ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE AGRIFOOD SECTOR (NANOTECHNOLOGIES, PROTEOMICS, METABOLOMICS)

The aim of the course is to provide, in a simplified way, basic knowledge of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, paying particular attention at applications in the agro-food sector. The characteristics and properties of different organic and inorganic nanomaterials will be highlighted. In particular, the interactions between nanomaterials and biomolecules will be analysed both for analytical and purification purpose. Moreover, the toxicological issue of their use will be dealt.
Further contents will be: sample preparation. Separation techniques. Chromatography, basic principles, LC and GC. Mass spectrometry, LC/MS and GC/MS coupling. Ionization systems, MALDI, ESI and APCI. Analyzers and ion detectors. Resolution and sensitivity in mass spectrometry. Interpretation of a mass spectrum. The mass spectrum: factors affecting molecular ion’s formation, stability and decomposition; parent ions and daughter ions formation. Tandem mass spectrometry: MS/MS. Proteomic analysis, quantitative proteomics and metabolic profiling; case studies.