55 results on '"Meneguzzo F"'
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2. Agri-food and Forestry Sectors for Sustainable Development
- Author
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Meneguzzo, F. and Zabini, F.
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Forestry Management ,Waste Management ,Water and Health ,Agriculture ,Waste Technology ,Sustainable Development - Abstract
Il libro "Agri-food and Forestry Sectors for Sustainable Development" individua e illustra una serie di pratiche, metodi e tecnologie avanzate ma già disponibili, in grado di contribuire in modo concreto al raggiungimento degli obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile delle Nazioni Unite al 2030, nei settori agroalimentare e forestale. Concentrandosi sul nesso ecosistemi-risorse-clima-cibo-salute, il volume offre un portafoglio di linee guida e soluzioni, economicamente e ambientalmente sostenibili, che possono in breve tempo contribuire a miglioramenti misurabili nelle aree della gestione ambientale, della sicurezza alimentare, della crescita economica, della coesione sociale e della salute umana dal livello locale alla scala globale. Il Pianeta sta infatti raggiungendo diversi limiti allo stesso tempo, tra cui quelli relativi alla disponibilità di energia e risorse minerali e idriche e alla capacità di carico degli ecosistemi globali, traducendosi tra l'altro nella contrazione della globalizzazione e del commercio, in stagnazione e recessione economica e minore capacità di affrontare le emergenze naturali e provocate dall'uomo, comprese pandemie, eventi meteorologici e climatici estremi e conflitti internazionali. La crisi pandemica Covid-19, la sua gestione e le sue conseguenze economiche sproporzionate, hanno ulteriormente evidenziato una preoccupante debolezza sistemica. In questo quadro, considerando che il fattore tempo è estremamente critico, c'è grande bisogno di soluzioni e direzioni disponibili oggi, e applicabili in tempi brevi. Le aree di intervento considerate nello studio includono la gestione delle risorse forestali globali, con specifico riferimento alle grandi foreste naturali per la protezione e regolazione del clima, e delle risorse forestali locali per la conservazione della biodiversità e la promozione diretta della salute umana, il riutilizzo delle acque reflue per l'irrigazione, la protezione sostenibile delle colture e delle piante, le strategie di riduzione delle emissioni di gas a effetto serra e metodi di trasformazione più efficienti e sicuri per il cibo e gli scarti agro-alimentari. La salvaguardia delle grandi foreste naturali rappresenta un punto di partenza imprescindibile. Recenti ricerche attribuiscono alle foreste naturali globali servizi ecosistemici immensi e precedentemente sottovalutati per quanto riguarda il contenimento di pericolose minacce zoonotiche, la stabilità climatica (sequestro del carbonio e, forse ancora più importante, dinamiche climatiche globali e distribuzione delle precipitazioni), così come - insieme alle foreste locali - il sostegno diretto alla salute umana. Importanti studi indicano che solo uno sforzo urgente, collettivo e senza precedenti, volto a invertire l'attuale percorso di deforestazione e degrado forestale, potrebbe impedire un sostanziale collasso della civiltà umana. L'agricoltura può svolgere un ruolo decisivo nella transizione auspicata, a condizione che sia rapidamente attuato un cambiamento importante negli stili alimentari, passando dal consumo di cibi di origine animale a quelli vegetali biologici e più sani, volto a ridurre le emissioni di gas a effetto serra, il consumo di acqua dolce e risorse, e consentendo di riservare estensioni di terreno sempre più grandi all'espansione naturale delle foreste. Consentire un tale cambiamento nella dieta implica l'innovazione scientifica e tecnologica sul lato dell'agricoltura (protezione sostenibile delle colture, agricoltura biologica efficiente e conservazione dell'acqua), nonché nella trasformazione del cibo e nel contenimento e recupero degli scarti alimentari. Soluzioni economicamente sostenibili e immediatamente praticabili sono proposte in questo libro per tutti questi campi. Il volume è destinato principalmente ad accademici, professionisti e responsabili politici. Il pubblico professionale, comprese le imprese nei settori della silvicoltura, dell'agricoltura, della trasformazione agro-alimentare, della gestione dei rifiuti e della sanità trarrà vantaggio dalla base di conoscenza aggiornata relativa alle innovazioni nelle rispettive pratiche, metodi e tecnologie, compresa la loro fattibilità, convenienza e redditività. I responsabili politici troveranno utile la revisione completa di queste innovazioni che potranno essere strategicamente promosse e implementate nel prossimo decennio, con l'obiettivo di raggiungere gli obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile delle Nazioni Unite.
- Published
- 2021
3. Capitolo 1 - Le foreste: risorse fondamentali per la vita umana
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Meneguzzo F, Piotti A, Avanzi C, and Zabini F
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terapia forestale ,patrimonio forestale ,risorse genetiche forestali - Abstract
Capitolo 1 Le foreste: risorse fondamentali per la vita umana
- Published
- 2020
4. Foreste, prevenzione e cura: evidenze scientifiche
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Zabini F., Meneguzzo F., Albanese L., Nocetti M., Brunetti M., Neri L., and Baraldi R.
- Abstract
In questo capitolo sono esplorati i molti ruoli, tra cui alcuni di straordinaria importanza emersi negli ultimi anni, degli ecosistemi forestali rispetto alla stabilità e sicurezza della vita umana. Dalle pandemie al clima, passando per le minacce dirette alla sopravvivenza della nostra civiltà, le grandi foreste mondiali rappresentano un patrimonio già ampiamente saccheggiato che necessita urgentemente di protezione e di una nuova espansione. Sono prospettate soluzioni, difficili ma ineludibili, pena il rischio che quello che abbiamo vissuto con il Covid-19 possa apparire in un futuro troppo vicino come un episodio insignificante. Un paragrafo è dedicato allo straordinario significato e valore delle foreste italiane rispetto al patrimonio forestale naturale dell'Europa e oltre: la ricchezza genetica di numerose specie arboree residenti nelle nostre foreste, che deve essere preservata a tutti i costi, rappresenta la più sicura garanzia di resilienza e ricostituzione non solo rispetto a una lontanissima (per noi) nuova era glaciale, ma nell'immediato rispetto alla pressione esercitata dai cambiamenti climatici globali.
- Published
- 2020
5. Communication and interpretation of regional weather forecasts: a survey of the Italian public
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Zabini F., Grasso V., Magno R., Meneguzzo F., and Gozzini B.
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probabilistic forecasts ,uncertainty communication ,communication ,weather forecast ,probability of precipitation ,forecasts interpretation - Abstract
The aim of the present study is to contribute to the correctness and effectiveness of weather forecast communication, the importance of which has been steadily growing along with the improvement in numerical weather prediction models and methods as well as the general awareness about the increase of extreme events within a context of global climate change. An extensive survey was conducted among the general users of the weather forecasts issued by the regional meteorological service of Tuscany, Italy (LaMMA Consortium), which resulted in 2388 volunteers responding to the questions aimed at better understanding of how people access, interpret and use weather forecasts. The survey also includes some items investigated in previous research, allowing comparison with similar findings in other countries. The most critical issue concerns the uncertainty information, investigated with the main aim of verifying the existence and relevance of inferential mechanisms in the interpretation of weather icons and maps used in LaMMA forecasts to assess uncertainty. The present study also discusses users' interpretations of the probability of precipitation forecasts and their preferences on how forecast uncertainty is conveyed. Results show that, even if the Italian public is accustomed to strictly deterministic weather forecasts, people attribute uncertainty to them on their own even if lacking any explicit indication, thus suggesting the need to supplement the existing forecasts with both graphical and textual information about uncertainty, particularly in the case of precipitation forecasts.
- Published
- 2015
6. Grapefruit IntegroPectin isolation via spray drying and via freeze drying: A comparison
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Giulia Di Prima, Antonino Scurria, Giuseppe Angellotti, Elena Belfiore, Mario Pagliaro, Francesco Meneguzzo, Viviana De Caro, Rosaria Ciriminna, Di Prima G., Scurria A., Angellotti G., Belfiore E., Pagliaro M., Meneguzzo F., De Caro V., and Ciriminna R.
