Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, College of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya 572025, China.
Molecules. 2022 Aug 11;27(16):5120. doi: 10.3390/molecules27165120.
Betalains in bracts of Bougainvillea are of great application potential as natural food colorants and antioxidants. This study explored the color, spectra, composition, storage stability, and antioxidant properties of betalain-based Bougainvillea bracts extracts (BBEs) to verify their application value. The results showed that Bougainvillea bract color variance is due to varied contents and proportions of betacyanins (Bc) and betaxanthins (Bx). Bc or Bx alone determined hues of purple or yellow, respectively; the co-existence of Bc and Bx would produce varied hues of red. BBEs showed bright color and good antioxidant properties under a wide pH range. The pH range of 5−6 was optimal for the highest color stability, and pHs 3−8 were optimal for stronger antioxidants. Bc mainly underwent color fading during storage, while Bx easily produced dark precipitates or melanism under strong acidic (pH < 4) or alkaline conditions (pH > 8). However, Bougainvillea Bx showed 3−4 times higher antioxidant ability than Bc. Different considerations for Bc and Bx are needed for varied application purposes. The purple bracts containing only Bc would be more suitable as colorant sources, while additional Bx can bring enhancement of antioxidant ability and richness of Bougainvillea extract color.
甜菜红素在叶子中的应用潜力巨大,可作为天然食用色素和抗氧化剂。本研究探索了基于甜菜红素的叶子提取物(BBE)的颜色、光谱、组成、储存稳定性和抗氧化性能,以验证其应用价值。结果表明,叶子颜色的差异是由于甜菜红素(Bc)和甜菜黄素(Bx)的含量和比例不同。Bc 或 Bx 单独决定了颜色的紫色或黄色;Bc 和 Bx 的共存会产生不同色调的红色。BBE 在较宽的 pH 范围内具有鲜艳的颜色和良好的抗氧化性能。pH 值为 5−6 时,颜色稳定性最佳;pH 值为 3−8 时,抗氧化能力最强。Bc 在储存过程中主要发生褪色,而 Bx 在强酸性(pH < 4)或碱性条件(pH > 8)下容易产生深色沉淀或黑化。然而,叶子 Bx 的抗氧化能力比 Bc 高 3−4 倍。对于不同的应用目的,需要对 Bc 和 Bx 进行不同的考虑。仅含有 Bc 的紫色叶子更适合作为色素来源,而添加 Bx 可以提高抗氧化能力和丰富叶子提取物的颜色。