title: Lipophilic extracts of Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC): a source of valuable bioactive terpenic compounds.
abstract: Lipophilic extracts of Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC) from the south of Portugal (Baixo Alentejo) were studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. One sesquiterpene lactone, four pentacyclic triterpenes, and four sterols were reported for the first time as cultivated cardoon components, namely, deacylcynaropicrin, β- and α-amyrin, lupenyl and ψ-taraxasteryl acetates, stigmasterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, campesterol, and Δ(5)-avenasterol. In addition, other new compounds were identified: ten fatty acids, eight long-chain aliphatic alcohols, and six aromatic compounds. Four triterpenyl fatty acid esters were also detected. Sesquiterpene lactones and pentacyclic triterpenes were the major lipophilic families, representing respectively 2-46% and 10-89% of the detected compounds. Cynaropicrin was the most abundant sesquiterpene lactone, while taraxasteryl acetate was the main pentacyclic triterpene. Fatty acids and sterols, mainly hexadecanoic acid and β-sitosterol, were present at lower amounts (1-20% and 1-11% of the detected compounds). Long-chain aliphatic alcohols and aromatic compounds were detected at reduced abundances (1-6% of the detected compounds).
authors.affiliation: CICECO, ‡QOPNA, and §Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro , 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia A B
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Ângela R
authors.initials: ÂR
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Olinda
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guerreiro
authors.forename: Carmen S R
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Artur M S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Armando J D
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Silvestre
mesh_terms: D031942:Cynara / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000032:analysis; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D011174:Portugal; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; D010840:Phytosterols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; D014315:Triterpenes