Search Results (13)

In addition to the immature edible flower heads, the cultivation of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) generates substantial quantities of by-products, including leaves, stems, and roots, which constitute potential sources of bioactive compounds and prebiotic dietary fiber. Preserving agricultural biodiversity and promoting socioeconomic development are essential for enhancing domestic production and fostering innovation. In the search for new biomolecules with antioxidant properties, this research focused on a globe artichoke landrace at risk of genetic erosion, still cultivated in the northern part of the Lazio region, known as the “Carciofo Ortano”. To investigate the antioxidant properties of various globe artichoke tissues from the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, methanolic extracts were prepared from the immature main and secondary flower heads, stems, and leaves of representative genotypes of this landrace. Additionally, extracts were obtained from the same tissues of four landraces/clones included in the varietal platform of the PGI “Carciofo Romanesco del Lazio”, which served as reference genotypes: Campagnano, Castellammare, C3, and Grato 1. The antioxidant properties of these extracts were assessed using FRAP, ABTS, DPPH assays, and total phenolic content (TPC). The stem and secondary flower head extracts of two representative “Carciofo Ortano” genotypes and the Grato 1 clone, which have higher phenolic content, demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. These extracts were therefore studied for their chemical profile using HPLC-DAD and SPME-GC/MS analysis. Additionally, the same extracts were investigated in vitro for their antioxidant capacity in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, assessing their effects on ROS levels and the restoration of GSH levels. Furthermore, the in vivo beneficial effects of counteracting oxidative stress were evaluated in high sucrose-fed Drosophila melanogaster, as oxidative stress is a typical hallmark of hyperglycemic status. Overall, the results indicated that the edible immature inflorescences of the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, along with the byproducts of its cultivation, are sources of raw materials containing biomolecules whose properties can be exploited for further applications in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. Full article

In recent years, several studies have shown the antioxidant and antihypertensive potential of bioactive peptides. Thus, bioactive peptides are likely to be a valuable substance for the development of functional foods. There are a wide variety of sources of these peptides, including several cereals. Teff is an Ethiopian-rooted cereal with an interesting nutritional profile, mainly due to its high amount of protein. In this study, teff flour was subjected to a defatting process for optimizing the protein extraction. Such extraction was performed by precipitation from its isoelectric point, a crucial step that separates the protein from other components based on their charge. The protein obtained was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis by pepsin and Cynara cardunculus L. The antihypertensive (angiotensin-I-converting enzyme ―ACE-I― inhibitory activity) and antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl ―DPPH― radical scavenging activity) of the peptides were determined. According to the IC₅₀ values, the results obtained showed that the peptides from teff flour show promising bioactivity compared to other cereals. Furthermore, the peptides from teff flour obtained from C. cardunculus L. showed higher antioxidant activity (defatted teff flour ―DTF―: 0.59 ± 0.05; protein extract ―EP― : 1.04 ± 0.11) than those obtained with pepsin (DTF: 0.87 ± 0.09; EP: 1.73 ± 0.11). However, C. cardunculus L. hydrolyzate peptides showed lower inhibitory activity of ACE-I (DTF: 0.59 ± 0.07; EP: 0.61 ± 0.05) than the pepsin hydrolyzate (DTF: 0.15 ± 0.02; EP: 0.33 ± 0.05). Full article

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are compounds that are highly produced in Cynara cardunculus leaves, known for their phytotoxic activity. This study aims to assess SL-enriched fractions’ (cynaropicrin, aguerin B, and grosheimin) phytotoxic potentials and putative modes of action, compared to an initial extract, using two approaches: first, against a panel of nine weed species in pre-emergence, and then on Portulaca oleracea L.’s post-emergency stage. The SL-enriched fractions demonstrated greater phytotoxic activity when compared with the C. cardunculus leaf initial extract. The SL-enriched fractions had higher activity at root growth inhibition over the panel tested, doubling the activity in five of them at 800 ppm. Regarding the post-emergence bioassay, the SL-enriched fractions had a higher influence on the plants’ growth inhibition (67% at 800 ppm). The SL-effects on the plants’ metabolisms were evidenced. The total chlorophyll content was reduced by 65% at 800 ppm. Oxidative stress induction was observed because of the enhancement in MDA levels at 800 ppm compared to control (52%) and the decrease in SOD-specific activity from 4.20 U/mg protein (400 ppm) to 1.74 U/mg protein (800 ppm). The phytotoxic effects of the SL-enriched fractions suggest that they could be used for a future bioherbicide development. Full article

