Research: Towards an augmented nutrient profiling system
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
May 2025: Post-graduate Course in "One Health" at Sapienza School of Advanced Studies
January 2025: Specialty in Food Science at Sapienza University of Rome.
11/2023: Post-graduate Course in "Human Development and Food Security" at the Department of Economics
of the University of Rome 3.
05/2017: Specialization Course in "Nutrition and Longevity" at the University of Genoa
07/2003: Single-Cycle Master's Degree in Biological Sciences (110/110 cum laude) at the University of
Rome "La Sapienza"
WORK EXPERIENCE
07/2024-present: Research Technologist at the Food Science Research Unit of the Department of Experimental Medicine at the Sapienza University of Rome
10/2023-01/2025: Adjunct Professor of the "Ecosystem and Biodiversity Applied to the Agri-Food Sector" Module – SSD BIO/07 (3 ECTS) (Course: Food Biodiversity and Ecology) - 10592471) of the Bachelor's Degree in "Gastronomic Sciences, Cultures, and Policies for Well-Being" at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome.
12/2023-06/2024: Type B Research Grant at the Food Science Research Unit of the Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome.
03/2022-02/2023: Type A Research Grant at the Food Science Research Unit of the Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome.
04/2021-02/2022: Research grant funded by the Nutrition Foundation of Italy at the Food Science Research Unit of the Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome Funded.
October 2011-March 2017: Research collaborator on research projects for the analysis of anthropometric data in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, and on European projects for hydration in patients with Cerebral Palsy (ABC Project) and Robotic Neurorehabilitation for the development of augmented reality and orthoses and exoskeletons for stroke patients and SCI patients (BETTER, Symbitron) at the I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione "Santa Lucia" in Rome.
September 2000-July 2003: Thesis candidate at the "Pietro Valdoni" Research Department of the 1st Surgical Clinic of the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
- Previous Research Experience
Research activity began with a thesis in Molecular Biology in 2000 and has continued with some brief interruptions until today. Scientific interest initially focused on the study Epigenetics and gene regulation in the development of atherosclerosis and the production of low-density lipoproteins. This interest intensified in 2011 with the collaboration with the Santa Lucia Foundation, focusing on anthropometry, hydration, and body composition, as well as technological development in the fields of robotics and rehabilitation. During the five-year collaboration, I had the opportunity to collaborate on several European projects with numerous European scientific institutions, including the Institute of Biomechanics in Valencia, through which I traveled to Valencia for hydration experiments on adults with cerebral palsy for the development of a wearable device for monitoring key vital signs. Since 2021, with my entry into the Specialization School in Food Science at Sapienza University, my research has focused even more on body composition and digital anthropometry, extending to nutrition education and Front Pack nutrition labels, their ability to influence consumer choices, and the environmental sustainability of foods.
- Research activities related to the project PhD
Project objectives:
Project objectives:
1. Evaluate the correlation of the developed algorithms with synthetic sustainability indices;
2. Evaluate the correlation of the developed algorithms with processing level classification indices;
3. Compare the correlation of the developed algorithms with NPS with more scientific evidence;
4. Compare the correlation of the developed algorithms with sustainability profiling systems with more scientific evidence.
5. Develop a database that integrates food composition values with environmental sustainability values and their processing level. The database must include:
- Nutrients and other food product attributes will include: energy (in kcal), total fatty acids (in g), saturated fatty acids (in g), monounsaturated fatty acids (in g), polyunsaturated fatty acids (in g), proteins (in g), carbohydrates (in g), sugars (in g), vitamins A, Bx, C, D, E, K, and minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K, Mg, P);
- Environmental sustainability indicators will include: Global Warming Potential (GWP100), Land Use and Change (LULUC), Acidification, Eutrophication, and Water Use;
- Food processing classification systems will include the NOVA classification;
6. The development of one or more integrated algorithms using classification systems based on machine learning predictive analysis systems (e.g., artificial neural networks);
7. Calculate NPS based on the most scientifically proven data, such as Nutri-Score, Health Star Rating, Food Compass, Warning Labels (Israeli and Chilean), FSA-NPS, and UK Multiple Traffic Light, for comparison.
The objectives will be achieved through the following actions:
- Bibliographic search to verify the state of the art. Search and select a nutritional composition database.
