The use of spontaneous and cultivated plants in local gastronomy, herbal medicine and traditional medicine is well established among consumers, as is the knowledge of their beneficial properties for the body. In addition to the presence of compounds that have generic effects on the organism, science is now able to identify specific molecular targets in natural compounds in plants and to study their effects on metabolic pathways both in vitro and in vivo. Of particular interest in the food sector is the identification of active compounds on gustatory and somatosensory receptors of the TRP ion channels family. In fact, on the one hand these regulate the perception of taste by influencing the food choices of consumers, on the other they are related to specific effects on the body including the regulation of appetite and digestive processes (nutrient sensing) and nociception (perception of painful sensations) . The general objective of the project is to enhance the local food and herbs supply chain through the production of vegetable ingredients with specific biological activity on TRPs. The project intends to enhance the heritage of herbs and food plants, both of local and global origin, through the production of active ingredients in which the specific biological activities of phytocompounds are identified and assessed which and quantitatively through the use of molecular tests and advanced techniques.
Among the spontaneous plants already identified in the area, a very promising one is HERISM (Sisymbrium officinale L., common crow grass, Brassicaceae). Erisimo is rich in glucosinolates, compounds with a slightly bitter and pungent taste active on the TRPA1 somatosensory receptor. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and preventive properties in the comparison of many pathologies, including some types of cancer. The medicinal uses of erisimo are known in the treatment of sore throat and in particular of pathologies of the vocal cords, hoarseness and aphonia, for which the plant is called “singer grass”. Numerous commercial products are available in the pharmacy and herbalist shop. Some traditional food uses are also known (even if they have almost disappeared); the buds have a slightly pungent taste (hence the English name “mustard hedge”).