PhD Student: Claire Ashleigh Christison
Tutor: Francesca Cappitelli, DeFENS
Co-tutor: Fabio Forlani
Dean: Prof. Francesco Bonomi
Research area: Agri-Environment
Research topic
Study of the effects of plant extracts and agri-food nanoparticles on biofilms
Project Synopsis
Valorization of olive oil wastes for sustainable production of biocide-free antibiofilm compounds. The cultivation of olives and the production of oil has deep roots in the history of Mediterranean regions. However, olive oil production is accompanied by the generation of huge amounts of olive oil mill wastes (OMW) that leave a congested environmental footprint. The project aims to biotechnologically convert OMW into valuable phenolic compounds which may be used to discourage the formation of unwanted biofilms, without killing cells. These compounds will create an innovative biocide-free, eco-sustainable strategy to counteract phytopathogenic biofilms. Thus reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture and closing the loop of resources flow. Through a biorefinery approach, phenolic-enriched fractions will be obtained and screened as antibiofilm compounds using microbial biomarkers. The most promising fractions will be tested against phytopathogens and their mode of action determined.
Project keywords
Biofilm, Biotechnology, Biocide-free strategy, Olive-Oil Waste
Contacts
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences
Università degli Studi di Milano
02503 19068
Collaborations
University of Naples Federico II
Sponsor
Fellowship sponsor: self-enrolled
[…] 13.30 Claire Ashleigh Christison […]