Varietal and Geographical Origin Characterization of Peaches and Nectarines by Combining Analytical Techniques and Statistical Approach
Gabriella Tamasi,
Claudia Bonechi,
Gemma Leone,
Marco Andreassi,
Marco Consumi,
Paola Sangiorgio,
Alessandra Verardi,
Claudio Rossi,
Agnese Magnani
Affiliations
Gabriella Tamasi
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Claudia Bonechi
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Gemma Leone
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Marco Andreassi
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Marco Consumi
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Paola Sangiorgio
ENEA, Trisaia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Department of Sustainability, SS Jonica 106, km 419+500, 7026 Rotondella, Italy
Alessandra Verardi
ENEA, Trisaia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Department of Sustainability, SS Jonica 106, km 419+500, 7026 Rotondella, Italy
Claudio Rossi
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Agnese Magnani
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Prunus persica L. is one of the most important fruit crops in European production, after grapes, apples, oranges and watermelons. Most varieties are rich in secondary metabolites, showing antioxidant properties for human health. The purpose of this study was to develop a chemical analysis methodology, which involves the use of different analytical-instrumental techniques to deepen the knowledge related to the profile of metabolites present in selected cultivars of peaches and nectarines cultivated in the Mediterranean area (Southern Italy). The comparative study was conducted by choosing yellow-fleshed peaches (RomeStar, ZeeLady) and yellow-fleshed nectarines (Nectaross, Venus) from two geographical areas (Piana di Sibari and Piana di Metaponto), and by determining the chemical parameters for the flesh and skin that allow for identification of any distinctive varietal and/or geographical characteristics. A combined analytical and chemometric approach was used, trough rheological, thermogravimetric (TGA), chromatographic (HPLC-ESI-MS), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, NMR) and spectrometric (ToF-SIMS) analysis. This approach allowed us to identify the characterizing parameters for the analysis of a plant matrix so that the developed methodology could define an easily exportable and extendable model for the characterization of other types of vegetable matrices.
