Altilis DC Research Articles

Changes in Biomass, Mineral Composition, and Quality of Cardoon in Response to [Formula: see text]:Cl(-) Ratio and Nitrate Deprivation from the Nutrient Solution.

Leaf extracts of cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) are an important source of phenols. Soilless culture represents an important and alternative tool to traditional agriculture, since it allows a precise control of plant nutrition and the maximization of yield and quality of the product. Reducing N supply, while keeping quantity as high as possible is desirable for environmental and health-related reasons, especially that N deficiency can lead to improved concentrations of secondary plant metabolites. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out in order to determine the effect of a decreasing :Cl- ratio (80:20, 60:40, 40:60, or 20:80) and nitrate deprivation (0, 5, 10, or 15 days before harvest) on biomass production, leaf chlorophyll content and fluorescence, mineral composition, and phytochemicals in leaves of cardoon ‘Bianco Avorio’ grown in a floating system. Total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity increased linearly with Cl- availability, especially when nitrate was replaced by 80% of chloride (20:80 :Cl- ratio), without having a detrimental effect on yield. Total nitrogen and nitrate concentration in leaves decreased linearly with increasing Cl- in the nutrient solution. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity recorded after 15 days of nitrate deprivation were higher by 43.1, 42.8, and 44.3% and by 70.5, 40.9, and 62.2%, at 59, 97 and 124 days after sowing, respectively compared to the control treatment. The decrease in leaf nitrate content recorded under N-deprivation occurred more rapidly than the reduction in total nitrogen. Thus, up to 15 days of nitrate withdrawal can lower nitrates without sharply reduce total nitrogen or affecting growth and biomass of cultivated cardoon. The use of N-free nutrient solution prior to harvest or the replacement of nitrates with chlorides could be adopted among growers to improve the quality of the product and enhance sustainability of crop production system.

Does CaCl2 Play a Role in Improving Biomass Yield and Quality of Cardoon Grown in a Floating System under Saline Conditions?

Supplemental calcium application has been reported to alleviate the detrimental effect of NaCl-induced salinity on crop growth. Iso-molar solutions of NaCl and NaCl plus CaCl2 were used to study the osmotic and ionic effects of salinity on leaf dry biomass production and nutraceutical quality of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) grown in a floating system. A basic nutrient solution (control; T1) was enriched with 15 mm of NaCl + 10 mm of CaCl2 (T2), 30 mm of NaCl (T3), 30 mm of NaCl + 20 mm of CaCl2 (T4), or 60 mm of NaCl (T5). NaCl at 60 mm induced a 52% reduction of total leaf dry biomass compared with the control (T1); the iso-molar solution enriched with 20 mm of CaCl2 (T4) increased the total leaf dry biomass production in comparison with treatment containing NaCl at 60 mm (T5). Moreover, at moderate salinity (T2 and T3), the partial replacement of NaCl with 10 mm of CaCl2 (T2) in treatment containing 30 mm of NaCl did not help to reduce the adverse effect of NaCl on total leaf dry biomass production. Results of leaf mineral analysis demonstrated that the partial replacement of NaCl with CaCl2 reduced the accumulation of sodium and the nutrient imbalance. Nutrient solutions enriched with CaCl2 did not increase the accumulation of the osmoprotectant proline in leaves. Nutraceutical value of cardoon leaves was generally improved by saline treatments compared with the control. The regression analysis between phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity showed that total phenols and chlorogenic acid were the major determinants of antioxidant activity in cardoon leaf biomass. In conclusion, the partial replacement of NaCl with CaCl2 improved the leaf dry biomass production of cardoon only at the highest salinity levels with a limited effect on nutraceutical quality of leaves.

The rolC gene increases caffeoylquinic acid production in transformed artichoke cells.

Caffeoylquinic acids are found in artichokes, and they are currently considered important therapeutic or preventive agents for treating Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. We transformed artichoke [the cultivated cardoon or Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC (Asteraceae)] with the rolC gene, which is a known inducer of secondary metabolism. High-performance liquid chromatography with UV and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV-HRMS) revealed that the predominant metabolites synthesized in the transgenic calli were 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic acid. The rolC-transformed calli contained 1.5% caffeoylquinic acids by dry weight. The overall production of these metabolites was three times higher than that of the corresponding control calli. The enhancing effect of rolC remained stable over long-term cultivation.

