Valorization of the guaraná production chain through the sustainable exploitation of proanthocyanidins

• Grant number: 24/14698-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmacognosy
• Principal Investigator: Gabriel Rocha Martins
• Grantee: Gabriel Rocha Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Rolim Baby ; Ayla Sant Ana da Silva ; Rosineide Costa Simas

Abstract

Brazil is the main producer of guaraná globally, with 70% of its production used for making soft and energy drinks. While most research has focused on guarana's high caffeine content, about 15% of the seed is made up of proanthocyanidins, which are not currently commercially utilized. Therefore, exploring these compounds could increase the value of the production chain. This proposal aims to develop an optimized and sustainable extraction strategy that saves energy and resources, ensures reproducibility, and increases yield. Additionally, proanthocyanidins may be bound to cell wall components, leading to their retention in the solid residue of extraction. There is limited knowledge about the potential of this fraction complexed with the biomass, as it is often neglected due to its strong link to the plant matrix. Investigating methods to increase the release of these compounds could enhance the extraction yield and facilitate the use of this biomass for creating new bioproducts. Furthermore, the project seeks to establish a method for isolating the major components of the extract and analyzing their biological potential by reducing its chemical complexity through fractionation and structural elucidation. (AU)