Lisa Ghezzi

Bio: Lisa Ghezzi is an academic researcher from University of Pisa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Groundwater & Micelle. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 40 publications receiving 640 citations. Previous affiliations of Lisa Ghezzi include University of Florence.

Coaxial microwave assisted hydrodistillation of essential oils from five different herbs (lavender, rosemary, sage, fennel seeds and clove buds): Chemical composition and thermal analysis

Abstract: Lavender, sage, rosemary, fennel seed and clove bud essential oils (EOs) were isolated using a microwave-assisted Clevenger-type device, where the microwaves are applied by means of a coaxial antenna and by conventional hydrodistillation (HD). The yield and chemical composition of EOs were analyzed as a function of the microwave (MW) extraction time. A complete chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The analysis of the thermal behavior and stability of the EO were performed by thermogravimetry (TG) and thermogravimetry coupled to infrared spectrometry (TG-FTIR). Thermal analysis showed that the EO thermal behavior is described by the evaporation of its main compounds. The most volatile EO was the rosemary, while clove EO was the most thermally stable. The coaxial MWHD extraction leads to a high concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes, different product selectivity, energy savings, and reductions in heating time compared to the EO obtained by conventional HD. The coaxial antenna method allows the scale-up to industrial level without any limit of power and size. Industrial relevance In literature there are many articles that show the effectiveness and usefulness of the microwave in the chemical and food processing. This technology offers the possibility of faster and more uniform heating, and gives rise to processes that are not completely identical to the methods of conventional heating. However, the application of microwave technology in industry is very limited. This is due to the difficulty in industrial scale-up of microwave ovens. In fact, the use of microwave ovens or resonant cavities involves drawbacks that limit their use. In particular, they have irregular distributions of electromagnetic fields, forming hot-spot, non-uniformity of irradiance, difficulty using common sensors. In addition, the depth of irradiation is limited to a few centimeters. In this article we present an application of an innovative method to irradiate microwave, which uses coaxial antennas. The use of such antennas removes many of the constraints of microwave ovens. For example, it is possible to use glass reactors, use several antennas, immerse the antennas in depth in a liquid overcoming the limits of the depth of penetration and thus treat high volumes. We believe that this technology is mature for the industrial application.

Physico-chemical characterization of protein-pigment interactions in tempera paint reconstructions: casein/cinnabar and albumin/cinnabar.

Abstract: In this work, we characterized paint reconstructions using ovalbumin and casein as binders, and cinnabar (HgS) as a pigment, before and after artificial ageing. Egg and casein are common paint binders that were used historically in the technique of tempera painting. Despite extensive research on the identification of proteinaceous binders in paintings, there is a substantial lack of knowledge regarding the ageing pathway of their protein content, and their chemical interaction with inorganic pigments. Thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) were used to reveal the physico-chemical processes involved in the ageing of proteins in paintings. Taken together, the three techniques highlighted that proteins are subject to both cross-linking and hydrolysis upon ageing, and to a lesser extent, to oxidation of the side chains. Mercury–protein interactions were also revealed using a cold vapour generation atomic fluorescence spectrometer mercury-specific detector coupled to SEC. The study clearly showed that HgS forms stable complexes with proteins and acts as a sensitizer in cross-linking, hydrolysis and oxidation.

Thermal behavior study of pristine and modified halloysite nanotubes

Abstract: Pristine halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were studied by thermogravimetry (TG) up to 800 °C. Etching of alumina from inside the tube (causing a significant increase in tube lumen) was realized by treating the material with an acidic H2SO4 solution at 50 °C. Both materials were characterized by TG-FTIR techniques and their thermal behaviors were compared with that of kaolinite. The coupling of TG with FTIR enables to detect the gases evolved during the TG experiments, thus confirming that only pristine HNTs undergo dehydration with the loss of interlayer water molecules at around 245 °C, while dehydroxylation occurs in all these materials in close temperature ranges around 500 °C. TG runs at five different heating rates (2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min−1), was carried out in the same experimental conditions used for the thermal analysis study with the aim to investigate dehydration and dehydroxylation kinetics using some isoconversional methods recommended by the ICTAC kinetic committee, and thermogravimetric data under a modulated rising temperature program. Finally, the results of the kinetic analysis were discussed and explained in terms of the strengths of the hydrogen bonds broken during these processes.

Interactions between inorganic pigments and proteinaceous binders in reference paint reconstructions.