Salinity source‐induced changes in yield, mineral composition, phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaves of artichoke and cardoon grown in floating system

Leaves of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi) and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) are traditionally used as herbal medicine. Moderate salt stress could enhance antioxidant activity and phytochemicals in leaves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chloride salts (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) on biomass production, mineral composition, phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity in leaves of artichoke and cardoon grown in a floating system. In both crops, NaCl and KCl treatments reduced biomass production, while similar values were recorded in CaCl2 and control treatments. In both crops, KCl treatment enhanced total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and target polyphenols in leaves harvested at 48, 82 and 105 days after sowing (DAS), while leaf quality was improved by NaCl and CaCl2 treatments only at 82 and 105 DAS. Irrespective of salinity, leaves of cardoon had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and target polyphenols than those of artichoke. The results showed that application of KCl can be considered an effective way to produce high-quality leaves of artichoke and cardoon during the whole cropping cycle, although resulting in a 30% reduction in plant biomass.

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

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.

INFLUENCE OF GENOTYPE ON BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND POLYPHENOLS OF ARTICHOKE AND CARDOON

Cynara is a relatively small genus comprising two important crops: globe artichoke (C. cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Fiori) and cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.). The chemical components of artichoke leaves have been studied extensively and have been found to be a rich source of polyphenolic compounds. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the hydroponic floating trays system due to the advantage of cultivation of globe artichoke for leaf biomass production with shorter cycles. Three artichoke (‘Romolo’, ‘Violetto di Provenza’ and ‘Violetto di Romagna’) and three cultivated cardoon (‘Bianco Avorio’, ‘Bianco Gigante Inerme’ and ‘Gigante di Romagna’) genotypes were evaluated for their leaf dry biomass and major polyphenols. The highest leaf dry biomass was recorded in the three genotypes of cardoon followed by the two artichoke genotypes ‘Romolo’ and ‘Violetto di Provenza’. The major polyphenols present in the leaf were chlorogenic acid and cynarin, followed by luteolin, whereas apigenin was found in trace quantities. The highest concentration of chlorogenic acid was observed in ‘Violetto di Provenza’, ‘Violetto di Romagna’ and ‘Bianco Avorio’, whereas the highest luteolin concentration was found in the cardoon genotypes ‘Bianco Avorio Gigante di Romagna’. Data showed that the hydroponic floating tray is a suitable system for biomass production of globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon. They also suggest that specific genotypes should be selected to obtain the desired nutritional features.

Analysis of molecular genetic diversity of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) in Tunisia

The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity, the relationships among six Tunisian wild cardoon populations (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris) and a Tunisian's population of cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis DC) in seven different geographical locations (Tiurif, Bahra, Zriba, Bouficha, Enfidha, Beja and Wad mliz) from semi-arid and wet regions of Tunisia. Twenty-three selected microsatellite markers are used for a sample of 98 cardoon genotypes. The total of 243 alleles is detected in the studied populations and the number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 23. The dendrogram based on Nei's (1972) UPGMA method divides the seven studied populations to five clusters. These preliminary results show that microsatellites are effective tools for plant species characterization and the analysed populations have a high genetic variability and will be suitable as genetic stocks for conservation and sustainable utilization programs of Cynara cardunculus L. in Tunisia.

Genetic mapping and identification of QTL for earliness in the globe artichoke/cultivated cardoon complex

BackgroundThe Asteraceae species Cynara cardunculus (2n = 2x = 34) includes the two fully cross-compatible domesticated taxa globe artichoke (var. scolymus L.) and cultivated cardoon (var. altilis DC). As both are out-pollinators and suffer from marked inbreeding depression, linkage analysis has focussed on the use of a two way pseudo-test cross approach.ResultsA set of 172 microsatellite (SSR) loci derived from expressed sequence tag DNA sequence were integrated into the reference C. cardunculus genetic maps, based on segregation among the F1 progeny of a cross between a globe artichoke and a cultivated cardoon. The resulting maps each detected 17 major linkage groups, corresponding to the species’ haploid chromosome number. A consensus map based on 66 co-dominant shared loci (64 SSRs and two SNPs) assembled 694 loci, with a mean inter-marker spacing of 2.5 cM. When the maps were used to elucidate the pattern of inheritance of head production earliness, a key commercial trait, seven regions were shown to harbour relevant quantitative trait loci (QTL). Together, these QTL accounted for up to 74% of the overall phenotypic variance.ConclusionThe newly developed consensus as well as the parental genetic maps can accelerate the process of tagging and eventually isolating the genes underlying earliness in both the domesticated C. cardunculus forms. The largest single effect mapped to the same linkage group in each parental maps, and explained about one half of the phenotypic variance, thus representing a good candidate for marker assisted selection.

