Seasonal and environmental variability of non-cultivated edible Cichorioideae (Asteraceae)

The need for a healthy diet and a renewed interest towards the rediscovery of old culinary traditions has determined a new attention to alimurgic plants. The aim of this work was to evaluate chemical and biological variability in relation to harvest time and site of collection of three wild edible Cichorioideae (Asteraceae) belonging to Calabrian folk tradition: Cichorium intybus L., Sonchus asper L. and Picris hieracioides L. Twelve hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared and evaluated for their total phenolic and flavonoid content. In vitro biological activity was assessed by means of DPPH and β-carotene bleaching test. The abundance of phenolics was significantly affected by the month of collection, being samples collected on November richer in phenolic compounds, and by the site of collection, as samples from lower altitude showed the highest content. The same samples showed also the highest radical scavenging activity. Also the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation was influenced, being samples collected at lower altitude in November the most active ones. Within the framework of a valorisation of wild edible plant species, this work evidenced that harvest time and site of collection significantly affected phytochemical content and biological activity of investigated species.