Caratterizzazione chimica e molecolare di 3 piante fitoalimurgiche del piemonte

This thesis is part of the research project on phytoalimurgical species carried out in collaboration with the “Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette delle Alpi Marittime”. Alimurgic species are defined as plants collected in the wild to be consumed as food or drink. In the past, these plants represented an integral component for the sustenance of rural populations. The objective of this research activity is the study and the exploitment of these spontaneous plants, through their cultivation in greenhouse and field. In this thesis particular attention was focused on three alimurgic species: Knautia arvensis L. Coult., Meum athamanticum Jacq. and Angelica sylvestris L. grown in greenhouse from seeds collected in the Maritime and Cottian Alps and in the Cuneo geographical area in different stations. In particular, the content of some important bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proantocyanidins was measured in both roots and leaves. Nutraceutical properties were investigated not only through the quantification of bioactive compounds but also with the evaluation of the plant extract antioxidant power by using FRAP (Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay. Moreover, the leaf fatty acid profile was determined through GC-MS analyses. Finally, in order to confirm the identity of the three alimurgic species, DNA barcoding analyses were also performed by using two molecular markers: ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and trnL-trnF (Chloroplast Intergenic Spacer). With regard to the bioactive compounds, all three alimurgic species showed a higher content of polyphenols in leaves compared to roots, whereas the proanthocyanidins were detected exclusively in leaves. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the variability in the polyphenolic compound content is correlated to the valley in which the seeds were collected. With regard to fatty acids, the main compounds found in the three species were linolenic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. Finally, the barcoding analysis allowed to confirm the identity of the different alimurgic species. At sequence level, no significant differences were found among plants of the same species grown from seeds collected in different stations. In conclusion, the objective of this research work is to re-discovery the importance of wild edible plants (WEPs), alongside the traditional crops with the aim of protecting plant biodiversity. This assumes a considerable ecological value since it can contribute to the conservation of species which have become increasingly rare due to modern agronomic practices. The introduction of alimurgic species in addition to traditional crops could have positive implications because these plants can have beneficial effects on human health due to the high content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and the antioxidant power of their extracts. It can also give economic support to the agricultural activities in particular for mountain farms given the alpine habitat of these species.