Newswise \u2014 Our current fascination with high-protein foods means plant-based protein now shows up in many food products. But rather than growing plants just for their protein, researchers wondered if edible flowers \u2014 like\u00a0pot\u00a0marigolds that are usually\u00a0composted or thrown away\u00a0once\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0past their prime\u00a0\u2014 could be a new,\u00a0sustainable plant-based protein source. So, they measured the protein content and composition of\u00a0dried\u00a0marigolds, and\u00a0they\u00a0report\u00a0the\u00a0results\u00a0in\u00a0ACS Food Science & Technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMarigold flowers are widely cultivated, yet an estimated 40% of production is discarded as waste, especially after ornamental use,\u201d says Anand Mohan, the corresponding author of the study. \u201cWe saw an opportunity to\u00a0valorize\u00a0this agricultural byproduct by exploring its protein fraction, given the growing demand for plant-based and sustainable food\u00a0ingredients.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The researchers\u00a0ground\u00a0pot\u00a0marigold flowers\u00a0(Calendula officinalis)\u00a0into\u00a0a fine\u00a0powder and\u00a0isolated\u00a0proteins in four sequential\u00a0liquid\u00a0extractions,\u00a0collecting\u00a0different\u00a0protein\u00a0molecules\u00a0into\u00a0each\u00a0mixture.\u00a0Their lab tests showed that:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marigold proteins stayed stable up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit (105 degrees Celsius), which is hotter than\u00a0temperatures tolerated by\u00a0other plant proteins like pea and chickpea, suggesting\u00a0the flower\u2019s\u00a0proteins\u00a0would\u00a0keep\u00a0their\u00a0structure\u00a0better\u00a0in heated foods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two protein extracts had excellent emulsifying capacity,\u00a0or the ability to keep oil droplets distributed in water, suggesting their suitability for salad dressings,\u00a0mayonnaise\u00a0and dairy substitutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This\u00a0research shows\u00a0that marigold\u00a0flower\u00a0proteins\u00a0could be\u00a0a new source of food protein and are suitable ingredients for further use in food product development.\u00a0The marigold protein\u2019s\u00a0emulsifying, hydrating and antioxidant effects found in this paper, says Mohan,\u00a0make it ideal for nutrient-enriched food formulations.\u00a0They could improve the\u00a0taste, stability, and texture\u00a0of bakery products and emulsion-based foods.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The researchers\u00a0next\u00a0plan to study the health benefits of marigold protein and then use it as an ingredient in baked goods and products like salad dressings, which\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0taste-test with consumers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are increasingly aware of food waste and are seeking innovative solutions,\u201d\u00a0concludes\u00a0Mohan.\u00a0\u201cDemonstrating that something as common and overlooked as a flower can be transformed into a valuable food ingredient makes science both relatable and impactful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0authors acknowledge\u00a0funding from\u00a0the\u00a0U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division for supporting the protein amino acid identification\u00a0component\u00a0of this research.\u00a0<\/p>\n
###\u00a0<\/p>\n
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global\u00a0community\u00a0and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science.\u00a0The Society\u00a0is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences,\u00a0e-books\u00a0and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most\u00a0trusted\u00a0and most read within\u00a0the scientific\u00a0literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating,\u00a0connecting\u00a0and\u00a0analyzing the world\u2019s scientific knowledge. ACS\u2019 main offices are in Washington, D.C., and\u00a0Columbus, Ohio.\u00a0<\/p>\n