Agri-Food and Industrial laboratory

The Agri-Food and Industrial Laboratory is located at the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Agrofood Research - CIRI Agrofood. Currently, eleven structured researchers (namely, Rosalba Lanciotti, Fausto Gardini, Diana Di Goia, Francesca Patrignani, Lucia Vannini, Andrea Gianotti, Paola Mattarelli, Giulia Tabanelli, Chiara Montanari, Davide Gottardi and Lorenzo Nissen) are involved in the laboratory. Within the laboratory are performed activities of industrial research, consultancy, technology transfer and innovation commissioned by agri-food and environmental industries. In addition, collaborative research activities are also carried out within competitive projects funded by public institutions (such as the EU or the Emilia-Romagna Region), to which companies in the sector can participate in partnership with the Centre. The research activities commissioned by the companies are carried out by the staff according to an integrated approach and with high levels of scientific competence.

Instruments available at the laboratory 

The Agri-Food and Industrial Laboratory has a wide range of instruments and pilot plants for technology transfer to the agri-food industries. In particular, the laboratory is equipped with high pressure homogenization systems, instruments such as gas chromatographs combined with mass spectrometry detectors for the analysis of the metabolic profile of microbial strains, digesters simulating human physiological barriers, electron scanning microscopes (SEM), Bd accurri flocytometer, instruments for molecular analysis (PCR, RT-PCR), electrophoretic chambers, vertical autoclave model Nuve 40ITOT 40L, UV-VIS spectrophotometer model T80, laminar flow hoods, Optical and fluorescence microscopes and small laboratory instruments.

Services and consultancy 

Within the Agri-Food and Industrial Laboratory of CIRI Agrofood, service, consultancy, technology transfer and innovation for industry companies are the main activities performed. The activities concern the selection and technological/functional characterization of new microbial strains to be used as starter cultures; co-starter and adjunct cultures; selection/characterization of microbial strains as bio-control cultures; the assessment of microbiological shelf-life and food safety, also considering the application of innovative non-thermal technologies; the assessment of the microbiological stability of formulations/foodstuffs in relation to process/packaging/storage condition; the selection and the taxonomic and functional characterization of new potential probiotic strains to be used in food formulations/products and useful for plants, rhizosphere and soil. The laboratory activities also concern the development of new food products/formulations and support for the validation of results at an industrial level. The activities of the laboratory are also dedicated to technology transfer and up-scale industrial processes developed on a pilot scale. The consultancy and third-party activities are regulated by a constantly updated price list.

Teaching activities and training 

The Agri-Food and Industrial Laboratory of CIRI Agrofood does not carry out teaching activities within the Centre. However, the laboratory team may support training activities for companies and institutions in the microbiological field.

Access to the laboratories is allowed only to CIRIAGRO staff.