Publication: Transformación de biorresiduos florales de Crocus sativus L. en subproductos funcionales : caracterización, potencial bioactivo y aplicaciones
Authors
Maestre Hernández, Ana Belén
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Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
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Bañón Arnao, Marino ; Cano Lario, Antonio
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
Description
Abstract
La presente tesis doctoral, titulada Transformacion de biorresiduos florales de Crocus sativus L. en subproductos funcionales: caracterizacion, potencial bioactivo y aplicaciones, se enmarca en el contexto de la economia circular y la sostenibilidad agroalimentaria, con el proposito de aportar soluciones innovadoras al aprovechamiento de los subproductos generados durante la produccion de azafran. Mas del 90 % de la biomasa floral del Crocus sativus, principalmente petalos, calices, estambres y tepalos, se descarta tras la recoleccion de los estigmas, generando un volumen considerable de biorresiduos con un potencial bioquimico aun poco explorado.
El objetivo general de esta investigacion fue caracterizar los biorresiduos florales del Crocus sativus L. y evaluar su potencial funcional y bioactivo para su eventual aplicacion en la formulacion de productos alimentarios de valor añadido. Para alcanzarlo, se plantearon cuatro objetivos especificos: (1) analizar las caracteristicas fisicoquimicas y microbiologicas del biorresiduo; (2) identificar y cuantificar sus principales metabolitos mediante tecnicas cromatograficas; (3) evaluar sus propiedades antioxidantes, antimicrobianas y su contenido en fitomelatonina; y (4) aplicar los extractos obtenidos en el desarrollo de una bebida vegetal fortificada, valorando su estabilidad y funcionalidad.
Metodologicamente, se emplearon procedimientos experimentales adaptados a matrices vegetales. Los biorresiduos fueron procesados en dos formatos, pulverizado y extracto metanolico, que se sometieron a analisis fisicoquimicos, microbiologicos y de caracterizacion quimica mediante HPLC-MS y GC-MS. Las propiedades antioxidantes se determinaron por los metodos ABTS, DPPH y FRAP, mientras que la actividad antimicrobiana se evaluo frente a cepas bacterianas y fungicas. El contenido en fitomelatonina se cuantifico mediante cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia con deteccion por fluorescencia. Finalmente, los extractos fueron incorporados en bebidas vegetales comerciales, analizando su impacto en el color, el pH y el perfil antioxidante final del producto.
Los resultados demostraron que los biorresiduos florales de Crocus sativus presentan un perfil fitoquimico rico en compuestos fenolicos, flavonoides, acidos organicos y pigmentos naturales. Estos metabolitos confieren una elevada capacidad antioxidante y una notable actividad antimicrobiana, lo que sugiere su posible uso como agentes conservantes naturales. El contenido en fitomelatonina refuerza el interes de este biorresiduo como fuente de compuestos bioactivos con beneficios potenciales para la salud.
En la aplicacion practica, la incorporacion de los extractos en bebidas vegetales resulto tecnologicamente viable, modificando de forma controlada el color y el pH sin comprometer su estabilidad. Las bebidas fortificadas presentaron un incremento en la actividad antioxidante, posicionandose como un ejemplo de alimento funcional obtenido a partir de subproductos agroindustriales.
En conclusion, esta tesis evidencia que los biorresiduos florales del Crocus sativus L. constituyen una fuente sostenible y de alto valor añadido de compuestos bioactivos, con aplicaciones potenciales en las industrias alimentaria, cosmetica y nutraceutica, contribuyendo al desarrollo de una economia circular basada en la valorizacion de residuos agricolas.
