Phd in ENVIRONMENTAL AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Thesis title: Transformation and reuse of waste and by-products from agro-food companies through the recovery of active ingredients and development of substance-based medical devices, food supplements, within a circular economy perspective

The project aims to enhance the value of waste and by-products generated annually by agri-food supply chains, through the recovery of bioactive compounds present in these matrices for the development of products intended for human consumption. This strategy is in line with Goals 3 and 12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Waste disposal represents not only an economic burden for producers but also a potential risk to environmental, human, and animal health. The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnection between these three domains, highlighting how reducing environmental impact can help prevent the onset of diseases. The by-products used in the project were supplied by organic farms located in the Lazio region. Grape seeds (Vitis vinifera L.) provided by the Pietrapinta company were subjected to extraction using selected methods aimed at achieving efficient and eco-sustainable recovery of the compounds of interest. The resulting extract was phytochemically characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The biological activity of the extract was also assessed, evaluating its protective effect against LPS-induced damage and its inhibitory capacity against planktonic cells and biofilm of two Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Artichoke waste, in particular the outer bracts provided by the Iannotta company, was also extracted using eco-friendly techniques. The extract was characterized by HPLC and NMR. The solid residue resulting from the hydroalcoholic extraction of phenolics was treated to obtain soluble fibers, which were analyzed using FT-IR and NMR. The residues from both processes were further treated to extract insoluble fibers, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pomegranate waste supplied by the company "La Collina dei Melograni" was extracted and purified by solid-phase extraction, with the aim of enriching the extract with target molecules while removing sugars. The extract was characterized by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS, and its activity was evaluated against six fungal strains: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia spicifera, Curvularia inaequalis, Drechslera dematioidea, and Mucor racemosus. The results obtained in the three research areas are promising and provide a solid foundation for future studies aimed at developing products for human consumption. Thanks to the collaboration with Sapienza’s startup ViVita Pharma, it was possible to formulate and market dermocosmetics and dietary supplements based on grape seed extracts.