Papers by Alessandra Verardi
Agriculture
New solutions are compulsorily needed to reconcile the enormous and ever-growing request for prot... more New solutions are compulsorily needed to reconcile the enormous and ever-growing request for protein for human nutrition and, at the same time, reduce conventional meat production. This epochal challenge can find a valuable aid to a winning solution in insect rearing. The use of insects as feed and food, far from being a definitive solution to global food shortages, can offer new protein sources and perfectly fit circular economy precepts, yet more so when insects feed on by-products from the agri-food industry. In this scenario, Tenebrio molitor (TM) is a concrete alternative. Therefore, making its rearing more sustainable is a prime objective. In this paper, we evaluated the possibility of replacing usual plant sources of wet supplementation used in TM rearing with sustainable alternatives, including the cladodes of prickly pear (Opuntias ficus indica, OFI), to reduce the frequency of administration, thus minimizing related labor costs. The alternatives were tested for water conte...
Recycling
The sustainable management of lignocellulosic agricultural waste has gained significant attention... more The sustainable management of lignocellulosic agricultural waste has gained significant attention due to its potential for the production of valuable products. This paper provides an extensive overview of the valorization strategies employed to convert lignocellulosic agricultural waste into economically and environmentally valuable products. The manuscript examines the conversion routes employed for the production of valuable products from lignocellulosic agricultural waste. These include the production of biofuels, such as bioethanol and biodiesel, via biochemical and thermochemical processes. Additionally, the synthesis of platform chemicals, such as furfural, levulinic acid, and xylose, is explored, which serve as building blocks for the manufacturing of polymers, resins, and other high-value chemicals. Moreover, this overview highlights the potential of lignocellulosic agricultural waste in generating bio-based materials, including bio-based composites, bio-based plastics, and ...
Foods
Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten proteins. The glu... more Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten proteins. The gluten-free diet is currently the only therapy to achieve the symptoms’ remission. Biotechnological approaches are currently being explored to obtain safer and healthier food for celiacs. This article analyzes consumer awareness and acceptance of advanced biotechnologies to develop gluten-free products. An online snowball sampling questionnaire was proposed to 511 Italian participants, selected among celiac and non-celiac people, from December 2020 to January 2021, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 64% of respondents favor food biotechnology, as long as it has benefits for health or the environment. Moreover, biotechnology perception differs according to education level and type. A total of 65% of the survey participants would taste gluten-free products obtained through a biotechnological approach, and 57% would buy them at a higher price than the current market pric...
Clean Technologies and Recycling
Chitin is the second most plentiful natural biomass after cellulose, with a yearly production of ... more Chitin is the second most plentiful natural biomass after cellulose, with a yearly production of about 1 × 1010–1 × 1012 tonnes. It can be obtained mainly from sea crustaceans' shells, containing 15–40% chitin. Full or partial deacetylation of chitin generates chitosan. Chitin and chitosan are used in several industrial sectors, as they exhibit high biocompatibility, biodegradability and several biological functions (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumoral activities). These biopolymers' market trends are destined to grow in the coming years, confirming their relevance. As a result, low-cost and industrial-scale production is the main challenge. Scientific literature reports two major technologies for chitin and chitosan recovery from crustacean waste: chemical and biological methods. The chemical treatment can be performed using conventional solvents, typically strong acid and alkaline solutions, or alternative green solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) ...
Environmental Engineering and Management Journal
The global population is growing and the ever-increasing need for proteins from sustainable sourc... more The global population is growing and the ever-increasing need for proteins from sustainable sources requires urgent actions. The insects represent an alternative solution for several reasons: their nutritional profile is comparable to that of meat from other meat livestock; they can be easily and sustainably reared due to high fertility and reproductive rate; insect rearing facilities can be realized everywhere worldwide; reared insects' availability is not subjected to seasonality; they can grow on low-value substrates such as agri-food by-products. Among these good-to-eat insects, Tenebrio molitor (TM) is gaining rising attention from academia and the business world, also in the light of the recent favourable opinion of EFSA and the even more recent approval by the European Commission for the use of mealworms as a Novel Food. Despite the enormous potential of TM, some aspects related to the impacts on human health have yet to be analysed and some regulatory, psychological and cultural barriers have yet to be overcome in the Western countries. On the other hand, the feed production from TM larvae will be more significantly promoted, since TM feed, already used in Europe for pets and aquaculture, has been approved for monogastric terrestrial animals and poultry at the end of 2021.
