Study of the antiradical mechanism of betalains

• Grant number: 13/24964-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Erick Leite Bastos
• Grantee: Karina Kinuyo Nakashima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Betalains are natural pigments which present both high antiradical capacity and bioavailability, properties that enable its application as antioxidants in biological systems. Phenolic betalains such as betacyanins exhibit an antiradical capacity comparable to that of epicatechin gallate, the antioxidant extracted from the green tea. Nonetheless, even non-phenolic betalains seem to be efficient antiradicals, presenting capacities similar to those of vitamins E and C. This project proposes the investigation of the mechanism by which some phenolic betalains act as antiradicals. Six anilinic betalains will be prepared and will have their antiradical action investigated in order to define the relevance of electron transfer or hydrogen atom transfer (sequential and concerted pathways) in the presence of oxidizing agents. Measurements of antiradical capacity and kinetic studies will be conducted, as well as the characterization of reaction products by means of mass spectrometry. Physical-chemical parameters determined both experimentally and theoretically will help to rationalize the results. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NAKASHIMA, KARINA K.; BASTOS, ERICK L.. Rationale on the High Radical Scavenging Capacity of Betalains. ANTIOXIDANTS, v. 8, n. 7, JUL 2019. (13/24964-9, 14/22136-4, 16/21445-9, 19/06391-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

NAKASHIMA, Karina Kinuyo. Study of the mechanism of antiradical action of betalains. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.