PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND CYTOTOXIC EVALUATION OF DEHYDRATED POWDER OF LEAVES AND STEMS OF LAMBARI-ROXO

Non-conventional food plants (NFPs) have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their nutritional, functional, and sustainable potential. Among these species, Lambari-roxo (Tradescantia zebrina) stands out as a plant widely used as an ornamental species but still underexplored from a food and technological perspective. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the functional potential of flour obtained from leaves and stems of lambari-roxo through physicochemical characterization, proximate composition analysis, determination of total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity using the DPPH• method, anthocyanins, and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation. Proximate composition revealed high protein content in both plant fractions, with values of 19.52g/100g for leaves and 18.99g/100g for stems. Leaves showed higher lipid content (2.43g/100g), while stems exhibited higher fiber (23.34g/100g) and ash contents (18.23g/100g), indicating a higher mineral concentration. Water activity was low in both samples, suggesting good microbiological stability. Regarding bioactive compounds, leaves presented higher levels of total phenolic compounds (566.19mg GAE/100g) compared to stems (459.33mg GAE/100g). Similarly, antioxidant activity measured by the DPPH• radical and anthocyanins was higher in leaves than in stems. Cytotoxicity indicated no toxic effects, with cell viability above 80% in all treatments. The results demonstrate that Tradescantia zebrina presents significant nutritional potential, highlighting its richness in antioxidant bioactive compounds and suggesting its applicability as a food ingredient or raw material for industrial applications.