On October 15, 2025, the eight interns from Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey (Niger) and Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) continued their internship program, which began in September in Bari at the Institute of Food Sciences of the National Research Council (ISA-CNR) in Avellino. Dr. Rosa Siciliano presented ISA, its main research areas, and some of the ongoing projects whose strategic objectives align with the themes of Sustlives. The interns then briefly presented their CVs and their roles within the Sustlives project.
Particular attention was paid to topics related to food microbiology. Dr. Anna Reale introduced the SUS-MIRRI project, Strengthening the Italian Research Infrastructure (MIRRI) for Sustainable Bioscience and Bioeconomy, funded under the National Recovery Plan. She also illustrated the main techniques for identifying foodborne microorganisms using traditional methods and genetic and genomic approaches, incorporating both lecture and laboratory experiences.
Une attention particulière a été dédiée aux sujets liés à la microbiologie alimentaire. Dr Anna Reale a présenté le projet SUS-MIRRI, « Renforcement de l’infrastructure de recherche italienne (MIRRI) pour les biosciences et la bioéconomie durables », financé dans le cadre du Plan de relance national. Elle a illustré les techniques principales d’identification des micro-organismes d’origine alimentaire par des méthodes traditionnelles et des approches génétiques et génomiques. Cette présentation a été appuyée par une expérience en laboratoire.
Furthermore, Drs. Rosa Siciliano and Fiorella Mazzeo introduced the principles and analytical protocols developed for the identification of foodborne microorganisms using an innovative analytical methodology based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
Dr. Livia Malorni described the principles of sensory analysis and discussed its role in assessing food quality. The eight interns then participated in a taste and odor recognition test.
Finally, the immunobiology research group at ISA-CNR illustrated the molecular basis of celiac disease and methods for assessing gluten immunotoxicity. Biotechnological and immunological solutions for reducing gluten toxicity in celiac patients were also described. The eight interns then had the opportunity to tour the ISA-CNR animal facility and the immunomorphology laboratory.
The second part of the internship focused on the analytical methodologies used to analyze bioactive compounds in foods. Dr. Floriana Boscaino discussed the chemical and functional characteristics of lipids and the role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in food quality and illustrated analytical methodologies for the analysis of fatty acids and VOCs. Dr. Virginia Carbone focused on the chemical and functional characteristics of antioxidant compounds and polyphenols in foods and the main analytical methodologies applied to the structural analysis of polyphenols. Dr. Maria Russo illustrated the beneficial effects of polyphenols present in foods on human health, and protocols also based on cell biology approaches to determine the antioxidant power of polyphenols or extracts enriched with natural bioactive molecules, both in vitro and in vivo.
Finally, Dr. Gian Luigi Russo presented the ONFOODS project, Research and Innovation for Sustainable Nutrition, funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and focused on developing new strategies to address major challenges such as undernutrition and malnutrition, food security, equitable access to natural resources and food, and the sustainable management of production and distribution processes. Technology transfer of research results to companies was also discussed, illustrating how direct interaction between the research and production worlds can lead to important application developments.
The course concluded with a delicious Neapolitan pizza, a significant moment of conviviality.
