BrainMap

Alexandra Cristina Blaga

- UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Expertise & keywords

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR LIGNOCELLULOSIC CROP RESIDUES PROCESSING TOWARDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY INTEGRATION Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3384 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sustelcr.icpm.tuiasi.ro/

Abstract:

Lignocellulosic crop residues (LCR) represent an important biomass category resulted from agricultural harvesting activities. Such materials consisting of plant parts are of little economic value and regarded as crop wastes. Opportunity of the project proposal is obvious in the light of the existing high available amounts of LCR, further considered as raw materials, the existing knowledge on their processing and the chemical composition.

Another strong argument is the need off boosting up the economy of papermaking fiber production by using such materials by preliminary extraction xylan based hemicelluloses (XHC). The challenges of the project proposal concern: the finding the most favorable approach for separation of polymeric form of xylan and further process the extracted LCR to adequate papermaking quality fibers; recovery and reuse of the alkali consumed in XHC separation; removal of inhibitory compounds valorization the residual liquid flows to chemicals by biotechnological approach; to find adequate treatment of final effluents for reuse or discharge. Specific life cycle assessment tools will finally indicate the environmental performance of the practically demonstrated LCR processing approaches.

Superior valorization of the biomass through recovery of valuable compounds Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0153 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.cercetare.icpm.tuiasi.ro/proiecte/BIOEXTR/, http://omicron.ch.tuiasi.ro/~acblaga/index_en.htm

Abstract:

In the project “Superior valorization of the biomass through recovery of valuable compounds", that joins the top of the world-wide research on bio-separation of natural compounds with important applications in medicine, food and cosmetics research, the separation of some vitamins, carboxylic acids, carbohydrates and lipids by extraction and pertraction with ionic liquids will be studied. These extraction techniques offer the advantages of the high efficiency and selectivity, the reduction of the separation duration, the reduction of solvent loss, and, in the case of pertraction, the possibility to transport the solute

against its concentration gradient. Using ionic liquids in extracting bioactive natural compounds from biomass not only leads to a green process, but also improves the extraction efficiency from a thermodynamic point of view. Furthermore, these methods can be applied for separating the natural compounds with thermic and chemical liability.The project will significantly contribute to the knowledge of the separation mechanism of natural compounds by non-conventional extraction techniques (reactive extraction,

pertraction), to the quantification of the influence of the main factors on separation efficiency, to the modeling, optimization and scaling-up of these processes, in the purpose of improving the technologies applied for these compound's production.

Obtaining materials with added value by valorization of industrial by-products. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1063 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "VASILE ALECSANDRI" DIN BACĂU (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://omicron.ch.tuiasi.ro/addvaluemat/echipa_ro.htm

Abstract:

The project "Obtaining materials with added value by valorization of industrial by-products" aims to obtain a new bioproducts by immobilization and encapsulation of microorganismsa and residual microbian biomass (RMB) having the possibility of direct implementation in real biosorption system and treat the soil quality. The main, specific and technical-scientific objectives, as well as all activities leading to achievement of these objectives, are being established around the two directions: (i) Obtaining materials with added value (innovative bioproducts); (ii) Physical- chemical and engineering characterization of bioproducts in order to use them in modern technological processes (biosorbents) or as materials for improving soil quality (microbial fertilizers). The innovative character of the project is the fact that it proposes a new direction to use the residual biomass, respectively to obtain bioproducts by the encapsulation of biomass (perishable by-product) that are easily handled, stored and kept in containers, in dry state, compared to those resulting through immobilization that can be kept only for a relatively short time, in a cold place, in CaCl2 solution. Through the proposed research activities, the project will get results with applicability in: ● possibility of continuing collaboration between the members of the team, and therefore new applicability directions will be evaluated: in the field of fertilizers as the carrier of nutrients (microelement cations), in product recovery-separation or purification (i.e., pharmaceuticals, proteins, etc.), in analytical chemistry for preconcentration of analytes at low-level concentration, ● framework for applicable research, ● possibility to patent the project’s end products as eco-products efficient in cleaning wastewater and selling them on the market patented as eco-technologies.

