Abstract
The research on the possibilities of using biowaste from urban green areas is scarce. In this work, four plants, widely distributed in urban parks in Central Europe (Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Knautia arvensis and Plantago major) were extracted using eco-friendly solvents based either on aqueous cyclodextrin solutions (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin) or natural deep eutectic solvents based on glycerol, betaine and glucose. Metal content was determined using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The content of selected metabolites was determined using UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods and HPLC. Skin-related bioactivity was assessed using tyrosinase and elastase inhibition assays. The selected plants contained metals beneficial for skin health, such as zinc and calcium, while having a low content of toxic heavy metals. The extracts contained the bioactive phenolics such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin. L. corniculatus was the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor, while K. arvensis showed the most pronounced elastase inhibitory activity. The employed solvents actively contributed to the observed bioactivity. The results indicate that the biowaste obtained from urban parks represents an ecologically acceptable alternative to conventional cultivation for the preparation of ecologically acceptable, high-value cosmetic products.
Highlights
IntroductionPublic green spaces, including urban parks, form a significant portion of modern cities
Plant biowaste contains phenolic compounds that can be used for production of high-value products such as food supplements and cosmetics [2]
Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis of plant material was performed using a commercial benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system equipped with Mo
Summary
Public green spaces, including urban parks, form a significant portion of modern cities. They contain relatively well-preserved vegetation and are an important source of biodiversity in urbanized zones. Biowaste produced in urban parks is produced as a consequence of plants’ normal growth and is composed of large masses of organic matter [2]. The resulting biomass is only occasionally used economically, mostly for compost manufacture or energy production in biogas stations or incinerators [3]. Even though utilizing biowaste to obtain products of high economic value can reduce production costs and contribute to the sustainability of the production [4], the research on possibilities of using biowaste from urban green areas in other industry areas is lacking. Plant biowaste contains phenolic compounds that can be used for production of high-value products such as food supplements and cosmetics [2]
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