In Italy, UNITO ranks in the third position in the area of agricultural and veterinary sciences and is among the top 300 universities out of 1.200 according to ARWU ranking. The Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), involved in AQUAEXCEL3.0, performs research to deliver knowledge and innovation, and provides evidence-based sustainable solutions to current and future agriculture challenge.  The involved UNITO team holds expertise to carry out scientific research in:

• aquaculture: nutrition and digestibility
• insects for feed: reproduction and growth.

Role in the AQUAEXCEL3.0 project:

UNITO (DISAFA) offer aquaculture growing and digestibility systems for nutritional trials. Moreover, DISAFA offers a unique infrastructure dedicated to the rearing of insect larvae on different substrates (fish feed purposes). UNITO will be involved in TNA and Networking Work Packages.

Key persons involved:

Prof. Laura Gasco is the head of the UNITO (DISAFA) group involved in aquaculture and insect trials. She has 25 years of experience in fish rearing, nutrition and product quality. She authored more than 100 peer-reviewed papers. Since 2012 she deals with insect for feed. Laura will be a member of the Selection Panel.

Dr. Ilaria Biasato holds a PhD in Veterinary Sciences for Animal Health and Food Safety (PhD thesis: insect meal utilization in poultry feeding). She has specific competences: gut health modifications in fish and livestock species.

Carola Lussiana holds a PhD in Animal Sciences and has technical expertise in gas chromatography and in particular in the identification of fatty acids in food and feed.

Alberto Brugiapaglia holds a PhD in Animal Sciences and has expertise in meat quality and sensory analyses.

Christian Caimi holds a PhD in Agricultural Forest and Food Sciences. Christian has technical expertise in fish management and will supervise all the trials on fish growth and digestibility.

Sara Bellezza Oddon holds a master’s degree in animal sciences and has technical expertise in insect rearing. She is responsible of the insect facility and will supervise all the insect trials.