Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy

Cereals are the basis of the human diet, and among them, after rice and corn, wheat is the most cultivated in the world. Drought, conflicts, and high prices affect food security in many countries. The CHANGE-UP project funded by the PRIMA program aims at redesigning agricultural systems for the Medi...

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Main Authors: Elena Galassi, Chiara Natale, Francesca Nocente, Federica Taddei, Giovanna Visioli, Salvatore Ceccarelli, Gianni Galaverna, Laura Gazza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/939
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author Elena Galassi
Chiara Natale
Francesca Nocente
Federica Taddei
Giovanna Visioli
Salvatore Ceccarelli
Gianni Galaverna
Laura Gazza
author_facet Elena Galassi
Chiara Natale
Francesca Nocente
Federica Taddei
Giovanna Visioli
Salvatore Ceccarelli
Gianni Galaverna
Laura Gazza
author_sort Elena Galassi
collection DOAJ
description Cereals are the basis of the human diet, and among them, after rice and corn, wheat is the most cultivated in the world. Drought, conflicts, and high prices affect food security in many countries. The CHANGE-UP project funded by the PRIMA program aims at redesigning agricultural systems for the Mediterranean area to make them more resilient to climate change, and includes, among other agronomic innovations, the cultivation and characterization of perennial wheat genotypes. In this study, four perennial wheat lines, 235a, 20238, OK72, and 11955, grown in Italy, were examined for their technological and chemical composition and rheological properties and compared with the perennial species <i>Thinopyrum intemedium</i> (Kernza<sup>®</sup>) and to a modern durum wheat variety, used as controls. On average, all the perennial genotypes presented very small kernels along with high protein content, total antioxidant capacity, and mineral content, and genotypes OK72 and 11955 presented good test weight values. Line 235a had the best gluten quality, whereas line 20238 reported the worst values for bread-making aptitude. Results indicate that perennial grains could adapt to the Italian environment and manifest their nutritional and technological potential, constituting promising raw materials for enhancing diversification in nutrition by sustainable agriculture based on agroecological principles.
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spelling doaj-art-714295558a75493eae631087df4e9fb82025-08-20T03:14:14ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-04-0115493910.3390/agronomy15040939Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in ItalyElena Galassi0Chiara Natale1Francesca Nocente2Federica Taddei3Giovanna Visioli4Salvatore Ceccarelli5Gianni Galaverna6Laura Gazza7CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via Manziana 30, 00189 Rome, ItalyCREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via Manziana 30, 00189 Rome, ItalyCREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via Manziana 30, 00189 Rome, ItalyCREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via Manziana 30, 00189 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, 43121 Parma, ItalyIndependent Researcher, 63100 Ascoli Piceno, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43121 Parma, ItalyCREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing, Via Manziana 30, 00189 Rome, ItalyCereals are the basis of the human diet, and among them, after rice and corn, wheat is the most cultivated in the world. Drought, conflicts, and high prices affect food security in many countries. The CHANGE-UP project funded by the PRIMA program aims at redesigning agricultural systems for the Mediterranean area to make them more resilient to climate change, and includes, among other agronomic innovations, the cultivation and characterization of perennial wheat genotypes. In this study, four perennial wheat lines, 235a, 20238, OK72, and 11955, grown in Italy, were examined for their technological and chemical composition and rheological properties and compared with the perennial species <i>Thinopyrum intemedium</i> (Kernza<sup>®</sup>) and to a modern durum wheat variety, used as controls. On average, all the perennial genotypes presented very small kernels along with high protein content, total antioxidant capacity, and mineral content, and genotypes OK72 and 11955 presented good test weight values. Line 235a had the best gluten quality, whereas line 20238 reported the worst values for bread-making aptitude. Results indicate that perennial grains could adapt to the Italian environment and manifest their nutritional and technological potential, constituting promising raw materials for enhancing diversification in nutrition by sustainable agriculture based on agroecological principles.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/939perennial wheat<i>Thinopyrum</i>Kernza<sup>®</sup>regenerative supply chainsagroecological approachesgluten quality
spellingShingle Elena Galassi
Chiara Natale
Francesca Nocente
Federica Taddei
Giovanna Visioli
Salvatore Ceccarelli
Gianni Galaverna
Laura Gazza
Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
Agronomy
perennial wheat
<i>Thinopyrum</i>
Kernza<sup>®</sup>
regenerative supply chains
agroecological approaches
gluten quality
title Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
title_full Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
title_fullStr Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
title_full_unstemmed Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
title_short Regenerative Agronomic Approaches: Technological, Biochemical and Rheological Characterization of Four Perennial Wheat Lines Grown in Italy
title_sort regenerative agronomic approaches technological biochemical and rheological characterization of four perennial wheat lines grown in italy
topic perennial wheat
<i>Thinopyrum</i>
Kernza<sup>®</sup>
regenerative supply chains
agroecological approaches
gluten quality
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/939
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