Non-polar phytochemical compounds from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F.H. Wigg.) flowers

Dandelion is a well-known edible and medicinal plant with numerous studies of its health benefits. Interest presents its polyphenolic and carbohydrate composition and its non-polar components in the aerial parts and roots have been identified. There are no studies about the composition of the fatty acid phytocomponents in the flowers of the dandelion. The main purpose of the present study is a comparative investigation of n-hexane, ethanol, and n-hexane/ethanol (1:1 v/v) soluble compounds from dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F.H. Wigg.) collected during the flowering period. The GC-MS analysis of the non-polar (lipid) fractions showed the presence of 30 biologically active phytocompounds. The fatty acids predominated in the investigated extracts [(50-60 % of total ion current (TIC)], followed by triterpenes (9-11 % of TIC) and phytosterols (7-8 % of TIC). Polyunsaturated fatty acids - linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid (10 – 15 % of TIC) were identified as the major components. Phytosterols were mainly represented by β-sitosterol (3-4 % of TIC) and stigmasterol (above 2% of TIC), while pentacyclic triterpenes from cycloartenol 3-acetate (3-4% of TIC) and β-amyrin (above 2% of TIC) were found. Based on the fatty acid profile, the nutritional indices directly correlated with the lipid metabolites profile responsible for human health were calculated: Index of atherogenicity (IA) – 1.2-1.6; Index of thrombogenicity (IT) – 0,6-0,7; Hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (HH) ratio – 1.0-1.3; Health-promoting index (HPI) – 0.6-0.8; Unsaturation index (UI) – 72 and linoleic acid/α-linolenic acid (LA/ALA) ratio – 1.1. The current results reveal the nutritional potential and health benefits of edible dandelion flowers.