Phytochemical Study of Orchidaceae: Composition, Bioactivity and Potential Application in Functional Foods
Abstract
The family Orchidaceae is one of the most taxonomically diverse groups of angiosperms, recognized for their ornamental significance and their content of pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites. This review critically evaluates the phytochemical diversity, bioactivities, and potential of Orchidaceae species as natural sources for the development of functional food products. This review is based on a comprehensive literature survey of 32 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus and PubMed through April 2025, which reports the presence of diverse bioactive compounds-mainly phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and anthocyanins in various orchid species and plant tissues. These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidants, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-aging, photoprotective, and neuropharmacological effects. The concentration and composition of these metabolites depend on species differences, plant organ specificity, and extraction methods. Cumulative evidence underscores the underutilized potential of orchids as phytochemical reservoirs for nutraceutical applications. However, further translational research on bioavailability, safety, and functional stability in complex food systems is essential to enable their practical application in consumer health products. This review advocates intensive multidisciplinary research on Orchidaceae to open up new opportunities in the functional food and health-promoting bioactive industries.