BrainMap

Mrs. Oana Lelia Pop

Dr.

Associate Professor - UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | Entrepreneur | Consultant

Web of Science ResearcherID: I-9309-2016

Curriculum Vitae (26/01/2022)

Expertise & keywords

Eco-sustainable redesign of a traditional beverage obtained from agro-industrial by-products in order to increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in the gastrointestinal tract Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-0349 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sites.google.com/usamvcluj.ro/smartprobproject/despre-smartprob

Abstract:

Our proposal aims to valorize breweries' main side streams (brewers spent grain - BSG) by producing an instant dairy-free probiotic alternative based on a reformulated traditional recipe. The resulted product will be a powder containing both the probiotics and natural clean-label texturing and flavour components, ensuring a sensorial satisfying consuming experience. The project will thus result in a reduction in food waste while also contributing to promoting wellbeing. The projects' objectives answer current food market demands regarding the necessity for non-dairy probiotic food products. Moreover, the new technology applied will lead to the diversifying of probiotic bacteria containing food products obtained by the bioconversion of food industry by-products. Consequently, important issues related to environment management at the enterprise level will be avoided, creating a new perspective for further industrial technology transfer.

Iron oxide nanoparticles transported by probiotics - cytotoxicity, bioavailability and their influence on intestinal microflora Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2126 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://pronanoiron.usamvcluj.ro/

Abstract:

Anemia is a global issue affecting 2 billion people. Over 52% of pregnant women suffer from anemia. Scientists' bigger concern is iron bioavailability and gastrointestinal side effects. A promising approach for anemia treatment is the utilization of iron oxide nanoparticles. We will empower the iron oxide nanoparticles with probiotics from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, leading to a reduction of gastrointestinal discomfort, an increase in iron absorption and reduced problems pose of toxicity.

Our overall objective is to design, develop and test an innovative probiotic (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria) carrier iron oxide nanoparticles suitable for i) anemia treatment with ii) minimum side effects (no cytotoxicity) that sustain iii) optimum iron absorption mechanism and iv) ensure the gut microbiota health, in order to maximize their impact. Specific objectives will be achieved through seven work packages (WP1-7):

WP1-Synthesis and characterization

WP2-Functionalization

WP3 -In vitro simulated gastrointestinal interventions

WP4-In vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity

WP5-In vivo validation of the anemia treatment using probiotic iron oxide nanoparticles

WP6-Scientific and social innovation, dissemination, communication & exploitation

WP7-Management

The potential impact on budgets for health care is considerable; considering that over 30% of the population is anemic, many due to iron deficiency. The research will encourage an interdisciplinary approach.

Development of novel nanocarriers for enhanced physico-chemical properties, bioactivities and stability of essential oils Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1847 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://soniasocaci.wixsite.com/nanoseo

Abstract:

Essential oils (EOs) are aromatic volatile oily liquids extracted from different parts of plants, known to possess various bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. Despite their numerous proved health benefits, EOs are very sensitive to environmental factors (light, heat, moisture, oxygen) when used as such, having a high volatility, strong odour and poor water solubility. These drawbacks limit their application as active compounds in food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics. To overcome these shortcomings, the nano-sized delivery systems are considered as one of the most promising technologies. Nanocarriers can be used for entrapment of EOs to uphold their original characteristics during processing and to improve their physico-chemical and functional properties. Thus, the present proposal is focused on the development and comprehensive characterization of three innovative nanoformulations: (i) EOs nanoemulsions, (ii) EOs loaded in chitosan nanoparticles and (iii) EOs-metallic nanoparticles colloidal dispersions. The developed nanoformulations will provide the protection of the EOs bioactive compounds, enhancement of their stability, bioavailability, controlled release and hence in their effectiveness as antioxidants, antimicrobials or antiproliferative agents.

Eco-sustainable bio-conversion of brewers spent grain towards complete valorization Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2306 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://ancafarcas.wixsite.com/sustainable-pce

Abstract:

Brewers spent grain (BSG) is the insoluble residue generated from the production of wort in the brewing industry, being estimated that worldwide the annual output is around 30 million tons of wet spent grain. This plant-derived by-product is known to contain significant amounts of valuable components, which remain unexploited in the brewing processes. Despite the continuous progress from the recent years, in this area there is still a priority to develop/adapt eco-sustainable valorizations procedures because many of the methods proposed to extract individual components are financially expensive, it degrades the environment through high solvent consumption, and by default they have a low feasibility degree. The project entitled: "Eco-sustainable bio-conversion of brewers spent grain towards complete valorization", is focused on developing a procedure that will allow a complete exploitation of BSG as source of bioactive compounds and functional fractions. The first direction was designed to find the most appropriate treatment in order to increase the release and bioavailability of bioactive molecules from lignocellulosic matrix (O1-O2). The second direction aims to optimize the protocol for developing functional fractions and to demonstrate the procedure eco-sustainability. A complex statistical analysis with intelligent chemometric tools will be applied in order to achieve the complete bioconversion system (O3-O5).

Dezvoltarea unui sistem eco-sustenabil de valorificare a subproduselor industriei berii Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3622 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://ancafarcas.wixsite.com/ecos-food-innovation

Abstract:

One of the current development trends of the food industry is focused on diversifying the range of functional products in order to improve the general health of the population. In this sense, current research focuses on identifying sustainable sources of natural active biological compounds, respectively on the recovery of by-products generated by the agri-food industry. Brewers spent grain (BSG) is the insoluble residue generated from the production of wort in the brewing industry. It is estimated that worldwide the annual output is around 30 million tons, about 200 tons of wet spent grain being produced per 10,000 hl of produced beer. This plant-derived by-product is known to contain significant amounts of valuable components, which remain unexploited in the brewing processes. In this sense, the project is focused on developing two functional food products fortified with restructured BSG.

