From byproducts to high-value nutraceuticals

Goal of the seminar is to provide, primarily through selected case studies, an overview of the development and production phases of high-value biomolecule-based products, which can be obtained through processes that recover and valorize agricultural or bioindustrial processing residues.

Real-world cases of development and production using secondary plant sources (e.g., rice processing waste, tomato waste, grape pomace / lees) and animal sources (e.g., crustacean shells) will be presented, illustrating the creation of value throughout the various stages. The steps involved in the recovery, transformation, and valorization of agricultural or fishery processing residues will be discussed, using sustainable technologies within a “circular economy” framework for the extraction, purification, and formulation of high-value biomolecules.

In particular, we will describe processes for transforming bio-residues using integrated process technologies – based on the physical properties of CO₂ and without the use of organic solvents – leading to the production of a finished product in the form of composite lipid microspheres, via CryoXpand® cryospraying technology.

Speaker

Dr. Pierandrea Esposito is Founding Partner and Associate Director at SiTec PharmaBio.

He has about 30 years experience in pharma and biotech industry. Before founding SITEC, Piero held various R&D Direction or Management positions at Esteve Pharma (Spain), SITEC Consulting (Italy), Bio-Ker (Italy), Critical Pharmaceuticals Ltd (UK), SERONO (Italy-Switzerland), Vectopharma (Italy).

Pierandrea's main experience and interest is in pharmaceutical product development, of products based on micro and nanoparticulate delivery systems, innovative formulations, and conjugation technologies. He also developed a specific experience in the application of pharmaceutical development concept to the food supplement and nutraceuticals area, and in the recovery and valorization of bioresidues. His scientific interests focus in delivery technologies for small molecules, peptides  and biomolecules, in micro- and nanoparticles systems, and in imaging techniques evaluating drug product performance.

He holds a Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from University of Trieste, (Italy) with post-doctoral work as visiting scientist at College of Pharmacy,  University of Kentucky (USA). He accumulated teaching experience through his positions as Attached Professor at University of Sao Paulo-Riberao Preto (Brasil), and University Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara (Italy).

Currently he is a Faculty at ITS-Biotechnology School (Turin, Italy), where he hods courses on Products and Process development in Pharmaceutical and Biotech industry. Authored 23 peer-reviewed publications and 48 abstracts; he is an inventor in 16 patents, and a member of Scientific Editorial Boards of Drug Delivery and Translational Research, and of European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.

Zoom link

To receive the link to join the seminar via Zoom, please email: annalisa.tirella@unitn.it