Phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaf and floral stem of cultivated and wild Cynara cardunculus L. genotypes

Ten genotypes, cultivated and wild of Cynara cardunculus L. were evaluated for their content of phenolic acids, flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. The major compounds present in the leaf were luteolin derivatives in globe artichoke and apigenin derivatives in wild and cultivated cardoon. Apart from 'Cimiciusa di Mazzarino' (var. scolymus), caffeoylquinic acids represent the main phenolic compounds in the floral stem. In particular, 'Sylvestris Creta' (var. sylvestris) and 'Violetto di Sicilia' (var. scolymus) show the highest content of caffeoylquinic acid ∼95% of the total measured polyphenols. The antioxidant capacity, in both leaf and floral stem, was qualitatively and quantitatively dependent on the phenolic acid and flavonoid profile. The phenolic acids and flavonoids in normally uneaten parts of wild and cultivated artichoke could be exploited as sources of natural antioxidants.