The consumption of game meat raises emerging concerns regarding food safety and public health. This research project aims to address these challenges by investigating the prevalence of key pathogens—including Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes—as well as HEV and parasites (Trichinella spp., Alaria spp. and Toxoplasma gondii) in wild animals slaughtered across different regions of Italy. By establishing a comprehensive national epidemiological observatory, the study will provide valuable insights to improve current slaughtering and processing practices, ultimately strengthening the safety and sustainability of the wild meat supply chain.
Additionally, the project will explore strategies to extend the shelf life of game meat by assessing innovative active packaging solutions. These approaches will be evaluated from both microbiological and physicochemical perspectives, contributing not only to the improved preservation of animal-origin foods but also to the overall enhancement and valorization of the wild meat sector.

Five publications related to the Research Topic for the candidate interview:

1. Stella, S., Tirloni, E., Castelli, E., Colombo, F., & Bernardi, C. (2018). Microbiological evaluation of carcasses of wild boar hunted in a hill area of northern Italy. Journal of food Protection, 81(9), 1519-1525.
2. Crotta, M., Pellicioli, L., Gaffuri, A., Trogu, T., Formenti, N., Tranquillo, V., ... & Lanfranchi, P. (2022). Analysis of seroprevalence data on Hepatitis E virus and Toxoplasma gondii in wild ungulates for the assessment of human exposure to zoonotic meat-borne pathogens. Food Microbiology, 101, 103890.
3. Fanelli, A., Tizzani, P., & Buonavoglia, D. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in wild boars. Research in Veterinary Science, 142, 54-69.
4. Kasałka‐Czarna, N., Bilska, A., Biegańska‐Marecik, R. and Montowska, M., 2022. The effect of storage method on selected physicochemical and microbiological qualities of wild boar meat. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 102(12), pp.5250-5260.
5. Sauvala, M., Johansson, P., Björkroth, J. and Fredriksson-Ahomaa, M., 2023. Microbiological quality and safety of vacuum-packaged white-tailed deer meat stored at 4° C. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 390, p.110110.

Tutor: Prof. Marta Castrica
mail: marta.castrica@unipd.it