Responses of peripheral blood mononucleated cells from non-celiac gluten sensitive patients to various cereal sources

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is still an undefined syndrome whose triggering mechanisms remain unsettled. This study aimed to clarify how cultured peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMC) obtained from NCGS patients responded to contact with wheat proteins. Results demonstrated that wheat protein induced an overactivation of the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL10 in PBMC from NCGS patients, and that the overactivation level depends on the cereal source from which proteins are obtained. CXCL10 is able to decrease the transepithelial resistance of monolayers of normal colonocytes (NCM 460) by diminishing the mRNA expression of cadherin-1 (CDH1) and tight junction protein 2 (TJP2), two primary components of the tight junction strands. Thus, CXCL10 overactivation is one of the mechanisms triggered by wheat proteins in PBMC obtained from NCGS patients. This mechanism is activated to a greater extent by proteins from modern with respect to those extracted from ancient wheat genotypes

Wheat and low-input agriculture: agronomic, nutritional and nutraceutical implications

Recently, the increasing interest in organic food products and environmental friendly practices has emphasized the importance of selecting crop varieties suitable for the low-input systems. Additionally, in recent years the relationship between diet and human health has gained much attention among consumers, favoring the investigations on food nutraceutical properties. Among cereals, wheat plays an important role in human nutrition around the world and contributes to the daily intake of essential nutrients such as starch and protein. Moreover, whole grain contains several bioactive compounds that confer to wheat-derived products unique nutraceutical properties (dietary fibre, antioxidants). The present research provided interesting insights for the selection of wheat genotypes suitable for low-input systems and the development of specific breeding programs dedicated to organic farming. The investigation involved 5 old not dwarf genotypes (Andriolo, Frassineto, Gentil rosso, Inallettabile, Verna) and 1 modern dwarf variety (Palesio), grown under biodynamic management, over two consecutive growing seasons (2009/2010, 2010/2011). Results evidenced that under low-input farming some investigated old wheat genotypes (Frassineto, Inallettabile) were comparable to the modern cultivar in terms of whole agronomic performance. As regards the nutritional and nutraceutical properties, some old genotypes (Andriolo, Gentil rosso, Verna) emerged for their relevant content of several investigated phytochemicals (such as insoluble dietary fibre, polyphenols, flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity) and nutrients (protein, lipid, minerals). Despite of the low technological features, the six wheat varieties grown under low-input management may efficiently provide raw material for the preparation of traditionally processed bread with valuable sensory and nutritional properties. Results highlighted that old wheat varieties have peculiar phytochemical composition and may be a valuable source of nutraceutical compounds. Some of the genetic material involved in the present study may be used in breeding programs aimed at selecting varieties suitable for low-input farming and rich in health-promoting compounds

Effect of sourdough fermentation and baking process severity on dietary fibre and phenolic compounds of immature wheat flour bread

This work aimed to study the interaction of sourdough fermentation based on a mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum 98a, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis BB12, Lactobacillus brevis 3BHI with baking process (210\u2013250\ua0\ub0C x 10\u201320\ua0min) on dietary fiber and phenolic compounds content of bread obtained from immature (milky) and fully ripe flours of modern durum wheat and ancient KAMUT\uae khorasan wheat whole grains. The fiber in bread was analyzed by enzymatic digestion and the total dietary amount was dependent on genotype and kernel maturation stage. Although insoluble dietary fiber content ranging between 10.26 and 19.25\ua0g/100\ua0g dry base was generally more correlated to KAMUT\uae khorasan, the soluble fraction (always less than 3.83\ua0g/100\ua0g dry base) was associated to the durum wheat genotype. KAMUT\uae khorasan bread at fully ripe maturation fermented with sourdough, maximized insoluble dietary fiber content. Sourdough fermentation slightly increased the free flavonoids content while the total flavonoids (obtained by spectrophotometrically analysis) seemed mainly related to each genotype considered (ranged between 39.01 and 56.53 mg/100\ua0g dry base) and its maturation stage. A whole chain strategy based on a combination of agronomic and processing factors was suggested to enhance specific bioactive compounds such as dietary fiber or phenolic compounds

Effect of sourdough fermentation and baking process severity on bioactive fiber compounds in immature and ripe wheat flour bread

