S.M.A.R.T 360

Project Title: 360°shelf-life: application of green, smart sensors to visual monitoring food quality and reduce food waste

Funded by: PRIN: PROJECTS OF RELEVANT NATIONAL INTEREST – Call 2022

Project Leader: Prof. Elena Bancalari 

Acronym: S.M.A.R.T 360

Project Participants:  Prof. Massimiliano Rinaldi, Dott. Marcello Alinovi, Dott. Prof.ssa Raffaela Biesuz, Dott.ssa Lisa Rita Magnaghi, Dott. Lorenzo Siroli, Prof.ssa Lucia Vannini, Dott. Luca Zignego, Dott. Muhammad Rehan Khan

Project Description:

Tackling Food Waste with Innovation! 🌿

Did you know that food waste is not just a societal problem but also an environmental dilemma? Every year in Europe alone, around 88 million tons of food go to waste, costing us an astounding €143 billion. This waste contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and puts unnecessary pressure on our land and water resources.

👉 Introducing our project: S.M.A.R.T 360 (360°shelf-life: application of green, smart sensors to visual monitoring food quality and reduce food waste) - a green, innovative solution aimed at revolutionizing food quality monitoring through smart sensor technology. We are developing eco-friendly, colorimetric sensors that change colors to indicate food quality, enabling quick and reliable monitoring. This technology is not just about reducing waste but also about safeguarding health by detecting pathogenic microorganisms at their onset.

Our multidisciplinary approach involves designing and testing these sensors on high-perishable refrigerated foods, providing insights through microbial population changes, volatile molecule profiles, and textural shifts during the entire shelf life.

🎯 This project aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. By minimizing food waste and enhancing food safety, PROSENS contributes to more efficient resource use and a lower environmental impact.