Fields of Interest and Expertise

Development of new materials from lignins: Lignin nanostructures; Lignin nanocapsules and nanoparticles for active controlled release; Lignin nanofibers for biomedical and cosmetic devices, carbon nanoparticles and nanofibers from lignin nanostructures.

Lignin purification and upgrade via flow processes.

Development of supported catalysts and biomimetic catalysts for the activation of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide to the selective oxidation and functionalization of natural substances: lignans, terpenes, cardanols, nucleosides, lignins and lignin model compounds.

Development of immobilized catalysts from metalloporphyrins, methylrhenium trioxide.

Biocatalysis in processes of lignin degradation, with a special focus on the study of manganese peroxidase, laccases and laccase-mediator systems.

Structural characterization of polyphenolic biomolecules (lignins and tannins) by advanced heteronuclear NMR techniques and quantitative 2D heterocorrelated NMR spectroscopy.

Study of supramolecular association-dissociation behavior in lignin. Structural characterization of archaeological wood materials. Evaluation of ageing processes. Detection of radical species by 31P- based spin trap systems in oxidative systems: Lipoxygenase, laccase, bleaching solutions

Teaching

Inorganic Chemistry and Laboratory, B.Sc. in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies.

Chemistry, M. Sc. Pharmacy (in English).

Curriculum Vitae

1986: Ph. D. Engenieering, Alma Mater University, Bologna, Italy

1990: MSc. Chemistry. Laurea Summa cum Laude, University of Rome La Sapienza

1990: Consultant for the national research council Center for the Study of Natural Substances, University of Rome La Sapienza

1990-1993: Researcher and team leader at the Francesco Angelini Research Institute, Pomezia, Italy.
 

1994: Consultant. Agrital Ricerche Research Center, Maccarese (Rome), Italy.

1995 and 1996: Visiting Scientist, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada.

1997: Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada.

1998-2015: Assistant Professor in Chemistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata

2000: Visiting scientist at the Wroclaw University (Poland) 

2010: Visiting professor at Departamento die Ciencia Quimicas, Facultad de Ecologia y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello Vina del Mar, Cile.12-18/07/2010. 

2015: Associate Professor in Chemistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche Università di Roma Tor Vergata  Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1 - 00133 Rome, Italy 

2018: Professor in Chemistry, University of Venice Ca’ Foscari. Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi.

Awards

1990: Prize Reiss Romoli for the best Master dissertation. 

2011: The paper: Milled Wood Lignin: A Linear Oligomer. by C Crestini, F Melone, M Sette and R Saladino. Biomacromolecules 2011 12 11 PMID: 21928799 DOI: 10.1021/bm200948r has been selected for evaluation by Faculty of 1000 (F1000). 

2018: The paper: Synthesis of Nano- and Microstructures from Proanthocyanidins, Tannic Acid and Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate for Active Delivery. Green Chem. 2017 19 (21), 5074–5091 was selected among HOT manuscripts in Green Chemistry in 2017.

Unit

• Venice

Publications