Caffeoylquinic Acids and Flavonoids in the Immature Inflorescence of Globe Artichoke, Wild Cardoon, and Cultivated Cardoon

The species Cynara cardunculus is consumed as part of the Mediterranean diet and consists of the globe artichoke [var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], the cultivated cardoon (var. altilis DC.), and the wild cardoon [var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori]. The objective of this study was to investigate, in immature inflorescences, the main flavonoids and phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acids, apigenin, and luteolin derivatives) by HPLC/diode array detection/mass spectrometry. Apigenin derivatives represented the major class in all samples investigated, highest in cardoon forms. Caffeoylquinic acids and luteolin derivatives were observed in var. scolymus only. Data allowed discrimination of globe artichoke from the related species on the basis of the profile of compounds analyzed. Our results suggest the possible use of cultivated and wild cardoon as a source of phenolic acids and flavonoids and indicate that artichoke consumption is an excellent dietary source of apigenin and other flavones.

Did the Ancients Know the Artichoke?

This article, by examining the genetic, iconographical, historical, and linguistic evidence, supports the argument that the cultivated artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) developed from the cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) and that the artichoke was unknown in the Greco-Roman world and was most probably developed by Arab or Arab-Sicilian horticulturalists in the early medieval period——that is, between the seventh and tenth centuries A.D., probably in Sicily. The article considers genetic variability and the relationships between cultivars and wild taxa, as well as the problem of synonymy, the fact that a plant can take different names according to where it is cultivated. The article examines both classical Latin and medieval Arab and European writers who wrote about artichokes or cardoons and explores the linguistic problems associated with those plants' Arabic or Persian names.

Genetic diversity assessment in cultivated cardoon by AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) and microsatellite markers

AbstractCultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) belongs, together with globe artichoke (C. (cardunculus L. var. sylvestris L.) and wild cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var., sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori). to the family Asteraceae (Compositae). Cultivated cardoon is of regional importance in Italy. Spain and southern France, where it is used for the preparation of traditional dishes. It has been shown to have potential as a source of oil from its seeds, inulin from its roots and various biopharmaceuticals from its leaves. Levels of genetic diversity and relatedness between eleven Italian and 10 Spanish accessions were assessed by DNA profiling with eight AFLP primer combinations and at five microsatellite loci. The AFLP analysis of genetic similarities showed that the Spanish and Italian accessions represent two distinct gene pools; substantial variation was present within each accession. On the other hand a limited variation was detectable by applying SSR markers.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers inCynara cardunculusL.

Cynara cardunculus L. is a species native to the Mediterranean basin that comprises 2 crops, globe artichoke (var. scolymus L.) and cultivated cardoon (var. altilis DC), as well as wild cardoon (var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori). Globe artichoke represents an important component of the South European agricultural economy but is also cultivated in North Africa, the Near East, South America, the United States, and China. Breeding activities and molecular marker studies have been, to date, extremely limited. Better knowledge of the genome of the species might be gained by developing a range of molecular markers. Here, we report on the development of 14 microsatellites (simple sequence repeats (SSRs)) through a novel approach that we have defined as the microsatellite amplified library (MAL). The approach represents a combination of amplified fragment length polymorphism and a primer extension based enriched library, is rapid, and requires no hybridization enrichment steps. The technique provided a approximately 40-fold increase in the efficiency of SSR identification compared with conventional library procedures. The developed SSRs were applied for genotyping 36 accessions of C. cardunculus, including a core of 27 varietal types of globe artichoke, 3 accessions of cultivated cardoon, and 6 Sicilian accessions of wild cardoon. Principal coordinates analysis made it possible to differentiate both cultivated and wild forms from each other.

GENETIC VARIATION FOR ASSIMILATE ACCUMULATION AND TRANSLOCATION IN CYNARA SPP..

Cynara cardunculus L. is a perennial species, with the autumnal-spring growth cycle and summer quiescence period. It comprises three taxa: C. cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi (globe artichoke), C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC (cultivated cardoon) and C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam. (wild cardoon). In C. cardunculus the roots play an important role for assimilate accumulation and translocation, in fact they represent the reserve organ of the plant, especially during the summer when the aboveground biomass gets dry. Few information are available about the trend in assimilate accumulation and translocation among the three C. cardunculus taxa. This work aiming to study the genetic variation for dry matter accumulation and translocation in C. cardunculus taxa. To reach the aim of this work, during 2001-2002 growth season, at Catania location, in an experimental design with three replications one globe artichoke, one cultivated cardoon and one wild cardoon were grown. During the biological cycle ten harvests of three plants, for each genotype and replication, were carried out. Corresponding to each harvest in the fields total fresh biomass, was weighted. In laboratory the dry matter (DM) content for each part of biomass was evaluated. The obtained results showed the importance of root as plant reserve organ in all the studied genotypes. In particular, on average of all genotypes, during the first phase of head formation, the roots showed an incidence of 61% on total dry matter, and it reached the 52% at the end of the crop cycle.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism for genetic diversity assessment in globe artichoke.

