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Compounds
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(Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities
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(Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities

A special issue of Compounds (ISSN 2673-6918).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 17336

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jorge F. B. Pereira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, CIEPQPF, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: Ionic liquids; bioprocessing; proteins; enzymes; stability; downstream
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cassamo U. Mussagy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Escuela de Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y de los Alimentos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile
Interests: upstream and downstream processing; bio-based products; biochemical engineering; natural pigments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The need for sustainable and renewable chemicals and materials has led to a search for alternative sources to obtain biomolecules. In fact, the world of biomolecules that can be obtained from natural and renewable sources is almost infinite, depending mostly on research creativity and scientific interests. Several molecules initially obtained through chemical synthesis are now obtained from natural sources—for instance, natural pigments, lipids, antibiotics, acids, amino acids, chemicals, proteins, biopolymers, among others. There are large natural matrices that can be exploited for obtaining a plethora of biomolecules, starting from direct extraction from plants and their residues, all the way up to the use of microbial cell factories to biosynthesize them. Nonetheless, it is important to have in mind that, independently of the target biomolecule or the starting natural raw material, it is fundamental to use sustainable, biocompatible, and efficient extraction and other downstream processing units for their recovery, maintaining the integrity, purity, and biological activity of the material.

Therefore, this Special issue aims to publish new research findings and critical scientific analyses focused on the production, recovery, and polishing of biomolecules from the most distinct natural sources, such as agriculture and food residues and plant and microbial sources, among others. All researchers are invited to share their original work or scientific interpretations within the field of biomolecules.

Dr. Jorge F. B. Pereira
Dr. Cassamo U. Mussagy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Compounds is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomolecules
  • natural extracts
  • biomasses
  • bio-based
  • extraction
  • biochemicals
  • fermentation
  • polishing

