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The polymeric proanthocyanidins (PAs) composition of skins and seeds from different Vitis vinifera L. cv. was evaluated, sampling 37 cultivar, preserved in the grapevine collection of Grinzane Cavour (Piedmont, Italy). PAs were quantified using both spectrophotometric (n-butanol and vanillin assay) and chromatographic (high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]) methods, and the evaluation of their antioxidant activity was performed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. Results of PAs quantification with the different methods were significantly correlated. A strong correlation pointed out between anthocyans and PAs content (particularly regarding HPLC method; r = 0.9359, P = 0), and the antioxidant activity was not dependent on the polymeric PAs content, but negatively correlated with the degree of polymerization ( r =-0.6102, P = 1 × 10). The hierarchical clustering on principal components analysis allowed grouping the samples in 3 different clusters, observing a direct association between the cluster classification and the anthocyans/PAs content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An untargeted method using direct analysis in real time and high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS) combined to multivariate statistical analysis was developed for the discrimination of two monofloral (chestnut and acacia) honeys for their geographical origins—i.e., Italy and Portugal for chestnut honey and Italy and China for acacia honey. Principal Component Analysis, used as an unsupervised approach, showed samples of clusterization for chestnut honey samples, while overlapping regions were observed for acacia honeys. Three supervised statistical approaches, such as Principal Components—Linear Discriminant Analysis, Partial Least Squares—Discriminant Analysis and k-nearest neighbors, were tested on the dataset gathered and relevant performances were compared. All tested statistical approaches provided comparable prediction abilities in cross-validation and external validation with mean values falling between 89.2–98.4% for chestnut and between 85.8–95.0% for acacia honey. The results obtained herein indicate the feasibility of the DART-HRMS approach in combination with chemometrics for the rapid authentication of honey's geographical origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses an intelligent data analysis approach, based on machine learning techniques, and aimed at the definition of methods for chemical data analysis assessment of the authenticity and protection, against fake versions, of some of the highest value Nebbiolo-based wines from Piedmont (Italy). This is an important and very relevant issue in the wine market, where commercial frauds related to such a kind of products are estimated to be worth millions of Euros. The objective is twofold: to show that the problem can be addressed without expensive and hyper-specialized wine chemical analyses, and to demonstrate the actual usefulness of classification algorithms for data mining and machine learning on the resulting chemical profiles. Following Wagstaff's proposal for practical exploitation of machine learning approaches, we describe how data have been collected and prepared for the production of different datasets, how suitable classification models have been identified and how the interpretation of the results suggests the emergence of an active role of machine learning classification techniques, based on standard chemical profiling, for the assesment of the authenticity of the wines target of the study. Experiments have been performed with both datasets of real samples and with syntethic datasets which have been artificially generated from real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proanthocyanidins and carotenoids composition of peel and pulp from persimmon "Seedless Pollination Variant Non-Astringent" cultivar during ripening was evaluated. Phloroglucinolysis method, combined with HPLC separation, confirmed three terminal units, the flavonol myricetin, in addition to the typical flavan-3-ols catechin and epicatechin. The extender units were epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, epicatechin-3-O-gallate, and catechin. Proanthocyanidins were characterized by a considerable level of 3-O-galloylation (34–60%), showing a high prodelphinidin content (29–46%) and a mean degree of polymerization between 55 and 10. A carotenoid increase was observed during fruit ripening both in the peel and the pulp, with the highest contents respectively, for the peel and the pulp of 42.11 mg/Kg and 13.32 mg/Kg, determined at the almost fully mature stage. Unlabelled Image • Persimmon represents a good source of proanthocyanidins (PAs) and carotenoids. • PAs were characterized by a considerable level of 3-O-galloylation (34–60%). • The mean degree of polymerization (mDP) of PAs were between 55 and 10. • A carotenoid increase was observed during fruit ripening (both peels and pulps). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Italian hazelnuts “Tonda Gentile Trilobata”cv are recognised as high quality products with good sensory characteristics and interesting technological properties. An approach was employed to identify the “Tonda Gentile Trilobata” hazelnuts from Piedmont (Italy), differentiating them from other hazelnuts belonging to a different cultivar and/or different geographic origin, on the basis of their chemical and genetic characteristics. Proximate composition, fatty acid profile, polyphenols content and fingerprint, antioxidant activity, and protein patterns were determined. Concerning the genetic analysis, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA) technique was employed to detect polymorphisms amongst different hazelnut samples. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the chemical and genomic data sets permitted to identify the “Tonda Gentile Trilobata”cv. The analysis of chemotype allowed differentiating the Chilean sample from the other “Tonda Gentile Trilobata” hazelnuts, whilst no genetic differences were observed amongst these samples. On the other hand, genomic data confirmed that RAPD is able to discriminate amongst cultivars. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hazelnuts belonging to different cultivars or cultivated in different geographic areas can be differentiated by their chemical profile; however, the roasting process may affect the composition of raw hazelnuts, thus compromising the possibility to identify their origin in processed foods. In this work, we characterized raw and roasted hazelnuts (Tonda Gentile Trilobata, TGT, from Italy and from Chile, Tonda di Giffoni from Italy, and Tombul from Turkey), as well as hazelnuts isolated from commercial products, with the aim to discriminate their cultivar and origin. The chemometric evaluation of selected chemical parameters (proximate composition, fatty acids, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and protein fingerprint by SDS-PAGE) permitted us to identify hazelnuts belonging to different cultivars and, concerning TGT samples, their different geographic origin. Also commercial samples containing Piedmontese TGT hazelnuts were correctly assigned to TGT cluster. In conclusion, even if the roasting process modifies the composition of roasted hazelnuts, this preliminary model study suggests that the identification of their origin is still possible.