Globe artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus L.) is a diploid (2 n=2 x=34), predominantly cross-pollinated plant native to the Mediterranean basin, and Italy contains the richest primary cultivated 'gene pool'. Commercial production is mainly based on perennial cultivation of vegetatively propagated clones that are highly heterozygous and segregate widely when progeny-tested. Analysis of the artichoke genome by means of molecular markers has been limited to a few studies; here we report on the genetic relatedness among 118 artichoke accessions, including clones belonging to the same varietal type, two accessions of cultivated cardoon ( C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) and four accessions of wild cardoon [ C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori] as measured by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Eight primer combinations yielded a total of 667 bands, of which 519 were polymorphic. Genetic similarities among accessions were calculated according to Jaccard's Similarity Index and used to construct a dendrogram based on the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages. Our results demonstrate that AFLP markers can be useful in evaluating Cynara cardunculus genetic diversity and in classifying accessions to phylogenetic groups based on their genetic similarity values. Genetic variation among artichoke clones belonging to the same varietal type was in some cases higher than that found among accessions differently named and coming from different areas. The lowest Jaccard's Similarity Index found within a varietal type can be considered as a threshold for the identification of accessions which share an analogous genetic background. This will enable the selection of representatives in order to develop and manage a germplasm 'core collection' as well as the identification of suitable material for future artichoke breeding efforts.

Isolation of microsatellite loci in artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus)

AbstractWe report the development of nine microsatellite markers in globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus). Four markers were obtained from sequences available in GenBank and five were isolated using a biotin/streptavidin capture technique for (CA)n and (CT)n motifs directly from artichoke genomic DNA. Polymorphism was explored in 15 artichoke accessions that represent the genetic variation within cultivated varietal types. Inter‐specific amplification was tested using cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) and wild cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam.). Primers and conditions for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of detected loci are described.

Possible alternative utilization of Cynara spp. : II. Chemical characterization of their grain oil

The grain oils extracted from six genotypes of Cynara species: two globe artichokes ( Cynara scolymus L.), two cultivated cardoons ( C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) and two wild cardoons ( C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam.), were analysed in order to ascertain their alimentary value. Oil yield, moisture, acidity, peroxide number, UV spectrophotometry and CIE colour parameters, fatty acids, phytosterols and α-tocopherol were determined by standard methods. Cynara species which are most promising in terms of quality and quantity of oil were the cardoons, especially those belonging to the wild cardoon genotypes. Triacylglycerols were the dominant constituents together with very little amounts of phospholipids and glycolipids. The high content of oleic and linoleic acids in a balanced ratio, and the low amount of free acids, peroxides, saturated and linolenic acids ensure a good alimentary quality. Distribution of phytosterols was typical of oil from grain of Asteraceae such as sunflower and safflower. Moreover the optimal α-tocopherol content offers a guarantee of stability against oxidation.

Possible alternative utilization of Cynara spp. : I. Biomass, grain yield and chemical composition of grain

Globe artichoke ( Cynara scolymus L.) and cultivated cardoon ( C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) are horticulturally important crop plants. These species have potential as biomass and oilseed crops. We field tested, for 3 years, two artichoke and two cardoon cultivars and one wild cardoon ( C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam.) population on the Sicilian plain of Catania (37°27′ N, 15°04′ E, 10 m a.s.l.). On a 3-year average, the dry aboveground biomass resulted about 31 t ha −1 in both cultivated cardoons, 18.8 t ha −1 in wild cardoon, 13.7 t ha −1 in globe artichoke ‘3/10 V.S.’ and 9.9 t ha −1 in globe artichoke ‘374’ F 1. The caloric values of aboveground biomass (except for seeds), which was not significantly different among genotypes, ranged between 16 005 and 17 028 KJ kg −1 of dry matter. The cultivated cardoon ‘Gigante di Lucca’ had the greatest grain yield (on 3-year average, 2.6 t ha −1), whereas the two globe artichokes had the lowest yield (on 3-year average, 0.5 t ha −1). Regardless of genotypes and years, the grains contain 20.1% crude protein, 24.4% oil, 18.5% crude fiber and 4.1% ash (dry weight basis). The grains of globe artichokes showed the highest crude protein content (21.6%), whereas those of cardoons the highest oil content (25.2%).