Nutritional, metabolic and genetic profiling of ‘Cerato’ and ‘Curniciello’ bean landraces from Caserta, Southern Italy

Italy represents a territory rich in common bean landraces, most of which have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the proximal composition and metabolic profiles (fatty acid composition, total and free amino acids) as well as total polyphenols and antioxidant capacities of both ‘Cerato’ and ‘Curniciello’ dry beans, cultivated in Caserta’s rural areas (Southern Italy) were evaluated, in comparison with other local known dry beans. ‘Cerato’ dry beans have a lower content of crude proteins (21.18 vs 23.41 g/100 g), lipids (1.27 vs 2.08 g/100 g) and total amino acids (16.01 vs. 17.89 g/100 g) with respect to ‘Curniciello’ dry beans, considering the average values of two different harvest years (2020–2021), although slight statistical differences were found when the two harvest years were analysed separately. Two essential fatty acids (n-6 linoleic and n-3 alpha-linolenic) and oleic acid were the most abundant fatty acids in both dry beans, (∼90% of the total). Subsequently, the trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities in raw and boiled (2 h) dry beans, as well as the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were investigated, considering their capability to reduce crude protein and carbohydrates intake and assimilation. In addition, AFLP analysis of two landraces shows different polymorphic patterns useful for their authentication and traceability. Overall, our data provide a starting point for promoting the cultivation and consumption of ‘Cerato’ and ‘Curniciello’ dry beans, thus contributing to the preservation of local culinary traditions and Italian biodiversity.