RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a perennial plant belonging to Asteraceae family. It is less popular vegetable in Poland but very valuable from nutritive and medicinal points of view plant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 on fi ve artichoke varieties: 'Deutscher Hybrid', 'Emerald F1', Green Globe', 'Gros Camus de Bretague' and 'Kerlouan', grew in Poland, France and Austria. The experimental material was assessed for: dry mass, protein, ash, vitamin C and dietary fiber contents and some mineral components (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc) levels. Also the energy value and total carbohydrates content were calculated in the vegetable. RESULTS: Among assessed varieties, the highest contents of such components as: dry mass (total solids), carbohydrates, ash, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron were found in 'Gros Camus de Bretague'. The hearts of that artichoke had also higher energy value than others, whereas the lowest ash, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium were noticed in 'Kerlouan' variety. But the highest values of dietary fiber was observed in that variety. CONCLUSIONS: Basing on performed assessments the differences in nutritive components and dietary fiber, between analysed vegetable varieties were found.
