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UNIVERSITY
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National RTDI Programme 2004, for a Project entitled “The Screening of Maltese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Pharmacological Activity” – May 2005 [RTDI-2004-074] From studies carried out in recent years, some Maltese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants have shown to be active against several terminal, chronic or acute illnesses. Despite this, only 8% of these Maltese MAPs have been scientifically investigated. Therefore, pharmacological investigations will eventually reveal the potential of these MAPs with the aim of selecting the most valuable plants, extracting the active constituent(s) responsible for the activity and eventually producing the metabolite on a large scal e with possible commercial potential. Ultimately, this would lead to the development of an idea that will render financial return to the local growers. INTERREG IIIB – ARCHIMED project entitled “ATMOSnet. - Aerobiolgical Territorial Mediterrranean-Oriental Systemic network” – April 2006 [A1.0.7.6]. Defining a shared and standardised methodology of airdispersed pollen monitoring to contribute to the study of the impacts induced by the climate changes in the Mediterranean area, with particular reference to the phenomenon resulting from the progressive increase of temperature (drought and tendential desertification).
ANTI-HDM-PROD - The formulation of household hygienic products from plant extracts with anti-house dust mite activity - Eureka Programme, E!339, 2006-2009 Although several previous studies have focused on the uses of Maltese medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in ethno-medicine, only about 36 out of 458 locally occurring MAPs have been scientifically investigated. This project sought to determine the activity of extracts known to have been used in the past against mites, especially the house dust mite. Faeces from this mite are known to cause a wide range of severe allergic conditions, from eczema to asthmatic attacks, and the use of appropriate household hygienic products for the prophylactic control of this mite can prevent these allergic conditions in predisposed individuals. The project aimed to formulate plant extracts in various forms including detergents, degreaser, fabric softener, carpet cleaner, liquid soap, floor wash and fabric spray, and a number of tests were conducted to establish the stability of effective compounds.
The characterisation of Maltese honey: botanical, physicochemical and pharmacological evaluation - UoM Fund Allocation R36, 2008 Malta is historically renowned for the production of genuine honey from different floral sources depending on the season and the location of the apiary. This study focuses on determining the geographical location of apiaries around Malta and Gozo, followed by mapping of the local flora at the season of harvesting and the botanical characterisation of the honey by pollen counts. Physicochemical characteristics which will be measured for the honeys collected include moisture content, pH, conductivity, colour, phytochemical analysis and enzymatic analysis. In the project’s final phase, the pharmacological activity of the honeys will be assessed using primary screening tests and in vitrotesting on cancer cell lines and lymphocytes.
VOTIVVOM - Valorisation of the indigenous vine varieties of Malta – conservation, assessment and innovation - EU Seventh Framework Programme, R&I-SP, 2008-2010 Wines
produced from local grapes, including those from the Ġellewża and Girgentina
varieties, often fail to reach the minimum alcohol level stipulated by Council
Regulation (EC) 1493 of 1999. In the past, it was customary to overcome this
problem by adding sugar to the extracted grape juice prior to the fermentation
process. The derogation allowing this practice, however, came to an end in
2008.
LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMME – ERASMUS Project entitled “I.S.L.E. - Innovation in the Teaching of Sustainable Development in Life Sciences in Europe” – September 2010 [177267-LLP-1-2010-1-FR-ERASMUS] The I.S.L.E. Erasmus Networks project was approved by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the EU in 2010 for a duration of 3 years. The project involves 39 Higher Education institutions, Research institutes, enterprises and NGOs from 30 European countries interested in introducing the concept of sustainable development in their curricula and/or institutions having had experience in this area, who are willing to transmit their know-how on this subject which clearly demonstrates its relevance, its need and its innovative nature.
