Wilhelmina Ivanowska Programme (NAWA)
2019-2020
Number: PPN/IWA/2018/1/00069/U/0001
Leader: Dr. Ewa Szczepańska
Executives: Dr. Ewa Szczepańska
Short description: A project carried out in the research group of Dr. Daniela Monti of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (SCITEC) and Prof. Elisabetta Brenna of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy), aimed at developing efficient enzymatic routes to obtain enantiomerically pure δ-decalactone. Biocatalytic strategies, including reactions carried out by enzymes immobilised in a packed-bed bioreactor, were used to achieve this goal.
Keywords: massoia lactone; δ-decalactone; biocatalysis; OYE; immobilisation
NCN research project, Miniatura 5
2021-2022
Number: 2021/05/X/NZ9/00315
Leader: Dr. Witold Pietrzak,
Executives: Dr. Witold Pietrzak
Short description: The aim of this research task was to investigate the effect of adding crude enzyme solutions obtained during the culture of edible strains of filamentous fungi on brewer's malt in deep culture conditions and in a solid medium on selected physicochemical properties of brewing worts induced by the hydrolysis of different fractions of malt components (starch, non-starch polysaccharides, proteins, phytin and complexes of polysaccharides with ferulic acid).
Key words: malt, brewer's malt, brewing wort, filamentous fungi, enzymes, ferulic acid, phytin
NCBR research project
2022-2025
Number: LIDER/44/0228/L-12/20/NCBR/2021
Leader: Dr. Ewa Szczepańska
Executives: Dr. Katarzyna Patejuk, Dr. Witold Pietrzak, Dr. Jakub Pannek, Dr. Kamil Sierżant, Dr. Radosław Gniłka
Brief description: The primary objective of the presented project is to develop an innovative process for the biotechnological production of vanillin identical to the natural one. Bioconversion will be carried out using the Solid State Fermentation (SSF) culture method on a lignocellulosic by-product of agri-food origin, rich in ferulic acid. An additional aim of the project is to solve the problem of managing the post-culture medium obtained after the vanillin production process. The outcome of the project is the development of an optimised process for vanillin extraction on an increased scale under laboratory conditions in a specially constructed tray bioreactor. The submitted project is part of a global trend of leading chemical companies to reduce the use of chemical synthesis products, especially as food additives.
Keywords: vanillin, flavour identical to the natural one, bioconversion, by-products, solid state fermentation
NCN research project, Miniatura 5
2021-2022
Number: 2021/05/X/NZ9/00315
Leader: Dr. Witold Pietrzak,
Executives: Dr. Witold Pietrzak
Short description: The aim of this research task was to investigate the effect of adding crude enzyme solutions obtained during the culture of edible strains of filamentous fungi on brewer's malt in submerged and solid state conditions on selected physicochemical properties of brewing worts induced by the hydrolysis of different fractions of malt components (starch, non-starch polysaccharides, proteins, phytin and complexes of polysaccharides with ferulic acid).
Key words: malt, brewer's malt, brewing wort, filamentous fungi, enzymes, ferulic acid, phytin
NCN research project, Preludium 13
2018-2021
Number: UMO-2017/25/N/NZ9/02915
Leader: Dr Paulina Strugała
Executives: Anna Urbaniak, M.Sc, Dr. Aleksandra Włoch
Short description: The primary scientific objective of the project is to obtain a solution of acylated anthocyanins from two varieties of purple potatoes and to investigate their biological properties. In addition, the team will be determining the broadly understood biological activity of the solutions concerning the determination of: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, as well as learning the pathways of interaction of anthocyanins with oncology drugs in relation to selected cancer cell lines. Cellular assays will determine the effect of anthocyanins on the cell monolayer of the CaCo2 line, which is an excellent human cell model of the intestinal brush border. For the first time, it will be possible to elucidate the potential mechanism of penetrating the acylated anthocyanins through the intestinal wall and to determine their metabolites. The next step concerns the investigation of the interactions of the obtained solution with biomolecules. Structural changes in model lipid membranes will be determined, and the mode of protective action of anthocyanins on these membranes will be described at the molecular level. Finally, the mechanism of binding of acylated anthocyanins to albumin, as the main peripheral blood protein, will be investigated.
