Food packaging protects food, but it can sometimes become a source of undesired contaminants. Paper based materials, despite being perceived as “natural” and safe, can contain volatile contaminants (especially if made from recycled paper) able to migrate to food, as mineral oil, phthalates and photoinitiators. Mineral oil is a petroleum product used as printing ink solvent for newspapers, magazines and packaging. From paperboard printing and from recycled fibers (if present), mineral oil migrates into food, even if dry, through the gas phase. Its toxicity is not fully evaluated, but a temporary Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.6 mg kg-1 has been established for saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH), while aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) are more toxic. Extraction and analysis of MOSH and MOAH is difficult due to the thousands of molecules present. Extraction methods for packaging and food have been optimized, then applied for a “shopping trolley survey” on over 100 Italian and Swiss market products. Instrumental analyses were performed with online LC-GC/FID. Average concentration of MOSH in paperboards was 626 mg kg-1. Many had the potential of contaminating foods exceeding temporary ADI tens of times. A long term migration study was then designed to better understand migration kinetics. Egg pasta and müesli were chosen as representative (high surface/weight ratio). They were stored at different temperatures (4, 20, 30, 40 and 60°C) and conditions (free, shelved or boxed packs) for 1 year. MOSH and MOAH kinetic curves show that migration is a fast process, mostly influenced by temperature: in egg pasta (food in direct contact with paperboard), half of MOSH is transferred to food in a week at 40°C and in 8 months at 20°C. The internal plastic bag present in müesli slowed down the startup of migration, creating a “lag time” in the curves.

Studies on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in perennial energy crops are available for North-Central Europe, while there is insufficient information for Southern Europe. This research was conducted in the Po Valley, a Mediterranean-temperate zone characterised by low SOC levels, due to intensive management. The aim was to assess the factors influencing SOC sequestration and its distribution through depth and within soil fractions, after a 9-year old conversion from two annual systems to Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and giant reed (Arundo donax). The 13C natural abundance was used to evaluate the amount of SOC in annual and perennial species, and determine the percentage of carbon derived from perennial crops. SOC was significantly higher under perennial species, especially in the topsoil (0-0.15 m). After 9 years, the amount of C derived from Miscanthus was 18.7 Mg ha-1, mostly stored at 0-0.15 m, whereas the amount of C derived from giant reed was 34.7 Mg ha-1, evenly distributed through layers. Physical soil fractionation was combined with 13C abundance analysis. C derived from perennial crops was mainly found in macroaggregates. Under giant reed, more newly derived-carbon was stored in microaggregates and mineral fraction than under Miscanthus. A molecular approach based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) allowed to evaluate changes on microbial community, after the introduction of perennial crops. Functional aspects were investigated by determining relevant soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, urease, alkaline phosphatase). Perennial crops positively stimulated these enzymes, especially in the topsoil. DGGE profiles revealed that community richness was higher in perennial crops; Shannon index of diversity was influenced only by depth. In conclusion, Miscanthus and giant reed represent a sustainable choice for the recovery of soils exhausted by intensive management, also in Mediterranean conditions and this is relevant mainly because this geographical area is notoriously characterised by a rapid turnover of SOC.

Soil is a critically important component of the earth’s biosphere. Developing agricultural production systems able to conserve soil quality is essential to guarantee the current and future capacity of soil to provide goods and services. This study investigates the potential of microbial and biochemical parameters to be used as early and sensitive soil quality indicators. Their ability to differentiate plots under contrasting fertilization regimes is evaluated based also on their sensitivity to seasonal fluctuations of environmental conditions and on their relationship with soil chemical parameters. Further, the study addresses some of the critical methodological aspects of microplate-based fluorimetric enzyme assays, in order to optimize assay conditions and evaluate their suitability to be used as a toll to asses soil quality. The study was based on a long-term field experiment established in 1966 in the Po valley (Italy). The soil was cropped with maize (Z. mays L.) and winter wheat (T. aestivum L.) and received no organic fertilization, crop residue or manure, in combination with increasing levels of mineral N fertilizer. The soil microbiota responded to manure amendment increasing it biomass and activity and changing its community composition. Crop residue effect was much more limited. Mineral N fertilization stimulated crop residue mineralization, shifted microbial community composition and influenced N and P cycling enzyme activities. Seasonal fluctuations of environmental factors affected the soil microbiota. However microbial and biochemical parameters seasonality did not hamper the identification of fertilization-induced effects. Soil microbial community abundance, function and composition appeared to be strongly related to soil organic matter content and composition, confirming the close link existing between these soil quality indicators. Microplate-based fluorimetric enzyme assays showed potential to be used as fast and throughput toll to asses soil quality, but required proper optimization of the assay conditions for a precise estimation of enzymes maximum potential activity.

La valutazione del comportamento ambientale del metabolita di un pesticida è stato suddiviso in due studi indipendenti ma complementari tra loro utilizzando il metabolita radiomarcato con 14C: 1. Valutazione della degradazione aerobica del 14C-metabolita nel suolo; 2. Valutazione dell'assorbimento e desadsorbimento del 14C-metabolita nel suolo. L'attività di studio delle normative e dei regolamenti concernenti le Buone Pratiche di Laboratorio nell'ambito di studi multisito ed è poi sfociato nella gestione di uno studio di validazione di un metodo di analisi per la determinazione dei residui di glyphosate in frutta ed ortaggi. / The behaviour evaluation of a pesticide metabolite was divided in two different but complementary studies, using the radiolabeled metabolite: 1. evaluation of aerobic degradation of 14C-metabolite in soil; 2. evaluation of sorption of 14C-metabolite in soil. The study of GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) for multisite studies lead to the management of validation study for determination of glyphosate residues in fruits and vegetables.

Il rilascio nell'ambiente di inquinanti organici, classici ed emergenti, è aumentato con la crescita della popolazione, urbanizzazione e modernizzazione. Considerando che un gran numero di contaminanti, derivati dal trattamento delle acque reflue e scarichi industriali, sono persistenti, bioaccumulabili e tossici; l'ambiente acquatico rappresenta un ecosistema estremamente vulnerabile. In questo contesto, il verificarsi dei ritardanti di fiamma (FRs) è stato oggetto di preoccupazione negli ultimi dieci anni. Fin dalla loro introduzione sul mercato, che risale agli anni Settanta, il loro uso è diventato massiccio e incontrollato grazie alle loro proprietà. I FRs sono infatti incorporati in una varietà di prodotti di consumo al fine di renderli più resistenti all’ accensione, ridurre o interrompere il ciclo di combustione e aumentare la sicurezza delle persone. Attualmente queste sostanze sono considerate contaminanti ambientali a causa della loro riscontrata presenza in diverse comparti quali suolo, sedimenti, acqua, aria, biota etc. Alla luce di quanto sopra, il presente progetto mira a focalizzare l'attenzione sull'impatto ambientale dei FRs (HFRs e OPFRs) in tre diversi bacini fluviali europei (Adige, Evrotas e Sava) e di valutare l'esposizione dell'organismo umano e acquatico a queste sostanze nel Fiume Adige attraverso l'uso di un modello matematico. / The release of classic and emerging organic pollutants into the environment has increased with the growing population, urbanization and modernization. Considering that a great number of contaminants derive from wastewater treatment plant and industrial discharges, and are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; the aquatic environment is the most vulnerable ecosystem. In this context, the environmental occurrence of flame retardants (FRs) has been a subject of concern for the past decade. Since their introduction on the market, which dates back to the seventies, their use has become massive and uncontrolled thanks their properties. HFRs are extremely used and incorporated in different consumer products in order to render them more resistant to ignition, reduce or stop the combustion cycle and increase the safety of lives. Nowadays, these substances are considered as environmental contaminants due to their presence in different compartments such as soil, sediment, water, air, biota etc. In the light of the above, the present project aim to focus the attention on the environmental impact of FRs (HFRs and OPFRs) in three different European river basins (Adige, Evrotas and Sava) and to assess the exposure of human and aquatic organism to these substances in Adige River through the use of mathematical modelling.

Il crescente sviluppo delle biotecnologie e della sua applicazione su numerose varietà vegetali ed altri organismi, ha suscitato negli ultimi anni una serie di preoccupazioni ed interrogativi sui potenziali rischi connessi con l'introduzione di questi organismi nell'ambiente. In questo contesto, il progetto è stato indirizzato all'effetto delle OGM sulla diversità dei microrganismi del suolo. Una perturbazione delle condizioni naturali dovuta agli OGM può indurre a fattori di stress che influiscono sulla struttura e sull'attività dei microrganismi del suolo, con conseguenze nel medio e lungo periodo. / The increasing development of the biotechnologies, and his application on numerous plants and other organism have aroused in the last years a series of worries and question on the potential risks connected with the introduction of such organism in the environment. In this context the project has been addressed to the effect of the GMO on the difference of soil microrganism. A perturbation of natural condition due to GMO can insert stress factor that influence the structure and the microbial activity of soil, with consequences and dangerous effects in the middle and long period.