PROMED – PO Italia-Malta 2007-2013 project – La Protezione dell’ambiente nelle Isole del Mediterraneo attraverso la Valorizzazione di un Sistema Colturale Arboreo - March 2010 [A1.1.1-42] The general objectives of the project are fighting the erosion on the islands of Gozo, Malta, Pantelleria and Linosa and developing and increasing the sources of eco-friendly income alternative to seaside tourism. The specific objectives are reversing the country abandonment, increasing green cover during drought, safeguarding the system of dry-stone walls, rationalization of water resources, acquisition of high-income products, development of tourist routes, maintenance of results after the conclusion of the project. The planned activities, besides the management and coordination and communication, are the study of territories by identifying risk areas, the optimization of the vineyard planting, the enhancement of its products to make the system profitable and therefore able to maintain itself over time, the creation of an experimental station for the continuation of activities related to Malta. The results will be the territories organization in risk areas where local authorities will promote the planting of the vineyard, the correct use of the different varieties in accordance with the local characteristics, the definition of winemaking procedures able to guarantee the profitability of the system, the settlement of a Maltese experimental station able to pursue applied research and experimentation beyond the end of the project, the promotion of new tourist routes.
CypFire - Med Programme – 2007-2013 project – Multiple-rowed cypress barriers against fires: a feasible, ecological and economical solution for the protection of Mediterranean Regions. June 2010 [2G-Med09-70] The Cypfire proposal aims to develop an integrated model encompassing environmental parameters and woodland characteristics that reduces the risk of forest fires within the Mediterranean region. As one of the partners within the project, the Mgarr Local Council and the Institute of Earth Systems teamed up to determine the possible prevention of fires within two cypress tree plantations. Since these are small-scale plantations, Malta will be used as part of the basis of the model and as a pilot study, when compared to the vast forests present within the Mediterranean region. Environmental parameters, such as wind speed and direction, temperature and humidity will be monitored alongside parameters related to the release of volatile oils from the cypress trees, the litter accumulation and volatile oil (combustible) constitution, and relevant soil parameters. Within the project, an International Congress will be organized in Tuscany on “the cypress and the fire”. During the academic year 2010-2011, a project manager and five gardeners/technical assistants were recruited. The lead partner has also provided the partners with the parameters to be studied on the cypress trees vis-à-vis their growth and vigour in the various localities of the Mediterranean region.
MolCAMH – Research & Innovation Programme 2010 project entitled Molecular Characterization and Authentication of Maltese Honey May 2011 [R&I-2010-030] The Maltese Islands are renowned for the production of genuine honey from different floral sources depending on the season and the location of the apiary. This project aims to evaluate the quality of the honey produced in the Maltese Islands. The intention is to collect as many samples as possible, from different sources and pollinating seasons. The consortium aims to screen local honey samples for their physicochemical constitution and floral origin. The physicochemical characteristics that will be studied are moisture content, pH, conductivity, colour, phytochemical analysis and enzymatic activity. All samples will be subjected to DNA analysis to determine the floral origin of the honey and WHETHER the honey is of mono-floral or multi-floral origins. During this first year, a project assistant was recruited with the aim of conducting research in the laboratory. During May 2011, there was the collection of honey samples for the spring harvest. The physicochemical characteristics were initiated immediately as samples have to be collected each season. To complement this, a laboratory officer was sent to Apiculture Research Centre in Turkey on a training course for the analysis of honey.
t-cheesimal – PO Italia-Malta 2007-2013 project – New technologies supporting the traditional Cheeses in Sicily and Malta – February 2013 [F2IJ10DD0290005] T-Cheesimal, a project funded by the Operational Programme Italia-Malta (2007-2013), shall investigate the local cheeses with respect to their chemical composition, the technological implements used and the traditional knowledge along with socio-cultural aspects surrounding cheese-making. T-cheesimal falls under the Axis I branch of the Italia-Malta Programme, whose priority is to increase competitiveness, in this case, of the local cheese industry, through research, innovation and the encouragement towards sustainable development.
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Designed and Coordination by Prof. Everaldo Attard. All rights reserved 2002-2014.
Last Update: 10th August 2013
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