- Search and select a food life cycle assessment database. Extract matching products from the two databases.
- Classify identified products according to their degree of processing.
- Calculate nutrient profiling models based on the most scientifically proven data.
- Build artificial neural networks: select input variables, train the network.
- Verify the performance of individual networks.
- Calculate the degree of correlation between the newly generated algorithms, existing profiling systems, environmental variables, and degree of processing.
- Evaluate the algorithm's ability to capture diet quality and validate it through cohort study analysis.
PUBLICATIONS AND ABSTRACT
Since 2006, my scientific activity has produced 29 publications in ISSN-certified journals, including 12 original articles, 6 reviews, 4 systematic reviews, 3 letters, 1 editorial, 1 opinion paper, and 2 conference papers. I am the first author in 12 of these, and a correspondence author in 7. According to Scopus metrics, my scientific output has totaled 335 citations (average citations per publication: 11.55), with an H-index of 9. The sum of the Impact Factors (based on the year of publication) is 113.603 (average Impact Factor per publication: 3.92).
- Publications
1. Muzzioli, L., Minnetti, M., Di Vincenzo, O., ... Lenzi, A., Donini, L.M. Effectiveness of different front-of-pack nutritional labels in promoting greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Italian consumers Food Quality and Preference, 2026, 139, 105862
2. Muzzioli L, Scenna D, Frigerio F, Manuela S, Poggiogalle E, Giusti AM, Pinto A, Migliaccio S, Lenzi A, Donini LM. Author's
response to comment re. “Nutri-Score effectiveness at improving consumer nutrition literacy, food choices, health, and healthy eating pattern adherence: A systematic review”. Nutrition. 2026 139:105862.
3. Frigerio, F., Vitozzi, A., Piciocchi, C., ... Donini, L.M., Poggiogalle, E. Capturing metabolic syndrome: new thresholds for insulin resistance and novel body composition indices. International Journal of Obesity. 2026
4. Muzzioli, L., Di Vincenzo, O., Casado Mansilla, D., Migliaccio, S., Donini, L.M. Developing an augmented nutrient profiling system in the perspective of healthy and sustainable diets. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2025. 76(7), pp. 701–708
5. Fioravanti, R., Muzzioli, L., Maurel, E., ... Pezzana, A., Donini, L.M. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review. Foods. 2025, 14(21), 3752
6. Muzzioli, L.; Gimbo, C.; Pintavalle, M.; Migliaccio, S.; Donini, L.M. Evaluation of the Influence of Intervention Tools Used
in Nutrition Education Programs: A Mixed Approach. Nutrients 2025, 17, 2460. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152460
7. Maddaloni, L.; Donini, L.M.; Gobbi, L.; Muzzioli, L.; Vinci, G. Essential Amino Acids and Fatty Acids in Novel Foods: Emerging Nutritional Sources and Implications. Dietetics 2025, 4, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/dietetics4020014
8. Muzzioli L, Maddaloni L, Pintavalle M, Poggiogalle E, Di Vincenzo O, Migliaccio S, Vinci G, Donini LM. Toward Multidimensional Front-of-Pack Labels: Integrating Nutritional, Environmental, and Processing Information. Nutrients. 2025 Jul 8;17(14):2258. doi: 10.3390/nu17142258
9. Di Vincenzo O, Piciocchi C, Muzzioli L, Poggiogalle E, Frigerio F, Minnetti M, Barazzoni R, Brandi ML, Busetto L, Iolascon G, Moretti A, Scalfi L, Donini LM, Migliaccio S. Osteosarcopenic obesity: A systematic review and a call for consensus on
definitions and diagnostic criteria. Clin Nutr. 2025 Aug;51:146-160. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.06.009. Epub 2025 Jun 16.
10. Muzzioli L, Scenna D, Frigerio F, Manuela S, Poggiogalle E, Giusti AM, Pinto A, Migliaccio S, Lenzi A, Donini LM. Nutri-
Score effectiveness in improving consumers' nutrition literacy, food choices, health, and healthy eating pattern adherence: A systematic review. Nutrition. 2025 Jun 16;140:112880. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2025.112880.