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Settore CHIM/09 - Farmaceutico Tecnologico Applicativo ,Spray drying ,Flavonoid ,Freeze drying ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Environmental Chemistry ,Grapefruit ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Pollution ,IntegroPectin - Abstract
The comparison of grapefruit IntegroPectin powders isolated via spray drying and via freeze drying in terms of phenolic content, quantification of the most representative flavonoids (naringin and hesperidin), radical scavenging activity, total protein content and pH of the aqueous solutions provides relevant information. Except for the protein content and the antioxidant power, the two drying methods afford similar pectins. Optimization of the spray drying parameters allowed to maximize the yield of isolated pectin that nearly approached (>95%) the quantitative yield obtained via freeze drying.
- Published
- 2022
7. Cross-linked natural IntegroPectin films from citrus biowaste with intrinsic antimicrobial activity
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Elena Piacenza, Alessandro Presentato, Rosa Alduina, Antonino Scurria, Mario Pagliaro, Lorenzo Albanese, Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Delia F. Chillura Martino, Piacenza E., Presentato A., Alduina R., Scurria A., Pagliaro M., Albanese L., Meneguzzo F., Ciriminna R., and Chillura Martino D.F.
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Polymers and Plastics ,Antimicrobial films ,Terpenes ,Controlled release ,Polyphenols ,Settore BIO/19 - Microbiologia Generale ,Citrus pectin ,Pectin films ,Settore CHIM/02 - Chimica Fisica - Abstract
Pectin recovered via hydrodynamic cavitation (IntegroPectin) from lemon and grapefruit agri-food waste intrinsically containing antimicrobial bioactive substances (flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and terpenoids) was used to generate innovative and eco-compatible films that efficiently inhibit the growth of Gram-negative pathogens. Extensive characterization of films confirmed the presence of these substances, which differently interact with the polysaccharide polymer (pectin), plasticizer (glycerol), surfactant (Tween 60), and cross-linker (Ca2+), conferring to these films a unique structure. Besides, IntegroPectin-based films constitute versatile systems for the sustained, controlled, and slow-release (up to 72 h) of bioactive substances in an aqueous environment. This feature is crucial for the good in vitro antimicrobial activity exerted by IntegroPectin films against three Gram-negative bacteria (two indicator pathogen strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, P. aeruginosa PAO1, and the clinical isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae) that are involved in the global emergence of the antimicrobial resistance. Graphical abstract
- Published
- 2022
8. New neuroprotective effect of lemon integropectin on neuronal cellular model
- Author
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Costanza Giardina, Valentina Di Liberto, Miriana Scordino, Mario Pagliaro, Pasquale Massimo Picone, Domenico Nuzzo, Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosa Alduina, Rosaria Ciriminna, Antonino Scurria, Giuseppa Mudò, Alessandro Presentato, Laura M. Ilharco, Alexandra Fidalgo, Nuzzo D., Picone P., Giardina C., Scordino M., Mudo' G., Pagliaro M., Scurria A., Meneguzzo F., Ilharco L.M., Fidalgo A., Alduina R., Presentato A., Ciriminna R., and Di Liberto V.
- Subjects
Cell signaling ,antioxidant ,Physiology ,hesperidin ,Antioxidant, Flavonoids, Hesperidin, Mitochondria, Neu-roprotective, Neurological disease, Oxidative stress, Pectin ,Clinical Biochemistry ,RM1-950 ,Mitochondrion ,Cell morphology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Biochemistry ,Neuroprotection ,Article ,flavonoids ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,oxidative stress ,Viability assay ,neurological disease ,Molecular Biology ,030304 developmental biology ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,pectin ,neuroprotective ,0303 health sciences ,Reactive oxygen species ,Cell Biology ,Cell biology ,mitochondria ,chemistry ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,Cellular model ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Oxidative stress - Abstract
Lemon IntegroPectin obtained via hydrodynamic cavitation of organic lemon processing waste in water shows significant neuroprotective activity in vitro, as first reported in this study investigating the effects of both lemon IntegroPectin and commercial citrus pectin on cell viability, cell morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondria perturbation induced by treatment of neuronal SH-SY5Y human cells with H2O2. Mediated by ROS, including H2O2 and its derivatives, oxidative stress alters numerous cellular processes, such as mitochondrial regulation and cell signaling, propagating cellular injury that leads to incurable neurodegenerative diseases. These results, and the absence of toxicity of this new pectic substance rich in adsorbed flavonoids and terpenes, suggest further studies to investigate its activity in preventing, retarding, or even curing neurological diseases.
- Published
- 2021
9. Flavonoids in Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin
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Rosaria Ciriminna, Domenico Nuzzo, Antonino Scurria, Rosa Alduina, Mario Pagliaro, Federica Zabini, Alessandro Presentato, Marzia Sciortino, Lorenzo Albanese, Giuseppe Avellone, Francesco Meneguzzo, Scurria A., Sciortino M., Albanese L., Nuzzo D., Zabini F., Meneguzzo F., Alduina R., Presentato A., Pagliaro M., Avellone G., and Ciriminna R.
- Subjects
Citrus ,food.ingredient ,Pectin ,Flavonoid ,citrus fruits ,Terpene ,pectins ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Hesperidin ,food ,hydrodynamic cavitation ,Food science ,QD1-999 ,Naringin ,IntegroPectin ,Flavonoids ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Full Paper ,food and beverages ,Neurodegenerative Diseases ,General Chemistry ,Full Papers ,food_chemistry ,Chemistry ,chemistry ,Fruit ,Eriocitrin ,Kaempferol ,Citrus paradisi - Abstract
Following the analysis of terpenes present in new lemon and grapefruit “IntegroPectin” pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, the HPLC‐MS analysis of flavonoid and other phenolic compounds reveals the presence of eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits. The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan‐I regions act as chemical sponges adsorbing and concentrating at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. These findings, together with the unique molecular structure of these new whole citrus pectins, provide preliminary insight into the broad‐scope biological activity of these new biomaterials. Numerous new biomedical applications are anticipated, including likely use in the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and neurodegenerative disease., Molecular synergy in action, IntegroPectin! The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan‐I regions of lemon and grapefruit “IntegroPectin” pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, adsorb and concentrate at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. Flavonoid compounds include eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits.
- Published
- 2021
10. Volatile Compounds of Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin
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Alessandro Presentato, Delia Francesca Chillura Martino, Claudia Lino, Antonino Scurria, Domenico Nuzzo, Elena Piacenza, Lorenzo Albanese, Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Rosa Alduina, Mario Pagliaro, Giuseppe Avellone, Marzia Sciortino, Federica Zabini, Scurria A., Sciortino M., Presentato A., Lino C., Piacenza E., Albanese L., Zabini F., Meneguzzo F., Nuzzo D., Pagliaro M., Chillura Martino D.F., Alduina R., Avellone G., and Ciriminna R.
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Citrus ,food.ingredient ,Pectin ,lemon ,Phytochemicals ,Pharmaceutical Science ,grapefruit ,Article ,Industrial waste ,Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ,Analytical Chemistry ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Adsorption ,food ,Linalool ,Citrus paradisi ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,Drug Discovery ,hydrodynamic cavitation ,?-terpineol ,Food science ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,IntegroPectin ,pectin ,Residue (complex analysis) ,Limonene ,Volatile Organic Compounds ,Molecular Structure ,applied_chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,circular economy ,waste citrus peel ,Biosynthetic Pathways ,Terpineol ,chemistry ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,Fruit ,Molecular Medicine ,α-terpineol ,Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry ,Citric acid - Abstract
An HS-SPME GC-MS analysis of the volatile compounds adsorbed at the outer surface of lemon and grapefruit pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial waste streams of lemon and grapefruit peels in water suggests important new findings en route to understanding the powerful and broad biological activity of these new pectic materials. In agreement with the ultralow degree of esterification of these pectins, the high amount of highly bioactive &alpha, terpineol and terpinen-4-ol points to limonene (and linalool) decomposition catalyzed by residual citric acid in the citrus waste peel residue of the juice industrial production.
