Globe artichoke and cardoon forms between traditional and modern uses

This work gives an overview on globe artichoke and cardoon forms. These crops are mainly grown in Mediterranean regions for multi-purposes from traditional (human consumption) to alternative applications, as food and non-food agricultural crop. In other parts of the world, these crops are also increasing. The review starts with the historical background, followed by botanical framework, and then outlines their environmental requirements, diffusion and economic importance. The main focus was giving available information on their possible food and non-food uses. From this, it was highlighted that the use of globe artichoke for human consumption is widely appreciated for its good taste and health promoting effects, as well as its use for non-conventional uses, such as source of bioactive compounds or ornamental plant. Other potential uses, as source of fibres for the reinforcement of composite material were also investigated. Cardoon forms find applications mainly as rennet substitute to make cheese or as energy crop. In terms of energy, their biomass showed a high heating value, but it is also characterized by a high ash content, mainly alkali salts. Nevertheless, despite the good results achieved as source of green energy, the available literature showed only few investigations in large-scale. The utilization of seed oil as food and biodiesel production were also explored with promising results. The multi-purposes could represent for the future the key to further spread of these crops in the world.