In flowering plants, such as Hydrangea macrophylla, the main breeding objective is to increase genetic variability in ornamental traits. This study investigates in vitro techniques, through ovule ...culture, to overcome the hybridization barriers and increase the efficiency of crossing in Hydrangea macrophylla in which breeding has been hampered by a fairly long breeding cycle and lack of information about its genetic resources. Two different types of media were compared, Gamborg B5 and Murashige and Skoog basal salts, to verify the germination rate of immature ovules in different intraspecific crosses. The germination rate and viability of the seedlings were influenced by the parental genotypes in the different combinations of crossing, highlighting, in some cases, the poor compatibility between some of them. The crossing combination “Parental A × Parental B”, showed the highest germinated ovules percentage (78.3%). The media used seem to less affect the ovule germination while mainly influencing the development and growth of the young seedlings and in particular the number of leaves, the branching attitude, and root length, with the Gamborg medium determining up to a 30% increase, compared to MS medium. In addition, we tested the effectiveness of using SSR markers to assess the parentage of the putative hybrids even though only three out of twelve SSR markers showed allelism. Although the number of SSR markers was low, they were allowed to profile the parentage according to Mendelian laws.
Hops are widespread as a wild plant in almost all Northern and Central Italy, and the characterization of wild populations is attracting considerable interest in verifying their potential use. The ...development of hops as agricultural crop can be an interesting opportunity, both for farms that would have available a new crop to be included in the crop system and for craft breweries interested in characterizing beers with local raw materials. In the present work, 14 wild hop accessions coming from various Italian locations were characterized and compared with 2 commercial varieties (Cascade and Hallertau Taurus) grown in the same environments. The cones were analyzed to measure the content of α- and β-acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and the anti-radical power. The α-acid content of wild hops was generally low, while the β-acid content was very variable and quite high in some samples. The content in polyphenols and flavonoids and the antiradical power were high and generally similar to those of the commercial varieties. Therefore, the analyzed genotypes are not very suitable for use as bitter hops in beer production, while further analysis may indicate a possible use as aroma hops, or for herbal and pharmaceutical purposes, thanks to their antioxidant content.
Combining the need to increase local Phaseolus vulgaris L. production, with the objective of identifying which abiotic inductors (irrigation and temperature) and/or elicitors (nitrogen fertilizer ...treatment) can be used as potential strategies to improve flavonol content, open-field experiments were conducted in Pisa and Bologna (Italy) over two years, using the local landrace of interest “Zolfino del Pratomagno”, and a commercial variety, Verdone. Full-irrigation and nitrogen treatment, individually, and in combination, increased yield and decreased flavonols, respectively, in both genotypes and locations. Yield, under all treatments, was significantly higher in Pisa (17.5–21.9 °C) than Bologna (21.4–24.8 °C) for Verdone, but was the equivalent for Zolfino. An inverse correlation between average mean temperature and flavonol content was evident only in Zolfino. The feasibility of increasing dietary flavonol production using decreasing temperature as a strategy with some degree of control was then tested by cultivating Zolfino at different altitudes (108 (24 °C) to 800 m a.s.l. (18 °C)) in Pratomagno. Increasing the altitude induced a significant 3-fold increase in seed-coat kaempferol glycosides, comprising more than 95% of the total flavonols. Temperature-associated effects on flavonol synthesis warrants consideration when selecting a cultivation environment to augment the kaempferol-based, anticarcinogenic benefits of Zolfino.
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal in human consumption. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in ancient wheat varieties. The latter represent an important source ...of germplasm, characterised by a broader genetic base and, therefore, a potential source of biodiversity. The objective of the study was to ascertain the optimal balance between the presence of secondary metabolites having beneficial effects on health and technological features that ensure successful baking quality. The experimental trial was performed in 2011-2012 on three organic farms located in three different areas within the province of Siena (Tuscany). In each location, an overall evaluation of the commercial, rheological and functional properties of five ancient Tuscan bread wheat varieties (Andriolo, Frassineto, Gentil rosso, Inallettabile 96, Verna) as compared with a commercial modern variety (Palesio) was carried out. The ancient varieties were compared both singularly (pure) and in combination (mixtures) of two varieties in equal proportion, respectively. Biometric and productive parameters were detected for each plot (32 plots in each farm). Macro- and trace elements, polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity (antiradical power, ARP) were similarly determined on representative whole grain samples. Rheological analysis was carried out on flour samples. The multivariate statistical analysis using principal components analysis was performed on all variables analysed. The results showed a significant environment effect on the different parameters measured and did not reveal significant improvements in the variables measured when varieties were cultivated in mixtures. However, the study did reveal various interesting trends that are warranting of further investigation. The most interesting effect from a nutritional and functional point of view is the relationship between ARP, rheological properties, protein content and gluten content. These connections permit the potential towards the improvement of ancient varieties.
