Landraces for valorising mountain areas: the case study of 'Articiok di Malegno' (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus L. Hayek)

Alex Alberto 1, Pedrali, D. 2, Zuccolo, M. 2, Giupponi, L. 3, Giorgi, A. 3

Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas – CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Via Morino 8, 25048 Edolo (BS), Italy 1, Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas – CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Via Morino 8, 25048 Edolo (BS), Italy; 2, Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas – CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Via Morino 8, 25048 Edolo (BS), Italy; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape and Agroenergy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy. 3

Plant agrobiodiversity comprises wild relatives, landraces, and modern cultivars of agricultural and food interest. Landraces are traditional crop varieties, locally adapted, that can hold high value in terms of their agronomic and phytochemical-nutritional characteristics, as well as their ability to adapt to climatic change. In Italy, landraces are mainly located in mountain areas, thanks to the work of the inhabitants who have preserved them in time. Just for their origin, they have optimal characteristics for mountain coltivation and they are the perfect candidate for the creation the new agri-food chains in mountain. “Carciofo di Malegno” is a landrace of Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus cultivated in Camonica Valley (northern Italy) and it is the only alpine artichoke known to date. The cultivation of this artichoke in the municipality of Malegno is recorded in a 1904 text from the province of Brescia where its particular flavour is mentioned. The morphological characteristics of the artichoke outline demonstrated that, due to its spiky shape, “Carciofo di Malegno” differs from any other artichoke sample considered, and it appears to be similar to those belonging to the “Spinosi” group. The capitula of the “Carciofo di Malegno” showed a content of chlorogenic acid (497,2 ± 116,0 mg/100 g DW) and cynarine (7,4 ± 1,2 mg/100 g DW) comparable with that of the commercial cultivar, and luteolin was detected in a significant amount (9,4 ± 1,5 mg/100 g DW) only in the stems and in the edible parts of the capitula. In all the artichokes included in the analysis, the receptacle and the inner fleshy bracts (edible parts) had a content of these two caffeoylquinic derivatives higher than the non-edible parts of the capitula. A MaxEnt distribution model showed that in the coming decades (2040–2060s), the cultivation of this landrace could expand to the pre-Alps and Alps of Lombardy. Climate change may promote the diffusion of “Carciofo di Malegno”, contributing to preservation and the enhancement of this landrace and generating sustainable income opportunities in mountain areas through exploring new food or medicinal applications. These results made it possible to valorise a local product and lay the foundations for a collaboration between the University of Milan - Unimont, the Tevini liqueur factory in Edolo and the municipality of Malegno. Starting with the leaves of the artichoke plant, considered a waste product, the Tevini liquor factory developed a hydro-alcoholic extract that was then used to produce three prototypes of spirits: a liqueur, a bitter and a gin. As part of the living lab, prototypes were assessed through a public sensory analysis held at the Unimont center. In this process, the liqueur emerged as the most favored prototype. Ultimately, the liqueur was developed and primarily sold at fairs and Christmas markets across Lombardy. This concrete outcome has brought economic benefits, fostering sustainable development in the mountainous Camonica Valley.

Main author career stage: Postdoc / Fellow

Contribution type: Talk

First choice session: 6. Plants, Fungi and Society

Second choice session: 3. Biodiversity and global change