Environmental Engineering and Management Journal
Modern society is faced with a series of important challenges for its very survival, related to c... more Modern society is faced with a series of important challenges for its very survival, related to climate change, resource depletion, population increase, soil scarcity, and environmental pollution. It is now clear that the linear economy model, adopted up to now mainly by the most industrialised countries, is no longer sustainable, and urgent alternative solutions are required. The insects, and in particular Tenebrio molitor (TM), are a valid food alternative, and they can be used to valorise and reduce food loss and waste (FLW) in the Circular Economy perspective, converting FLW into high-value products including food, feed, pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and lubricants. Furthermore, TM rearing waste provides fertilisers and bioproducts, such as chitin and chitosan, as well as biofuels and biochar. TM and its gut microbiota also represent a valid tool for plastic degradation, even though plastic pollution management using TM is quite controversial. Finally, TM can provide valuable assistance in the biological recovery of new biopolymers, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from plastic-producing microorganisms, (e.g. Cupriavidus necator), used as Single Cell Protein. In a circular system and following a bioeconomy approach, these microorganisms can be fed on FLW, produce PHA, and then be used as feed for mealworms to obtain PHA and, at the same time, protein biomass, as well as rearing waste (frass and exuviae) from which to obtain fertilisers for new crops and chitin/ chitosan for biomaterials.
Nutraceuticals
Flaxseed lignans frequently feature in the literature. However, much remains to be discovered abo... more Flaxseed lignans frequently feature in the literature. However, much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms underlying their functional and therapeutic properties. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify systems for lignan production and detoxification that are sustainable, cost-effective, easy to use, and scale up. These systems can address the needs of the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors and lead to competitive commercial products. This review analyzes the biological effects of lignans as anticancer, antioxidants, and modulators of estrogen activity. It also focuses on the most recent articles on lignan extraction methods that are sustainable and suitable as products for human consumption. Furthermore, the most up-to-date and relevant patents for lignan recovery are examined. The search and selection methodology for articles and patents was conducted using the most popular bibliographic and patent databases (e.g., Scopus, Pubmed, Espacenet). To the best...
Molecules, 2021
Prunus persica L. is one of the most important fruit crops in European production, after grapes, ... more Prunus persica L. is one of the most important fruit crops in European production, after grapes, apples, oranges and watermelons. Most varieties are rich in secondary metabolites, showing antioxidant properties for human health. The purpose of this study was to develop a chemical analysis methodology, which involves the use of different analytical-instrumental techniques to deepen the knowledge related to the profile of metabolites present in selected cultivars of peaches and nectarines cultivated in the Mediterranean area (Southern Italy). The comparative study was conducted by choosing yellow-fleshed peaches (RomeStar, ZeeLady) and yellow-fleshed nectarines (Nectaross, Venus) from two geographical areas (Piana di Sibari and Piana di Metaponto), and by determining the chemical parameters for the flesh and skin that allow for identification of any distinctive varietal and/or geographical characteristics. A combined analytical and chemometric approach was used, trough rheological, th...
