Meadowsweet Teas as New Functional Beverages: Comparative Analysis of Nutrients, Phytochemicals and Biological Effects of Four Filipendula Species

Abstract

In recent years, the increased popularity of functional beverages such as herbal teas and decoctions has led to the search for new sources of raw materials that provide appropriate taste and functionality to consumers. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional, phytochemical profiles and bioactivities of possible functional beverages produced from F. ulmaria and its alternative substitutes (F. camtschatica, F. denudata, F. stepposa). The investigated decoctions were analyzed regarding their macronutrient, carbohydrate, organic acid, amino acid and mineral composition. Quantification of the main phenolic compounds in the decoctions of meadowsweet floral teas was performed by a microcolumn RP-HPLC-UV procedure; the highest content was revealed in F. stepposa tea. The investigation of the essential oil of four meadowsweet teas revealed the presence of 28 compounds, including simple phenols, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and aliphatic components. The dominance of methyl salicylate and salicylaldehyde was noted in all samples. Studies on the water soluble polysaccharides of Filipendula flowers allowed us to establish their general affiliation to galactans and/or arabinogalactans with an admixture of glucans of the starch type and galacturonans as minor components. The bioactivity data demonstrated a good ability of meadowsweet teas to inhibit amylase, α-glucosidase and AGE formation. Tea samples showed antioxidant properties by the DPPH•, ABTS•+ and Br• free radicals scavenging assays and the carotene bleaching assay, caused by the presence of highly active ellagitannins. The anti-complement activity of the water-soluble polysaccharide fraction of meadowsweet teas indicated their possible immune-modulating properties. Filipendula beverage formulations can be expected to deliver beneficial effects due to their unique nutritional and phytochemical profiles. Potential applications as health-promoting functional products may be suggested.

Bioactive Phenolics of the Genus Artemisia (Asteraceae): HPLC-DAD-ESI-TQ-MS/MS Profile of the Siberian Species and Their Inhibitory Potential Against α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase

“…As shown previously by our team, the plants growing at extreme natural habitats, such as Northern Asia or Siberia, are able to accumulate the phenolic components with antidiabetic potential (Olennikov and Kashchenko, 2014 , 2015 , 2017 ; Olennikov et al, 2015a , 2017a , b , c ; Kashchenko et al, 2017a , b ). It is evident that Siberian species of Artemisia genus need to be included in our continuing search for the best antidiabetic agents of plant origin.…”

“…The α-glucosidase inhibition assay was performed using spectrophotometric method (Olennikov et al, 2017b ). α-Glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was dissolved in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) containing bovine serum albumin (2 mg/mL) up to 0.5 U/mL concentration.…”

Phenolome of Asian Agrimony Tea (Agrimonia asiatica Juz., Rosaceae): LC-MS Profile, α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Potential and Stability

“…The α-glucosidase inhibiting potential of plant extracts ( Section 2.3 ) was carried out using spectrophotometric assay [ 28 ]. Enzyme α-glucosidase was dissolved in phosphate buffer (PBS, pH 6.8) containing 0.2% BSA up to 0.5 U/mL concentration.…”

Isorhamnetin and Quercetin Derivatives as Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Principles of Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Flowers and Preparations

“…The essential oil content was determined gravimetrically after hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus for 150 min [ 46 ]. The concentration of carotenoids was estimated as β-carotene equivalent using the spectrophotometric method at 450 nm in preliminary saponified extracts [ 47 ].…”