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean area and Italy is one of the largest producers. A great issue is represented by its high amount of by-product, mainly consisting of external bracts and stems, but also of residual leaves, stalks, roots, and seeds. Artichoke by-products are rich in nutrients (carbohydrates and proteins) and bioactive compounds (polyphenols and terpenes) and represent potential ingredients for foodstuffs, functional foods, and food supplements, due to their functional and biological properties. In fact, artichoke by-products’ components exhibit many beneficial effects, such as dyspeptic, prebiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiglycative, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and hypolipidemic properties. Therefore, they can be considered potential food ingredients useful in reducing the risk of developing metabolic and age-related disorders. This work summarizes the economic and environmental impact of the recovery and valorization of artichoke by-products, focusing on rheological, physical, and biological properties of the different components present in each by-product and their different food applications. Full article

The manipulation of allelopathic mechanisms, such as the isolation of plant allelochemicals for bioherbicide production, is currently providing a new tool for weed management methods of reducing or potentially eliminating the use of synthetic herbicides. In Mediterranean agroecosystems, wild Asteraceae are the prevalent taxa, likely due to their allelopathic activity. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effects of the aqueous extracts obtained from milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn], wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris) and purple milk thistle (Galactites tomentosus Moench) on the seed germination, mean germination time, and seedling growth of three target weeds: Portulaca oleracea L., Taraxacum officinale (Weber) ex Wiggers and Anagallis arvensis L. The total polyphenol (TP), flavonoid (TF), flavonol (TFL), and phenolic acid (TPA) content in the aqueous extracts was also evaluated. Overall, the allelopathic effects were species-dependent and root length was the most affected parameter. All extracts completely inhibited root development in P. oleracea. Averaged over target weeds, C. cardunculus extract had the greatest allelopathic activity, followed by G. tomentosus and by S. marianum. In particular, C. cardunculus reduced seed germination by over 50% and increased the mean germination time by 154%, likely due to the highest TP (13.2 g kg⁻¹ DM) and TPA (11.4 g kg⁻¹ DM) content, compared to the other Asteraceae species. These results provide evidence of the phytotoxic activity of the three wild Asteraceae members and suggest their possible future exploitation as potential bioherbicides for sustainable weed management. Full article

The aim of this study is to inventory and study ethnobotanical knowledge of edible plants in the Valencian Community (Spain). In respect to culinary uses, 92 species of plant were reported to be edible, finding the following uses: 58 raw, 52 cooked, 16 fried, 7 dried, 21 in liquors and beverages, 25 in dessert and sweets, 11 as seasoning, 17 in pickles, and 10 to curdle milk. We prepared a database that includes genus, family, scientific, and vernacular names in Spanish and Catalan for each plant. We also created a classification of nine edible uses and plant parts used, being Asteraceae (n = 18), Brassicaceae (n = 7), Chenopodiaceae (n = 6), and Rosaceae (n = 6) the families most characterized for gastronomic purposes. The species with the most elevated cultural importance (CI) values were Foeniculum vulgare (CI = 1.389), Cynara scolymus (CI = 1.374), Papaver rhoeas (CI = 1.211), Beta vulgaris (CI = 1.167), and Juglans regia (CI = 1.155). The most used parts were the leaves (71), flowers (25), and branches (19), while the least used were roots (9) and seeds (8). Traditional knowledge of these plants helps to preserve traditional cuisine, promote the local economy and, in several species, encourage their cultivation. Full article