Keywords: acylated anthocyanins, purple potato extract, activity: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, lipid membrane mimetic, membrane fluidity, synergism with drugs
NCN research project, Preludium 21, 2023-2026
Leader: Maciej Spiegel, M.Sc.
Executives: Dr. Paulina Strugała-Danak
Brief description: The aim of this project is to develop machine learning models that can support the design of new drugs with enhanced antioxidant potential on a matrix of well-recognised phytochemical compounds. The scope of the research includes analysis of the activity of: 1) direct radical scavenging and 2) inhibition of radical-generating enzymes in vivo. In parallel to the laboratory tests carried out to quantitatively assess the process, studies using computational chemistry will be performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena. The ultimate goal is to make it even more useful by transforming the models into machine learning algorithms and placing them on a publicly accessible server – as a result, other researchers will be able to directly influence their reliability by uploading their experimental results, which, when processed by the server, will adjust the moduli parameters and improve their accuracy.
Keywords: polyphenols, antioxidants, computational chemistry, QSAR, molecular dynamics, molecular docking, Python, machine learning
NCN research project Preludium 20
2022-2024
Number: 2021/41/N/NZ9/01195
Leader: Dr. Agnieszka Krawczyk-Łebek,
Executives: Dr. Agnieszka Krawczyk-Łebek
Brief description: Due to the spreading antibiotic resistance of many pathogenic bacterial strains, it is important to search for new antimicrobial compounds. Chlorine atom derivatives of flavonoid compounds are characterised by high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential. Therefore, the objectives of the ongoing project are: 1) synthesis of flavonoids with a chlorine atom attached at different positions of the flavonoid core; 2) biotransformations of the obtained flavonoid aglycones to obtain flavonoid glycosides; 3) tests of the antimicrobial activity of the obtained flavonoid derivatives; 4) evaluation of the dependence of antimicrobial activity on the structure of the flavonoid compound; 5) selection of the most active compounds for further studies on their properties, so that in the long term they can find application in pharmaceutical or cosmetic products as an alternative to commonly used antibiotics.
Keywords: chlorine atom flavonoids, biotransformations, glycosylation, entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, fungistatic activity, bacteriostatic activity
NCN research project, OPUS 16, project carried out in consortium with the leader - Poznań University of Life Sciences (UPP)
2019-2022
Number: UMO-2018/31/B/NZ9/00602
Leader: Dr. Magdalena Rudzińska, (UPP), Dr. Aleksandra Grudniewska, (UPWr)
Executives: Dr. Anna Chojnacka, prof. UPWr, Dr. Witold Gladkowski, prof. UPWr, Dr. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. UPWr, Dr. Aleksandra Włoch
Short description: The aim of the project is to develop a method to obtain lipid derivatives that are hybrids of acylglycerols with plant sterols, in order to evaluate their physicochemical and biological properties and thermoxidative stability.
Keywords: phytosterols, acylglycerols, synthesis, thermo-oxidative stability, cytotoxicity
2022-2024
Number: 2021/43/P/NZ9/02241
Leader: Dr. El Sayed Ramadan El Sayed Ali
Executives: Dr. Witold Pietrzak, Anna Dunal, M.Sc. Anita Dudek, M.Sc., Daria Mykhailova, B.Sc., Magdalena Kloc, Dr. hab. Filip Boratyński, prof. UPWr (Mentor)
Brief description: Endophytes represent an untapped pool of valuable bioactive metabolites with potential applications in agriculture, medicine and the food industry. The BioExplor project seeks to unlock the potential of these microorganisms by performing specific tasks: 1) the search for new carotenoids and other biopigments, 2) the use of agro-industrial waste for efficient production, 3) the use of nanotechnology to improve their properties, and 4) the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds. The project aims to isolate and test fungal endophytes associated with the trees of the Mokrzanski Forest for their production capacity while developing a cost-effective fermentation process. In order to reduce the cost of the overall biopigment production process, by-products and agro-industrial waste will be used as low-cost substrates, thus solving the problems of safe waste disposal and avoiding environmental pollution. Furthermore, the resulting biopigments will be used in nanotechnology to improve their properties by testing an innovative technique; coupling with biocompatible metal nanoparticles. The BioExplor project also aims to identify and unlock the untapped potential of isolated endophytic fungi as a source of novel antibacterial and antifungal agents.
