Curriculum: Drug Sciences

Supervisor: Carlo Ignazio Giovanni Tuberoso

Co-Supervisor: Carla Caddeo

Curriculum Vitae

Valentina graduated in Pharmacy at the University of Cagliari on May 27th 2021, with an experimental thesis entitled “Application of green extraction techniques for the recovery of phenolic compounds from feijoa flowers” under the supervision of Prof. Carlo I. G. Tuberoso.

After her degree, she spent a year working as a Pharmacist in Cagliari.

She is currently a PhD student in the PhD Program in Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences (Drug Sciences Curriculum), under the supervision of Prof. Carlo I. G. Tuberoso, with a project entitled “Exploitation of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity from agro-food industry waste”, a PNRR grant (M.D. No. 351 of 9.4.2022 PNRR M4C1 - Investiment 4.1 for the expansion of the number of innovative PhD programmes).

According to her PhD project, she spent three months at the Faculty of Food and Technology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek; Croatia, to perform different extraction techniques.

Research Topic

Exploitation of antioxidant bioactive compounds from agro-industrial by-products.

Abstract

Valentina Masala's research project aims to exploit various compounds with antioxidant activity recovered from agro-food industry by-products. The research focuses on significant local matrices, such as saffron petals (Crocus sativus L.) and external leaves of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var scolymus L.), or water residue from essential oil production, such as the one from Salvia desoleana Atzei & Picci. These by-products are considered valuable sources of bioactive molecules.

A key aspect of the project is the selection of "green" extraction techniques, which are innovative, eco-friendly, and low-cost, such as Deep Eutectic Solvents Extraction (DESE), Subcritical Water and Fluids Extraction (SWE), and CO2 Supercritical Fluid Extraction (CO2-SFE). These methods aim to minimize energy consumption and sample degradation. The analysis will focus on phenolic compounds, molecules known for their strong antioxidant activity, useful in preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and for skin health.

The obtained extracts will be characterized using analytical techniques such as HPLC-DAD and (HR) LC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS, to identify the extracted molecules and evaluate the efficiency of the techniques. Antioxidant activity will be assessed through spectrophotometric assays (FRAP, CUPRAC, ABTS•+, and DPPH•), and biological activity can also be evaluated through enzymatic and/or cellular models. The expected results aim for a significant impact both locally, by enhancing productions from the Sardinia region, and internationally, highlighting the importance of reducing the environmental impact of by-products and promoting their reuse in the cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, in line with the circular economy.

Publications

IRIS: https://iris.unica.it/cris/rp/rp51124

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6199-3347