Ofano, Raffaela (2026) Multidisciplinary Analytical Approach for Authenticating the Geographical Origin of an Italian PDO Tomato. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

The authentication and geographical traceability of agri-food products are essential for ensuring food safety, protecting quality attributes, and safeguarding the integrity of products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio PDO (PPV) represents an emblematic case study, as its distinctive characteristics are strictly linked to the volcanic soils and pedoclimatic conditions of the Somma Vesuvius area, while its high market value makes it particularly vulnerable to origin fraud. This PhD thesis develops and validates a multidisciplinary analytical framework for the authentication and geographical discrimination of PPV PDO, including geochemical, isotopic, spectroscopic, and metabolomic approaches supported by chemometric analysis. Tomato fruits and corresponding soils were collected from PDO and non-PDO areas over multiple growing seasons. Geochemical analysis identified a set of elements (Rb, Sr, Zn, Ca, Cs, Na, Cd) as reliable provenance markers, achieving complete discrimination between PDO and non-PDO samples. Stable isotope analysis further enhanced geographical differentiation, with δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S emerging as the most informative parameters and strong soil–tomato isotopic correlations confirming environmental control. FT-IR/NIR spectroscopy proved effective for rapid, non-destructive prediction of key quality attributes, while phenolic profiling highlighted the biochemical distinctiveness and nutritional value of PPV tomatoes. Overall, this research provides a robust and transferable strategy for PDO authentication, supporting regulatory controls, protecting producers from fraud, and strengthening consumer confidence in geographically labelled agri-food products.

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