Abstract
Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels) is one of the most common ornamental plants, diffused worldwide, and characterized by the presence of flowers with an intense red/purple coloration. There is increasing interest in the use and application of anthocyanins for their unique structural/chemical features in both food and pharmaceutical applications. RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis of an enriched fraction of acidified methanolic extract of C. citrinus flowers allow the possibility of identifying, for the first time, the presence of four anthocyanins: cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside (cyanin), peonidin-3,5-O-diglucoside (peonin), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and cyanidin-coumaroylglucoside-pyruvic acid. Moreover, the evaluation of antioxidant and biological potential showed a remarkable activity of this fraction, able to actively scavenge DPPH, AAPH, and ABTS radicals, and to counteract the β-carotene-bleaching. In addition, it protects human mononuclear cells from oxidative injuries and prevents angiogenesis (acting in the range of few μg/ml); furthermore, it does not show significant iron-chelating ability (up to 200 µg/mL). The easy way of cultivation, robustness, and adaptability to different environments make the flowers of this plant a useful source of anthocyanins, with remarkable health promoting properties.
Highlights
Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels) is a shrub that is native to the Australian continent, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, where it grows wild
They may decrease oxidative stress, restoring the physiological antioxidant status [25,29,38]. They may improve the quality and shelf life of several products by preventing oxidative rancidity and browning reactions in fat-based foods, meat, and dairy products [29]. This is the first manuscript focusing on a detailed RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS
The analysis showed an interesting polyphenol profile characterized by the predominance of anthocyanins
Summary
Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels) is a shrub that is native to the Australian continent, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, where it grows wild Nowadays, it is diffused worldwide as an ornamental garden plant, due to its hardness and adaptability. It is diffused worldwide as an ornamental garden plant, due to its hardness and adaptability It is characterized by striking red flower spikes with a lemony scent (the common name), which is present for almost all of the months of the year on the plant, but mainly in November and December [1,2,3,4,5]. There are about 30–50 stamens of red color and the anthers of purple color
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