Academic PoCs

In the dairy cattle farming sector, it is essential to combine productive and economic efficiency with a reduction in environmental impact and animal welfare. The DigiMilk project aims to enhance animal performance and milk quality through the rational use of precision feeding tools, thereby reducing environmental impact and improving economic, social, and environmental sustainability. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to monitor individual animals and the herd, quickly analysing data for timely interventions. This approach also applies to precision nutrition, improving feed quality and ration efficiency. Modelling in animal science is crucial for assessing various parameters and achieving more sustainable performance. Increasing monitoring through sensors and precision feeding tools, as well as ensuring animal welfare, is fundamental. DigiMilk will integrate data on feed intake and production in order to maximise both the production and quality of the milk produced, while also considering the end consumer, thus ensuring the welfare of the animals both individually and within the herd, monitored using the Well-being Diagnostic System (SDIB).     Contacts: Contact person Antonio Gallo Email antonio.gallo@unicatt.it Tel +39 0523 599433  

The hazel tree is the fourth most widely cultivated tree species in Italy, and hazelnuts are a strategic raw material for the Italian and European confectionery industries, which import about 70% of production from outside the EU. However, the hazelnut sector lacks decision support tools for agronomic and industrial practices. This proposal aims to create a digital twin model that simulates the growth of the plant in 3D throughout the season and assesses the impact of various cultivation operations on productivity. Additionally, the tool will provide information on the shelf life of hazelnuts and alternative processing methods for utilizing batches with low shelf life. It will also integrate the economic assessment of the techniques used, allowing stakeholders in the supply chain to evaluate the impact of their choices. The model is based on a Functional Structural Plant Model (FSPM) currently applied to one of the most widely cultivated hazelnut varieties globally, with plans to include other varieties and cultivation techniques, as well as a predictive shelf life model. Results will be validated using data collected from experimental fields at UCSC in Piacenza. The project, conducted by a multidisciplinary team from UCSC, will have complementary components with a proposal presented by the University of Pavia (DEMETRA).     Contacts: Contact person Sergio Tombesi Email sergio.tombesi@unicatt.it Tel +39 0523 599221  

The agri-food sector is known for generating enormous amounts of waste, which not only represents a significant economic loss for companies but also has a considerable environmental impact. This waste arises from food production processes and can include unused plant parts such as peels, leaves, and other non-consumable parts. However, bioRESTART has introduced an innovative approach to transform this waste into a valuable resource. By using hydrolytic enzymes produced by engineered bacterial strains, the extraction process of bioactive compounds is carried out efficiently and sustainably. This eliminates the need for toxic chemical solvents, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the entire production cycle. bioRESTART 4.0 represents a further advancement, with the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. These tools allow for continuous monitoring and optimization of the extraction process, improving the yields of bioactive compounds and reducing the time required to bring products to market.   Contacts: Contact person Cinzia Calvio Email cinzia.calvio@unipv.it Tel +39 0382 985559  

The implementation of simulation and training solutions in the primary agro-industrial sector aims to overcome the typical temporal limitations of agriculture (seasons, day-night cycles, weather conditions) and liberate the agricultural learning process from seasonal dependency. Currently, the use of simulations for training agricultural operators has not yet found widespread applications, although some solutions are being studied for specific activities like grapevine pruning. However, these solutions offer limited engagement for the operator within the virtual environment, compromising realistic perception and training effectiveness. DEMETRA aims to develop an innovative platform for training agricultural operators in a virtual environment, based on human-in-the-loop techniques and characterized by a high level of immersiveness. Operators will be able to move and interact in a virtual environment using advanced technologies such as omnidirectional platforms and haptic interfaces to simulate contact with plants.   Contacts: Contact person Marco Carnevale Email marco.carnevale@unipv.it Tel +39 0382 985258  

The search for natural products with anti-aging properties is currently experiencing rapid growth, gaining increasing importance in the international market. Anti-aging products derived from plant species are common, while fungal extracts, despite demonstrating anti-aging and antioxidant activity, remain underexplored. In particular, functional studies conducted by our team highlight the positive effects of  Lentinus tigrinus (Bull.) Fr., a medicinal fungus, in this area. Currently, there are no market products that exploit the properties of this fungus.   Our project aims to create a prototype of a beauty mask using 3D printing technology. This mask will contain extracts high in beta-glucans, mannitol, and trehalose obtained from L. tigrinus, cultivated on hazelnut shells supplied by a local company specializing in hazelnut production and processing.   Contacts: Contact person Paola Rossi Email paola.rossi@unipv.it Tel +39 0382 986076   

The Voghera pepper, a landrace at risk of genetic erosion, is the subject of recovery and characterization projects to preserve its genetic purity. Previously affected by Verticillium dahliae in the piedmont clay soils, it now prefers the sandy-loam areas of the Voghera region. Trichoderma asperellum, a rhizosphere microfungus, is known to promote plant resistance to pathogens and enhance physiological efficiency, also facilitating mycorrhizal symbiosis. According to data from the DSTA Mycology Laboratory, treatment with T. asperellum significantly increases plant height, leaf development, branching, flower formation, and the number of ripe fruits. The objectives of SAPEVO include the formulation of a biostimulant based on T. asperellum, the implementation of agronomic protocols combining the biostimulant with the use of cover crops to improve germination, plant development, productivity, and reduce the incidence of pathogens. Additionally, the project aims to characterize the microbial diversity of the soil before and after treatment to assess the impact of the intervention on soil microbiota.   Contacts: Contact person Carolina Elena Girometta Email carolinaelena.girometta@unipv.it Tel +39 0382 984867  

Water stress for the vine (Vitis vinifera) is a critical condition for the production of grapes with a high content of secondary metabolites. Conversely, when the stress period is prolonged, it negatively affects the quality, yield, and consequently the economic sustainability of the farms. The project aims to address the emergency of drought in vine cultivation through the application of multidisciplinary technologies in the context of climate change, fully aligning with the themes of Spoke 6.   Contacts: Contact person Alberto Acquadro  Email alberto.acquadro@unito.it Tel +39 0116708813  

DIGI-FERT aims to demonstrate and validate variable rate (VR) fertilisation strategies for seed crops intended for forage or grain production in a real-world setting. A multidisciplinary team, comprising researchers from various fields with expertise in the technology being tested, collaborates closely with agricultural service companies and local farms to carry out the project.     Contacts: Contact person Massimo Blandino  Email massimo.blandino@unito.it Tel +39 0116708895  

Today's consumer is highly conscious of the sustainability of livestock farming and animal welfare. The current context makes it urgent to identify new solutions to reduce waste and repurpose it in other sectors through a virtuous process. Surplus baked goods from industries and supermarkets can be a potential energy source in ruminant diets. These supplements are highly palatable, relatively inexpensive, and safe. Products already used in dairy cows should be further assessed for beef cattle. In fact, these products are rich in fats and sugars and contain less fibre than native cereal grains, which could influence rumen activity, cause a rapid accumulation of short-chain fatty acids, and lead to a sharp drop in rumen pH, affecting the animal’s metabolic health overall. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a diet supplemented with surplus baked goods, discarded for aesthetic reasons or packaging errors, on intestinal health and animal welfare.   Contacts: Contact person Francesca Tiziana Cannizzo  Email tiziana.cannizzo@unito.it Tel +39 0116709032