Subtropical Plant Science >

2026 , Vol. 55 >Issue 3: 305 - 314

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1009-7791.2026.03.005

Research articles

Comparison of Flower Color, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity between Inner and Outer Tepals of Double-Flowered Lotus

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  • (1. College of Life Sciences, Jishou University, Jishou 416000, Hunan China; 2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources / Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China; 3. College of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia China; 4. College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China)

Received date: 2026-03-20

  Accepted date: 2026-05-12

  Online published: 2026-06-30

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Abstract

Seven cultivars of double-flowered lotus with different petal colors are used for exploring differences in floral color phenotype, phenolic accumulation, and antioxidant function between the inner and outer tepals of flowers. Floral color parameters were measured using a spectrophotometer; flavonoids and anthocyanins were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by HPLC-QE-MS/MS; total phenolic content was determined by spectrophotometry; and total antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ABTS method. The differences and correlations of these indices between inner and outer tepals were systematically analyzed. The results showed that 13 flavonols and 5 anthocyanins were detected in the inner and outer tepals of seven lotus cultivars, among which quercetin glycosides and kaempferol glycosides accounting for more than 85% were the core flavonoid components. The inner and outer tepals exhibited obvious site-specific differences in floral color parameters, flavonoid composition, and total phenolic content. Correlation analysis indicated that the difference in total phenolic content between inner and outer tepals was significantly positively correlated with the difference in antioxidant activity, suggesting that the spatial distribution difference of phenolic compounds is an important material basis leading to the differentiation of antioxidant activity in lotus inner and outer tepals. Differences in tepal color parameters were correlated with variations in total phenolics, total flavonols, and various flavonol components. This study systematically compared the differences in floral color, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity between inner and outer tepals of double-flowered lotus, clarified the differential accumulation of functional components and their relationship with antioxidant function in inner and outer tepals, and provides a theoretical basis for lotus floral color breeding and petal-oriented functional resource utilization.

Key words： lotus; double-flowered; flower color; flavonoids; antioxidant activity

Cite this article

ZHANG Hou-chen, LIAO Li-xiu, TIAN Dai-ke, ZHAO Yu-meng, HUO Jing-jing, FU Nai-feng, ZHANG Da-sheng, LIU Qing-qing . Comparison of Flower Color, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity between Inner and Outer Tepals of Double-Flowered Lotus[J]. Subtropical Plant Science, 2026 , 55(3) : 305 -314 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1009-7791.2026.03.005

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