Biofactory: a scalable and novel alternative to produce a lowering hypercholesteremia risk peptide

• Grant number: 20/00013-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: April 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Aruã Mastrangelo Prudenciatti
• Grantee: Aruã Mastrangelo Prudenciatti
• CNAE: Produção de sementes certificadas
• Associated researchers: Ivan de Godoy Maia ; Pedro Paulo Augusto Fabiano Arantes Pereira Barreto ; Rejane Maria Tommasini Grotto
• Associated research grant(s): 22/08580-5 - Biofactory: a scalable and novel alternative to produce a lowering hypercholesteremia risk peptide, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/03618-1 - Living factories: a scalable alternative for high cholesterol therapeutic peptide production, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) has a major impact on public health. It is the aggravating factor mainly of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). The increase in the search for alternative and preventive methods stems from the fact that, mainly by studies reported in the literature, which demonstrate the adverse effects that the continuous use of medicines entails. In addition, it should be noted that traditional production processes make the end product more expensive for the consumer. This scenario impacts the growth of a sector called Specialized Nutrition, which provides specific products for healthy eating and active ingredients that help prevent and reduce disease risks. The current scenario is marked by the use of new treatment and risk reduction methods such as REPHATA® and phytosterols. However, the former is undemocratic because it is an immunotherapy, and the latter, there are reports of problems in the production processes and its use as a food additive. There is a need, then, for alternatives that enable the scalable production of viable alternatives to produce compounds that can collaborate in the treatment, prevention, or reduction of high cholesterol risks. In this context, the use of a plant biofactory for the scalable production of a risk-reducing peptide stands out. As a plant model of use, there is a need for plants with short fruit production cycle, clear patterns for genetic transformation, and versatility of application. Thus, the tomato is viable, since this fruit will be lyophilized and the powdered extract will contain the solution. In turn, the marketing plan involves it for food industries, which may use the extract powder as additives in the production of foods focused on specialized nutrition. In summary, the present project proposes: (i) in silicon construction of a peptide to reduce the risk of high cholesterol, (ii) scalable production of the peptide in a genetically modified tomato biofactory, with potential for commercialization of lyophilizate as an input for food industries. (AU)