- Published
- 2020
11. Pectin: A Long-Neglected Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial
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Domenico Nuzzo, Antonino Scurria, Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosa Alduina, Alexandra Fidalgo, Mario Pagliaro, Laura M. Ilharco, Rosaria Ciriminna, Alessandro Presentato, Ciriminna R., Fidalgo A., Meneguzzo F., Presentato A., Scurria A., Nuzzo D., Alduina R., Ilharco L.M., and Pagliaro M.
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Polymicrobial infection ,2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,food.ingredient ,Pectin ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Biocompatible Materials ,Microbial Sensitivity Tests ,Biology ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,pectin polysaccharides ,Broad spectrum ,food ,Drug Discovery ,Citrus Pectin ,Food science ,General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics ,Pharmacology ,pectin ,Bacteria ,010405 organic chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,The Renaissance ,food and beverages ,Antimicrobial ,citrus pectin ,0104 chemical sciences ,antibacterial agents, antimicrobial agents, polysaccharides, pectin, citrus pectin ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,010404 medicinal & biomolecular chemistry ,antibacterial ,Molecular Medicine ,antimicrobial ,Pectins - Abstract
First reported in the late 1930s and first partly explained in 1970, the antibacterial activity of pectin remained almost ignored until the late 1990s. The concomitant emergence of research on natural antibacterials and on new usages of pectin polysaccharides, including those in medicine widely researched in Russia, has led to a renaissance of research in the physiological properties of this uniquely versatile polysaccharide ubiquitous in plants and fruits. Collecting scattered information, this study provides an updated overview on the subtle factors affecting the behaviour of pectin as antimicrobial. Less degraded pectin extracted via acid-free routes, we argue in the conclusions, will soon find applications spanning from new treatments for polymicrobial infections through use as implantable biomaterial in tissue and bone engineering.
- Published
- 2020
12. Economic and Technical Feasibility of Betanin and Pectin Extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica Peel via Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion
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Mario Pagliaro, Laura M. Ilharco, Alexandra Fidalgo, Diego Carnaroglio, Giuseppe Avellone, Carmelo Danzì, Rosaria Ciriminna, Francesco Meneguzzo, Giuseppe Timpanaro, Ciriminna R., Fidalgo A., Avellone G., Carnaroglio D., Danzi C., Timpanaro G., Meneguzzo F., Ilharco L.M., and Pagliaro M.
- Subjects
Opuntia ficus-indica ,food.ingredient ,Settore CHIM/10 - Chimica Degli Alimenti ,Pectin ,General Chemical Engineering ,Opuntia ficus ,betain ,Microwave assisted ,Article ,lcsh:Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,food ,Betanin, and Pectin Extraction, Opuntia ficus-indica, Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion ,bioeconomy ,Betanin ,pectin ,Lemon peel ,Extraction (chemistry) ,circular economy ,General Chemistry ,Pulp and paper industry ,Technical feasibility ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,chemistry ,Prickly Pear Fruit ,microwave assisted hydrodiffusion ,Environmental science - Abstract
Investigating the feasibility of betanin and pectin extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica peel via microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion and gravity, this study identifies selected important economic and technical aspects associated with this innovative production route starting from prickly pear fruit discards. Which benefits would be derived from this process? Would production be limited to Opuntia-growing countries or, likewise to what happens with dried lemon peel chiefly imported from Argentina, would production take place abroad also? Can distributed manufacturing based on clean extraction technology compete with centralized production using conventional chemical processes?
- Published
- 2019
13. Integral Extraction of Opuntia ficus-indica Peel Bioproducts via Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion and Hydrodistillation
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Alexandra Fidalgo, Mattia Locatelli, Laura M. Ilharco, Carmelo Danzì, Giuseppe Avellone, Giuseppe Timpanaro, Diego Carnaroglio, Mario Pagliaro, Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Ciriminna R., Fidalgo A., Avellone G., Danzi C., Timpanaro G., Locatelli M., Carnaroglio D., Meneguzzo F., Ilharco L.M., and Pagliaro M.
- Subjects
food.ingredient ,Pectin ,Settore CHIM/10 - Chimica Degli Alimenti ,General Chemical Engineering ,Opuntia ficus ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Microwave assisted ,Betanin ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,food ,Bioproducts ,Environmental Chemistry ,Chemical Engineering (all) ,Renewable Energy ,Food science ,Sustainability and the Environment ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Chemistry ,Chemistry (all) ,Extraction (chemistry) ,Prickly pear ,Opuntia ,General Chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,0104 chemical sciences ,Anti-inflammatory ,Antioxidant ,Biophenol ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
The microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion extraction process affords high quality pectin and betanin from the peel of red and green Opuntia ficus-indica fruits under mild conditions. An aqueous mixture of valued bioproducts is readily obtained from the fruit peel cell water itself, without any water addition. The integral extract can be used as such to formulate nutraceutical beverages and products or, upon straightforward separation, to isolate pectin and betanin devoid of chemical contaminants suitable as ingredients for products ranging from food and beverage to cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. Betanin shows exceptional stability thanks to the high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols in the extract. Here, we describe the simple extraction process and present spectroscopic characterization of the extracts from red and green Opuntia ficus-indica peel.
- Published
- 2019
14. Interplay among Anxiety, Digital Environmental Exposure, and Cognitive Control: Implications of Natural Settings.
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Benedetti V, Giganti F, Cotugno M, Noferini C, Gavazzi G, Gronchi G, Righi S, Meneguzzo F, Becheri FR, Li Q, and Viggiano MP
- Abstract
Inhibitory control performance may differ greatly as a function of individual differences such as anxiety. Nonetheless, how cognitive control proficiency might be influenced by exposure to various environments and how anxiety traits might impact these effects remain unexplored. A cohort of thirty healthy volunteers participated in the study. Participants performed a Go/No-Go task before exposure to a 'forest' and 'urban' virtual environment, in a counterbalanced design, before repeating the GNG task. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was finally filled-in. Our findings unveiled an initial negative correlation between anxiety trait levels and GNG task performance, consistent with the established literature attributing difficulties in inhibitory functionality to anxiety. Additionally, different environmental exposures reported opposite trends. Exposure to the 'forest' environment distinctly improved the GNG performance in relation to anxiety traits, while the 'urban' setting demonstrated adverse effects on task performance. These results underscore the intricate relationship among cognitive control, environmental exposure, and trait anxiety. In particular, our findings highlight the potential of natural settings, such as forests, to mitigate the impact of anxiety on inhibition. This might have implications for interventions aimed at improving cognitive control.
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Can a Fraction of Flour and Sugar Be Replaced with Fruit By-Product Extracts in a Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookie Recipe?
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Breschi C, D'Agostino S, Meneguzzo F, Zabini F, Chini J, Lovatti L, Tagliavento L, Guerrini L, Bellumori M, Cecchi L, and Zanoni B
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- Humans, Antioxidants analysis, Sugars analysis, Vegans, Food Handling methods, Carbohydrates analysis, Plant Extracts analysis, Fruit chemistry, Flour analysis
- Abstract
Certain food by-products, including not-good-for-sale apples and pomegranate peels, are rich in bioactive molecules that can be collected and reused in food formulations. Their extracts, rich in pectin and antioxidant compounds, were obtained using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC), a green, efficient, and scalable extraction technique. The extracts were chemically and physically characterized and used in gluten-free and vegan cookie formulations to replace part of the flour and sugar to study whether they can mimic the role of these ingredients. The amount of flour + sugar removed and replaced with extracts was 5% and 10% of the total. Physical (dimensions, color, hardness, moisture content, water activity), chemical (total phenolic content, DPPH radical-scavenging activity), and sensory characteristics of cookie samples were studied. Cookies supplemented with the apple extract were endowed with similar or better characteristics compared to control cookies: high spread ratio, similar color, and similar sensory characteristics. In contrast, the pomegranate peel extract enriched the cookies in antioxidant molecules but significantly changed their physical and sensory characteristics: high hardness value, different color, and a bitter and astringent taste. HC emerged as a feasible technique to enable the biofortification of consumer products at a real scale with extracts from agri-food by-products.
