Safflower petal composition: impact of sowing time and plant density on proximate, antioxidants, and colorants

Introduction: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose plant that has recently attracted renewed interest as a natural source of antioxidant compounds and pigments from its petals, which can be used as alternatives to replace industrial compounds. Methods: In a split-plot experimental design, the effects of three winter sowings (December, January, and February) and two plant densities (D1, 25 plants m−2; and D2, 50 plants m−2) on petal production and composition in nutrients and antioxidants, including colorants, were examined in safflower (cv. Catima) in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment. Petals were harvested twice: at the flowering of the main shoots (early harvest) and 1 week later, and at the flowering of the lateral shoots (late harvest).