The dietary fiber complex of cereal whole grain is an important source of host beneficial molecules, such as: beta-glucans, fructans, resistant starch and arabinoxylans. The bioavailability of these compounds from whole grain products is generally dependent to different physiological and technological issues, likewise: genotype and maturation stage, dough preparation, fermentation options and baking process. This study regards the production of breads from cereal whole grains, taking into account two wheat genotypes harvested at mature and immature stages and processed through different conditions, varying temperature, time of baking and fermentation parameters. The aim is to highlight the different impact of these aspects on the amount and the bioavailability of the aforementioned four bioactive molecules. Our results showed that the best product, in terms of content of beneficial compounds, is that obtained from the flour of advanced maturation stage processed with brewer's yeast fermentation. Given the great interest in finding better technological processes to increase the daily dietary fiber intake, our findings could be very useful for the food industry to design the exact formulation and best process for the increase of bio-active molecules concentration in cereal whole grains products

La biodiversit\ue0 agricola nella strategia nazionale per la biodiversit\ue0

La biodiversit\ue0 agricola nella strategia nazionale per la biodiversit\ue

Cavolfiore (Brassica oleracea L.) coltivato in regime biologico: valutazione fitopatologica e nutraceutica.

Il cavolfiore è una coltura ampiamente diffusa in Italia ed in particolare nelle Marche dove vengono coltivati diversi ecotipi locali in regime biologico. La presente ricerca è incentrata su un quadro fitopatologico caratterizzante l’agricoltura del territorio marchigiano: l’alternariosi del cavolfiore indotta da Alternaria brassicicola. A seguito della pubblicazione del Reg. (CE) 473 del 2002, che limita l’impiego del rame in agricoltura biologica in quanto fitotossico, è stata valutata l’efficacia di trattamenti estremamente diluiti e di composti naturali sul contenimento dell’alternariosi in cavolfiore. E’ stato effettuato uno screening preliminare per valutare l’efficacia di diversi trattamenti in prove in vitro: si è ottenuta una inibizione significativa della germinazione delle spore fungine con alcuni dei trattamenti saggiati, che sono poi stati scelti per la successiva prova di campo. Per tale prova, piante di Brassica oleracea L. cultivar clx 33247 sono state trapiantate allo stadio di tre foglie vere; il campo era suddiviso in 20 parcelle (4 repliche per trattamento e 6 piante per parcella) secondo uno schema a blocchi randomizzato e i trattamenti scelti sulla base del precedente screening sono stati: triossido di arsenico ultradiluito e dinamizzato (As2O3 dH 35), bentonite (10 g/l), acido ß-aminobutirrico (BABA, 5mM), H2O (controllo negativo) e ossicloruro di rame (Cu 3 g/l, controllo positivo). Nonostante non si sia verificata l’infezione fungina spontanea a causa di condizioni ambientali sfavorevoli, si sono potuti raccogliere dati di tipo agronomico e morfologico, che hanno mostrato alcune significative differenze tra trattati e controlli. Infine i cavolfiori ottenuti nella prova di campo sono stati caratterizzati da un punto di vista quali-quantitativo (analisi HPLC-DAD e dosaggio spettrofotometrico) per quanto riguarda il contenuto in glucosinolati, metaboliti secondari importanti sia come composti di difesa della pianta sia a livello nutraceutico, come plant food protection agents (PFPA). Dalle analisi è emerso che As2O3 dH 35 ha indotto un incremento nella sintesi dei glucosinolati rispetto al controllo. La sperimentazione condotta sembra evidenziare la possibilità di utilizzare alcuni dei trattamenti saggiati come integrazione ai sali di rame per lo sviluppo di un’agricoltura sostenibile; sono comunque in corso ulteriori studi per confermare i risultati ottenuti

Agronomic traits and deoxynivalenol contamination of two tetraploid wheat species (Triticum turgidum spp. durum, Triticum turgidum spp. turanicum) grown strictly under low input conditions