Keywords: bioactive compounds; carotenoids; endophytic fungi; dyes; nanotechnology; agro-industrial waste; fermentation
NCBR research project
2022-2025
Number: LIDER/44/0228/L-12/20/NCBR/2021
Leader: Dr. Ewa Szczepańska
Executives: Dr. Katarzyna Patejuk, Dr. Witold Pietrzak, Dr. Jakub Pannek, Dr. Kamil Sierżant, Dr. Radosław Gniłka
Brief description: The primary objective of the presented project is to develop an innovative process for the biotechnological production of vanillin identical to the natural one. Bioconversion will be carried out using the Solid State Fermentation (SSF) culture method on a lignocellulosic by-product of agri-food origin, rich in ferulic acid. An additional aim of the project is to solve the problem of managing the post-culture medium obtained after the vanillin production process. The outcome of the project is the development of an optimised process for vanillin production on an increased scale under laboratory conditions in a specially constructed tray bioreactor. The submitted project is part of a global trend of leading chemical companies to reduce the use of chemical synthesis products, especially as food additives.
Keywords: vanillin, flavour identical to the natural one, bioconversion, by-products, solid state fermentation
Bekker`s program NAWA
2019-2020
Project PPN/BEK/2018/1/00181/U/00001
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Filip Boratyński, prof. uczelni
Investigators: dr hab. inż. Filip Boratyński, prof. uczelni
Summary: Project implemented in the renowned research group of prof. Elisabetta Brenna from Politecnico di Milano (Italy) concerns the use of biocatalysis in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. The goal is to find new biocatalysts to propose enzymatic alternatives to chemical oxidation of unsaturated compounds which nowadays requires expensive, toxic and danger reagents. Development of “green” chemical oxidation processes belongs to the current “hot topics” in organic chemistry. We are going to establish methods performed under mild conditions with the use of microorganisms or isolated enzymes, which provides an efficient and sustainable way for the production of various organic products from renewable raw materials.
Keywords: biotransformations, enzymatic oxidation, unsaturated compounds, oxygenase, peroxidase
The MOEL-SOEL project financed by the European funds "International Cooperation for teaching and research in the region mildest and south of Europe"
2016-2017
Number: IB-RA2014-088
Leader investigator of the task: Prof. Leif-Alexander Garbe (Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences)
Investigators: dr hab. inż. Filip Boratyński, prof. uczelni, dr Enriqueta Martinez-Rojas
Summary: The aim of the project was to build a European consortium consisting of scientific units and enterprises, and then to prepare a joint research project under the Horizon 2020 program. The subject of the proposed project met with great interest from Polish enterprises, i.e. Maspex, Dijo, Bielmar, JHJ. As a result, a number of letters of intent were signed stating willingness to cooperate. As a result, the project "Sustainable technologies for revalorisation of brewers spent grain into functional pigments for high-value industries" was submitted in the BioBased Industry program, Horizon 2020 (Call: H2020-BBI-JTI-2017).
Keywords: biorefinery, natural pigments, carotenoids, brewers spent grain, agro-food industry
2016-2017
Number: UDA-RPDS-01-02-01-02-0091/15-00
Leader investigator of task: Browar Stu Mostów
Investigators: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska
Summary: As a response to consumers requests, together with Browar Stu Mostów brewery a collaboration concerning “Elaboration and implementation of production of craft beverage with improved content of xanthohumol” was undertook - the project was financed within the Regional Operational Programme of Lower Silesian Voivodeship 2014-2020 partially financed from European Regional Development Fund (2016-2017). The most important achievement of the collaboration was development of beer production process with several-fold increased content of xanthohumol. The beneficial effects were achieved by selection of brewing feedstocks and modification of the process including among others dry-hopping process.
