Caratterizzazione compositiva e sensoriale di ibridi e cultivar di Castanea sativa Mill.

Chestnut cultivation has always been very important as primary food source, especially for local populations in mountain areas. Well-know as ¿the bread of the poor¿ nowadays chestnut is considered as elite food: taste, visual appearance, nutraceutical and nutritional quality gain more relevance. Italy is the largest chestnuts producer in Europe and its high quality cultivars have good markets future potential. The aim of this study was to define phytochemical fingerprint and sensory profile of some Eurojapanese hybrids (C. sativa x C.crenata) and many European chestnut cultivars (Castanea sativa Mill.), with special regard to the Piedmont ones. The analysis included: antioxidant activity (FRAP assay) evaluation of total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and quantification of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, terpenes and vitamins) together to organic acids and sugars (HPLC-DAD methods). The sensory analysis were performed using a panel group of trained tasters. The high biodiversity observed among the analyzed cultivars could be strictly related to the genotype and highlights the large variability of the Castanea genus. Therefore the in farm and ex situ conservation of local germplasm is essential, both for the protection of genetic resources and the commercial valorization of the local products.