Phenolic compounds in local Italian types of cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) stalks and artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus L.) edible sprouts

In the present investigation fresh leaf sheaths of locally cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) populations and artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus L.) edible sprouts from northern and central Italy were analysed for their total and individual phenolic content. Twelve phenolic compounds, belonging to mon-ocaffeoylquinic, dicaffeoylquinic, and dicaffeoyl-succinylquinic acids were identified by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and quantified by HPLC-diode array detection (DAD). A significant variability was assessed within cardoon accessions cultivated in the same region, with total phenolic content in the range 20,835-27,051, 11,268-31,937, 11,911-30,016, 8853-34,961, 8794-22,628 mg kg(1) of dry matter (DM) in artichoke sprouts, and cardoon stalks from Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Marche, respectively. Four cardoon samples, one from Emilia-Romagna (Cardo di Cervia), one from Tuscany (Cardo di Lucca), and two from Piedmont (Cardo Gobbo di Nizza Monferrato), showed a total phenolic content higher than 30,000 mg kg(-1;) DM. The present investigation represents a first contribution to characterise for their phenolic composition Italian cardoon and artichoke populations that still play an important role in local econ-omies and are highly appreciated for their sensory properties.