Keywords: beer, polyphenols, xanthohumol
2010-2014
Project POIG 01.03.01-00-158/09
Leader investigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Paweł Kafarski (PWr), prof. dr hab. Edyta Kostrzewa-Susłow
Investigator: Instytut Chemii Organicznej PAN Warszawa; Politechnika Wrocławska, Wydział Chemiczny, Zakład Chemii Bioorganicznej; Instytut Katalizy i Fizykochemii Powierzchni PAN Kraków; Politechnika Łódzka, Wydział Biotechnologii i Nauk o Żywności, Instytut Biochemii Technicznej; Politechnika Śląska, Wydział Chemiczny, Katedra Inżynierii Chemicznej i Procesowej; Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy we Wrocławiu, Katedra Chemii; Politechnika Warszawska, Wydział Chemiczny
Summary: The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Innovative Economy Operational Programme and developed by the consortium of seven institutions. The research area of the project concerned chemoenzymatic synthesis of compounds with high biological activity, in particular anticancer ones, designing functional polymers with immobilized enzymes capable to perform biotransformation in batch reactors and in continuous-flow reactors, chemoenzymatic synthesis of asymmetric phosphonates and terpenoid derivatives, biocatalytic synthesis of chiral alcohols, development of preparative-scale methods to obtain immobilized enzyme preparations suitable for continuous bioconversion processes, biotransformations conducted in continuous-flow microreactors with controlled nanostructure, synthesis and biotransformation of flavonoid and isoprenoid compounds, and employment of biocatalysis for synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and lipids of biological importance
Keywords: biocatalysis, biotransformation, chemoenzymatic synthesis, immobilized enzymes
2009-2013
Number: POIG.01.03.01-00-133/08
Leader investigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Tadeusz Trziszka
Investigators: Katedra Higieny Środowiska i Dobrostanu Zwierząt WBiHZ UPWr; Katedra Technologii Surowców Zwierzęcych i Zarządzania Jakością WBiNOŻ UPWr; Katedra Chemii WBiNOŻ UPWr (dr hab. Witold Gładkowski, prof. UPWr, dr hab. Anna Chojnacka); Katedra Chorób Wewnętrznych z Kliniką Koni, Psów i Kotów WMW UPWr; Katedra Farmakologii i Toksykologii WMW UPWr; Katedra Higieny Żywności i Ochrony Zdrowia Konsumenta WMW UPWr; Katedra i Klinika Angiologii, Nadciśnienia Tętniczego i Diabetologii UMed im. Piastów Śląskich; Katedra Psychiatrii UMed im. Piastów Śląskich
Summary: The essence of the project was comprehensive research consisting in full monitoring of egg production based on its own nutrition and environmental program for laying birds. Appropriate humine-mineral preparations and substances derived from algae were used. The tests were carried out in accordance with hygiene principles, complying with the requirements of European food law and ethics. The new generation eggs produced in this way were the starting material for the production of the highest quality, new dietary biosupplements (nutraceuticals) and biomedical preparations.
Keywords: eggs, feeding of laying hens, humic-mineral preparations, algae, phospholipids, nutraceuticals
2019-2022
Leader investigator of task: Browar Stu Mostów
Investigators: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska, Browar Profesja
Słowa kluczowe: low alcohol beer, fermentation, polyphenols
2014-2015
Number: BWU-25/2014/M3
Leader investigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska
Investigators: The research conducted within Urban Program of Support of Higher Education and Science with Economical Activity Sector Partnership “Mozart” (2014-2015). As an effect of realized project the technological conditions were elaborated for brewery spent grain (BSG) preservation in industrial conditions. BSG of stable physicochemical and microbiological features was obtained. Also, the recipes of novel creal preducts with BSG addition and technological tests of these were procured. Products with increased content of dietary fiber and protein, beneficial macro- and microelements composition as well as favorable sensory features were obtained.
