PhD Student: Asmita Mukundrao Acharya (ORCID n. 0000-0002-2746-920X)
Supervisor: Dr. Simone Perna, DeFENS – Division of Human Nutrition
Co-tutor: Prof. Patrizia Riso, DeFENS – Division of Human Nutrition
Dean: Prof. Diego Mora
Research area: Food Science and Nutrition
Research topic
Bioavailability and biological activity of dietary compounds/patterns and their role on human health
Project Synopsis
Citrus fruit Polyphenols from Mediterranean diet for Healthy Aging
This PhD research project investigates the effects on healthy aging potential of citrus fruits-derived polyphenols against age-associated physiological decline, focusing on immunoaging, neurodegeneration, and sarcopenia. Utilizing human-derived cell lines (HepG2 liver, SH-SY5Y neuronal, CD56+ NK immune, and C2C12 skeletal muscle cells), the project aims to explore how these bioactive compounds, including their metabolized forms, exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. A key purpose is to address current research gaps by employing age-relevant cell models and investigating the impact of polyphenol metabolites to better understand their physiological relevance and mechanisms, paving the way for targeted interventions. The research will explicitly link the findings of this research project to the context of the Mediterranean diet, highlighting the role of citrus fruits within this dietary pattern and their contribution to the healthy aging associated with it.
Project keywords
Citrus fruit Polyphenols; aging; Cell Models; Mediterranean diet
Contacts
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences DeFENS -Dipartimento di scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente
Division of Human Nutrition – Sezione di Nutrizione Umana – Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano
E-mail: asmita.acharya@unimi.it
Collaborations
Prof. Mariangela Rondanelli. Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Prof. Sanije Zejnelhoxha. Department of Food Sciences and Biotechnology Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Agricultural University of Tirana
Dr. Domenico Azzolino. Geriatric Unit | Metabolic Diseases Clinic Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda- Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Prof. Tariq Alalwan. Department of Biology, University of Bahrain
Sponsor
Fellowship sponsor: Piano di Sostegno alla Ricerca – Finanziamento di Ateneo concesso nell’ambito della LINEA 4 – PSR 2023 (PSRL424SPERN_01)
Funded by Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences for the research project: “Exploratory study on the effect of polyphenolic fractions obtained from Mediterranean diet products in in vitro models related to frailty in aging”
Publications
Peer Reviewed
Ajay V. Chinchkar, Anurag Singh, Sukh Veer Singh, Asmita Mukundrao Acharya, and Meenatai G. Kamble “Potential sanitizers and disinfectants for fresh fruits and vegetables: A comprehensive review” Journal of Food Processing and Preservation (2022) https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.16495 Impact factor: 2.0
Book Chapter
2023. Anthocyanins in Subtropical fruits: Bioavailability efficacy of anthocyanins from various subtropical fruits. CRC Press: Taylor and Francis. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003242598-12/bioavailability-efficacy-anthocyanins-various-subtropical-fruits-rohini-dhenge-asmita-acharya-shraddha-bhat-ajay-chinchkar
Oral Presentations
Participated and made Oral Presentation in one day Techno meet on theme “Food Prices: From Crisis to Stability” on occasion of “World Food Day-2011” organized by Department of Technology (Food Technology), Shivaji University, Kolhapur on 16th October 2011.
Poster Presentations
Participated and made Poster Presentation in the 7th International Food Convention (IFCON-2013) on “NSURE – Healthy Foods” organized by AFST(I), CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore on 18th – 21st December, 2013.
Participated in “Avishkar”, the 7th Maharashtra State Inter University Research Convention at Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, held during 7th to 9th January, 2013.
Won Second prize in the AVISHKAR 2012-13, Research Project Competition for UG Centralized Competition for poster titled “Formulation of Gluten Free Cake with Enriched Nutritional Quality” at Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur in the Pure Science category conducted on 3rd January, 2013.
Participated and made Poster Presentation in the National Conference on “Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Developments” (NCET-2012) organized by Department of Technology (Food Technology), Shivaji University, Kolhapur on 27th and 28th December 2012.
Participated and made Poster Presentation in one day Techno meet on theme “Food Prices: From Crisis to Stability” on occasion of “World Food Day-2011” organized by Department of Technology (Food Technology), Shivaji University, Kolhapur on 16th October 2011.
Others
https://www.linkedin.com/in/asmita-acharya-63913171