the tested flowers could be considered as new sources of safe natural antioxidants and preservatives of food industry.

Total phenolics and antioxidants profiles of commonly consumed edible flowers in China

“…[24] As shown in Table 2, four Rosa species detected in the experiment including rose (312.21 mg GAE/g), French rose (111.34 mg GAE/g), Yunnan rose (108.94 mg GAE/g), and China rose (284.80 mg GAE/g), are found to have relatively higher TPC value compare to the rest of the samples. Previous studies [4,20,25] have also reported that Rosa species contained high amounts of phenolic compounds, and thus exhibits high TPC values. Zeng et al [20] reported that rose flower contains high amount TPC (92.16 mg CE/g).…”

“…Previous studies [4,20,25] have also reported that Rosa species contained high amounts of phenolic compounds, and thus exhibits high TPC values. Zeng et al [20] reported that rose flower contains high amount TPC (92.16 mg CE/g). Whereas, Li et al [4] reported significant TPC in case of China rose (35.84 mg GAE/g wet basis); and another study by Xiong et al [25] reported that China rose and rose high TPC contents 205.5 mg CE/g dry basis and 116.6 mg CE/g dry basis, respectively.…”

“…Whereas, TPC of Anhui white chrysanthemum is about 42% of that observed in mother chrysanthemum buds and ranked the least in Chrysanthemum. In previous studies, Chrysanthemum coronarium was reported to exhibit 3.76 mg GAE/g wet basis TPC [4] ; Zeng et al [20] reported that the TPC values of mother chrysanthemum and Hangzhou white chrysanthemum were 13.04 mg CE/g dry basis and 5.974 mg CE/g dry basis, respectively. Xiong et al [25] reported that the TPC value of Hangzhou white chrysanthemum was 16.29 mg CE/g dry basis.…”

“…Phenolic substances, containing more than 10,000 kinds, are the major compounds in the family of phytochemicals. [2] These phenolic substances also exhibit health-promoting effects such as antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor, protection against pathogens, [20] and antiultraviolet radiation effects. [21] Primary functions of phenolic compounds is to act as an antioxidant and provide protection against oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals in human bodies.…”

Polyphenol Profiles and Antioxidant Properties of Ethanol Extracts from Osmanthus Fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. Flowers

“…Ethanol extracts of OF fl ower (EOF) were shown to be characterized by a high content of total phenolics (TPC) and a strong antioxidant activity [Ouyang et al, 2015;Wu et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2015]. The phenolic extracts of OF exhibited evident augments in ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and radical scavenging ability in vitro [Wu et al, 2009; Lee et al, 2007;Zeng et al, 2014]. The extracts also inhibited lipid per-oxidation initiated by ferrous chloride in rat brain, liver, heart and kidney mitochondria [Lee et al, 2007], and the growth of P. gingivalis, especially in iron-limited culture medium, and markedly upregulated the expression of the cytoprotective enzyme and nucleoprotein Nrf2 [Huang et al, 2015].…”