Valorization Of Typical Regional Food For The Improvement Of Health And Well-Being Of Consumers Through An Innovative Nutraceutical And Nutrigenomic Approach.

This project aims to investigate strategies that can increase the well-being of citizens by making available, in various forms, food-derived bioactive compounds that can counteract chronic inflammation and maintain healthier conditions. Among the potential products that are rich in bioactive compounds, a particular emphasis was placed on typical central Italy foods of vegetable origin. In this perspective, the most widespread healthy and ancient varieties occurring in the Mediterranean diet habits, were chosen. The extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds of two apple varieties (Mela Rosa Marchigiana and Mela Abbondanza Rossa) and discard from the Marche Region have been performed. In vitro callus cultures from these pulp fruits have been used to obtain a matrix with a high amount of secondary metabolites. The same extraction and characterization methods have been applied to callus samples. The assessment of the functional activities of fruits/callus extracts demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities useful for maintaining a healthy microbiota and for the development of new nutraceuticals and functional foods. The evaluation of nutrigenomic properties of the bioactive extracts from these apples, will be considered to obtain information about the mechanisms through which they exert their functional activities. From a preliminary investigation on lifestyle habits by the analysis of Mediterranean Adherence in healthy adults and people affected by chronic diseases, it was possible to underline the need of specific strategies to improve knowledge and awareness of healthy behavior and eating. A lifestyle educational program has been developed and tested showing appreciation and improvement of cardiometabolic conditions and nutritional practices. The overall purpose of this project is the development and transfer of innovation to make regional production systems more attractive, enhancing sustainability and improving the quality of life with a healthy diet. Preliminary results of our study will be disseminated by a website specifically designed. This project is an integral part of the Vitality, cofounded by the European Union—Next Generation EU—PNRR MUR project ECS_00000041- VITALITY—CUP H33C22000430006.