In vitro propagation of some artichokes (Cynara scolymus L.)and effects of some elucidiers on secondary metabolitiesvia callus and cell suspension cultures

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) belongs to Asteraceae family and is cultivated in a wide area in the world. Thanks to its bioactive components, its importance increases day by day and is accepted as functional food. Artichoke tissue culture studies offer many advantages. However, the most important problem in tissue culture studies is in vitro rooting. In order to overcome rooting problem, two artichoke cultivars, Bayrampaşa and Sakız, which are valuable for our country, and Olympus F1, were evaluated within the scope of this thesis. Following successful micropropagation process in these cultivars, a protocol has been tried to be developed in order to increase in vitro rooting efficiency. As a result of the study, micropropagation and in vitro rooting showed based on the cultivars and the nutrient media. In this thesis, in vitro callus formation of artichokes was investigated, too. Following the in vitro callus formation in artichoke, the most effective callus growth media were determined and cell suspension cultures were established. A research on elicitor applications has also been conducted. For the purpose, two different elicitors (methyl jasmonate and chitosan) were applied in three different concentrations and three different periods. When the reactions between the cultivars were evaluated, it was found that Olympus F1 did not react as well as Bayrampaşa and Sakız. Cell suspension culture activities were found to be valuable for Bayrampaşa and Sakız. It is well known that the edible portion (heads) is rich in phenolic compounds. On the other hand, the leaves are considered to be plant waste or waste material and also contain many polyphenols. In recent years, the use of artichoke leaves has increased particularly in the pharmaceutical field and has been the active ingredient of many herbal medicines. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the phenolic compounds and flavonoids in leaves of Bayrampaşa, Sakız and Olympus F1 cultivars and their changes according to different leaf ages. To serve this purpose, artichoke leaves were collected on a monthly, internal and external basis during 7 months (October - April), and after artichoke leaf samples were dried and grounded, they were extracted using 80% methanolic extraction solvent and then quantitatively analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The findings of the study showed that there were differences between cultivars, inner and outer leaf positions, as well as the content of bioactive components between different months. Among the cultivars, Sakız was found to be prominent in terms of bioactive constituents when the leaf positions were evaluated, and March was quite hopeful. Based on the results of this thesis, it is thought that the rich polyphenolic profile of artichoke leaves may be useful for use in nutraceutical and pharmacological applications.