BIOACTIVE COMPOUND VARIATIONS BASED ON CULTIVAR AND SEASON IN GLOBE ARTICHOKE [CYNARA CARDUNCULUS VAR. SCOLYMUS (L.) FIORI]

Abstract

Bioactive substances such as polyphenols in agricultural wastes have been attempted to exploit because of rising market interest in natural food additives. Globe artichoke, a native perennial herbaceous plant in the Mediterranean basin, has been known to have therapeutic effects since ancient times due to its high level of bioactive components. The head part is used for fresh consumption, while leaves are considered waste material, although leaves are known to be rich in bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted to study qualitatively and quantitatively the polyphenol profile of globe artichoke waste material (leaves) from October to April to see the season variation by using two open-pollinated (Bayrampaşa OP and Sakız OP) and one F₁ hybrid (Olympus F₁) globe artichoke cultivars by HPLC–DAD analysis. Results revealed that the leaves' bioactive compound profile varied between cultivars and harvested months. Based on the cultivar, the Sakız OP cultivar came forward regarding the bioactive compound profile of globe artichoke leaves. At the same time, March has been identified as the important month with the highest level of bioactive compounds. The findings of this study also demonstrated that globe artichoke leaves could utilize the nutraceutical and pharmacological content of the artichoke plant and should not be considered waste plant material.