Francesco Serafini: A Life Dedicated to Sustainable Olive Cultivation and the Fight Against Climate Change

Francesco Serafini, an Italian agronomist and former Head of the Research and Environment Department at the International Olive Council, is a leading voice in promoting sustainability in olive cultivation. With a career spanning impactful international projects and key publications on sustainable practices, Serafini advocates for the olive tree’s crucial role in mitigating climate change through its exceptional capacity to sequester CO₂. His keynote participation in the 4th Science & Wine World Congress highlights the importance of the green transition in olive oil production, positioning olive farming as a strategic model for a more resilient and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Potential Uses of Olive Oil Secoiridoids for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a combination of foods mainly rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that have been shown to have many health-enhancing effects. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an important component of the MD. The importance of EVOO can be attributed to phenolic compounds, represented by phenolic alcohols, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol, and to secoiridoids, which include oleocanthal, oleacein, oleuropein, and ligstroside. This post summarizes the most recent findings regarding the pharmacological properties, molecular targets, and action mechanisms of secoiridoids, focusing attention on their preventive and anti-cancer activities. The prospects for their possible use in human cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed.