Abstract
In the present study, the nutritional value of the edible parts (immature capitula) of cardoon plants was evaluated, while further analyses were carried out in order to assess antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds composition of the various plant parts and seed oils. Cardoon capitula (heads) were a rich source of carbohydrates, with the main detected free sugar being sucrose, as well as of macro- and micro-minerals (K, Ca, Mg, and Fe). Heads were also abundant in saturated fatty acids (palmitic, behenic, linoleic, stearic, caproic, and oleic acid), whereas seed oils in unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid). Total phenolic compounds (TPC) content and phenolics composition differed between the various plant parts, with heads and leaf blades having higher TPC than midribs and petioles. Moreover, heads and leaf midribs and petioles consisted mainly of phenolic acids (5-O-caffeoylquinic and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid), with flavonoids being detected in lower amounts. In contrast, the composition of polyphenols in leaf blades consisted mostly of flavonoids (Luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-malonylhexoside), whereas phenolic acids were also detected in considerable amounts (5-O-feruloylquinic and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid). Regarding antioxidant properties, leaf blades and seeds exhibited the highest potency for all the tested assays which could be partly attributed to the synergistic effects of the phenolic compounds present in each sample. In conclusion, cardoon plant parts may find various uses in the food and pharmaceutical industry, since they contain considerable amounts of bioactive molecules, while seed oils can be considered as alternative vegetable oils for human consumption.
Highlights
Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae) is a species native in the Mediterranean basin, which shows great adaptation ability in various soil and climate conditions and abiotic stress factors, including high salinity levels and water deficit (BenllochGonzález et al, 2005; Ceccarelli et al, 2010; Pagnotta et al, 2017)
Fatty acids composition of cardoon heads and seed oils is presented in Table 2, while seed oil content was 24.5 ± 1.1% (w/w) on a dry weight basis
Twenty-two different fatty acids were detected in cardoon heads, while seed oils had a slightly less variable composition with 18 different fatty acids being detected
Summary
Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae) is a species native in the Mediterranean basin, which shows great adaptation ability in various soil and climate conditions and abiotic stress factors, including high salinity levels and water deficit (BenllochGonzález et al, 2005; Ceccarelli et al, 2010; Pagnotta et al, 2017). (Asteraceae) is a species native in the Mediterranean basin, which shows great adaptation ability in various soil and climate conditions and abiotic stress factors, including high salinity levels and water deficit (BenllochGonzález et al, 2005; Ceccarelli et al, 2010; Pagnotta et al, 2017). Cultivated cardoon is a perennial field crop which during the last years has been suggested as an alternative energy crop due to its low crop requirements and high annual biomass production, as well its high heating value (Foti et al, 1999). The annual biomass production (excluding seeds) ranges between 10 and 20 t ha−1, depending on soil and climate conditions, while energy value can be as high as 15 MJ kg−1 (Raccuia and Melilli, 2007; Angelini et al, 2009). The whole plant may be used for medicinal and industrial purposes, as well as in the food industry as natural rennet for cheese production (Fernández et al, 2006; Borgognone et al, 2014)
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