Keywords: beer, brewer's grain, fermentation
Grant Agency of the Czech Academy of Sciences
2006-2010
Number: IAA400400621
Leader Investigator of task: dr hab. Teresa Kral, prof. uczelni
Investigators: Miroslav Štěpánek (Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague), Jaroslav Blahoš (Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Science, Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Prague, Czech Republic)
Summary: The project was built on five pillars connected with condensation of DNA: 1) Quantitative understanding of FCS condensation data by Monte-Carlo Simulations, 2) Comparing FCS condensation with data obtained by light scattering, 3) Establishing of FLCS as a new technique, 4) Characterizing the condensing properties of newly synthesized condensing agents, 5) Connecting those in vitro experiments to in vivo experiments.
Keywords: DNA condensation; non-viral gene therapy; transfection; fluorescence correlation spectroscopy; Monte-Carlo simulation; light scattering; time-resolved FCS; condensing agents; fluorescence microscopy
2019-2022
Number: UMO-2018/31/B/NZ9/00602
Leader investigator of task: dr hab. inż. Magdalena Rudzińska (UPP), dr inż. Aleksandra Grudniewska (UPWr)
Investigators: dr hab. Anna Chojnacka, dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. UPWr, dr hab. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. UPWr, dr Aleksandra Włoch
Summary: The objective of the project is to develop a method to obtain structured lipids being a hybrid of acylglycerols with a plant sterol, to assess their physicochemical and biological properties and thermo-oxidative stability.
Keywords: phytosterols, acylglycerols, synthesis, thermo-oxidative stability, cytotoxicity
NCN project , Miniatura 3
2019-2020
Number: 2019/03/X/NZ9/01684
Leader investigator of the task: dr inż. Marcelina Mazur
Investigators: dr inż. Marcelina Mazur
Summary: Lactones exhibit a number of important biological properties such as antifeedant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative. The antiproliferative activity of this group of compounds is often associated with the presence of a lipophilic aromatic substituent. Cyclic ketones can be used as a precursors in lactone synthesis. Chemical Baeyer-Villiger (BV) oxidation is the most often carried out using organic peracids, which are relatively expensive and not very stable. Alternatively, use of enzymes - Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases or lipases can be considered. The aim of this project is to check the possibility of using lipases to obtain δ-lactones with an aromatic substituent from their carbonyl precursors.
Keywords: lactones with an aromatic substituent, lipases, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation
NCN project, Miniatura 3
2019-2020
Number: 2019/03/X/NZ9/01240
Leader investigatior of the task: dr inż. Monika Dymarska
Investigatiors: dr inż. Monika Dymarska
Summary: The aim of the project is to determine the effect of flavonoid O-methylglucosides obtained by biotransformations and their parent aglycons on the growth of selected lactic acid bacteria as well as human pathogens. The first stage of research will be obtaining flavonoid glycosides, which are difficult or even impossible to obtain by chemical synthesis. The use of pairs: aglycon - flavonoid O-methylglucoside in biological activity tests will allow demonstrating the influence of the sugar unit on their growth-modulating activity. Strains that are less or more sensitive to flavonoids will be detected. Identification of compounds with high prebiotic activity will be an impulse for further research on the development of new pharmaceuticals of natural origin.
