Technologist

Tel. +39 095 6139941 

Email: simona.tringali@cnr.it

 Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology (2002) from the University of Catania;
• Professional qualification as a Food Technologist (2002) from the University of Catania;
• PhD in Crop Productivity (2006), “Biology of Mediterranean Species” programme, 18th cohort; thesis entitled “Quality characteristics of artichoke flower heads in relation to genetic, environmental and technical factors” at the University of Catania.

Research activities:

• Study of fructans (inulin) from the roots of the genus Cynara spp. (HPAEC Dionex 500)
• Nutraceutical compounds in artichoke flower heads; phenols, flavonoids (υHPLC-UV-Vis, HPLC-DAD), Fe and K (ICP-OES), ascorbic acid (HPLC), mild treatments to extend their shelf life.
• The micropropagation of common reed (Arundo donax L. and Phragmites australis) – plants used for lignocellulosic biomass for the production of second-generation biofuels and the influence of gelling agents on the in vitro proliferation of artichoke shoots.
• Extraction and characterisation of bioactive compounds from citrus peel (flavonoids) (υHPLC-UV-Vis) with a view to assessing their adjuvant effect on influenza vaccines.
• A study of the germination behaviour of sweet and fibre sorghum under sub-optimal temperature conditions and its relationship with seed tannin content.
• A study of the quality, yield and biomass of processing tomatoes under water stress conditions.
• Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), free fatty acids (FFA) (lipolysis) (GC-FID), the volatilome and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (SPME-GC-MS) in food matrices, including dairy products (milk, whey, butter– yoghurt – cheese), as well as cereal and cereal-based products (dough – bread – fermented drinks), animal feed (rations, fodder) and biological matrices (rumen and caecal contents, faeces).
• Study of plants from the Mediterranean region (Cynara cardunculus altilis and sylvestris, Crithmum maritimum L., Salicornia europea L., Cakile) subjected to abiotic stress, with the aim of assessing the impact on secondary metabolites (polyphenols, flavonoids) (υHPLC-UV-Vis, HPLC-DAD) with nutraceutical activity; study of anionic and cationic minerals (IC) and carbohydrates (HPAEC Dionex 500).
• Analysis of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity by spectrophotometry.

Publications:

https://iris.cnr.it/cris/rp/rp01008

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7973-2068

CV