The phytochemical and bioactivity profiles of wild Calluna vulgaris L. flowers

• Autor(a) principal: Rodrigues, F.
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Moreira, T., Pinto, D., Pimentel, F.B., Costa, A., Nunes, M.A., Albuquerque, T.G., Costa, H.S., Palmeira-de-Oliveira, A., Oliveira, A.I., Sut, S., Dall'Acqua, S., Oliveira, M.B.P.P.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/6177
• topic: Calluna vulgaris (L.) hull; Natural Antioxidants; Bioactivity; Phenolic Compounds; Composição dos Alimentos

The nutritional composition of Calluna vulgaris flowers as well as the phytochemical profile, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP assays), antimicrobial and cytotoxic (in human immortalized non-tumorigenic keratinocyte and fibroblasts) activities of aqueous, hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts were evaluated. A high content of fiber and carbohydrates (75%) and the prevalence of α-tocopherol as vitamer deserves attention. Linolenic (35%), linoleic (27%) and palmitic (21%) acids were the most abundant fatty acids. Qualitative and quantitative analysis by LC-MS and 1NMR indicated high levels of quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin derivatives as well as procyanidins. The hydro-alcoholic extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolics (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC). No adverse effects on cells were observed until a concentration of 100 μg/mL and a good antimicrobial activity was reported against S. epidermidis and S. aureus with the hydro-alcoholic extract. The data obtained demonstrated that wild plants like heather, although not being a common nutritional reference, can be used in an alimentary base as a source of bioactive compounds, namely antioxidants.