BrainMap

Mrs. Valeria Gagiu

Dr.

Scientific Researcher 1st grade - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Researcher | Scientific reviewer | Manager

Web of Science ResearcherID: T-1200-2018

Expertise & keywords

Integrated risk assessment regarding the quantitative, qualitative and trade indicators of common wheat and bread in Romania in the context of climate change to identify adaptation measures and ensure the sustainability of the agri-food system Call name:
PN 23.01.03.04 2023 - 2026

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI (); ADMINISTRATIA NATIONALA DE METEOROLOGIE RA ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI ()

Project website:

Abstract:

TRITICALE CONTAMINATION WITH DEOXYNIVALENOL IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AND PEDOCLIMATIC CONTEXT OF ROMANIA Call name:
MCI - Program Nucleu, Contract no. PN 18 02 01 03 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

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Abstract:

The main objectives:

O1. Evaluation of the agricultural areas for grain growing in the context of geographic (coordinates, agricultural regions) and pedoclimatic (weather, aridity indices, types of soils) conditions of Romania.

O2. Evaluation of triticale crops’ contamination with deoxynivalenol, in the geographic and pedoclimatic context (present and future) of Romania.

O3. Risk map for triticale crops’ contamination with deoxynivalenol.

O4. Scientific transfer to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

MANAGEMENT OF DEOXYNIVALENOL AND AFLATOXINS MYCOTOXINS IN THE RISK AREAS, IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN ROMANIA Call name:
ANCSI - Program Nucleu, Contract no. PN 16 46 04 01 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

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Abstract:

* Goal: CEREAL CONTAMINATION WITH MYCOTOXINS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC CHANGES IN EUROPE AND ROMANIA REQUIRES INTEGRATED RESEARCH TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR THE AGRI-FOOD CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN ROMANIA.

- Cereal contamination with Deoxynivalenol and Fusarium sp. in the risk areas for years 2014-2016;

- Cereal contamination with Aflatoxins and Aspergillus sp. in the risk areas for years 2014-2016;

- Risk maps and scenarios for wheat contamination with Deoxynivalenol and Aflatoxins under the influence of climate change predictions for Romania.

- Management strategy for cereal contamination with fungi and mycotoxins, in the context of climate change predictions for Romania.

- Productivity of the wheat crops under the influence of dry and rain years of the period 2011-2015;

- Physico-chemical properties of the wheat crop in the risk areas under the influence of agro-climatic factors of the 2014-2015 year;

- Cereal contamination with deoxynivalenol and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, As, Ni, Cr) in the risk areas for the year 2014-2015.

*** THIS PROJECT WILL INTEGRATE ALL DATA FOR CEREAL CONTAMINATION WITH DON AND AFLA FOR PERIOD 2011-2016 (Projects: ADER 8.1.1; PN 12 48 01 05 and PN 16 46 04 01).

* Authority: - National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation (ANCSI).

* Contractor: - National Institute R&D for Food Bioresources (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator);

* Partners: - National Administration for Meteorology (Dr. E. Mateescu). - Center for Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Prof. dr. F. Israel-Roming). - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Director C.H. Dicu).

RISK ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATION WITH DEOXYNIVALENOL (DON) ON THE FOOD AND FEED CHAINS IN RISK AREAS Call name:
ANCSI - Program Nucleu, Contract no. PN 12 48 01 05 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

- Identify several factors that influence contamination with fungi Fusarium sp. and mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) on the agro-food chain in Romania.

- Database of the agro-food products (cereal, mill products, cereal based foods) contaminated with DON between 01.2012 - 08.2015.

- Influence of agro-climatic factors on DON incidence and levels in agro-food products in the period 01.2012 - 07.2015.

- Database of the contamination with DON on the agro-food chain (cereal, mill products, cereal foods and feed) in the risk areas in 2014 - 2015 year.

- Risk assessment of cereals, food and feed contamination with DON in the crop of 2014 – 2015 year.

* Authority: - National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation.

* Contractor: - National Institute R&D for Food Bioresources (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

* Partners: - National Administration for Meteorology (Dr. E. Mateescu), - Vel Pitar Group (Dr. L. Doja), - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Director C.H. Dicu).

