Localization of phenolic compounds in the fruits of Silybum marianum characterized by different silymarin chemotype and altered colour

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (Asteraceae) is a valuable medicinal plant utilized for silymarin production. However, only fragmentary and contradictory information about silymarin localization within S. marianum fruit are available. In this work, a twofold research approach was adopted in order to investigate the distribution and quantification of silymarin and of other phenolic compounds within the different fruit regions (pericarp, seed integument, cotyledon). Two S. marianum wild accessions with contrasting silymarin chemotype (A and B) and a mutant line (C) with an altered fruit colour were analysed. Fruits of Cynara cardunculus were studied as a reference. Firstly, the fruit morpho-anatomy was reviewed by means of light microscopy digital imaging and, secondly, a comprehensive histolocalization of the different classes of polyphenols within the fruit was carried out. The experimental evidences confirmed that silymarin, and its precursor taxifolin, are only accumulated in the seed integuments. The dark colour of fully-ripened fruits is due to the accumulation of condensed tannins in the pericarp subepidermal cell layer. On the contrary, the studied mutant line shows reduced condensed tannin content that probably result from impairment at the level of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Condensed tannins content is comparatively low in S. marianum fruits and very low in the identified mutant line. This could represent an advantage for the possible employment of S. marianum fruits and of silymarin extraction by-products in the feed and food sector.