Author(s): Alvaredo-López-Vizcaíno, Adela ; Costa-Barbosa, Augusto ; Sampaio, Paula ; Río, Pablo ; Botelho, C. M. ; Ferreira-Santos, Pedro
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/97088
Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Subject(s): Green extraction; Broom flowers; Phenolic compounds; Antioxidant activity; Anti-inflammatory properties; Sustainable valorization
Plant flowers are recognized as a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds. In this study, for the first time, the recovery of antioxidant phenolic compounds from Cytisus striatus flowers (CF) was optimized using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The variables (% of ethanol, temperature, and time) were studied using a response surface methodology (RSM). Extraction efficiency was assessed by total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and the antioxidant capacity through DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays. Additionally, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated in different cell lines. The optimal extraction conditions (87.6% ethanol, 160.8 °C and 8.76 min) yielded extracts rich in phenolics (85.9 mg GAE/g CF) and flavonoids (120.3 mg RE/g CF), with strong antioxidant capacity. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 27 phenolic compounds, including chrysin, apigenin, and quercetin derivatives. Cytotoxicity tests showed that CF extract maintained high viability (>80%) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) and human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells up to 2000 µg/mL, indicating low cytotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory potential was evidenced by a decrease in IL-1 levels and an increase in IL-10 cytokine production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. These results highlight the great potential of CF as a promising bioresource to obtain value-added compounds for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic products.
