- Qualitative and quantitative assessment of organic carbon in deep soils
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of organic carbon in deep soils and subsoils, with the aim of assessing their potential as natural carbon storage systems.
Methodologies employed: particle size distribution analyses and conventional chemical analyses (pH, macro- and micronutrients); advanced spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR spectroscopy for the identification of organic functional groups and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy.
- Analysis and valorisation of agricultural residues through solid-state fermentation and biomolecule recovery
Qualitative evaluation of different agricultural residues—such as the solid fraction of digestate from biogas plants, grape marc, grape seeds, straw, and sunflower seed cake. Assessment of the adaptability of different fungal species to waste substrates, with the aim of optimizing sustainable upcycling processes and the extraction of biomolecules of interest. Identification and recovery of high value-added compounds, such as chitin and ergothioneine, from fruiting bodies and/or spent substrates.
Methodologies applied: conventional chemical analyses and FT-IR and SERS spectroscopic analyses of agricultural residues; plate cultivation of fungal mycelia for preliminary screening; production of fruiting bodies in controlled growth chambers; chemical and spectroscopic (FT-IR and SERS) analyses of fruiting bodies and spent cultivation substrates; extraction of biomolecules such as chitin, chitosan, and ergothioneine; qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of biomolecules using FT-IR and SERS spectroscopy.