11. Lm Donini, M BR, M C, R E, A G, Rm LR, A M, Ma MG, Ja M, D M, E N, G R, L R, M S, F V, E P, L Muzzioli, F F, A L. Staple principles for the definition of front-of-pack nutritional labels. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2025 Apr;35(4):103839. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2024.103839
12. Casado-Mansilla D, Gomez-Carmona O, Fernandez-de-Retana M, Muzzioli L, Kusar A, Vandevijvere S, and Lopez-
De-Ipina D. Food Assistant for Consumer Behavior Change through Citizen Science and AI. 2024 9th International
Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies, SpliTech, 2024, https://doi.org/10.23919/SpliTech
13. Muzzioli L, Frigerio F, M Mazziotta, Donini LM, Pinto A and Poggiogalle E Food Compass and the challenge of
sustainability on the route towards healthy diets. Scientific Reports 2024, 14(1):6919 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57615-9
14. Frigerio F, Muzzioli L, Pinto A, Donini LM and Poggiogalle E The role of neighborhood inequalities on diabetes prevention care: a mini-review. Front. Clin. Diabetes Healthc. 2023, 4:1292006. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcdhc.2023.1292006
15. L Muzzioli, E Poggiogalle, LM Donini, A Pinto. How to communicate the healthiness and sustainability of foods to consumers? PNAS 2023 Vol. 120 No. 17 e2301875120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2301875120
16. L Muzzioli, LM Donini, M Mazziotta, M Iosa, F Frigerio, E Poggiogalle, A Lenzi, A Pinto. How much do front-of-
pack labels correlated with food environmental impacts. Nutrients Feb 2023, 15(5):1176 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051176
17. L Muzzioli, E Mocini, A Pinto. The importance of Front-of-Pack labels on health status and eating behavior.
Eating and Weight Disorders Feb 2023, 28(1):23 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-023-01540-9
18. E Mocini, C Cammarota, F Frigerio, L Muzzioli, C Piciocchi, D Lacalaprice, F Buccolini, L M Donini, A Pinto. Digital
Anthropometry (DA): A systematic review on precision, reliability and accuracy of most popular existing technologies. Nutrients Jan 2023 15(2):302 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020302
19. LM Donini, EM Berry, A Pinto, AM Giusti, L Muzzioli, A Lenzi, E Poggiogalle. The Sapienza count-down for a healthy and sustainable diet. Annals of Hygiene: Preventive and Community Medicine 2022 35(3):359- 366. https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2023.2558
20. Penzavecchia, C., Todisco, P., Muzzioli, L., Pinto, A., Donini, L.M., The influence of front-of-pack nutritional labels on eating and purchasing behaviors: a narrative review of the literature. Eating and Weight Disorders, 2022 Dec;27(8):3037-
3051. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01507-2
21. Donini, L.M., Penzavecchia, C., Muzzioli, L., Lenzi, A., Pinto, A. Efficacy of front-of-pack nutrition labels in improving health status. Nutrition, 2022, 102, 111770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2022.111770
22. Muzzioli, L., Penzavecchia, C., Donini, L.M., Pinto, A. Reply to Aguenaou et al. Comment on "Muzzioli et al. Are Front-of-Pack Labels a Health Policy Tool? Nutrients, 2022, 14(4), 771" Nutrients, 2022, 14(10),
2167 https://doi.org/ 10.3390/nu14102167
23. Muzzioli, L., Penzavecchia, C., Donini, L.M., Pinto, A. Are Front-of-Pack Labels a Health Policy Tool? Nutrients, 2022, 14(4), 771 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040771
24. Morone, G., Iosa, M., Paolucci, T., Muzzioli, L., Paolucci, S. Relationship between Body Mass Index and Rehabilitation Outcomes in Subacute Stroke with Dysphagia. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2019, 98(7), pp. 608–612 doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001159
25. Velasco, M.A., Raya, R., Muzzioli, L., Cincotti, F., Rocon, E. Evaluation of cervical posture improvement of children with cerebral palsy after physical therapy based on head movements and serious games. BioMedical Engineering Online, 2017, 16, 74 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-017-0364-5
