Food Chemistry and Drug Residues
The Unit conducts analyses to detect residues of pharmacologically active substances in animal-derived products intended for human consumption and veterinary drugs in animal feed. Its activities also include the monitoring of chemical additives in food and feed, the assessment of composition and preservation status, the detection of toxic substances in cases of suspected animal poisoning, and the monitoring of veterinary medicines available on the market.
The Veterinary Unit is organised into specialised sectors that focus on:
- Monitoring residues of pharmacologically active substances in animal-derived products, veterinary drugs and additives in animal feed.
- Analysing additives in food and feed.
- Determining the composition and preservation status of food and feed.
- Detecting toxic substances in cases of suspected poisoning in wildlife and domestic animals.
- Analysing chemical-physical parameters related to the quality and safety of veterinary medicinal products on the market, as part of the national control plan.
The unit also conducts experimental research to develop new analytical methods for food safety assessment and animal welfare. In line with resource optimisation, multi-class methods have been developed to simultaneously detect multiple substances from different classes, such as antibiotics. All analytical methods are accredited to ISO 17025 standards, ensuring reliable and accurate results.
Additionally, the unit actively participates in training programmes and provides technical-scientific support both nationally and internationally within its field of expertise.
- + - Our Research
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- + - Head
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Giampiero Scortichini
Head
He is an expert in the analysis of residues, chemical contaminants, and additives in food products. His work has focused in particular on issues related to the presence of persistent organic pollutants in the food chain, and he led the National Reference Laboratory for this area for over a decade.
He is an expert in the analysis of residues, chemical contaminants, and additives in food products. His work has focused in particular on issues related to the presence of persistent organic pollutants in the food chain, and he led the National Reference Laboratory for this area for over a decade.
He has coordinated numerous scientific research projects and international technical assistance programmes, and has held teaching positions at the University of Perugia and the University of Teramo.
He is the author of over 70 scientific publications in indexed journals.
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- + - Selected papers
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Survey on antibiotic residues in egg samples in Italy
Saluti, G., Colagrande, M. N., Castellani, F., Ricci, M., Diletti, G., & Scortichini, G. (2021). Separations, 8(9), 148.
Determination of hair cortisol in horses: comparison of immunoassay vs LC-HRMS/MS
Saluti, G., Ricci, M., Castellani, F., Colagrande, M. N., Di Bari, G., Vulpiani, M. P., Cerasoli, F., Savini, G., Scortichini, G., & D'Alterio, N. (2022). Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 414(28), 8093–8105.
Determination of nitrofuran metabolites in muscle by LC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS/MS: Alternative validation according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808
Saluti, G., Ricci, M., Castellani, F., Rosato, R., Colagrande, M. N., Manucci, A., & Scortichini, G. (2024). Microchemical Journal, 110197.
Development and Validation of a Confirmatory Method for the Determination of 12 Coccidiostat Residues in Eggs and Muscle by Means of Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Hybrid High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Castellani, F., Ricci, M., Colagrande, M. N., Scortichini, G., & Saluti, G. (2023). Separations, 10(3), 202.
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