Hybrid systems fermentation / enzymatic reaction – synergic pertraction for production of chemicals with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0100 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://www.cercetare.icpm.tuiasi.ro/proiecte/hyper/

Abstract:

The proposed research project, namely the investigation of the hybrid systems consisting on the integrated processes of fermentation or enzymatic reaction and synergic pertraction (extraction through liquid membranes) used for some production of valuable biosynthetic compounds, joins the top of the worldwide researches on bioprocesses with important applications in medicine, cosmetics and food. These studies are directed to the biochemical processes (fermentative or enzymatic ones) limited by the products inhibitory effects which lead to the diminution of microbial population or enzyme activity, cells lysis, and, implicitly, decrease of specific yield. This phenomenon of inhibition can be avoided only by product direct removal during the fermentation or enzymatic process. Among the tested methods for direct separation of biosynthetic products, the pertraction has been found to be the most attractive, due both to its compatibility with the biochemical system and efficiency. In this context, the main objective of proposed project is to study and design the optimum hybrid systems for production of some antibiotics or precursors (Cephalosporins, 6-aminopenicillanic acid, pseudomonic acid - mupirocin), carboxylic acids (hialuronic acid, rosmarinic acid), vitamins or precursors (pantothenic acid, 2-ketogluconic acid), and other derivatives (amines, ketones) by coupling the fermentation or enzymatic reaction with separation by synergic pertraction. This approach is novel, the studied hybrid systems are entirely original and will offer an increased microbial growth rate, enzymes life cycle, and productivity corresponding to the desired products. In the same time, the results will contribute significantly to the development of the knowledge in the interdisciplinary domain of biosynthetic compounds separation by pertraction, as well as in the theory of synergism related to the extraction techniques.

Development of novel stereoselective biocatalysts for economic synthesis of chiral building blocks Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1268 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/~mtosa

Abstract:

Novel lipases with usual and opposite selectivity (anti-Kauzlauskas’ rule) immobilized in different forms, encapsulated whole cell ketoreductase systems with various stereoselectivity as "off-the-self" tools will be developed and different chiral building blocks will be prepared. We are planning to test 5-8 different immobilization techniques that may influence and enhance the productivity, stability, enantiomer selectivity of the applied biocatalyst.The application of enzyme immobilization technologies makes the bioconversation economically feasible and comparable to the synthetic solutions therefore increases the economical benefits. Finally, we plan to develop KITs containing several lipases immobilized in different forms. Development of the so called off-the-shelf products would change the habitual approach of synthetic chemists since the use of such a biocatalyst is easier than a synthetic chemical reaction with the required specifity and selectivity. These enzymes and enzyme products might be superior in synthetic biotransformations over the commercialized thermophilic fungal lipases with respest to the degree of enantiomer selectivity or direction/degree of enantiotopic selectivity.

Advanced separation of biosynthetic compounds by facilitated and synergetic pertraction Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0088 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea Tehnica Gheorghe Asachi din Iasi

Project partners: Universitatea Tehnica Gheorghe Asachi din Iasi (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea Tehnica Gheorghe Asachi din Iasi (RO)

Project website: http://www.ch.tuiasi.ro/cercetare/IDEI/dancascaval/asbcfsp/

Abstract:

THE PROJECT PROPOSES THE STUDY OF THE ADVANCED SEPARATION OF SOME BIOSYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS BY FREE, FACILITATED AND/OR SYNERGETIC PERTRACTION (EXTRACTION AND TRANSPORT THROUGH LIQUID MEMBRANES). THIS RESEARCH DIRECTION IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND OFFERS THE ADVANTAGES OF HIGH EFFICIENCY AND SELECTIVITY, REDUCTION OF SEPARATION DURATION AND OF SOLVENT LOSS, POSSIBILITY OF SOLUTE TRANSPORT AGAINST ITS CONCENTRATION GRADIENT. MOREOVER, PERTRACTION COULD BE APPLIED TO THE COMPOUNDS WITH PRONOUNCED CHEMICAL AND THERMAL LABILITY. FOR THE INCREASE OF PERTRACTION EFFICIENCY, ONE OR MORE CARRIER AGENTS, PHASE MODIFIERS OR SOLVENTS COULD BE ADDED INTO THE LIQUID MEMBRANE (FACILITATED PERTRACTION OR SYNERGETIC PERTRACTION, RESPECTIVELY). IN THE PROPOSED GRANT, THE SEPARATION OF SOME ANTIBIOTICS (NISTATINE, MUPIROCIN), CARBOXYLIC ACIDS (SUCCINIC, FORMIC, ACETIC, PROPIONIC, PYRUVIC, CINNAMIC, p-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACIDS) AND VITAMINS (VITAMINS B5 AND B9) BY FACILITATED OR SYNERGETIC PERTRACTION WITH AMBERLITE LA-2 OR/AND DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHOSPHORIC ACID DISSOLVED IN DIFFERENT MEMBRANE PHASES (WITHOUT OR WITH 1-OCTANOL, 1-DECANOL) WILL BE INVESTIGATED. THE PROPOSED APPLICATIONS ARE ORIGINAL AND REPRESENT AN ADVANTAGEOUS ALTERNATIVE TO THE METHODS CURRENTLY USED FOR THESE COMPOUNDS SEPARATION FROM THE FERMENTATION BROTHS OR VEGETABLE EXTRACTS.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects