title: PGI chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) traceability by means of HRMAS-NMR spectroscopy: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Analytical traceability of PGI and PDO foods (Protected Geographical Indication and Protected Denomination Origin respectively) is one of the most challenging tasks of current applied research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we proposed a metabolomic approach based on the combination of (1)H high-resolution magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS-NMR) spectroscopy with multivariate analysis, i.e. PLS-DA, as a reliable tool for the traceability of Italian PGI chicories (Cichorium intybus L.), i.e. Radicchio Rosso di Treviso and Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco, also known as red and red-spotted, respectively. The metabolic profile was gained by means of HRMAS-NMR, and multivariate data analysis allowed us to build statistical models capable of providing clear discrimination among the two varieties and classification according to the geographical origin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on Variable Importance in Projection values, the molecular markers for classifying the different types of red chicories analysed were found accounting for both the cultivar and the place of origin.
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la Ricerca e sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Research Centre for Soil-Plant System, Instrumental Centre of Tor Mancina, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritota
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casciani
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valentini
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D018651:Cichorium intybus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D055442:Metabolome; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers