Technologies

Ageing characterization of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (BVM) and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (TBVM) by the combined use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and multivariate statistical analysis. Our database allows to differentiate BVM from TBVM samples. Moreover, within BVMs, samples with ageing <3/>3 years can be discriminated and within TBVM, samples with ageing between 12 and 25 years as well as >25 years can be discriminated.

Combined use of High-Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and multivariate statistical analysis for the differentiation of PDO Parmigiano Reggiano samples according to ripening and for the differentiation of PDO Parmigiano Reggiano from “Grana type” products available on the market.

Plants have a huge potential to contribute to the solution of a large number of issues facing the modern world, ranging from a poor crop yields and problems caused by global climate changing. Our team has been on the forefront of the PCR and NGS applications to plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. As experts in genomics and plant pathology we are able to accelerate the understanding and use of plant genes and resources.

The current technology allows to achieve new macroporous superadsorbent polymeric materials able to remove toxic contaminants from water and soil showing excellent sequestering properties against arsenate As (V), chromate Cr (VI) and Borate B (III) ions. The material is obtained by radical cryopolymerization of the monomer 4'-vinyl-benzyl-N-methyl-D-glucamine and / or its mixtures with hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA).

Anthocyanins are antioxidant polyphenolic pigments produced by plants that are widely used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The technology allows to obtain in a short time potato cell lines in which the production of highly acetylated and highly complex anthocyanins is increased in addition to other antioxidant polyphenolic compounds. The obtained cellular lines have a high production efficiency, comparable to the extraction of berries, but with the advantage of having an on-demand production which is not limited to seasonality.

Characterization of authenticity of honey by the combined use of high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and multivariate statistical analysis. Particularly, based on our database, different characterization involving authentication assessment, like botanical or geographical origin determination are possible. Moreover, it is possible to detect saccharides addictions like inulin, corn/malt syrups, and inverted sugar. Finally, it is possible to distinguish the Italian biological honey from the conventional one.

Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (SSNMR) is today one of the most powerful techniques for characterizing solid and soft materials and systems. This spectroscopy allows the detailed characterization of structural and dynamic properties over large spatial (0.1-100 nm) and time (10²-10^-11 s) scales. Accessing these properties allows a deep knowledge of a material to be obtained and  its design and optimization to be oriented.

The systems simulate, with high reproducibility, the conditions that occur in the different compartments of the gastrointestinal tracts and are promising to accurately mimic the digestive process, with the possibility to evaluate bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Moreover, the systems permit to study the synergic and reciprocal effects between the bioactive compounds characteristic of food and intestinal microbiota.

Plants can compete favorably with traditional expression systems (mammalian cells, yeasts or bacteria) to produce recombinant proteins/peptides of pharmaceutical/industrial/agrifood interest. This technology names “Plant Molecular Farming”. The CNR-IBBA research team offers the study of new strategies for the expression and optimization of recombinant proteins/peptides in plant-based systems (plant tissues, transgenic plants, plant cell culture). Our pipeline is based on the following modules:

High-Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonace (NMR) in solution also combined with multivariate statistical analysis to determine the quality and authenticity of saffron. Particularly the content of components (metabolites) is evaluated.

Wine is one of the economically most important beverages and may be subject to fraud and mislabelling, although that there are specific and strict rules protecting its authenticity in Europe. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), recently identified and characterized thanks to advances in genomics, are considered the newest type of molecular marker for grapevine identification.

Safe, efficient and specific nano-delivery systems are increasingly needed for precision and regenerative medicine and targeted therapies (e.g. anticancer and antimicrobial therapies), as well as for  the cosmetic and nutraceutical sectors’ applications. Despite the appreciable success of synthetic nanovectors, like for example liposomes, their clinical and market application is hampered by some limitations: • large scale production, • low cost production • intrinsic toxicity • limited cellular uptake • limited consumer acceptance.