Valorisation of food by-products has recently attracted considerable attention due to the opportunities to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the food production chain. Large quantities of non-edible parts of the artichoke plant (Cynara cardunculus L.) comprising leaves, stems, roots, bracts, and seeds are discarded annually during industrial processing. These by-products contain many phytochemicals such as dietary fibres, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, whereby the most challenging issue concerns about the recovery of high-added value components from these by-products. The aim of this work is to develop a novel valorisation strategy for the sustainable utilisation of artichoke leaves’ waste, combining green pressurised-liquid extraction (PLE), spectrophotometric assays and UPLC–HRMS phytochemical characterization, to obtain bioactive-rich extract with high antioxidant capacity. Multivariate analysis of the major selected metabolites was used to compare different solvent extraction used in PLE. Full article

In Morocco, Cynara humilis L. is used in traditional medicine. The objective of this research was to research the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of hydroethanolic extracts from the C. humilis plant’s leaves and roots. The content of polyphenols and flavonoids was evaluated using Folin–Ciocalteu’s and aluminum chloride assays. Two techniques were used to evaluate antioxidant properties: antioxidant capacity in total (TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH). In antimicrobial assays, five pathogenic microbial strains were studied including two Escherichia coli, one coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and one Candida albicans, by two techniques: agar disk diffusion and microdilution. Leaves had a greater content of flavonoids 27.07 mg QE/g of extract and the polyphenols 38.84 mg GAE/g of extract than root 24.39 mg QE/g of extract and 29.39 mg GAE/g of extract, respectively. The TAC test value of the 0.77 mg AAE/g extract in the leaf extract was found to be significantly greater than that of the 0.60 mg EAA/g extract in the root extract. The DPPH antioxidant assay IC₅₀ values of the root and leaf extract were 0.23 and 0.93 µg/mL, respectively. C. humilis extracts showed an antimicrobial effect against all tested strains, the inhibitory zone (DIZ) have values in the range between 12 and 15 mm. Moreover, the root extract showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against coagulase-negative Staphylococcus with an IC₅₀ value of 6.25 mg/mL. The higher content of flavonoids and polyphenols in the hydroethanolic extracts of C. humilis leaves and roots demonstrates that they have a significant antimicrobial and antioxidant effect, as found in this study. Full article

Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a widespread Mediterranean plant that accumulates inulin in its roots. This study aimed to analyze the enzyme systems involved in inulin metabolism in the roots of one Sicilian wild cardoon population in relation to the plant’s growth and development stages. During the winter season, the plant showed slow growth; its biomass was represented mainly by leaves and saccharides were mobilized into its roots. During the spring season, the plant doubled its growth rate and differentiated its reproduction organs as a consequence of the cold conditions. The maximum activities of the 1-SST were recorded in line with the high sucrose and inulin levels in roots, which increased quickly. The increase in the 1-FEH activity suggests that fructan-hydrolyzing activity is associated with the sprouting and elongation of plant stalks. The peak of the invertase activity occurred before the 1-FEH peak. The inulin accumulation in the wild cardoon roots was associated with the plant’s reproduction. Sequential 1-SST and 1-FEH activities and the involvement of invertase and 1-FFT in carbohydrate mobilization, in response to the additional energy demand of the plant for stalk elongation before and for capitula development were observed, along with subsequent grain ripening. Full article

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae’s family native to the Mediterranean basin. Italy has rich artichoke biodiversity, but many landraces are subjected to genetic erosion caused by increasing use of commercial varieties that are more homogenous in production. An Apulian landrace ‘Troianella’ was established in vitro to valorize and provide high-quality material for propagation in nurseries and, subsequently, for cultivation in production fields. The shoot proliferation was tested on four different growth media, adding cytokinin (-6-benzylamminopurine (BAP-0.05 mg L⁻¹). Among these, the best results were achieved on MS519-A and BM media in which MS macronutrients were supplemented with additional doses of CaCl₂ and MgSO₄ (plus 120 mg L⁻¹ and 190 mg L⁻¹, respectively). In vitro root induction was obtained with 10 mg L⁻¹ of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 30 g L⁻¹ of sucrose. Plants derived from tissue culture were acclimatized in greenhouse using mycorrhizal symbiosis to increase survival during the acclimatization phase and to improve their performance after transplanting in field. Three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Septoglomus viscosum, Funelliformis mosseae, and Symbivit, a commercial mix) were added to a sterile substrate and compared to a sterile control without any AM fungal inocula. After 3 months, the best growth and plant appearance were on substrates with S. viscosum fungus or the commercial mycorrhizal fungi mix. The results supported a development of an efficient micropropagation protocol and a production of high quality plant material for sustainable farming of the endangered ’Troianella’ landrace. Full article