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 2021
Nowadays, it is urgent to produce in larger quantities and more sustainably to reduce the gap bet... more Nowadays, it is urgent to produce in larger quantities and more sustainably to reduce the gap between food supply and demand. In a circular bioeconomy vision, insects receive great attention as a sustainable alternative to satisfy food and nutritional needs. Among all insects, Tenebrio molitor (TM) is the first insect approved by the European Food Safety Authority as a novel food in specific conditions and uses, testifying its growing relevance and potential. This review holistically presents the possible role of TM in the sustainable and circular solution to the growing needs for food and nutrients. We analyze all high value‐added products obtained from TM (powders and extracts, oils and fatty acids, proteins and peptides, and chitin and chitosan), their recovery processes (evaluating the best ones in technical and environmental terms), their nutritional and economical values, and their biological effects. Safety aspects are also mentioned. TM potential is undoubted, but some aspec...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021
The increase in the world population leads to rising demand and consumption of plastic raw materi... more The increase in the world population leads to rising demand and consumption of plastic raw materials; only a small percentage of plastics is recovered and recycled, increasing the quantity of waste released into the environment and losing its economic value. The plastics represent a great opportunity in the circular perspective of their reuse and recycling. Research is moving, on the one hand, to implement sustainable systems for plastic waste management and on the other to find new non-fossil-based plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In this review, we focus our attention on Tenebrio molitor (TM) as a valuable solution for plastic biodegradation and biological recovery of new biopolymers (e.g. PHA) from plastic-producing microorganisms, exploiting its highly diversified gut microbiota. TM’s use for plastic pollution management is controversial. However, TM microbiota is recognised as a source of plastic-degrading microorganisms. TM-based plastic degradation is improved b...
Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2020
Citrus is one of the most important fruit tree crops worldwide, with respect to both total produc... more Citrus is one of the most important fruit tree crops worldwide, with respect to both total production and economic value. About 80% of the world production is destined to the fresh market, the remaining is processed to obtain various products (juices, jams, etc.). Citrus processing residues account for about 50-60% of processed fruits; their huge amounts and peculiar characteristics need a correct management that imply cost for producers and processors. If not well managed, they can represent an environmental issue. On the contrary, Citrus residues are a valuable source of bio-based products of interest in several sectors, as well as molecules useful for the chemical industry, cosmetics and human health. In a bioeconomy perspective of full exploitation and valorization of agricultural and processing residues, Citrus as a multifunctional crop can therefore generate new economic opportunities and benefits for all stakeholders, promoting at the same time the development of territories. This paper describes the current and promising pathways of valorization of Citrus residues by reviewing the most recent scientific literature. Alongside the bioproducts useful in agro-livestock field (feed, fertilizers), energy (biofuels), environmental and industrial sector (bio-sorbents, fibers for papermaking and textiles), a particular emphasis is given to the value added compounds with application in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries (polyphenols, carotenoids, essential oils, citric acid, dietary fibers and pectin, single cell proteins, Extracellular Vesicles). To our knowledge this is the first review that considers Extracellular Vesicles as a way to valorize Citrus processing residues.
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 2021
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2016
Citrus 9 limon cv. Femminello Comune (Rutaceae) from Rocca Imperiale (Italy), one of the six Prot... more Citrus 9 limon cv. Femminello Comune (Rutaceae) from Rocca Imperiale (Italy), one of the six Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Italian lemon crops, has been recently received renewed interest. In this work, fresh and dried peels and leaves were extracted by hydrodistillation, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and Soxhlet apparatus. Chemical profile was assessed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Except for leaves extracts obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, the monoterpene hydrocarbons fraction dominated. Limonene, c-terpinene, and b-pinene were the main identified compounds. The antioxidant activity was investigated using different in vitro assays namely 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS, ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and b-carotene bleaching test. In DPPH test, the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of fresh peel exhibited the highest activity (IC 50 of 1.17 mg/ml). Leaves extracted by SFE showed a good activity in both DPPH and b-carotene bleaching test with IC 50 values of 2.20 and 6.66 mg/ml, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons fraction exhibited a positive Pearson's correlation coefficient with all antioxidant assays. Leaves, often considered waste material, should be considered from a different point because they represent a matrix of indisputable interest.
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Papers by Alessandra Verardi