Descrizione del progetto
Coltivare un hotspot europeo della biodiversità delle piante medicinali
L’Europa sudorientale, compresa la penisola balcanica, ospita una biodiversità eccezionalmente ricca, grazie a specie vegetali uniche di questa regione e a quelle utilizzate nella medicina tradizionale. I popoli balcanici vantano una lunga tradizione e una profonda conoscenza delle piante e delle loro proprietà e questo tesoro di composti naturali bioattivi è diventato il centro di numerosi studi etnobiologici sul campo. Allo stesso tempo, è scattato l’allarme per l’esaurimento delle popolazioni di piante medicinali e aromatiche. EthnoHERBS sta integrando le conoscenze tradizionali delle piante utilizzate nel trattamento delle ferite con studi dettagliati sull’attività chimica. I risultati saranno utilizzati per sviluppare tecniche di coltivazione biologica e di estrazione ecologica, sostenendo lo sviluppo di nuovi prodotti e garantendo la conservazione di questo ricco patrimonio culturale.
Obiettivo
‘EthnoHERBS’ project aims to apply systematic ethnobotanical surveys and cutting edge technologies in the field of Natural Product Chemistry in order to fully and efficiently exploit the traditional knowledge and the therapeutic potential of medicinal and aromatic plants of the Balkan Peninsula. New opportunities for the generation of innovative products will arise and current environmental challenges will be addressed. The cornerstone of ‘EthnoHERBS’ project is the exploitation of traditional knowledge, the investigation of plant biodiversity and the application of eco-friendly technologies for the efficient extraction and purification of bioactive ingredients, as well as their complete chemical characterization and biological evaluation of their effects on skin disorders. Optimization of production processes as well as formulation using emerging technologies will lead to the development of novel final products. The organic cultivation of selected plants will ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainability of the project. A diverse group of experts, leaders in their scientific and technological fields, comprising seven academic groups and seven non-academic partners from five EU Member States and one Candidate Country will join forces and exchange know-how through an extended secondments scheme to advance Research & Innovation. Using the experience of the academic partners in ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biology, as well as the practical experience of the SMEs in commercialization of plant derived products and development of innovative final products, transfer of scientific knowledge, best practices and know-how, training courses and workshops will take place. Overall, the implementation of the ‘EthnoHERBS’ project aspires to develop a successful and sustainable international and intersectoral collaboration model that will contribute to the most effective conservation and exploitation of natural resources and the development of innovative product.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
10561 Athina
Grecia