The objective of this two-year field study was to assess the influence of stand establishment methods (direct seeding or transplanting) on root growth dynamics, shoot morphology, leaf physiology, yield, and quality of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus). Three artichoke cultivars were evaluated, ‘Green Globe Improved’ (GGI), ‘Imperial Star’ (IS), and ‘Romolo’ (ROM). Plants established with the transplanting method had higher mean root length intensity (La), root length, and root surface area as compared to plants established by direct seeding. The topsoil (0–20 cm) had on average higher La, root length, and root surface area than deeper soil profiles. Transplanted plants had higher plant shoot width and leaf area index (LAI) chlorophyll content index (SPAD) than direct seeded plants at the vegetative stage in 2015. The improvement of root and shoot growth in transplants (compared to direct seeding) also resulted in higher (p < 0.05) marketable yield (21.1 vs. 19.9 ton ha⁻¹ in 2015 and 18.3 vs. 13.7 ton ha⁻¹ in 2016). Additionally, 46–50% of the total yield occurred during the first 30 days of harvest in the transplanting method compared to 13–38% for direct seeding. No significant differences were found between planting methods or cultivars in leaf-level gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration) and cynarin concentration in the marketable heads. Although chlorogenic acid was similar in both establishment methods in 2015, direct seeding had higher concentration in 2016. Comparing cultivars, GGI had higher root length, surface area, root volume, and earlier and higher marketable yield than ROM. However, ROM had higher mean root length intensity (La; total root length per specific area in soil profile) than GGI in both growing seasons. This study showed significant and consistent improvements in root and shoot traits, and yield for transplants as compared to direct seeded plants. Full article

Industries currently rely on chicory and Jerusalem artichoke for inulin extraction but also cardoon is proved to synthetize and store high quantity of inulin in roots as well. Cardoon is a multipurpose crop, well adapted to marginal lands, whose main residues at the end of cropping cycle consist of roots. However, cardoon roots are a suitable source of inulin, that is of high interest for new generation biodegradable bioplastics production. On the other hand, a sustainable supply chain for inulin production from cardoon roots has not been developed yet. In particular, in the inulin supply chain the most critical part is storage, which can negatively affect both cost and inulin quantity. In the present study the effect on inulin content in cardoon roots stored as dried chipped roots (CRt) and dried whole roots (WRt) was investigated in a 6-month storage trial. Our findings suggest that chipping before storage did not affect the inulin content during the storage. Furthermore, it reduced the time needed for drying by 33.3% and increased the bulk density by 154.9% with the consequent reduction of direct cost for drying, transportation and storage. Full article

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a well-studied plant used for health benefits. Even though there are a lot of data on EP secondary metabolites, its active proteins are not studied well enough. The aim of our experiment was to purify lectin fraction from EP roots and evaluate its biological activity in vitro as well as its effect on kidney morphology in vivo. An EP root glycoprotein fraction was purified by affinity chromatography, identified by LC-MS/MS, and used for biological activity tests in vitro and in vivo. Identified glycoproteins were homologous with the LysM domain containing lectins from the Asteraceae plants Helianthus annuus L., Lactuca sativa L., Cynara cardunculus L. A purified fraction was tested by hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition (by carbohydrate reactions) in vitro. We purified the hemagglutinating active ~40 kDa size lactose, D-mannose, and D-galactose specific glycoproteins with two peptidoglycan binding LysM (lysine motif) domains. Purified LysM lectin was tested in vivo. Eight-week old Balb/C male mice (n = 15) were treated with 5 μg of the purified lectin. Injections were repeated four times per week. At the fifth experimental week, animals were sedated with carbon dioxide, then euthanized by cervical dislocation and their kidney samples were collected. Morphological changes were evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin stained kidney samples. The purified LysM lectin induced a statistically significant (p < 0.05) kidney glomerular vacuolization and kidney tubular necrosis (p < 0.001). Full article