Alessandro Avolio

Self-presentation:

Alessandro is a veterinarian who started his PhD studies in 2023 in the field of Inspection of food of animal origin. He is affiliated with Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production of the University of Naples Federico II, and his studies are based on environmental pollutants in fishery products, with a particular focus on microplastics. The study stems from the need to have more data on this topic with a view to food safety for consumers

Project:

Research of microplastics in Mytilus galloprovincialis sampled in a pilot plant located in the Gulf of Naples, spatio-temporal assessment of their presence in molluscs based on seawater factors and season.

Microplastics (MPs) are considered among the emerging environmental contaminants due to their potential capacity to cause adverse health effects on humans and animals. Mussels are important are important bio-indicators for environmental (they are filter feeders) and food safety. The project consists of researching MPs in Mytilus galloprovincialis sampled in a pilot plant located in the Gulf of Naples in order to assess the concentration and search for a correlation between the concentration and parameters of the seawater perimeter of the plant (which may affect the filtration capacity) and the season. The data obtained can then be used for a risk analysis.

Supervisior:

Prof. Raffaella Mercogliano,
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production