Traceability and authentication in agri-food production: A multivariate approach to the characterization of the Italian food excellence elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), a vasoactive nutraceutical
Gabriele Carullo, Francesca Borghini, Fabio Fusi, Simona Saponara, Anna Fontana, Luca Pozzetti, Riccardo Fedeli, A Panti, Beatrice Gorelli, Giovanna Aquino, Manuela Giovanna Basilicata, Giacomo Pepe, Pietro Campiglia, Stefano Biagiotti, Sandra Gemma, Stefania Butini, Silvia Pianezze, Stefano Loppi, Alessandro Cavaglioni, Matteo Perini, Giuseppe Campiani
Abstract
A research platform for food authentication was set up by combining stable isotope ratio analysis, metabolomics by gas and liquid mass-spectrometry and NMR investigations, chemometric analyses for food excellences. This multi-analytical approach was tested on samples of elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), a species belonging to the same genus of common garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), mainly produced in southern Tuscany-(Allium ampeloprasum). The isotopic composition allowed the product to be geographically characterized. Flavonoids, like (+)-catechin, cinnamic acids, quercetin glycosides were identified. The samples showed also a significant amount of dipeptides, sulphur-containing metabolites and glutathione, the latter of which could be considered a molecular marker of the analyzed elephant garlic. For nutraceutical profiling to reach quality labels, extracts were investigated in specific biological assays, displaying interesting vasorelaxant properties in rat aorta by mediating nitric oxide release from the endothelium and exhibited positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects in rat perfused heart.