Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology


PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0318 (85PED/2025)

Combining natural extracts and nanomaterials can result in synergistic effects (where the antimicrobial properties of metals complement the biostimulant activities of plant-derived compounds), amplifying the benefits of both approaches. Thus, incorporating plant-derived compounds into nanocarriers can enhance their stability and bioavailability, ensuring a more sustained and effective delivery to plants.

Project goal

This integrated approach holds great potential for sustainable and efficient agriculture. This synergy creates a balanced formulation that not only protects plants from pathogens, but also enhances their overall growth and resilience. The project “Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology” (BioEcoNan) proposes a circular approach for the protection and enhancement of medicinal and aromatic plant crops, in which the vegetal wastes of a plant are used to develop modern tools for its own protection.

Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)

Implementation period: 05/05/2025-04/05/2027

Total budget: 848.197 lei

Value from the state budget: 746.162 lei

Co-financing: 102.035 lei

Project director: Dr. Habil. Radu Claudiu Fierăscu

  • Consortium
  • General objective
  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Phase III
  • Results and project dissemination
Consortium

Coordinator:

National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest

Project director: Dr. Habil. Radu Claudiu Fierăscu

Partner:

HOFIGAL EXPORT-IMPORT S.A.,

Partner responsible: Dr. Eng. Daniela Ionescu


General objective

The project “Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology” (BioEcoNan) proposes a circular approach for the protection and enhancement of medicinal and aromatic plant crops, in which the vegetal wastes of a plant are used to develop modern tools for its own protection. The resulting solution (incorporating vegetal wastes and phytosynthesized nanomaterials) will act not only as a protection against the biocenotic stress agents (particularly the fungal and bacterial diseases), but also as a biostimulant, thus increasing not only the crop yield, but also the overall use of plants.

Phase I

Evaluation of the possibilities of valorizing vegetable waste as a powerful tool against biocenotic stress of fungal and bacterial origin.

Implementation period: 05/05/2025 – 31/12/2025

Activities:

  • Evaluation of vegetable wastes of Momordica charantia L. and Calendula officinalis L., 1753 in order to obtain extracts with increased content in active principles and for the phytosynthesis of nanoparticles;
  • Identification of fungal and bacterial diseases affecting target crops;
  • Development of protocols for obtaining natural extracts with increased concentrations of phytoconstituents;
  • Collection of vegetable wastes;
  • Obtaining and characterizing natural extracts with increased concentrations of phytoconstituents and active fractions;
  • Optimization of extraction methods – Part I;
  • Preliminary evaluation of biostimulant and antimicrobial properties – Part I;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Phase II

Optimization of extraction methods and development of technology for obtaining phytosynthesized nanostructures with controlled properties and morphologies; preliminary evaluation of the biostimulant and antimicrobial properties of nanoparticle/extract mixtures.

Implementation period: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2026

Activities:

  • Optimization of extraction methods – Part II;
  • Synthesis and characterization of phytosynthesized nanomaterials;
  • Preliminary evaluation of biostimulant and antimicrobial properties – Part II;
  • Development of final solutions (mixtures of nanoparticles/extracts);
  • Initiation of validation in a controlled environment;
  • Demonstration of the efficiency of the proposed solutions as biostimulants and protective agents against fungal and bacterial diseases – Part I;
  • Starting the primary evaluation of the results obtained in a controlled environment;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Phase III

Demonstration and validation of the proposed technology.

Implementation period: 01/01/2027 – 04/05/2027

Activities:

