Caponio Giusy Rita, Vacca Mirco, Scalvenzi Laura, Annunziato Alessandro, Silletti Roccangelo, Ruta Claudia, Difonzo Graziana, De Angelis Maria, De Mastro Giuseppe
Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
J Sci Food Agric. 2025 Jul;105(9):5062-5073. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.14232. Epub 2025 Mar 22.
The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean region, with Italy being a leading producer. Industrial processing of artichoke plants generates substantial amounts of residual materials, which are discarded annually. This accumulation of biowaste presents environmental challenges. However, these by-products remain rich in phytochemicals, such as dietary fibers, phenolic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals, similar to those found in the edible parts of the plant. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of artichoke by-products by analyzing aqueous extracts (AEs) from seven cultivars, comprising two commercial hybrids and five local varieties, focusing on their phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and prebiotic potential.
The primary phenolic compounds identified in the AEs were hydroxycinnamates, notably 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids, primarily apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside. These bioactive compounds were more abundant in two of the five local varieties, with concentrations exceeding those in commercial hybrids by more than twofold. Local varieties consistently exhibited higher total phenolic content and greater antioxidant activity, as determined by the DPPH (i.e. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilyhydrazil) assay. Furthermore, local varieties demonstrated a remarkable prebiotic potential, supporting more robust probiotic cell growth and resulting in greater acidification compared to commercial hybrids.
The findings highlight the potential for valorizing artichoke biowastes as dietary supplements. The rich functional and bioactive properties of these by-products, particularly in local varieties, offer promising applications in food-related industries. This approach not only leverages their nutritional benefits, but also addresses environmental concerns by valorizing biowaste. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
球茎甘蓝（Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.）在地中海地区广泛种植，意大利是主要生产国。球茎甘蓝植物的工业加工产生大量残余物，这些残余物每年都被丢弃。这种生物废弃物的积累带来了环境挑战。然而，这些副产品仍富含植物化学物质，如膳食纤维、酚酸、倍半萜内酯、黄酮类化合物、维生素和矿物质，与植物可食用部分中的成分相似。本研究旨在通过分析七个品种（包括两个商业杂交品种和五个地方品种）的水提取物（AE），评估球茎甘蓝副产品的潜力，重点关注其酚类含量、抗氧化活性和益生元潜力。
在水提取物中鉴定出的主要酚类化合物为羟基肉桂酸，特别是5-O-咖啡酰奎尼酸和3,5-二-O-咖啡酰奎尼酸，以及黄酮类化合物，主要是芹菜素-7-O-芸香糖苷、木犀草素和木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷。这些生物活性化合物在五个地方品种中的两个品种中含量更高，浓度比商业杂交品种高出两倍多。通过DPPH（即二苯基苦味酰基肼）测定法确定，地方品种始终表现出更高的总酚含量和更强的抗氧化活性。此外，与商业杂交品种相比，地方品种表现出显著的益生元潜力，支持更强健的益生菌细胞生长并导致更大程度的酸化。
研究结果突出了将球茎甘蓝生物废弃物用作膳食补充剂的潜力。这些副产品丰富的功能和生物活性特性，特别是地方品种中的特性，在食品相关行业具有广阔的应用前景。这种方法不仅利用了它们的营养益处，还通过将生物废弃物增值来解决环境问题。© 2025作者。《食品与农业科学杂志》由约翰·威利父子有限公司代表化学工业协会出版。
