Curriculum

 

Current Position

Associate Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara (Scientific-Disciplinary Sector BIOS-01/D – Pharmaceutical Biology)

National Scientific Qualification

  • National Scientific Qualification for the position of Associate Professor in the competition sector 05/A1 – Botany, valid from 06/07/2020 to 06/07/2029 (pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 1, Law 240/10).

  • National Scientific Qualification for the position of Full Professor in the competition sector 05/A1 – Botany, valid from 10/03/2025 to 10/03/2037.

Education

  • Master’s Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Ferrara.
    Thesis title: “Chemical characterization and bioactivity of crude drugs used in Ayurvedic medicine.”

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara.
    Thesis title: “Chemical fingerprinting and bioactivity profile of Ayurvedic crude drugs and related preparations.”
    Awarded the title of Doctor Europaeus in conjunction with the Ph.D. degree.

  • Professional Qualification as Pharmacist, obtained by passing the State Examination for Pharmacists at the University of Ferrara on 07/06/2009.

Main Research Areas

The research activity of Dr. Massimo Tacchini, conducted at the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, in collaboration with scholars and researchers from other Italian and international universities and research institutions, focuses on the following topics:

a. Study of medicinal plants of diverse geographical and ecological origin, with particular emphasis on phytochemical and bioactivity aspects

Dr. Tacchini’s research primarily explores the phytochemical profiles (secondary metabolism) and bioactivity of plants from various biodiversity and geographical contexts. His work focuses on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of secondary metabolites and their correlation with biological properties attributed to specific molecules or chemical classes.

  • South Asia (India):
    Dr. Tacchini’s research has focused on optimizing extraction methods applied to plants traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to obtain phytocomplexes rich in high-value secondary metabolites with potential health-promoting and cytotoxic/cytostatic properties, particularly relevant in anticancer research.
    Through isolation and fractionation of secondary metabolites, he performed in vitro cell viability assays, leading to in-depth studies on Hemidesmus indicus for applications in carcinogenesis and HIV-1 research, continuing collaborations initiated during his doctoral studies.

    Similar research approaches have been extended to Boerhaavia diffusa, Curculigo orchioides, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Withania somnifera, and Terminalia arjuna, with a focus on antitumor potential and, more broadly, their dermatological applications.

  • Amazonian Ecuador:
    In collaboration with South American research institutes (Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Quito; Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Ecuador), Dr. Tacchini investigated medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine of the Achuar and Shuar populations of the Amazonian region (northeastern Ecuador).
    His studies focused on phytochemical aspects, chemotypic variation, and phytochemical biodiversity, linking secondary metabolite profiles to the geographical and ethnobotanical context. Bioactivity evaluations were carried out to validate traditional health-related uses.

  • Mediterranean area:
    In collaboration with colleagues from the Universities of Chieti–Pescara and Calabria, Dr. Tacchini has also studied plant matrices from the Mediterranean region, exploring intraspecific biodiversity within limited geographical areas (e.g., secondary metabolite profiling of Hyssopus officinalis in three sites across Abruzzo).
    He also co-authored a review, in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of the Lebanese University, summarizing key studies on the chemical characterization and biological properties of secondary metabolites from Cedrus species.

Furthermore, Dr. Tacchini has contributed to the optimization of extraction and analytical processes for the isolation of high-value secondary metabolites from plants of pharmaceutical interest and biotechnological sources (microalgae).
He has also studied the bioactivity of secondary metabolites for potential health-related applications, and co-authored a review on quercetin as a key anticancer secondary metabolite.

b. Recovery and sustainable valorization of biomass

Dr. Tacchini’s research also focuses on the sustainable valorization of plant biomass, including both direct by-products and exhausted matrices.
He has optimized eco-friendly extraction techniques aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of transformation processes, following circular economy and eco-sustainability principles.
Subsequent chemical characterization was combined with in vitro assays of antioxidant and phytosanitary activity, to evaluate the potential reuse of secondary raw materials for health-related and agricultural applications.