Butterfly pea flower: An emerging plant with applications in food and medicine
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Recent research on butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) highlights its significant potential in both food and medicinal applications. Its vibrant blue color is due to high levels of anthocyanins, specifically polyacylated derivatives called ternatins, which offer excellent stability in varying pH conditions. This makes the flower valuable as a natural food colorant, especially for blue hues, providing a more stable alternative to other natural sources like spirulina. Due to its pH-sensitive color changes, it has also been incorporated into intelligent packaging as a freshness indicator for perishable foods .
Additionally, butterfly pea flower contains bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that these compounds might help manage blood pressure, support cognitive function, and protect against cellular oxidative stress. In traditional medicine, the flower and other parts of the plant are used for ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin inflammation. There’s also emerging interest in its use in nanotechnology and pharmaceuticals due to these bioactive properties .
With ongoing studies focusing on optimizing anthocyanin extraction and enhancing stability, butterfly pea flower continues to gain attention for its diverse applications across industries.
Additionally, butterfly pea flower contains bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that these compounds might help manage blood pressure, support cognitive function, and protect against cellular oxidative stress. In traditional medicine, the flower and other parts of the plant are used for ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin inflammation. There’s also emerging interest in its use in nanotechnology and pharmaceuticals due to these bioactive properties .
With ongoing studies focusing on optimizing anthocyanin extraction and enhancing stability, butterfly pea flower continues to gain attention for its diverse applications across industries.