This paper presents the case study of the Tuscan growers pasta, an example of linkage between people, territory, environment and food. The use of new technologies for agronomic management, cultivation protocols, and a food supply chain agreement guarantee high quality, traceability and sustainability from field to package, representing an innovative marketing strategy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Opuntia humifusa and determine the optimal mixing ratio of Opuntia humifusa powder and eggs for the preparation of pasta. In regard to its antioxidant effects, Opuntia humifusa powder had a total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 6.64 mg/g and 90.12%, respectively. We used response surface methodology to obtain ten experimental points (including two replicates for Opuntia humifusa powder and egg) and Opuntia humifusa pasta formulation was optimized using rheology. Yellowness (p<0.001) displayed a linear model pattern, whereas lightness (p<0.01) and redness (p<0.01) were described by a quadratic model pattern. Mechanical properties showed significant values in hardness (p<0.5), chewiness (p<0.5), gummiess (p<0.5), and cohesiveness (p<0.5). The sensory evaluation parameters showed significant differences in color (p<0.5), appearance (p<0.5), flavor (p<0.5), texture (p<0.5) and overall quality (p<0.5). The optimum formulations processed by numerical and graphical optimization were found to be 7.30 g of Opuntia humifusa powder and 31.55 g of egg.

The purpose of study was to determine the organoleptic characteristics of homemade basil-pasta made in various compounding ratio according to central composite design. The optimum mixing condition for basil-pasta was optimized by response surface methodology. The texture, including color, flavor, elasticity and overall quality, was measured as sensory evaluation. The optimum mixing rates of durum wheat semolina, basil and egg were 73.97g, 5.95g and 36.17g for color, 53.14g, 4.52g and 35.85g for flavor, 48.75g, 2.95g and 36.85g for elasticity. The organoleptic overall quality of basil-pasta showed the maximum score in the mixing condition of 55.52 g durum wheat semolina, 4.55g basil paste and 35.51g egg.