Browsing by Author "Soares, Ana M. S."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Antioxidant activity evaluation of fermentation distillation residuesPublication . Soares, Ana M. S.; Teixeira, Francisca S.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luis M.Nature offers an unlimited variety of molecules with incredible biological activities, such as antioxidants among others, that are valuable for the maintenance of a good health by reducing the damage caused by oxidation [1,2]. This purpose allied to the richness of some wastes and by-products make distillation residues from industrial fermentation (FDRs) potential sources to obtain bioactive compounds. Accordingly the study for both its valorization and integration into a circular economy context was the aim of this work [3,4]. FDRs are known to be rich in several compounds such as phytosterols, triterpenes or fatty alcohols with potential biological activities [3,4]. Thus, two FDRs, from fermentation using sugarcane juice (FDR_SC) or very high polarity sugar (FDR_VHP) and respective extracts obtained by winterization with different solvents (ethanol (EtOH), acetone (AcO) and dichloromethane (DCM)) were used and the evaluation of its antioxidant activity were performed by DPPH, ABTS and ORAC assays. Inhibition percentage, IC 50, TEAC and ORAC Value parameters were determined. The results revealed great antioxidant potential for the studied FDRs, in particular for FDR_SC that had the best performance in most of the measured parameters. Also, the differences on solvents polarity used for the FDRs winterization had an important role in the antioxidant capacity results, which could be related to the selectivity to isolate different compounds.
- Novel lipids to regulate obesity and brain function: comparing available evidence and insights from QSAR in silico modelsPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Costa, Paula T.; Soares, Ana M. S.; Fontes, Ana Luiza; Pintado, Manuela E.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.Lipid molecules, such as policosanol, ergosterol, sphingomyelin, omega 3 rich phosphatidylcholine, α-tocopherol, and sodium butyrate, have emerged as novel additions to the portfolio of bioactive lipids. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss these lipids, and their activity against obesity and mental or neurological disorders, with a focus on their proposed cellular targets and the ways in which they produce their beneficial effects. Furthermore, this available information is compared with that provided by in silico Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) models in order to understand the usefulness of these tools for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. Accordingly, it was possible to highlight how these lipids interact with various cellular targets related to the molecule transportation and absorption (e.g., α-tocopherol transfer protein for α-Tocopherol, ATP-binding cassette ABC transporters or Apolipoprotein E for sphingomyelins and phospholipids) or other processes, such as the regulation of gene expression (involving Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins for ergosterol or Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in the case of policosanol) and inflammation (the regulation of interleukins by sodium butyrate). When comparing the literature with in silico Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, it was observed that although they are useful for selecting bioactive molecules when compared in batch, the information they provide does not coincide when assessed individually. Our review highlights the importance of considering a broad range of lipids as potential bioactives and the need for accurate prediction of ADMET parameters in the discovery of new biomolecules. The information presented here provides a useful resource for researchers interested in developing new strategies for the treatment of obesity and mental or neurological disorders.
- Predictive oxidative evaluation of lipid samples using differential scanning calorimetryPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Soares, Ana M. S.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.
- Predictive oxidative evaluation of lipid samples using differential scanning calorimetryPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Soares, Ana M. S.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.