Ozan Ciftci
Ozan Ciftci
He/Him
BioWRAP Team
Meet Ozan Ciftci
Associate Professor
The goal of the research in the Ciftci Lab is green processing of lipids to produce novel food products with improved function and efficacy. Specific research areas include: Particle Formation: Development of green technologies based on supercritical fluid technology to manufacture novel micro- and nanoparticles of bioactive compounds and lipids for improved bioavailability, functionality, and stability. Green Extraction: Extraction of bioactive compounds and lipids from various feedstcoks, including by-products/wastes of agri-food industry, using green methods based on supercritical carbon dioxide and subcritical water. Biorefining: Development of a green biorefinery based on supercritical fluid technology for value-added processing of renewable feedstocks to develop integrated extraction, fractionation, reaction and particle formation of lipids and nutraceuticals as well as investigating the fundamentals. Biocatalytic Conversions: Enzymatic production of structured lipids and industrial products in supercritical fluids. 3D Food Printing: Development of personalized foods via 3D food printing
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand there are many questions you may have in regards to BioWRAP. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions that we receive.
The long-term goal is to create a locally-sourced, customizable, spray-on biopolymer-based films to serve as soil cover that can be synchronized to crop growth cycles under differing climatic conditions and applied using precision agricultural equipment. The system would also support socioeconomic resiliency, positive bioeconomic cycles, biotechnology adoption, sustainable crop production, and soil health in EPSCoR states.
Transforming biopolymers into a local material will equitably distribute the costs and benefits of biotechnology adoption by crop producers and support rural workforce development. Creating a protective, but permeable spray-on biopolymer cover will provide physical weed suppression, enable crop producers to reduce herbicide use, protect soil ecosystem diversity, effectively manage field edges, help conserve natural resources, buffer waterways from agrochemical runoff, enhance land productivity, and increase crop production resiliency.
We hypothesize that adoption of BioWRAP technology will vary by region and producer characteristics, climate conditions, soil type, and underlying preferences will lead to differential adoption across regions and cropping systems. Our team plans to assess the potential market for BioWRAP using structured group discussions in locations where producers and purchasers/retailers to gain the most accurate assessment of the market potential of biodegradable biofilm technology.
Initial testing will include corn and soybeans. Application of the product may include autonomous spray platforms as well as field scale commercial sprayers.
