In the present work a sensitive and accurate method by ion chromatography and conductimetric detection has been developed for the determination of biogenic amines in food samples at microgram per kilogram levels. The optimized extraction procedure of trimethylamine, triethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, agmatine, spermidine, and spermine from real samples, as well as the separation conditions based on a multilinear gradient elution with methanesulfonic acid and the use of a weak ionic exchange column, have provided excellent results in terms of resolution and separation efficiency. Extended calibration curves (up to 200 mg/kg, r > 0.9995) were obtained for all the analyzed compounds. The method gave detection limits in the range 23-65 μg/kg and quantification limits in spiked blank real samples in the range 65-198 μg/kg. Recovery values ranged from 82 to 103 %, and for all amines, a good repeatability was obtained with precision levels in the range 0.03-0.32 % (n = 4). The feasibility and potential of the method were tested by the analysis of real samples, such as tinned tuna fish, anchovies, cheese, wine, olives, and salami. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

A Laccase-based biosensor for the determination of phenolic compounds was developed by using Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation as an innovative enzyme immobilization technique. and the deriving biosensor was characterized and applied for the first time. Laccase was immobilized onto different substrates including screen printed carbon electrodes and spectroscopic, morphologic and electrochemical characterizations were carried out. A linear range from 1 to 60 M was achieved working at 5.5 pH and -0.2 V detection potential vs Ag pseudoreference. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 1 and 5 M, respectively. A good fabrication reproducibility, stability of response and selectivity toward interferents were also found The potential of the developed biosensor was tested in the determination of total polyphenol content in real matrices (tea infusion, ethanolic extract from Muscari comosum bulbs and aqueous solution of a food supplement from black radish root and artichoke leaves) and the results were compared with those obtained by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method.

Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) was used as an alternative technique within strategies for enzyme immobilization to produce Laccase thin films. In order to characterize Laccase thin films, suitable deposition substrates were used. Laccase layers deposited onto silicon were investigated by Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to study molecular structure and surface morphology of Laccase thin films, respectively. Moreover, to estimate the amount of deposited enzyme, Quartz Cristal Microbalance (QCM) electrodes modified with Laccase films were used. Finally, glass and screen printed carbon electrodes were used as deposition substrates to test by colorimetric assay and amperometry the activity of the Laccase deposited. Experimental results have demonstrated that MAPLE enables the Laccase deposition that retains 10% of the initial activity.

La società ha per oggetto sociale esclusivo lo sviluppo, la produzione e commercializzazione di prodotti o servizi innovativi ad alto valore tecnologico, in particolare la produzione e l'immissione sul mercato di una serie di prodotti alimentari con elevata valenza salutistica, elevata shelf life, di facile consumo e pronti all'uso.