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2547 KiB  
Article
Different Chain Length Tannic Acid Preparations as Coating Agents for Zein Nanoparticles
by Sadeepa Y. Mallikarachchi, Nancy C. Rotich, Emma Gordon and Ann E. Hagerman
Compounds 2024, 4(2), 401-414; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds4020024 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
Proteins that are amphiphilic and have low water solubility can self-assemble into nanoparticles useful in food science, pharmaceutical science, or biotechnology. However, protein nanoparticles exhibit drawbacks such as low stability unless the particles are coated. In the current study, tannic acid is the [...] Read more.
Proteins that are amphiphilic and have low water solubility can self-assemble into nanoparticles useful in food science, pharmaceutical science, or biotechnology. However, protein nanoparticles exhibit drawbacks such as low stability unless the particles are coated. In the current study, tannic acid is the coating agent for nanoparticles synthesized from the protein zein. Tannic acid is a hydrolyzable tannin comprising a polyol esterified with galloyl residues. The nominal molecular formula of tannic acid (C76H52O46) suggests the material is decagalloyl glucose, obscuring its complex composition as a mixture of galloyl esters of glucose. We prepared hollow zein nanoparticles and coated them with tannic acid preparations that had short or long galloyl ester chains. The % α-helix of zein in nanoparticles is lower than in native zein but there is no effect of coating the particles with tannic acid. Interactions between the tannic acid and the zein slightly perturb the IR spectrum of the protein but there is no effect of galloyl chain length. We confirmed that tannic acid-coated particles have a more negative zeta potential, suggesting greater stability compared to uncoated particles. Coating with longer chain length tannic acid reduces particle diameter and tends to decrease polydispersity but does not change particle digestibility. Coating with shorter galloyl chain length tannic acid tends not to change particle diameter, reduces polydispersity of the particles, and stabilizes particles to enzymatic digestion. Tannic acid is a naturally occurring tunable coating for nanoparticles that can be used to adjust properties such as particle size, polydispersity, and digestibility for specific purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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16 pages, 2901 KiB  
Article
Bio-Based Tannin Foams: Comparing Their Physical and Thermal Response to Polyurethane Foams in Lightweight Sandwich Panels
by Marlon Bender Bueno Rodrigues, Ronan Côrrea, Pedro Henrique G. De Cademartori, Ana C. R. Ribeiro, Rodrigo Coldebella, Rafael A. Delucis, Nayara Lunkes and André L. Missio
Compounds 2024, 4(1), 1-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds4010001 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1556
Abstract
Rigid polyurethane foams are the better-performing material for the most common insulation purposes, like sandwich panels. Nevertheless, they are highly flammable materials, release toxic gases, and are manufactured from fossil sources. As an alternative, tannin foams are bio-based materials that work as innovative [...] Read more.
Rigid polyurethane foams are the better-performing material for the most common insulation purposes, like sandwich panels. Nevertheless, they are highly flammable materials, release toxic gases, and are manufactured from fossil sources. As an alternative, tannin foams are bio-based materials that work as innovative alternatives thanks to their great fire resistance, as well as lower smoke and harmful gases emissions. In the present study, lab-made foams of both materials were compared through morphology, thermal and fire degradation, mechanical properties, and water affinity in order to fill the technological gap between them and their related sandwich panels. It was observed that tannin foams are still relatively inhomogeneous (since formaldehyde was not used) and present a high affinity for water but have higher thermal and fire resistance. The flat compression strength of the polyurethane sandwiches was greater than that of tannin sandwiches (3.61 and 3.09 MPa, respectively) thanks, mainly, to the crosslinking degree difference between the resins. Also, tannin foams presented a lower weight loss (−70.684% lower weight loss in flammability tests than polyurethane foams) and the ability to self-extinguish the flame. Therefore, sandwich panels with tannin foam cores could be successful materials in areas that require protection against fire, such as the building engineering and automotive industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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9 pages, 2757 KiB  
Communication
Identifying the Structural Components Responsible for the Antiproliferative Properties of Hydroxychavicol
by Joshua Jackson, Gerome M. Romero, Diana Hawkins, Richard G. Cornwall and Georgi L. Lukov
Compounds 2023, 3(4), 552-560; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds3040039 - 25 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2003
Abstract
Betel leaves are widely used as herbal medicine in Asia due to their antimicrobial properties. These properties have been attributed to the phenolic compound eugenol and its derivative, hydroxychavicol. Hydroxychavicol has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The main objective of [...] Read more.
Betel leaves are widely used as herbal medicine in Asia due to their antimicrobial properties. These properties have been attributed to the phenolic compound eugenol and its derivative, hydroxychavicol. Hydroxychavicol has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The main objective of this study was to investigate which structural components of hydroxychavicol are responsible for the antiproliferative property of this compound. Jurkat-E6 cells (JE6) were treated with increasing concentrations (5, 15, and 45 µM) of hydroxychavicol and structural variants of it for 48 h. The results of this study demonstrate that the catechol structure in hydroxychavicol is the structural component that exhibits the highest antiproliferative effect. More specifically, the data show that the six-carbon ring must be aromatic with the two hydroxyl groups attached in an ortho position. Furthermore, this study establishes that the oxygen in the hydroxyl groups has a vital role in the antiproliferative properties of catechol and hydroxychavicol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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10 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Caryophyllene-Rich Essential Oils of Two Species from Southern Côte d’Ivoire: Guibourtia ehie (A. Chev.) J Léonard (Caesalpiniaceae) and Oricia suaveolens (Engl.) Verd. (Rutaceae)
by Toffé Alexis Kouao, Zana Adama Ouattara, Didjour Albert Kambiré, Bosson Antoine Kouamé, Janat Akhanovna Mamyrbékova-Békro, Pierre Tomi, Mathieu Paoli, Ange Bighelli, Yves-Alain Békro and Felix Tomi
Compounds 2023, 3(1), 73-82; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds3010006 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2438
Abstract
The essential oils of Oricia suaveolens and Guibourtia ehie from Southern Côte d’Ivoire were extracted by hydrodistillation then analyzed by gas chromatography in combination with retention indices [GC(RI)], gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance of carbone-13 (13 [...] Read more.
The essential oils of Oricia suaveolens and Guibourtia ehie from Southern Côte d’Ivoire were extracted by hydrodistillation then analyzed by gas chromatography in combination with retention indices [GC(RI)], gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance of carbone-13 (13C NMR) And described here for the first time. A total of 42 compounds were identified in the essential oils of the leaves of G. ehie while 55, 40 and 23 components were identified in the leaves, stem bark and root bark oils of O. suaveolens, respectively. Essential oils samples were dominated by sesquiterpenes and (E)-β-caryophyllene was the major compound common to all samples: G. ehie leaf oil contained (E)-β-caryophyllene (26.9–40.8%), α-humulene (syn. α-caryophyllene) (6.7–9.7%), β-elemene (5.5–9.5%) and germacrene D (5.6–8.1%); O. suaveolens, leaf oil contained (E)-β-caryophyllene (33.5–39.3%), (E)-β-farnesene (5.9–9,3%), caryophyllene oxide (2.1–7.7%) and α-humulene (4.0–4.6%); stem bark oil contained α-humulene (38.3–45.8%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (34.7–41.6%); root bark oil contained α-humulene (36.1–47.9%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (34.3–43.3%). This study highlighted the abundant presence of (E)-β-caryophyllene, a phytocannabinoïd sesquiterpene with countless biological properties, in two plant species: Guibourtia ehie and Oricia suaveolens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
16 pages, 2815 KiB  
Article
Compound Characterization of a Mucuna Seed Extract: L-Dopa, Arginine, Stizolamine, and Some Fructooligosaccharides
by Ana Lilia Hernández-Orihuela, Karla Viridiana Castro-Cerritos, Mercedes Guadalupe López and Agustino Martínez-Antonio
Compounds 2023, 3(1), 1-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds3010001 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3806
Abstract
Human societies demand sustainable alternatives for goods and services. Plants are sustainable sources of important metabolites with beneficial impacts on human health. There are many reported methodologies and commercial suppliers for extract preparations from Mucuna sp. They usually claim the plant is enriched [...] Read more.
Human societies demand sustainable alternatives for goods and services. Plants are sustainable sources of important metabolites with beneficial impacts on human health. There are many reported methodologies and commercial suppliers for extract preparations from Mucuna sp. They usually claim the plant is enriched with L-dopa, its distinctive metabolite. However, many present poor characterizations of the extract’s components. Here, we present polar metabolites characterization of a Mucuna seed extract, emphasizing L-dopa identification and quantification. To obtain the extracts, we follow a green and sustainable extraction protocol. The lyophilized extract is subjected to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify its primary metabolites. Additionally, we follow thin-layer chromatography to identify carbohydrates in the sample. The resultant extract has 56% L-dopa. Other main components in the extract are arginine, stizolamine, and the fructooligosaccharides sucrose and nystose. The characterized Mucuna extract can be easily standardized using powder preparation and used in several biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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Review

