OCRIM demonstrated its expertise in the monitoring of cereals from cultivation right through to processing at its conference in Massa Marittima, Italy

1. A
t the prestigious estate ‘Il Cicalino’
in Massa Marittima, Italy, the
conference “Cereali: una risorsa da
gestire” (Cereals: a resource to be
managed) was held and organized
in June this year by OCRIM
S.p.A., offering the knowledge and
skills of its experts. It was held
in collaboration with Bonifiche
Ferraresi S.p.A., a leading agricultural and agri-food company,
with the support of Confederazione Nazionale Coltivatori Diretti
(National Confederation of Active Farmers).
The mayor of Massa Marittima welcomed the large audience to
what was an important day for those who focus their production
business on cereals, but also for those who simply see cereals as a
raw material that is precious and essential for nutrition.
Managing Director of Bonifiche Ferraresi, Federico Vecchioni
then gave a speech focusing on the concept of “Italianness”,
ensured by a product that is the result of an industry formed by
Italian companies, which guarantee and certify the Italian identity
of products. He also made reference to the synergy created
between Bonifiche Ferraresi and OCRIM, “The two companies
got together to establish a production chain that starts from the
cultivation, monitoring and respect of raw materials (Bonifiche
Ferraresi) through to processing using cutting-edge machines
manufactured in Italy (OCRIM S.p.A.). A 100 percent Italian
product from its conception to final processing.”
OCRIM’s Managing Director, Alberto Antolini, greeted guests
and spoke about the fair and transparent work carried out by the
Cremona-based company. He commented on how the company
has continued to grow since it has found the right direction and
way of investing in research, expertise and the desire to make
production become an increasingly integral part of the company;
thus fully ensuring the product is not only Italian Made, but also
entirely “OCRIM Made.”
The general secretary of Coldiretti, Vincenzo Gesmundo
greeted the audience with a spontaneous and heartfelt speech,
speaking of the importance of an approach to work focused on
constant improvement. He highlighted the role and responsibility
of a “true” production chain, which can be defined as such only
if the traceability of final products can be certified. Finally, the
secretary of Coldiretti spoke of the “distinctiveness” of Italian
culture, through a final product that is considered to be an
emblem of high quality, which also expresses respect for the free
will of consumers. In fact, the latter are considered the actual
legitimate and impartial supporters of this chain, since they are
the ones in charge of evaluating true Italian quality.
The convention continued with a speech by OCRIM’s
Commercial Director, Stefano Mazzini, who introduced and
talked about the company he works for. For over 70 years,
OCRIM has been building milling plants for cereal processing,
founding its activities and productivity exclusively on the concept
of “Italianness”. Stefano then introduced the experts, who came
with him from Cremona, to speak about quality but also about
the issues related to the cereal sector and the measures, both
upstream and downstream, to be taken to obtain a wholesome and
properly processed product.
The first speech, made by Simona Digiuni, an agricultural
biotechnologist with international experience in the field of
plant research, mainly spoke about the management of cereal
OCRIM demonstrated its expertise in the
monitoring of cereals from cultivation right
through to processing at its conference in
Massa Marittima, Italy
by Eloisa Martino, OCRIM
CEREALS
64 | November 2016 - Milling and Grain
F

2. contamination, which can be a
result of several different factors.
She listed all the causes of
contamination in clear detail and
then illustrated the measures to
be taken.
She explained that in order
to allow cereals to reach the
processing stage in optimal
condition, they must be
monitored since the cultivation
phase. It is crucial for heavy
metals not to be present in high
amounts in soil, since they are
usually also present in the water
used for irrigation. Over the last
few decades, urbanisation has
certainly favoured the excessive
increase in heavy metal traces
also in rainwater, which therefore
contaminates the soil in which
plants are grown and, as a result,
also contaminates crops.
Simona Digiuni presented the issue of fungi, which produce
mycotoxins, explaining how dangerous they are due to thermal
stability, which allows them to survive heat treatments.
The presence of mycotoxins can generate contaminant
microenvironments also during the storage phase, with the risk of
contaminating the entire product batch.
Plant protection products, which are useful to fight diseases,
insects, fungi and bacteria, weeds harmful for cultivation, and
fertilizers, are other contaminants for soil and/or crop plantations.
Their use is considered to be vital, but exceeding the doses
permitted by law can be extremely damaging. Luckily, over the
last few years, there has been a growing tendency to focus on
integrated pest management, instead of just using chemicals, a
solution also seen as the most convenient. However, it certainly
involves more patience, since it requires greater attention and
provides slower results.
Simona Digiuni points out that it is therefore crucial to carry
Simona Digiuni, Marco Galli and Stefano Mazzini
Milling and Grain - November 2016 | 65
F

