BrainMap

Mrs. Raluca-Marieta Toma

Researcher

Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Researcher

I have a BSc in Biochemistry and a MSc in Medicine. In november 2020 I started my personal journey in the field of physical chemistry following the PhD school of the Romanian Academy completed further in 2024. My current research topic is focused on versatile formulations for topical applications.

Web of Science ResearcherID: AFR-1355-2022

Curriculum Vitae (01/04/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Efficient fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes for treatment of real wastewater containing bisphenols and dyes Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.7.1 - Proiect experimental demonstrativ
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0431 2025 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); ARCIF AG SRL (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

The project scope is to create and perform experiments on a purification system for contaminated water containing phenols and dyes. The system will consist of a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and a catalyst made of co-immobilized enzymes on solid supports composed of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) as core, and chitosan (Cs) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) as shell. Also, the project aims to implement an ecological approach utilizing biocatalysis to effectively eliminate hazardous or persistent substances from water. The project team desires to generate a biocatalyst by co-immobilizing two enzymes - Laccase from Aspergillus (Lc) and Tyrosinase from mushrooms (Tyr) - on solid supports composed of a rPET core and a polymeric shell. One of the innovative solutions is the support activation with carbodiimide alternated with the enzyme immobilization, in repetitive procedures. The project encompasses 4 objectives: obtaining and characterizing co-immobilized tyrosinase and laccase on recycled polyethylene terephthalate coated with polyacrylic acid and chitosan; operational stability of co-immobilized rPET-Cs-PAA-Lc-Tyr products in synthetic and real wastewaters; design of a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor with co-immobilized enzymes to be applied in wastewater treatment; validation of the operational efficiency of the fluidized bed reactor and co-immobilized enzymes system for treatment of bisphenols and dyes from real wastewater.

Protein amyloid aggregates – polyphenol interaction for food and pharmaceutics application Call name: P 5.2 - SP 5.2.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - Competiția 2023
PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-0189 2025 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

The misfolding of proteins and their subsequent assembly into amyloid fibrils are pathological hallmarks of different types of amyloidosis. Therefore, decoding of the aggregation processes represents a crucial step towards diagnosis and therapy of the disease. On the other hand, amyloid fibrils are considered as promising building blocks for novel biomaterials with potential applications for targeted drug delivery or improved food products. We propose a physical-chemical approach intended to characterize the interaction of polyphenols with several model protein aggregates, with emphasis on amyloid-like fibrils obtained in diverse experimental conditions (temperature, salt, pH). We will study the protein denaturation and aggregation kinetics to estimate the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes. The calorimetric and spectroscopic methods will provide new information concerning polyphenol influence on protein aggregates. The main objective of the project is the development of a young, independent research team focused on a deeper insight into the action of polyphenols on the protein aggregation process, a way to understand the features of aggregates and amyloid-like structures with applications in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Laccase immobilization onto CS-PAA microspheres and its application for textile dyes biodegradation Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0418 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.icf.ro/pr_2022/IMLAC.pdf

Abstract:

Surface water pollution, with textile dyes, is a serious environmental issue and constant efforts in its reduction are needed continuously. Studies show that the distribution in water bodies and bioavailability of textile dyes affects aquatic fauna and humans. Although enzymes can successfully biodegrade recalcitrant dyes from water, their cost and instability are prohibitive for real-life applications. Therefore, the young team of the IMLAC project aims to develop a practical treatment for the removal of indigo carmine, naphtol green, and methyl red from aqueous media, using immobilized laccase. In this integrated study, the production and use of immobilized enzymes will be investigated and calibrated according to environmental variables, including temperature and pH and, most importantly, cost reduction through recyclability of the product in the presence of dyes will be achieved. The work program of the IMLAC team, based at the "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry, has three complementary components: 1- Production of new polymeric supports for enzymes immobilization. 2 - Development and optimization of a new enzyme immobilization technique. 3 - Application of new products with immobilized laccase in the removal of textile dyes in the aqueous medium. The results of this innovative project could fit into national and European programs facing the double challenge of water quality and water safety.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects