Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region
Abstract Wild edible flowers from the Mekong region represent a largely untapped resource with significant potential as both mainstream food and functional ingredients for local populations. This study investigated the nutritional composition and amino acid profiles of five species: Broussonetia kur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Food |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00457-9 |
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| author | Sarana Rose Sommano Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn Ratchuporn Suksathan Methee Wongnak Prateep Panyadee Pawenud Thongdang Apinya Rachkeeree Yao Fu Yinxian Shi Chunlin Long Nguyen Trung Thanh Tran Trong Phuong Vo Huu Cong Outhai Soukkhy Chanhmany Suphannavong |
| author_facet | Sarana Rose Sommano Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn Ratchuporn Suksathan Methee Wongnak Prateep Panyadee Pawenud Thongdang Apinya Rachkeeree Yao Fu Yinxian Shi Chunlin Long Nguyen Trung Thanh Tran Trong Phuong Vo Huu Cong Outhai Soukkhy Chanhmany Suphannavong |
| author_sort | Sarana Rose Sommano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Wild edible flowers from the Mekong region represent a largely untapped resource with significant potential as both mainstream food and functional ingredients for local populations. This study investigated the nutritional composition and amino acid profiles of five species: Broussonetia kurzii, Trevesia palmata, Dregea volubilis, Oroxylum indicum, and Musa × paradisiaca. Notably, B. kurzii exhibited the highest protein content (27.51%), followed by T. palmata (20.25%). In terms of amino acid composition, B. kurzii also displayed the highest total amino acid content, approximately 20,000 mg/100 g DW, while T. palmata and D. volubilis also showing substantial levels. While Musa × paradisiaca contained a higher ratio of non-essential amino acids, O. indicum contained the highest ratio of essential amino acids, and B. kurzii contained the highest Essential Amino Acid Index (EAAI). Furthermore, phytochemical analysis revealed that B. kurzii possessed the highest levels of total phenolic (1.72 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (1.41 mg QE/g DW) content, coinciding with significant antioxidant activity. Specific phenolic compounds, including catechin, gallic acid, coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid, were found in abundance, particularly in B. kurzii and D. volubilis. Collectively, these findings underscore the considerable potential of these edible flowers as a valuable dietary resource, particularly for local populations in the Mekong region. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their nutritional potential and explore their applications in culinary innovation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1c4631a3e40741aaa9eb89e31b5c10b4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4286 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Food |
| spelling | doaj-art-1c4631a3e40741aaa9eb89e31b5c10b42025-08-20T03:45:11ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862025-06-015111810.1007/s44187-025-00457-9Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong regionSarana Rose Sommano0Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn1Ratchuporn Suksathan2Methee Wongnak3Prateep Panyadee4Pawenud Thongdang5Apinya Rachkeeree6Yao Fu7Yinxian Shi8Chunlin Long9Nguyen Trung Thanh10Tran Trong Phuong11Vo Huu Cong12Outhai Soukkhy13Chanhmany Suphannavong14Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai UniversityFaculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai UniversityQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden OrganizationQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden OrganizationQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden OrganizationQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden OrganizationQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden OrganizationKey Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesMinzu University of ChinaFaculty of Biology, VNU University of ScienceVietnam National University of AgricultureVietnam National University of AgricultureNorthern Agriculture and Forestry CollegeNorthern Agriculture and Forestry CollegeAbstract Wild edible flowers from the Mekong region represent a largely untapped resource with significant potential as both mainstream food and functional ingredients for local populations. This study investigated the nutritional composition and amino acid profiles of five species: Broussonetia kurzii, Trevesia palmata, Dregea volubilis, Oroxylum indicum, and Musa × paradisiaca. Notably, B. kurzii exhibited the highest protein content (27.51%), followed by T. palmata (20.25%). In terms of amino acid composition, B. kurzii also displayed the highest total amino acid content, approximately 20,000 mg/100 g DW, while T. palmata and D. volubilis also showing substantial levels. While Musa × paradisiaca contained a higher ratio of non-essential amino acids, O. indicum contained the highest ratio of essential amino acids, and B. kurzii contained the highest Essential Amino Acid Index (EAAI). Furthermore, phytochemical analysis revealed that B. kurzii possessed the highest levels of total phenolic (1.72 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (1.41 mg QE/g DW) content, coinciding with significant antioxidant activity. Specific phenolic compounds, including catechin, gallic acid, coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid, were found in abundance, particularly in B. kurzii and D. volubilis. Collectively, these findings underscore the considerable potential of these edible flowers as a valuable dietary resource, particularly for local populations in the Mekong region. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their nutritional potential and explore their applications in culinary innovation.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00457-9Essential amino acidsEthnobotanyFood securityHuman nutritionPlant-based protein |
| spellingShingle | Sarana Rose Sommano Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn Ratchuporn Suksathan Methee Wongnak Prateep Panyadee Pawenud Thongdang Apinya Rachkeeree Yao Fu Yinxian Shi Chunlin Long Nguyen Trung Thanh Tran Trong Phuong Vo Huu Cong Outhai Soukkhy Chanhmany Suphannavong Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region Discover Food Essential amino acids Ethnobotany Food security Human nutrition Plant-based protein |
| title | Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region |
| title_full | Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region |
| title_fullStr | Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region |
| title_short | Wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the Mekong region |
| title_sort | wild edible flowers as a promising source of protein and essential nutrients for food security of the mekong region |
| topic | Essential amino acids Ethnobotany Food security Human nutrition Plant-based protein |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00457-9 |
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