Research activity:
Production of high value-added products based on urban organic waste and microorganisms.
Biotechnological processes all converge today towards the circular economy, i.e. the reuse and recirculation of secondary products. The aim of the research lies in the development of biotechnological chemical processes for the valorisation of waste and the production of renewable energies. PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) is one of the biopolymers produced through organic residues and microorganisms. Given the biodegradable (in the production of biodegradable plastic) and biocompatible (in the medicinal field) properties, the main research activity is focused on the production and characterization of this biopolymer. In recent years, PHA production plants have been spreading in Italy and worldwide. Being an already known industrial biotechnological process, another aspect of this research consists in studying safety and health aspects throughout the production process for workers and the workplace.
