Sucest - the sugarcane EST project

• Grant number: 99/02850-2
• Support Opportunities: Genome Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 1999
• End date: May 31, 2002
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Suzelei de Castro França
• Grantee: Suzelei de Castro França
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Tecnológicas. Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Over the past years some secondary metabolites of sugarcane, exhibiting pharmacological activities have been studied. This is the case of Policonasol, a mixture of high-molecular-weight aliphatic alcohol isolated from sugarcane wax that induces cholesterol-lowering with concomitant antiplatelet effects proved in experimental models and human beings. In addition, some biopolymers derived from sucrose occurring in many higher plants as reserve carbohydrates, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have attracted special attention; first, because the mass production is not complicated and second, their sweet taste is much similar to that of sucrose. Oligofructosides have been produced by the action of plant-originated or microbial enzymes (fructosyltransferases from sugar-beet, asparagus, agave or Aspergillus and Aureobasidium species). We are interested in the regulation of enzyme activities involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of sugarcane and biopolymers derived from sucrose. So, we hope to be benefited from the information, generated by analysis and annotation of the sequences continuously deposited in the Sugarcane data base and to contribute for the exchanging of relevant information on the target subjects. (AU)