Chemistry and Technology of Plant Products
We focus on research and development of analytical methods for the chemical characterization and the qualitative evaluation of plant origin products (cereals, industrial, medicinal & aromatic plants, vegetables, legumes, fruits etc), as outcome of agronomic approaches and breeding research projects, with emphasis on nutritional and technological value and improvement of bioactive compounds.
- Quality evaluation of new cereal varieties and genetic material aiming to promote Greek genetic material into cultivation.
- Evaluation of the quality of aromatic and medicinal plants and analysis of essential oils .
- Extraction of bioactive compounds through conventional and novel green techniques.
- Identification and quantitative determination of bioactive compounds in plant extracts through chromatographic methods (LC-DAD-FLD, LC-DAD-MS, GC-MS, GC-FID).
- SPME-GC-MS characterization of volatile compounds.
- Antioxidant activity of extracts and foods.
- Valorization of agro-food by-products to recover functional ingredients.
- Development of functional foods with emphasis on bakery and pasta products.
- Chromatography Systems: HPLC-DAD-MS, HPLC-DAD-FLD, GC-MS (Shimadzu), GC-FID .
- Extraction Systems: Accelerated Solvent Extraction, Microwave Extraction Supercritical CO₂ Extraction, Ultrasonic extraction devices.
- Various Analytical Instruments: UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Polarimeter, Freeze dryer / Lyophilizer, Spray Dryer, Chromatometer, Semi-automatic protein and fat determination units .
- Specialized Instruments for Cereal Analysis: Amylase activity determination device, Gluten quantity and quality determination device, Seed granulometric analysis system with digital imaging (SeedCount), Experimental pasta production unit, Seed counter.
- General Laboratory Equipment: Mills, Analytical balances, Centrifuges, Moisture analyzers, Muffle furnaces Autoclave, Rotary evaporators, Incubators.
| Dr. Maria Irakli | mirakli@elgo.gr |
| Dr. Paschalina Chatzopoulou | pchatzopoulou@elgo.gr |
