The Experts below are selected from a list of 111 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Joana M. Dias - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cultivation of Crambe abyssinica Non-Food Crop in Portugal for bioenergy purposes: agronomic and environmental assessment
Industrial Crops and Products, 2019Co-Authors: E. Costa, Manuel Almeida, C. Alvim-ferraz, Joana M. DiasAbstract:Abstract Crambe abyssinica is a Non-Food Crop referenced in the literature as having high potential for renewable energy production. A comprehensive study regarding cultivation of Crambe was developed considering agronomic aspects (plant density, irrigation and fertilization), climatic aspects (weather conditions) and environmental impacts (life cycle assessment). This is probably the first study carried out with this specie in Portugal aiming to evaluate its adaptability and the potential impacts caused by its cultivation. Crambe was cultivated during four growing seasons using seeds of FMS Brilhante cultivar with a germination rate of 84%. The seeds yields were 742 kg ha−1; 119 kg ha−1 and 95 kg ha−1 for the first, second and third growing seasons, respectively, lower than that reported in Brazilian studies (989–1347 kg.ha−1). The fourth growing season did not produce seeds due to prevalence of cold weather. The seeds oil content varied between around 26% and 34%. The first growing season showed the best growing cycle, the results evidencing that weather conditions, namely temperature and soil´s moisture, possibly influence not only seeds yield but also oil yield. Mild temperatures until flowering and high water availability allowed achieving good emergence rates on shorter periods (between 19–43 days). Life cycle assessment performed according ISO 14040:2006 showed that the impacts related to Crambe cultivation in extensive farming mode (with organic fertilization and small inputs of labor) are mainly related to the consumption of diesel and electricity used in the preparation of field for sowing and its irrigation. Overall, Crambe cultivation showed lower impact for climate change than that verified for others systems in extensive mode.
Giuliano Mosca - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Crambe abyssinica a Non-Food Crop with potential for the Mediterranean climate: Insights on productive performances and root growth
Industrial Crops and Products, 2016Co-Authors: Federica Zanetti, Danilo Scordia, Teofilo Vamerali, V. Copani, Cristian Dal Cortivo, Giuliano MoscaAbstract:Abstract Within a framework of renewed interest in crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst ex R.E. Fries) sourcing raw materials for the bio-based industry, the adaptability and productive performances of this oil Crop have been evaluated under contrasting Mediterranean environments (i.e., a fertile site in the northern part of Po valley vs. a semi-arid site of southern Sicily) during two consecutive growing seasons, aiming at its possible stable introduction in this area. The trial set in northern Italy compared three commercial varieties of crambe (Galactica, Nebula and Mario) in spring sowing, while in southern Italy only the var. Mario was tested with autumn sowing. Regardless of location and variety, thermal time for maturity was quite stable (1200–1400 °C), and the Crop provided satisfactory seed yields (grand mean 2.29 Mg hulled seeds ha−1), with average oil content of ∼400 g kg−1 (on dehulled seeds) and ∼52% of erucic acid. Significantly higher seed and oil yields were reached in northern than in southern Italy. Furthermore, crambe thermal use efficiency (THUE) was also higher in the north than in the south, possibly due to better environmental adaptability of the Crop. The limited intraspecific variability within crambe was confirmed, with better productive performances showed by the domestic selection Mario. Promising traits were revealed in Nebula, showing greater seed weight, root length density and area, and thinner roots, although the root growth of crambe was generally modest compared with modern high erucic acid rapeseed hybrids. Available crambe varieties could be efficiently included in Crop rotations across a wide range of environments within the Mediterranean basin. The short growth cycle represents an outstanding added value for this species, allowing the avoidance of prolonged drought and heat stress typical of late spring/early summer months under the Mediterranean climate. However, increased yields are needed to meet the market requests; nonetheless, the little genetic variability suggests that there is large scope for future breeding improvements, maybe exploiting advanced techniques to improve the existing genetic resources.
