Effect of antioxidants on the persistence of betalains in solutions

• Grant number: 18/19101-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Erick Leite Bastos
• Grantee: Marina Pagangrizo Monteiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/22136-4 - Use of green solvents and their mixtures for optimizing chemical processes, AP.TEM

Abstract

Betalains are natural pigments found in plants and fungi. The biosynthesis of these pigments depends on the coupling between balsamic acid and an amine or amino acid, resulting in an imine or iminium salt. As a consequence, natural and unnatural betalains are attainable through semisynthesis. The major limitation for the application of these pigments is their decomposition, which occurs by hydrolysis or oxidation. Betanin, the betalain that gives color to beets, has been extensively studied because of its high added value. It is known that its decomposition is slower in solution when in the presence of ascorbic acid derivatives. This undergraduate research project proposes to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid and Trolox, a water-soluble analog of ±-tocopherol, on the decomposition kinetics of a non-natural model betalain. The results obtained will allow the rationalization of the effect of antioxidants on the persistence of betalains in aerated aqueous solution, increasing its potential of use.