Special Session 10

The ever growing impact of the use of sensors in the agricultural and food processing sectors, of processes for measuring qualitative and quantitative parameters in the field of agri-food applications has undergone a significant evolution in the field in recent years, to improve food quality, with non-invasive methods.
The topics of this special session are proposed to encourage contamination between researchers from academia and specialists from the food industry and the agricultural sector, to share their recent knowledge and experience and to make further improvements to the approach for sustainable methods in agricultural production and related food processing.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Analysis techniques, through wireless sensors networks, of quantitative and qualitative parameters in agriculture;
• Analysis techniques, through wireless sensors networks, of quantitative and qualitative parameters in food both from a product and process point of view;
• Development of wireless sensors for process control in the food industry;
• Observation by wireless sensors to extend the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables, fish and meat products;
• Innovation and optimization of the processes of the food industry through wireless sensors.

Diego Planeta is a assistant professor in food science and technology since 2008 department of Agricultural, Food And Forest Sciences, University of Palermo. He recieved the Ph.D. degree in “Tree crops” with thesis in “food sceince and tecnology” from the University of Palermo in 2005, During the PhD course he spent a period Department of Food and Microbiological Sciences and Technologies, University of Milan. In 2005 he participated in the Master in "Techniques and technologies of the agri-food industry" while in 2007 he obtained at the International Certificate on Postharvest Technology of horticultural crops - University of Foggia - United Fresh - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute following the European Short course on Quality and safety of fresh products ”the certificate of expert products of the IV food range. Research follow on the oenology of sicilian quality from University of Palermo, From may 2006 to april 2007. Join the research project "Real WiNe" Vineyard Monitoring through Wireless Sensor Networks. He is a member of S.I.S.T.A.L. (Italian Society of Food Science and Technology), member of the faculty board of the School of Specialization in Food Science, of the School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicin of the University of Palermo. Part of the board of professors of the XXV cycle PhD program in "Chemical engineering, management and mechanics" Curriculum "Production Engineering" and after XXIX cycle PhD program in ”Forestry and environmental agricultural sciences”. He is reviewer of the different international journals, including, the International Food Research Journal, the Arabian Journal of Chemistry and the Journal of Oleo Science and the International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health, Chemistry Africa. The scientific activity, deals with research concerning the study and characterization of fats (olive oil and table olives) and Mediterranean foods in general with particular reference to the quality of the processed products both from the point of view of product and process. In 2009 he went to Burundi, after having designed a dairy in the Burundi Project of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Palermo, taking care of the Burundian personal training in the field of dairy processing at Maison Shalom in Ruygi. Participant in the "Innolivo" project Mis. 124 of the 2007-2013 RDP "Transfer of Process and Product Innovation in the Sicilian Olive Oil Supply Chain for the Relaunch of Competitiveness". Participant in the project "Valorisation of typical products of the Mediterranean Diet and their use for health and nutraceutical purposes (Di.Me.Sa.)" PON02_00451_3361785 is financed under the PON Research & Competitiveness 2007-2013, Notice 713/R of MIUR, Axis I - support for structural changes, Operational Objective - networks for strengthening the scientific and technological potential of the Convergence Regions, I Action: High-tech districts and related networks.