Nutritional Characterization and Novel Use of “Copafam” Bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) for the Sustainable Development of Mountains Areas

Abstract

Agrobiodiversity conservation includes strategies and actions to be taken to prevent landrace loss, a worldwide problem. Landraces are local varieties that have agricultural, cultural, and historical value but most of these are not studied yet. This research aimed to study the nutritional and phytochemical characteristics of the “Copafam” bean. In addition, the sensory properties and consumers’ hedonic ratings in a model food formulation (biscuits) made by this landrace have been examined. The results show that “Copafam” had a high dietary fiber content (34.83 ± 2.48 g/100 g dw) and it resulted in a great source of secondary metabolites as polyphenols (121.36 ± 5.31 mg GAE/g dw), flavonoids (6.51 ± 0.17 mg/kg dw), and anthocyanins (28.11 ± 0.16 mg Cy3 G/kg dw), having remarkable antioxidant activity too. Biscuits made from “Copafam” bean flour were characterized by a darker color and crunchy texture, and it was considered acceptable by consumers. All these characteristics make it a resource of great interest for innovative forms of consumption like fortified foods. This research showed that landraces can represent a great resource for an innovative food industry aiming to preserve agrobiodiversity and promote the sustainable development of mountain areas.

Characterization and Future Distribution Prospects of “Carciofo di Malegno” Landrace for Its In Situ Conservation

“…Landraces are traditional crop varieties, locally adapted, that can hold “immense” value in terms of their agronomic and phytochemical-nutritional characteristics, as well as their ability to adapt to climatic change [ 3 , 4 ]. Many landraces exhibit unique profiles of secondary metabolites, antioxidants, and micronutrients, making them valuable resources for crop improvement and human health, but only a few of them have been conserved in situ (on-farm) and/or ex situ (in germplasm banks) [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…One strategy to engage custodian farmers, without relying on state economic subsidies, is to help them understand that cultivating/conserving and commercializing landraces can generate income [ 10 ]. In fact, some landraces possess phytochemical and nutritional characteristics of high value as well as exclusive sensorial aspects [ 5 , 13 ], making them highly sought after by consumers; this makes them valuable raw materials for the food and herbal industries. Unfortunately, only a few landraces have been thoroughly characterized [ 7 , 14 ].…”