Phenols4Health
The Influence of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds on the Inhibition of Advanced Glycation End-Product Formation (HE-MSCA-2023-PF-EF-101149946)
The Mediterranean Diet (MD) heavily relies on olive oil, particularly Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), for its health benefits. However, the full potential of EVOO’s beneficial properties, specifically its phenolic compounds (PCs), is not fully realised due to potential loss during food processing. This leads to diminished health benefits, such as reduced protection against oxidative damage to blood lipids and lessened inhibition of pro-oxidant species formation. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the Phenols4Health project aims to assess the transfer of PCs into various foods cooked with EVOO and their ability to inhibit dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGEs). It will use advanced liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This study offers potential economic benefits to the olive oil industry.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
GO1. To evaluate the transfer of EVOO phenolic compounds to foods with variable compositions using different processing techniques to determine their health value;
GO2. To study the influence of the phenolic profile to block the formation of AGEs in foods processed in EVOO using different culinary techniques;
GO3. To determine the profile of AGEs in serum samples from patients subjected to a MD with EVOO and a low-fat diet (with ordinary olive oil or sunflower oil – control) to compare the levels of AGEs.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Supervisor/a: Feliciano Priego-Capote
Correo electrónico de contacto: q72prcaf@uco.es
Investigador/a principal: Ítala Maria Gouveia Marx
Correo electrónico de contacto: itala.gouveia.marx@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101149946
HIBA+
Consolidación y fortalecimiento de la Red HIBA para la sostenibilidad y transformación digital de la cadena de valor agroalimentaria (POCTEP-2022-0195_HIBA_MAS_6_E)
El proyecto “HIBA” creaba los fundamentos de un espacio de cooperación transfronterizo dirigido a fomentar la competitividad y sostenibilidad empresarial en el sector agroalimentario, utilizando la digitalización como pilar esencial. La continuación de este proyecto mediante “HIBA+” persigue capitalizar los logros conseguidos al objeto de fortalecer y consolidar dicha Red elevándolo a la categoría de Corredor que persigue la Comisión Europea (CE) en territorios transfronterizos para el apoyo a las PYMES. Por tanto, HIBA+ se apoyará sobre la figura de los European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), máxima distinción europea que los DIH participantes en HIBA han conseguido y que la CE impulsa para el fomento de la digitalización a través de servicios a pymes y microempresas, en este caso con un foco especial en las empresas agroalimentarias. Aprovechando este liderazgo ibérico, se implementarán acciones de carácter sinérgico que desde un punto de vista transfronterizo complementen las actividades que los EDIH, junto con otros agentes clave en los procesos de transformación digital, vienen desarrollando. En primer lugar, se impulsará la construcción de una estructura sobre los mecanismos de colaboración iniciados en HIBA para aportar estabilidad al funcionamiento operativo de la Red. Se profundizará en las labores de sensibilización y detección activa de necesidades del sector agroalimentario en materia de digitalización. Sobre el conocimiento generado en materia de contenidos y grado de interés suscitado en la experiencia HIBA, la capacitación será de nuevo un pilar esencial, ampliando y complementando áreas tecnológicas. En otro término, el uso de tecnologías generadoras de datos en el marco de HIBA permite iniciar ahora acciones de desarrollo de infraestructuras de gestión e de herramientas de valorización de los datos que permitirán realizar demostraciones clave para el sector en términos de utilidades para la toma de decisiones. Al mismo tiempo, esta propuesta contempla acciones de apoyo y acompañamiento a la cocreación y búsqueda de opciones de financiación para iniciativas surgidas a partir de los entornos demostrativos. Finalmente, en el terreno de la innovación abierta se continuará impulsando un programa de desafíos digitales para resolver retos del sector, así como dinamizar el ecosistema emprendedor, acompañando técnicamente la implementación de iniciativas y mentorizando nuevas propuestas y soluciones para acelerar su llegada al mercado fijando así talento en el territorio.
General objectives
El objetivo político es reforzar una Europa más competitiva e inteligente, promoviendo una transformación económica innovadora e inteligente y una conectividad regional a las tecnologías de la información y de las comunicaciones.
El objetivo específico consiste en aprovechar las ventajas que ofrece la digitalización a los ciudadanos, las empresas, las organizaciones de investigación y las administraciones públicas
Universidad de Córdoba participation
– Gestión e impartición de formación.
