(1) Background: The aim of this research is to study the importance of improving knowledge of old variety apples in terms of phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity and mineral elements. (2) Methods: Fifteen phenolic compounds (UHPLC-MS/MS techniques), eight mineral elements (Ca, K, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Na and Mg), antioxidant capacity (DPPH%) and vitamin C content in four ancient apple varieties of Tuscany (‘Mora’, ‘Nesta’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’), with the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar as reference, were analyzed. (3) Results: Ancient cultivars exhibited a superior antioxidant capacity compared to commercial cultivars. ECTC and CGA were the polyphenols that mostly characterized the ancient apples. The contents of the elements of concern, Zn and Mn, were higher in the ancient cultivars ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’, while Na showed significant low concentration in ‘Nesta’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’ compared to ‘Golden Delicious’. The vitamin C content also indicated that ‘Mora’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’ old variety had an AsA content around 10 times higher than the ‘Golden Delicious’ apple. (4) Conclusions: Underutilized varieties could be an excellent source of bioactive phenolic phytochemicals, mineral nutrients and vitamins that may offer special nutraceutical benefits compared to other fruits.

The impact of dried apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) addition on improving the antioxidant characteristics of dark chocolate was evaluated. The antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH scavenging activity and showed an increase in the cocoa bar with ‘Nesta’ dry apple (17.3% vs. 46.8%) in comparison to cocoa mass. The 15 polyphenols analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS indicated great variability among the apple varieties. Quercetin was detected in the highest concentrations (ranged from 753.3 to 1915.5 µg g−1), while the lowest were for kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, measured only in ‘Mora’ and ‘Nesta’ cocoa bars (from 0.034 to 0.069 µg g−1, respectively). P-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid contribute largely to the antioxidant activity in cocoa bars. Principal component analysis shows that a cocoa bar with the addition of ‘Nesta’ dry apple differ from others due to its higher content of polyphenols (1614 ± 61.8 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g). In conclusion, data confirm that cocoa bars with dry apples might be considered as a polyphenol-enriched food.

Fragaria vesca L. (cv. Annabelle) plants were cultivated in hydroponic system and treated for 28 days with control (Hoagland solution), 1 mg L−1 of Cd, 10 µg L−1 of glufosinate ammonium and the mix of glufosinate ammonium and Cd. Cd and glufosinate influenced the photosynthetic parameters starting from day 18. Cd influenced the fruit fresh weight after 28 days of exposure. The accumulation of Cd in roots was highest among all plant organs and was estimated being 200 µg g−1DW followed by leaves at < 15 µg g−1DW and reaching the lowest concentrations in fruits at < 3 µg g−1DW. Only the metabolite 3-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propionic acid (MPP) of glufosinate was detected over the detection limit in each organ analysed. Glufosinate exposure reduced Ca uptake (− 35% compared to control) in fruits while Cd reduced the uptake of Fe and Ca in leaves and Zn, Mn and Ca in fruits. Thus, residual Cd and glufosinate ammonium, that could be present in wastewater used for irrigation, may affect wild strawberry physiology. The data indicates that at the concentrations mentioned above, the consumers have a low risk of Cd exposure but can be exposed to glufosinate metabolite MPP through consumption of fruits that are grown in contaminated wastewater.

Fragaria vesca L. cv. Annabelle plants were cultivated in hydroponic system and treated for 28 days with control (Hoagland solution), 1 mg L− 1 of Cd, 10 µg L− 1 of glufosinate ammonium and the mix of glufosinate ammonium and Cd. Cd and glufosinate influence the photosynthetic parameters starting from day 18 and Cd alone the fruit fresh weight after 28 days of exposure. Cd in roots was upper to 200 µg g− 1DW then decrease to leaves (< 15 µg g− 1DW) reaching the lowest concentrations in fruits (< 3 µg g− 1DW). Only the metabolite 3-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propionic acid (MPP) of glufosinate has been detected over the detection limit in each organ analysed. Glufosinate exposure reduce fruits Ca uptake (-35% compared to control) while Cd reduce the uptake of Fe and Ca in leaves and Zn, Mn and Ca in fruits. This work proves that realistic and residual concentrations of Cd and glufosinate ammonium, that could be present in wastewater used for irrigation, have an impact of strawberry growth and fruit production and composition. Considering the health risk for consumers, data indicate a low consumers exposure level to Cd and a clear presence of glufosinate metabolite MPP in fruits.