National food consumption surveys are crucial for monitoring the nutritional status of individuals, defining nutrition policies, estimating dietary exposure, and assessing the environmental impact of the diet. The methods for conducting them are time and resource-consuming, so they are usually carried out after extended periods of time, which does not allow for timely monitoring of any changes in the population’s dietary patterns. This study aims to compare the results of nutrition-related mobile apps that are most popular in Italy, with data obtained with the dietary software Foodsoft 1.0, which was recently used in the Italian national dietary survey IV SCAI. The apps considered in this study were selected according to criteria, such as popularity (downloads > 10,000); Italian language; input characteristics (daily dietary recording ability); output features (calculation of energy and macronutrients associated with consumption), etc. 415 apps in Google Play and 226 in the iTunes Store were examined, then the following five apps were selected: YAZIO, Lifesum, Oreegano, Macro and Fitatu. Twenty 24-hour recalls were extracted from the IV SCAI database and inputted into the apps. Energy and macronutrient intake data were compared with Foodsoft 1.0 output. Good agreement was found between the selected apps and Foodsoft 1.0 (high correlation index), and no significant differences were found in the mean values of energy and macronutrients, except for fat intakes. In conclusion, the selected apps could be a suitable tool for assessing dietary intake.

The accurate quantification of phenolic compounds (PCs) in foods has become mandatory for a reliable estimation of PCs dietary intake. However, the extraction step of these molecules from the food matrix is a challenging and complex task. To manage the current lack of an official or generally accepted procedure for the recovery of phenolics, the application of statistical and mathematical tools, such as the response surface methodology (RSM), that allow the optimization of extraction parameters and the acquisition of the best output, has become the analytical approach of choice. The aim of this study was to apply an RSM-optimized ultrasound-assisted procedure to extract phenolic compounds from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Hegi, cultivar “Campagnano”) heads. The effect of extraction time, temperature, and solvent-to-sample ratio on the profile and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids was investigated. The total phenolic content was 488.13 ± 0.56 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ dry matter (dm) and total flavonoid content was 375.03 ± 1.49 mg CAT_eq 100 g⁻¹ dm when the optimum extraction conditions were set. The HPLC analysis showed that caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (i.e., cynarin and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid) were the main compounds in globe artichokes. Caffeic and p-coumaric acids were also identified. In regard to flavonoids, only the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside was identified.

Background/Objectives: The Fourth Italian National Food Consumption Survey (IV SCAI 2017–2020) provides updated and comprehensive data on the dietary habits of the Italian population. The study aimed to assess nutrient intakes and their main food sources among individuals aged 3 months to 74 years and to evaluate the adequacy of intakes against the Italian dietary reference values (DRVs). Methods: A nationally representative sample of 1969 participants were surveyed using two non-consecutive food diaries (ages 3 months–9 years) and 24 h recalls (ages 10–74 years) in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority’s EU Menu guideline. The multiple source method was used to estimate the usual intakes accounted for intra-individual variability. Nutrient adequacy was assessed against age- and sex-specific DRVs, and the main food sources of macro- and micronutrients were identified. Results: Energy intake was below DRVs for adults, particularly women, while protein intake exceeded recommendations across all ages, mainly from animal sources (67% of total). Total fat (38%En) and saturated fat (12%En) exceeded the recommendations, whereas carbohydrates (45%En) and dietary fibre were suboptimal. Vitamin D and calcium intake were markedly below DRVs for all age groups; iron inadequacy was prevalent among females. The main energy sources were cereals (39%), milk and dairy (15%), oils and fats (13%), and meat (10%). Vegetables and fruits were leading contributors to vitamins A and C, while meat, fish, and dairy provided vitamin B12 and D. Conclusions: The Italian diet remains cereal-based but shows nutritional imbalances: notably, excessive protein and fat intake and widespread deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, iron, and fibre. These findings underline the need for targeted nutrition policies to realign dietary patterns with the national recommendations.

The national food consumption surveys are crucial for monitoring the nutritional status of population but are also time and resource consuming. The growing use of technology and web-based platforms can help to reduce the logistical burden and cost of conventional methods. This study aims to compare self-administered 24 h recall to those obtained from interviewer-led 24 h recall by examining food items, food group and nutrient intakes using the online software FOODCONS 1.0 in both cases. The volunteers (39 adults) were randomized in A and B groups. On study days, they completed a self-administered 24 h recall and 3 h later, an interviewer-led 24 h recall. After 15 days, the same process was repeated in the opposite way. The difference in the two-day mean of energy and macro- and micronutrients intakes between the two methods was not statistically significant. The Bland–Altman analysis found a good agreement for energy, carbohydrates and fiber. At the level of food groups, the correlation coefficients indicated good concordance between the two methods. The self-administered 24 h recall through FOODCONS 1.0 software could be a suitable alternative to an interviewer-led interview, allowing a higher participation rate and less time-consuming food consumption studies.

The national food consumption surveys are crucial for monitoring the nutritional status of population, defining nutrition policies, estimating dietary exposure to substances present in food, and assessing the environmental impact of the diet, among others. This study aims to compare energy and nutrient intakes of self-administered 24-hour recall to those obtained from interviewer-led 24-hour recall, using FOODCONS software in both cases. Methods: Thirty-nine adult volunteers the sample of was randomized in A and B groups: test method first vs reference method and vice versa. After 15 days the same process was repeated in the opposite way and then volunteers filled out a questionnaire to evaluate the software and the instruction materials. Results: not significantly differences between means of energy and nutrient intakes among the two methods except for α Linolenic acid and Linoleic acid; The Bland Altman analysis found a good agreement of the amount (g), drinking water, included protein and fiber intake except for two subjects (5.0%) out of the interval; good agreement was also observed for energy, carbohydrates, and fat intakes. Conclusion: The self-administered 24h recall could be a suitable alternative to face-to-face interviews for recording data on foods consumed and this would allow a higher participation rate in food consumption studies.

Objectives: Within the framework of the European Union’s Submeasure 10.2 for the conservation and sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agriculture, this study aimed to genetically characterize specific apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) varieties from the Abruzzo region (Italy) using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. Methods: A total of 67 samples, including 10 reference accessions from a national germplasm collection, were analyzed to assess genetic diversity and varietal traceability. Nine highly polymorphic SSR markers were selected based on a literature review and applied to DNA extracted from leaf tissues. Results: Molecular analyses, including PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis, revealed seven genetic groups with identical profiles and 15 individuals with unique genetic fingerprints, representing approximately 22% of the dataset. Statistical analyses using R Studio (PAST and LEA) confirmed high genetic diversity (mean PIC = 0.81; mean He = 0.83) and identified two major genetic clusters, with evidence of admixed ancestry in some accessions. Conclusions: These findings highlight discrepancies between declared and actual varietal identities, underscore the value of genetic traceability for biodiversity conservation, and provide a robust framework for the protection and valorization of local apple germplasms.