• Energy Research

Currently the biodiesel chain is promoted by the European energy policy. For the Italian scenario the sunflower is one of the most important crop to be considered for biodiesel production but the chain is not fully profitable. This problem could be solved with the increase of farm incomes through a proper valorization of by-products. From this point of view the oilseed crop is not considered only for oil production but also for producing multiple products with the same economic value. This is the main inspiring concept of the Extravalore project. The sub-project "Raw Materials" investigated about the possible influence of different agro-technics performed in three distinct geographical environments (Northern, Central and Southern Italy) on the characteristics of by-products obtained from sunflower crop.

Abiotic stresses, that characterize many world marginal areas, are increased by climate change. The plant response to these stresses consists of different processes to alleviate both cellular hyperosmolarity and ion disequilibrium or to synthesize antioxidant compounds. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a perennial crop of the Asteraceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, with a high production of biomass and grain, available for green chemistry, and able to grow in stressful environment. The aim of this work was to investigate different cardoon response mechanisms to abiotic stresses. Following this purpose, we evaluated the ability of cardoon seeds to germinate under salt stress condition and on the sprouts obtained we measured the total phenols content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA). In addition, the growth of cardoon seedlings under heavy metals (arsenic and cadmium) stress conditions was monitored. Moreover, based on library of cDNA previously constructed from seedlings growth in similar stress condition, the gene Phytochelatin Synthase (PS), associated with abiotic stress tolerance, was isolated. Furthermore, Natural Resistance of Macrophage (NRAMP3), Heavy metal ATPase (HMA), Inorganic Phosphate Transport (PHT), Zinc and Iron Protein (ZIP) genes associated with heavy metal stress were isolated and the levels of gene expression were measured. The results showed the ability of C. cardunculus to tolerate salt and heavy metals stresses, thanks to different defense mechanisms against abiotic stress implemented by cardoon plants. Then, this species can be considered as a promising future crop for green chemistry in marginal lands.

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This paper presents the outcomes of life cycle assessment (LCA) of cardoon biomass (i.e., Cynara cardunculus var. altilis L.) produced in Sicilian internal hilly area and Sardinian marginal areas. Cardoon, can be seen as double nature crop since on one side, it produces decent amounts of oil seeds (1.3-1.5 Mg ha-1 year-1) and, on the other side, valuable amounts of biomass (12-23 Mg ha-1 year-1). For these reasons its interest is steadily increasing, especially for its suitability to be used as feedstock crop in biorefineries. The LCA analysis was performed considering two indicators: Global Warming Potential (GWP), in terms of GHG emission coming from life cycle of cardoon and, two energy indicators (i.e., net energy yield and energy efficiency). Inventory data like biomass yield, diesel and fertilizers consumptions, etc., were derived from primary data collected directly from the field trials in Sicily (Provincia di Enna) and Sardinia (Provincia di Sassari). Emissions to air and water, related to the use of fertilizers, were worked out based on IPCC and Ecoinvent guidelines. The final aims of this research were: To identify the most valuable phases along these biomass chains, in terms of GHG emissions and energy consumption; to provide preliminary recommendations on how to improve the sustainability of the biomass chain (cardoon) for bio-refinery.

Many research activities are in progress both in the EU and in the US to support and demonstrate the use of vegetable oils and their derivatives as diesel fuel. While research and development of biodiesel in the US has tended to concentrate on soybean-oil (soybean is by far the most widely cultivated oilseed crop in the US), oil from rapeseed (Brassica napus), which is the most common European oilseed crop, has become the dominate feedstock for biodiesel in Europe. Other species has recently become object of interest for their better adaptability to sub-optimal growing conditions respect to B. napus and for the oil yield and fatty acid composition. This work aims to evaluate the influence of genotype on the production of seed of different oil crops grown in south Sicily, an area characterized by the typical condition of Mediterranean environment. The trial was conducted in 2011 at the ISAFOM Catania experimental field. Four genotypes of Camelina sativa, Brassica carinata, Linum usitatissimum and two genotypes of Brassica napus and Carthamus tinctorius were studied. In the field during the crop cycle biological phases (plant emergence, flowering, physiological ripening and agronomic ripening) were detected. At harvest the grain yield and oil amount of the grain were recorded. Results showed the B. carinata gave the highest yields (18 q ha-1) followed by B. napus (14 q ha-1). All the genotypes of C. sativa resulted the less productive, while the oil amounts, expressed on g kg-1 d.m. resulted next to values 400, vs 200 recorded respectively in C. tinctorius and B. napus. Proceedings of the 22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 23-26 June 2014, Hamburg, Germany, pp. 247-250

Cynara cardunculus L. is a perennial Mediterranean species. The main plant growth stages in this area follows: plant sprouting in September–October; winter leaf rosette in November; stem elongation in April–May; full blossom in June; ripe fruits in July; fully dry aerial biomass in August. As a result of this cycle, C. cardunculus helps to conserve the fragile agro-systems of the Mediterranean area, because of its effect of soil erosion control. Besides the good adaptability of the species to the Mediterranean climate, C. cardunculus L. plants offer a wide spectrum of different biomass uses. The utilisation of the lignocellulosic biomass for alternative energy production (solid biofuel) by combustion, pyrolysis and gasification, or fermentation (liquid biofuels). Research has been carried out to prepare biodiesel from C. cardunculus oil, using methanol to characterise the methyl esters, for biodiesel engines or after trans esterification with ethanol to characterise the obtained ethyl esters, for compression ignition engines. The mean yields of the domestic and wild genotypes cropped in Sicily during different years trials, under the low input management, were 18 t ha-1 dry biomass, 1.2 t ha-1 grain and 0.30 t ha-1 oil. The use of C. cardunculus grains for oil production would have the advantage of being compatible with the exploitation of the aerial biomass for energy production. In this way, crop production could have a double application: the lignocellulosic biomass for energy production and the grain for oil production. Proceedings of the 22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 23-26 June 2014, Hamburg, Germany, pp. 280-284

The biological response of cardoon plant grown in heavy metals contaminated soil and the soil/plant interaction are reported. Cardoon is a perennial species of the Asteraceae family, native to Mediterranean countries, with different potential utilizations. Traditionally cardoon is used as a food crop but also is a very promising biomass crop for biorefinery use. For this study a new line of domestic cardoon was used, Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis, selected for biomass production. To study the biological response of cardoon to arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) soil contamination, in controlled-environment conditions, the plants were grown in soil contaminated with single and combined heavy metals. Different As and Cd concentrations were tested: 1) As (92.35, 184.71 mg kg-1), 2) Cd (140.15, 280.31 mg kg-1), 3) As+Cd (92.35+140.15, 184.71+280.31 mg kg-1). The biomass production was determined through biometric measurements of the aboveground part (leaves and shoots) and root system at different stage of biological cycle. The results show that, under Cd or Cd+As treatment, the plants have grown with a behavior similar to the untreated plants. The presence of As alone in the soil caused a severe reduction in the plant growth, showing significant differences compared to the control. Overall, Cynara cardunculus showed a good biological tolerance to Cd in the soil. Also, the presence of Cd increased the resistance of the plants to As stresses.

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