  • Demonstration of the efficiency of the proposed solutions as biostimulators and protective agents against fungal and bacterial diseases – Part II;
  • Evaluation of the results obtained in a controlled environment – making corrections and improvements to the process;
  • Validation of the solution through internal and third-party studies;
  • Development of technical documentation for the development of biostimulator and protective solutions and patent applications;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Results and project dissemination
Expected results
  • 8 participations in scientific events;
  • 4 scientific papers submitted for publication in Web of Science/Clarivate journals
  • Organization of one workshop on the project
  • Two patent applications
  • Other communication and dissemination measures
Obtained results
WoS/C articles
  1. Anuta, V.; Blidaru, A.; Dinu-Pîrvu, C.-E.; Fierascu, R.C.; Fierascu, I.; Toma, D.-I.; Popa, L.; Ghica, M.V.; Prisada, R.-M. Metal-Based Nanoparticles with Biostimulatory Effects: Harnessing Nanotechnology for Enhanced Agricultural Sustainability. Materials 2025, 18, 3142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133142
  2. Fierascu, I.; Baroi, A.M.; Matei, R.I.; Fistos, T.; Chican, I.E.; Enascuta, C.E.; Avramescu, S.M.; Fierascu, R.C. Bio-Based and Nanostructured Polymers for Sustainable Protection of Cultural Heritage and Medicinal Crops: Convergence of Heritage Science, Circular Bioeconomy, and Environmental Protection. Polymers 2025, 17, 2582. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17192582

Participation to scientific events
  1. FROM WASTE TO PROTECTION: CIRCULAR STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MAP CULTIVATION, Anda Maria BAROI, Daniela IONESCU, Irina FIERASCU, Cristina Emanuela ENASCUTA, Justinian-Andrei TOMESCU, Stefan BUHAEV, Cristina Mihaela LUNTRARU, Roxana Ioana MATEI, Toma FISTOS, Ioana Silvia HOSU, Irina Elena CHICAN, Radu Claudiu FIERASCU, The International Symposium “Priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development” PRIOCHEM 2025, 15-17 October 2025, Bucharest, Book of Abstracts No. 21/2025, ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181, pp. 115;
  2. Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Daniela Ionescu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Irina Elena Chican, Justinian Andrei Tomescu, Stefan Buhaev, Cristina Mihaela Luntraru. Diploma and Gold Medal – from the FITT Muntenia salon, Targoviste 17-20 November 2025, part of the ICECHIM delegation which was awarded the grand prize of the FESTIVAL.
  3. Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Daniela Ionescu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Irina Elena Chican, Justinian Andrei Tomescu, Stefan Buhaev, Cristina Mihaela Luntraru.Traian Vuia’ International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations, Timisoara – 03-05.10.2025 – Diploma of Excellence DFR Systems SRL, Diploma and gold medal of the salon
  4. Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Daniela Ionescu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Irina Elena Chican, Justinian Andrei Tomescu, Stefan Buhaev, Cristina Mihaela Luntraru. PRO INVENT 2025 Diploma of Excellence and Gold Medal ProInvent, Diploma and Gold Medal – UNST Politehnica Bucharest, Diploma of Excellence with Special Award – State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testimitanu” of the Republic of Moldova, Diploma and Gold Medal – IEII Traian Vuia Timisoara, Diploma – ANSP Republic of Moldova, Outstanding Performance Award – Romvac Company SA
  5. Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Daniela Ionescu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Irina Elena Chican, Justinian Andrei Tomescu, Stefan Buhaev, Cristina Mihaela Luntraru. EUROPOLITEHNICUS 2025, Bucharest – Diploma and gold medal of the salon, part of the ICECHIM delegation which was awarded the Green Environment Award


Workshop

“Innovative approach for the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant crops – between circular bioeconomy and nanotechnology”, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Daniela Ionescu – organized within the International Symposium Priorities of Chemistry for Sustainable Development, Priochem XXI, 15-17.10.2025, Bucharest – on 14.10.2025 – 20 participants, Book of Abstracts No. 21/2025, ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181, pp. 127;

Protection of industrial property rights

Under construction

Other dissemination and communication activities
  • Facebook post (ICECHIM)
  • Facebook post (Group 7 ICECHIM)
  • LinkedIn post
  • Facebook post on the project development
  • Individual meetings and discussions were held with various people interested in the project objectives (potential stakeholders), the meetings having as their objective facilitating the exchange of knowledge, identifying synergies with potential partners and beneficiaries, thus exploring collaboration opportunities in line with the project objectives; four meetings were recorded in Zagreb (Croatia, 25.09.2025), 9 in Timisoara (03.10.2025).
Phase reports
Phase report I
Photo gallery
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