The Italian hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivar "Tonda Gentile Trilobata" (TGT) is covered by protected geographical indication "Nocciola Piemonte" and is well-known as the best-suited hazelnut for the industrial transformation into roasted kernel. The hazelnut cultivar identification is primarily based on morphological characteristics, so there is the need for more objective analytical methods for high quality hazelnut authentication. This study reports the (1)H NMR fingerprinting of raw and roasted hazelnut, with the aim of obtaining hazelnut classification based on their spectroscopic pattern. (1)H NMR analyses were carried out on polar extracts of TGT and other cultivars: the data were analysed with multivariate statistical methods. Results showed that (1)H NMR combined with chemometrics is useful to characterise the hazelnuts as a function of the cultivars, both on raw and roasted form. The classification models allowed identifying molecular markers useful to distinguish TGT from other types, among these trigonelline, amino acids and an unidentified orto-disubstituted aromatic compound., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Two morphologically different cultivars of Italian melons (Baggio and Giusto) were characterized considering samples harvested in different times, at the beginning (BPP) and at the end of the physiological plant production period (EPP). Proximate composition, protein, minerals, pH, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, condensed tannins, and flavonoids were measured, showing a significant decrease in EPP samples (phenolics, antioxidant capacity, condensed tannins, and flavonoids); ascorbic acid decreased in Giusto cv, carotenoids in Baggio cv. Mineral content increased in either the cultivars (EPP samples). Year-to-year difference was significantly highlighted; the plant growing cycle significantly affected the chemotype. Despite these effects, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) permitted the discrimination of Baggio from Giusto cv, and the discrimination of BPP from EPP samples as well., (© 2012 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Histaminol, a minor histamine metabolite originating from imidazole acetaldehyde, has been detected in a food matrix as complex as wine. The standard molecule was synthesized, and subsequently the chemical structure was confirmed by ESI-MS and NMR measurements. The development, optimization, and in-house validation of a HPLC-DAD chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of histaminol in wine are described and discussed. The expanded uncertainty (U(k=2)) of the procedure was estimated as 11.06%. Twenty commercial Italian wine samples were selected. All samples (16 red and 4 white wines) were analyzed after a C-18 SPE cartridge fractionation procedure. The content of this alcohol was in the range of 0.289-1.094 mg/L (minimum and maximum values were obtained for Nero d'Avola vintage 2007 and Barolo vintage 1969, respectively).

