Research grant holder: Tassano Erika Maria Esther
Contract duration: Start date 02/11/2012 End date 01/11/2014
Company name: ACTIVE CELLS srl,A&A Fratelli Parodi Spa
The disposal of vegetation waters, from olive oil processing, is one of the major problems for the oil industry; these waters are characterised by a considerable polluting load, due to their high concentration of organic and inorganic substances.
However, vegetation waters can be considered as an alternative source of valuable compounds such as polyphenols; hydroxytyrosol in particular is a compound of considerable interest as it is endowed with a powerful antioxidant activity and has recently shown to possess a certain anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity.
The aim of the research project consists in the synthesis of hydroxytyrosol derivatives and in the investigation of their possible biological activity, especially as cytoprotective and therefore as inhibitors of neurodegeneration, but also as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agents.
The various compounds are synthesized by coupling this polyphenol with further “building blocks” with the final aim of transforming an industrial waste into a resource with a high added value, through the use of synthetic “green” and environmentally friendly methods.