The research activity of FoodChemLab is mainly focused on the study of food and natural matrices carried out using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodologies. Together with her research group, prof. Luisa Mannina has developed an analytical protocol for the determination of the metabolic profile of the investigated matrices by means of high-field NMR spectroscopy and, according to the specific problem, chemometric analysis. The application of this protocol allowed to have different information on the geographical origin, variety, genuineness, cultivation type of a wide range of foods such as olive oils, kiwifruits, peaches, tomatoes, artichokes, blueberries, tea, honey, sea bass, flours, saffron and beers. Moreover, in order to have a more complete chemical profile of the food matrices, a multimethodological approach including other instrumental techniques HPLC, spectrophotometry)  has been also used. In the last years, the research activity has also involved the metabolomic-NMR based study of biological fluids to detect markers of personalized dietary regimens or pathological states.

Main research topics:

  • Characterization of foods by multimethodological approach
  • Innovative packaging to preserve food quality
  • NMR based metabolomics to study dietetic regimes
  • Multimethodological approach to study industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.)

Projects 2019-2021:

  • 2021. Lazio Region Project, Research Groups 2020. Public call "Progetti di Gruppi di Ricerca 2020".
    Title: Enhancement of agri-food waste from the fruit and vegetable sector of Lazio: from biostimulants for agriculture to supplements for human health. Acronym of the Project: Ri-cicloHorto. Duration: 24 months. Amount: 150,000 euros. Principal Investigator:  Luisa Mannina.
    (2021. Progetto Regione Lazio Gruppi di ricerca 2020. Avviso Pubblico "Progetti di Gruppi di Ricerca 2020". Titolo: Valorizzazione degli scarti agroalimentari del comparto ortofrutticolo del Lazio: dai biostimolanti per l'agricoltura agli integratori per la salute umana. Acronimo del Progetto: Ri-cicloHorto. Durata: 24 mesi. Importo: 150.000 euro. Responsabile scientifico: Luisa Mannina)
  • 2020 -2021. Research Project (University, year 2020, no. RG120172B2872CB3, letter 11 December 2020).
    Title: Innovative bio-packaging to preserve quality and extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. Amount: 50000 euros. Principal investigator: Luisa Mannina.
    (2020 -2021. Progetto di Ricerca (Ateneo, anno 2020, n. prot RG120172B2872CB3, lettera 11 Dicembre 2020). Titolo: Innovative bio-packaging to preserve quality and extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. Importo: 50.000 euro. Responsabile scientifico: Luisa Mannina)
  • 1 October 2020 - 30 September 2021. Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. Call for a national public selection for the disbursement of grants for the financing of innovative projects relating to research and technological development in the "shelf life" field of food products and their packaging aimed at limiting food waste and use food surpluses as well as for the financing of civil service projects Directorial Decree of 10 August 2020, n. 9049395, CUP: J56J20000420008, Title: Ortopackhealth, Amount: 50,000.00 Euro. Principal Investigator: Luisa Mannina.
    (1 Ottobre 2020 - 30 settembre 2021 Ministero delle Politiche agricole Alimentari e Forestali Bando per una selezione pubblica nazionale per l’erogazione di contributi per il finanziamento di progetti innovativi relativi alla ricerca ed allo sviluppo tecnologico nel campo del “shelf life” dei prodotti alimentari e al confezionamento dei medesimi finalizzati alla limitazione degli sprechi alimentari e all’impiego delle eccedenze alimentari nonché per il finanziamento dei progetti di servizio civile Decreto direttoriale del 10 Agosto 2020, n. 9049395, CUP: J56J20000420008. Titolo: Ortopackhealth. Importo: 50.000,00 Euro. Responsabile scientifico: Luisa Mannina)
  • 28.06.2018 - 28.10.2020 L.R. 13/2008 - Research Group Projects ". CUP: B86C1800073002, registration number 85201715069. Title: Industrial Hemp: development and enhancement of a new eco-sustainable agri-food chain. Amount: 150000 Euro. Financing Body: Lazio Region. Principal Investigator: Luisa Mannina.
    (28.06.2018 – 28.10.2020 L.R. 13/2008 - Progetti di Gruppi di Ricerca". CUP: B86C1800073002, numero di protocollo 85201715069.  Titolo: La Canapa industriale: sviluppo e valorizzazione di una nuova filiera agroalimentare ecosostenibile. Importo: 150000 Euro. Ente Finanziatore: Regione Lazio. Responsabile scientifico: Luisa Mannina)
  • 2019-2020. Research Project (University, year 2019, n. Prot RM11916B7A7ED51B). Title: Identification of biomarkers of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in a university population of Sapienza (GONG) by NMR metabolomic analysis. Amount: 14500 euros. Duration 12 months. Project start date: 20.02.2019.
    (2019-2020. Progetto di Ricerca (Ateneo, anno 2019, n. prot RM11916B7A7ED51B). Titolo: Identificazione di biomarcatori di aderenza alla Dieta Mediterranea in una popolazione universitaria di Sapienza (GONG) mediante analisi metabolomica NMR. Importo: 14500 euro. Durata: 12 mesi. Data inizio progetto: 20.02.2019)