RISK ASSESSMENT OF MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN THE ANNUAL WHEAT CROPS IN ROMANIA Call name:
MADR - Program Sectorial ADER 2020, Contract no. ADER 8.1.1 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

* Goal: - EVALUATION OF CEREAL CROP CONTAMINATION WITH DEOXYNIVALENOL MYCOTOXIN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AGROCLIMATIC CONDITION FROM ROMANIA, IN AGRICULTURAL PERIOD 2011 – 2014

- An integrated approach (analytic control, grain varieties, climate changes, hydrological conditions and geographical location) to control deoxynivalenol (DON) incidence in harvest and reduce contamination in food and feed chains.

- Incidence and level of DON in cereal crops (2829 samples – varieties of common wheat, durum wheat, triticale, and rye) in 3 consecutive agricultural years, period 2011 - 2014, in Romania.

- Characterization of climatic factors (monthly mean of rainfall, temperature, winter harshness – cold and frost indexes; spring index, heat index, groundwater), registered by 90 stations in the synoptic meteorological network of Romania, in the agricultural period 2011 - 2014.

- Interdisciplinary research in mycotoxins, agriculture, agrometeorology, climatology and soils, and the development of deoxynivalenol and agrometeorological data integration in GIS 4;

- Geo-referenced database (DON - CLIM) (2011 - 2014) for risk areas contaminated with deoxynivalenol - organizing and interpreting DON - climate database in 41 counties, 6 agricultural areas and Romania.

* Authority: - MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT - Program ADER 2020.

* Contractor: - National R&D Institute for Food Bioresources (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

* Partner: - National Administration for Meteorology - METEO Romania (Dr. E. Mateescu)

OFFICIAL CONTROL SYSTEM OF ROMANIA FOR FOOD AND FEED CONTAINING OR CONSISTING IN GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs) Call name:
MADR - Capitalization of Ctr. 04-5-PDT-4678 /2004, BIOTECH -

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: MINISTERUL AGRICULTURII SI DEZVOLTARII RURALE

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Affiliation:

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Abstract:

From 10.10.2006 to 12.09.2012, the Contract 04-5-PDT-4678 /2004 - 2006, Program BIOTECH (GMOTEST; Project Coordinator - Dr. V. Gagiu) was Capitalized for the MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT for the Admission of ROMANIA to the EUROPEAN UNION, in January 2007.

 In 2006, ROMANIA and the MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE had a ‘’RED FLAG’’ from the EUROPEAN COMMISSION to not performing the Official Control of GMOs.

 BENEFICIARIES:

* MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

- Directorate of Agricultural Policies and Strategies;

- Plant Selection Department and National Inspection for Seed Quality (41 Territorial Inspectorates);

- Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development (DADR), Department for Field Inspection and GMOs (41 County Directorates).

* MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST:

- National Environmental Guard.

 EFECTS:

- POLITICS: ROMANIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

- ECONOMIC: CERTIFICATION / LABELING of conventional GMOs - free soy and maize lots for sale.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

a). COORDINATING ACTIVITY OF THE MICROBIOLOGY - ELISA LABORATORY for the Audits carried out by the Experts of the European Commission (2007, 2009, 2012).

b). DEVELOPING TECHNICAL REPORTS FOR MADR to prepare the Official reports to the European Commission

(2007, 2009, 2012):

 Official Reports of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION - General Directorate for Health and Food Safety (DG SANCO):

* DG (SANCO)/2007-7186–MR-FINAL. Report on a mission carried out in Romania from 23/04/2007 to 27/04/2007 in order to evaluate official control systems for food, feed and seed containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate F - Food and Veterinary Office.

* DG (SANCO)/2009-8138-MR-FINAL. Final report on a mission carried out in Romania from 02 March to 06 March March 2009 to evaluate official control systems for food and feed consisting of or produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate F - Food and Veterinary Office.