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24 pages, 7062 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Reaction of Aziridine
by Partha Sarathi Bera, Yafia Kousin Mirza, Tarunika Sachdeva and Milan Bera
Compounds 2024, 4(4), 626-649; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds4040038 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 922
Abstract
The smallest strained, saturated N-heterocycles, such as aziridine, can be a valuable building block in synthetic organic chemistry. Ring-opening reactions with various nucleophiles could be the most important strategy to synthesize various value-added molecular entities. Therefore, regioselective ring-opening reactions of aziridines with various [...] Read more.
The smallest strained, saturated N-heterocycles, such as aziridine, can be a valuable building block in synthetic organic chemistry. Ring-opening reactions with various nucleophiles could be the most important strategy to synthesize various value-added molecular entities. Therefore, regioselective ring-opening reactions of aziridines with various heteroatomic nucleophiles and carbon nucleophiles establish a useful synthetic methodology to synthesize biologically relevant β-functionalized alkylamines. The regio-selective ring-opening of aziridines is highly dependent on the substrate combination, and stereochemical control is challenging for Lewis acid-promoted reactions. Therefore, the development of a robust, catalytic ring-opening process that assists in the accurate prediction of regioselectivity and stereochemistry is highly desirable. Consequently, a large number of publications detailing distinct methods for aziridine ring-opening reactions can be found in the literature. In this review, we discuss several transition metal catalyzed cross-coupling reaction protocols for the ring opening of substituted aziridines with various carbon nucleophiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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24 pages, 1728 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress on Natural Rubber-Based Materials Containing Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: State of the Art and Biomedical Applications
by Nayrim B. Guerra, Jordana Bortoluz, Andressa R. Bystronski, Ana Elisa D. Maddalozzo, Danielle Restelatto, Mariana Roesch-Ely, Declan M. Devine, Marcelo Giovanela and Janaina S. Crespo
Compounds 2023, 3(2), 310-333; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds3020023 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4080
Abstract
Diseases caused by infections are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used become less effective. A combination of strategies to develop active biomaterials that enhance antibacterial effects are desirable, especially ones that cause fewer side effects and promote healing properties. The combination [...] Read more.
Diseases caused by infections are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used become less effective. A combination of strategies to develop active biomaterials that enhance antibacterial effects are desirable, especially ones that cause fewer side effects and promote healing properties. The combination of nanotechnology with substances that have intrinsic antibacterial activity can result in the advance of innovative biomedical materials. In this sense, the goal of this work is to provide a summary of natural rubber latex materials obtained from the Hevea brasiliensis tree loaded with metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have unique size-dependent chemical and physical characteristic that make them appropriate for use in pharmaceutical and medical devices, while natural rubber latex is a natural and biocompatible polymer with an intrinsic antibacterial effect. Moreover, we outline here the origin, extraction methods, and composition of natural rubber latex and different techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. Finally, we summarize, for the first time, the state of the art in obtaining natural rubber-based materials with metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)molecules from Natural Extracts: An Infinite World of Opportunities)
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