Common names | hops

Scientific name | Humulus lupulus

Used part | Flower

Known active compounds | isoquercitrin, quercetin, rutin, ferulic acid

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-microbial

Product name | Hops Flower-APD, Hops Flower-ANB

Plant Story

Hops (Humulus lupulus), also called common hop, is a perennial, climbing plant native to Europe, western Asia, and North America. H. lupulus is well-known for its fragrant flowers that are popularly used for beer brewing. It is believed that hops cultivation started in eastern Europe before the 8^th century, and commercial hops production began in the early 1500s. Hops was introduced to the US by English settlers and the US is now one of the largest producers in the world. Hops flowers are primarily used in beer brewing but can also be used in herbal medicine for soothing, sedative, tonic, and calming properties.

Various phenolic compounds have been identified in H. lupulus. Isoquercitrin and quercetin were the major phenolic compounds in H. lupulus, followed by rutin, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, and syringic acid. Anti-oxidant activity was confirmed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Hops flower also showed anti-microbial activity by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. In this study, beta-acids such as colupulone were suggested as active constituents for anti-microbial activity.