Nutraceutical potential, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Quararibea funebris flowers

The flowers of Quararibea funebris tree are an important component of tejate, a traditional Mexican beverage. The flowers exhibited a high concentration of total polyphenolic compounds, total carotenoids, and vitamin C. UPLC analysis revealed the presence of salicylic acid, kaemferol-3-O-glucoside, trans-cinnamic acid, rutin, scopoletin, Lphenylalanine, 4-coumaric acid and quercetin-3-glucoside, among others metabolites. The flowers exhibited volatile compounds as isolongifolene, alpha-cedrene, 2,5,5-trimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-2,4a-ethanonaphthalene, while that linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid were the major fatty acids present in the oil extract. Magnesium, potassium, and calcium were the minerals most abundant in the flowers. In addition the methanolic extract of the flowers exhibited antimicrobial properties against the tested pathogenic microbial strains. In conclusion, these results showed that the Q. funebris flowers not only have an aromatic and flavoring power for the Tejate beverage, but also contains compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical potential, which helps to explain its therapeutic uses.

Automated summary

The flowers of Quararibea funebris tree are an important ingredient in the traditional Mexican beverage, Tejate. These flowers are rich in polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids, and vitamin C, as well as various other metabolites and volatile compounds. They also contain minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and exhibit antimicrobial properties. The study shows that the Q. funebris flowers not only contribute to the aroma and flavor of Tejate, but also have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical potential.