Abstract

The flowers of the common poppy are used for medicinal purposes, both internally and externally. They are reported to have antispasmodic and antitussive properties, to alleviate inflammatory conditions and soothe anxiety-related digestive problems. The aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant potential and the content of vitamin C, polyphenols, and minerals in infusions made from the petals of the common poppy at different temperatures. The infusions were made at various temperatures (25 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C). The antioxidant potential and the content of polyphenols and vitamin C were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The mineral content was determined using the ICP-OES method. The total polyphenol content ranged from 135.2 to 137.24 ppm and that of vitamin C—from 15.47 to 15.78 mg/100 mL. The temperature of the water used to make the infusions did not appear to have a significant effect on these parameters. The temperature did, however, significantly affect the antioxidant potential of the infusions—the highest antioxidant activity (71.21% DPPH inhibition) was observed in the infusion prepared using water at 80 °C. The infusions included in the study contained a number of minerals. No significant effect of temperature was found for the content of K, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Ni in the infusions. On the other hand, the content of Ca in the infusions was significantly correlated with the increasing temperature of the water. It was concluded that poppy petal infusions may serve as a valuable dietary supplement, providing antioxidants and minerals required by the human body to function properly.

Highlights

  • The common poppy, known as the red poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.), grows in Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, and Pakistan

  • The temperature of the water used to make the infusions did not have a significant effect on the content of vitamin C (FDR p > 0.3922)

  • Poppy petal infusions were characterized by good antioxidant potential, with a considerable content of polyphenols, vitamin C, and many elements

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Summary

Introduction

The common poppy, known as the red poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.), grows in Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, and Pakistan. It is an annual plant which thrives in sunny positions. Minerals are indispensable in human nutrition, and their content in the body depends on their levels in the soil, air, drinking water, and nutrition. It is common knowledge that humans need large quantities of macroelements, such as magnesium and calcium, whereas trace elements, including K, Na, Cr, Fe, and Cu, are required in low concentrations for specific physiological functions [11]. Coupled plasma optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES) are often used to determine the concentrations of elements, e.g., in herbs and medicinal plants [17]. While many other techniques (e.g., AAS, ICP-MS) are used to determine the concentrations of specific elements, ICP-OES allows for fast, simultaneous measurement of many different elements (both macro and micro) in both aqueous and solid samples, providing adequate sensitivity

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