Application of data fusion techniques to direct geographical traceability indicators

A hierarchical data fusion approach has been developed proposing multivariate curve resolution (MCR) as a variable reduction tool. The case study presented concerns the characterization of soil samples of the Modena District. It was performed in order to understand, at a pilot study stage, the geographical variability of the zone prior to planning a representative soils sampling to derive geographical traceability models for Lambrusco Wines. Soils samples were collected from four producers of Lambrusco Wines, located in in-plane and hill areas. Depending on the extension of the sampled fields the number of points collected varies from three to five and, for each point, five depth levels were considered. The different data blocks consisted of X-ray powder diffraction (XRDP) spectra, metals concentrations relative to thirty-four elements and the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic abundance ratio, a very promising geographical traceability marker. A multi steps data fusion strategy has been adopted. Firstly, the metals concentrations dataset was weighted and concatenated with the values of strontium isotopic ratio and compressed. The resolved components described common patterns of variation of metals content and strontium isotopic ratio. The X-ray powder spectra profiles were resolved in three main components that can be referred to calcite, quartz and clays contributions. Then, a high-level data fusion approach was applied by combining the components arising from the previous data sets. The results show interesting links among the different components arising from XRDP, the metals pattern and to which of these 87Sr/86Sr Isotopic Ratio variation is closer. The combined information allowed capturing the variability of the analyzed soil samples

Application of strontium isotopic analysis to the promotion of the Vignola sweet cherry PGI

The perceived quality of a food commodity may critically depend on the food origin, when regional traditions about the same food production are well-known [1]. This is certainly the case of Vignola Sweet Cherry, which is covered by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The development of a territoriality model for Vignola Sweet Cherry PGI by means of analytical indicators hence represent a very intriguing task, useful for the promotion of the product itself. In the framework of the pilot project “Ciliegia-UNIMORE2014”, we have assessed the effectiveness of the isotope ratio 87Sr/86Sr as direct traceability indicator, since this indicator have already provided excellent results in similar studies. [2]. Thanks to the collaboration of single producers and to the Association of sweet cherry, plum and typical fruit of Vignola, we have monitored the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in soils, branches and sweet cherry fruits of 3 producing fields, as well as in 100 fruit samples belonging to 20 different cultivars and coming from ten municipalities of the region of production. For a more complete characterization of the cherries, the concentration of 10 metals (major and trace constituents) and the polyphenols content have been determined

Uso da Membrana de Oxigenação Extracorpórea em uma Paciente Pós-Transplante Pulmonar: Cuidados de Enfermagem

This is an experience report of unprecedented case in Brazil on the nursing care system applied to a patient in mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in postoperative lung transplantation. Were established 18 diagnoses and 94 nursing behaviors implemented involved: care assistance circuit, hemodynamic monitoring and control of laboratory tests. The main outcomes were that the patient had: improved gas exchange, maintenance of hemodynamic stability and absence of adverse effects related to treatment, such as bleeding and reduction in limb perfusion with cannula. The care system established showed aggregate scientific knowledge, guidance to clinical practice and comprehensive care.Se trata de un relato de experiencia de un caso sin precedentes en Brasil acerca de la sistematización de los cuidados de enfermería aplicados a una paciente en asistencia circulatoria mecánica con membrana de oxigenación extracorpórea en el postoperatorio de un trasplante de pulmón. Se establecieron 18 diagnósticos de enfermería y las 94 conductas implementados abarcaron: cuidados con el circuito de asistencia, monitorización hemodinámica y control de las pruebas de laboratorio. Los principales resultados fueron que el paciente presentaba: un mejor intercambio de gases, mantenimiento de la estabilidad hemodinámica y ausencia de efectos adversos relacionados con el tratamiento, como el sangrado y reducción de la perfusión de la extremidad de la cánula venosa. La sistematización de la atención establecida mostró agregar conocimiento científico, orientación a la práctica clínica y atención integral.Trata-se de um relato de experiência de caso inédito no Brasil sobre a sistematização da assistência da Enfermagem aplicada a uma paciente em assistência circulatória mecânica com membrana de oxigenação extracorpórea no pós-operatório de transplante pulmonar. Foram estabelecidos 18 diagnósticos de Enfermagem e as 94 condutas implementadas envolveram: cuidados com o circuito da assistência, monitorização hemodinâmica e controle de exames laboratoriais. Os principais resultados esperados foram que a paciente apresentasse: troca gasosa melhorada, manutenção da estabilidade hemodinâmica e ausência dos efeitos adversos relacionados à terapia, tais como, sangramento e prejuízo à perfusão do membro de inserção da cânula venosa. A sistematização da assistência estabelecida mostrou agregar conhecimento científico, orientação à prática clínica e integralidade do cuidado

