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- New insights into the phytochemical profile and biological properties of Lycium intricatum Bois. (Solanaceae)Publication . Bendjedou, Houaria; Benamar, Houari; Bennaceur, Malika; Rodrigues, Maria João; Pereira, Catarina Guerreiro; Trentin, Riccardo; L, CustódioThis work aimed to boost the valorisation of Lycium intricatum Boiss. L. as a source of high added value bioproducts. For that purpose, leaves and root ethanol extracts and fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) were prepared and evaluated for radical scavenging activity (RSA) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,20 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and metal chelating potential against copper and iron ions. Extracts were also appraised for in vitro inhibition of enzymes implicated on the onset of neurological diseases (acetylcholinesterase: AChE and butyrylcholinesterase: BuChE), type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, α-glucosidase), obesity/acne (lipase), and skin hyperpigmentation/food oxidation (tyrosinase). The total content of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and hydrolysable tannins (THTC) was evaluated by colorimetric methods, while the phenolic profile was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode-array ultraviolet detector (HPLCUV-DAD). Extracts had significant RSA and FRAP, and moderate copper chelation, but no iron chelating capacity. Samples had a higher activity towards α-glucosidase and tyrosinase, especially those from roots, a low capacity to inhibit AChE, and no activity towards BuChE and lipase. The ethyl acetate fraction of roots had the highest TPC and THTC, whereas the ethyl acetate fraction of leaves had the highest flavonoid levels. Gallic, gentisic, ferulic, and trans-cinnamic acids were identified in both organs. The results suggest that L. intricatum is a promising source of bioactive compounds with food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.
- Comparative metabolomic and bioactivity profiling of wild and greenhouse–Transplanted Plantago coronopus LPublication . Trentin, Riccardo; Rodrigues, Maria João; Santos, Alexia dos; Fernandes, Eliana; Custódio, LuísaThis study investigates the influence of growing conditions on the metabolomic composition and associated bioactivities of Plantago coronopus L. Methanol extracts were prepared from freeze-dried biomass of both wild and greenhouse-transplanted plants and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effects on enzymes relevant to Alzheimer's disease (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase), type 2 diabetes (alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase), and obesity-related disorders (lipase). An untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed using mass spectral library matching and in silico annotation tools to characterise the chemical composition of the extracts. Extracts from wild specimens exhibited stronger antioxidant activity and cholinesterase inhibition, coinciding with higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and carbohydrates. These differences were associated with increased levels of bioactive metabolites, including caffeic acid derivatives, terpenoids, and lipid-like compounds, possibly linked to environmental stress responses. Despite lower bioactivity, greenhouse-grown plants still produced valuable compounds such as acteoside, echinacoside, and plantamajoside. These findings highlight the potential of P. coronopus as a source of bioactive metabolites and suggest that manipulating environmental conditions in controlled cultivation could enhance phytochemical yields.
- Bioactivity and chemical profiling of the sea-ice microalga Microglena antarctica (Chlorophyceae)Publication . Trentin, Riccardo; Moschin, Emanuela; Custódio, Luísa; Moro, IsabellaAntarctic algae have evolved in extreme environmental conditions, developing unique metabolic adaptations with significant biotechnological potential. In this study, we explored the bioactivity of the sea-ice microalga Microglena antarctica by preparing acetone and methanol extracts from biomass cultivated at 4, 8, and 16 °C. These extracts were screened for their in vitro antioxidant properties and inhibitory activities on enzymes related to Alzheimer’s disease (acetylcholinesterase: AChE, butyrylcholinesterase: BChE), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, α-glucosidase, α-amylase), obesity (lipase), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase). Our screening revealed a high capacity of acetone extracts to scavenge the ABTS•+ radical (EC50 ranging from 3.57 to 4.18 mg mL−1), along with strong copper chelating activity in both acetone and methanol extracts (EC50 values of 6.31 and 6.41 mg mL−1). Relevant inhibition towards α-amylase (IC50 values of 3.34 and 4.53 mg mL−1) and tyrosinase (with IC50 ranging from 3.82 to 5.47 mg mL−1) was reported for acetone and methanol extracts, respectively. UHPLC-HRMS-based profiling revealed the presence of lipidic molecules, such as glycolipids, phospholipids, and betaine lipids with polyunsaturated carbon chains, together with carotenoids, including canthaxanthin and adonixanthin, which are likely responsible for the observed bioactivities.