Botanical authentication of globe artichoke-containing foods: Differentiation of Cynara scolymus by a novel HRM approach

Cynara scolymus L., known as globe artichoke, is a medicinal plant widely used in food supplements (PFS) and herbal infusions due to its beneficial health properties. The high demand for artichoke-containing products can lead adulteration practices. In this work, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system coupled high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was proposed differentiate C. from other species. Hence, Cynara-specific PCR assay successfully developed with analytical performance, achieving sensitivity of 0.4 pg artichoke DNA. HRM enabled the discrimination scolymus, level confidence (>98%), corroborating sequencing data. Application results PFS mixed allowed confirming presence 38% samples, suggesting substitution/mislabelling 2 samples need further efforts increase DNA amplifiability PFS.