NAOCON

The project is aimed at identifying new compounds of natural origin that can be used for their antimicrobial potential in human therapy (AMPs) and as preservatives in the cosmaceutical production chain (plant extracts). To this end, peptides obtained from insects (AMPs) and compounds obtained from plants and fruit trees typical of the flora of the Mediterranean basin will be studied. For all the studied compounds, both the peptides and the selected plant extracts, the antimicrobial activity will be evaluated (antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal) on appropriate in vitro and in vivo models. The active compounds will be subjected to chemical analysis to obtain a fine characterization and a first action profile. Suitable in vitro models will be used to identify the molecular target of their action and to define the mechanism of intracellular action.

The experimental activities will be carried out in close and constant synergy between companies, universities and public research centers, by continuously exchanging information, know-how, materials and research products. The planned experiments will make extensive use of extremely innovative technologies applied to the sectors of botany, entomology, chemistry and microbiology, with widespread use of enabling technologies (KET) and in particular of biotechnologies. At the end of the experimental activities of the project will be obtained new antimicrobial compounds obtained from insects, usable as antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal; new plant extracts that can be used in the cosmic industry as well as extremely innovative, non-toxic, highly tolerable and safe preservatives will also be obtained. The project will also generate new knowledge shared among the partners on innovative techniques of peptide extraction from insects and plant mixtures, on the antimicrobial activity of the extracted compounds, on the mechanism of action of the active compounds and on their toxicity for humans. The products deriving from the project fully meet the high demand for antimicrobial products that do not generate resistance and can be associated with conventional antibiotics and disinfectants.