Lipophilic Extracts of Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC): A Source of Valuable Bioactive Terpenic Compounds

Lipophilic extracts of Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC) from the south of Portugal (Baixo Alentejo) were studied by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. One sesquiterpene lactone, four pentacyclic triterpenes, and four sterols were reported for the first time as cultivated cardoon components, namely, deacylcynaropicrin, beta- and alpha-amyrin, lupenyl and psi-taraxasteryl acetates, stigmasterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, campesterol, and Delta(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 246% and 1089% 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 beta-sitosterol, were present at lower amounts (120% and 111% of the detected compounds). Long-chain aliphatic alcohols and aromatic compounds were detected at reduced abundances (16% of the detected compounds).