The Malegno Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus), locally known as the “Articiok” of Malegno, is a traditional artichoke variety that has been cultivated for more than a century in the municipality of Malegno, in the Middle Camonica Valley (Province of Brescia, Lombardy, Italy). As early as the beginning of the twentieth century, it was recognized among the most highly valued vegetable crops of the Province of Brescia for the distinctive flavour of its small flower heads. Today, this cultivar is maintained and cultivated by only a limited number of local farmers and enthusiasts, making it vulnerable to genetic erosion. It represents an agricultural resource of considerable historical, cultural, and gastronomic value, closely associated with the mountain landscapes and agricultural heritage of Lombardy.
Preliminary investigations have highlighted several characteristics that distinguish the Malegno Artichoke from commercial artichoke varieties cultivated in Italy. This Alpine landrace produces small flower heads resembling those of spiny artichokes and is particularly hardy and well adapted to the climatic conditions of mountainous areas, exhibiting high tolerance to low winter temperatures. Furthermore, several parts of the plant, including those typically regarded as agricultural by-products, may have potential applications in the agri-food, nutraceutical, and herbal sectors. Based on current scientific knowledge, the Malegno Articiok represents the only known artichoke landrace native to the Italian Alps.
The ALPICIOK – Characterization and valorization of a Lombard alpine artichoke landrace: the Malegno Articiok project aims to characterize and promote this unique landrace through an integrated approach combining scientific research, conservation of its genetic resources, knowledge dissemination, and the active involvement of local farms. The planned activities include the genetic, micromorphological, phytochemical–nutritional, and biological characterization of the variety; the evaluation of conservation strategies both in situ and ex situ at the Brera Botanical Garden; the development of new gastronomic and nutraceutical applications; and the promotion of best practices for the cultivation and enhancement of this cultivar.
The outcomes of the project will provide the scientific basis needed to support the conservation and protection of the Malegno Artichoke. At the same time, they will foster new development opportunities for the mountain areas of Lombardy by promoting innovative agri-food and herbal value chains based on a unique plant genetic resource that is deeply rooted in the identity and heritage of the Alpine region.
Activity 1 – Phytochemical–nutritional analyses and micromorphological characterization
During the first months of the project, plant material (leaves, flower heads, and/or stems) of the Malegno Artichoke will be collected to investigate its phytochemical–nutritional profile and micromorphological features. Phytochemical and nutritional analyses will include the preparation of food-grade hydroalcoholic extracts for the analytical quantification of the major classes of bioactive compounds.
Activity 2 – Bioactivity assessment of plant extracts
The initial phase of the bioactivity study will focus on identifying the most promising plant organ and extraction method. Dry extracts will be prepared from leaves, stems, and inflorescences of the Malegno Artichoke using hydroalcoholic or ethanolic extraction procedures. The resulting extracts will be evaluated through in vitro bioactivity assays using gastric and intestinal epithelial cell models.
Activity 3 – Experimental evaluation for the inclusion of the Malegno Artichoke in the Brera Botanical Garden Collections
Experimental trials will be carried out to evaluate the viability of the landrace and identify any critical factors affecting its establishment and cultivation through cultivation experiments and the optimization of agronomic practices. The outcome of this activity will be the development of a cultivation protocol to support the ex situ conservation of this landrace.
Activity 4 – Genetic characterization
Genetic analyses will be performed on the Malegno Artichoke and a selection of other Italian artichoke varieties (traditional and/or commercial), whose samples will be collected during the preliminary phase of the project. Genetic and bioinformatic analyses will enable the accurate reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships between the Malegno Artichoke and the other varieties and landraces.
Activity 5 – Dissemination, training, and promotion
The main research outcomes will be disseminated through technical and outreach events, scientific and technical publications, the social media channels of the UNIMONT Hub, and a final seminar addressed to stakeholders interested in the cultivation, conservation, and valorization of the landrace.
