Dr. Udodinma Jude Okeke
Pure and Applied Sciences/ Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Urbino, Marche, Italy
Highly motivated to take on the challenges of sustainable fo...
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Academic Career Length
3Years (2024-Present)
(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)
Representative Publications
View All Publications10 February 2025 in Scientific Reports
Journal Article
Udodinma Jude Okeke
MATTEO MICUCCIDMDasha Mihaylova
Dasha Mihaylova
Achille CappielloExtraction of polyphenolic compounds from African nutmeg (Monodora myristica (Gaertn.)) peels using natural acidic deep eutectic solvents coupled to ultrasound-assisted extraction (NADESs-UAE) followed many factors at a time (MFAT) screening with response surface optimization was investigated. Fourteen different NADESs based on citric acid as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) were designed and tested. Sucrose, fructose, xylitol, glycerol, glycine, and glucose were used as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs). The responses studied are total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AA) based on cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The UAE procedure was optimized with the most efficient NADES. Quadratic models produced satisfactory fitting of the experimental data regarding TPC (R2 = 0.9999, p < 0.0001), TFC (R2 = 0.9991, p < 0.0001), and AA- CUPRAC (R2 = 0.9988, p < 0.0001) and FRAP (R2 = 1.000, P < 0001). Ultrasound temperature 30°c, extraction time 5 min, solvent volume 25 ml, and solvent concentration 90% (v/v) were considered optimal conditions for the extraction models resulting in TPC 1290.9 ± 5.6 mg/g GAE db, TFC 2398.7 ± 23 µg/g QE db, CUPRAC 38.46 ± 0.4.4 µmol/g TE db, and FRAP 26.15 ± 0.11µmol/g TE db, respectively.
15 September 2024 in World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Journal Article
MATTEO MICUCCIBXBian-Zhao Xiang
Bian-Zhao Xiang
CTChen-Min Ting
Chen-Min Ting
HKHiu-Yee Kwan
Hiu-Yee Kwan
MMMichele Mari
Michele Mari
MBMichela Battistelli
Michela Battistelli
+6
Gastric cancer (GC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally, is complex and heterogeneous. This review explores multidisciplinary investigations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with Western medical practices, emphasizing the development of nutraceuticals for cancer prevention. Using advanced analytical chemistry and food chemistry techniques, this study investigated how TCM components may be optimized for nutraceutical development. Focusing on molecular interactions with GC pathways, particularly the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, we examined the effects of TCM polyherbal formulas, extracts, and isolated compounds. These agents modulate apoptosis and cellular proliferation, underscoring their potential in preventive strategies. The convergence of nutraceutical and medicine food homology studies highlights a significant shift towards integrating TCM-derived compounds in a preventive health framework. This approach aims not only to enhance efficacy and reduce side effects but also to champion a preventive paradigm using personalized medicine to advance proactive health maintenance and disease prevention. The combination of TCM and western medical practices offers promising avenues for future research and practical applications in GC prevention.
Journal Article
Udodinma Jude OkekeMATTEO MICUCCI
Dasha MihaylovaAchille CappielloUpcycling horticulture residues offers a sustainable solution to reduce environmental impact, maximize resource utilization, mitigate climate change, and contribute to the circular economy. We synthesized and characterized 14 natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) and applied them to upcycle horticulture residues, offering an innovative valorization approach. Using an initial many-factors-at-a-time (MFAT) screening followed by a rotatable central composite response surface methodology (RCCRSM) for optimization, quadratic models fitted the response data for all the synthesized NADESs given: TPC (R2 = 0.984, p < 0.0001), TFC (R2 = 0.9999, p < 0.0001), AA-CUPRAC (R2 = 0.918, p < 0.0001), FRAP (R2 = 1.000, p < 0001), and DPPH (R2 = 0.9992, p < 0.0001). An ultrasound temperature of 45 °C, extraction time of 5 min, solvent volume of 25 mL, and solvent concentration of 90% (v/v) were considered the optimal conditions for achieving maximum desirability (0.9936) for TPC yield. For TFC and CUPRAC, the optimal conditions were 30 °C, 5 min, 25 mL, and 90% (v/v), with maximum desirability values of 0.9003 and 1.00, respectively. The maximum desirability for FRAP (0.9605) was achieved under conditions of 45 °C, 25 min, 25 mL, and 50%, while DPPH had a maximum desirability of 0.9313, with 50 °C, 15 min, 15 mL, and 70% (v/v) as the optimized conditions.
