A Since 1999 Sea Marconi has developed, synthesised and patented new materials designated as “Functionalised nanosponges” which, having a carrier function, are able to absorb, hold and release in a controlled manner, organic molecules or metallic iones, providing surprising application properties.
Nanosponges are polymers, natural derivates from the amid based on cyclodextrins, formulated through special chemical reactions of reticulation with the purpose of obtaining specific micro cavities finalised toward different application sectors (environment, agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, catalysis, etc.).
Sea Marconi continues in 2011 the intense research and development activity on functionalised nanosponges. Recently it has also developed new formulations for applications in the agro-food field, in particular for the conservation of flowers and fruits with the enhancing of the aging prevention properties (anti ethilenic process).
Some results, relative to work carried out in collaboration with the University of Turin, have been recently published on authoritative international scientific journals:
1) Postharvest Biology and Technology 59 (2011) 200–205 Elsevier 15/08/2010:
The effects of 1-MCP in cyclodextrin-based nanosponges to improve the vase life of Dianthus caryophyllus cut flowers
Ludovica Segliea,?, Katia Martinab, Marco Devecchia, Carlo Roggerod, Francesco Trottac, Valentina Scariota
aDepartment of Agronomy, Forest and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
bDepartment of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
cDepartment of Chemistry IFM, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
dSea Marconi Technologies S.a.s., Via Ungheria 20, 10093 Collegno (TO), Italy
Abstract of the article
It is a research finalised toward the investigation of the effectiveness of some formulations of 1-metil cyclopropene (1-MCP), on cyclodextrin based polymers, in prolonging the life of some cultivations of carnation Caryophyllus), sensitive to ethylene. Many species of flowers and fruits, in fact, can see their useful life extended, when the aging action of the above mentioned gas is blocked, for example, through the supply of 1-MCP, an extremely volatile compound.
The results of the experiments demonstrated how the cyclodextrine based polymers, patented by Sea Marconi, can be properly loaded with 1-MCP, thus originating a complex able to increment the longevity of cut flowers more effectively than the methods currently used based on 1-MCP.
The results of the tests, according to the test protocol developed and validated, emphasised that after 14 days, the flower (Dianthus Caryophyllus type carnations) treated with functionalised nanosponge by Sea Marconi (on the right) impregnated with 1-MCP (1-methil cyclopropene, anti ethilenic active principle) has surprisingly maintained a level 3 of conservation, corresponding to the limit of aesthetic-functional acceptability.
The flower on the left is the non-treated witness, whereas the central one is the same type of lower treated with the market leading commercial product (same active principle, same concentration, but different particle support). The conservation strategy of some types of plants is to inhibit the aging action deriving from the endogenous production of ethylene classified as the main “ageing agent”.
Thanks to the joint research between Sea Marconi and the University of Turin, 1-MCP resulted being the molecule with the best capability of inhibiting such biological ageing process.
