Research Unit in Postharvest Technology - UNIFG

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

SHORT VISIT OF COLLEAGUES FROM MILANO

Last week Prof. Roberto Beghi and Dr. Alessio Tugnolo from Università degli Studi di Milano visited Postharvest Technology - UNIFG lab for the research activity related to the project "Design and Development of Smart, Simplified and Less Expensive Hyperspectral Imaging Device for an Agri-Food Sector 4.0” funded by the Italian Ministery of Research.
An innovative multi-spectral device prototype will be tested in our lab for the evaluation of the maturity stage of table grapes.

05/10/2026

POSTHARVEST UNIFG ARTICLE ALERT: EFFECT OF LOW-OXYGEN CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES ON THE POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF CUT SPEARMINT

Sommano SR, Amodio ML, Fatchurrahman D, Colelli G. 2026. Effect of low-oxygen controlled atmospheres on the postharvest quality of cut spearmint. Food Innovation and Advances 5: 457−467 https://doi.org/10.48130/fia-0026-0038

Free download here:https://www.maxapress.com/data/article/fia/preview/pdf/fia-0026-0038.pdf

This is the final part of the work Dr. Sarana Sommano (Chiang Mai University, Thailand) did during her visit in our lab at Postharvest Technology - UNIFG.
In this study we evaluate the effects of low O2 concentrations on quality changes of ready-to-use fresh spearmint (Mentha spicata) during storage at 5 °C. We conclude that the used low O2 conditions were beneficial in maintaining the aromatic quality of cut spearmint but ineffective in retarding the degradation of external quality attributes.
You can find a previous publication on the effects of high CO2 on fresh spearmint here: https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/8/2/126/pdf?version=1643527619

01/10/2026

WELCOME ANDER!!!

Last week Ander Solana Guilabert, from Spain, joined our lab for the next three months. During his stay he will carry-out research activities on the optimization of innovative natural coatings to be used for improving quality of pomegranate fruit during cold storage.
Ander is a PhD student of the Universidad Miguel Hernandez (UMH), Orihuela, under the supervision of Dr. Domingo Martínez Romero, Full Professor at UMH.

23/09/2026

AMODIO ELECTED IN THE BOARD OF SISNIR

Prof. Maria Luisa Amodio was recently elected in the Board of the Italian Society of NIR Spectroscopy (SISNIR).
Congratulations to our dear colleague!

In occasione dell'ultimo NIR ITALIA, si è tenuta l'Assemblea dei Soci SISNIR durante la quale sono avvenute le elezioni per il rinnovo delle cariche del Consiglio Direttivo SISNIR

Con grande piacere annunciamo che il nuovo Consiglio Direttivo è formato da:
Silvia Grassi
Maria Luisa Amodio
Rosalba Calvini
Lorenzo Strani
Alessio Tugnolo

Rivolgiamo un grande augurio di buon lavoro al nuovo direttivo!

Un doveroso ringraziamento va al Direttivo uscente per l'eccellente lavoro svolto nel corso del mandato.

Grazie infine a tutti i Soci e Soci Sostenitori per la partecipazione e il continuo supporto!

22/09/2026

🎉 POSTHARVEST UNIFG AT NIRITALIA2026 SYMPOSIUM IN BARI!🔬🍏

Last week our group participated in the 11th Simposio Nazionale di Spettroscopia NIR 2026, held in Bari o 16-16 September!
It was an incredible opportunity to share our latest research, connect with colleagues, and explore cutting-edge applications of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in agri-food science.

We were proud to actively contribute to the scientific sessions with our team's work.

Keynote Talk
•⁠ Prof. Maria Luisa Amodio – “From harvest to shelf life: non-destructive optical technologies for decision support across the horticultural supply chain”

🎤 Oral Presentations:
•⁠ ⁠Ayoub Fathi-Najafabadi – "Assessing the quality of packaged cherry tomatoes using two hypespectral imaging systems”
•⁠ ⁠Danial Fatchurrahman – "Spectral information combined with physical attributes for the prediction of blackheart defective pomegranate fruit caused by alternaria species”

📌 Poster Presentation:
•⁠ ⁠Maria Matloob – "Hyperspectral Imaging for Non-Destructive Quality Prediction and Automated Harvest Decision of Table Grapes”
•⁠ ⁠Ayoub Fathi-Najafabadi - "The use of Hyperspectral Imaging to Assess Pulp Redness level in Blood Oranges (cv. Tarocco Sant'Alfio)"
⁠
Maria Matloob was awarded 2nd Place for the Best Poster Award!
Huge congratulations for this fantastic recognition! 🥈👏

A big thank you to the organizers and to everyone who made this event a truly inspiring experience.

17/09/2026

DANIAL FATCHURRAHMAN “IMPACTFUL RESEARCHER 2026” AT UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA, INDONESIA

During the month of August, Dr. Danial Fatchurrahman was invited to participate in the prestigious "Diaspora Berdampak 2026 – Impactful Researcher 2026” Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in Yogyakarta (Indonesia).
During the 12-day program, Dr. Danial shared his expertise in precision postharvest technology, digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, non-destructive quality assessment, hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy, and sensor technology.

The program included public lectures, laboratory visits, visits to fruit and vegetable processing industries, research-roadmap discussions, mentoring sessions, and the development of international research proposals. These activities provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and strengthened research collaboration between the two Academic Institutions.

Universitas Gadjah Mada welcomed Dr. Danial Fatchurrahman, and the program resulted in valuable discussions and opportunities for future collaboration aimed at developing sustainable, data-driven postharvest systems for horticultural products and the food industry.

16/09/2026

POSTHARVEST UNIFG ARTICLE ALERT: EFFECTS OF HIGH-CO2 ATMOSPHERES ON INSECT MORTALITY DURING STORAGE OF DURUM WHEAT

Asghar A., D'Isita I., Fatchurrahman D., Pistillo O.M., Amodio M.L., Simonelli R., Colelli G., Germinara G.S. 2026. Effects of High-CO2 fumigation on Sitophilus granarius (L.) life stages in wheat under different temperatures and exposure durations. Insects, 17(9):903. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17090903
Free download here: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/17/9/903/pdf

Part of Ammara's PhD project, aimed to find alternatives to chemicals for insect disinfestation of stored grain products, this work demonstrates that exposure to 100% CO2 alongside sublethal thermal stress provides an overall increase in mortality across life stages of Sitophilus granarius (a major primary pest of stored grain worldwide), although larvae and pupae remain substantially more tolerant than adults and eggs.
Ammara Asghar PhD project is partially funded by SAIM Postharvest Technologies.

12/09/2026

POSTHARVEST UNIFG AT "GIORNATE TECNICHE SOI 2026"

Dr. Ayoub Fathi-Najafabadi and PhD researcher Maria Matloob participated in the Giornate Tecniche of SOI(Società di Ortoflorofrutticoltura Italiana) 2026 dedicatet to "Sensors and Artificial Inteligence in Horticulture" (SAIOF2026), an inspiring meeting dedicated to the latest advances in sensing, automation and AI, held in Bari last week.
🍅 Dr. Fathi-Najafabadi presented “Assessing the Quality of Packaged Cherry Tomatoes Using Two Hyperspectral Imaging Systems,” authored by Fathi-Najafabadi A., Matloob M., Fatchurrahman D., Amodio M.L., and Colelli G., focused on the possibility of evaluating hyperspectral information from the produce directly wothin their pastic packeging, using data from 2 different devices.
🍇 Maria Matloob presented “Hyperspectral Imaging for Non-Destructive Quality Prediction and Automated Harvest Decision of Table Grape”, authored by Matloob M. Fathi-Najafabadi A., Fatchurrahman D., Perone C., Amodio M.L., and Colelli G., highlighting the potential of spectral information to predict grape quality and support objective harvest decisions.

A valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers and professionals working toward smarter, faster and non-destructive quality assessment of fresh produce.