Industrial applications of Cynara cardunculus L. for energy and other uses

This work gives an overview of traditional and alternative applications of Cynara cardunculus L. The traditional applications are the use of the blanched stalks as an edible vegetable and the use of the flowers as a rennet substitute to make cheese. Alternatively, C. cardunculus can be cultivated as an energy crop and be used for industrial purposes. As an energy crop it is grown using a perennial cultivation system especially developed for producing biomass. The valuable crop produced in this case is the whole aboveground biomass. Two types of products can be harvested: lignocellulosic biomass and oil seeds. Cynara lignocellulosic biomass is a solid biofuel that can be used directly for heating or for electric power generation. The seeds, due to their high oil content, can also be used for energy applications, for example, as raw materials for biodiesel production. In addition to the energy applications of the crop, other alternative applications, such as green forage for ruminants, paper pulp production and pharmacological active compounds extraction, are also discussed.