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April 17, 2025

Ferrara welcomes the latest edition of Interno Verde, the festival that opens the doors of the city's most fascinating and hidden gardens every year. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of urban greenery and discover stories, atmospheres, and secret corners that are normally inaccessible. The weekend of May 10 and 11 is dedicated to nature, with a program full of initiatives designed to involve everyone: guided tours, creative workshops for adults and children, scientific demonstrations, themed itineraries, presentations, exhibitions, installations, and artistic performances.

Another unmissable event is the participation of the Ferrara Technopole laboratories, which, as every year, bring their scientific and innovative contribution to the event. Researchers from the laboratories are on hand to talk to visitors and share their knowledge. Their presence is now well established and enriches the festival with valuable insights and ideas for a better understanding of the link between nature and innovation.

At the Cloister of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Via Mortara 70, on Saturday, May 10, starting at 10:00 a.m., visitors will have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and presentations on research projects and activities related to the Terra&Acqua Tech laboratory of the Ferrara Technopole.

The Water Resources, Environmental Geochemistry, and Geomaterials research group of the Terra&Acqua Tech laboratory, coordinated by Prof. Massimo Coltorti, provides interesting information on the topic of nutrient recovery from wastewater, an increasingly urgent problem in view of the growth of the world population.

By 2050, the world population could reach 10 billion people, causing a sharp increase in the production of wastewater from domestic, industrial, and livestock activities. This water is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which, if not properly managed, can cause serious environmental damage.

To address this problem, it is important to develop technologies that allow these nutrients to be recovered and reused, transforming wastewater from waste into useful resources for agriculture.

One of the most promising techniques is the chemical precipitation of struvite, a mineral formed from nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium, which can be used as fertilizer. However, the traditional process requires large amounts of chemical reagents.

To make the treatment more sustainable, a method has been proposed that combines the use of struvite with a natural material: zeolite-rich tuff (NZT), a volcanic rock with a high capacity to retain ammonium.

This methodology aims to improve the efficiency of nutrient recovery and reduce the use of chemicals, promoting a more economical and environmentally friendly approach.

Also on the morning of Saturday, May 10, the research group coordinated by Prof. Stefano Manfredini, affiliated with the Terra&Acqua Tech laboratory, will be present with a scientific dissemination activity.

Its contribution is divided into three main areas, reflecting the lines of research pursued by its group: biotechnology, cosmetic chemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry, with an eye to the circular economy.

In the field of biotechnology, the team studies fermentation processes based on an up-cycling approach, starting from the by-products of various agri-food and industrial supply chains. The goal is to transform these waste materials into high-value-added molecules with applications in the cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. During the demonstration, participants will see concrete examples of the transformation process, from the initial by-product to the fermentation intermediate and the purified raw material, including hyaluronic acid, heteropolysaccharides, and surfactin.

This allows visitors to directly and visually understand the different stages of the processes that have been developed.

In terms of cosmetic chemistry, the molecules obtained are extremely promising for the development of new products. Specific formulations containing them are presented—including serums, micellar waters, and emulsions—highlighting their functional and technological role. Participants thus have the opportunity to experience firsthand the effectiveness and importance of these advanced biotechnological compounds.

Finally, in pharmaceutical chemistry, research focuses on new chemical synthesis processes, designed with sustainability in mind and in line with the principles of the circular economy. The aim is to develop innovative molecules with enhanced biological activity, applicable in fields such as ophthalmology, photoprotection, and the treatment of inflammation. In this context, too, some of the molecules created are on display, the result of the integration of scientific design and practical experimentation.

At the same time, there is also the research group coordinated by Prof. Alessandra Guerrini, affiliated with the Terra&Acqua Tech laboratory, which, thanks also to Massimo Tacchini, is carrying out an outreach activity linked to the BIO-RESYPE project: sustainable fungicides from beer production waste (PRIN 2022 - CUP D53C24004480006).

The project is the result of collaboration between the University of Ferrara, the University of Turin, and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. It addresses the environmental impact of traditional agricultural practices while responding to growing consumer demand for safer food.

The research explores the use of by-products from beer production, in collaboration with the Liquida brewery in Ostellato (Ferrara), to combat the development of toxigenic fungi and reduce the production of mycotoxins in wheat, thus contributing to the protection of public health.

The experimental process involves an initial phase of in vitro testing, followed by field trials, to verify the effectiveness of the selected biofungicides at the agricultural level.

The entire project is being developed in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork plan, adopting an approach based on the principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The work is also part of the One Health paradigm, which aims to ensure a positive and lasting impact on human health and the ecosystem.

Interno Verde Ferrara 2025 is an exciting experience, combining culture, beauty, and discovery in a special weekend.

Whether it's for a relaxing stroll through secret gardens or a meeting with industry experts, this event offers everyone a unique opportunity to experience the city in a new and fascinating way.

Website dedicated to Interno Verde.