Regarding the Nature of the Blue Pigment in Arils of <i>Ravenala Madagascariensis</i> Sonn. (<i>Strelitziaceae</i>).

ABSTRACT: Ravenala madagascariensis, the Traveler's tree, is native to Madagascar but has adapted globally and is utilized for medical and cosmetic purposes. Focusing on the brightly blue colored arils of the plant's seeds, this study aimed to examine their morphological and physicochemical properties and to shed light upon the previously undescribed structure of the pigment. Plant arils were examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Centesimal analyses indicated a lipid-rich composition (81.45%), carbohydrates (7.03%), moisture (3.71%), ash (0.78%), and proteins/peptides (7.1%). Analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters obtained from the lipid fraction by GC-MS indicated a composition of 41% palmitic, 14% stearic, 34% oleic and 7% linoleic

SUBMITTER: Paiva Nogueira B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11983200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature