ENEA uses innovative technologies such as Raman spectroscopy to guarantee the origin and quality of Italian rice, enhancing the agri-food supply chains
How can we perfectly identify the origins and provenance of rice? Now Italian researchers have found a new method that does it perfectly.
Identifying the origin and certifying the quality of Italian rice through rapid, precise and non-destructive techniques is the result of research conducted by AENEASwithin the project METROFOOD-ITfinanced with funds from PNRR. The study not only aims to enhance one of Italy’s agri-food excellences, but also offers useful tools to ensure greater transparency along the supply chain, to the benefit of both producers and consumers.
Rice is not only a basic food of the Mediterranean diet, but it is also a product strongly linked to the territory. Starting from this principle, ENEA researchers have analyzed ten samples of rice of the Carnaroli varietycultivated in different areas of Italy and with different agricultural methodologies. The goal? Identify the specific chemical characteristics of each sample, linked to both the cultivation method and the geographical area.
Claudia Zoaniresearcher of the ENEA Division of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and co-author of the study, declared:
The data collected demonstrates that the techniques used are effective tools for distinguishing rice samples of the same variety. Furthermore, they have proven useful in determining the cultivation method and area of origin.
Together with the team of the Diagnostics and Metrology Laboratory, coordinated by Antonia LaiZoani has worked to identify an innovative method that provides a Molecular “identity card”. for each grain of rice analyzed.
Thanks to a technique based on light spectroscopy, the researchers were able to collect 45 chemical spectra for each sampleequivalent to a series of “molecular photographs”. This data was then processed with advanced statistical methods, managing to divide the samples into two main groups depending on the sowing method used: underground or in water. Despite a slight overlap between the two groups, the model highlighted significant differences, capable of revealing subtle chemical variations that reflect the cultivation techniques adopted.
The link between rice, territory and quality
In Italy, rice cultivation is strongly rooted in some specific regions, in particular along the Po river. Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna they are the main areas where rice is grown, benefiting from unique environmental conditions: fertile soils, abundance of water and a favorable microclimate.
The quality of Italian rice is not only given by the variety cultivated, but also by compliance with rigorous controls along the supply chain. Each grain of rice is subjected to checks that certify its origin and quality, ensuring the consumer a safe and authentic product.
To achieve these objectives, the ENEA study made use of advanced technology: the Raman spectroscopy. This tool allows you to analyze the chemical composition of materials through the interaction between light and molecules. It is a non-invasive and rapid methodology, which does not require pre-treatment on the samples and allows the identification of even minimal differences in the chemical composition. Thanks to its high precision (up to 3 cm⁻¹), Raman spectroscopy has been used in numerous sectors, from medicine to chemistry to cultural heritage. Now, this technology is also proving particularly useful in the food sector, for example to verify the authenticity, quality and traceability of products such as rice.
The study represents only a first step towards the large-scale application of these technologies, as Zoani explains:
The results encourage us to continue with further research, focusing on variables such as soil type, sowing management or fertilization.
The potential of these analyzes is not limited to rice: they could in fact be extended to other agricultural supply chains, providing valuable tools to strengthen the global reputation of Italian products and guarantee transparency along the entire production chain.
The innovative approach described in the study not only enhances Carnaroli rice, one of Italy’s excellences, but also offers a replicable model for monitoring and certifying the origin of other food products. In an increasingly competitive global market, investing in quality and traceability represents a winning strategy to protect consumers and support local producers.