The proposed project aims in a first stage the initial characterization of the selected biomass and the application of treatments to increase the bioavailability of the biologically active compounds. Based on the restructured biomass, two fortified functional food products will be developed and optimized, which will be analyzed from the nutritional, psycho-sensory, microbiological and production costs. Correlations will also be made between product characteristics and total production costs in order to establish the degree of feasibility of new functional foods.

Microencapsulated plasmonic nanoparticles for controlled release of bioactive molecules Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2211 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://MicroBioNAu.com/

Abstract:

The use of functionalised particles for targeted therapies and imaging, and understanding their effect on cell functions are among the current challenges in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. Despite recent advances in functionalising particles for targeted delivery agents and contrast therapies, there is still a great need for nano- and micro-particles that can specifically bind, stabilise and deliver therapeutic agents inside human cells and tissues. The present project addresses two different structures with sizes in the nanoscale and microscale range, namely plasmonic gold nanoparticles and polymeric microcapsules. Basically, the aim of the project is to encapsulate the plasmonic nanoparticles in a biocompatible polymeric matrix with the final goal of reaching controlled and effective release of the loading from the capsules. The research work will be focused on the manufacturing of polymer encapsulated plasmonic nanoparticles, testing ways to open the capsules and release their content, and in vitro testing of biocompatibility of nanoparticle loaded polymeric capsules, their cellular uptake, cellular localisation, distribution inside the cells, and intracellular release. The research activities will make use of modern techniques: high resolution electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), confocal microscopy, molecular spectroscopy techniques (Raman, SERS, FTIR), and performing in vitro experiments on cell cultures.

NEW GENERATION OF INNOVATIVE FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES WITH IMPACT ON HUMAN GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0743 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); B.W.B. S.R.L. (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); CENCIRA CENTRUL DE CERCETARE ȘI INOVARE AGROALIMENTARĂ SRL (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://foodprofit.weebly.com/

Abstract:

In the last decades consumer demands in the field of food production has changed considerably. Consumers more and more believe that foods contribute directly to their health. Functional foods represent one of the most interesting areas of research and innovation in the food industry.

The aim of FOOD-PROFIT is to develop a new generation of probiotic functional beverages using agro-food waste, microencapsulated/granulated bacteria, bottling into controlled release bottles. Microcapsules/granules containing probiotics bacteria will be stored into bottle cap until consumption of beverage, when consumer must to push the bottle cap and the beads with bacteria or bacteria granules will be released into the juice mass. In vivo clinical investigations will be carried out in order to evaluate the beverages functionality on healthy human subjects and patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Thus, will be designed innovative functional probiotics beverages with impact on gastrointestinal health, increasing the innovation rate in this area, stimulating new beverage opportunities and taking away barriers for the transfer of knowledge to real innovation.

The strategic objectives of FOOD PROFIT project are: (a)Characterization of agro-food waste (apple, sugar beet, orange and grape) using advanced techniques (HPLC-MS, GC-MS, FTIR, UV-Vis) and cultivation, granulation, microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria (L. casei, L. plantarum, B. infantis, B. breve), (b)Development of different variants of beverages with microcapsules containing bacteria/ granulated bacteria and the optimal ratio between agro-food wastes (c) In vivo clinical investigation of probiotic beverages functionality and their effects on human gastrointestinal diseases.

FOOD-PROFIT is considered to be a strategic project for development of new concepts and products that, once transferred to the industry, will enable the European food industry to compete and take back the lead in the highly competitive global market.

Sistem de management al sigurantei si securitatii alimentare, aplicat in tehnologia de obtinere a jeleurilor cu probiotice microincapsulate. Call name: Cecuri de Inovare - 2012
PN-II-IN-CI-2012-1-0157 2012 - 2012

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole si Medicina Vetrinara Cluj Napoca

Project partners: Oana Lelia Pop PFA (RO); Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole si Medicina Vetrinara Cluj Napoca (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Proiectul de fata abordeaza realizarea unui sistem de mangement al sigurantei alimentare pentru tehnologia de obtiere a jeleurilor de fructe cu pectina care incorporeaza bacterii probiotice microincapsulate. Produsul realizat in cadrul acestui proiect, este destinat segmentului de consumatori vegetarieni si a celor cu probleme gastro-intestinale. Proiectul este structurat in 3 obiective:(1) Optimizarea tehnologiei de obtinere a jeleurilor din fructe (mure, macese) cu pectina si microincapsularea L. plantarum ATCC 8014 in matrice de alginat; (2) Stabilirea raportului optim dintre cantitatea de jeleu si microcapsule in formularea produsului final; (3) Managementul sigurantei si securitatii alimentare pentru tehnologia de obtinere a produsului PRO-JELLY.

Necesitatea existentei acestui produs pe piata rezida din cerintele consumatorilor vegetarieni. Oferta actuala a bacterilor probiotice este redusa la categoria produselor lactate. Acest aliment functional (Pro-jelly) reprezinta o alternativa pentru cei care nu consuma produse lactate si deasemenea poate fi considerat un produs atractiv pentru copii. Un alt avantaj al acestui produs este dat de catre utilizarea fructozei in realizarea jeleului, reprezintand un atuu pentru segmentul de consumatori cu probleme diabetice.

Necesitatea protectiei L.plantarum este data de catre instabilitatea acestuia la expunerea factorilor de stres a aparatului gastro-intestinal, matricea de alginat ofera protectie in mediul acid al stomacului.

Necesitatea existenteti unui management al sigurantei in tehnologia de obtinere a produsului PRO-JELLY este necesara in vederea mentinerii sub control a punctelor critice de control care ar putea pune in pericol inocuitatea produsului.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (51.82 kb) 06/09/2020
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects