Mycotoxins, Plant Toxins and Marine Biotoxins
The unit is responsible for the analytical determination of mycotoxins and plant toxins in food intended for human consumption and animal feed, as well as marine biotoxins and other toxins in fishery products. In response to the growing concern over environmental contamination by microplastics, the unit has established a dedicated analytical section focused on the characterisation of these substances in food products, using advanced instrumental analysis techniques.
The unit carries out official control activities for mycotoxins and plant toxins in food and feed, as well as for marine biotoxins and other toxins in fishery products, operating within the framework of regional and national surveillance and monitoring plans. The analytical methods used, primarily based on mass spectrometry, are all ISO 17025 accredited. In particular, the unit employs a mass spectrometry method capable of simultaneously detecting all substances of interest in food for human consumption and animal feed.
Building on its expertise in ensuring the safety of fishery products, the unit has expanded its scope of activity to include the detection of microplastics in molluscs through the use of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. This work is part of a broader strategy that integrates routine analyses with the development of new analytical methods, especially within the framework of collaborative research projects with other scientific institutions. Additionally, the unit provides training and technical-scientific support at both national and international levels within its area of expertise.
- + - 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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Occurrence of mycotoxins of the beauvericin and enniatin groups in infant foods and risk assessment study
Annunziata, L., Campana, G., De Massis, M.R., Colagrande, M.N., Scortichini, G., & Visciano, P. (2025). Food Control, 168, 110982.
Ochratoxin A in Foods and Beverages: Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment
Annunziata, L., Campana, G., De Massis, M.R., Aloia, R., Scortichini, G. & Visciano, P. (2024). Exposure and health.
Emerging Alternaria toxins present in naturally contaminated dried tomatoes and their reduction using cold atmospheric plasma
Laika, J.,Annunziata, L., Molina-Hernandez, J.B., De Flaviis, R., Campana, G., Ricci, A., Sergi, M., Scortichini, G., Neri, L., Dalla Rosa, M., & Chaves López, C. (2024). Food control, 164, 110563.
Official controls for the determination of lipophilic marine biotoxins in mussels farmed along the Adriatic coast of Central Italy
Annunziata, L., Aloia, R., Scortichini, G., & Visciano, P. (2023). Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS, 58(10), e4963.
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