Vincitore finanziamento Bando di Avvio alla ricerca Sapienza - Tipo 1

This proposal aims to develop innovative biotechnological research of potential industrial relevance for the development of a sustainable agriculture. With a view to circular economy, the project aims to enhance the biowastes of olive oil mill and associated biogas plant as plant biostimulants, to improve the natural defences of crops and of their growth and productivity parameters. The potential of biowastes from olive oil mill and biogas plant as source of oligosaccharides, phenols, as well as other interesting bioactive molecules will be evaluated. A fine chemical and biochemical characterization of by-products and fractions will be performed. Their compositions will be associated with their potential activity as enhancer of plant growth and as elicitor of plant defence responses in Arabidopsis, as well as in plants of agricultural interest. The enhancement of biowastes can contribute to improve waste management and reduce chemical inputs for plant growth and disease control, according with the recommendations of the European Union and will favour the promotion of eco-innovative sectors on green technologies contributing to economic and environmental sustainability.