Antioxidant Activity Of Flowers Research Articles

Biostimulant Effects of Seaweed Extract and Amino Acids On Growth, Antioxidants, and Nutrient Content of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) In the Field and Greenhouse Conditions

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar spray of seaweed extract (SE) and amino acids (AA) on growth characteristics, antioxidant activity, and nutrient elements of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) in the field and greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with six replications. Treatments included foliar spray of SE (1, 2, and 3 ml l−1) and AA (1.5 and 3 ml l−1) along with the control. The results showed that the application of different levels of SE and AA had positive effects on the growth indices, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, antioxidants, and nutrient content of yarrow in the field and greenhouse conditions. In the greenhouse, the highest shoot dry weight was obtained by the application of SE and AA at a concentration of 3 ml–l with 54% and 53% increase compared to the control. Foliar spray of SE and AA increased the total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of the leaf and flower of yarrow in the field and greenhouse conditions. Under field conditions, the highest antioxidant activity of flowers was obtained from 3 ml l–l AA treated plants by 17% increase compared to the control. The content of N, P, and K in the leaf was improved by foliar spray of SE and AA. In particular, the application of 2 ml l−1 SE and 3 ml l−1 AA had the most significant effect in improving the growth and yield of yarrow in the field and greenhouse experiments.

Flowers, Pollen and Honey for Use in the Treatment of Parkinson`s Disease

Honey is nectar collected from plants and produced by honeybees Apis mellifera. It has variable sensory and bioochemical properties due to climate and environmental conditions as well as the different origins of the plants in which it is harvested. Studies have shown that the antioxidant potential of honey varies greatly with the source of flowers. Vicia faba L. also known in Turkey as `bakla,` is a genus of the family Fabaceae that is widely grown in Asia. It is abundant in L-DOPA, a therapeutic agent used in Parkinson`s disease diagnosis. In this study, a sample of honey has been obtained from a monofloral source in the greenhouse environment where only vicia faba l. was found. The biochemical properties and antioxidant activities of this honey sample were studied. Vicia faba L. flowers grown in greenhouse conditions and pollen and honey produced by bees fed from this flowers were analyzed with HPLC method. The results were quite surprising. L-DOPA content is 4.23% in flowers, 0.98% in pollen and 0.076% in honey. This leads to the conclusion that Parkinson`s patients can continue treatment by using only pollen and honey produced by bees that feed on Vicia faba L. flowers. In addition, antioxidant activity of flowers, pollen and honey was analyzed by spectrophotometric methods. Parallel results were obtained with the results previously studies.

Comparison of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Different Parts of Taraxacum mongolicum.

Herbs derived from Taraxacum genus have been used as traditional medicines and food supplements in China for hundreds of years. Taraxacum mongolicum is a famous traditional Chinese medicine derived from Taraxacum genus for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and viral infectious diseases. In the present study, the bioactive phenolic chemical profiles and antioxidant activities of flowers, leaves, and roots of Taraxacum mongolicum were investigated. Firstly, a high performance liquid chromatography method combined with segmental monitoring strategy was employed to simultaneously determine six bioactive phenolic compounds in Taraxacum mongolicum samples. Moreover, multivariate statistical analysis, including hierarchical clustering analysis, principal component analysis, and partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed to compare and discriminate different parts of Taraxacum mongolicum based on the quantitative data. The results showed that three phenolic compounds, caftaric acid, caffeic acid, and luteolin, could be regarded as chemical markers for the differences of flowers, leaves, and roots of Taraxacum mongolicum. In parallel, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of different parts of Taraxacum mongolicum were also evaluated and compared. It is clear that Taraxacum mongolicum had antioxidant properties, and the antioxidant capacities of different parts of Taraxacum mongolicum in three antioxidant assays showed a similar tendency: Flowers ≈ leaves > roots, which revealed a positive relationship with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Furthermore, to find the potential antioxidant components of Taraxacum mongolicum, the latent relationships of the six bioactive phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of Taraxacum mongolicum were investigated by Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicated caftaric acid and caffeic acid could be the potential antioxidant ingredients of Taraxacum mongolicum. The present work may facilitate better understanding of differences of bioactive phenolic constituents and antioxidant activities of different parts of Taraxacum mongolicum and provide useful information for utilization of this herbal medicine.

Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Edible Flowers Consumed in Semiarid Regions of Mexico.

In semiarid regions of Mexico, it is common to use the floristic richness of wild plants as food ingredients. Hence, flowers of Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Erythrina americana, and Myrtillocactus geometrizans, which are typical and traditionally consumed flowers, were analyzed. The physicochemical properties; proximate composition; the contents of minerals, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenols, and total flavonoids; the quantification of phenolic compounds by HPLC; and the antioxidant activity in vitro were determined. The flowers were high in carbohydrates, proteins and minerals, mainly K and N in flowers from E. americana and M. geometrizans, respectively. The highest concentration of carotenoids was detected in red flowers (E. americana). Total phenols ranged from 4.73 to 72.40mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (GAE/g DW). However, the highest value of antioxidant activity was 819.80μmol of Trolox equivalents per gram of dry weight (TE/g DW). The highest values of phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity were found in the flowers of M. geometrizans. The antioxidant activity of flowers was mainly related to phenolic compounds. The main phenolic compounds detected in flowers were rutin and phloridzin. The edible flowers analyzed in this study are a potential source of compounds with high biological activity.

Organ-oriented phytochemical profiling and radical scavenging activity of Alcea spp. (Malvaceae) from Iran

Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of flowers and herbage of three species of the genus Alcea were determined. Flowers showed high total phenolic content and yielded values ranging from 26.83 (Alcea aucheri var. lobata) to 82.59 (A. aucheri var. aucheri) mg GAE/g DW. Total anthocyanin content was highest (934.98 mg/ml) in the flowers of A. auchrei var. aucheri (A12), whereas the content was minimal (1.34 mg/ml) in the herbage of Alcea koelzii (A2). The highest total flavonoid content was recorded in A. koelzii (16.15 mg Q/g DW), while the lowest value was achieved in A. aucheri var. lobata (8.06 mg Q/g DW). The highest concentration of mucilage was recorded in the flowers from Alcea arbelensis (32%), whereas those of A. aucheri var. lobata yielded the lowest value (1.05%). Principal component analysis scatter plot, derived from all data for flowers in 13 Alcea specimens revealed a different quantitative phytochemical profile. The strongest radical scavenging activity, measured by DPPH method, was recorded in A. aucheri var. aucheri with an IC50 of 34.06 μg/ml.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.) flowers and fruits grown in Algeria.

Background To the best of our knowledge, up to now, there are no reports on the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds of Crataegus oxyacantha flowers and fruits. Such detailed information is essential to advance the existing knowledge and to promote the use of this species growing in Africa. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to analyze the content of phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant activities of flowers and fruits of C. oxyacantha from Bejaia (Northeastern Algeria) by different analytical methods, and to determine the relationship between them. Methods Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Algerian hawthorn flowers and fruits (C. oxyacantha L.) were studied. Total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols were determined using colorimetric methods. The phenolic profile was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, and the in vitro antioxidant activity was measured using scavenging assay (FRAP) and Fremy's salt, using electronic paramagnetic resonance. Results Different classes of phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. Hawthorn flowers contained higher levels of hydroxycinnamic acids, vitexin derivatives and flavonols compared to fruits, while anthocyanins were present only in fruits. Significant correlations were found between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The results also showed that although the phenolic content of the two parts was different, their antioxidant capacity was not statistically different. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that hawthorn flowers and fruits of C. oxyacantha may be considered as a natural source of bioactive compounds.