– Promoción de iniciativas estratégicas en materia de valorización de datos
– Implementación de acciones demostrativas en Living Labs
– Procedimiento de apoyo para la cocreación de iniciativas.
– Diseño de mecanismos de colaboración – brokerages
Contact information:
Investigador Principal: Francisco Javier Mesas Carrascosa
Correo electrónico de contacto: fjmesas@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://hubiberiaagrotech.eu
SMART GREEN WATER
Diffusion of Innovative Solutions & Capacity Building for Smart Irrigation (SUDOE 2023 S1/1.4/F0080)
The great challenge for agriculture in the SUDOE area is to mitigate the consequences of climate change, in particular the increasingly frequent drought episodes. The availability of fresh water continues to decline, making the agricultural sector, which is highly dependent on water resources, especially vulnerable. It is necessary to create the conditions to promote the resilience of agriculture by improving the use of an increasingly scarce resource.
To address this challenge, the digital transformation of agriculture is essential. To support this transition, SMART GREEN WATER members will promote responses through the implementation of smart specialisation (S3) strategies for a more sustainable agricultural sector and by increasing digital skills in the sector, strengthening the social fabric. The project members will take advantage of transnational cooperation, the diversity of situations: types of crops and irrigation, water availability, collective water management organizations. The solutions, tested through pilot actions, replicable in different contexts, will identify the best tools to meet farmers’ needs. Innovative irrigation optimisation technologies will be consolidated and disseminated through experimentation in partner regions.
General objectives
The main objective of SMART GREEN WATER is to promote common responses to the challenges of agriculture in the SUDOE space, by implementing smart specialization strategies, for a more sustainable and intelligent agricultural sector that strengthens the socio-economic structure of rural areas. To this end, the partners will work together to implement solutions aimed at accelerating agriculture’s digital transition towards a more resilient, climate-resilient, optimized and a less water-consuming agricultural sector. The project will develop a transnational strategy that promotes the development, availability and dissemination of digital solutions to build the necessary capacities among key actors in the agricultural value chain and innovation.
Universidad de Córdoba participation
They contribute their experience in the field of digitalisation of irrigation systems and the efficient management of water resources in the agricultural sector.
Contact information:
Principal Investigator: Pilar Montesinos
Contact email: pmontesinos@uco.es
Project web site: https://interreg-sudoe.eu/proyecto-interreg/smart-green-water/
I-ReWater
Sustainable management of water resources in irrigated agriculture in the SUDOE area (SUDOE 2023 S1/2.5/E0136)
The I-ReWater project focuses on using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation in the SUDOE region. It assesses the availability and quality of reclaimed water compared to conventional sources, aiming to reduce reliance on conventional water. The project will develop a transnational strategy to incorporate reclaimed water into irrigation, while addressing environmental impacts using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). 16 pilot projects will assess the impact of reclaimed water use in different soil-crop systems, including horticultural and woody crops. The project also includes the development of a digital platform and a decision support system for better decision-making when using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation.
General objectives
– Analyzing the current state of water resources in the SUDOE area
– Assessing the impact of irrigation with reclaimed water on soil-crop systems
– Developing a digital tool to optimize fertigation when using reclaimed water.
Universidad de Córdoba participation
UCO is leader of work package 2 (Pilot actions in woody and horticultural crops), and closely collaborates in work package 3 (Development of digital platform – Decision Support System for irrigating with reclaimed water).
Contact information:
Investigador Principal: Juan Antonio Rodríguez Díaz
Correo electrónico de contacto: jarodriguez@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://interreg-sudoe.eu/proyecto-interreg/i-rewater/
HY4RES: Hybrid Solutions for Renewable Energy Systems
Hybrid Solutions for Renewable Energy Systems: achieving net-zero Atlantic area energy consumers & communities (ATLANTIC AREA EAPA_0001/2022)
HY4RES is an European project led by Trinity College Dublin, co-funded by INTERREG Atlantic Area. The project includes nine partners in four countries (Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France) that are working in the field of hybrid renewable energy systems in different sectors: aquaculture, agriculture, port and community sectors.
The project will develop new renewable energy technology and data management systems using sensors to enable a transition towards net-zero energy consumers and communities in the Atlantic Area. It tackles the joint challenge of increasing the use of renewable energy across the regions using innovative storage and management solutions. HY4RES works on advancing hybrid renewable energy systems, which balance the variable output of wind, solar and hydropower with energy storage. The project includes low-cost and sustainable power systems and it furthermore includes the development of an intelligent renewable energy management software combining low-cost sensors, analysis of big data, and artificial intelligence techniques, to improve management, forecasting and interoperability of differing renewable energy sources in a hybrid system.
The HY4RES project will benefit domestic energy communities and industrial self-consumers such as the agriculture, aquaculture and ports sectors. For each of these four sectors, a pilot plant will be installed. The community pilot plant will be constructed in Portugal, the agricultural and port plants in Spain (in Andalusia and Asturias, respectively) and the aquaculture plant in Ireland.
General objectives
HY4RES aims to develop hybrid renewable energy systems to support the green transition of industry and community energy demand in the Atlantic Area. It seeks to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions, contributing to the objectives linked to the Green Deal for Europe and Sustainable Development Goal 7 on clean and affordable energy.
Universidad de Córdoba participation
The University of Córdoba leads the work package that’s called “Intelligent Renewable Energy Management Software”. This work package aims to develop a software tool to optimally use hybrid renewable energy systems, which will be used in the four sectors. Different models will be combined in a software that, based on artificial intelligence techniques and data analytics, will allow the prediction of energy production and demand in order to offer optimal renewable energy management recommendations. This software will maximize the use of renewable energy sources, whilst reducing the consumption of conventional energy. This will also help reduce the carbon footprint and operational costs associated with agriculture, aquaculture, ports and community energy schemes.
Also the UCO group will be responsible for the installation of the pilot plant for Agriculture in Valle Inferior del Guadalquivir irrigated area.
Contact information:
Investigador Principal: Juan Antonio Rodríguez Díaz
Correo electrónico de contacto: jarodriguez@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://hy4res.eu/
FIREPOCTEP+
FIREPOCTEP+ – Resilient landscapes facing large forest fires: emergency response, improvement of interoperability, and operational and social training in the face of climate change (PO2022-0139_FIREPOCTEP_MAS_6_E)
This Project is focused on the Spanish-Portuguese cooperation for the management of extreme wildfire events. The main activities are aimed at mitigating fire impacts on ecosystem services (tangible assets, environmental services, and landscape goods) and global warning. According to the budget limitations, technical efforts should be directed towards specific areas, known as Strategic Management Zones or Potential Control Locations. This idea of concentrate efforts on fire management is underlined by the existence of a new legislation (2022) in forest fires. Furthermore, the project is supported by a previous project (known as “FIREPOCTEP (0756_FIREPOCTEP_6_E”) using the same pilot site.
General objectives
FIREPOCTEP+ aims to improve climate change adaptation and forest resilience through the implementation of a comprehensive management under ecosystem-based approaches.
Universidad de Córdoba participation
Although the main activities of the University of Cordoba (UCO) focus on the first work-package, where it leads three important deliverables
- Guide of potential wildfires and operational and management implications using public web support (ArcGIS Online or Google Earth Engine).
- Good Practices Guide to the creation and design of Potential Control Locations.
- Dynamic and georeferenced fire risk using the adaptation and test of Fire Weather Index (Visual Danger).
UCO is responsible or collaborative for various activities in the rest of the packages. UCO participates in the monitoring of forest fire behavior, the analysis of normative and legislation and implementation of administrative protocols to find a comprehensive management, the valuation and development of endogenous resources, the design of cost-effective and safe fuelbreaks, and the organization of the second Iberian Workshop about Strategic Management Zones in fire management.
Contact information:
Principal investigator (IP): Juan Ramón Molina Martínez
email: jrmolina@uco.es
Project website: https://firepocteplus.eu/
WALTHAM
Development of a protein based diagnostic test for equine metabolic syndrome: application in the prevention of laminitis
In the present project we used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to discover and quantify protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome, a process with unknown pathophysiology. Equine metabolic syndrome has been related to the predisposition to laminitis, a disturbance of the digit that can result in permanent disability and, in severe cases, lead to euthanasia. The objective of the project is to help clinicians to better manage the disease and prevent laminitis.
GENERAL OBJETIVES
The aim of this project is to find a panel of protein markers easily measurable in a single sample, simple to obtain, to develop low-cost immunoassays for field diagnosis.
ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CORDOBA
UCO is the coordinator of the project.
UCO CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal investigator: Guadalupe Gómez Baena
E-mail: v52gobag@uco.es
LIFE LYNXCONNECT
Creating a genetically and demographically functional Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) metapopulation (LIFE19 NAT/ES001055)
The project LIFE 19NAT/ES001055 LYNXCONNECT ‘Creating a genetically and demographically functional Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) metapopulation (2020-2025)’ is the fourth European Commission LIFE project for the Iberian Lynx conservation.
The previous LIFE project IBERLINCE ‘Recovery of the historical distribution for the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain and Portugal (2011-2018)’ was focused on the recovery of the historical distribution for the Iberian Lynx in the Iberian Peninsula, on its reintroduction in Portugal, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, and on the consolidation of the reintroductions carried out by previous LIFE projects in Andalusia. After the achievements of IBERLINCE, LYNXCONNECT’s main challenge is to make the Iberian Lynx population self-sustainable and genetically viable in the long term. This will be done by connecting the six existing nuclei and creating two new ones. All this will help to reduce the risk of extinction of this species.
LYNXCONNECT’s main goal is to connect the existing Iberian Lynx nuclei into a functional self- sustainable viable metapopulation where gene flow between every nuclei is guaranteed. To do so a series of genetic-management actions will be carried out.
In addition, the project aims to achieve other specific objectives as decreasing the species’ risk of extinction, to improve its population status, to reduce remaining threats, to implement conservation and habitat improvement measures via land stewardship tools and social involvement, and to update the Iberian strategy for the species.
LIFE LYNXCONNECT is a transnational cooperation project covering the entire distribution range of the species, participated by environmental and road-conservation administrations of two countries and four Spanish regional governments (Spain, Portugal, Andalusia, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura and Murcia); environmental non-governmental organization (Adenex, WWF-España and Fundación CBD-Hábitat); hunters representatives (Fundación Artemisan); private companies (Fotex and Fomecam Terra) and with the scientific support of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Doñana Biological Station.
The participative and transnational nature of the project, and the experience gained in previous projects, foster the cooperation between management administrations and other stakeholders involved in land planning, nature conservation and economic development.
GENERAL OBJETIVES
To increase both the overall population size and the connectivity among Iberian lynx nuclei to assure a functional self- sustainable and viable metapopulation.
ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CORDOBA
We are responsable for the action A10: Development of a new technique to enhance connectivity between subpopulations of Iberian lynx.
UCO CONTACT INFORMATION
Investigador Principal: Guadalupe Gómez Baena
Correo electrónico de contacto: v52gobag@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://lifelynxconnect.eu
GreenDigiPharma
Green and digital continuous-flow pharmaceutical manufacturing (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01-101073089)
This project called “GreenDigiPharma” is funded by the EU and focuses on furans as pharmaceutical intermediates. Furfural, furfurylamine and furfurylamide are important intermediates in the production of various pharmaceuticals. The development of new catalytic methods and materials for the production of this class of intermediate compounds from lignocellulosic residues will have significant economic and environmental benefits. Lignocellulosic wastes are abundant and renewable resources that can be used as a source of valuable chemical products. The conversion of these materials into pharmaceutical intermediates using continuous flow chemistry is an important field of research that has attracted a great deal of interest in recent years. Flow chemistry is an important step towards sustainability and digitalization of pharmaceutical industry. Continuous flow processes enable the utilization of advanced technology and green chemistry, leading to faster, safer and more sustainable APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) production. Under this context, the development of new active and selective catalysts is essential for the efficient conversion of these wastes into high-value products. The objectives of the project are aligned with current trends in green chemistry, which aims to develop sustainable processes that minimize waste generation and reduce environmental impact. Thus, this project aims to develop new catalytic materials for the conversion of lignocellulosic wastes into pharmaceutical intermediates with particular interest in the catalytic deactivation mechanism. This research has significant potential to contribute to the development of sustainable processes for the production of high value chemicals in industry.
Project mission
To transform pharmaceutical manufacturing with green and digital methods, creating eco-friendly drug production routes, and adopting innovative technologies. We will do this by collaborating with 7 universities, 1 research center, and several industry partners during our secondments
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
• To develop a new field of research combining green materials science from functionalized biomasses with other nanostructures and continuous flow heterogeneous catalysis to obtain pharmaceutical compounds through alternative environmentally friendly routes.
