Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of Ecuadorian paramo flowers

Ecuador is a megadiverse country with a wide variety of floral species that have been little studied. In this context, the study's objective was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and the antioxidant activity of several floral species of paramo of Pichincha Province in Ecuador. Thus, the weight, size, color, pH, soluble solids, moisture and ash of fresh flower was quantified. In addition, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were quantified in lyophilized powder. The results obtained showed that the flowers of Werneria nubigena were the longest (43,80 cm); Brugmansia x candida the widest (9,88cm) and heaviest (9,22g); Tristerix longebracteatus presented high soluble solids content (21,5 °Brix), Lupinus microphyllus high pH (14,00), Ceanothus maritimus high titratable acidity (0,26%), Castilleja integrifolia high ash content (6,42%) and Bidens ferulifolia high moisture content (95,73%). In addition, the highest ranges of total carotenoids and total phenolics were presented by yellow Bidens ferulifolia (24,81 µg β-carotene/g PS) and Fuchsia vulcania (531,77 mg EAG /g PS), respectively. Finally, it was found in Bomarea multiflora high values of antioxidant capacity (182,08 trolox eq. µmol/ g PS). These results suggest that the paramo flowers contain essential bioactive compounds that could be used for food, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Keywords: Bioactive compounds, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, Andean flowers