1.1 = Studi of ………………………………………………….

Alessandro Aprile1, Sara Rossi2, Annamaria Cubi1,3

1Department of ……………….., University of …………………, Via …….. 8, 00100 Roma, Italy; 2Department of …………………………………, University of …………………, Via …………………., 20100 Milan, Italy; 3Department of ………………………………, University of …………, Via ……………, Zurich, Swiss

Saffron is obtained from the stigmas of an annual hermaphrodite bulbous of Iridaceae family, Crocus sativus L.. The main growing Italian regions are Abruzzo, Sardegna and Sicilia. The introduction of saffron in alpine areas could help to broaden and diversify the activities of mountain multifunctional farms, with a positive impact on economy and land management. Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices and its use in food industry, as an ingredient in food and beverage, in dyeing industry and as analgesic, sedative and decongestant started a long time ago (1). Recent studies have focused on saffron as an antioxidant and cytotoxic agent (2, 3).

Forests, a vital resource for many countries, play a key-role in regulating global climate. The main aim of Zephyr EU-project (FP7-ENV.2012.6.3-1) is the creation of a new technology to produce high quality forest plants stocks for transplantion in pots or in-field at low costs. 14 partners from 10 European countries are in the project consortium.

Macro and micro biological systems play a critical role in the biodeterioration of cultural asset present or stored in different environments, as caves (Fig. 1), herbaria (Fig. 2), and libraries (Fig. 3); their distribution and development is closely related to environmental parameters (temperature, R.H., water activity) and to chemical-physical properties of constitutive materials. In this study, the characterization of biological system is performed through Optical and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (O.M., C.L.S.M.), in vitro culture and molecular biology techniques (PCR, sequencing, sequence comparison), which allow the characterization of complex biocenosis (higher plants, briophytes, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, bacteria, insects). In particular, molecular investigation based on DNA molecular analysis provides a more realistic view of microbial populations present into works of art, allowing the revelation of microbial species that can not be identified by microscopy observations or in vitro culture. Moreover, they can be utilized when degradation is not yet visible, playing an important role in preventive conservation of cultural assets. The results of this interdisciplinary approach allowed us to reveal, identify and characterize microbial structures and fungal spores, other than cyanobacteria, microalgae and insects. Particularly, by molecular analysis a large number of microbial species can be identified. Combining these results with environmental parameters and bioaerosol analysis we are able to set up the strategy for an adequate conservation and sustainablefruition of the cultural and natural assets.

Fig. 1a-1b. Biofilm in hypogea	Fig. 2. Herbaria specimen	Fig. 3. Parchment colonized by fungi

1) H. Caballero Ortega, R. Pereda-Miranda, L. Riverón-Negrete, J.M. Hernández, M. Medécigo-Ríos, A. Castillo-Villanueva, F.I. Abdullaev (2004) Acta Hort., 650, 321-326

2) S. H. Mousavi, N. Z. Tayarani, H. Parsaee (2010) Cell. Mol. Neurobiology, 30, 185-191

3) S. Samarghandian, M. H. Boskabady, S. Davoodi (2010) Pharmacognosy Magazine, 6, 309-314

4) F. Zarinkamar, S. Tajik, S. Soleimanpour (2011) Advances in Environmental Biology, 5, 831-838

5) P. Lozano, D. Delgado, D. Gómez, M. Rubio, J.L. Iborra (2000) J. of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods, 43, 367-378