L'obiettivo di questa tesi di dottorato era lo studio della influenza di diversi amendanti organici sulla rizosfera e la costruzione di un modello matematico per descrivere il flusso di carbonio nella rizosfera. Per questo motivo, plantule di mais sono state seminate e cresciute all'interno di sistemi rhizobox. La frazione disponibile del carbonio in ogni strato è stata valutata con il biosensore luminescente P. Fluorescence 10586 PUCD607. Inoltre sono stati determinati il carbonio organico totale (TOC), la distribuzione degli acidi organici nella rizosfera e la carica microbica totale. Un modello matematico viene presentato che descrive il flusso del carbonio nella rizosfera. Il modello risolve un'equazione di diffusione-degradazione con lo schema di discretizzazione di Crank-Nikolson ed è accoppiato all'inverse modelling software pest. Infine viene proposto un modello concettuale per la descrizione della biodisponibilità delle sostanze nel suolo. / The main aim of this work was to study the effect of different organic amendments in the rhizosphere soil with innovative techniques, and the building of a modelling tool to describe the carbon flow in the rhizosphere soil. For this reason maize plants were grown in rhizobox systems amended with different organic materials. The available fraction of organic C in each layer was assessed with the lux-marked p. fluorescens 10586 pucd607. Total organic carbon (TOC), organic acid distribution in the rhizosphere and total number of culturable cells as colony forming units (CFU) were also determined. A modelling tool is presented that describes the carbon flow in the rhizosphere. The model solves with the Crank-Nicolson discretisation scheme a diffusion-degradation equation and is coupled to the inverse modelling software pest. Finally a five-compartment conceptual model is proposed for describing organic compounds bioavailabililty in soil.

Il cromo, nella forma trivalente (CrIII)è un importante componente per la salute umana e animale, mentre il CrVI è altamente tossico e cancerogeno causando la morte se ingerito ad elevate dosi. Negli ultimi anni sono stati definiti i limiti accettabili del contenuto di cromo nei biosolidi o fanghi di conceria per una loro utilizzazione nel suolo in agricoltura. In questa ricerca si è studiato la possibilità di riutilizzo in agricoltura dei fanghi e di altri sottoprodotti del ciclo conciario con prove in campo su frumento e mais, usando un concime NP prodotto a partire da pellicino integrato. Con prove in campo su pomodoro si è utilizzato il gesso di defecazione (GDC) con l'obbiettivo generale di valutare l'idoneità del gesso ad un impiego ammendante, valutare l'assorbimento di cromo in piante di pomodoro cresciute in suoli trattati con GDC e valutare i possibili fenomeni di ossidazione a CrVI da CrIII legato al GDC. / Chromium in the trivalent form (CrIII), is an important component of health human and animal, in contrast CrVI is highly toxic and cancinogen and may cause death to animals and humans if ingested in large doses. In the last few years were defined the acceptable limit of chromium content in biosolid or tannery sludge for their use in agricolture. In this work has been studied the possible reutilizable the sludge in agricolture and other residual product of tanning cicle with test in field on wheat and maize. Was used for this purpose fertilizer NP product by cuticles integrate and tanning land plaster (GDC) with test in field on tomato. The object of this work could be evaluation of suitability of tannery land plaster as amenments , adsortion of chromium by plants of tomato and valutation possible ossidation to CrVI from CrIII linked to GDC.

Nell’attuale contesto economico e sociale si parla sempre più di sostenibilità. Sono molte le aziende che oggi sono impegnate in strategie di sostenibilità, più o meno complesse. Si tratta solo di una questione etica o di immagine? In realtà no, dal momento che numerosi studi hanno evidenziato quanto la sostenibilità può rivelarsi strategica per le aziende, in particolare per quei business fortemente basati sulle risorse naturali ed i Servizi Ecosistemici come quello agroalimentare. Il presente lavoro di tesi mira quindi ad “esplorare” le motivazioni che spingono un’azienda del settore agroalimentare ad investire in sostenibilità ma soprattutto le opportunità che questa può rivelare. Ci si focalizza poi nello specifico del settore vitivinicolo italiano. Attraverso un’analisi riguardo i driver della sostenibilità, gli impatti economici e sociali del settore, e un esame del contesto internazionale e nazionale, l’obiettivo finale è quello di comprendere se effettivamente la sostenibilità può essere fonte di opportunità, non solo per la singola azienda vitivinicola, ma per l’intero settore. Il lavoro si completa di un’analisi dei consumatori riguardo la percezione e l’interesse per il “vino sostenibile”. / In the context of the economic crisis that is affecting the major world economies, the phenomenon of the growing interest for the issue of sustainable development is constantly growing. Companies are day by day committed in sustainability: is just a matter of Corporate Social Responsibility or Ethics? Actually it is not, since a wide amount of researches have highlighted opportunities that a sustainability strategy can disclose, in terms of better resource management, cost savings, etc. This thesis aims to explore these opportunities, with a focus on the specific agro-food sector and the Italian wine industry. Through the analysis of some aspects related to sustainability in the wine sectors, the final objective is to understand the opportunities that sustainability can disclose for single companies and for the entire sector. Rather than providing technical solutions in order to achieve sustainability in the sector, the perspective of the analysis is here a more "strategic" one, particularly through the analysis of topics as the drivers of sustainability, the environmental, social and economic aspects of wine production, an overview of the international and national framework. Finally, a consumer analysis about the perception of “sustainable wine” is presented.

The object of this thesis is to sustain that achieving Sustainable Development in Aquaculture and Fisheries is not only possible, but also strongly recommendable. Fishing and Aquaculture products are a highly valuable source of protein that remarkably contribute to food security at a global level. They also constitute a source of income and employment, but when ill managed, can cause irreversible depletion of natural aquatic resources.