Edible Flowers as Innovative Ingredients for Future Food Development: Anti-alzheimer, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Potential

Several flowers used as food, such as artichoke, cauliflower and broccoli have high nutritional value and huge gastronomic acceptance. However, they are only a few representatives of myriads of flowers recognized as strategic sources of bioactive natural antioxidants and anti-microbial compounds, which can be exploited as natural food preservatives and to decrease microbial spoilage. The potential of flowers as human food is still underestimated, although they have been lately utilized to bring flavor, color and visual appeal to food. Development of products containing edible ornamental flowers can be a sustainable solution to the industry of cut flowers, since tons of flowers are discarded every day regardless of their nutritional and functional value, because they lack ornamental quality. In this work, we evaluated anti-Alzheimer (acetylcholinesterase inhibition), antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of flowers from five plant species, orange hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), purple and pink violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), aiming at the future development of innovative foods or ingredients for food supplements industries. The flowers were dried at 40 °C and maintained good color quality. Both purple and pink violet species showed efficiency in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (57.00 e 55.00%, respectively); the latter was also active against S. aureus (46.82%). Orange hibiscus was the most active species, possessing high concentration of phenolic compounds (4.04 g/100 g), and an excellent overall antioxidant activity in ferric reducing power (67.40%), DPPH capture (IC 50% 739.60 µg.mL-1) and ABTS capture (IC 50% 96.21 µg.mL-1) assays, in addition to antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (45.82%). This species was also able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (42.37%). These results point out the potential of these edible flowers as innovative food for health and colorful diet or to be incorporated in new products as natural food preservatives and supplements. They can also be employed as a synergic resource for Alzheimer’s patients, already using prescription drugs, due to their antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition capacity.Keywords: flower, functional food, hibiscus, Alzheimer.

Antioxidant activity of the Ferula gummosa Boiss.'s aerial parts: Measurements based on different assay methods

Introduction: Measuring of natural antioxidants power is important in the food industry. Ferula gummosa Boiss. plant, locally called Barijeh, is a member of genus Ferula belonging to the Apiaceae family. To introduce endemic natural antioxidants, antioxidant capacity of alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of aerial parts of F. gummosa Boiss. was investigated. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the antioxidant levels and activities between flower and leaf extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. plant by different assay methods. Method: The antioxidant activity of flower and leaf extracts of F. gummosa Boiss. was assessed usingferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. In addition, phenolic content of the extracts was measured byFolin-Ciocalteu (FC) method. Results: Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay showed that leaf extract has more antioxidant activity compared to flower extract. DPPH assay had similar results. A slow kinetic behavior was found for methanol extracts of both tissues (EC50 of 0.21 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL for leaf and flower methanol extracts, respectively) which was estimated by kinetic mode of DPPH assay. The ORAC assay showed higher values for methanolic extracts compared to ethanolic extracts. Except for ORAC assay, a significant positive correlation was found between antioxidant data of ferric-reducing antioxidant power, DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. Conclusion: These findings suggest that high antiradical potential and reducing power of the alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of F. gummosa Boiss. correspond to a high phenolic content in these plant parts. The high antioxidant activity of the F. gummosa Boiss. could propound the hydroalcoholic extracts of this plant as a therapeutic agent to prevent and treat diseases due to free radical imbalance in the body.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of flowers, leaves and fruits of five crabapple cultivars (Malus Mill. species)

Abstract Crabapples are important ornamental plants because of the diverse color of their flowers, leaves and fruits. In addition, their flowers, leaves and fruits were rich in bioactive and nutraceutical compounds. However, most of them wasted and discarded in the field. In order to give a full use of them, the present study attempt to characterize the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of flowers, leaves and fruits of crabapples grown in northern China. Results showed that phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity were significantly different among flowers, leaves and fruits. Leaves of crabapples showed highest total phenolics content and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The content of chlorogenic acid in flowers is significantly higher than that in leaves and fruit. Phlorizin and rutin were the predominant flavonoid component in leaves, while the predominant flavonoid component in flowers were varied. The fruit contains more phenolic acids than flowers and leaves. Among the 5 cultivars studied, Malus cv. ‘Royalty’ had the highest catechin in flowers, leaves and fruits among all the samples. Malus cv. ‘Strawberry Parfait’ showed highest phloretin in flowers, while highest phlorizin in leaves. Based on all of these results, we propose that the flowers and leaves of crabapples also have good utilization value and strong potential for development.

