Bioactive Compounds and Aroma Profile of Some Lamiaceae Edible Flowers
, Basma Najar 2,*, Barbara Ruffoni 3, Andrea Copetta 3, Luisa Pistelli 2,4 and Laura Pistelli 1,4Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In the present manuscript the authors have selected a series of plant species which are exploited for their edible flowers. The further goal is to propose these plants as functional foods. The topic is interesting and most importantly original, as there are very few similar works in the literature. So, this work enlightens a scientific sector which is niche. For this reason, the paper should be accepted. The authors have carried out extensive chemical analyzes concerning many different groups of constituents that have nutritional importance, such as proteins and sugars, as well as other important chemical constituents of functional value, such as ascorbic acid and micronutrients, such total polyphenols. A second series of analyzes were carried out concerning the volatile constituents, i.e the aroma. This is of particular importance, since it affects the organoleptic properties. To sum up, there is a considerable chemical analysis followed by thorough statistical analyzes which differentiate the different botanical species according to their characteristics Overall, the reviewer believes that the manuscript is suitable for publication in the journal. Some small amendments are needed prior to acceptance. There are a few typos and grammatical errors were observed and should be corrected
line 109: please correct as the two sage species
line 114: protein percentage
line 150: latter and "in different amounts"
line 302 : suggested
line 313: no studies
line 317: ascorbic acid is known to take part in
line 345: compared to instead of in front of
line 365: dates back
line 413: compared
line 433: traced back
line 448: dates back
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
Point 1: line 109: please correct as the two sage species
Answer 1: Done
Point 2: line 114: protein percentage
Answer 2: Done
Point 3: line 150: latter and "in different amounts"
Answer 3: Done
Point 4: line 302: suggested
Answer 4: Done
Point 5: line 313: no studies
Answer 5: Done
Point 6: line 317: ascorbic acid is known to take part in
Answer 6: Done
Point 7: line 345: compared to instead of in front of
Answer 7: Done
Point 8: line 365: dates back
Answer 8: Done
Point 9: line 413: compared
Answer 9: Done
Point 10: line 433: traced back
Answer 10: Done
Point 11: line 448: dates back
Answer 11: Done
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
This article presents a nice comparison of bioactive compounds extracted from certain under-studied edible flowers that of interest for their potential nutriceutical value. Despite the scope of the work being rather small, the overall merit of this work is high due to the rigorous statistical methods employed and multiple methods presented for data comparison. Only a few minor points:
1) Abstract: the particular edible flowers in this study are described as "new". However, it would seem that these plants are quite common and their nutritional value accepted for some time. Additionally, they belong to the Lamiaceae family of which many studies can be found describing bioactive compounds.
2) Line 59: "In order to improve the research on edible flowers, 2 tribes of the subfamily of Nepetoideae took attention." - Not sure what this sentence means, are they describing their own work presented here, or the work of others?
3) Line 212: "distillation seemed to switch the pathways of terpenoids production." Is it not that distillation caused chemical degradation of the constituents rather than a change of biosynthetic pathways?
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Point 1: Abstract: the particular edible flowers in this study are described as "new". However, it would seem that these plants are quite common and their nutritional value accepted for some time. Additionally, they belong to the Lamiaceae family of which many studies can be found describing bioactive compounds.
Answer 1: Most studies carried out on Lamiacee plants are conducted for their ornamental value, or for the utilization of leaves as spice or food additives. The aim of this manuscript is to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of flowers, to define their aroma, and assess the edible use
Point 2: Line 59: “In order to improve the research on edible flowers, 2 tribes of the subfamily of Nepetoideae took attention.” – Not sure what this sentence means, are they describing their own work presented here, or the work of others?
Answer 2: The sentence was rephrased.
Point 3: Line 212: "distillation seemed to switch the pathways of terpenoids production." Is it not that distillation caused chemical degradation of the constituents rather than a change of biosynthetic pathways?
Answer 3: we agree with the referee and the sentence was reformulated
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
