STAGE I.

Phytoextraction methods for catechin tannins from plant material and experimental batches of pearls and molecularly imprinted particles. Optimization of the extraction method of phytoextracts from catechin tannins from plant material and Optimization of recipes for the production of pearls and molecularly imprinted particles – Part I

SUMMARY

During the first stage of the project, several experimental models of phytoextracts and MIP materials were developed and tested. The plant material from rose hips, sea buckthorn and pigeonpea was initially evaluated to determine the types of catechin tannins contained, after which a method for phytoextraction of tannins was developed.

The primary phytoextracts (from rose hips, sea buckthorn and pigeonpea) were analyzed compositionally to determine the types and quantities of catechin tannins present in the plant material. Based on their stability, only two of the 3 types of primary phytoextracts, namely from rose hips and sea buckthorn, were selected for the synthesis of two sets of MIPs, by suspension and phase inversion. The MIP systems were characterized physicochemically (FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM morphology, TGA thermal analysis, porosity and specific surface area BET, recognition and adsorption capacity of tannins from the primary extracts by UV-Vis).

The results obtained were used to optimize the process of obtaining primary phytoextracts as well as the processes of obtaining MIPs. In this sense, the procedures were improved, obtaining extracts with higher concentrations of tannins, as well as more stable and selective MIP systems, in particular for MIP obtained in suspension. Following the specific characterization and optimization of the methods of obtaining phytoextracts and MIPs, a solid phase extraction method (MISPE) was developed, following which the extract flow rate and pressure were optimized at a constant liquid/solid ratio.

RESULTS

The results delivered in this first stage are the following:

• Phytoextraction method of catechin tannins from plant material;
• Analysis report on the screening of phytoextracts;
• Experimental method for the preparation of phytoextracts rich in catechin tannins from plant material;
• Experimental batches of MIPs;
• Report on the physicochemical characterization of experimental MIPs;
• Report on the efficiency of MIPs using SPE;
• Experimental models for MIPs;
• MISPE methods for enrichment of catechin tannin extracts using experimental MIPs;
• Analysis report on screening of phytoextracts;
• Optimization report on phytoextraction of catechin tannins from plant material,
• Analysis report on screening of phytoextracts;
• Report on physicochemical characterization of the two optimized MIP series and Recipe optimization report for the two MIP series;
• 2 scientific communications,
• 1 scientific article,
• minutes of the project launch meeting,
• project website.

In order to communicate and disseminate the results, the project partners met physically during the project kick-off meeting and in specific meetings for the exchange of samples and information, with the aim of establishing the next steps to achieve the objectives. The partners also participated in numerous scientific conferences (4), and ICECHIM published editorials and scientific articles using the results that laid the foundations of this project and participated in the FITT Muntenia Innovation Salon in order to disseminate the project’s purpose and objectives.

The project was disseminated through several means: LinkedIn media platforms (https://www.linkedin.com/company/incdcp-icechim/posts/) and presentation at innovation fairs (FITT Muntenia). At the same time, the CATAN-MISPE project website was created and updated, both in English (https://icechim.ro/project/catan-mispe-en/) and in Romanian (https://icechim.ro/project/catan-mispe-ro/). In conclusion, the results delivered within stage I are identical to those proposed, the objectives being met in a proportion of 100%. The result indicators (scientific communications, articles/editorials, participation in innovation fairs) were exceeded by over 100%.

Result indicators:

1 Editorial Anita Chiriac, A.-L.; Sarbu, A.; Zaharia, A. Recent Advances in Gels for Water Treatment. Gels 2025, 11, 519, https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11070519 (57/2024 si 18PED/2025, 29PED)

2.   Iordanescu, M.V.; Vintilă, A.C.; Psenovschi, G.; Capra, L.; Gavrilă, A.-M.; Enascuta, C.E.; Iordache, T.-V. Cryo-Structured Chitosan Sponges with Controlled Release Properties for Liquid Digestate as Potential Agricultural Fertilizers. Gels 2025, 11, 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110887 (29PED and Aquamat).

3.  Andreea Miron, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Iulia-Elena Neblea, Marinela-Victoria Dumitru, Sorin Dolana, Ana-Lorena Neagu, Teodor Sandu, Anita-Laura Chriac, Andreea Gabriela Olaru, Tanta-Verona Iordache, Next-Generation Chitosan-Based Materials for High-Efficiency Drinking Water Treatment, 4th International Conference on Bioengineering and Polymer Science, Brasov, ROMANIA – June 2-5, 2025 (57/2024 si 29PED/2025) (oral communication)

4.    Anita-Laura Chiriac, Andreea Miron, Mihaela Neagu, Anamaria Zaharia, Cristina Luntraru, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Teodor Sandu, Sorin Dolana, Iulia Elena Neblea, Andrei Sarbu, Tanta-Verona Iordache, Two-component molecularly imprinted adsorbents and their application in separation processes, The 29th International Symposium on Separation Sciences (ISSS 2025), 25 – 27. September 2025, Belgrade, Serbia (29PED and Nucleu) (Poster)

5.    Anamaria Zaharia, Marinela Dumitru, Mihaela Neagu, Andrei Sarbu, Cristina Luntraru, Anita Laura Chiriac, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Teodor Sandu, Bianca Elena Stoica, Andreea Maria Pana, Tanţa-Verona Iordache, Concentration and Enrichment of Primary Phytoextracts in Catechin Tannins Using Phytoextract – Molecularly Imprinted Particles, The 29th International Symposium on Separation Sciences (ISSS 2025), 25 – 27. September 2025, Belgrade, Serbia (29PED and Nucleu) (Poster)

6.  Andrei Sârbu, Marinela Victoria Dumitru, Ana Lorena Neagu, Anamaria Zaharia, Teodor Sandu, Octavian Pavel, Tanţa Verona Iordache, Rodica Zăvoianu, Hidrogeluri Compozite cu Retea Semi-Interpenetrata si cu HDL, pentru Eliberarea Controlata a Unui Fitoextract de Topinambur, Conferinta Zilele ASTR 18-19 septembrie 2025, Galati, Romania (18PED, 29PED) (oral communication)

7.     FESTIVALUL DE INOVARE ȘI TRANSFER TEHNOLOGIC FITT- Muntenia 2025,  17 – 20 noiembrie 2025, Targoviste. Proiect: Tehnologie de extracție în fază solidă cu polimeri imprentati molecular a taninurilor catechinice din părțile lemnoase ale arbuștilor – CATAN-MISPE, 29PED/2025, Autori: Tanța Verona Iordache, Anita-Laura Chiriac, Anamaria Zaharia, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Marinela Victoria Iordanescu, Mihaela Neagu, Cristina Luntraru. (Poster). Obtained prizes: Gold medal and diploma