The OTASens Project (PRIN2022 PNRR) coordinated by the CNR-ISPA of Bari Takes Off: Advancing Food Safety in Swine Production Chain with an Innovative Biosensor for Ochratoxin Detection

The kick-off meeting of the OTASens project, which took place on January 30, 2024, at the Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA, Bari unit) of the National Research Council (CNR), signifies the initiation of research endeavors for this ambitious initiative. The project is aimed at ushering in innovation and substantial enhancements in the realms of food safety and animal well-being within the swine industry, with a particular emphasis on local and broader-scale productions.

In an era defined by the escalating impacts of global warming and climate change, the issue of food safety has emerged as an urgent imperative. Ongoing climate changes have, in fact, contributed not only to land degradation and dwindling crop yields but have also elevated the risks associated with food safety due to contamination by chemical and biological substances, often resulting in toxic and frequently carcinogenic effects on both humans and animals. Among these contaminants, mycotoxins—toxins produced by parasitic fungi in plants or agents of food spoilage—stand out as a significant concern.

The OTASens project, funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, namely the National Research and Projects of National Interest (PRIN2022 PNRR), stands as a testament to its multidisciplinary approach and collaboration among accomplished experts hailing from diverse institutions. These institutions encompass CNR-ISPA, the University of Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA), and the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS). What renders the OTASens project even more consequential is its collaborative and interdisciplinary character. A consortium of experts and esteemed institutions, including industrial partners, are united in their efforts to address a pivotal challenge in food safety.

The project, under the coordination of Dr. Giuseppina Avantaggiato, a Senior CNR researcher and a recognized international expert in food and feed safety, encompasses the participation of CNR-ISPA experts Dr. Donato Greco and Dr. Vito D’Ascanio, who specialize in the development and validation of both traditional and innovative methods for mycotoxin analysis and detoxification strategies. Additionally, Dr. Elisa Santovito contributes her expertise in biosensors for food analysis. The team also comprises Dr. Simona Sanzani and Prof. Antonio Ippolito from the Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences (UNIBA), who are specialists in post-harvest plant pathology, particularly in controlling mycotoxigenic fungi. Furthermore, Prof. Vincenzo Tufarelli from the Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and the Ionian Area (UNIBA) brings his knowledge in animal nutrition, digestion, and the nutritional characteristics of animal feed. Prof. Giovanni Lentini, from the Department of Pharmacy (UNIBA), enhances the research group with his expertise in analyzing biologically active chiral compounds and employing eco-friendly methodologies for extracting analytes from complex matrices. Lastly, Prof. Francesco Genovese, from the School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food, and Environmental Sciences at UNIBAS, specializes in Agricultural Engineering and the development of innovative sensors for controlling agro-industrial production processes.

The primary objective of the OTASens project is the development of an innovative biosensor platform designed to provide rapid, cost-effective, and accurate analysis of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in various agri-food matrices, including animal feed, as well as in biological samples from swine exposed to the toxin.

OTA is primarily produced by fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, which can contaminate a variety of foods, including cereals, meats, sausages, dried fruits, and other food products. OTA poses a serious threat to food safety, as it is classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans and harmful to animals. Its ability to contaminate a wide range of food products and its persistence in food chains make it a significant concern for food safety. Therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of OTA is crucial to ensure food safety and protect both human and animal health.

The OTASens project’s primary goal is to develop a state-of-the-art biosensor for the detection of OTA, with the aim of reducing the risk associated with the presence of this mycotoxin in the food supply chain. The biosensor developed in the project will be integrated with advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and computerized machine learning algorithms, which will be used to analyze data collected by the device, thereby improving the precision of measurements. The integration of these technologies will make the system more automated and precise, allowing it to handle large amounts of data in real-time. These innovations are essential for ensuring more efficient monitoring of mycotoxin contamination throughout the entire swine production chain, following a “from farm to table” approach. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to preserve and protect both human and animal health while enhancing the quality of food production.

Finally, the use of the biosensor developed within the OTASens project will allow for an initial assessment of individual animal exposure to OTA in the main swine farms in the Puglia region. The OTASens project could, therefore, serve as a catalyst for improving the profitability of a growing sector in Southern Italy, such as the swine industry.

More information www.linkedin.com/in/otasens-project-8b73b42b3

https://prin.mur.gov.it/Iniziative/Detail?key=xntlwCEQJ%2BTLxeoukrh%2FdQ%3D%3D