Raffaello Castoria, Professor
Professor and Senior Researcher (Leading Scientist, Principal Investigator), Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, IT.

Lecture for Students and Teachers

Title: Biodegradation of mycotoxins - microbes in the service of man and animals

Time: April. 23, 2015,14:30 am.
Place: 203Room, School of Food and Biological Engineering

Introduction to Professor Raffaello Castoria:

Prof. Raffaello Castoria received his Ph.D. from University of Rome “La Sapienza” and University of Perugia in Biotechnology of Fungi. His research focus is on the mechanisms of action of yeasts acting as biocontrol agents of postharvest fungal pathogens of horticultural and fruit crops, the optimisation of the activity of these agents, the prevention, monitoring and detoxification of the mycotoxins Ochratoxin A in wine-grapes and wine, and Patulin in pome fruits and pome fruit-based juices, also through the identification and use of yeast gene(s) involved in the detoxification process.

Abstract:

The seminar will briefly introduce the issue of mycotoxin contamination, the physical and chemical methods for their detoxification/decontamination and the limits of these methods. Then it will focus on the biodegradation of mycotoxins by microbial agents and their enzymes as a new promising approach, with particular emphasis on the possible exploitation of yeasts that are used as biocontrol agents against mycotoxin-producing fungi.

(School of Food and Biological Engineering)