Utilization of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) Plant in Rice to Lower Glucose Levels
Article Sidebar
Published:
Jun 12, 2025
Keywords:
Butterfly pea,
Clitoria ternatea,
Glycemic index,
Inhibitory enzymes
Main Article Content
Jocelyn Louise
Victor Christian Kaharso
Natasya Hermawan
Nerissa Arviana Tristanto
Abstract
Background of study: The increasing prevalence of diabetes and other glucose-related metabolic disorders has sparked a growing interest in functional foods that can help regulate blood sugar levels. Among staple foods, rice plays a crucial role in the diets of billions of people, particularly in Asia. However, white rice has a GI, contributing to rapid spikes in blood glucose levels after consumption. This presents a health challenge for individuals at risk of or currently managing diabetes. Recent studies suggest that anthocyanins from butterfly pea may inhibit enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion (e.g., α-amylase and α-glucosidase), thereby slowing glucose absorption in the bloodstream. Additionally, incorporating butterfly pea extracts or powders into rice may not only reduce its GI but also enhance its nutritional value and sensory appeal, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Aims and scope of paper: The primary aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of butterfly pea as a natural functional ingredient in rice-based products to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate the effects of incorporating butterfly pea extracts or powders into rice formulations on glycemic response, nutritional content, and overall product acceptability. This paper focuses on the functional food application of Butterfly Pea in rice, with an emphasis on reducing glycemic impact. It encompasses phytochemical analysis, food formulation, nutritional evaluation, and potential health benefits.
Methods: This review aims to evaluate and compile scientific evidence to substantiate the functional claims associated with butterfly pea. Therefore, it is crucial to systematically gather and analyze research findings that explore its functional properties based on empirical scientific investigations.
Result: We reviewed the existing literature related the butterfly pea. Several studies reported that butterfly pea has numerous functional properties, such as inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.
Conclusion: The incorporation of Butterfly Pea into rice formulations presents a promising strategy for developing functional foods with a reduced glycemic impact. The study demonstrated that butterfly pea is rich in bioactive compounds particularly anthocyanins and flavonoids that contribute to its inhibitory effects on carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and its potential to lower postprandial glucose levels.
Article Details
How to Cite
Jocelyn Louise, Kaharso, V. C., Hermawan, N., & Tristanto, N. A. (2025). Utilization of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) Plant in Rice to Lower Glucose Levels. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition Innovations, 1(1), 10–17. Retrieved from https://e-journal.gomit.id/ijfsni/article/view/8
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Articles
References
Bhardwaj, P., Khanna, D., & Balakumar, P. (2014). Catechin averts experimental diabetes mellitus-induced vascular endothelial structural and functional abnormalities. Cardiovascular Toxicology, 14(1), 41-51. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-013-9226-y
Chusak, C., Ying, J. A. Y., Zhien, J. L., Pasukamonset, P., Henry, C. J., Ngamukote, S., & Adisakwattana, S. (2019). Impact of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea)flower on in vitro starch digestibility, texture and sensory attributes of cooked rice using domestic cooking methods. Food Chemistry, 295, 646-652. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.157
Dimou, M., Vacca, A., Sánchez-Ramón, S., Karakulska-Prystupiuk, E., Lionikaite, V., Siffel, C., . . . Kamieniak, M. (2025). Real-World Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability of Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin 10% in Secondary Immunodeficiency Disease: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(4). Https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14041203
Jeyaraj, E. J., Lim, Y. Y., & Choo, W. S. (2021). Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicals. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(6), 2054-2067. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3
Kj, S., N, B., & Kr, C. (2024). UHPLC-ESI-ms/ms-based characterisation of phenolics and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic extract of Clitoria ternatea seeds and their cytotoxic potential against breast and pancreatic cancer. Natural Product Research. Https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2024.2404645
Lucianus, J., Darsono, L., Widowati, W., Rusmana, D., Tiono, H., Onggowidjaja, P., . . . Hadiprasetyo, D. S. (2024). Anti-diabetes mellitus potential of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract based on antioxidant and inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase activities. Medicinal Plants, 16(2), 267-273. Https://doi.org/10.5958/0975-6892.2024.00040.1
Maneechot, O., Hahor, W., Thongprajukaew, K., Nuntapong, N., & Bubaka, S. (2023). A natural blue colorant from butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) petals for traditional rice cooking. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 60(8), 2255-2264. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-023-05752-w
Pop, D., Ichim, E. G., & Farcău, D. (2025). Nutritional Status in Children with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 17(4). doi:10.3390/nu17040728
Stover-Kempers, S. M., Torres, K. A., Barry-Menkhaus, S. A., Jenisch, C., Spiro, K., Harris, M. A., & Wagner, D. V. (2025). Health Equity Intervention for Youth with Type 1 Diabetes and High Social Risk. Children, 12(2). Https://doi.org/10.3390/children12020200
Widowati, W., Darsono, L., Lucianus, J., Setiabudi, E., Susang Obeng, S., Stefani, S., . . . Rizal, R. (2023). Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract displayed antidiabetic effect through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower hepatic GSK-3β, and pancreatic glycogen on Diabetes Mellitus and dyslipidemia rat. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 35(4). Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102579
Widowati, W., Darsono, L., Utomo, H. S., Sabrina, A. H. N., Natariza, M. R., Valentinus Tarigan, A. C., . . . Oktaviani, R. (2024). Antidiabetic and hepatoprotection effect of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower LDH, ACP, AST, and ALT on diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia rat. Heliyon, 10(8). Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29812
Yu, Q., Yu, F., Li, Q., Zhang, J., Peng, Y., Wang, X., . . . Zhang, H. (2023). Anthocyanin-Rich Butterfly Pea Flower Extract Ameliorating Low-Grade Inflammation in a High-Fat-Diet and Lipopolysaccharide Induced Mouse Model. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(31), 11941-11956. Https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02696
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Article Sidebar
Clitoria ternatea,
Glycemic index,
Inhibitory enzymes
Main Article Content
Jocelyn Louise
Victor Christian Kaharso
Natasya Hermawan
Nerissa Arviana Tristanto
Abstract
Background of study: The increasing prevalence of diabetes and other glucose-related metabolic disorders has sparked a growing interest in functional foods that can help regulate blood sugar levels. Among staple foods, rice plays a crucial role in the diets of billions of people, particularly in Asia. However, white rice has a GI, contributing to rapid spikes in blood glucose levels after consumption. This presents a health challenge for individuals at risk of or currently managing diabetes. Recent studies suggest that anthocyanins from butterfly pea may inhibit enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion (e.g., α-amylase and α-glucosidase), thereby slowing glucose absorption in the bloodstream. Additionally, incorporating butterfly pea extracts or powders into rice may not only reduce its GI but also enhance its nutritional value and sensory appeal, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Aims and scope of paper: The primary aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of butterfly pea as a natural functional ingredient in rice-based products to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate the effects of incorporating butterfly pea extracts or powders into rice formulations on glycemic response, nutritional content, and overall product acceptability. This paper focuses on the functional food application of Butterfly Pea in rice, with an emphasis on reducing glycemic impact. It encompasses phytochemical analysis, food formulation, nutritional evaluation, and potential health benefits.
Methods: This review aims to evaluate and compile scientific evidence to substantiate the functional claims associated with butterfly pea. Therefore, it is crucial to systematically gather and analyze research findings that explore its functional properties based on empirical scientific investigations.
Result: We reviewed the existing literature related the butterfly pea. Several studies reported that butterfly pea has numerous functional properties, such as inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.
Conclusion: The incorporation of Butterfly Pea into rice formulations presents a promising strategy for developing functional foods with a reduced glycemic impact. The study demonstrated that butterfly pea is rich in bioactive compounds particularly anthocyanins and flavonoids that contribute to its inhibitory effects on carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and its potential to lower postprandial glucose levels.
Article Details
References
Bhardwaj, P., Khanna, D., & Balakumar, P. (2014). Catechin averts experimental diabetes mellitus-induced vascular endothelial structural and functional abnormalities. Cardiovascular Toxicology, 14(1), 41-51. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-013-9226-y
Chusak, C., Ying, J. A. Y., Zhien, J. L., Pasukamonset, P., Henry, C. J., Ngamukote, S., & Adisakwattana, S. (2019). Impact of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea)flower on in vitro starch digestibility, texture and sensory attributes of cooked rice using domestic cooking methods. Food Chemistry, 295, 646-652. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.157
Dimou, M., Vacca, A., Sánchez-Ramón, S., Karakulska-Prystupiuk, E., Lionikaite, V., Siffel, C., . . . Kamieniak, M. (2025). Real-World Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability of Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin 10% in Secondary Immunodeficiency Disease: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(4). Https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14041203
Jeyaraj, E. J., Lim, Y. Y., & Choo, W. S. (2021). Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicals. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(6), 2054-2067. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3
Kj, S., N, B., & Kr, C. (2024). UHPLC-ESI-ms/ms-based characterisation of phenolics and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic extract of Clitoria ternatea seeds and their cytotoxic potential against breast and pancreatic cancer. Natural Product Research. Https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2024.2404645
Lucianus, J., Darsono, L., Widowati, W., Rusmana, D., Tiono, H., Onggowidjaja, P., . . . Hadiprasetyo, D. S. (2024). Anti-diabetes mellitus potential of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract based on antioxidant and inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase activities. Medicinal Plants, 16(2), 267-273. Https://doi.org/10.5958/0975-6892.2024.00040.1
Maneechot, O., Hahor, W., Thongprajukaew, K., Nuntapong, N., & Bubaka, S. (2023). A natural blue colorant from butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) petals for traditional rice cooking. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 60(8), 2255-2264. Https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-023-05752-w
Pop, D., Ichim, E. G., & Farcău, D. (2025). Nutritional Status in Children with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 17(4). doi:10.3390/nu17040728
Stover-Kempers, S. M., Torres, K. A., Barry-Menkhaus, S. A., Jenisch, C., Spiro, K., Harris, M. A., & Wagner, D. V. (2025). Health Equity Intervention for Youth with Type 1 Diabetes and High Social Risk. Children, 12(2). Https://doi.org/10.3390/children12020200
Widowati, W., Darsono, L., Lucianus, J., Setiabudi, E., Susang Obeng, S., Stefani, S., . . . Rizal, R. (2023). Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract displayed antidiabetic effect through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower hepatic GSK-3β, and pancreatic glycogen on Diabetes Mellitus and dyslipidemia rat. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 35(4). Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102579
Widowati, W., Darsono, L., Utomo, H. S., Sabrina, A. H. N., Natariza, M. R., Valentinus Tarigan, A. C., . . . Oktaviani, R. (2024). Antidiabetic and hepatoprotection effect of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower LDH, ACP, AST, and ALT on diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia rat. Heliyon, 10(8). Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29812
Yu, Q., Yu, F., Li, Q., Zhang, J., Peng, Y., Wang, X., . . . Zhang, H. (2023). Anthocyanin-Rich Butterfly Pea Flower Extract Ameliorating Low-Grade Inflammation in a High-Fat-Diet and Lipopolysaccharide Induced Mouse Model. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(31), 11941-11956. Https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02696
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