Luca Tassoni

Dr. Luca Tassoni


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 March 2021 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
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alessio savianealessio saviane
alessio saviane
LTLuca Tassoni
Luca Tassoni
Daniele NaviglioDaniele Naviglio
Daniele Naviglio
DLDaniela Lupi
Daniela Lupi
Sara SavoldelliSara Savoldelli
Sara Savoldelli
Silvia CappellozzaSilvia Cappellozza
Silvia Cappellozza
The aim of this work was to develop processing methods that safeguard the quality and antimicrobial properties of H. illucens and B. mori oils. We adopted a vegetable diet for both insects: leftover vegetables and fruit for H. illucens and mulberry leaves for B. mori. First, alternative techniques to obtain a good oil extraction yield from the dried biomass of H. illucens larvae were tested. Traditional pressing resulted to be the best system to maximize the oil yield and it was successfully applied to B. mori pupae. Oil quality resulted comparable to that obtained with other extraction methods described in the literature. In the case of B. mori pupae, different treatments and preservation periods were investigated to evaluate their influence on the oil composition and quality. Interestingly, agar diffusion assays demonstrated the sensitivity of Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus to H. illucens and B. mori derived oils, whereas the growth of Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was not affected. This study confirms that fat and other active compounds of the oil extracted by hot pressing could represent effective antimicrobials against bacteria, a relevant result if we consider that they are by-products of the protein extraction process in the feed industry.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SMSara Manzi
Sara Manzi
MMMartina Micocci
Martina Micocci
LTLuca Tassoni
Luca Tassoni
SVStefano Vettore
Stefano Vettore
DBDavide Bonetto
Davide Bonetto
Patrizia DanesiPatrizia Danesi
Patrizia Danesi
Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species are expanding worldwide, increasing the risk of arbovirus introduction and transmission. Points of Entry (PoEs), including airports and seaports, represent critical gateways for the introduction and spread of invasive vectors through international passenger and cargo traffic. This study evaluated the AIM long-term dynamics at three major PoEs (Treviso Airport, Venice Airport, and Venice Port) in northeastern Italy (Veneto region) between 2018 and 2024 through an integrated entomological surveillance programme designed to collect AIMs (adults and eggs) throughout the seasonal activity (June–October). Mosquitoes were identified morphologically and, where required, by molecular analyses. Aedes albopictus was the dominant AIM throughout the study period (eggs N = 96,192, adults N = 14,231), being detected at all three study sites and showing consistent interannual and seasonal dynamics, with peak abundance during summer despite routine vector control interventions. Aedes koreicus was detected at two of the three study sites, namely Venice and Treviso airports (eggs N = 1, adults N = 3). Phylogenetic analyses based on COI indicated that these specimens belonged to a distinct European lineage, revealing genetic diversity among European populations of Ae. koreicus. No evidence of newly established AIMs was found during the surveillance period. These findings highlight the importance of long-term surveillance at PoEs for the early detection of AIMs, monitoring temporal changes in established vector populations, and supporting integrated control and surveillance strategies to reduce the risk of vector establishment and mosquito-borne disease transmission.