Presentation

MAC-Lab-1

MAC-Lab originated as a support facility to research and teaching activities through technologically advanced and innovative equipment and pilot plants.

The research activities involving industrial-scale trials are carried out at selected industries after a phase of setup study in this Lab.

This Lab belongs to the School SAFE of the University of Basilicata.

The MAC-Lab team currently holds two patented devices:

BLOW®, a patented device to control Modified Atmosphere Packaging of fruit and vegetables has been recognised as a very innovative device by European Commission’s Innovation Radar (20 July 2020);
ROTASED®, a patented device acting as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) final separator.

Prof. G.C. Di Renzo explains how the use of BlowDevice can help to solve the problem of the shelf-life of table grapes

uva-blow One of the most recent innovations in post-harvest of table grapes is the BlowDevice (a patented device) used in controlled atmosphere packaging. To find out more, we interviewed prof. Giovanni Carlo Di Renzo of the University of Basilicata …

(in Italian link here) (translated to English link here)

Interview by Teresa Manuzzi, © uvadatavola.com

Innovation Radar – highlighting excellent innovations of ‘key innovators’

BLOW®, one of the innovations developed in the MYPACK project has been analysed by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar. The Innovation Radar platform builds on the information and data gathered by independent experts involved in reviewing ongoing research and innovation projects funded by the European Commission.

The insertion of the BLOW® device in biodegradable films for fresh fruit and vegetable confers breathing properties to the packaging, it has been recognised as a very innovative device by European Commission’s Innovation Radar. Having the capability to address the needs of existing markets, the market maturity of this innovation is ‘Business Ready‘.

Publications submitted under review

Branches

ChemLab
- Food materials physical and chemical analysis for process quality control.
- Development of improved statistical models for spectrophotometric UV-Vis-Nir based sensors used as tools for rapid food analysis assessment. Some selected examples with regard to:
  - Donkey’s milk
  - Kaki
  - Husk from olive oil extraction
FoodLab
- Innovative food product development.
MechLab
- Design and building of innovative processing plants.
Technology Hub (MAC-Lab facility TWO)
- This MAC-Lab branch is awaiting ASL approval for the industrial production of dairy and fruit juice products.
- Testing of innovative industrial-scale plant and/or production.
  - Small Scale Donkey’s Milk Pasteurization Plant.
- Supporting “Dairy Production Edamus Classroom”.

Available Equipment ⇒

Cold storage treatment in MAP
Filtration (100 L/h)
Long-term cold storage rooms
Low-pressure & Low-temperature thermal concentration (50 L/h)
Low-pressure distillation (50 L/h)
Lyophilisation (3 kg/day)
Microwave treatment with temperature control (1 kg & 700 W)
Pasteurization (750 L/h)
Pilot-scale control system using a spectrophotometric computer-based apparatus
Pre-cooling and cooling treatment
Reverse osmosis (1000 L/h)
Spray drying using a pilot-scale spray dryer (5 L/h)
Spray drying using an enhanced Lab spray dryer (0.5-1.5 L/h)
Ultrafiltration (1000 L/h)

Main activities of the last years

List of contracts with private clients

Date	Client
07/06/2016	CREA-ACM Acireale (CT)
07/04/2016	ARA – Potenza – Italy
31/03/2016	FEEM – Milano – Italy
29/01/2016	APO Armonia – Eboli (SA) – Italy
30/07/2015	AREA SP – Trieste – Italy
07/11/2014	Idea Natura – Eboli (SA) – Italy
30/12/2013	AREA SP – Trieste – Italy
22/10/2013	Idea Natura- Eboli (SA) – Italy
24/01/2013	AREA SP – Trieste – Italy

List of graduated PhD students

Graduated PhD Students	Year
D’Erchia Leonarda	2005
Genovese Francesco	2007
Strano Maria Concetta	2008
Calandra Maria Rosaria	2009
Chiarenza Andrea	2011
Tauriello Antonella	2013
Admane Naouel	2015
Attilio Matera	2018