C. vulgaris inflorescences revealed myricetin derivatives as the main compound and polar extracts revealed higher bioactivities, preserving vaginal microbiota.

No abstract

Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon) has several health benefits mainly attributed to its abundance in polyphenols. In this study, cardoon heads (capitula) were harvested in Greece during the flowering stage, and the hydroethanolic extracts were assessed in terms of phenolic compounds composition and antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The phenolic profile was evaluated by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS to better understand the seasonal changes in the individual compound levels and how these changes correlate with bioactive properties. The main phenolic compounds identified were caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives. Immature heads (Car A: principal growth stage (PGS) 5) had the highest phenolic content (34.3 mg/ g) and cytotoxic (GI 50 of 69-268 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC 50 of 183 µg/mL) activities. Sample Car D (PGS 6/7) revealed the highest antioxidant (IC 50 of 23-227 µg/mL) and antifungal (MIC of 0.26-0.51 mg/mL) potential. Regarding the antibacterial activity, Car E (PGS 7) revealed the best results (MIC of 0.59-1.18 mg/ mL). This study suggests that the maturity stage of the plant influences the phenolic composition and bioactivity.

Cardoon is a multi-purpose crop with several industrial applications, while the heads (capitula) are edible and commonly used in various dishes of the Mediterranean diet. Several reports in the literature study the chemical composition of the various plants parts (leaves, flower stalks, bracts, seeds) aiming to industrial applications of crop bio-waste, whereas for the heads, most of the studies are limited to the chemical composition and bioactive properties at the edible stage. In the present study, cardoon heads were collected at six different maturation stages and their chemical composition was evaluated in order to determine the effect of harvesting stage and examine the potential of alternative uses in the food and nutraceutical industries. Lipidic fraction and the content in fatty acids, tocopherols, organic acids, and free sugars were determined. Lipidic content decreases with the maturation process, while 22 fatty acids were detected in total, with palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids being those with the highest abundance depending on harvesting time. In particular, immature heads have a higher abundance in saturated fatty acids (SFA), whereas the samples of mature heads were the richest in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The α-tocopherol was the only isoform detected being present in higher amounts in sample Car B (619 µg/100 g dw). Oxalic, quinic, malic, citric and fumaric acids were the detected organic acids, and the higher content was observed in sample Car E (15.7 g/100 g dw). The detected sugars were fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose and raffinose, while the highest content (7.4 g/100 g dw) was recorded in sample Car C. In conclusion, the maturation stage of cardoon heads influences their chemical composition and harvesting time could be a useful means to increase the quality and the added value of the final product by introducing this material in the food and nutraceutical industries.

Chemical composition and in vitro biological activities of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.) seeds as influenced by viability

No abstract

Chemical composition and biological activity of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis) seeds harvested at different maturity stages

The present study evaluated the effect of maturity stage on the chemical composition of cardoon bracts. Plant material was collected in Greece at eight different maturation stages (C1–C8) and the chemical composition was analyzed in regard to lipidic fraction and the content in fatty acids, tocopherols, organic acids, and free sugars. Samples of late maturity (C6–C8) revealed the lowest lipidic content, while a total of 29 fatty acids was identified in all the samples, with palmitic, stearic, oleic, and eicosatrienoic acids present in the highest levels depending on harvesting time. Immature (C1) and mature (C8) bracts were more abundant in saturated fatty acids (SFA) than bracts of medium-to-late maturity (C5, C6), where the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the prevalent class. The α- and γ-tocopherols were the only identified isoforms of vitamin E, while the highest content was observed in sample C8 (199 µg/100 g dry weight (dw). The detected organic acids were oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids, while fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, and raffinose were the main detected sugars. The results of the present study allowed us to reveal the effect of maturity stage on cardoon bracts chemical composition and further valorize this byproduct by improving its bioactive compounds content.