26. Velasco, M.A., Raya, R., Muzzioli, L., Cincotti, F., Rocon, E. Evaluation of cervical posture improvement of children with cerebral palsy after physical therapy with a HCI based on head movements and serious video games. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial
Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 2016, 9656, pp. 495–504
27. Zoccolillo, L., Morelli, D., Cincotti, F., Paolucci, S., Iosa, M. Video-game based therapy performed by children with cerebral palsy: A cross-over randomized controlled trial and a cross-sectional quantitative measure of physical activity. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2015, 51(6), pp. 669–676
28. Morone, G., Iosa, M., Tamburella, F., Cincotti, F., Molinari, M. An EMG pattern comparison of exoskeleton vs. end-effector robotic device for assisted walking training Biosystems and Biorobotics, 2014, 7, pp. 563–567 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-08072-7_82
- Abstracts at national conferences:
2024 L Muzzioli. DEVELOPING A MEDITERRANEAN NUTRIENT PROFILING SYSTEM: A MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH. SISA National Conference
2024 L Muzzioli, C Gimbo, L Fruscella, F Svicher, LM Donini. FOCUS ON COLLECTIVE CATERING SYSTEMS: DEVELOPING A SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK FOR A NUTRITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
SISA National Conference
2023 A Adduci, E Latessa, L Muzzioli. The challenge of tracking early childhood development: a new methodological approach using the Mazziotta-Pareto Index. SIEDS National Congress
2023 L. Muzzioli, V. Taormina. Can the measurement of human development be improved? SIEDS National Congress
2022 L. Muzzioli, C. Penzavecchia, LM. Donini, A. Pinto. Front-of-Pack Labels: FOPLs or flops? SINU National Congress
2022 C. Penzavecchia, R. Gazzino, B. Mengoni, F. Armeli, G. Di Matteo, M. Spano, E. Maggi, L. Muzzioli, A. Giusti, L. Mannina, R. Businaro, R. Pinto. Identification of biomarkers of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) in a population of Sapienza University (GONG) by NMR metabolomic analysis: an interim analysis on serum inflammatory profile. SINU National Congress
2012 M. Iosa, F. Tamburella, J.C. Moreno, I. Collantes, G. Asin, F. Aloise, I. Pisotta, L. Muzzioli, D. Mattia, M. Molinari, J.L. Pons, F. Cincotti. Post-stroke rehabilitation: a new tool for a neurophysiological signal-based approach. GNB 2012, Rome, Italy
2012 F. Martelli, R. Raya, M. Iosa, M. Velasco, A. Clemotte, L. Muzzioli, D. Morelli, D. Mattia, E. Rocon, F. Cincotti. Target estimation in pointing tasks. A new approach to improving computer interaction for people with Cerebral Palsy. GNB 2012, Rome, Italy
- International conference abstracts:
2025 L. Muzzioli et al. NUTRITIONAL LABELLING TOWARDS HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE DIETS: AN ANALYSIS OF
NUTRIENT PROFILING SYSTEMS PROPOSED AT GLOBAL LEVEL. IUNS-ICN, Paris
2024 D. Casado-Mansilla, O. Gomez-Carmona, M. Fernandez-de-Retana, L. Muzzioli, A. Kusar, S. Vandevijvere, and D. Lopez-de-Ipina. “Food Assistant for Consumer Behavior Change through Citizen Science and AI” at the 2024 9th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies (SpliTech), Bol, Croatia
2013 F. Tamburella, J.C. Moreno, G. Asín, J.L. Pons, L. Muzzioli, I. Pisotta, M. Iosa, F. Cincotti, M. Molinari. TOP-DOWN BNCI based rehabilitation approach: kinematic and electromyographic visual biofeedback training by means of a new Ankle-Foot Orthosis for stroke subjects", TOBI Workshop IV, Practical Brain-Computer Interfaces for End-Users: Progress and Challenges. Submitted to Sion, Switzerland, January 23-25, 2013.
2012 “TOP-DOWN BNCI based rehabilitation approach: kinematic and electromyographic visual biofeedback training by means of a new Ankle-Foot Orthosis for stroke subjects” F. Tamburella, J. C. Moreno, G. Asín, J.L. Pons, L. Muzzioli, M.Iosa, I. Pisotta, F.Aloise, F. Cincotti, M. Molinari. TOBI WORKSHOP, January 23-25, 2012, Lausanne, Switzerland