E. Costa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cultivation of Crambe abyssinica Non-Food Crop in Portugal for bioenergy purposes: agronomic and environmental assessment
Industrial Crops and Products, 2019Co-Authors: E. Costa, Manuel Almeida, C. Alvim-ferraz, Joana M. DiasAbstract:Abstract Crambe abyssinica is a Non-Food Crop referenced in the literature as having high potential for renewable energy production. A comprehensive study regarding cultivation of Crambe was developed considering agronomic aspects (plant density, irrigation and fertilization), climatic aspects (weather conditions) and environmental impacts (life cycle assessment). This is probably the first study carried out with this specie in Portugal aiming to evaluate its adaptability and the potential impacts caused by its cultivation. Crambe was cultivated during four growing seasons using seeds of FMS Brilhante cultivar with a germination rate of 84%. The seeds yields were 742 kg ha−1; 119 kg ha−1 and 95 kg ha−1 for the first, second and third growing seasons, respectively, lower than that reported in Brazilian studies (989–1347 kg.ha−1). The fourth growing season did not produce seeds due to prevalence of cold weather. The seeds oil content varied between around 26% and 34%. The first growing season showed the best growing cycle, the results evidencing that weather conditions, namely temperature and soil´s moisture, possibly influence not only seeds yield but also oil yield. Mild temperatures until flowering and high water availability allowed achieving good emergence rates on shorter periods (between 19–43 days). Life cycle assessment performed according ISO 14040:2006 showed that the impacts related to Crambe cultivation in extensive farming mode (with organic fertilization and small inputs of labor) are mainly related to the consumption of diesel and electricity used in the preparation of field for sowing and its irrigation. Overall, Crambe cultivation showed lower impact for climate change than that verified for others systems in extensive mode.
Federica Zanetti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Crambe abyssinica a Non-Food Crop with potential for the Mediterranean climate: Insights on productive performances and root growth
Industrial Crops and Products, 2016Co-Authors: Federica Zanetti, Danilo Scordia, Teofilo Vamerali, V. Copani, Cristian Dal Cortivo, Giuliano MoscaAbstract:Abstract Within a framework of renewed interest in crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst ex R.E. Fries) sourcing raw materials for the bio-based industry, the adaptability and productive performances of this oil Crop have been evaluated under contrasting Mediterranean environments (i.e., a fertile site in the northern part of Po valley vs. a semi-arid site of southern Sicily) during two consecutive growing seasons, aiming at its possible stable introduction in this area. The trial set in northern Italy compared three commercial varieties of crambe (Galactica, Nebula and Mario) in spring sowing, while in southern Italy only the var. Mario was tested with autumn sowing. Regardless of location and variety, thermal time for maturity was quite stable (1200–1400 °C), and the Crop provided satisfactory seed yields (grand mean 2.29 Mg hulled seeds ha−1), with average oil content of ∼400 g kg−1 (on dehulled seeds) and ∼52% of erucic acid. Significantly higher seed and oil yields were reached in northern than in southern Italy. Furthermore, crambe thermal use efficiency (THUE) was also higher in the north than in the south, possibly due to better environmental adaptability of the Crop. The limited intraspecific variability within crambe was confirmed, with better productive performances showed by the domestic selection Mario. Promising traits were revealed in Nebula, showing greater seed weight, root length density and area, and thinner roots, although the root growth of crambe was generally modest compared with modern high erucic acid rapeseed hybrids. Available crambe varieties could be efficiently included in Crop rotations across a wide range of environments within the Mediterranean basin. The short growth cycle represents an outstanding added value for this species, allowing the avoidance of prolonged drought and heat stress typical of late spring/early summer months under the Mediterranean climate. However, increased yields are needed to meet the market requests; nonetheless, the little genetic variability suggests that there is large scope for future breeding improvements, maybe exploiting advanced techniques to improve the existing genetic resources.
J.a. Thomas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Biopharmaceuticals derived from genetically modified plants.
QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 2004Co-Authors: D.a. Goldstein, J.a. ThomasAbstract:Modern biotechnology has resulted in a resurgence of interest in the production of new therapeutic agents using botanical sources. With nearly 500 biotechnology products approved or in development globally, and with production capacity limited, the need for efficient means of therapeutic protein production is apparent. Through genetic engineering, plants can now be used to produce pharmacologically active proteins, including mammalian antibodies, blood product substitutes, vaccines, hormones, cytokines, and a variety of other therapeutic agents. Efficient biopharmaceutical production in plants involves the proper selection of host plant and gene expression system, including a decision as to whether a food Crop or a Non-Food Crop is more appropriate. Product safety issues relevant to patients, pharmaceutical workers, and the general public must be addressed, and proper regulation and regulatory oversight must be in place prior to commercial plant-based biopharmaceutical production. Plant production of pharmaceuticals holds great potential, and may become an important production system for a variety of new biopharmaceutical products.