Contacts:
Supervisor(s):
Professor Maria Claudia Gargini and Alessandra Braca
PhD project Title:
Valorization of Crocus sativus L. by-products (petals) for the sustainable development of phytocomplexes with potential neuroprotective action
Abstract of the PhD project:
In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of saffron (dehydrated stigmas from Crocus sativus L. flowers) to prevent and slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. However, its production requires specific crops, characterised by low yields, which leads to the high cost of marketing this spice. Consequently, saffron-based therapies would have significant production costs that would make them unaffordable to most of the population. Studies have shown the presence of bioactive metabolites in floral bioresidues, as well as in stigmas. The saffron petal contains several compounds such as mineral agents, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and kaempferol, which give it important pharmacological properties. The objective of this research project is to characterise the chemical and molecular composition of waste products from the production of different saffron species to assess whether they can be used as an alternative to stigmas, obtaining comparable results in terms of neuroprotective activity, and allowing nutraceutical products to be obtained at a more sustainable cost.
Publications link:
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