MED researcher recognised for her research into sustainable bioherbicides
Daniela Rosa, a MED researcher at CEBAL, was awarded second place in the Dr Maríola Macías 2025 Prize, presented by The Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE), during the Young Scientists Meeting 2026, held from 22 to 24 June in Leicester, UK.
The award was presented in recognition of her presentation of her work, “Development of a Cynara cardunculus leaves extract rich in sesquiterpene lactones nanoemulsion for sustainable weed control”, which focused on the development of innovative solutions for sustainable weed control.
The research presented explores an innovative approach to the development of sustainable bioherbicides, using natural compounds extracted from the leaves of the cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), a species with strong links to the Mediterranean region. Developed in collaboration with MED-CEBAL researcher Fátima Duarte and other researchers from the University of Cádiz, the study used nanotechnology to create a nanoemulsion capable of enhancing the stability and solubility of these natural compounds. The results demonstrated that this formulation significantly improves the bioactivity of the extract, showing, in some tests, greater efficacy than that of a commercial herbicide, reinforcing its potential as a natural and more sustainable alternative to conventional herbicides.
The Dr Maríola Macías Award aims to recognise and honour the academic achievements of young researchers. This award acknowledges the quality and impact of the research carried out, as well as a commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions for weed control, making the most of natural resources and promoting more sustainable practices.
This recognition reinforces the relevance of the research carried out within the MED, at the interface between agriculture, the environment, biotechnology and sustainability, contributing to the development of more resilient Mediterranean agricultural systems that are aligned with the challenges of the ecological transition.
