Exploring wild edible flowers as a source of bioactive compounds: New perspectives in horticulture

Abstract The increasing interest in healthy and natural foods has raised the attention towards uncommon or unexplored ingredients, such as edible flowers. These products are proven to be a rich source of bioactive compounds, for example, vitamins polyphenols that play an important role health promotion disease prevention. However, plant species with flowers numerous most them still need studied this aim. high richness North-Western Italy provides interesting perspectives use wild flowers, which currently underutilized, but can valuable food supplement diets. In framework, phytochemical composition 22 was analysed compared four cultivated ( Borago officinalis L., Calendula Tagetes patula L. Tropaeolum majus L.) evaluate their potentiality sources compounds. total polyphenol content (TPC) antioxidant activity fresh were assessed, together phenolic profiles vitamin C content, through spectrophotometric chromatographic analyses. evaluated parameters varied widely among species, Paeonia Rosa pendulina showing highest values (1,930 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) · 100 g ?1 1,774 GAE , respectively), followed by canina (1,397 ) Geranium sylvaticum (1,268 ). same also showed activity, measured three different assays [ferric reducing power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 2,2?-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS)]. profile differed Dianthus pavonius Tausch R. having sum detected (2,522 2,366 respectively). Vitamin identified all two Allium ursinum B. Primula veris had amount (45 study outperformed except T. providing new insights