Heavy isotopes

Before to start writing this contribute on the use of “heavy elements isotope ratio” for food traceability purposes, let us to underline our though about this nowadays important topic. In fact, it is fairly common to closely link the use of isotope ratios parameters, either of light or bio elements and heavy ones, as tools against food counterfeiting. Furthermore, it is worth to highlight how these indicators tackled rather successfully this task. Nevertheless, another important aspect, largely lacking (or neglected), needs to be considered. Indeed, geographical traceability of food should be considered as an opportunity to increase food quality. The objective possibility to link the food to its production territory (its “terroir”) represents an opportunity of growth for both the producers and the consumers

NEW TRACKING AND TRACING PERSPECTIVES FOR THE OENOLOGICAL CHAIN VALORISATION

The present work is part of a wide research project focused on the development of authenticity and geographical traceability models of wines, in particular Lambrusco wines, which are one of the main typical products of the Modena district. The analytical approach takes into account tools able to give information characterized by an high accuracy and precision as well as multivariate chemometrics techniques aimed to: i) plan a systematic and representative sampling (both for soils and food), ii) optimize the analytical methods used for the determination of the investigated parameters and iii) develop robust traceability models. In particular, in this study, an innovative approach based on the synergistic use of the experimental design technique, DoE, and principal component analysis, PCA, were used to plain a representative soil samples. Finally, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio has been monitored in a set of representative soils and grape-juices samples in order to verify and establish a link between the soils and the investigated wine based products focused on objective traceability indicator

ENHANCING CONSUMER QUALITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN PRODUCTS BY GEOGRAPHICAL TRACEABILITY: THE CASE OF BOLOGNA POTATOES PDO

The development of analytical methodologies able to confirm/determinate the geographic origin of food is becoming an increasingly dynamic area in authenticity as well as traceability context. The globalization of agri-food system led to the spread of different varieties of food and raw materials around the world but sometimes also to a loss in their quality. Therefore, geographical origin of food often became synonymous of quality and safety and its authentication remains an important goal for producers and consumers too. Aim of this study is to develop a geographical traceability model for a typical food of Bologna district, namely the Bologna PDO potatoes. The product obtained the designation of origin in 2009 and according to the respective European Regulation [1], its production can be obtained from a variety, ‘Primura’, grown in soils of Bologna district. In particular, in this study, among the different geographical indicators, strontium isotopic ratio, 87Sr/86Sr, has been used, given to its tracer potentialities able to link a food to its territory of origin [2]. Thanks to the collaboration with the Consortium of the potato producers of Emilia Romagna (ASSOPA), within a project funded by Emilia Romagna region [3], samples of potato tubers of two varieties (‘Agata’ and ‘Primura’), harvested in 2012, and soils (0–20 cm depht) were collected in different cultivated areas of Emilia Romagna. In particular, three different geological substrates soils were considered: "Alluvional Plain of the Appennine Rivers" (Bologna, Ravenna), "Po Plain" and "Coastal Plain" (Ferrara). All sampling sites were chosen on the basis of productivity and availability of the farmer criteria. 87Sr/86Sr values in potatoes and soils samples have been determined by using a double focusing magnetic sector multicollector. The isotopic values obtained for potatoes perfectly matched with their respective soils in almost all the cases. Furthermore, the used indicator was able to discriminate samples coming from lowlands and the Emilia Romagna’s coast. Nevertheless, more work is needed, such as the careful understanding of the impact of agricultural practices (e.g. conditions of use of fertilizers and of irrigation water) and the validation of model with the analysis of samples coming outside the Bologna district

Use of X-Ray Diffraction Technique and Chemometrics to aid Soil Sampling strategies in traceability studies

Aim of this work is to assess the potentialities of the X-ray powder diffraction technique as fingerprinting technique, i.e. as a preliminary tool to assess soil samples variability, in terms of geochemical features, in the context of food geographical traceability. A correct approach to sampling procedure is always a critical issue in scientific investigation. In particular, in food geographical traceability studies, where the cause–effect relations between the soil of origin and the final foodstuff is sought, a representative sampling of the territory under investigation is certainly an imperative. This research concerns a pilot study to investigate the field homogeneity with respect to both field extension and sampling depth, taking also into account the seasonal variability. Four Lambrusco production sites of the Modena district were considered. The X-Ray diffraction spectra, collected on the powder of each soil sample, were treated as fingerprint profiles to be deciphered by multivariate and multi-way data analysis, namely PCA and PARAFAC. The differentiation pattern observed in soil samples, as obtained by this fast and non-destructive analytical approach, well matches with the results obtained by characterization with other costly analytical techniques, such as ICP/MS, GFAAS, FAAS, etc. Thus, the proposed approach furnishes a rational basis to reduce the number of soil samples to be collected for further analytical characterization, i.e. metals content, isotopic ratio of radiogenic element, etc., while maintaining an exhaustive description of the investigated production areas

