Application of ionic liquids in the chemistry of chitin and chitosan: Dissolution, use in environmental decontamination, and in the dissolution/release of water-insoluble drugs.

• Grant number: 25/05731-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Omar Abou El Seoud
• Grantee: Nicole Fontana
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/13668-4 - Innovative applications of ionic solvents in the chemistry of biopolymers, environmental chemistry, and in formulations for drugs with very low water solubility, AP.R

Abstract

This MSc project is part of the project approved by FAPESP, process 2024/13668-4, entitled "Innovative applications of ionic solvents in biopolymer chemistry, environmental chemistry, and in formulations for drugs with very low solubility in water". The current MSc project deals with the optimization of the dissolution in amino acid-based ionic liquids (ILs-AA) of the biopolymers (BPs), chitin (Qn) and chitosan (Qs); their regeneration; the derivatization of Qs, for example with trimellitic anhydride; and application of the products in the decontamination of water from metal ions. A preliminary study will be conducted on the use of Qn and Qs in the formulation of biocompatible hydrogels, which are candidates for the transport/release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with very low solubility in water, a problem that results in low bioavailability. Note: The experimental part of this request will be carried out with the participation of a FAPESP IC scholarship holder.