Keywords: flavonoids, biotransformations, entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, glycosides, lactic acid bacteria
NCN project, Preludium 13
2018-2021
Number: UMO-2017/25/N/NZ9/02915
Leader investigatior of the tusk: dr Paulina Strugała
Investigatiors: mgr Anna Urbaniak, dr Aleksandra Włoch
Summary: The principle aim of the project is to obtain a preparation of acylated anthocyanins derived from two varieties of purple potato and to investigate their biological activity. The biological activity of extracts, in a broad sense, involves antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which we want to investigate, together with the way anthocyanins interact with oncological medicines relative to selected tumor cell lines. In the process of cell tests it is expected to determine the acylated anthocyanins impact on the cells monolayer of the CaCo2 line. This line, in particular, is a perfect example of human cells model in vitro to test the impact of compounds potentially beneficial in therapy on the brush border of the intestine. As a result of these experiments, it will be possible, for the first time, to explain the mechanism of penetration of these compounds into the walls of the colon and to mark their potential metabolites. In the third stage, the interaction between anthocyanins and biomolecules will be determined. The impact of acylated anthocyanins on the structure of the model lipid membrane (which composition is similar to cancer cell membrane) will be determined and the molecular mechanism of the interaction between the model lipid membrane and the membrane lipids will be explained. In another experiment, the mechanism of connection between anthocyanis and the main blood protein – human albumin.
Keywords: acylated anthocyanins, antoxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, lipid mimetic membrane, membrane fluidity, synergism with drugs
NCN project, Miniatura 2
2018-2019
Number: 2018/02/X/NZ9/02679
Leader investigatior of the task: dr inż. Aleksandra Grudniewska
Investigatiors: dr inż. Aleksandra Grudniewska
Summary: The objective of the project is to use natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the selective extraction of xanthohumol from spent hops - one of the main brewing industry by-products
Keywords: naturalne rozpuszczalniki głęboko eutektyczne (NADES), ksantohumol, wychmieliny
NCN project
2016-2019
Project 2015/17/D/NZ9/02060
Leader investigatior of the task: dr inż. Tomasz Tronina
Investigatiors: dr inż. Tomasz Tronina, dr inż. Jarosław Popłoński, dr inż. Sandra Sordon, dr hab. Agnieszka Bartmańska, mgr inż. Ewa Kozłowska, prof. dr hab. inż. Edyta Kostrzewa-Susłow, dr hab. inż. Tomasz Janeczko, prof. UPWr, mgr inż. Mateusz Łużny, dr Magdalena Milczarek (IITD PAN Wrocław), prof. dr hab. Joanna Wietrzyk (IITD PAN Wrocław), dr inż. Małgorzata Kasperkowiak (Wielkopolskie Centrum Zaawansowanych Technologii), dr Malwina Muńko (Wielkopolskie Centrum Zaawansowanych Technologii)
Summary: The objective of the project is to use natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the selective extraction of xanthohumol from spent hops - The main goal of the project was broaden the knowledge concerning the influence of presence sugar moiety in flavonoid molecule on its bioavailability, by obtaining natural glucosylated derivatives of selected flavonoids of proven high biological activity by means of biotransformation, and to evaluate in vivo in a mouse model, whether this transformation will increase their bioavailability. The studies were conducted with collaboration of scientists from Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy Polish Academy of Sciences (IIPD PAN) and Wielkopolska Centre for Advanced Technologies in Poznań.one of the main brewing industry by-products.
Keywords: flavonoids, biotransformations, bioavailability, in vivo assays
NCN project
2013-2016
Number: 2012/05/B/NZ9/03358
Leader investigatior of the task: prof. dr hab. Czesław Wawrzeńczyk
Investigatiors: dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. UPWr, dr hab. inż. Anna Chojnacka
Summary: The aim of realized project was the elaboration of new methods for the enrichment of phospholipids in bioactive fatty acids: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from n-3 and n-6 family and Conjugated Fatty Acids (CFA). The source of phospholipids was egg yolk and the fatty acids came from natural plant and animal oils (linseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, pomegranate seed oil, cod liver oil). Incorporation of desired fatty acids was the result of direct reaction of phospholipid with corresponding oil or with concentrate of fatty acids produced previously from the oil, using natural biocatalysts - lipases.
