My main research focus is on the control of the biosynthesis of particular mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins) by certain widespread fungal species (Aspergillus parasiticus, A. flavus, A. carbonarius, Penicillium expansum, Fusarium verticillioides). The control strategies studied are those based on the use of certain food-grade compounds with antioxidant and/or antimicrobial properties (e.g., styryl-heterocycles, flavones). Most recently I have been studying the use of ozone in maintaining the post-harvest quality of particular fruits and vegetables. 

-De Rossi P., Ricelli A., Reverberi M., Bello C., Fabbri A.A., Fanelli C., De Rossi A., Corradini D., Nicoletti I. 2012 Grape variety related trans-resveratrol induction affects Aspergillus carbonarius growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis. Int. J. of Food Microbiol. 156, (2) 127-132. 

DOI:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2012.03.013

-Reverberi M., Zjalic S., Ricelli A., Di Meo C., Scarpari M., Fanelli C., Fabbri A.A. 2011. Mushrooms versus fungi: natural compounds from Lentinula edodes inhibit aflatoxin biosynthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus. World Mycotoxin J. 4, (3) 217-224.

DOI:10.3920/WMJ2010.1270

-Ayoub F., Reverberi M., Ricelli A., Donghia A.M., Yaseen T. 2010. 

Early detection of Aspergillus carbonarius and A. niger on table grapes: a tool for quality improvement. Food Add. and Contam Part A Chemistry Analysis Control Exposure & Risk Assessment. 27, (9) 1285-1293.

DOI:10.1080/19440049.2010.489576

-Reverberi M., Ricelli A., Zjalic S., Fabbri A.A., Fanelli C. 2010.

Natural functions of mycotoxins and control of their biosynthesis in fungi. Appl. Microbiol and Biotechnol. 87, (3) 899-911.

DOI:10.1007/s00253-010-2657-5

-Favilla M., Pascale M., Ricelli A., Evidente A., Amalfitano C., Altomare C. 2008. Inhibition of species of the Aspergillus section Nigri and ochratoxin A production in grapes by fusapyrone. Appl. and Environm. Microbiol. 74, (7) 2248-2253.

DOI:10.1128/AEM.01998-07

-Caputo D., de Cesare G., Fanelli C., Nascetti A., Ricelli A., Scipinotti R. 2007. 

Innovative detection system of ochratoxin a by thin film photodiodes. Sensors 7, (7) 1317-1322.

DOI:10.3390/s7071317

-Ricelli A., Baruzzi F., Solfrizzo M., Morea M., Fanizzi F.P. 2007. 

Biotransformation of patulin by Gluconobacter oxydans. Appl. and Environm. Microbiol. 73, (3) 785-792.

DOI:10.1128/AEM.02032-06

-Reverberi M., Zjalic S., Ricelli A., Fabbri A.A., Fanelli C. 2006. 

Oxidant/antioxidant balance in Aspergillus parasiticus affects aflatoxin biosynthesis. Mycotoxin Res. 22, (1) 39-47.

DOI:10.1007/BF02954556

-Reverberi M., Fabbri A.A., Zjalic S., Ricelli A., Punelli F., Fanelli C. 2005.

Antioxidant enzymes stimulation in Aspergillus parasiticus by Lentinula edodes inhibits aflatoxin production. Appl. Microbiol. and Biotechnol. 69, (2) 207-215.

DOI:10.1007/s00253-005-1979-1

-Orban E., Di Lena G., Ricelli A., Paletti F., Casini I., Gabelli L., Caproni R. 2000. 

Quality characteristics of sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo) from different intensive rearing systems. Food Chem. 70, (1) 27-32.

DOI:10.1016/S0956-7135(99)00112-7

Paolo Bovicelli-IBPM Research Manager

Giuliana Righi-IBPM Senior Researcher

Roberto Antonioletti-IBPM Researcher

-Dr. Anna Maria Donghia, director of the department of Integrated Pest Management, CIHEAM/Mediterranean Agronomic Institute - Bari (CIHEAM/IAMB)

-Dr. Isabella Nicoletti, Researcher, Institute of Chemical Methodologies-CNR

-Prof. Domenico Caputo, Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, University of Rome “Sapienza” 

-Prof. Corrado Fanelli, director of the Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “Sapienza”

-Dr. Joseph Smilanick, Research Plant Pathologist, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (“USDA-ARS”), Fresno, California, U.S.A. 

Education

1992 - Degree in Biological Sciences, 110/110, University of Rome “Sapienza”, experimental thesis: “Effect of different antimicrobial compounds on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus.”

2000 - Mycologist inspector qualification, Lazio Region accordino to the law 23 agosto 1993, n. 352, and D.P.R. 14 luglio 1995, n. 376

2011 - Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (Plant Sciences), University of Rome “Sapienza”; thesis: “Prevention of ochratoxin A contamination in table grapes by biological control.” 

Research experience

Dec. 2001-present: Researcher, CNR (until Jan. 2007 in the Institute of the Sciences of Food Production; subsequently in the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, which merged with the Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology in June 2014. My main research interest is the control of mycotoxin production and of the growth of fungal contaminants in food commodities. 

Sept.-Oct. 2013: Visiting scientist, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (“USDA-ARS”), Fresno, California, U.S.A. (mobility program funded by CNR).

July 2000-Dec. 2001: Research grant, Department of Plant Biology, University of Rome “Sapienza, funded by the European project: “Prevention of ochratoxin A in cereals” and “Hazard analysis and control of food contamination: prevention of Fusarium mycotoxins entering the human and animal chain.”

Jan. 1996-Dec. 1999: Contract work until Nov.1997; subsequently, Food Technologist in the Alimentary Technology Unit, National Institute of Nutrition, addressing the evaluation of fish feed in terms of the possible presence of mycotoxins and the lipid profile in particular with regard to fatty acids.

 

Teaching 

2008-present: Supervisor of several experimental theses at University of Rome “Sapienza”, and of “Master of science” theses at the Department of Integrated Pest Management, CIHEAM/IAMB

2013-present: Lecturer, “Food contaminants and regulation” (course), CIHEAM/IAMB 

 

Grants

Dec. 2009-Nov. 2011: 

Subcontractor, “Novel photosensor-based device for rapid and quantitative ochratoxin A determination in wine, beer and feed,” research project funded by the European Commission in the Seventh Framework Programme (Project Reference:232245). 

July 2011-July 2012: 

Subcontractor, “Identificazione di biomarkers per la selezione di cloni di Actinidia spp resistenti alla batteriosi indotta da Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae e valutazione di metodologie preventive di lotta biologica,” project agreement between Latina Province and the Institute of Chemical Methodologies-CNR.

July 2013-June 2015:

Subcontractor, “A new device to detect quickly and friendly Ochratoxin A and other mycotoxins in feed, food and beverage,” research project funded by the European Commission in the Seventh Framework Programme (Project Reference: 604752).