A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects
Edible flowers have been used since ancient times directly as food, flavoring agents, and garnish in food products, and are now reappearing in modern cuisine. Edible flowers have gained popularity due to changing consumer habits focused on healthier food options. In addition to contributing to the e...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Foods |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1719 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850258104334155776 |
|---|---|
| author | Angela Daniela Carboni Tiziana Di Renzo Stefania Nazzaro Pasquale Marena Maria Cecilia Puppo Anna Reale |
| author_facet | Angela Daniela Carboni Tiziana Di Renzo Stefania Nazzaro Pasquale Marena Maria Cecilia Puppo Anna Reale |
| author_sort | Angela Daniela Carboni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Edible flowers have been used since ancient times directly as food, flavoring agents, and garnish in food products, and are now reappearing in modern cuisine. Edible flowers have gained popularity due to changing consumer habits focused on healthier food options. In addition to contributing to the esthetics and flavor of various dishes, edible flowers are now recognized for their nutritional value, as they contain bioactive components with different health benefits. However, a significant concern regarding edible flowers is the potential contamination by undesirable microorganisms. Since edible flowers are often consumed fresh or minimally processed, they can pose a microbiological risk. Edible flowers may be susceptible to contamination by various pathogenic microorganisms, particularly <i>Bacillus</i> spp., <i>Enterobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., and <i>Staphylococcus aureus.</i> In addition, mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Alternaria</i>, or <i>Fusarium</i>, can be found in various flowers. Good agricultural practices, hygienic handling, and appropriate storage are essential to reduce contamination and guarantee the safe consumption of edible flowers. Since current investigations on the microbiological safety aspects of edible flowers are scarce, this review aims to provide an overview of the consumption of edible flowers and a discussion of their uses, health benefits, and risks, focusing on microbiological aspects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-40b62cb785fb4e3e9385b5315b7fbec0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-40b62cb785fb4e3e9385b5315b7fbec02025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011410171910.3390/foods14101719A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health AspectsAngela Daniela Carboni0Tiziana Di Renzo1Stefania Nazzaro2Pasquale Marena3Maria Cecilia Puppo4Anna Reale5Center for Research and Development in Food Science and Technology, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, La Plata RA1900, ArgentinaInstitute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, ISA–CNR, 83100 Avellino, ItalyInstitute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, ISA–CNR, 83100 Avellino, ItalyInstitute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, ISA–CNR, 83100 Avellino, ItalyCenter for Research and Development in Food Science and Technology, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, La Plata RA1900, ArgentinaInstitute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, ISA–CNR, 83100 Avellino, ItalyEdible flowers have been used since ancient times directly as food, flavoring agents, and garnish in food products, and are now reappearing in modern cuisine. Edible flowers have gained popularity due to changing consumer habits focused on healthier food options. In addition to contributing to the esthetics and flavor of various dishes, edible flowers are now recognized for their nutritional value, as they contain bioactive components with different health benefits. However, a significant concern regarding edible flowers is the potential contamination by undesirable microorganisms. Since edible flowers are often consumed fresh or minimally processed, they can pose a microbiological risk. Edible flowers may be susceptible to contamination by various pathogenic microorganisms, particularly <i>Bacillus</i> spp., <i>Enterobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., and <i>Staphylococcus aureus.</i> In addition, mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Alternaria</i>, or <i>Fusarium</i>, can be found in various flowers. Good agricultural practices, hygienic handling, and appropriate storage are essential to reduce contamination and guarantee the safe consumption of edible flowers. Since current investigations on the microbiological safety aspects of edible flowers are scarce, this review aims to provide an overview of the consumption of edible flowers and a discussion of their uses, health benefits, and risks, focusing on microbiological aspects.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1719bacteriapathogensantioxidantspolyphenolshealth benefitsnovel ingredients |
| spellingShingle | Angela Daniela Carboni Tiziana Di Renzo Stefania Nazzaro Pasquale Marena Maria Cecilia Puppo Anna Reale A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects Foods bacteria pathogens antioxidants polyphenols health benefits novel ingredients |
| title | A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects |
| title_full | A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects |
| title_fullStr | A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects |
| title_short | A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of edible flowers with a focus on microbiological nutritional and potential health aspects |
| topic | bacteria pathogens antioxidants polyphenols health benefits novel ingredients |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1719 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT angeladanielacarboni acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT tizianadirenzo acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT stefanianazzaro acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT pasqualemarena acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT mariaceciliapuppo acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT annareale acomprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT angeladanielacarboni comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT tizianadirenzo comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT stefanianazzaro comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT pasqualemarena comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT mariaceciliapuppo comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects AT annareale comprehensivereviewofedibleflowerswithafocusonmicrobiologicalnutritionalandpotentialhealthaspects |