Contacts:
mariafrancesca.bozzini@phd.unipi.it
Supervisor(s):
Prof. Guido Flamini and Dott. Roberta Ascrizzi
PhD project Title:
Chemical profiling of stress-induced secondary metabolites and valorization of plant waste
Abstract of the PhD project:
The aim of my research project is the chemical evaluation of secondary metabolites (SMs), primarily volatile but also non-volatile, obtained from target medicinal, aromatic, and food plants subjected to various abiotic stresses. SMs are important molecules with significant applications across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical, agri-food, cosmetic, and fragrance sectors. The project adopts an agronomic approach integrating micropropagation and growth chamber experiments to manipulate environmental stress conditions. Simultaneously, chemical analyses of the samples are conducted throughout the entire plant life cycle. Extracts with different SM profiles are assessed for their biological and sensorial properties to determine their most suitable applications. In addition to the primary plant material, waste products are also characterised for their metabolic profiles. Addressing the growing demand for sustainable systems, the project emphasizes circular supply chains by identifying alternative uses for by-products derived from plant waste, thereby promoting the conscious and efficient utilization of resources.
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