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on Human Microglial HMC3 Cell Line.
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Scordino M, Urone G, Frinchi M, Valenza C, Bonura A, Cipollina C, Ciriminna R, Meneguzzo F, Pagliaro M, Mudò G, and Di Liberto V
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- Humans, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases metabolism, Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology, Anti-Inflammatory Agents metabolism, Cell Line, Microglia metabolism, Citrus paradisi metabolism
- Abstract
In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of grapefruit IntegroPectin, derived from industrial waste grapefruit peels via hydrodynamic cavitation, on microglia cells exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Grapefruit IntegroPectin fully counteracted cell death and the apoptotic process induced by cell exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH), a powerful hydroperoxide. The protective effects of the grapefruit IntegroPectin were accompanied with a decrease in the amount of ROS, and were strictly dependent on the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt cascade. Finally, IntegroPectin treatment inhibited the neuroinflammatory response and the basal microglia activation by down-regulating the PI3K- nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB)- inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) cascade. These data strongly support further investigations aimed at exploring IntegroPectin's therapeutic role in in vivo models of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by a combination of chronic neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
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- 2024
- Full Text
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17. Improved Cardiovascular Effects of a Novel Pomegranate Byproduct Extract Obtained through Hydrodynamic Cavitation.
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Benedetti G, Flori L, Spezzini J, Miragliotta V, Lazzarini G, Pirone A, Meneguzzo C, Tagliavento L, Martelli A, Antonelli M, Donelli D, Faraloni C, Calderone V, Meneguzzo F, and Testai L
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- Rats, Animals, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Hydrodynamics, Fruit, Rats, Inbred SHR, Pomegranate, Lythraceae
- Abstract
The healthy properties of pomegranate fruit, a highly consumed food, have been known for a long time. However, the pomegranate supply chain is still rather inefficient, with the non-edible fraction, whose weight is roughly half the total and is endowed with plenty of valuable bioactive compounds, either disposed of or underutilized. A novel extract obtained from non-edible byproducts (called PPE), using hydrodynamic cavitation, a green, efficient, and scalable technique, was investigated for its cardiovascular effects in vivo. PPE showed efficacy in an acute phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertensive rat model, similar to the extract of whole fruit (PFE) obtained using the same extractive technique, along with good intestinal bioaccessibility after oral administration. Finally, when chronically administered for 6 weeks to spontaneously hypertensive rats, PPE was shown to significantly contain the increase in systolic blood pressure, comparable to the reference drug Captopril, and at a dose remarkably lower than the reported effective dose of ellagic acid. The extract from the non-edible fraction of the pomegranate fruit also showed good anti-inflammation and anti-fibrotic effects. The findings of this study, along with the extraction technique, could contribute to enhancing the value of the pomegranate supply chain, relieve the related environmental burden, and potentially improve public health.
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Antioxidant Phytocomplexes Extracted from Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) Using Hydrodynamic Cavitation Show Potential Anticancer Activity In Vitro.
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Minutolo A, Gismondi A, Chirico R, Di Marco G, Petrone V, Fanelli M, D'Agostino A, Canini A, Grelli S, Albanese L, Centritto M, Zabini F, Matteucci C, and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC), as an effective, efficient, and scalable extraction technique for natural products, could enable the affordable production of valuable antioxidant extracts from plant resources. For the first time, whole pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) fruits, rich in bioactive phytochemicals endowed with anti-cancer properties, were extracted in water using HC. Aqueous fractions sequentially collected during the process (M1-M5) were lyophilized (L), filtered (A), or used as such, i.e., crude (C), and analyzed for their biochemical profile and in vitro antioxidant power. The fractions M3 and M4 from the L and C series showed the highest antiradical activity and phytochemical content. While the lyophilized form is preferable for application purposes, sample L-M3, which was produced faster and with lower energy consumption than M4, was used to assess the potential antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer line (AU565-PAR) and peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) cells from healthy donors. In a pilot study, cell growth, death, and redox state were assessed, showing that L-M3 significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation and intracellular oxygen reactive species. No effect on PBMCs was detected. Thus, the antioxidant phytocomplex extracted from pomegranate quickly (15 min), at room temperature (30 °C), and efficiently showed potential anticancer activity without harming healthy cells.
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- 2023
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19. An Overview of the Health Benefits, Extraction Methods and Improving the Properties of Pomegranate.
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Benedetti G, Zabini F, Tagliavento L, Meneguzzo F, Calderone V, and Testai L
- Abstract
Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) is a polyphenol-rich edible food and medicinal plant of ancient origin, containing flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, with ellagitannins as the most abundant polyphenols. In the last decades, its consumption and scientific interest increased, due to its multiple beneficial effects. Pomegranate is a balausta fruit, a large berry surrounded by a thick colored peel composed of exocarp and mesocarp with edible arils inside, from which the pomegranate juice can be produced by pressing. Seeds are used to obtain the seed oil, rich in fatty acids. The non-edible part of the fruit, the peel, although generally disposed as a waste or transformed into compost or biogas, is also used to extract bioactive products. This review summarizes some recent preclinical and clinical studies on pomegranate, which highlight promising beneficial effects in several fields. Although further insight is needed on key aspects, including the limited oral bioavailability and the role of possible active metabolites, the ongoing development of suitable encapsulation and green extraction techniques enabling the valorization of waste pomegranate products point to the great potential of pomegranate and its bioactive constituents as dietary supplements or adjuvants in therapies of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases.
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- 2023
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20. Demographic, Psychosocial, and Lifestyle-Related Characteristics of Forest Therapy Participants in Italy: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey.
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Antonelli M, Donelli D, Maggini V, Gallo E, Mascherini V, Firenzuoli F, Gavazzi G, Zabini F, Venturelli E, Margheritini G, Bassi I, Iseppi L, and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
This research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key demographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle-related characteristics of forest therapy participants in Italy. A survey was conducted among 1070 adults who had engaged in standardized forest therapy experiences between June 2021 and October 2022. The findings indicate that most forest therapy participants in Italy share certain distinctive traits. They are primarily female, aged between 45 and 54 years, employed, and unmarried. Moreover, they possess a high level of education, predominantly reside in urban areas, demonstrate a strong environmental awareness, maintain a nature-oriented attitude, and typically exhibit moderate levels of trait anxiety. Additionally, they tend to be nonsmokers, possess a healthy BMI within the normal range, and consume an adequate quantity of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. However, it should be noted that their male counterparts tend to be overweight and exhibit poorer dietary habits. Irrespective of gender, approximately 40% of forest therapy participants in Italy live with a chronic disease that requires daily medicinal treatment. Subsequent research should investigate whether these characteristics hold true in different countries. Furthermore, exploring the potential effectiveness of health-promoting interventions integrated with forest therapy sessions could prove beneficial in addressing these specific issues among forest therapy participants. By doing so, such interventions have the potential to contribute significantly to public health promotion and overall community well-being.
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- 2023
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21. New Route to the Production of Almond Beverages Using Hydrodynamic Cavitation.
