Researcher
email: valeria.toscano[at]isafom.cnr.it;valeria.toscano[at]cnr.it
Tel.: +39 095.6139941
Education:
- Graduated in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies at the University of Catania (2004);
- Licensed to practice as Agronomist (2005);
- PhD in "Productivity of cultivated plants" at the University of Studies of Catania (2009).
Major research topics:
- Preservation of biodiversity;
- Morphological and chemical characterization of plants typical of the Mediterranean environment for the purpose of creating clones with a high health value;
- Development of shelf-life improvement techniques for the production of ready to eat food;
- Characterization of residual field biomass and oil-extraction flour from the biodiesel agro-energy supply chain;
- Identification and enhancement of molecules of nutraceutical interest;
- Study of abiotic stresses for the production of substances with high antioxidant activity;
- In vitro propagation of annual and multiannual species;
- "Phytoremediation" of soils contaminated by heavy metals.
Laboratory/field activities:
- Collection, characterization and conservation of native Sicilian germplasm;
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of species typical of the Mediterranean environment;
- In vitro propagation of tree and herbaceous species;
- Ultrasound and Randall extraction;
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of bioaccumulation in heavy metal plants;
- Set-up and management of collection fields.
Research support activities:
- She has collaborated in the activities of 11 research projects and 3 agreements with companies and Universities;
- Assisted the preparation, presentation and implementation of research projects on national and international calls;
- She has been tutor of various training internships and co-supervisor of degree theses in collaboration with the University of Catania;
- He has been a member of the scientific and organizing committee of different conferences.