Anti-inflammatory compounds present in Brazilian propolis are produced and/or modified by this native microbiota of this holobiont system?

• Grant number: 24/02043-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Gomes de Souza Berlinck
• Grantee: Roberto Gomes de Souza Berlinck
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/17721-9 - The role of Chemistry in holobiont adaptation, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/14479-0 - Are the anti-inflammatory compounds present in Brazilian propolis produced and/or modified by the native microbiota of this holobiont system?, BP.JD

Abstract

Propolis is a resinous mixture from plant resins and flower buds, collected by Apis mellifera bees. Most studies relate the biological activity of propolis to its chemical composition composed of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and chalcones, among other secondary metabolites. Consider that this composition is related to the botanical origin of the plants used by bees, such as Dalbergia ecastophyllum (source of red propolis), Baccharis dracunculifolia (source of green propolis), and Mimosa tenuiflora (source of green propolis from the Caatinga). However, there is still no understanding of whether the presence of microbiota, both in botanical origin and in propolis, can eventually influence the composition of secondary metabolites present in different types of propolis and consequently their biological activity. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate whether the microbiota of green Minas, green Caatinga, and red propolis influences the production and/or transformation of anti-inflammatory products present in this propolis. Classical techniques for the isolation and cultivation of microorganisms, chromatographic techniques for separation and isolation of compounds, and spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques for metabolomics and chemical elucidation of compounds will be used, in addition to anti-inflammatory and genomic activity assays. Thus, the aim is to expand knowledge of this holobiotic system, applying the knowledge acquired in the production of anti-inflammatory biomolecules from those propolis. Therefore, it is expected that this understanding can contribute to active biomolecules produced/altered by microorganisms being produced on commercial scales and used in food and pharmaceutical segments, among others, thus contributing to people's quality of life. (AU)