Among cereals, durum wheat has a central role in the Italian diet and economy, where there is a historical tradition of pasta making. In the present study, we evaluated the nutrient and nutraceutical ...properties of 2 old and 6 modern durum wheat varieties grown under low input agricultural management. Considering the lack of available data on the adaptability of existing durum wheat varieties to the low input and organic sectors, the research aimed at providing a complete description of the investigated genotypes, considering the agronomic performance as well as the nutrient and phytochemical composition. The experimental trials were carried out at the same location (Bologna, Northern Italy) for two consecutive growing seasons (2006/2007, 2007/2008). No clear distinction between old and modern varieties was observed in terms of grain yield (mean values ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 t/ha), highlighting that the divergence in productivity, normally found between dwarf and non-dwarf genotypes, is strongly reduced when they are cropped under low input management. All durum wheat varieties presented high protein levels and, in addition, provided remarkable amounts of phytochemicals such as dietary fibre, polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids. Some of the investigated genotypes, such as Senatore Cappelli, Solex, Svevo and Orobel, emerged with intriguing nutritional and phytochemical profiles, with the highest levels of dietary fibre and antioxidant compounds. The study provided the basis for further investigations into the adaptability of the durum wheat genotypes to low input management, for the selection of genotypes characterised by higher yield and valuable nutrient and nutraceutical quality.
Buckwheat is a crop that has virtually disappeared in Italy, and products are generally imported from Poland and China. Among the alternative crops, suitable for cultivation in marginal areas and ...mountain foothills, buckwheat is particularly adapted as it is a rustic crop that can be grown without chemical input. Buckwheat is rich in numerous functional components and is, therefore, suitable for the obtaining of health products. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the adaptability of three cultivars of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) grown under organic management at different altitudes in the mountain district of Garfagnana (Tuscany, Italy). The main biometric and production parameters were measured. Protein, macroand microelement and total polyphenol contents were determined in the grain. Significant differences for most parameters were evident for the different environments; some biometric parameters were also different among cultivars. All genotypes were suitable for cultivation in the Garfagnana district based on yield and biometric data. Mineral element content was useful for the characterisation of geographic origin.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of short-term dietary intake of bread obtained by a selected variety of old grain grown in Tuscany, Italy on some parameters related to the ...atherosclerotic process. Twenty healthy subjects (median age, 39.5 years) followed for 10 weeks a diet containing bread (150 g/day) made from the test grain (test period) and for the same period a diet containing commercially available bread of the same quantity (control period). Lipid, inflammatory, and hemorheological profiles before and after dietary intervention were evaluated. The test period showed a significant (P < .05) improvement of total cholesterol (pre-intervention, 211.2 +/- 10.8 mg/dL; post-intervention, 196.5 +/- 9.8 mg/dL) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (pre-intervention, 137.5 +/- 8.1 mg/dL; post-intervention, 119.5 +/- 7.5 mg/dL), whereas no significant changes during the control period were observed. With regard to inflammatory and hemorheological parameters, the test period showed a significant decrease in some of the parameters investigated (interleukin-8 pre-intervention vs. post-intervention, 67.4 +/- 10.7 vs. 43.9 +/- 4.1 pg/mL, whole blood viscosity at high 4.36 +/- 0.03 vs. 4.32 +/- 0.03 mPa x s, respectively and low 26.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 24.8 +/- 0.5 mPa x s, respectively shear rates, and erythrocyte filtration 8.4 +/- 0.7% vs. 9.1 +/- 0.6%, respectively) relative to the control period, which showed no significant changes. Short-term dietary intake of whole grain bread obtained from an old grain variety seems to impose a favorable status with regard to lower circulating levels of markers of atherosclerosis.
