Centaurea benedicta-A Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Components
Olga Teneva1, Zhana Petkova1, Ana Dobreva2
1Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 24 Tzar Asen Street, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Blessed Thistle (Centaurea benedicta) seeds are rich in carbohydrates and fibers. Their oil contains beneficial fatty acids, sterols, phospholipids, and tocopherols, highlighting their nutritional and bioactive potential.
Area of Science:
- Botany and Pharmacognosy
- Plant Chemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The Asteraceae family, including Blessed Thistle (Centaurea benedicta), is widely utilized in traditional medicine and diet.
- Blessed Thistle is recognized for its antioxidant, antidepressant, antibacterial, and liver-supportive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze the chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of Centaurea benedicta seeds.
- To identify and quantify the key bioactive compounds present in the seeds.
Main Methods:
- Proximate analysis to determine macronutrient content (carbohydrates, proteins, oil).
- Gas chromatography to identify and quantify fatty acids in the seed oil.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and other analytical techniques to determine lipid-soluble bioactive components like sterols, phospholipids, and tocopherols.
Main Results:
- Seeds primarily composed of carbohydrates (68.5%), including significant fiber content (32.2%).
- Protein content was 16.4%, with a low glyceride oil content of approximately 11.0%.
- Seed oil rich in linoleic acid (72.1%) and oleic acid (18.1%), with polyunsaturated fatty acids predominating (73.0%).
- Key lipid-soluble compounds identified: sterols (0.9%), phospholipids (1.9%), and tocopherols (492 mg/kg).
- Major sterols were β-Sitosterol (59.5%) and stigmasterol (19.4%).
- α-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol (472 mg/kg).
- Phosphatidylethanolamine (45.4%), phosphatidylinositol (37.1%), and phosphatidylcholine (6.1%) were the major phospholipids.
Conclusions:
- Centaurea benedicta seeds possess a rich nutritional profile, particularly in carbohydrates and fibers.
- The seed oil is characterized by a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and valuable bioactive lipids.
- Detailed chemical characterization supports the traditional uses and potential applications of Blessed Thistle seeds in food and medicine.
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