[Portrait] Sara Madji, PhD student in chemistry in the Green team (SQPOV)
What is your research about?
My research activities focus on eco-extraction of natural products: innovative processes and alternative solvents. The objective of my thesis is therefore to replace petroleum solvents and/or solvents that may have an impact on the environment/user/consumer by green solvents (agro-solvents or others), resulting from sustainable development. The extracts obtained will then be used in the food and cosmetics industry.
What are your current scientific activities?
At the moment I am doing scientific writingbut I also make laboratory experiments. In terms of scientific news, a recent article "para-Menthane as a Stable Terpene Derived from Orange By-Products as a Novel Solvent for Green Extraction and Solubilization of Natural Substances was published in the journal Molecules. This article is the result of a collaboration with Naturex.
Why did you choose to work in academic research?
Becoming a researcher was my dream since I was a little girl. At the beginning I was interested in biology and more precisely in the field of nutrition and human physiopathology. All my studies were oriented in this direction.
Then, by chance, I did a master's degree in food production engineering at the University of Avignon. I was lucky enough to do my master's internship with the Greenand that's when I discovered the extraction sector which I liked very much and in which I wanted to do research.
Starting my thesis at the University of Avignon allowed me to realise my dream.
What advice would you give to students who want to do research?
To work hard, and to follow their dreams.
Which object or image from your research best illustrates you?
"towards green extraction of carotenoids through alternative solvents
(towards a green extraction of carotenoids by alternative solvents)
More about UMR 408 SQPOV
Mis à jour le 18 January 2023