Antioxidant Properties of Seeds from Lines of Artichoke, Cultivated Cardoon and Wild Cardoon.

Francesco Saccardo,Paola Crinò,Eugenia Venneria,Elena Azzini,Gianluca Maiani,Andrea Temperini,Maria Foddai,Giuseppe Maiani,Alessandra Durazzo,Enrico Finotti,Massimo Lucarini

doi:10.3390/antiox2020052

Abstract

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus L.), the cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC.) and the wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris L.) are species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of seeds from lines of artichoke and cultivated and wild cardoon in both aqueous-organic extracts and their residues by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) evaluations. Both artichoke and cardoon seeds are a good source of antioxidants. Among artichoke seeds, hydrolysable polyphenols contribution to antioxidant properties ranged from 41% to 78% for FRAP values and from 17% to 37% for TEAC values. No difference between cultivated and wild cardoon in antioxidant properties are reported. Our results could provide information about the potential industrial use and application of artichoke and/or cardoon seeds.

Highlights

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus L.), the cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC.) and the wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris L.) are species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area
Ferric Reducing-Antioxidant Power (FRAP) values are placed within the range 248.3–344.9 mmol/kg d.w. in aqueous-organic extracts and enlarged range of 185.1–1067.2 mmol/kg d.w. in residues
In our work the hydrolysable polyphenols contribution to antioxidant properties ranged from 41% to 78% for FRAP values and from 17% to 37% for TEAC

Summary

Introduction

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus L.), the cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC.) and the wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris L.) are species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area. Wild cardoon is the ancestor of both the cultivated forms, which evolved separately as a result of different selection criteria [1,2]. These plants were popular in Greeks and Romans as food and medicine [3]. According to Foti et al [14] the chemical composition of artichoke seeds was the following: crude protein 21.6%, crude fiber 17.1%, crude oil 24.05% and ash 3.8%. Raccuia and Melilli [15] have shown like Cynara oil is suitable for human consumption

Objectives

Results

Conclusion