This doctoral thesis, entitled Transformation of floral bio-residues from Crocus sativus L. into functional by-products: characterization, bioactive potential and applications, is framed within the context of circular economy and sustainable agro-industrial innovation. Its purpose is to provide scientific and practical solutions for the valorization of floral by-products generated during saffron production. More than 90% of the Crocus sativus floral biomass, mainly petals, stamens, calyxes and tepals, is discarded after the collection of stigmas, despite representing a potentially rich source of bioactive compounds that remains largely unexplored. The general aim of this research was to characterize the floral bio-residues of Crocus sativus L. and to evaluate their bioactive and functional potential for their use in the development of value-added food products. To achieve this, four specific objectives were defined: (1) to analyze the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the bio-residue; (2) to identify and quantify its main metabolites using chromatographic techniques; (3) to evaluate its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activities as well as its melatonin content; and (4) to explore its incorporation into a fortified plant-based beverage and assess its stability and functional performance. Methodologically, the study followed rigorous experimental procedures adapted to plant matrices. The bio-residues were processed into two forms, powdered material and methanolic extract, and subjected to physicochemical (moisture, ash content, pH, colorimetry) and microbiological analyses, as well as chemical characterization through HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays, while antimicrobial activity was tested against selected bacterial and fungal strains relevant to food safety. The phytomelatonin content, a compound of growing physiological and therapeutic interest, was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Finally, the extracts were incorporated into commercial plant-based beverages, evaluating their impact on color parameters, pH and antioxidant profile. The results revealed that Crocus sativus floral bio-residues exhibit a rich phytochemical profile, containing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids and natural pigments. These compounds conferred a high antioxidant capacity, comparable to that of other plant extracts commonly used in the food and nutraceutical industries. Moreover, the extracts demonstrated notable antimicrobial and antifungal properties, suggesting their potential as natural preservative agents. The quantification of phytomelatonin, although variable between extracts, further supports the potential of this bio-residue as a valuable source of health-promoting bioactive molecules. From an applied perspective, incorporating these extracts into plant-based beverages proved technologically feasible, inducing controlled variations in color and pH without compromising product stability. The fortified beverages showed an enhanced antioxidant activity, illustrating a successful case of a functional food developed from agro-industrial by-products. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that the floral bio-residues of Crocus sativus L. constitute a sustainable and high-value source of bioactive compounds with potential applications across the food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. The findings highlight the relevance of linking phytochemical research with sustainability strategies, contributing to the advancement of a circular bioeconomy where waste is transformed into functional, innovative and socially valuable resources. This work thus provides a scientific foundation for reimagining agricultural waste as an opportunity for innovation and environmental responsibility.
This doctoral thesis, entitled Transformation of floral bio-residues from Crocus sativus L. into functional by-products: characterization, bioactive potential and applications, is framed within the context of circular economy and sustainable agro-industrial innovation. Its purpose is to provide scientific and practical solutions for the valorization of floral by-products generated during saffron production. More than 90% of the Crocus sativus floral biomass, mainly petals, stamens, calyxes and tepals, is discarded after the collection of stigmas, despite representing a potentially rich source of bioactive compounds that remains largely unexplored. The general aim of this research was to characterize the floral bio-residues of Crocus sativus L. and to evaluate their bioactive and functional potential for their use in the development of value-added food products. To achieve this, four specific objectives were defined: (1) to analyze the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the bio-residue; (2) to identify and quantify its main metabolites using chromatographic techniques; (3) to evaluate its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activities as well as its melatonin content; and (4) to explore its incorporation into a fortified plant-based beverage and assess its stability and functional performance. Methodologically, the study followed rigorous experimental procedures adapted to plant matrices. The bio-residues were processed into two forms, powdered material and methanolic extract, and subjected to physicochemical (moisture, ash content, pH, colorimetry) and microbiological analyses, as well as chemical characterization through HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays, while antimicrobial activity was tested against selected bacterial and fungal strains relevant to food safety. The phytomelatonin content, a compound of growing physiological and therapeutic interest, was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Finally, the extracts were incorporated into commercial plant-based beverages, evaluating their impact on color parameters, pH and antioxidant profile. The results revealed that Crocus sativus floral bio-residues exhibit a rich phytochemical profile, containing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids and natural pigments. These compounds conferred a high antioxidant capacity, comparable to that of other plant extracts commonly used in the food and nutraceutical industries. Moreover, the extracts demonstrated notable antimicrobial and antifungal properties, suggesting their potential as natural preservative agents. The quantification of phytomelatonin, although variable between extracts, further supports the potential of this bio-residue as a valuable source of health-promoting bioactive molecules. From an applied perspective, incorporating these extracts into plant-based beverages proved technologically feasible, inducing controlled variations in color and pH without compromising product stability. The fortified beverages showed an enhanced antioxidant activity, illustrating a successful case of a functional food developed from agro-industrial by-products. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that the floral bio-residues of Crocus sativus L. constitute a sustainable and high-value source of bioactive compounds with potential applications across the food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. The findings highlight the relevance of linking phytochemical research with sustainability strategies, contributing to the advancement of a circular bioeconomy where waste is transformed into functional, innovative and socially valuable resources. This work thus provides a scientific foundation for reimagining agricultural waste as an opportunity for innovation and environmental responsibility.
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