Biochemical characterization of the macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii and its action in biological models: from field to cell

• Grant number: 23/03886-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima
• Grantee: Aline Nunes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/08742-0 - Biochemical characterization of the macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii and its action in biological models: from field to cell, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The aim of this project is to biochemically characterize (polyamines, amino acids, phenolic compounds and heavy metals) the macroalgae K. alvarezii grown in Brazil, specifically from the states of São Paulo and Santa Catarina. After characterization, the macroalgae will be processed to obtain an aqueous extract (bioinput) that will be tested in plant biological models (pennyroyal and basil) in a greenhouse with hydroponics and in the field. Seed germination, vegetative growth, chemical composition, and essential oil yield will be evaluated. The characterization and cultivation experiments of plant species will take place at São Paulo State University and at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, respectively. Likewise, cellular assays (cell viability and protective effect against oxidative stress) will be carried out at the University of Padua, Italy, in order to verify the pharmacological potential of the crude extract and k-carrageenan extracted from this macroalgae when incorporated into a magnetic nanoparticle complex. It should be noted that in addition to the institutions mentioned, the São Paulo Government Fisheries Institute and the Santa Catarina Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company are part of the project, where the algae will be obtained. As it is a network project, which already has funding for an exception, two to four scientific articles must be generated by the proponent as the main author, in addition to others that will occur in partnership with the other collaborators. In addition, dissemination of results will be carried out through bulletins, technical notes, lectures, and participation in congresses. For the development of the project, two years of postdoctoral research are foreseen.

Scientific publications

(9)

(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)

NUNES, ALINE; GELLI, VALERIA CRESS; AZEVEDO, GADIEL ZILTO; DUTRA, FELIPE DE SOUZA; SCHNEIDER, ALEX RICARDO; OLIVEIRA, EVA REGINA; MONTEIRO, GEAN CHARLES; DOS SANTOS, ALEX ALVES; MARASCHIN, MARCELO; VIANELLO, FABIO; et al. Characterization of seaweed, aqueous extract, and residue from Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivated in Brazil for potential industrial applications. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, v. 145, p. 18-pg., 2025-09-01. (23/03886-1, 24/08742-0)

OLIVEIRA, EVA REGINA; NUNES, ALINE; DUTRA, FELIPE DE SOUZA; AZEVEDO, GADIEL ZILTO; SCHNEIDER, ALEX RICARDO; DOS SANTOS, BEATRIZ ROCHA; MUNARO, DEISE; MOURA, SIDNEI; LIMA, GIUSEPPINA PACE PEREIRA; MARASCHIN, MARCELO. Marine and terrestrial biostimulant elicitors of tolerance to cold stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, v. 16, p. 21-pg., 2025-04-08. (23/03886-1)

DOMINGUES NETO, FRANCISCO JOSE; PIMENTEL, ADILSON; BORGES, CRISTINE VANZ; RODRIGUES, JOAO DOMINGOS; FIGUEIRA, RICARDO; MOURA, MARA FERNANDES; MINATEL, IGOR OTAVIO; NUNES, ALINE; LIMA, GIUSEPPINA PACE PEREIRA; TECCHIO, MARCO ANTONIO. Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Whole Grape Juices from Vitis labrusca and Brazilian Hybrid Grapes in Two Training Systems. ANTIOXIDANTS, v. 13, n. 9, p. 17-pg., 2024-09-01. (16/07510-2, 23/03886-1, 15/16440-5, 11/03440-6)

BASILIO, LETICIA SILVA PEREIRA; NUNES, ALINE; MINATEL, IGOR OTAVIO; DIAMANTE, MARLA SILVIA; DI LAZARO, CARLA BEATRIZ; FRANCISCO E SILVA, ANNA CAROLINA ABREU; VARGAS, PABLO FORLAN; VIANELLO, FABIO; MARASCHIN, MARCELO; LIMA, GIUSEPPINA PACE PEREIRA. The Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Thermally Processed Colorful Sweet Potatoes. HORTICULTURAE, v. 10, n. 1, p. 27-pg., 2024-01-01. (19/27227-1, 23/03886-1, 21/03537-1)

NUNES, ALINE; AZEVEDO, GADIEL ZILTO; DE SOUZA DUTRA, FELIPE; DOS SANTOS, BEATRIZ ROCHA; SCHNEIDER, ALEX RICARDO; OLIVEIRA, EVA REGINA; MOURA, SIDNEI; VIANELLO, FABIO; MARASCHIN, MARCELO; LIMA, GIUSEPPINA PACE PEREIRA. Uses and applications of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii: a systematic review. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY, v. 36, n. 6, p. 42-pg., 2024-07-11. (23/03886-1)

DE LIMA, LUCAS FAZARDO; NUNES, ALINE; MARTHA, GIULIA GALANI; PICCININ, ISADORA NICOLE LARA; MARASCHIN, MARCELO. Phthalates, an environmental problem: A systematic review of their impact on marine organisms. Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 219, p. 22-pg., 2025-10-01. (23/03886-1)

CRUZEIRO, J.; BELIN, M. A. F.; SORMANI, L. E.; VIEIRA, T. A.; GRANDINI, N. A.; SFORCA, M.; CAMPOS, D. H. S.; LIMA, G. P. P.; NUNES, A.; MARASCHIN, M.; et al. Effect of bergamot leaf extract (Citrus bergamia) on metabolic, lipid, and oxidative imbalance in the liver of obese rats. Food Research International, v. 216, p. 12-pg., 2025-09-01. (21/13050-2, 23/03886-1)

PEREIRA-VASQUES, MILENE STEFANI; NUNES, ALINE; MONTEIRO, GEAN CHARLES; FLEURI, LUCIANA FRANCISCO; LIMA, GIUSEPPINA PACE PEREIRA. Biogenic amine profile in unfermented and fermented orange industrial waste. Food Research International, v. 213, p. 10-pg., 2025-05-08. (23/03886-1)

NUNES, ALINE; DUTRA, FELIPE DE SOUZA; BRITO, SINARA DE NAZARE SANTANA; PEREIRA-VASQUES, MILENE STEFANI; AZEVEDO, GADIEL ZILTO; SCHNEIDER, ALEX RICARDO; OLIVEIRA, EVA REGINA; DOS SANTOS, ALEX ALVES; MARASCHIN, MARCELO; VIANELLO, FABIO; et al. Effect of Biomass Drying Protocols on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant and Enzymatic Activities of Red Macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii. METHODS AND PROTOCOLS, v. 7, n. 6, p. 18-pg., 2024-12-01. (23/03886-1)