Genetic and environmental influence on some carbohydrates content in globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. subsp scolymus (L.) hegi.] heads

Among the biochemical constituents of globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi] the sugars, inulin in particular, constituted the main compound on dry matter and it plays an important role from a nutritional and technological point of view. This work aiming to evaluate the influence of genotype and of environment on the sugar composition of head globe artichoke. In order to evaluate the sugar content of heads two different trials, conducted during 2000-2001, were assessed. The first trial was carried out at Syracuse, where the influence of eight genotypes on sugar content was evaluated; in the second one two different environments, Syracuse and Catania, and four different genotypes were analysed. In laboratory, for each trial, dry matter (DM) content was analysed. Sugars were extracted from fresh heads and they were characterised by HPAEC-PAD 'Dionex 500'. Total sugar content was obtained by the sum of glucose, fructose, sucrose and inulin. The results of the first trial showed that four genotypes ('VS', 'BH', 'CB', and 'Orlando' F1) out of the studied eight presented a total sugar content higher than 390 g kg(-1) of DM and inulin incided for 74% of total sugars. In the second trial, on average of all genotypes, the total sugar content resulted 368 g kg(-1) DM at Syracuse and 408 g kg(-1) DM at Catania. Inulin incidence was represented the main component of total sugar, with an incidence. on average of all 12, studied factors, of 70%.