Keywords: phospholipids, lipases, polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 and n-6, CLA, plant oils, concentrates of fatty acids, transesterification
NCN project
2012-2015
Number: 2011/03/B/NZ9/05005
Leader investigatior of the task: prof. dr hab. Teresa Olejniczak
Investigatiors: dr hab. inż. Filip Boratyński, prof. uczelni, dr Agata Janik, prof. dr hab. Krystyna Kromer
Summary: The compounds obtained in biotransformation and synthesis were tested for fungistatic activity against phytopathogens present in food products, with particular reference to those microorganisms that are capable of producing mycotoxins. In total, about 40 structures were examined, of which 15-20% are compounds that inhibit mycelium growth in concentrations equal to or smaller than IC50 100 µg/ml. The studied phthalides and their analogues, due to structural differences, allowed to assess the impact of these differences on biological activity. In many cases, each of the enantiomers and racemic mixtures of the substances obtained were separately tested and beside the impact of the structure, also the effect of the configuration of stereogenic centers on fungistatic activity were determined.
Keywords: fungistatic activity, microbial transformations, lipases, plant tissue cultures, chirality, lactones, lactams
NCN project
2011-2014
Number: N N312 422340
Leader investigatior of the task: dr hab. inż. Dorota Bonarska-Kujawa
Investigatiors: prof. dr hab. Halina Kleszczyńska, prof. dr hab. Jan Oszmiański, dr hab. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. uczelni, dr Romuald Żyłka
Summary: The research carried out as part of the project aimed to determine the changes in physical parameters of natural and model membranes caused by plant polyphenols. The research used polyphenolic extracts obtained, among others, from fruit and leaves of plants such as apple, strawberry, chokeberry, black and red currant. They include various groups of phenolic compounds that differ in their chemical structure and properties. Due to their structure, these compounds have different affinities for the biological membrane.
The obtained results of the performed tests indicate that the polyphenolic compounds contained in the extracts do not damage the biological membrane because they do not interfere deeply in its structure. The results of the experiments performed by various research methods indicate changes in the hydrophilic part of erythrocyte membranes and lipid membrane models, caused by the tested extracts and polyphenolic compounds. In addition, polyphenol extracts show high antioxidant activity, and some of them are more active than recognized standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or Trolox. The polyphenolic compounds contained in the extracts present in the solution are attached to the hydrophilic part of the membrane, thereby reducing both the concentration of free radicals in the surroundings of the membrane, as well as a barrier to those free radicals that reach the surface of the membrane, limiting their diffusion into its interior.
Keywords: fruit extracts, polyphenolic compounds, nanotechnology, biological membranes, liposomes, erythrocytes
NCN project
2011-2014
Number: N N312 279240
Leader investigatior of the task: dr hab. inż. Alicja Z. Kucharska, prof. uczelni
Investigatiors: dr hab. inż. Anna Sokół-Łętowska, prof. UPWr, prof. dr hab. Adam Figiel
Summary: In the project, microencapsulation conditions for various groups of polyphenols (anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanols-3-ols) with carriers (maltodextrin, inulin) were developed using spray and lyophilization drying on a laboratory and semi-technical scale to obtain polyphenol microcapsules with increased stability, health-beneficial properties, and bioavailability. Antioxidant (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP) and anti-inflammatory (COX 1, COX 2, LOX) activity of obtained microcapsules and their stability during simulated in vitro gastrointestinal and intestinal digestion were studied.
Keywords: microencapsulation, spray drying, purified phenolic compounds, inulin, maltodextrin, in vitro digestion, anti-inflammatory properties
NCN project
2010-2013
Number: N N 312077038
Leader investigatior of the task: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska
Summary: The effect of that project was identification of 3 mycotoxins: DON, 15-AcDON, 3-AcDON, of which the first was prevalent, in 26 malt concentrates with various share of corn grist fractions. In some of the concentrates trace amounts of NIV, FUS, NEO, T2-triol, ZON were determined and in the concentrates with the highest share of corn products HT-2 toxin was found as well.
Keywords: malts, mycotoxins, malt concentrates
NCN project
2010-2013
Number: N N 310 307339
Leader invastigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska
Summary: The main research achievement was the acquisition of malt concentrates with the share of corn grain grists and the assessment of the effect of unmalted adjuncts on the composition of worts, malt concentrates and brewhouse efficiency, as well as the identification of Trichotecenes group mycotoxins in malt concentrates by the use of the most novel methods and analytical tools (HPLC–ESI-MS/MS).
Keywords: corn, mycotoxins
NCN project
2010-2013
Project N N 313 273 438
Leader investigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Joanna Kawa-Rygielska
Summary: Within the research conducted the attempts in optimization of ethanol fermentation of lignocellulosic substrates were made. The important value of the study was a complex approach of production process at many levels including: optimization of medium composition, selection of enzymatic preparations and biological materials as well as proper fermentation system selection ensuring highly efficient bioconversion of studied residues to bioethanol. The developed technology is in the scope of world trends in biofules production from renewable feedstocks which are not competing with food or animal feed.
Keywords: 2nd generation ethanol, fermentation
NCN project
2010-2013
Number: N N312 2636 38
Leader investigator of the task: prof. dr hab. Janina Gabrielska
Investigators: prof. dr hab. Andrzej B. Hendrich, dr hab. inż. Alicja Z. Kucharska, prof. UPWr, dr hab. inż. Anna Sokół-Łętowska, prof. UPWr, dr hab. Zbigniew Sroka, prof. UM, dr Paulina Strugała, dr Aleksandra Włoch, dr Anna Dudra
Summary: In the project, natural polyphenol extracts were selected, extracted from popular and native fruits of the Rosaceae family that have high antioxidant activity in relation to biological membrane lipids. An explanation was sought for the mechanism of interaction of extracts with the model lipid liposome membrane. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of polyphenol extracts was also determined and the relationship between these properties and antioxidant capacity was demonstrated. The results of the antioxidant stability tests of the two-component dietary supplement (extract: linseed oil) after one year storage were also analyzed.
Keywords: fruit extracts, polyphenols, biological lipid membranes, anti-inflammatory activity, antibacterial activity
NCN project
2010-2013
Number: N N312 399239
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Anna Sokół-Łętowska, prof. UPWr
Investigators: dr hab. inż. Alicja Z. Kucharska, prof. UPWr, dr hab. inż. Antoni Szumny, prof. UPWr, dr hab. inż. Katarzyna Wińska, dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Nawirska-Olszańska
Summary: In the project, the chemical composition, antioxidant activity of raw materials and fruit liqueurs made from them were examined, and their stability during aging at various temperatures was assessed. In addition, directions for transformation of volatile compounds in tinctures were determined. Color stability and the direction of transformation of the antioxidant potential in tinctures and model solutions containing purified anthocyanins obtained from fruit, ethyl alcohol and sucrose during storage were determined.
Keywords: fruit liqueurs, phenolic compounds, aromatic compounds, antioxidant properties, stability, storage
NCN project
2007-2010
Number: N 312 2864 33
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Alicja Z. Kucharska, prof. UPWr
Investigators: dr hab. inż. Anna Sokół-Łętowska, prof. UPWr, prof. dr hab. Adam Figiel, dr hab. inż. Antoni Szumny, prof. UPWr, dr Narcyz Piórecki
Summary: In the project, morphological, chemical (polyphenolic, iridoids, aromatics, minerals, sugars, organic acids) and antioxidant properties of cornelian cherry of the first registered Polish cultivars were examined. Analytical techniques, such as HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR were used to identify cornelian cherry fruit compounds. For the first time, loganic acid, cornuside, xylose, tartaric and shikimic acid were identified and determined in cornelian cherry. In addition, fatty acid compositions of stones cornelian cherry oils were determined. The results of technological research provided information on the possibilities of processing cornelian cherry fruits into products (including purees, jams, juices, wines, tinctures, compotes, drought) with high sensory and health-beneficial values.
Keywords: Cornus mas, LC-MS, iridoids, anthocyanins, Cornelian cherry products, antioxidant properties
