Metabolomics, a cutting-edge methodology for micromolecular identification and chemosystematic studies in Bignoniaceae

• Grant number: 24/02602-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
• Grantee: Marcelino Santos do Rosario
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50926-0 - INCT 2014: biodiversity and natural products, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

Considering the magnitude of Brazilian biodiversity, there are still few studies on natural products biosynthesized by plant species that occur in six different biomes, a valuable collection of scientific and applied research that is still little studied and economically explored. The Bignoniaceae family, composed of approximately 800 species, is widely distributed throughout the national territory and is an example of a taxon that is still little investigated in terms of natural products, their biological functions, and their pharmacological properties. The present project aims at unprecedented chemosystematic research based on the state-of-the-art metabolomics of this family of Angiospermae, which is also the objective of this project. With the entire micromolecular composition mapped and organized in the taxon, the objective is to verify the biological and ecological properties, important data for taxonomy studies, natural products, and pharmacological properties useful for bioeconomy. To this end, metabolomics techniques based on mass spectrometry (MS) will be used in addition to bioinformatics tools to map the chemical profile of the secondary metabolites present in the different species that will be analyzed. To achieve the objectives, the study will employ the ultrasound-assisted microextraction method, aiming to investigate the compounds present in the species to be investigated. The research also aims to evaluate the pharmacological potential of plant extracts in the search for control of arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti, within the general objectives of INCT BioNat, but, in particular, research into natural products from tropical and equatorial biodiversity is of singular importance. Based on bioactive samples, research will focus on large-scale collections and subsequent studies to isolate the substances responsible for larvicidal activity. In short, the study of natural products in the taxon will bring advances to research in chemosystematics. It will contribute to the sustainable use of biodiversity, enabling the search for therapeutic alternatives against Aedes aegypti. (AU)