@conference{
author = "Pires Júnior, Eleomar O. and Caleja, Cristina and Pinela, José and Dias, Maria Inês and Calhelha, Ricardo and Garcia, Carolina C. and Ćirić, Ana and Soković, Marina and Ferreira, Isabel C. F. R. and Barros, Lillian",
year = "2021",
abstract = "Edible flowers have been described as presenting several health benefits, associated with powerful
bioactive compounds present in their composition [1]. These matrices have also been explored and applied
in several fields, such as in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, but specially in gastronomy, due to the with
increasing demand of the common consumer for safer and healthier food products [2]. The plants from the
genus Impatiens are popularly known for the attractive colours of the petals, and preliminary studies have
demonstrated a high potential bioactivity of these plants [3]. Thus, the present investigation aimed to
characterize the nutritional value (ash, protein, fat, and carbohydrate content, and energy value, by AOAC
methodology) and the phenolic compounds profile (by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
coupled with a diode array detector and mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization -
HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) of Impatiens balsamina L. pink petals. Moreover, the antioxidant, antimicrobial,
cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory evaluation (by the oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay - OxHLIA,
microdilution method with ATCC strains, the sulforhodamine B method in four human tumour cell lines,
and analysis in macrophage cells of rats (RAW 264.7), to inhibit the production of NO, respectively) in
the hydroethanolic extracts was also accessed. Finally, the enriched-coloured extract was applied as a
colorant in a cake filling called "bombocas", and its colorant capacity was compared with an artificial
additive (E163). In the pink petals, proteins stood out as the main macronutrient, and only fructose and
glucose were found in sugars profile. As for the phenolic composition, eighteen compounds were
tentatively identified, five non-anthocyanin compounds (caffeic and coumaric acids, and
eryodictiol-O-hexoside) and ten anthocyanin compounds (mainly acylated O-glycosylated malvidin,
pelargonidin, and peonidin derivatives). In addition, the hydroethanolic extracts demonstrated
anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity for all cell lines studied, presenting also a remarkable antifungal
activity. Finally, the coloured extract applied in the formulations conferred a more natural colour to the
"bombocas, as also functional properties such as antioxidant activity. Further studies will be performed in
order to optimize the extractions conditions of colorant compounds, requiring also stabilization strategies
for further evaluation of the colorant extract efficacy.",
publisher = "Bragança, Portugal: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB)",
journal = "1st Natural products application: Health, Cosmetic and Food: book of abstracts",
title = "Chemical and bioactive characterization of Impatiens balsamina L. pink flowers and their application in a portuguese pastry product",
pages = "192",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_4380"
}