Chemical Composition, Antifungal and Antioxidant Activities of Hedyosmum brasiliense Mart. ex Miq. (Chloranthaceae) Essential Oils.

Background: Hedyosmum brasiliense Mart. ex Miq. (Chloranthaceae) is a dioecious shrub popularly used in Brazil to treat foot fungi and rheumatism. This work investigated the chemical composition, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of flowers and leaves of H. brasiliense essential oils; Methods: H. brasiliense male and female flowers and leaves were collected at Ilha do Cardoso (São Paulo) and the essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS and their similarity compared by Principal Component Analysis. Antifungal activity was performed by bioautography and antioxidant potential by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid system; Results: The major compounds for all oils were sabinene, curzerene, and carotol, but some differences in their chemical composition were discriminated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) analysis. Bioautography showed two antifungal bands at Rf’s 0.67 and 0.12 in all samples, the first one was identified as curzerene. The oils presented stronger antioxidant potential in β-carotene/linoleic acid bioassay, with IC50’s from 80 to 180 μg/mL, than in DPPH assay, with IC50’s from 2516.18 to 3783.49 μg/mL; Conclusions: These results suggested that curzerene might be responsible for the antifungal activity of H. brasiliense essential oils. Besides, these essential oils exhibited potential to prevent lipoperoxidation, but they have a weak radical scavenger activity.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of edible flowers of Pyrus pashia

Pyrus pashia flowers are used as edible and medicinal materials in Yunnan Province, China. The antioxidant activities of 85% ethanolic extract of P. pashia flowers and derived soluble fractions were evaluated for the first time using four different test systems. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of each fraction were also determined. It was found that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant effect. An investigation of this flower's chemical constituents was carried out and led to the isolation of a new phenolic glycoside, 4-O-Z-coumaroylarbutin (1), along with twenty-seven other phenolic compounds (2–28). Hydroquinone (13) showed the highest content and powerful activity, which implied that the compound plays an important role in the antioxidant activity of this flower. Thus, P. pashia flowers could serve as a valuable natural antioxidant source for potential application in functional foods.

Effects of Whitening and Anti-wrinkling and Antioxidant Activities of Flower and Stem Extracts of Tagetes minuta

Effects of Whitening and Anti-wrinkling and Antioxidant Activities of Flower and Stem Extracts of Tagetes minuta

Flavonoids and antioxidant activity of flowers of Mexican Crataegus spp.

Flavonoids and antioxidant activity of extracts of flowers from some Mexican accessions of Crataegus were studied using six accessions with the purpose of contributing to the knowledge of the nutraceutical properties of the accessions of the Germplasm Bank of the Universidad Autonoma Chapingo. Flavonoids were identified by HPLC–MS. Among the flavonoids, the quercetin 3-O-glucoside (3), quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (4), quercetin 3-O-rhamnosyl-(1 → 6)-glucoside (2) and quercetin 3-O-rhamnosyl-(1 → 2)-[rhamnosyl-(1 → 6)]-glucoside (1) were assigned. Flavonoid content and radical scavenging activity explain some of the medicinal properties attributed to flowers of Mexican hawthorns.

Volatile constituents and antioxidant activity of flowers, stems and leaves of Nasturtium officinale R. Br.

GC–MS analyses of the essential oils of leaves, stems and flower of Nasturtium officinale resulted in the identification of 9, 8 and 15 compounds, representing 97%, 100% and 94.7% of the oils, respectively. The main compounds of the oil of leaves were myristicin (57.6%), α-terpinolene (8.9%) and limonene (6.7%). Caryophyllene oxide (37.2%), p-cymene-8-ol (17.6%), α-terpinolene (15.2%) and limonene (11.8%) were the main components in stems, whereas limonene (43.6%), α-terpinolene (19.7%), p-cymene-8-ol (7.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.7%) were the major constituents in the oil of flowers. All the samples were subjected to a screening for their possible antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. In the above tests, methanol extracts of leaves showed higher antioxidant activity than the oils and methanol extracts of stems and flowers.