Strengthening of the Italian Research Infrastructure for Metrology and Open Access Data in support to the Agrifood
ENEA5 – Circular Bioeconomy
(Reference person: Valerio Miceli)
The OU Circular Bioeconomy is inspired by the principles of the circular economy, aiming to transform waste from the agri-food sector into sustainable resources and introducing biodegradable biomaterials into the production lines. It is characterised by advanced skills and longstanding experience in the recovery and reuse of biomolecules extracted from agrifood wastewater. In particular, in recent years, research has focused on technological solutions for the enhancement of innovative technologies and processes for the production of 100% biodegradable and compostable biomaterials for a sustainable, economic / circular and intelligent industry, transforming the waste generated by the agrifood sector in resources, redesigning the packaging in a sustainable way and introducing biodegradable materials in the production lines. It is able to generate a series of cascade processes that, starting from membrane separation processes, are able to recover, divide and concentrate the biomolecules present in agrifood wastewater. Furthermore, R&D activities are carried out for technological innovation in the production, storage, and optimised distribution of energy from processing waste from the agroindustrial sector, with a focus on by-products agroindustry such as exhausted biomass for their experimentation and development in energy enhancement.
Fermenters and membrane separation
Membrane separation MF/UF
Rotational reometer
Valerio Miceli
Has a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Salento. From 1990 to 2002 he worked at the Scientific and Technological Park (CNRSM), Brindisi (Italy), dealing with research in biomaterials, spending several phases of research at the pharmaceutical laboratories FIDIA. Since 2002 he is researcher at ENEA in the Brindisi Research Center, dealing with polymeric materials and their rheological characterization. Currently he is involved in the recovery of biomolecules through the use of membrane technologies and their uses in biomaterials including biocomposites and novel food.
Patrizia Pallara
Is researcher at ENEA with Master’s degree in biological sciences. From 1996 she carries out research activities in plant metabolic engineering, and from 2015 studies on biodegradable and compostable food packaging. Her professional skills is focused in molecular biology, genetic engineering, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomato and tobacco; preparation of libraries paired-end for next generation sequencing (MiSeq); plant tissue cultures.
Annagrazia Scalone
Is Researcher at ENEA, with master’s degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology. She has developed skills particularly in extraction techniques; separation and recognition of proteins from plant material; chemical synthesis with microwave reactor of compounds for optical and thermoelectric applications; optical characterization, morphological and chemical products of new synthesis. She has excellent knowledge of common analytical techniques and issues related to the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phase and high experience in the use of sample preparation methods for: spectrophotometric analysis, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, film deposition for spin and dip coating, ICP-OES spectroscopy analysis.
Gianfranco Zingarelli
Is chemical expert, he carries out activities Chemical expert in the field of bioagroindustry mainly focused in: extraction of plant matrices by supercritical CO2; use of the electronic nose and NIRgun to determine the quality of fruits; characterization and morphological study of industrial hemp cultivars; new generation food production using 3D printing. He also deals with the synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline semiconductors and polymers. The expertise gained gave him me excellent skills in conducting experimental plants and good manual skills with laboratory instrumentation thanks to the knowledge of common analytical techniques.