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Faraloni C, Albanese L, Chini Zittelli G, Meneguzzo F, Tagliavento L, and Zabini F
- Abstract
Perceived as a healthy food, almond beverages are gaining ever-increasing consumer preference across nonalcoholic vegetable beverages, ranking in first place among oilseed-based drinks. However, costly raw material; time and energy consuming pre- and posttreatments such as soaking, blanching and peeling; and thermal sterilization hinder their sustainability, affordability and spread. Hydrodynamic cavitation processes were applied, for the first time, as a single-unit operation with straightforward scalability, to the extraction in water of almond skinless kernels in the form of flour and fine grains, and of whole almond seeds in the form of coarse grains, up to high concentrations. The nutritional profile of the extracts matched that of a high-end commercial product, as well as showing nearly complete extraction of the raw materials. The availability of bioactive micronutrients and the microbiological stability exceeded the commercial product. The concentrated extract of whole almond seeds showed comparatively higher antiradical activity, likely due to the properties of the almond kernel skin. Hydrodynamic cavitation-based processing might represent a convenient route to the production of conventional as well as integral and potentially healthier almond beverages, avoiding multiple technological steps, while affording fast production cycles and consuming less than 50 Wh of electricity per liter before bottling.
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- 2023
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22. Effects of Plant-Emitted Monoterpenes on Anxiety Symptoms: A Propensity-Matched Observational Cohort Study.
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Donelli D, Meneguzzo F, Antonelli M, Ardissino D, Niccoli G, Gronchi G, Baraldi R, Neri L, and Zabini F
- Subjects
- Humans, Monoterpenes analysis, Plants, Anxiety, Volatile Organic Compounds analysis, Air Pollutants analysis
- Abstract
Immersive experiences in green areas, particularly in forests, have long been known to produce beneficial effects for human health. However, the exact determinants and mechanisms leading to healthy outcomes remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this observational cohort study was to investigate whether inhaling plant-emitted biogenic volatile compounds, namely monoterpenes (MTs), can produce specific effects on anxiety symptoms. Data from 505 subjects participating in 39 structured forest therapy sessions at different Italian sites were collected. The air concentration of monoterpenes was measured at each site. STAI state questionnaires were administered before and after the sessions as a measure of anxiety. A propensity score matching analysis was then performed, considering an above-average exposure to inhalable air MTs as the treatment. The estimated effect was -1.28 STAI-S points (95% C.I. -2.51 to -0.06, p = 0.04), indicating that the average effect of exposure to high MT air concentrations during forest therapy sessions was to decrease anxiety symptoms.
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- 2023
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23. CytroCell Micronized Cellulose Enhances the Structural and Thermal Properties of IntegroPectin Cross-Linked Films.
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Scurria A, Pagliaro M, Pantaleo G, Meneguzzo F, Giordano FM, and Ciriminna R
- Abstract
Added to grapefruit IntegroPectin in solution, the micronized cellulose CytroCell, coproduct of the IntegroPectin extraction via hydrodynamic cavitation, enhances the structural and thermal properties of the resulting cross-linked composite films. The films become strong but remain highly flexible as no transition glass temperature is observed, whereas the thermal properties are substantially improved. No organic solvent, acid, or base is used from the extraction of the pectin and cellulose biopolymers through filming their nanocomposites, thereby establishing a completely green route to a class of bio-based 2D films (and 3D scaffolds) with numerous potential applications in regenerative medicine, in tissue engineering, and in the treatment of infections.
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- 2022
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24. Cardioprotective Effects of Grapefruit IntegroPectin Extracted via Hydrodynamic Cavitation from By-Products of Citrus Fruits Industry: Role of Mitochondrial Potassium Channels.
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Flori L, Albanese L, Calderone V, Meneguzzo F, Pagliaro M, Ciriminna R, Zabini F, and Testai L
- Abstract
Citrus flavonoids are well-known for their beneficial effects at the cardiovascular and cardio-metabolic level, but often the encouraging in vitro results are not confirmed by in vivo approaches; in addition, the clinical trials are also inconsistent. Their limited bioavailability can be, at least in part, the reason for these discrepancies. Therefore, many efforts have been made towards the improvement of their bioavailability. Hydrodynamic cavitation methods were successfully applied to the extraction of byproducts of the Citrus fruits industry, showing high process yields and affording stable phytocomplexes, known as IntegroPectin, endowed with great amounts of bioactive compounds and high water solubility. The cardioprotective effects of grapefruit IntegroPectin were evaluated by an ex vivo ischemia/reperfusion protocol. Further pharmacological characterization was carried out to assess the involvement of mitochondrial potassium channels. Grapefruit IntegroPectin, where naringin represented 98% of the flavonoids, showed anti-ischemic cardioprotective activity, which was better than pure naringenin (the bioactive aglycone of naringin). On cardiac-isolated mitochondria, this extract confirmed that naringenin/naringin were involved in the activation of mitochondrial potassium channels. The hydrodynamic cavitation-based extraction confirmed a valuable opportunity for the exploitation of Citrus fruits waste, with the end product presenting high levels of Citrus flavonoids and improved bioaccessibility that enhances its nutraceutical and economic value.
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- 2022
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25. Whole wheat bread enriched with silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles extract: technological and antioxidant properties.
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Parenti O, Albanese L, Guerrini L, Zanoni B, Zabini F, and Meneguzzo F
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- Antioxidants chemistry, Flour, Needles, Triticum chemistry, Water chemistry, Abies, Bread
- Abstract
Background: The interest of consumers and market and scientific research for added-value foods obtained with environmentally sustainable productive chains is increasing. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles (SFNs), often by-products of forest management and logging, represent an unexploited source of bioactive compounds., Results: For the first time, SFN aqueous extract obtained through controlled hydrodynamic cavitation was used to enrich whole wheat flour bread. The first trial found that 35% SFNs extract addition was the absolute threshold of taste perception. The second trial investigated dough rheological properties and bread technological and antioxidant properties in samples enriched with 35% and 100% SFNs extract compared with the control (0% SFNs extract). SFNs extract significantly increased bread antioxidant capacity in both 35% and 100% SFN fresh breads by ~42.5% and ~87% respectively and in 100% SFNs bread samples after 72 h of storage by ~76%. Enrichment of 35% showed higher alveograph dough extensibility (~11%) and different bread texture in terms of hardness, springiness, and chewiness. Enrichment with 100% SFNs extract significantly improved dough and bread technological quality: it increased alveograph dough extensibility L (~18%), swelling index G (~8%), and flour strength W (~14%) and showed the highest increase in bread specific volume (~0.200 L kg
-1 )., Conclusions: SFNs aqueous extract produced with controlled hydrodynamic cavitation appeared a valuable technical material for the manufacturing of added-value and functional breads. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)- Published
- 2022
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26. Red Orange and Bitter Orange IntegroPectin: Structure and Main Functional Compounds.
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Scurria A, Sciortino M, Garcia AR, Pagliaro M, Avellone G, Fidalgo A, Albanese L, Meneguzzo F, Ciriminna R, and Ilharco LM
- Subjects
- Flavonoids analysis, Pectins, Citrus chemistry, Citrus sinensis chemistry, Hesperidin
- Abstract
DRIFT, HPLC-MS, and SPME-GC/MS analyses were used to unveil the structure and the main functional compounds of red (blood) orange ( Citrus sinensis ) and bitter orange ( Citrus aurantium ). The IntegroPectin samples show evidence that these new citrus pectins are comprised of pectin rich in RG-I hairy regions functionalized with citrus biophenols, chiefly flavonoids and volatile molecules, mostly terpenes. Remarkably, IntegroPectin from the peel of fresh bitter oranges is the first high methoxyl citrus pectin extracted via hydrodynamic cavitation, whereas the red orange IntegroPectin is a low methoxyl pectin. C. aurantium IntegroPectin has a uniquely high concentration of adsorbed flavonoids, especially the flavanone glycosides hesperidin, naringin, and eriocitrin.
- Published
- 2022
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27. Micronized cellulose from citrus processing waste using water and electricity only.
