EXPLOITATION OF LIGURIAN ROSEMARY ECOTYPES FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Salvia rosmarinus (L.) Spenn. 1 is a Mediterranean aromatic shrub widely cultivated for its aromatic, medicinal and ornamental uses. The species is growing in a large diversity of habitats and from sea level up to 1500 meters 2. Salvia rosmarinus 'Eretto Liguria' ecotype is widespread in Northwest Italy, and it is commonly used by farmers for cuttings and for marketing. To develop local agriculture, the chemical-biological characterization of this ecotype in comparison with other cultivars or ecotypes is attractive in terms of sustainability and low environmental impact. A targeted NMR metabolomic approach highlighted the influence of the different geographical locations on the composition and relative content of bioactive metabolites in rosemary extracts. Considering a single geographical area, the genetic factor becomes relevant. Multivariate statistical analysis and self-organizing maps (SOMs) showed that the accessions of 'Eretto Liguria' appeared well characterized compared to the others and had a good content in the bioactive carnosic acid. Recently, the enhancement of plant waste is attracting more attention. Therefore, aim of the present study was also to investigate the quali-quantitative profile of these rosemary ecotypes to identify new possible applications in the agro-food chain. Soft rot diseases belonging to Pectobacterium genus represent a serious problem in potato culture. Rosemary methanolic extracts showed ability in reducing the pectolytic activity of a strain of P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on potato tissue. The bacterial soft rot assay, performed with the pure abietanes that mostly characterize the extracts, showed that isorosmanol, carnosol and 7-O-methylrosmanol, at the concentration of 1000 ppm, completely inhibited the bacterial soft rot.