PhD Student Airam Roggero Presents Research at the Conference on Fruit Processing and By-products Valorization in Aveiro, Portugal

The PhD candidate Airam Roggero recently participated in the Conference on Fruit Processing and By-products Valorization, held at the University of Aveiro, Portugal on October 22nd 2024. This event was organized as part of the PRIMA program under Horizon 2020, which provides a platform for researchers worldwide to connect and share insights on sustainable resource use, economic growth, and stability in the Mediterranean Basin.

During the conference, Airam presented an oral communication titled “An Integrated Approach to the Sustainable and Medicinal Use of Crithmum maritimum“. The project involved researchers from BioSIM, BIOMOLPEP (UNESP, Brazil) and the Escola Profissional de Vila do Conde (EPVC, Portugal).

The research presented by Airam is part of the “Ethnobotany Project,” a collaboration between EPVC and the BioSIM lab. This study focuses on Crithmum maritimum (or sea fennel), a plant with a rich historical and medicinal profile traditionally used in Mediterranean coastal regions. Known for its high vitamin C content, sea fennel was essential in preventing scurvy among sailors on long voyages. 

To explore sea fennel’s bioactive properties, the research team employed various computational techniques at the BioSIM lab. Virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to analyze interactions between the plant’s bioactive compounds and enzymes in the Lands’ cycle, relevant to lipid metabolism. The study found that flavonoids in the sea fennel extract showed promising interactions with these enzymes, suggesting the plant’s potential to modulate lipid metabolism and support cell membrane repair.

Airam’s presentation at the conference highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of this research, bridging ethnobotany, molecular biology, and sustainable agriculture. This initiative not only revives the historical significance of sea fennel but also underscores its modern relevance as a sustainable and health-promoting natural resource for coastal communities in Portugal and beyond.

Moreover, compounds demonstrated bactericidal activity, aligning with sea fennel’s traditional use as an antifouling agent. These findings indicate the plant’s potential for applications in herbal medicine, cosmetics, and as a food ingredient, with the prospect of achieving Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Through the Maré Verde project, the team envisions sustainable socio-economic benefits for Portugal’s coastal communities while promoting environmental conservation and local heritage.