An evaluation of the agronomic performance of two tetraploid wheat varieties (Triticum turgidum spp. durum, Claudio; Triticum turgidum spp. turanicum, Kamut\uae) grown strictly under low input conditions was carried out over three consecutive cropping years. The study reported grain yield values ranging from 1.8 to 2.6 t ha\u20131. Productivity showed to be primarily affected by environmental conditions, while no differences were observed between the two genotypes. The study of the yield components highlighted that the durum wheat variety had a higher plant density than Kamut\uae, but this discrepancy was offset by a greater number of kernels per spike and the kernel weight of khorasan wheat. The investigated wheat genotypes were also analysed to assess the mycotoxin (DON) levels of wholegrain semolina and the efficiency of cleaning treatments to reduce contamination. Results showed that both wheat varieties had a good hygienic and sanitary quality with a DON content ranging from 0.35 to 1.31 mg kg\u20131, which was lower than the maximum acceptable level set by the European regulation at 1.75 mg kg\u20131. In addition, our research work investigated the effects of premilling cleaning procedures, such as water washing and brushing, on mycotoxin levels, which yielded interesting results in terms of decontamination efficiency. These methods were particularly efficient with Kamut\uae semolina (46-93% DON reduction), suggesting that mycotoxins accumulate in this variety at more superficial levels than in the durum wheat variety. On the whole, our study provided additional knowledge on the traits to be further improved to respond to low input requirements and to enhance the potential adaptability of wheat genotypes to organic agriculture. Our results emphasized the need to develop wheat varieties that can provide adequate performance without high levels of nitrogen inputs by selecting specific traits, such as kernel weight, spike length and kernel/spike. This may help achieve productivity gains in organic systems

Deoxynivalenol Content in Common and Durum Wheat Kernels of Old and Modern Cultivars Under Organic Farming

The mycotoxin contamination of flours is an important concern of the organic sector, in which no fungicide can be applied to the crop. The most common toxin occurring in wheat flours is deoxynivalenol (DON) that belongs to the trichothecene class and is produced by several fungi of the Fusarium genus (mainly F. culmorum and F. graminearum). Two different field experimental trials were set up for two subsequent growing seasons (2009/2010; 2010/2011): 1) comparison between 1 modern (Palesio) and 5 old (Inallettabile, Andriolo, Gentil Rosso, Verna, Frassineto) common wheat varieties under organic farming; 2) comparison between one old durum-type (Kamut®Khorasan) and one modern durum wheat variety (Claudio) under organic farming. Different DON accumulation in the grains was observed comparing the two cropping years as a result of changing weather conditions: wheat varieties grown during the first cropping season presented higher mycotoxin levels (0.19 and 1.19 mg/kg for common and durum wheat, respectively) as compared to those observed in the second year (0.02 and 0.33 mg/kg for common and durum wheat, respectively). The higher DON levels of Kamut and Claudio flours confirmed the higher susceptibility of durum-type wheat to Fusarium head blight, but no differences were observed among genotypes for each wheat species. Interestingly, despite of the interdiction in using fungicides, in common wheat cultivars grown according to organic farming the mycotoxin content was lower than the legislative limits set for all the food categories, as indicated in the current EU regulation (EC N. 1126/2007)

Nutritional and nutraceutical aspects of KAMUT\uae khorasan wheat grown during the last two decades

Recently, organic farming systems have attracted the attention of consumers because of their low environmental impact. Organic agriculture is a valid alternative to conventional farming and ancient wheat, such as KAMUT\uae khorasan wheat (T. turgidum ssp. turanicum), has emerged as an industry leader for its nutritional and functional properties (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and prebiotic). The aim of the present study was to evaluate environmental effects on the quality of KAMUT\uae khorasan grains harvested in the last two decades (1989\u20132012) on one farm in Montana (USA), through the evaluation of phytochemical accumulation. Results revealed high variability in the amounts of macronutrients and nutraceuticals. In particular, from 1989 to 2012, there was a decreasing trend in starch content (ranging from 70\ub787 to 50\ub754/100 g) and amylose (from 41\ub748 to 31\ub746% of total starch) with a slight increase of insoluble dietary fibre (from 12\ub714 to 17\ub775/100 g). The soluble dietary fibre content varied among the years of cultivation even if the general trend remained constant (4\ub757\u20132\ub782/100 g). High variability of total polyphenols content was observed with the free soluble fraction present at lower levels than bound polyphenols (BP). Moreover, an inverse correlation between free and BP was observed. The results obtained in the present study show that the influence of environmental conditions plays a fundamental role in the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites in wheat kernels and strongly modulate the nutritional and nutraceutical value of flour

Agronomic, nutritional and nutraceutical aspects of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars under low input agricultural management

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