Evaluation of the Phenolic Content and the Nutraceutical Potential of Ancestor and Cultivated Artichokes.

Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris) is the ancestor of many cultivated forms, including globe artichoke (C. cardunculus var. scolymus). Four organs (receptacles, bracts, leaves and stems) of wild and cultivated artichokes (organic and conventional) were assessed considering their individual phenolic constituents (HPLC-DAD), total phenol-flavonoid content, and pharmaceutical potentials (antibacterial and antioxidant). All three sources of artichokes had the highest concentration of 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (cynarin) in their receptacles and cultivated artichoke receptacles had more cynarin than wild one. On the other hand, receptacles of wild cardoon had the highest 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid than the cultivated ones. Generally, receptacles, stems and leaves of wild cardoon were superior to both cultivated artichokes on antioxidant potential, and total phenol-flavonoid content. The rise in total phenolic content can be attributed to an increase in antioxidant capacity in all artichoke organs. Only the leaves of all different artichokes showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The investigated wild cardoon was believed to be a true ancestor since a comparison of wild and cultivated varieties revealed similar trends in terms of phenolic profile and biological properties. The nutraceutical industry can profit from this invasive wild cardoon due to their strong antioxidant potential and phenolic content.

Do Vermicompost Applications Improve Growth Performance, Pharmaceutically Important Alkaloids, Phenolic Content, Free Radical Scavenging Potency and Defense Enzyme Activities in Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L.)?

Leucojum aestivum L. contains galanthamine and lycorine, which are two pharmaceutically valuable alkaloids. Vermicompost (VC), an organic waste product created by earthworms enhances soil quality and can improve the medicinal quality of the plant that is crucial to the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of four different VC concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 25 %, and 50 %) on L. aestivum growth parameters, alkaloid levels (galanthamine and lycorine), total phenol-flavonoid content, free radical scavenging potential, and defense enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) compared to control (no VC). The width, length, and fresh weight of the leaves were improved by 10 % VC treatment. The highest total phenolic content was found in the bulbs and leaves treated with 50 % VC. HPLC-DAD analysis of alkaloids showed that 10 % and 50 % VC treatments contained the most galanthamine in the bulb and leaf extracts, respectively. The application of 25 % VC was the most efficient in terms of lycorine content in both extracts. CAT activity was elevated at 10 %, 25 %, and 50 % VC. Based on the growth performance and galanthamine content of the bulbs and leaves, it can be concluded that a 10 % VC application was the most effective in the cultivation of L. aestivum.