Maria Augello
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Ph.D. Student |
Maria Augello |
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Phone |
+39 3896573379 |
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Orc-ID |
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Location |
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Sciences (SAAF), Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, P1111, Ingresso A |
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Profile |
2025 Thesis: “Valorization of agri-food leftovers to obtain potential functional products.”
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Expertise |
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Advisor |
Matteo Pollon |
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Co-advisor |
Pasquale Crupi |
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Thesis topics |
Valorization of Sicilian carob and selected agri-food by-products for functional ingredient development |
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Research interests |
The PhD project aims to valorize Sicilian carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) through an integrated genetic, compositional, and technological approach. The research involves the characterization of different Sicilian cultivars by means of genetic analyses, proximate analyses, and compositional profiling (carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, volatile profile, minerals, and vitamins), supported by HPLC-based techniques, in order to identify varieties with high nutraceutical and technological potential.The project also includes the development and optimization of aqueous carob flour extracts and their application as functional ingredients in food systems. Accelerated and predictive shelf-life studies are conducted to evaluate physicochemical, rheological, microbiological, and sensory stability. Data analysis is supported by multivariate statistical tools, kinetic modeling, and optimization models. The final objective is the development of stable functional ingredients for fillings, gelled toppings, and bakery products, contributing to the sustainable valorization of Sicilian carob. |
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Link to publications |
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