PhD student profile, Claire Ashleigh Christison

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