Fresh edible flowers of ornamental plants - A new source of nutraceutical foods

Abstract

Edible flowers contribute to the increase of aesthetic appearance of food, they are used during the cooking preparation, but more often they are mentioned in connection with biologically active substances. This review summarizes current knowledge about the usage of edible flowers of ornamental plants for human nutrition. The work describes the quality, sources, consumption, nutritional and sensory importance of edible flowers of ornamental plants. The significance of edible flowers of ornamental plants is also evaluated from the aspect of potential health effect. It concerns mainly the influence of colorfulness, odorous and flavor components in relation to antioxidant activity, scavenging activity of reactive oxygen radicals and against cancer. We can include edible flowers of ornamental plants in the new source of nutraceuticals due to nutritional and chemoprotective value. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.