Browsing by Author "Teixeira, Francisca S."
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- 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.
- Bioactive sugarcane lipids in a circular economy contextPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Vidigal, Susana S.M.P.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.Most of the global sugar and ethanol supply trade comes from the harvesting of Saccharum officinarum (i.e., sugarcane). Its industrial processing results in numerous by-products and waste streams, such as tops, straw, filter cake, molasses and bagasse. The recovery of lipids (i.e., octacosanol, phytosterols, long-chain aldehydes and triterpenoids) from these residues is an excellent starting point for the development of new products for various application fields, such as health and well-being, representing an important feature of the circular economy. By selecting green scalable extraction procedures, industry can reduce its environmental impact. Refluxed ethanol extraction methods have been demonstrated to meet these characteristics. On the other hand, effective non-solvent methodologies such as molecular distillation and supercritical CO2 extraction can fractionate lipids based on high temperature and pressure application with similar yields. Sugarcane lipophilic extracts are usually analyzed through gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) techniques. In many cases, the identification of such compounds involves the development of high-temperature GC–MS/FID techniques. On the other hand, for the identification and quantification of thermolabile lipids, LC–MS techniques are suitable for the separation and identification of major lipid classes. Generically, its composition includes terpenes, phytosterols, tocopherol, free fatty acids, fatty alcohols, wax esters, triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides. These compounds are already known for their interesting application in various fields such as pharma and cosmetics due to their anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Characterization of patchouli and vanillin industrial wastes as a strategy for their valorizationPublication . Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Teixeira, Francisca S.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.Patchouli is a cyclic terpene alcohol used as a fragrance ingredient (i.e. powerful sweet, herbaceous and spicy) [1] that has been demonstrated to exert low acute dermal toxicity [2-3]. The aromatic aldehyde Vanillin is a widely used flavoring agent and relevant antifoaming ingredient [4]. Fragrances/flavoring production from plants is accomplished by steam distillation, supercritical CO2 or microwave assisted extraction. Hence, recent investigation suggests using of genetically modified microorganism to ensure reliable and sustainable supply [5]. Thus, Vanillin can be isolated from Vanilla planifolia, from chemical synthesis or by fermentation procedures [6]. In the framework of a valorization strategy, this research work aims to characterized fermentation by-products of the production of Patchouli and Vanillin through liquid (HPLC-ELSD) and gas chromatography (GC-QqQ). The assayed materials derived from the production of Patchouli and Vanillin contained high-value molecules such as Patchouli alcohol, α-Guaiene, α-Bulnesene and Vanillin and Vanillic Acid, as well as vanillin glucosides. Future assessment of its bioactivity will provide better information on the application of these compounds to turn waste into resource.
- Characterization of Patchouli and Vanillin Industrial Wastes as a Strategy for their ValorizationPublication . Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Teixeira, Francisca S.; Costa, Paula T.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.
- Differential lipid accumulation on HepG2 cells triggered by palmitic and linoleic fatty acids exposurePublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Azevedo-Silva, João; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.Lipid metabolism pathways such as β-oxidation, lipolysis and, lipogenesis, are mainly associated with normal liver function. However, steatosis is a growing pathology caused by the accumulation of lipids in hepatic cells due to increased lipogenesis, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and/or reduced lipolysis. Accordingly, this investigation hypothesizes a selective in vitro accumulation of palmitic and linoleic fatty acids on hepatocytes. After assessing the metabolic inhibition, apoptotic effect, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by linoleic (LA) and palmitic (PA) fatty acids, HepG2 cells were exposed to different ratios of LA and PA to study the lipid accumulation using the lipophilic dye Oil Red O. Lipidomic studies were also carried out after lipid isolation. Results revealed that LA was highly accumulated and induced ROS production when compared to PA. Lipid profile modifications were observed after LA:PA 1:1 (v/v) exposure, which led to a four-fold increase in triglycerides (TGs) (mainly in linoleic acid-containing species), as well as a increase in cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content when compared to the control cells. The present work highlights the importance of balancing both PA and LA fatty acids concentrations in HepG2 cells to maintain normal levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), cholesterol, and TGs and to minimize some of the observed in vitro effects (i.e., apoptosis, ROS generation and lipid accumulation) caused by these fatty acids.
- Lipidomic studies involving steatosis induction using palmitic and linoleic fatty acids on HepG2 cellsPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Pimentel, Lígia L; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Azevedo-Silva, João; Pintado, Manuela E.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luis M.
- 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.
- Phytosterols and novel triterpenes recovered from industrial fermentation coproducts exert in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity in macrophagesPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Costa, Paula T.; Tavares‐Valente, Diana; Azevedo‐Silva, João; Pintado, Manuela E.; Fernandes, João C.; Rodríguez‐Alcalá, Luís M.The unstoppable growth of human population that occurs in parallel with all manufacturing activities leads to a relentless increase in the demand for resources, cultivation land, and energy. In response, currently, there is significant interest in developing strategies to optimize any available resources and their biowaste. While solutions initially focused on recovering biomolecules with applications in food, energy, or materials, the feasibility of synthetic biology in this field has been demonstrated in recent years. For instance, it is possible to genetically modify Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce terpenes for commercial applications (i.e., against malaria or as biodiesel). But the production process, similar to any industrial activity, generates biowastes containing promising biomolecules (from fermentation) that if recovered may have applications in different areas. To test this hypothesis, in the present study, the lipid composition of by‐products from the industrial production of β‐farnesene by genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae are studied to identify potentially bioactive compounds, their recovery, and finally, their stability and in vitro bioactivity. The assayed biowaste showed the presence of triterpenes, phytosterols, and 1‐ octacosanol which were recovered through molecular distillation into a single fraction. During the assayed stability test, compositional modifications were observed, mainly for the phytosterols and 1‐octacosanol, probably due to oxidative reactions. However, such changes did not affect the in vitro bioactivity in macrophages, where it was found that the obtained fraction decreased the production of TNF‐α and IL‐6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation.
- 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.