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Al Jitan S, Scurria A, Albanese L, Pagliaro M, Meneguzzo F, Zabini F, Al Sakkaf R, Yusuf A, Palmisano G, and Ciriminna R
- Subjects
- Cellulose, Electricity, Fruit, Water, Citrus
- Abstract
Along with a water-soluble fraction rich in pectin, the hydrodynamic cavitation of citrus processing waste carried out in water demonstrated directly on semi-industrial scale affords an insoluble fraction consisting of micronized cellulose of low crystallinity ("CytroCell"). Lemon and grapefruit CytroCell respectively consist of 100-500 nm wide cellulose nanorods, and of 500-1000 nm wide ramified microfibrils extending for several μm. These findings establish a technically viable route to low crystallinity micronized cellulose laying in between nano- and microcellulose, using water and electricity only., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
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- 2022
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28. Correction: Meneguzzo et al. Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18 , 9509.
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Meneguzzo F, Albanese L, Antonelli M, Baraldi R, Becheri FR, Centritto F, Donelli D, Finelli F, Firenzuoli F, Margheritini G, Maggini V, Nardini S, Regina M, Zabini F, and Neri L
- Abstract
The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].
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- 2022
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29. Skeletal Muscle Mass, Sarcopenia and Rehabilitation Outcomes in Post-Acute COVID-19 Patients.
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Gobbi M, Bezzoli E, Ismelli F, Trotti G, Cortellezzi S, Meneguzzo F, Arreghini M, Seitanidis I, Brunani A, Aspesi V, Cimolin V, Fanari P, and Capodaglio P
- Abstract
The relationship between skeletal muscle mass at the beginning of the post-acute rehabilitation phase and rehabilitation outcomes has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the existence of sarcopenia upon admission to a post-acute COVID-19 patient rehabilitation unit on body composition and functional and respiratory capacity at discharge. Thirty-four post-acute COVID-19 patients were referred to our Rehabilitation Unit from different COVID Hospitals in northern Italy. Body weight loss, body composition, handgrip strength, functional parameters, oxygen saturation and related perception of dyspnea in several positions were measured before and after a 28-day multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Spirometry was performed only upon admission. The intervention included psychiatric support, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional therapy and physiotherapy, including aerobic and resistance training. Training volume was 45 min/session, 6 sessions/week. Upon admission, the prevalence of sarcopenia among our patients was 58%. In all of the 34 patients, we observed a trend of improvement in all of the respiratory, body composition, muscle strength and functional parameters considered. Monitoring muscle mass and strength in post-acute COVID-19 patients appears to be a key predictor of rehabilitation outcomes. Early diagnosis of sarcopenia therefore appears to be of paramount importance in the management of post-acute COVID-19 patients.
- Published
- 2021
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30. Flavonoids in Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin*.
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Scurria A, Sciortino M, Albanese L, Nuzzo D, Zabini F, Meneguzzo F, Alduina R, Presentato A, Pagliaro M, Avellone G, and Ciriminna R
- Subjects
- Flavonoids, Fruit, Citrus, Citrus paradisi, Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Abstract
Following the analysis of terpenes present in new lemon and grapefruit "IntegroPectin" pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, the HPLC-MS analysis of flavonoid and other phenolic compounds reveals the presence of eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits. The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan-I regions act as chemical sponges adsorbing and concentrating at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. These findings, together with the unique molecular structure of these new whole citrus pectins, provide preliminary insight into the broad-scope biological activity of these new biomaterials. Numerous new biomedical applications are anticipated, including likely use in the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and neurodegenerative disease., (© 2021The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)
- Published
- 2021
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31. Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study.
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Meneguzzo F, Albanese L, Antonelli M, Baraldi R, Becheri FR, Centritto F, Donelli D, Finelli F, Firenzuoli F, Margheritini G, Maggini V, Nardini S, Regina M, Zabini F, and Neri L
- Subjects
- Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Pilot Projects, Relaxation, Anxiety, Forests
- Abstract
Immersion in forest environments was shown to produce beneficial effects to human health, in particular psychophysical relaxation, leading to its growing recognition as a form of integrative medicine. However, limited evidence exists about the statistical significance of the effects and their association with external and environmental variables and personal characteristics. This experimental study aimed to substantiate the very concept of forest therapy by means of the analysis of the significance of its effects on the mood states of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion. Seven forest therapy sessions were performed in remote areas and a control one in an urban park, with participants allowed to attend only one session, resulting in 162 psychological self-assessment questionnaires administered before and after each session. Meteorological comfort, the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the forest atmosphere and environmental coherence were identified as likely important external and environmental variables. Under certain conditions, forest therapy sessions performed in remote sites were shown to outperform the control session, at least for anxiety, anger and confusion. A quantitative analysis of the association of the outcomes with personal sociodemographic characteristics revealed that only sporting habits and age were significantly associated with the outcomes for certain psychological domains.
- Published
- 2021
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32. Protective, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y Cells.
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Nuzzo D, Scordino M, Scurria A, Giardina C, Giordano F, Meneguzzo F, Mudò G, Pagliaro M, Picone P, Attanzio A, Raimondo S, Ciriminna R, and Di Liberto V
- Subjects
- Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation drug effects, Cell Survival drug effects, Humans, Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial drug effects, Neuroblastoma drug therapy, Neuroblastoma pathology, X-Ray Diffraction, Antioxidants pharmacology, Citrus paradisi chemistry, Neuroprotective Agents pharmacology, Pectins chemistry, Pectins pharmacology
- Abstract
Tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin is a powerful protective, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent. The strong antioxidant properties of this new citrus pectin, and its ability to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology, severely impaired in neurodegenerative disorders, make it an attractive therapeutic and preventive agent for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated brain disorders. Similarly, the ability of this pectic polymer rich in RG-I regions, as well as in naringin, linalool, linalool oxide and limonene adsorbed at the outer surface, to inhibit cell proliferation or even kill, at high doses, neoplastic cells may have opened up new therapeutic strategies in cancer research. In order to take full advantage of its vast therapeutic and preventive potential, detailed studies of the molecular mechanism involved in the antiproliferative and neuroprotective of this IntegroPectin are urgently needed.
- Published
- 2021
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33. Effects of Silver Fir ( Abies alba Mill.) Needle Extract Produced via Hydrodynamic Cavitation on Seed Germination.
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Ugolini F, Crisci A, Albanese L, Cencetti G, Maienza A, Michelozzi M, Zabini F, and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
This paper describes the antigerminant capacity of water extracts of silver fir needles created by means of hydrodynamic cavitation processes. Fir needles (2 kg fresh weight) collected in the winter were blended and crushed in ice, poured in water only (120 L) and processed in a controlled hydrodynamic cavitation device based on a fixed Venturi-shaped reactor. The A. alba water extract (AWE), comprising an oil-in-water emulsion of silver fir needles' essential oil (100% AWE), was diluted in distilled water to 75% and 50% AWE, and all aqueous solutions were tested as antigerminant against four weeds and four horticultural species and compared to control (distilled water). This study shows the effective inhibitory effect of pure AWE on germination, which mainly contains limonene (15.99 ng/mL) and α-pinene (11.87 ng/mL). Seeds showed delayed germination and inhibition but also a reduction in radicle elongation in AWE treatments as compared to control. This combined effect was particularly evident in three weeds ( C. canadensis , C. album and A. retrofllexus ) while horticultural species showed mainly effects on the radicle elongation as found in L. sativa , P. crispum and S. lycospermum , which showed on average 58%, 32% and 28%, respectively, shorter radicles than in the control. P. sativum was not affected by AWE, thus raising the hypothesis that seed characteristics and nutrition reserve might play a role in the resistance to terpenes inhibitory effect.
- Published
- 2021
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34. New Neuroprotective Effect of Lemon IntegroPectin on Neuronal Cellular Model.
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Nuzzo D, Picone P, Giardina C, Scordino M, Mudò G, Pagliaro M, Scurria A, Meneguzzo F, Ilharco LM, Fidalgo A, Alduina R, Presentato A, Ciriminna R, and Di Liberto V
- Abstract
Lemon IntegroPectin obtained via hydrodynamic cavitation of organic lemon processing waste in water shows significant neuroprotective activity in vitro, as first reported in this study investigating the effects of both lemon IntegroPectin and commercial citrus pectin on cell viability, cell morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondria perturbation induced by treatment of neuronal SH-SY5Y human cells with H
2 O2 . Mediated by ROS, including H2 O2 and its derivatives, oxidative stress alters numerous cellular processes, such as mitochondrial regulation and cell signaling, propagating cellular injury that leads to incurable neurodegenerative diseases. These results, and the absence of toxicity of this new pectic substance rich in adsorbed flavonoids and terpenes, suggest further studies to investigate its activity in preventing, retarding, or even curing neurological diseases.- Published
- 2021
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35. CytroCell: Valued Cellulose from Citrus Processing Waste.
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Scurria A, Albanese L, Pagliaro M, Zabini F, Giordano F, Meneguzzo F, and Ciriminna R
- Subjects
- Citrus paradisi chemistry, Fruit chemistry, Waste Products analysis, Cellulose chemistry, Citrus chemistry, Industrial Waste analysis
- Abstract
Isolating cellulose from citrus processing waste without employing chemicals has so far been an unfulfilled goal of chemical research applied to the valorization of a widely available biowaste, annually totaling >100 million tonnes. We have applied hydrodynamic cavitation using a Venturi-type reactor for the extraction of all valued bioproducts of industrial citrus processing waste in water only, directly on a semi-industrial scale. After reporting the discovery of IntegroPectin in the soluble fraction of the aqueous extract, we now report the isolation of a cellulosic material in the water-insoluble fraction of cavitated lemon and grapefruit processing waste. Named "CytroCell", the material is cellulose of low crystallinity, high porosity, good water holding capacity and good dispersibility in water. These properties open the route to mass-scale production of a useful functional material from a cheap and abundant biowaste.
- Published
- 2021
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36. Volatile Compounds of Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin.
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Scurria A, Sciortino M, Presentato A, Lino C, Piacenza E, Albanese L, Zabini F, Meneguzzo F, Nuzzo D, Pagliaro M, Chillura Martino DF, Alduina R, Avellone G, and Ciriminna R
- Subjects
- Biosynthetic Pathways, Citrus metabolism, Citrus paradisi metabolism, Fruit chemistry, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Structure, Phytochemicals analysis, Phytochemicals chemistry, Volatile Organic Compounds analysis, Volatile Organic Compounds metabolism, Citrus chemistry, Citrus paradisi chemistry, Volatile Organic Compounds chemistry
- Abstract
An HS-SPME GC-MS analysis of the volatile compounds adsorbed at the outer surface of lemon and grapefruit pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial waste streams of lemon and grapefruit peels in water suggests important new findings en route to understanding the powerful and broad biological activity of these new pectic materials. In agreement with the ultralow degree of esterification of these pectins, the high amount of highly bioactive α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol points to limonene (and linalool) decomposition catalyzed by residual citric acid in the citrus waste peel residue of the juice industrial production.
- Published
- 2020
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37. Pectin: A Long-Neglected Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial.
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Ciriminna R, Fidalgo A, Meneguzzo F, Presentato A, Scurria A, Nuzzo D, Alduina R, Ilharco LM, and Pagliaro M
- Subjects
- Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry, Biocompatible Materials chemistry, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Pectins chemistry, Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Bacteria drug effects, Biocompatible Materials pharmacology, Pectins pharmacology
- Abstract
First reported in the late 1930s and partly explained in 1970, the antibacterial activity of pectin remained almost ignored until the late 1990s. The concomitant emergence of research on natural antibacterials and new usages of pectin polysaccharides, including those in medicine widely researched in Russia, has led to a renaissance of research into the physiological properties of this uniquely versatile polysaccharide ubiquitous in plants and fruits. By collecting scattered information, this study provides an updated overview of the subtle factors affecting the behaviour of pectin as an antimicrobial. Less-degraded pectin extracted by acid-free routes, we argue in the conclusions, will soon find applications from new treatments for polymicrobial infections to use as an implantable biomaterial in tissue and bone engineering., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)
- Published
- 2020
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38. Comparative Study of the Restorative Effects of Forest and Urban Videos during COVID-19 Lockdown: Intrinsic and Benchmark Values.
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Zabini F, Albanese L, Becheri FR, Gavazzi G, Giganti F, Giovanelli F, Gronchi G, Guazzini A, Laurino M, Li Q, Marzi T, Mastorci F, Meneguzzo F, Righi S, and Viggiano MP
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Anxiety epidemiology, Benchmarking, Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, Coronavirus Infections epidemiology, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Pneumonia, Viral epidemiology, Pneumonia, Viral psychology, SARS-CoV-2, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological epidemiology, Video Recording, Coronavirus Infections psychology, Forests, Mental Health statistics & numerical data, Pandemics, Quarantine psychology, Stress, Psychological psychology
- Abstract
The prolonged lockdown imposed to contain the COrona VIrus Disease 19 COVID-19 pandemic prevented many people from direct contact with nature and greenspaces, raising alarms for a possible worsening of mental health. This study investigated the effectiveness of a simple and affordable remedy for improving psychological well-being, based on audio-visual stimuli brought by a short computer video showing forest environments, with an urban video as a control. Randomly selected participants were assigned the forest or urban video, to look at and listen to early in the morning, and questionnaires to fill out. In particular, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Form Y collected in baseline condition and at the end of the study and the Part II of the Sheehan Patient Rated Anxiety Scale (SPRAS) collected every day immediately before and after watching the video. The virtual exposure to forest environments showed effective to reduce perceived anxiety levels in people forced by lockdown in limited spaces and environmental deprivation. Although significant, the effects were observed only in the short term, highlighting the limitation of the virtual experiences. The reported effects might also represent a benchmark to disentangle the determinants of health effects due to real forest experiences, for example, the inhalation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC).
- Published
- 2020
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39. A New Water-Soluble Bactericidal Agent for the Treatment of Infections Caused by Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains.
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Presentato A, Piacenza E, Scurria A, Albanese L, Zabini F, Meneguzzo F, Nuzzo D, Pagliaro M, Martino DC, Alduina R, and Ciriminna R
- Abstract
Grapefruit and lemon pectin obtained from the respective waste citrus peels via hydrodynamic cavitation in water only are powerful, broad-scope antimicrobials against Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Dubbed IntegroPectin, these pectic polymers functionalized with citrus flavonoids and terpenes show superior antimicrobial activity when compared to commercial citrus pectin. Similar to commercial pectin, lemon IntegroPectin determined ca. 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus cells, while an enhanced activity of commercial citrus pectin was detected in the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells with a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 15 mg mL
-1 . Although grapefruit and lemon IntegroPectin share equal MBC in the case of P. aeruginosa cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin shows boosted activity upon exposure of S. aureus cells with a 40 mg mL-1 biopolymer concentration affording complete killing of the bacterial cells. Insights into the mechanism of action of these biocompatible antimicrobials and their effect on bacterial cells, at the morphological level, were obtained indirectly through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and directly through scanning electron microscopy. In the era of antimicrobial resistance, these results are of great societal and sanitary relevance since citrus IntegroPectin biomaterials are also devoid of cytotoxic activity, as already shown for lemon IntegroPectin, opening the route to the development of new medical treatments of polymicrobial infections unlikely to develop drug resistance.- Published
- 2020
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40. Superior Antibacterial Activity of Integral Lemon Pectin Extracted via Hydrodynamic Cavitation.