HR-NMR studies for the characterization of DOC Lambrusco wines of Modena

NMR spectroscopy is currently recognized as an important tool in food science and analysis for the authentication and quality control of foodstuff. The wine area is definitely one of those in which the NMR has proved most successful in recent years. High-resolution techniques were rather powerful tools for studying minor components of oenological products. Classical studies on oenological products are normally based on composition data obtained by various analytical techniques, however, since the quality and characteristics of a product are not the simple sum of individual chemical characteristics, NMR analysis with chemometric data analysis certainly is a useful tool in this regard. Over the past few years, many works based on proton NMR coupled with multivariate data analysis were been conducted concerning the study of the usability of HR-NMR as fingerprint analysis tool in oenology. Between them in particular different authors have proved the validity to use this technique as an indirect indicator of geographical traceability and demonstrated that HR-NMR is an extremely powerful method for the study of oenological product and wine in particular (Brescia et al., 2002; Viggiani and Castiglione, 2008). In this context, the present work, which is part of the extensive research project AGER (Agroalimentare e Ricerca: New analytical methodologies for geographical and varietal traceability of oenological products), aimed to use the HR-NMR techniques as molecular fingerprints in order to serve as indirect indicators of authenticity and quality control of several DOC Lambrusco wines of Modena (Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce and Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro) provided by local producers joined to the research project AGER. The data obtained were coupled with chemometric analysis tools to effectively interpret the complex results collected from mono and bi-dimensional spectra (HR-1H-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMBC) acquired

Exploring Olive Pit Powder as a Filler for Enhanced Thermal Insulation in Epoxy Mortars to Increase Sustainability in Building Construction

This article explores the use of olive pit powder (OPP) as a promising resource for enhancing the thermal insulation properties of epoxy mortars. A comprehensive analysis of the chemical and physical characteristics of OPP was conducted, employing analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis and emitted gas analysis (TG-MS-EGA), and proximal analysis. Experimental samples of epoxy grout were prepared by using different proportions of a conventional inorganic filler, quartz powder, and OPP within an epoxy mortar matrix. As the percentage of OPP in the formulation increased, the microstructure of the samples gradually became more porous and less compact. Consequently, there was a decrease in density with the increase in OPP content. The 28-day compressive strength decreased from 46 MPa to 12.8 MPa, respectively, in the samples containing only quartz (Sample E) and only OPP (Sample A) as a filler. Similarly, flexural strength decreased from 35.2 to 5.3 MPa. The thermal conductivity decreased from 0.3 W/mK in Sample E to 0.11 in Sample A. Therefore, increasing the %wt of OPP improved insulating properties while reducing the mechanical resistance values. This study highlights the potential of OPP as an environmentally friendly and thermally efficient filler for epoxy mortars, thereby promoting sustainable construction practices

Rosaceae Nut-Shells as Sustainable Aggregate for Potential Use in Non-Structural Lightweight Concrete

Apricot (AS), peach (PS), and plum shells (PlS) were examined as sustainable aggregates for non-structural lightweight concrete. The extraction of natural resources has a significant environmental impact and is not in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030. Recycling agri-food waste, such as fruit shells, fully respects circular economy principles and SDGs. The chemical and physical properties of the shells were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructure analysis and TG-MS-EGA for thermal stress behavior. Two binding mixtures were used to prepare the concrete samples, one containing lime only (mixture “a”) and one containing both lime and cement (mixture “b”). Lime is a more sustainable building material but it compromises mechanical strength and durability. The performance of lightweight concrete was determined based on the type of aggregate used. PS had a high-water absorption capacity due to numerous micropores, resulting in lower density (1000–1200 kg/m3), compressive strength (1–4 MPa), and thermal conductivity (0.15–0.20 W/mK) of PS concrete. AS concrete showed the opposite trend (1120–1260 kg/m3; 2.8–7.0 MPa; 0.2–0.4 W/mK) due to AS microporosity-free and denser structure. PlS has intermediate characteristics in terms of porosity, density, and water absorption, resulting in concrete with intermediate characteristics (1050–1240 kg/m3; 1.9–5.2 MPa; 0.15–0.3 W/mK)