Phenolic Compounds from Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) By-products and their Antimicrobial Activities

Abstract

Cynara scolymus L. is a medicinal plant frequently used in traditional medicine for liver diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the different parts of Artichoke. Maximum antimicrobial activity was observed with methanolic extract of bound phenols for (bract and heart) against Gram negative bacteria. The MIC values for bound phenols from heart were (63?g/ml). Whereas, the bound phenols for bracts was ranged from (312 and 486?g/ml) against Gram negative and (486?g/ml) against Gram positive. Free phenols of the heart of artichoke showed the lowest MIC (204 to 206) ?g/mL for microorganism Gram positive and Gram negative. Therefore, this study indicate that the free phenolic extract from bracts of Cynara scolymus L. might be of interest within the developing market of nutritional ingredients and is capable of yielding nutritional supplements with antimicrobial activities.

Key words: artichoke wastes, antibacterial effects