The chemical composition of the Sardinian botargo by Mugil cephalus from different geographical origins was investigated. Fat ( approximately 20%), proteins ( approximately 50%), moisture ( approximately 22%), and salt ( approximately 7%) were measured in ground (G) and whole (W) commercial products. Among the nutritional compounds, omega-3 fatty acids were approximately 8%, squalene was approximately 15 mg/100 g, vitamin E was approximately 8.5 mg/kg, and cholesterol was approximately 300 mg/100 g, on average in both products. Antioxidant properties, assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) test and expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), showed quite good activity in extracted oil (0.8-1.1 mmol of Tolox/L). Major constituents in the samples varied noticeably, but only few statistical differences were evidenced between G or W products or between samples from different origins. Principal component analysis (PCA) of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and proteins, coupled with both, did not differentiate samples from different origins. On the basis of our results, chemical and molecular data exclude the differentiation of samples from diverse origins.

The aim of this study was to research decarboxylating bacterial strains and biogenic amine content in a typical Italian goat cheese (Robiola di Roccaverano). The study was performed on fresh and ripened samples of goat cheese manufactured from industrial and artisanal producers. Sixty-seven bacterial strains isolated showed decarboxylating activity, and Enterococcus faecalis was the most widespread decarboxylating species in all artisanal and industrial products. Pediococcus acidilactici and Enterococcus malodoratus were also identified as biogenic amine producers in Robiola di Roccaverano cheese. All the E. faecalis strains isolated in this study were able to decarboxylate tyrosine. Tyramine was the most abundant biogenic amine in cheese samples, while histamine was the most widespread. High amounts of these two biogenic amines were found in ripened samples (up to 2,067 mg/kg for tyramine and 1,786 mg/kg for histamine), whereas 2-phenylethylamine and tryptamine were present in almost all ripened cheeses at low concentrations. The detection of strains producing biogenic amines and the high concentrations of tyramine and histamine found in ripened Robiola di Roccaverano could represent a potential risk to the consumer.

This paper describes a method for achieving qualitative identification of four rice varieties from two different Italian regions. To estimate the presence of genetic diversity among the four rice varieties, we used polymerase chain reaction-randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (PCR-RAPD) markers, and to elucidate whether a relationship exists between the ground and the specific characteristics of the product, we studied proximate composition, fatty acid composition, mineral content, and total antioxidant capacity. Using principal component analysis on genomic and compositional data, we were able to classify rice samples according to their variety and their district of production. This work also examined the discrimination ability of different parameters. It was found that genomic data give the best discrimination based on varieties, indicating that RAPD assays could be useful in discriminating among closely related species, while compositional analyses do not depend on the genetic characters only but are related to the production area.

Chemotype analyses and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genomic analyses have been applied to the characterization of Allium sativum variety from Voghiera (Ferrara, Italy), a typical Italian product actually demanding the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The garlic from Voghiera is characterized by peculiar morphological and composition characteristics. The proximate composition and atomic absorbance spectrometry elemental pattern of this garlic suggested as the chemical composition did not depend on the intrinsic pedologic soil features only, but it was probably connected to some peculiar genetic characters. Amplification of genomic DNA using random primers highlighted a good clustering differentiating of Voghiera Allium sativum from five commercial reference samples used in this study (Piacentino, Serena, France, China, and Adriano varieties), confirming the existence of intervarietal genetic difference. The intravarietal polymorphisms of Voghiera samples were low.

The chemical composition of the essential oil of the Sardinian Rosmarinus officinalis L. obtained by hydro distillation and steam\hydro distillation was studied using GC-FID and MS. Samples were collected at different latitude and longitude of Sardinia (Italy). The yields ranged between 1.75 and 0.48% (v/w, volume/dry-weight). A total of 30 components were identified. The major compounds in the essential oil were alpha-pinene, borneol, (-) camphene, camphor, verbenone, and bornyl-acetate. Multivariate analysis carried out on chemical molecular markers, with the appraisal of chemical, pedological, and random amplified polymorphic DNA data, allows four different clusters to be distinguished. The antimicrobial and antifungal tests showed a weak activity of Sardinian rosemary. On the other hand, an inductive effect on fungal growth, especially toward Fusarium graminearum was observed.