Dr. Gianni Lutzu, Lab Manager of the Tere Group, draws a more than positive balance of the research activities that took place at the company in the past 2022.
Last year, in fact, 10 theses were discussed having as their subject the cultivation of Spirulina and Chlorella, two of the most studied microalgae with considerable economic interest that are the focus of the company’s core business
The theses resulted in the development of cultivation strategies aimed at maximizing the production at farm facilities of algal biomass and high value-added products derived from it (biofuels, pigments, food supplements, antioxidants). Of particular note is the fact that most of the work was conducted using waste from agrifood supply chains in a circular economy perspective whereby waste subject to disposal is valorized and becomes raw material for the production of new compounds
The studies were carried out by trainees from the Universities of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Parma.
A complete list of them is given below:
- Luigi Pivetti, “Selection of wastewater as growth media and use of ozone as a stress source for biosynthesis in Chlorella vulgaris of fatty acids aimed at biodiesel production.” Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, University of Parma
- Enrico Bertoni, “Influence of culture medium and inoculum on growth of Spirulina platensis,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Maria Francesca Di Blasio, “Microalgae and sustainability: An analysis of the bioenergy supply chain,” Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, University of Parma
- Marco Pomaré, “Arthrospira platensis: growth under acid and temperature conditions, sustainable production, and possible uses in environmental bioremediation,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Maria Pramazzoni, “Effects of salinity and vinegar waste products on the growth of Arthrospira platensis,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Alessandro Poliselli, “Effect of industrial wastewater on microalgae growth,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Margherita Russi, “Cultivationof Chlorella vulgaris grown in dairy wastewater to derive biomass as feedstock for biodiesel production – Effect of nutrient variation on lipid production,” Department of Molecular and Industrial Genomic Biotechnology, University of Parma
- Giulia Passera, “Effects of Temperature on Spirulina Growth Kinetics,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Maria Luisa Ragni, “Growth of Arthrospira platensis grown in vitro in brewery wastewater,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Maddalena Baraldi, “Pigment extraction from Arthrospira platensis,” Department of Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia