From Chestnut Tree (Castanea sativa) to Flour and Foods: A Systematic Review of the Main Criticalities and Control Strategies towards the Relaunch of Chestnut Production Chain

Abstract

Castanea sativa plays a key role in different production chains (timber, flour, honey, and tannins). Moreover, considering the great importance of chestnuts and chestnut flour for the food industry and for the subsistence of piedmont communities, a relaunch of this production chain is definitely essential, thus motivating this review. The first aim of this literature overview is to summarize current knowledge regarding the main criticalities in chestnut tree cultivation, chestnut processing, and in chestnut flour production. The second aim is to suggest specific improvement strategies to contrast the main pests and diseases affecting chestnut trees, improve chestnut processing and flour production, and, finally, valorize all by-products generated by this production chain. With respect to chestnut trees, it is essential to develop specific integrated strategies based on early detection and management to contrast known and emerging issues. With regard to chestnut drying and flour production, particular attention needs to be paid to molds and mycotoxins which definitely represent the main criticalities. In addition, further investigations are needed to improve the dying process in both traditional and modern dry kilns, and to develop innovative drying processes. Finally, to face the monumental challenge of environmental sustainability, the valorization of the whole chestnut by-products is crucial. This review clearly highlighted that the recovery of polyphenols from chestnut by-products is the most interesting, sustainable, and profitable strategy. However, the fungal fermentation or the incorporation of little amounts of these by-products into foods seems a very interesting alternative.

Tannins from Different Parts of the Chestnut Trunk (Castanea Sativa Mill.): a Green and Effective Extraction Method and Their Profiling by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector-Mass Spectrometry

“…Compounds 41 and 46, with a [M-H] − ion at m / z 785 were tentatively identified as tellimagrandin I and tellimagrandin I isomer, according to a previous work . Finally, according to their mass spectra and the previous literature, , several trigalloyl glucose ( 37 , 40 , 42 – 45 ), tetra-galloyl glucose ( 47 – 49 and 51 – 52 ), and penta-galloyl glucose derivatives ( 54 – 55 ) were tentatively identified. Compounds 56 and 57 were tentatively identified as ellagic acid derivatives such as ellagic acid deoxyhexose and dehydrated ellagic acid dimer, respectively.…”

“…These results, even if obtained under experimental conditions different from those applied in our work, confirmed that 100 °C is a good choice as an extraction temperature. A recent review 38 focused on the chestnut production chain discussed the extraction of tannins from different parts of the chestnut such as shells and leaves, but no data on wood extraction were reported. To the best of our knowledge, no data are available on the effect of using water at temperatures above 100 °C on extracted tannins.…”

Functional Fruit Trees from the Atlantic and Amazon Forests: Selection of Potential Chestnut Trees Rich in Antioxidants, Nutrients, and Fatty Acids

“…Nuts can be used as a source of raw material for the production of processed foods, gaining prominence in the production of pasta and bread, due to the absence of gluten in their constitution [70]. This food can be included in the diet of people with celiac disease, which is an autoimmune condition caused by inflammation of the small intestine mucosa and atrophy of its villi [71].…”

A Handheld Laser-Scanning-Based Methodology for Monitoring Tree Growth in Chestnut Orchards

“…Both wood and nut products may be affected by abiotic and biotic problems; the most important threats to chestnut orchards in recent years include the Asian chestnut gall wasp ( Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu), ink disease ( Phytophthora cinnamomi ), and chestnut blight ( Cryphonectria parasitica ). Climate change also affects the proper development of chestnut trees, as it accelerates the expansion of pests and the emergence of other pathogens [ 3 , 4 ].…”