The health-promoting properties of common wheat (
Triticum aestivum L.) have been largely attributed to the presence of unique phytochemicals of whole grains. The aim of this study was to profile the ...phenolic content of 16 old and 6 modern Italian wheat varieties, cropped in the same location and growing season. High variability was observed among the investigated wheat genotypes, both in the free and bound phenolic extracts. The total polyphenol content ranged from 885.5 to 1715.9
μmol GAE/100
g of grain and, on average, the bound fraction contributed for 72.0% to the total phenolic content. As regards the flavonoid content, the free fraction ranged from 50.7 to 106.1
μmol CE/100
g of grain and the bound fraction from 78.3 to 148.9
μmol CE/100
g of grain. Moreover, the interpretation of the mass spectra allowed the characterization of 34 phenolic compounds (104 including isomer forms) belonging to the phenolic acid, flavonoid, coumarin, stilbene, proanthocyanidin and lignan chemical classes. HPLC–ESI–TOF-MS analysis highlighted remarkable differences in the phytochemical fingerprints of old and modern wheat varieties. Six ancient wheat genotypes (Bianco Nostrale, Frassineto, Gentil Rosso, Gentil Rosso Mutico, Marzuolo d’Aqui, Verna) showed phenolic profiles with a number of total compounds and isomer forms much higher than that identified in the modern cultivars. The present findings confirm that ancient wheat may represent a valuable source of biodiversity, especially as regards phenolic compounds. The investigated old wheat genotypes may be successfully used in breeding programs for developing bread wheat varieties with added value in terms of health-promoting phytochemicals.
An evaluation of the grain functional components of Italian durum wheat cultivars was conducted. The raw material was obtained from the field trial performed in 2006–2007 at the Experimental Farm of ...the University of Bologna, (Bologna, Italy). The aim of this study was to define the phytochemical profile of ten varieties, comprised of old and modern durum wheat genotypes, including quantitative and qualitative phenolic and flavonoid content (free and bound forms). The results showed that mean values of total phenolic compound and total flavonoid content in old wheat varieties (878.2
±
19.0
μmol gallic acid equivalent/100
g of grain and 122.6
±
25.4
μmol catechin equivalent/100
g of grain, respectively) did not differ significantly from those detected in modern genotypes (865.9
±
128.9
μmol gallic acid equivalent/100
g and 123.5
±
20.6
μmol catechin equivalent/100
g, respectively). However, the HPLC–ESI-TOF-MS analysis highlighted remarkable differences between modern and old cultivars. The interpretation of the mass spectra allowed the identification of 70 phenolic compounds, including coumarins, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, proanthocyanidins, stilbenes and lignans. The free extracts of ancient wheat varieties showed the presence of a mean number of phenolic compounds and isomer forms (8.7
±
2.5 and 7.7
±
4.7 respectively) significantly higher than in modern genotypes (4.4
±
2.9 and 2.0
±
2.4, respectively). A similar trend was observed also for the bound phenolic fraction. Moreover, the phytochemical profiles showed the presence of unique phenolic compounds in both free and bound fractions of some of the investigated wheat genotypes. Results highlighted that investigated old wheat cultivars may offer unique nutraceutical values for their peculiar contents in bioactive phytochemicals, suggesting their uses into a wide range of regular and specialty products naturally enriched with health-promoting compounds.
A two-year study was carried out in three regions of Italy and the crop performance and the chemical composition of tubers of three typical potato varieties evaluated. Carbon and nitrogen tuber ...content was determined by means of an elemental analyzer and the other mineral elements by means of a spectrometer. The same determinations were performed on soil samples taken from experimental areas. The Principal Component Analysis, applied to the results of mineral element tuber analysis, permitted the classification of all potato tuber samples according to their geographic origin. Only a partial discrimination was obtained in function of potato varieties. Some correlations between mineral content in the tubers and in the soil were also detected. Analytical and statistical methods proved to be useful in verifying the authenticity of guaranteed geographical food denominations.
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