Actividad antioxidante de pétalos de flores de especies vegetales de los páramos de la provincia de Pichincha.

Abstract

Flowers can contribute to the intake of bioactive compounds, as well as allow new sensory and gastronomic experiences. Although Ecuador has a great biodiversity, there is limited information on the antioxidant compounds of these plants. In this context, the present study allowed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of flower petals of plant species from the paramo of the province of Pichincha. The following parameters were evaluated in the fresh flowers: weight, size, color, pH, soluble solids, moisture and ash, and the content of carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity was determined in the lyophilized powder. The results obtained showed that the flowers of Argyranthemum adauctum were the longest (43,80cm); Brugmansia x candida the widest (9,88cm) and heaviest (9,22g); Aetanthus mutisii presented high soluble solids content (21,5 °Brix), Lupinus mutabilis high pH (14,00), Ceanothus maritimus high titratable acidity (0,26%)], Castilleja fissifolia high ash content (6,42%) and Bidens ferulifolia high moisture content (95,73%). In addition, the highest contents of total carotenoids and total phenolics were presented by yellow Bidens ferulifolia (24,81 µg β-carotene / g PS) and Fuchsia magellanica (531,77 mg EAG / g PS), respectively, and finally, it was found in orange Bomarea sp. high values of antioxidant capacity (182,08 trolox eq. µmol / g PS). These results suggest that the flowers of the Pichincha paramo contain important bioactive compounds that can be applied for human health.