Barcode and bioprospecting of metabolites from the marine algae Laurencia aldingensis, L. dendroidea e Laurenciella sp. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta).

Author(s)

Erika Mattos Stein

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2016-04-29

Examining board members

Pio Colepicolo Neto; João Henrique Ghilardi Lago; Daniela Milstein; Antonio Salatino

• Advisor: Pio Colepicolo Neto

Abstract

The nature and diversity of chemical structures with pharmacological activity that have been found in marine organisms justifies the search for new compounds that may have applications in various areas of interest. Species of red seaweeds, especially Laurencia spp., are special because of the unprecedented variety of terpenes and acetogenins they produce that are considered potentially useful for the production of new drugs. Study of their constituents can also provide important insights relating to their chemotaxonomy, chemical ecology, characterization of species and biotechnological potential. On this basis Laurencia aldingensis, L. dendroidea and Laurenciella sp., were selected for study and isolation, characterization, and biological activity assessment of isolatable quantities of their compounds. The technique of DNA barcoding was used as a diagnostic tool to ensure similarity between samples of each species collected at different times and places. From the organic extract of Laurencia aldingensis nine compounds were isolated; four sphingosines (1-4), three terpenes (5-7) and other two new halogenated compound (8, 9). From the organic extract of Laurencia dendroidea two known halogenated terpenes (10, 11) were isolated while from a similar extract of Laurenciella sp., three new halogenated aliphatic compounds (12-14) were isolated together with known fatty acid (15) and sterol (16). Among all isolates, 8 demonstrated unspecific cytotoxic activity and compounds 4 and 11 showed promising schistosomicidal activity. In applied antioxidant assays none of the isolates we noted to have activity. From the overall investigation it is also clear that the information gleaned from the studies of Laurencia aldingensis, L. dendroidea and Laurenciella sp., significantly expanded our knowledge base concerning chemical diversity in the genus Laurencia and their biological-pharmaceutical potential. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/10155-6 - Bioprospecting for metabolites and molecular systematics of red algae Laurencia aldingensis and Laurencia sp. (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae)
• Grantee: Erika Mattos Stein
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate