Since 2017, researchers at the ENEA Portici centre have been involved in the cultivation, characterisation and extraction of bioactive molecules from microalgae. Their research activity has enabled the complete characterisation of some of the microalgal species among those of greatest industrial interest for their application potential in various sectors. The collection includes microalgal strains preserved in lyophilised form for environments of interest such as food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and environmental.
The researchers of Unit 11 belong to the Department for the Sustainability.
UO 11 is highly competent and has advanced facilities and instrumentation for indoor cultivation, characterisation of cell content and extraction of specific bioactive molecules. Among the facilities, OU 11 has a microcosm that allows microalgae or extracts thereof to be tested for their growth-promoting effect and/or resistance to abiotic or biotic stresses. Furthermore, the unit has been involved in several projects of European relevance such as VALUEMAG 'Valuable Products from Algae Using New Magnetic Cultivation and Extraction Techniques' grant n° 745695 https://www.valuemag.eu/, the Italian project KET4STEM "KEY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES FOR ORGANIC WASTE AND MICROALGAE VALORIZATION" PON I&C 2014-2020, BAIAS " Collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Ecological Transition (MITE) and ENEA to provide scientific and technical support on biofuels, the National Centre for the Development of New Technologies in Agriculture (AGRITECH); the extended partnership ON-FOODS "Research and Innovation Network on Food and Nutrition Sustainability, Safety and Security".

Researcher at ENEA in the Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division, graduated in Chemical Engineering, PhD in Chemical and Materials Engineering, and obtained a II level Master's Degree in Management & EGovernance for Public Administration. For 20 years he has been working in the field of Circular Bioeconomy through the development of processes for the valorization of biomass and for the closure of production cycles.
He is the author of over 80 publications in indexed international journals (h-index 32 https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=35772957200) and of numerous speeches at national and international conferences. For five years he held the role of national contact within the IEA (International Energy Agency) within the framework of the Bioenergy Agreement.
He obtained the National Scientific Qualification as Full Professor in Industrial Chemical Plants and level II qualifications in the sectors of Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Processes.

I am a researcher, biologist, with a degree in Biology and Ecology of the Coastal Marine Environment from the University of Messina. I obtained my PhD in Ecology and Management of Biological Resources at the University of Tuscia. My research activity is the study of microalgae as sources of high-value molecules such as carotenoids and omega-3 for applications in several sectors (food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed) following an approach of total valorization of their cellular content. The research activity covers the cultivation process, the extraction of high-value compounds by means of innovative extraction technologies such as pressurized liquid extraction, and the quali-quantitative characterisation of the cellular content of microalgae and bioactive molecules by means of various analytical methodologies.

Senior Researcher at ENEA in the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Human Capital Division, graduated in Computer Science at the University of Salerno, II level Research Master in "Software Technologies" at the University of Sannio and ECDL Specialised GIS Certification at AICA (Italian Association for Computer Science and Automatic Calculation). For 40 years it has been carrying out research, development and design of software systems for data management, processing and evaluation.
Author of numerous publications and participation in conferences and congresses, tutor for internships and degree theses. He participates in numerous European projects and ministerial conventions. He carries out
specialist consultancy activities for MASE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security) and MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy).