RESEARCH OF Rosella
Antioxidant Rich
In
Indonesia, studies of test components and nutrients in the antioxidant
activity of Rosella petals had been investigated by Ir Didah Nurfaridah,
2005. In these studies, she (as the staff of the faculty in the
Department of Food Science and Technology Faculty of Agricultural
Technology, Bogor Agricultural University) found that levels of
antioxidants contained in the dried petals Rosella much higher than the
cat whiskers plant and Knop flower. Active substances most responsible
for Rosella flower petals are: gossypetin, antosianin, and hibiscin
glucoside. Antosianin is a natural pigment that gives red color on the
Rosella petals, and is an antioxidant.
"High levels of
antioxidants in the Rosella eyelids can hamper free radicals. Some
chronic diseases found at this time many are caused by excessive free
radicals. Among of them are kidney damage, diabetes, coronary heart
disease, to cancer, "said Didah.
Comparison of antioxidants levels
which have antosianin can be seen in two types of Rosella planted in
Darwin's gardens at Cisarua. Although derived from a single species,
Sudanese Rosella thick blackish-red, while Taiwan Rosella blood red.
Sudanese Rosella it more acidic and more concentrated so that the dried
petals can be used up to 2-3 times brewed. Differ from Taiwan Rosella
that can only be used once brewed.
"The more intense red color on
the petals Rosella, it will be more acidic and there are more antosianin
content. Thus, antioxidant content also increased, "said Didah.
Unfortunately,
the levels of antioxidants in the petals Rosella are reduced when dried
by the heating process (baked in the oven). Levels of potent compounds
contained in the petals Rosella is at the highest levels when consumed
in fresh form.
Anticancer and Antihypertensive
Among the
many functions, Rosella seeded as anticancer herbs and hypertension.
This is in accordance with preclinical trials conducted by Yun-Ching
Chang, a researcher from the Institute of Biochemistry and
Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan. Yun-Ching Chang
found that the natural pigment from the dried petals Rosella proven
effective in both inhibiting and lethal cancer cells HL-60 (blood cancer
or leukemia). These pigments also play a role in the process of
apoptosis (suicide) of cancer cells.
Meanwhile, Maureen Williams,
ND, a naturopathic physician from Bastyr University in Seattle, United
States, has conducted a study of 70 people with mild levels of
disease-to-moderate hypertension whose healthy condition and did not do
any treatment since one month before
the study tested. At random, some people were asked to consume as
many as Rosella tea and a half liter before breakfast every day. Some
are taking 25 mg of antihypertensive drugs. After four weeks, diastolic
blood pressure was reduced by ten points to 79% of people who consume
tea Rosella and 84% in people who take antihypertensive medications.
Had
never reported serious side effects due to consumption of other Rosella
petal heart beating. But Peter Hardwick of the journal Australian Food
Plants Study Group Newsletter said that there is another species called
the Native Rosella Rosella (Hibiscus heterophyllus) that can cause
kidney damage if consumed. Fresh flowers like Rosella (Hibiscus
sabdariffa). Therefore, be careful, do not let the wrong choice.
