Exploration to use of globe artichoke cell cultures as bioactive compounds production

The growing interest in foods rich in nutraceutical compounds has focused the attention of researchers towards the globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), by virtue of its high content in polyphenols (caffeoylquinic acids and flavones) and inulin, compounds with a high antioxidant capacity and prebiotic effects. The present study investigates the possibility to produce bioactive compounds from globe artichoke using an in vitro system to overcome the limitation of extracting useful metabolites from in vivo natural resources. To this end, experimental conditions for the establishment of globe artichoke cell cultures from leaf explants of a biochemically characterized late genotype were defined. High-producing callus/cell lines were isolated and selected. Cell cultures were analyzed for total polyphenol (TPC) and total caffeoylquinic acids (TCQA) content. The high TPC found in cell suspension cultures (about 25 g kg-1 of dry matter) of globe artichoke leaves highlighted the possibility of using this approach as innovative source of natural antioxidants by the pharmaceutical and food industry.