The year 2024 has been characterized by intense R&D activity led by Teregroup under the direct supervision of Dr. Lutzu, the company’s Lab Manager.
Dr. Lutzu, who until May 2024 served as Guest Editor for the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and who will hold the same role for the journal Microorganisms until May 2025, coordinated a large-scale research campaign. This effort enabled the company to strengthen its scientific credibility in the field of microalgae applications.
This activity resulted in the publication of 9 scientific articles, including 4 reviews and 5 experimental papers, in international sector journals journals such as Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering Transactions, Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, Nutrients, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Marine Drugs, Current Microbiology, and Applied Science.
The focus of this experimental work has been on microalgae applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, biofertilizer sectors, and the reuse of agro-industrial effluents in the context of a circular bioeconomy.
Specifically, collaborations with the Universities of Cagliari, Pisa, and Parma, as well as the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), have led to significant results in the extraction of high-antioxidant activity pigments (phycocyanin) from Spirulina, which find applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields to combat oxidative stress in cells, which over time can evolve into cancerous stages.
Collaborations with Oklahoma State University, Delaware State University, the Chinese Academy of Science, and the University of Federico II of Naples have further positioned Teregroup at the forefront of studying green applications of microalgae, such as the treatment of industrial wastewater and biodiesel production.
Dr. Lutzu also hosted five internship students from the Universities of Parma and Modena in his laboratory, mentoring them throughout their training until the completion of their thesis. All the scientific material generated from the five internship experiences at the company contributed to the writing and publication of scientific articles.
Teregroup’s scientific activity was also disseminated at two conferences attended by Dr. Lutzu: the 16th International Conference on Biomass and the 2nd Workshop “A Sea of Opportunities,” which took place in Palermo last May and at the Interdepartmental Center for Marine Pharmacology at the University of Pisa last July.