Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies

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Exploring the potential of Hermetia illucens larvae extracts: A promising approach for dermocosmetic formulations

Publication . Filipe, Márcia Santos; Cardoso, Rossana V.C.; Ayuso, Manuel; Murta, Daniel; Díaz-Lanza, Ana M.; Rosado, Catarina; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Rijo, Patrícia

Globally, the yearly disposal of 1.3 billion tonnes of food raises environmental and public health concerns. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae present a sustainable solution, converting organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass. The extracted oil from BSF larvae, rich in fatty acids (FA), offers an eco-friendly alternative for the cosmetic industry. In this study, larvae sourced from a Portuguese company were fed olive pomace, a by-product of olive oil production. The lipidic sample extracted revealed a composition high in oleic acid, valuable for cosmetics. Investigating the biological activity of lipid extractions from larvae fed with olive pomace is a novel approach. Notably, the n-hexane ultrasound-assisted extraction method demonstrated potent antioxidant properties, and some extracts displayed antimicrobial activity. Five non-cytotoxic extracts; three with no relevant activity (IC50 from 236 to >400 mu g/mL). These findings highlight BSF larvae as an environmentally friendly source of fatty acids, offering promising alternatives for diverse applications.

2024Journal article

Open access

Characterization of lipid extracts from the Hermetia illucens larvae and their bioactivities for potential use as pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients

Publication . Almeida, Cíntia; Murta, Daniel; Nunes, Rui; Baby, André Rolim; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; Rijo, Patrícia; Rosado, Catarina

There is an increasingly growing demand for the use of natural and sustainable bioactives in the field of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The biomass from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) can be viewed as an innovative source of compounds with high aggregate value and marketing potential due to the sustainable organic matter bioconversion process used as substrate for its development. This insect can be a source of lipid compounds with high added value, mainly due to its high content in fatty acids (FA) with potential applicability in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this context, in this work different extraction methods were tested (decoction, microwaves, maceration and ultrasound), using water, acetone, n-hexane as extraction solvents, to evaluate yields of the BSF larvae lipid extracts, as well as their lipid profile, and a pre- liminary safety screening was conducted. Results show that despite using different extraction techniques and solvents, similar FA composition profiles were obtained. The lauric acid content (C12: 0) is elevated in all the extracts in relation to the other FA, ranging 37%–62%. The contents in palmitic (C16: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n-9) acids, were also high in all applied extraction methods. The omega-6 FA (ω-6 PUFAs), mainly linoleic acid (C18: 2n6c), were also identified in the lipid fraction of BSF larvae biomass, with a content variation between 4.5% and 17.7%, while the omega-3 group, namely α-Linolenic acid (C18: 3n3), presented values between 0.66% and 1.95%. None of the extracts presented toxicity in preliminary tests with the Artemia salina model. Through this study, it was possible to confirm that BSF larvae oil can be obtained by sustainable methods, containing a broad mixture of FA and being highly rich in lauric acid, with a promising skin care applicability.

2022Journal article

Open access

Editorial: III Bio.Natural-bioactive natural products research meeting: pharmacology perspectives

Publication . Rijo, Patrícia; Barros, Lillian; Efferth, Thomas

This Research Topic arises from the III Bio.Natural - Bioactive Natural Products Research Meeting, held on July 13–14, 2023, a forum dedicated to exploring the vast potential of natural products. Building on the success of the first two editions in 2019 and 2021 in Lisbon, this third edition continues to emphasize the significant contributions of natural products research, particularly their pharmacological properties and therapeutic applications.

2024Other

Open access

Evaluating the quality, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of Centauri® honey from Turkey

Publication . Filipe, Márcia Santos; Kowalczyk, Tomasz; Kukula-Koch, Wirginia; Wieczfinska, Joanna; Bangay, Gabrielle; Diaz-Lanza, Ana María; Cardoso, Rossana V.C.; Mandim, Filipa; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Śliwiński, Tomasz; Sitarek, Przemysław; Ríjo, Patrícia

Honey, a natural production of honeybees, underscores Turkey’s prominence as one of the world’s largest honey producers. The country’s diverse flora fosters optimal conditions for beekeeping, resulting in the production of exceptional-quality honey. Centauri® Honey is uniquely sourced from remote alpine regions in Turkey, characterized by bees that inhabit isolated caves with access to medicinal endemic flowers year-round, promoting a unique and pristine production environment. This study evaluates the quality, physicochemical properties, nutritional parameters, and biological activities of five types of Centauri® Honey. The in vitro studies highlighted significant nitric oxide inhibition in Centauri® Cave Honey, suggesting it is a promising candidate for further research and potential therapeutic applications, especially in enhancing immune responses by reducing the inflammatory response. This study confirms that Centauri® honey not only adheres to the rigorous standards of the Codex Alimentarius but also offers substantial health benefits, advocating for continued research into its medicinal applications.

2024Journal article

Open access

Biological activity of 6,7-Dehydroxyroyleanone and derivatives obtained from Plectranthus aliciae (Codd) A.J.Paton

Publication . Filipe, Márcia Santos; Domínguez-Martín, Eva M.; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Melgar Castañeda, Bruno; Mandim, Filipa; Isca, Vera M. S.; Pereira, Raquel; Teixidó-Trujillo, Silvia; Capote, Natalia A.; Nikolić, Milan; Filipović, Nenad; Díaz-Lanza, Ana M.; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Barros, Lillian; Rijo, Patrícia

The Plectranthus genus (Lamiaceae) is known to be rich in abietane diterpenes. The bioactive 6,7-dehydroxyroyleanone (DHR, 1) was previously isolated from Plectranthus madagascariensis var. madagascariensis and var. aliciae. This study aimed to explore the occurrence of DHR, 1, in P. aliciae and the potential bioactivities of new semisynthetic derivatives from DHR, 1. Several extraction methods were evaluated, and the hydrodistillation, using a Clevenger apparatus, afforded the highest yield (77.8 mg/g of 1 in the essential oil). Three new acyl derivatives (2-4) were successfully prepared from 1 (yields of 86-95%). Compounds 1-4 showed antioxidant activity, antibacterial effects, potent cytotoxic activity against several cell lines, and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity that surpassed dexamethasone (positive control). These findings encourage further exploration of derivatives 2-4 for potential mechanisms of antitumoral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, studying both safety and efficacy.

2024Journal article

Open access