3. out monitoring based on the restrictions imposed by regulations
and/or laws regarding the presence of heavy metals in soil
or the use of substances that act as a means of support for
crops, which, however, pose a threat to the soil and plants and,
consequently, also to human and animal health. In fact, it has
been scientifically observed that many cardiovascular diseases,
hormonal disorders and autoimmune diseases are the result
of unhealthy nutrition due to the excessive use of substances
present on/in plants or the substantial presence of heavy metal
traces in food and water.
Moreover, the biotechnology expert states that it is absolutely
necessary to take measures to ensure full product monitoring,
starting from humidity control in the environments where
products are stored, and of products themselves such as the
identification and removal of product parts that are already
contaminated, through to the cleaning and decortication stage.
Following the speech by Simona Digiuni, the director of the
technology office of OCRIM, Marco Galli, took to the floor. The
OCRIM expert also focused his speech and discussion on the
issues of cereal contamination and provided technical answers so
that, given his field of specialisation, he could suggest solutions
to complete the scientific context that was previously illustrated.
Marco Galli started out by saying that “any cereal processing
stage must be based on effective and efficient cleaning prior to
the following processing stage. This also applies to storage and
various special processes.” By means of a pragmatic speech,
the OCRIM expert explained what strategies are to be adopted,
as well as all the processes and machinery to be used in order
to obtain wholesome products. For Galli, to begin with, it
is essential to carry out an accurate selection and, foremost,
to separate physical impurities according to size and weight
difference, using machinery specifically designed for the pre-
cleaning and cleaning line.
Marco Galli stated, “During the selection stage, classification,
in the sense of compliance with specific parameterisation
established in advance, plays a fundamental role. We can thus
gather that seeds, in addition to having to been “purified” as
much as possible from contaminants, must also comply with the
characteristics established to begin with: weight, size and shape,
length and/or diameter, density.” He then listed all the machinery
required for this kind of operation, explaining their use and
functionality.
Afterwards, he discussed the theme of new trends, pointing
out that obtaining wholesome products goes hand in hand
with the behaviour of today’s consumers, who are increasingly
aware and demanding. The OCRIM expert said, “one of the
key aspects of new trends is the fight against chemical and
biological contaminants in cereals, since standards are becoming
increasingly stricter throughout the production chain and
consumers are more and more attentive to such aspects.” Galli
also stressed the fact that it is impossible to fully eliminate the
problem of contaminants, even if technology has indeed come
a long way. However, what is possible, or even necessary, is
adequate and accurate management and/or monitoring to reduce
negative impacts on the entire production chain to a minimum.
In this respect, he also showed and illustrated several innovative
machines, which, during processing, involve grain “purification”
stages.
Subsequently, Marco Galli focused on cereal storage stages
and the silos environment, stating an important truth, “The latest
estimates indicate that about 20% of the world’s cereal production
goes to waste and/or is
damaged due to inadequate
storage systems.” The
OCRIM expert maintains
that, in order to avoid such
waste, we need to define
in advance the various
operation cycles and their
simultaneity. “The number
and size of individual
silos is also essential to
ensure the segregation
of products divided into
equal batches,” Marco
Galli continues. He also
adds that “it is important to
keep temperatures constant
and monitored, so that
the humidity content does
not rise, thus producing
microenvironments that
may favour an increase in
contamination.” According
to the studies and research
carried out by the OCRIM
team, a partial solution to
this issue could be achieved through several measures: a proper
cereal handling method, memorisation of cycles for each type of
product stored, prevention of emergencies, real-time management
of the quantities contained in each silo and of the simultaneous
storage of different products and, finally, historical traceability of
the temperatures reached for each cereal batch during its storage.
Marco Galli later discussed several key solutions guaranteed
thanks to the automation system offered by OCRIM, which stems
from a study and research on the proper, simplified management
of a storage silo.
We feel the need to point out that research has played a key role
in the implementation of the solutions illustrated by Marco Galli,
which are being increasingly adopted and appreciated worldwide,
thus allowing OCRIM to establish itself as a leading company
also in supplying silos.
Alberto Antolini and Federico Vecchioni
66 | November 2016 - Milling and Grain
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