The magazine Plants has finally published the first scientific study on the genetic and morpho-qualitative characterization of a large collection of Sicilian ancient grains. (1) Facts, not words.
Ancient grains and scientific research
Ancient grains do not belong either to bucolic mythology or to the creative marketing of some unscrupulous operator. They instead represent the result of ongoing scientific research, based on the investigation of rural traditions in the Mediterranean. With particular regard to the Regions of Southern Italy. The shared interest is indeed to proceed with:
– identification of the seeds, also in view of their proper traceability,
– analysis of the genetic and qualitative differences among the various ancient grains, as well as between these and the so-called 'modern grains',
– evaluation of the benefits that may derive from their cultivation on suitable soils.
The objectives of such research are closely linked to the so-called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), included by the United Nations General Assembly in the UN Agenda 2030. The agri-food chain indeed plays a leading role, as has been seen, in the transformations necessary for the progress of human civilization.
The aim is above all to promote sustainable production and consumption, in line with Sustainable Development Goal No. 12, which find their best expression in the organic system. Without neglecting the need to ensure the actual sustainability of productions that do not follow this method.
Climate change, moreover, can even be mitigated thanks to organic cultivation of ancient grains. As demonstrated in a recent Spanish scientific study, these are able to capture more carbon in the atmosphere than is emitted by the activities related to their entire production cycles.
Characterization of ancient Sicilian grains, the CREA study
The study published in Plants was carried out by CREA researchers in collaboration with the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa, the Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources of the CNR of Palermo. Thanks to the Experimental Consortium Station for Grain Growing for Sicily, in Caltagirone, which also deserves credit for making its seed collection available. (2)
The genomic identity of 27 local populations of durum wheat, 1 of soft wheat and 2 of the most cultivated varieties of durum wheat was highlighted through the use of single nucleotide genetic markers (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism – SNP). Then the genetic fingerprinting was detected (fingerprinting) reproducible, for each variety in the collection. The premise to ensure the authenticity of products throughout the ancient grain supply chain.
Ancient grains, the varieties registered in the National Register
Attention focuses on the subset of varieties registered in the National Register of Conservation Varieties of agrarian and horticultural species:
– 14 local Sicilian populations of durum wheat (Biancuccia, Castiglione glabro, Ciciredda, Faricello, Gioia, Martinella, Paola, Perciasacchi, Russello, Scorsonera, Timilia white remains, Timilia black remains, Tripolino, Urrìa),
– 3 of soft wheat, always of Sicilian origin (Maiorca, Maiorcone, Romano),
– 2 historic varieties (Bidì e Capeiti 8).
These wheats are characterized by very tall plants, low yield but high content of fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. As well as a low or very low gluten index. (3) Extracting their genetic fingerprint is essential to identify ancient grains and mitigate the risk of food fraud.
Ancient grains and economic perspectives
In Sicily alone the cultivation of ancient grains already covers about 6,000 hectares of land. These crops can once again be protagonists of the island’s revival, once known as the granary of Europe. Thanks to the rediscovery of the value of short food supply chains and the growing consumer interest in good, fair, and also healthy foods. And scientific research, not fashion, has already shown how traditional wheats can effectively qualify as superfood.
The farms Islanders now face a great opportunity, one of the few hopes for the sector's recovery. They only need to understand the extraordinary value of agro-biodiversity that requires the utmost respect. It can be best enhanced by using the three keys of genetic identity, organic cultivation, and traceability. A public blockchain, like Wiise Chain, can allow the attestation of data in an incorruptible system. Nothing better to promote authentic values and expose vulgar imitations.We talk about it at Catania on 24.10.19.
Dario Dongo e Paolo Caruso
Notes
(1) Maria Carola Fiore, Francesco Mercati, Alfio Spina, Sebastiano Blangiforti,
Gianfranco Venora, Matteo Dell’Acqua, Antonio Lupini, Giovanni Preiti, Michele Monti, Mario Enrico Pè, Francesco Sunseri. (2019). Evaluation for the Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Wheat Landraces from Sicily. Plants 2019, 8, 116; doi:10.3390/plants8050116, https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/plants/plants-08-00116/article_deploy/plants-08-00116.pdf
(2) It is precisely at the Consortium Experimental Grain Station for Sicily in Caltagirone that the maintenance of ancient grain cultivation over the decades is owed, after these crops had been practically abandoned, or almost
(3) The so-called Gluten Index (%) in ancient grains ranges from low level (around 30) to very low (15-20). In modern grains, it conversely has a high level, around 80
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) and Égalité.
Paolo Caruso, agronomist, collaborates with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Catania, Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops section. Researcher on ancient Sicilian grains.
