地中海生物资源循环生物炼制：乳蓟（Silybum marianum）在食品、分析和环境应用中的高值化利用

本研究旨在开发一种绿色、连续且零废物分馏策略，以从突尼斯千里光种子中提取有价值的成分。该项目旨在通过可持续技术回收生物活性化合物、蛋白质及生物材料，同时尽量减少对石油基溶剂的依赖。申请者应具备分析化学与物理化学方面的专业知识。

Job description: Project description: Background and Research Question Milk thistle is a drought-tolerant Mediterranean plant rich in lipids, proteins, and bioactive compounds, particularly silymarin. However, its industrial utilization remains primarily focused on the extraction of silymarin using organic solvents, while the other fractions of the seed and the byproducts are underutilized. This thesis aims to overcome this limitation by developing a green, sequential, and “zero-waste” fractionation strategy, following a hierarchy of use: food, biomaterials, then biochar and environmental applications. Scientific Objective To develop and validate a proof of concept for a circular biorefinery applied to Tunisian milk thistle seeds, enabling the sequential recovery of high-value-added fractions while minimizing the use of petroleum-based solvents and waste production. The concept should, ultimately, be adaptable to other plant organs and to other underutilized Mediterranean and African bioresources. Thesis Research • Characterize Tunisian seeds nutritionally and phytochemically (lipids, proteins, flavonolignans, and other bioactive compounds) using appropriate analytical techniques. • Develop a sequential eco-fractionation process: green de-oiling, extraction/purification of bioactives, protein recovery, and fiber valorization, utilizing in particular supercritical CO₂, ultrasound, microwaves, green solvents, and NADES. • Evaluate the techno-functional properties of the proteins and bioactive compounds and conduct a proof-of-concept study on their incorporation into a model food product. • Transform byproducts into biomaterials (films, hydrogels, nanocellulose) and the final residue into functional biochar for purification or decontamination applications. • Establish the biorefinery’s overall material balance and propose a roadmap for the valorization of the whole plant. Expected Results and Impact The thesis should result in an optimized green fractionation scheme for the seed, the characterization of functional ingredients and bioactive fractions, a food demonstrator, as well as functional biomaterials and biochars derived from the residues. The work will contribute to joint publications and may lead to a patent application. It will also provide a scientific foundation for the development of a larger-scale international project (Horizon Europe or PRIMA). Supervision and Scientific Environment The thesis is part of a Franco-Tunisian joint supervision program involving UMR 408 SQPOV and INRAP / Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte. It combines expertise in eco-extraction and green fractionation, analytical chemistry, food science, formulation, biomaterials, and environmental applications, within the framework of the TSARA initiative and its circular bioeconomy research focus. Keywords: Silybum marianum; circular biorefinery; eco-extraction; silymarin; plant proteins; biomaterials; biochar.

所需个人背景与技能要求： 具有分析化学、物理化学及天然产物研究专长的化学专业学生