Abstract: The degradation of the proteinaceous binders, ovalbumin (OVA) and casein, and their interactions with azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), hematite (Fe2O3) and red lead (Pb3O4) pigments were studied. A multi-analytical approach based on Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) was used. The research was carried out on a set of paint reconstructions, which were analysed before and after artificial light ageing. We highlighted that in most cases the inorganic pigments interact with both proteins by decreasing their thermal stability and their intermolecular β-sheet content, and that ageing induces aggregation. We hypothesized that pigments intercalate between protein molecules, producing a partial disruption to the protein–protein intermolecular interaction. In the case of casein, these phenomena continued during ageing. In fact, we observed a complete disappearance of intermolecular β-sheets and an increase in intramolecular β-sheets and random coil during ageing. This result is in agreement with the structural properties of casein, whose aggregation is known to be induced by hydrophobic interactions. On the other hand, in aged OVA paint replicas, we observed the formation of new intermolecular β-sheets and an increase in thermostability. In addition FTIR showed oxidation of the side chains of the aged OVA/hematite sample and aged casein pigment samples, and SEC highlighted hydrolysis phenomena in aged carbonate, azurite and red lead/OVA complexes and in aged casein/calcium carbonate and casein/azurite samples.

Methods in Enzymology.

Abstract: I read this book the same weekend that the Packers took on the Rams, and the experience of the latter event, obviously, colored my judgment. Although I abhor anything that smacks of being a handbook (like, \"How to Earn a Merit Badge in Neurosurgery\") because too many volumes in biomedical science already evince a boyscout-like approach, I must confess that parts of this volume are fast, scholarly, and significant, with certain reservations. I like parts of this well-illustrated book because Dr. Sj6strand, without so stating, develops certain subjects on technique in relation to the acquisition of judgment and sophistication. And this is important! So, given that the author (like all of us) is somewhat deficient in some areas, and biased in others, the book is still valuable if the uninitiated reader swallows it in a general fashion, realizing full well that what will be required from the reader is a modulation to fit his vision, propreception, adaptation and response, and the kind of problem he is undertaking. A major deficiency of this book is revealed by comparison of its use of physics and of chemistry to provide understanding and background for the application of high resolution electron microscopy to problems in biology. Since the volume is keyed to high resolution electron microscopy, which is a sophisticated form of structural analysis, but really morphology in a modern guise, the physical and mechanical background of The instrument and its ancillary tools are simply and well presented. The potential use of chemical or cytochemical information as it relates to biological fine structure , however, is quite deficient. I wonder when even sophisticated morphol-ogists will consider fixation a reaction and not a technique; only then will the fundamentals become self-evident and predictable and this sine qua flon will become less mystical. Staining reactions (the most inadequate chapter) ought to be something more than a technique to selectively enhance contrast of morphological elements; it ought to give the structural addresses of some of the chemical residents of cell components. Is it pertinent that auto-radiography gets singled out for more complete coverage than other significant aspects of cytochemistry by a high resolution microscopist, when it has a built-in minimal error of 1,000 A in standard practice? I don't mean to blind-side (in strict football terminology) Dr. Sj6strand's efforts for what is \"routinely used in our laboratory\"; what is done is usually well done. It's just that …

Supramolecular Hydrogelators and Hydrogels: From Soft Matter to Molecular Biomaterials

Abstract: In this review we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the work of supramolecular hydrogelators after 2004 and to put emphasis particularly on the applications of supramolecular hydrogels/hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials. After a brief introduction of methods for generating supramolecular hydrogels, we discuss supramolecular hydrogelators on the basis of their categories, such as small organic molecules, coordination complexes, peptides, nucleobases, and saccharides. Following molecular design, we focus on various potential applications of supramolecular hydrogels as molecular biomaterials, classified by their applications in cell cultures, tissue engineering, cell behavior, imaging, and unique applications of hydrogelators. Particularly, we discuss the applications of supramolecular hydrogelators after they form supramolecular assemblies but prior to reaching the critical gelation concentration because this subject is less explored but may hold equally great promise for helping ...

Design of nanostructures based on aromatic peptide amphiphiles

Abstract: Aromatic peptide amphiphiles are gaining popularity as building blocks for the bottom-up fabrication of nanomaterials, including gels. These materials combine the simplicity of small molecules with the versatility of peptides, with a range of applications proposed in biomedicine, nanotechnology, food science, cosmetics, etc. Despite their simplicity, a wide range of self-assembly behaviours have been described. Due to varying conditions and protocols used, care should be taken when attempting to directly compare results from the literature. In this review, we rationalise the structural features which govern the self-assembly of aromatic peptide amphiphiles by focusing on four segments, (i) the N-terminal aromatic component, (ii) linker segment, (iii) peptide sequence, and (iv) C-terminus. It is clear that the molecular structure of these components significantly influences the self-assembly process and resultant supramolecular architectures. A number of modes of assembly have been proposed, including parallel, antiparallel, and interlocked antiparallel stacking conformations. In addition, the co-assembly arrangements of aromatic peptide amphiphiles are reviewed. Overall, this review elucidates the structural trends and design rules that underpin the field of aromatic peptide amphiphile assembly, paving the way to a more rational design of nanomaterials based on aromatic peptide amphiphiles.