Preprint
Udodinma Jude OkekeDasha MihaylovaAchille CappielloMATTEO MICUCCIUpcycling horticulture residues offers a sustainable solution to reduce environmental impact, maximize resource utilization, mitigate climate change, and contribute to the circular economy. We synthesized and characterized fourteen natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) and applied them to upcycle horticulture residues offering an innovative valorization approach. With initial many factors at a time (MFAT) screening followed by a rotatable central composite response surface methodology (RCCRSM) for optimization, quadratic models fitted the response data for all the synthesized NADESs given: TPC (R2 = 0.984, p < 0.0001), TFC (R2= 0.9999, p < 0.0001), and AA- CUPRAC (R2 = 0.918, p < 0.0001), FRAP (R2 =1.000, P < 0001), and DPPH (R2 = 0.9992, p < 0.0001). Ultrasound temperature 45°C, extraction time 5 min, solvent volume 25 mL, and solvent concentration 90% (v/v) were considered the optimal conditions for maximum desirability (0.9936) of TPC yield; 30°C, 5 min, 25 ml, and 90% (v/v) for maximum desirability (0.9003) for TFC and CUPRAC with maximum desirability (1.00). The maximum desirability for FRAP was (0.9605) at conditions of 45°C, 25 min, 25 ml, and 50%, while DPPH with maximum desirability of (0.9313) had 50°C, 15 min, 15 mL, and 70% (v/v) as the optimized conditions respectively.
19 February 2024 in Research Square
Preprint
Udodinma Jude OkekeMMMatteo Micucci
Matteo Micucci
DMDasha Mihaylova
Dasha Mihaylova
ACAchile Cappiello
Achile Cappiello
The extraction of polyphenolic compounds from African nutmeg peels via MFAT using NADESs-UAE was investigated to develop sustainable separation to recover natural antioxidants from food waste biomass. In this study, citric acid-based DESs paired with sucrose, fructose, xylitol, glycerol, glycine, and glucose were explored as potential extractants to evaluate the effects of solvent structure on extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the effects of different operating conditions were evaluated comprehensively to determine the parameters necessary for antioxidant recovery in terms of TPC and TFC, and antiradical scavenging activity based on CUPRAC and FRAP methods. The conditions that gave the highest values of 908.17 mg GAE/g DW, 1431.51 µg QE/g DW, 11.5568 µMTE/g DW, and 14.7903 µMTE/g DW for TPC, TFC, CUPRAC, and FRAP are shown in Figures 2D, 3B, 5B, and 6D respectively using CaFr12, CaGc11, CaFr11, CaXy11 as solvents respectively. These results underscore the potential of using specific NADES formulations to tailor the extraction process for desired antioxidant and antiradical scavenging properties. The findings give insights to the capacity of NADESs as powerful solvents for extraction applications. The lack of literature on extraction of bioactive compounds from African nutmeg materials using DESs with ultrasound techniques proves the originality of the present work.
21 January 2024 in Future Foods
Journal Article
MMMatteo Micucci
Matteo Micucci
SGSilvia Gioacchini
Silvia Gioacchini
MBMelissa Baggieri
Melissa Baggieri
RFRaoul Fioravanti
Raoul Fioravanti
PBPaola Bucci
Paola Bucci
FMFabio Magurano
Fabio Magurano +9
About Me
Dr. Udodinma Jude Okeke is a researcher specializing in green chemistry and sustainable bioprocessing, with a particular focus on the development of novel neoteric deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the systematic valorization of agrifood and biobased materials. His research integrates the principles of circular economy, green extraction technologies, and material recovery to derive high-value bioactive compounds and ingredients applicable in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, bioenergy, and biofertilizer sectors.
Dr. Okeke has pioneered the design and application of custom-tailored DESs that are biodegradable, tunable, and efficient for extracting targeted molecules such as polyphenols, flavonoids, proteins, and other functional biomolecules. His work bridges sustainable solvent innovation with real-world industrial applications, advancing eco-conscious strategies for resource recovery from agricultural and food processing residues.
With a multidisciplinary background spanning chemistry, biotechnology, and food science & technology, Dr. Okeke collaborates extensively with academic, industrial, and policy stakeholders to foster scalable, circular solutions that reduce waste and enhance bioresource efficiency. His work contributes to the European Green Deal and global united nations sustainable development goals by enabling the transition to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable biobased value chains.
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