* DG (SANCO)/2012-6306-MR-FINAL. Final report of an audit carried out in Romania from 11 to 20 September 2012 to evaluate the official controls of genetically modified organisms, including their deliberate release into the environment. EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate F - Food and Veterinary Office.

c). (2007 - 2012) INCLUSION OF IBA Bucharest IN THE EUROPEAN NETWORK OF GMOs LABORATORIES (ENGL NETWORK. EUROPEAN COMMISSION - DG JRC) due to the fulfillment of the eligibility criteria and the recommendation of the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

d). DEMONSTRATION OF MANAGEMENT AND COMPETENCE IN ANALYTICAL TESTING OF M.E. LABORATORY. Participation in the FAPAS PROGRAMME, coordinated by the FERA, United Kingdom:

- Analytical tests + FAPAS official reports (GeMMA, FEPAS, FAPAS) (n = 33) to demonstrate the competence of the Microbiology – ELISA Laboratory.

INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO REDUCE CONTAMINATION WITH FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS IN BAKING INDUSTRY, TO INCREASE FOOD SAFETY Call name:
PNCDI 2 - Program Partnership, Contract no. 51-005 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

* Goal: TO REDUCE CONTAMINATION WITH FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS IN BAKING INDUSTRY BY APPLYING AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY.

1). ANALYSIS OF SOURCES CONTAMINATION WITH FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS ON THE CEREAL FOOD CHAIN

- Analysis of contamination sources with fungi and mycotoxins - HACCP analysis at SC Baneasa SA.

- Influence of contamination with fungi on the cereals and derivatives quality (physicochemical parameters; rheological indicators; wheat quality in silo).

- Training of Baneasa’s personnel to avoid contamination with fungi and mycotoxins in the bakery industry.

2). DESIGN, TESTING, AND REALIZATION OF THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO REDUCE CONTAMINATION WITH FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS IN BAKERY INDUSTRY (at laboratory scale)

- Selection-genetic identification and morpho-physiological and biochemical characterization of Lb. plantarum from spontaneous rye sourdoughs (RSD).

- Testing 'in vitro' inhibitory activity of pure/mixt inoculum of Lb. plantarum against toxigenic fungi (F. culmorum 46, F. graminearum 96, A. flavus, A. oryzae).

- Development and optimization of RSD fermented with Lb. plantarum with inhibitory activity of toxigenic fungi.

- Synergic effects of MAP (CO2, N2) and chemical preservatives (CaP and EOS) in delaying bread mold.

3). TESTING INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO REDUCE BREAD CONTAMINATION WITH FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS (at pilot scale)

- Testing the integrated system to improve physicochemical indicators and extend the shelf life of bread.

- Technological transfer of integrated system to SC Baneasa SA.

* Authority: - CNMP - Program Partnership in Priority Areas.

* Contractor: - NIRD for Food Bioresources (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

* Partners: - Center for Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Prof. C.P. Cornea); - Biology Faculty (Prof. I. Stoica); - SC Baneasa SA (Dr. G. Mohan / Dr. G. Dinu).

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MAIZE CONTAMINATION WITH AFLATOXINS DURING VEGETATION Call name:
PROGRAM CERCETARE DE EXCELENȚĂ, CEEX - Contract no. 37 -

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PROTECTIA PLANTELOR

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Goals:

Development, implementation, and testing of the integrated system components:

* forecasting, risk assessment and control of maize contamination with aflatoxins during vegetation period in Romania;

* sustainable, safe and profitable using of maize contaminated with aflatoxins.

- Correction of experimental models of the system components according to test results.

- Integration of system components and testing of the integrated system.

- Identify original technical solutions and their patenting.

- Presentation of results for validation / certification / accreditation.

IBA activities:

- Testing of analytical procedures available for maize sampling and quantification of aflatoxin level.

- Risk assessment of maize contamination with aflatoxins during vegetation period in Romania.

- Interlaboratory comparison study for maize contamination with total aflatoxins in the surveyed sites.

REDUCTION OF MAIZE CONTAMINATION WITH MYCOTOXINS BY VARIOUS PROTECTION STRATEGIES Call name:
PNCDI 1 – Program AGRAL, Contract no. 363 -

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

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Affiliation:

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Abstract:

Goal: Develop a maize growing technology in the pedoclimatic conditions of the central part of Moldavia region with a positive impact on the mycotoxins level and food safety.

- Establishing the working strategy on experimental lots and laboratory techniques to obtain data on maize production and environmental factors.

- Corn sampling at harvest to establish the influence of growth strategies on the mycotoxins (total aflatoxins and zearalenone) level.

- Establish the relationship between the corn-borer attack and maize infestation with Fusarium sp.

- Ensure the normal conditions of maize storage (temperature, humidity, and aeration) and analysis of mycotoxins dynamics.

- Food processing of corn and analysis of biochemical indicators, nutritional value and mycotoxins concentration.

- Develop maize growing technology in pedoclimatic conditions of the central part of Moldavia with a positive impact on mycotoxins level and food safety.

ANALYTIC CONTROL OF CP4 EPSPS PROTEIN FROM SOYBEAN AND Cry1Ab PROTEIN FROM MAIZE, USING IMMUNOASSAY METHODS Call name:
PNCDI 1 - Program BIOTECH, Contract no. 04-5-PDT-4678 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Goal:

- Detecting the new protein expressed in genetically modified soy and corn, using enzyme immunoassay methods (CP4 EPSPS protein in RoundUp Ready soybean and Cry 1Ab protein in MON810 maize).

- Perform technical requirements and testing methods for detecting of new protein by enzyme immunoassay.

- Comparison between PCR and ELISA methods for GMOs detection.

- Technical and economic analysis of new service for GMOs detection.

- Establishment and Management of ELISA Laboratory.

- (2005-2011) - Perform GMOs tests in the frame of FAPAS Proficiency Testing Program, managed by The Food and Environment Research Agency.

• (2006-2012) - Laboratory accreditation by the National Organization for Accreditation RENAR, according to the EN ISO/CEI 17025.

• (2007-2010) - Include IBA in ENGL Network, JRC-EC.

• (2006-2012) - Manage the analytical part of the National Program for Soya Official Control - for Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development;

- (2006-2012) – ME Laboratory was recognized by EC as a competent laboratory to test GMOs soybean [Report of FVO mission to Romania DG SANCO (2007 - 7186) GMOs; Report of FVO mission to Romania DG SANCO (2009 - 8138) GMOs].

* Authority: - Program BIOTECH.

* Contractor: - Institute for Food Bioresources (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

* Partner: - National R&D Institute for Agriculture Fundulea (Dr. Matilda Ciuca).

ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO DETECT DEOXYNIVALENOL MYCOTOXIN, WITH A HIGH RISK FOR FOOD SAFETY Call name:
PNCDI 1 - Program BIOTECH, Contract no. 03-5-3366-PED -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

GOAL:

- Deoxynivalenol production (causes and effects) and analytical methods.

- Legislative aspects.

- Development and optimization HPLC method for DON quantification.

- Laboratory procedure for DON detection by HPLC with immunoaffinity columns.

- Establishing a correlation between ELISA and HPLC methods for deoxynivalenol detection and quantification.

Authority: - Program BIOTECH.

Contractor: - Institute for Food Bioresources - IBA Bucharest (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

Partner: - Center for Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - CBAB Biotehnol (Dr. F. Israel-Roming).

ANTIFUNGAL BIOPRODUCT FOR BREAD PRESERVATION Call name:
PNCDI 1 - Program BIOTECH, Contract no. 01-1-CPA-114 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Goals:

1. Isolation, identification, and characterization of bacteria with antifungal activity;

2. Obtaining a bioproduct with antifungal activity for the bakery industry;

3. Antifungal effect of bioproduct with/without calcium propionate, added in dough stage of the technological process;

4. The efficiency of antifungal bioproduct in the baking industry.

* Authority: - Program BIOTECH.

* Contractor: Institute for Food Bioresources - IBA Bucharest (Dr. V. Gagiu - Project Coordinator).

* Partners: - University of Galati, UGAL (Prof. dr. M. Zara); - SC Dobrogea SA (Dr. F. Teodorescu).

CENTER FOR INFORMATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION REGARDING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS Call name:
PNCDI 1 - Program BIOTECH, Contract no. 01-8-CPR-113 2001 - 2003

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTARE - IBA BUCURESTI ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The main activity of the project “Dissemination center for GMOs information,” coordinated by the Institute of Food Bioresources (the period 2001 – 2003), was information of the consumers from our country about GMOs using electronic format and paper support.

In 2002 it was built a network and web page (www.bioresurse.ro/omg) which contains information about GMOs legislation, utilization/effects, detection of GMOs from food and feeds and ethics aspects.

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List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (409.33 kb) 25/10/2019
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects	Download (279.63 kb) 25/10/2019