- Author
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Presentato A, Scurria A, Albanese L, Lino C, Sciortino M, Pagliaro M, Zabini F, Meneguzzo F, Alduina R, Nuzzo D, and Ciriminna R
- Subjects
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Fruit and Vegetable Juices, Humans, Hydrodynamics, Pectins pharmacology, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Staphylococcus aureus drug effects, Waste Products analysis, Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry, Citrus chemistry, Fruit chemistry, Pectins chemistry, Plant Extracts chemistry
- Abstract
Pectin extracted via hydrodynamic cavitation in water only from waste lemon peel and further isolated via freeze drying displays significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , a Gram positive pathogen which easily contaminates food. The antibacterial effect of the new IntegroPectin is largely superior to that of commercial citrus pectin, opening the way to advanced applications of a new bioproduct now obtainable in large amounts and at low cost from citrus juice industry's waste., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)
- Published
- 2020
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41. Temporal and Spatial Variability of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Forest Atmosphere.
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Meneguzzo F, Albanese L, Bartolini G, and Zabini F
- Subjects
- Environmental Monitoring, Humans, Italy, Spatio-Temporal Analysis, Trees physiology, Atmosphere chemistry, Forests, Volatile Organic Compounds analysis
- Abstract
The healing effects of the forest are increasingly being valued for their contribution to human psychological and physiological health, motivating further advances aimed at improving knowledge of relevant forest resources. Biogenic volatile organic compounds, emitted by the plants and accumulating in the forest atmosphere, are essential contributors to the healing effects of the forest, and represent the focus of this study. Using a photoionization detector, we investigated the high frequency variability, in time and space, of the concentration of total volatile organic compounds on a hilly site as well as along forest paths and long hiking trails in the Italian northern Apennines. The scale of concentration variability was found to be comparable to absolute concentration levels within time scales of less than one hour and spatial scales of several hundred meters. During daylight hours, on clear and calm days, the concentration peaked from noon to early afternoon, followed by early morning, with the lowest levels in the late afternoon. These results were related to meteorological variables including the atmospheric vertical stability profile. Moreover, preliminary evidence pointed to higher concentrations of volatile organic compounds in forests dominated by conifer trees in comparison to pure beech forests.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Economic and Technical Feasibility of Betanin and Pectin Extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica Peel via Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion.
- Author
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Ciriminna R, Fidalgo A, Avellone G, Carnaroglio D, Danzì C, Timpanaro G, Meneguzzo F, Ilharco LM, and Pagliaro M
- Abstract
Investigating the feasibility of betanin and pectin extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica peel via microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion and gravity, this study identifies selected important economic and technical aspects associated with this innovative production route starting from prickly pear fruit discards. Which benefits would be derived from this process? Would production be limited to Opuntia -growing countries or, likewise to what happens with dried lemon peel chiefly imported from Argentina, would production take place abroad also? Can distributed manufacturing based on clean extraction technology compete with centralized production using conventional chemical processes?, Competing Interests: The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): Milestone manufactures extractors for microwave-assisted extraction of natural products.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Solar Energy and New Energy Technologies for Mediterranean Countries.
- Author
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Ciriminna R, Albanese L, Pecoraino M, Meneguzzo F, and Pagliaro M
- Abstract
The replacement of fossil fuels to produce electricity and heat to propel vehicles with solar energy, along with other new energy technologies, will bring significant economic, environmental, and social benefits to all Mediterranean countries. The transition to new energy, however, calls for a proactive and creative role of policy makers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Lithium battery reusing and recycling: A circular economy insight.
- Author
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Pagliaro M and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
Driven by the rapid uptake of battery electric vehicles, Li-ion power batteries are increasingly reused in stationary energy storage systems, and eventually recycled to recover all the valued components. Offering an updated global perspective, this study provides a circular economy insight on lithium-ion battery reuse and recycling.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Vanillin: The Case for Greener Production Driven by Sustainability Megatrend.
- Author
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Ciriminna R, Fidalgo A, Meneguzzo F, Parrino F, Ilharco LM, and Pagliaro M
- Abstract
Approaching the end of the second decade of the 21
st century, almost the whole demand of vanillin is met by the synthetic product obtained either via a petrochemical process starting from phenol and glyoxylic acid or from energy intensive alkaline oxidative depolymerization of lignin. Only a minor fraction is comprised of natural vanillin obtained from ferulic acid fermentation, and even less of highly valued Vanilla planifolia extracts. Are there alternative green production methods? And, if yes, are they suitable to find practical application?, Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Digital Management of Solar Energy En Route to Energy Self-Sufficiency.
- Author
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Pagliaro M and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
The Internet of Things approach to manage clean electricity produced from sun, wind, and water is, alongside the hydrogen fuel cell and the Li-ion battery, the key enabling technology for the transition to 100% renewable energy. Practical examples from distant countries are used to show how today's digital control technology is actually used to ease the generation and utilization of clean, reliable, and cheap solar energy on an annual basis. The conclusions are of relevance also to the redesign of energy education programs in response to dramatic changes in energy technologies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Affordable Production of Antioxidant Aqueous Solutions by Hydrodynamic Cavitation Processing of Silver Fir ( Abies alba Mill.) Needles.
- Author
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Albanese L, Bonetti A, D'Acqui LP, Meneguzzo F, and Zabini F
- Abstract
Extracts from parts of coniferous trees have received increased interest due to their valuable bioactive compounds and properties, useful for plenty of experimental and consolidated applications, in fields comprising nutraceutics, cosmetics, pharmacology, food preservation, and stimulation of plant growth. However, the variability of the bioactive properties, the complexity of the extraction methods, and the use of potentially harmful synthetic chemicals, still represent an obstacle to the spreading of such valuable natural compounds. Hydrodynamic cavitation is emerging as a promising innovative technique for the extraction of precious food components and by-products from waste raw material of the agro-food production chain, which can improve processing efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and produce healthy, high-quality products. In this study, a process based on controlled hydrodynamic cavitation was applied for the first time to the production of aqueous solutions of silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) needles with enhanced antioxidant activity. The observed levels of the in vitro antioxidant activity, comparable or higher than those found for reference substances, pure extracts, and other water extracts and beverages, highlight the very good potential of the hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) process for the creation of solvent-free, aqueous solutions endowed with bioactive compounds extracted from silver fir needles.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Expanding the Distributed Generation Concept: Toward Decentralized Energy and Water Supply.
- Author
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Ciriminna R, Pecoraino M, Meneguzzo F, and Pagliaro M
- Abstract
Rainwater harvesting decentralizes the water supply in full analogy to what building-integrated photovoltaics and solar thermal do for electricity and heat. In this new decentralized generation scenario, the built environment is used to collect both sunlight photons and water molecules with significant economic and environmental benefits. Referring to recent progress and to real-life findings from around the world, this work provides an answer to several relevant questions of direct interest to policy makers and early adopters of broadened distributed generation. The conclusions offer guidelines for developing a successful distributed generation strategy at the regional level by unifying solar energy and water management policies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2018 The Authors. Published by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Antifouling and Photocatalytic Antibacterial Activity of the AquaSun Coating in Seawater and Related Media.
- Author
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Scandura G, Ciriminna R, Ozer LY, Meneguzzo F, Palmisano G, and Pagliaro M
- Abstract
Prolonged testing of the new xerogel photocatalytic coating AquaSun applied to a surface probe immersed in ocean water irradiated with simulated solar radiation shows excellent action against biofouling. Activated by moderate solar radiation, the organosilica film has also good antimicrobial properties. Considering the high stability, the environmental footprint, and the low cost of this sol-gel marine coating, the technology has significant potential toward replacing conventional antifouling and foul-release coatings with a single product of broad applicability., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Que faire? A Bioeconomy and Solar Energy Institute at Italy's Research Council in the Context of the Global Transition to the Solar Economy.
- Author
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Pagliaro M and Meneguzzo F
- Abstract
Driven by insight for which new research and education requires new institutional organisation, and drawing on two decades of research and educational efforts, we devise the profile and activities of a new bioeconomy and solar energy institute at Italy's Research Council. We further articulate the institute's activities suggesting avenues on how to deploy sound and giving more useful research, education and policy advice in these crucial fields for making tomorrow's common development sustainable. The outcomes of the study are of general interest, because the transition to a solar economy is of intrinsic global nature and the challenges involved are similar in many countries., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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