• Develop new active and selective catalysts for the conversion of lignocellulosic waste products (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) into high value-added pharmaceutical intermediates.
• To discover the main catalytic deactivation mechanisms for their minimization during the conversion of these compounds through the study of fundamental catalysis.
• Develop new protocols for the use of flow chemistry in combination with heterogeneous catalysis in REDOX reactions by optimizing reactors operating under continuous flow.
• To propose optimal conditions during the obtaining of specific pharmaceutical intermediates focused mainly on the process (physicochemical parameters) and the catalyst, to achieve maximum yields during the reaction.
• Establish processes for obtaining and purifying the main lignocellulosic waste products (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) from different sources capable of being coupled to industrial catalytic processes.
ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CORDOBA
University of Cordoba’s role in the project is the fractionation and upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass, as well as the transformation of biomass-derived chemicals into high value-added building blocks and scaffolds. The student selected for the execution of this project together with the research team will participate with expertise in biomass/waste valorization (including selective fractionation and transformation into platform molecules for further upgrading), heterogeneous catalysts and Green Chemistry.
CONTACT:
Investigador Principal: Alina M. BALU
Correo electrónico de contacto: qo2balua@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://www.greendigipharma.eu/
SUSPHARMA
MERGING SUSTAINABLE AND DIGITAL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREENER-BY-DESIGN PHARMACOLOGICAL (HORIZON-HLTH-2021-IND-07-01-101057430)
The EU-funded SusPharma project plans to design safe- and sustainable-by-design chemicals for use in pharmaceuticals. Researchers will use renewable carbon as the building block of scaffolds and motifs for drug synthesis and clean synthetic methodologies for C–X bond formation. Focus will also be placed on developing new continuous purification methods and performing technoeconomic and life cycle assessment analyses to assess the impact of the proposed pharmaceutical production methods. Ultimately, researchers will develop autonomous flow platforms for drug molecule synthesis using photocatalytic and electrochemical methods.
To address the challenge of green and digital transition and proper supply of health technologies and products, SUSPHARMA will focus on research and innovation activities that aim at integrating five breakthrough concepts: CAT-to-PHARMA, WASTE-to-PHARMA, FLOW-to-PHARMA, PUR-to-PHARMA, and DIGITAL to PHARMA. This will deliver results that are directed to pharmaceutical industries, researchers, and innovators, prompting them to develop and produce greener pharmaceuticals that are either greener by design, intrinsically less harmful for the environment, or use greener and economically more sustainable manufacturing processes and technologies.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
- To develop greener routes to prepare halogenated drugs, such as therapeutics and diagnostics and repurposing of known drugs for new therapeutic indications.
- Use of renewable (bio-based) carbon for the pharmaceutical building blocks of scaffolds and motifs for drug synthesis; KPI: ˃ 30% more than benchmark (85% yield).
- Cleaner methodologies for C-X bond formation (that is, C-H functionalization to obtain C-C, C-F and C-I bond formation); KPI: new flow protocols, new reactions discovered, high productivity, high TOF.
- Development of new benchtop continuous purification methods, to remove impurities and recycle synthetic solvents.
- The project will thus derive benefits from interdisciplinary domains, involving recent advances in biomass conversion for drug synthesis; 3D printing of nanocatalysts, integration of digitalization methods employing automation and machine learning.
- Breaking through new developments in heterogeneous catalysis by means of cutting-edge flow chemistry technologies (including synthesis and purification)
- Repurposing of known medicines to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical production: digital and technological solutions will be applied to the production of new NSAID formulations for new therapeutic uses. KPI: at least two new co-crystals identified and produced on medium scale.
ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CORDOBA
The role of University of Córdoba in the project is fractionation and upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass as well as transformation of biomass-derived platform chemicals into high-added value building blocks and scaffold.
The research team will be involved in the first three tasks (leading the WP2) with expertise in biomass/waste valorization (including selective fractionation and transformation to platform molecules for further upgrading), heterogeneous catalysts and Green Chemistry.
Contact:
Investigador Principal: Alina M. BALU
Correo electrónico de contacto: alina.balu@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://www.suspharma.eu/