In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in plant proteins, both for their nutritional and functional values, price and acceptance by (potential) consumers. In this context, by-products of the plant-based agri-food industry represent a cheap and attractive raw material for protein extraction. The aim of the project is to develop a new, selective method to isolate proteins from sunflower pomace using deep eutectic solvents (DES). DESs are known to be alternative 'green solvents', being easy to prepare, inexpensive, non-volatile, biodegradable and exhibiting low toxicity. I expect that the implementation of this project will also identify new possibilities for the sustainable management of the by-product sunflower pomace.
Leader: Dr. Aleksandra Grudniewska
Keywords: proteins, sunflower pomace, deep eutectic solvents (DES), biorefining, green chemistry.
Research funded by the Mistrz's project (2nd edition, UPWr)
Research interests focus on obtaining chiral biologically active compounds, in particular with the lactone moiety. One of the methods based on asymmetric synthesis, involves the screening for microorganisms with high oxidative activity capable of catalyzing oxidation reactions in Submerged Fermentation (SmF). The second method is based on kinetic resolution of compounds as a result of enantioselective hydrolysis of their racemic mixtures in Solid State Fermentation (SSF). In research work he combines issues related to the biotechnological management of by-products of the agro-food industry, mainly rapeseed and linseed cakes.
Leader investinator of the task: dr hab. inż. Filip Boratyński, prof. uczelni, prof. dr hab. Teresa Olejniczak, mgr inż. Ewa Szczepańska, mgr inż. Dawid Hernik
Keywords: lactones, microbial oxidation, kinetic resolution, lipases, alcohol dehydrogenases, submerged fermentation, solid state fermentation
Production and evaluation of biological activities of lactones with aromatic rings, with the particular emphasis on the effect of configuration of stereogenic centers on their antiproliferative activity towards cancer cell lines and interactions of these compounds with biological membranes. These studies are interdisciplinary and include collaboration with Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and Department of Physics and Biophysics of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Leader investogator of the task: dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. uczelni, dr inż. Marcelina Mazur, dr hab. Aleksandra Pawlak, dr Aleksandra Włoch
Keywords: lactones, kinetic resolution, lipases, antiproliferative activity, biological membranes
Application of enzyme Lecitase Ultra to the kinetic resolution of allyl alcohols and their esters. In these studies immobilized preparations of Lecitse Ultra are produced which are tested in the kinetic resolution of alcohols in the processess of transesterification and hydrolysis of their esters.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. uczelni, dr inż. Aleksandra Leśniarek
Keywords: Lecitase Ultra, kinetic resolution, transesterification, hydrolysis, immobilization of enzymes
The objective of research is to develop a method to obtain structured lipids being a hybrid of acylglycerols with a plant sterol (s-TAG), to assess their physicochemical and biological properties and thermoxidative stability
Leader investinator of the task: dr inż. Aleksandra Grudniewska
Keywords: phytosterols, phospholipids, acylglycerols, synthesis, thermo-oxidative stability, cytotoxicity
Research funded under the 2018/31/B/NZ9/00602 grant 'Study of the physicochemical and biological properties of sterol glycerides and their products produced during thermal oxidation'.
Her main research interests concern biorefining of agro-food industry by-products. She uses deep eutectic solvents (DESs), which are cheap, non-volatile and biodegradable, and thus safe to humans and the environment. DESs are an alternative to commonly used flammable and toxic volatile organic solvents. She uses DES to isolate protein from oilseed cakes, a by-product obtained during the processing of seeds. She also develops a selective and cheap method of extracting flavonoids from spent hops using DES.
Leader investinator of the task: dr inż. Aleksandra Grudniewska
Keywords: green chemistry, deep eutectic solvents (DES), biorefining, by-products of the agro-food industry, oilseed cakes, spent hops
Research financed by the project Miniatura 2.
Isolation and enzymatic modification of acyl chains in egg-yolk phospholipids and enrichment of hen eggs and quail eggs with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) especially those from n-3 family, with particular emphasis on their incorporation into phospholipids. Research conducted in this topic includes the chemical characteristics of lipid fractions and development of new, efficient methods for isolation and purification of phospholipids from egg yolks. This subject also includes enzymatic modifications of the fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipids. The transesterification and hydrolysis activity of lipases and phospholipases was exploited to achieve phospholipids enriched with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Initially, commercially available fatty acids were used as acyl donors. The innovation in recent research was the application of natural, cheap plant oils rich in PUFA or conjugated fatty acids in form of triacylglycerols. Another research aspect is the study of the effect of feed supplementation on the fatty acid composition of lipid fractions isolated from hen and quail egg yolks, with the particular emphasis on phospholipids.
Leader investigatior of the task: dr hab. inż. Anna Chojnacka, prof. uczelni, dr hab. Witold Gładkowski, prof. uczelni
Research was carried out under the following projects:
1. Research project „Innovative technologies of production of biopreparations based on new generation eggs (OVOCURA)”, co-financed by European Union through European Regional Development Fund within the Innovative Economy Operational Programme, 2009-2013, under the leadership of Prof. Tadeusz Trziszka.
2. Research project financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Education no. R05 049 02 "Modifications of natural phospholipids for the application in food and cosmetic industry", 2007-2010, under the leadership of Prof. Czesław Wawrzeńczyk.
3. Research project financed by National Science Centre no. N N209 275035 "Chemical and biotechnological methods for recovery of peptide preparations and phospholipid fractions from eggs, designed to the prevention of civilization diseases", 2008-2011, under the leadership of Prof. Tadeusz Trziszka.
4. Research project financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Education no. N N209 137840 "The application of supercritical fluid extraction to the isolation of lipid-vitamin preparations from the quail eggs ", 2011-2013, under the leadership of Prof. Tadeusz Trziszka.
5. Research project financed by National Science Centre no. 2012/05/B/NZ9/03358 "Enrichment of phospholipids from egg yolk with biologically active unsaturated fatty acids in enzymatic reactions with the application of plant and fish oils as acyl group donors", 2013-2016, under the leadership of Prof. Czesław Wawrzeńczyk.
Research on chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis and biotransformations of biologically active compounds containing a lactone ring. Lactones exhibit a number of important biological properties, including antimicrobial, antiproliferative activity against tumor cells and antifeedant activity against stored product pests. A specially interesting are lactones with an aromatic substituent. For example, the natural occurring lactones that are characterized by high biological activity like isochaihulactone, enterolactone and styryl lactones. The purpose of research is to develop methods for obtaining new optically pure lactones with aromatic substituent, that show the above mentioned biological properties.
Leader investigatior of the task: dr inż. Marcelina Mazur
Studies on the possibility of use of microscopic fungi in the transformation of steroid molecules. The aim of the project is to obtain new metabolites of natural and synthetic steroids belonging to the anabolic-androgenic group, among others oxandrolone, nandrolone, DHEA and its endogenous derivatives. As part of the research, microorganisms that effectively catalyze transformation are sought, the derivatives are isolated, their structure is determined, and a library of these derivatives is to be collected. These compounds can be helpful in diagnostics, e.g. in doping laboratories. Studies on the biological activity of isolates within in vitro tests are also underway.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. Alina Świzdor, prof. uczelni
Investigators: mgr inż. Paulina Łyczko
Keywords: biotransformations, anabolic-androgenic steroids, metabolism
The team's work focuses on microbial transformations and chemical synthesis of flavonoid compounds (chalcones, flavanones and flavones). The aim of the research is to obtain new derivatives with high potential for their application in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Entomopathogenic strains of filamentous fungi isolated from Lower Silesia region are used as biocatalysts. Biotransformation products are extracted, purified and their structures are determined using spectroscopic methods (1H NMR and 13C NMR). The team specializes in microbial glycosylation of flavonoid compounds.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Edyta Kostrzewa-Susłow, prof. uczelni
Investigators: dr inż. Monika Dymarska, dr inż. Agnieszka Krawczyk-Łebek, mgr inż. Martyna Perz
Keywords: biotransformations, flavonoids, Isaria, Beauveria, glycosylation
Currently she conducts research on various botanical parts of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) in terms of identifying phenolic and iridoid compounds, biological properties and use in production processes.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. inż. Alicja Z. Kucharska, prof. uczelni
Investigators: mgr inż. Dominika Przybylska, dr inż. Radosław Spychaj, dr hab. inż. Izabela Fecka (Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich we Wrocławiu), prof. UM, dr hab. inż. Tomasz Sozański (Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich we Wrocławiu), dr hab. inż. Anna Sokół-Łętowska, prof. uczelni, dr Narcyz Piórecki (Arboretum i Zakład Fizjografii w Bolestraszycach, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski), dr inż. Agata Czyżowska (Politechnika Łódźka), prof. dr hab. inż. Antoni Szumny
Keywords: Cornus mas L., flowers, leaves, stones, biological properties, aromatic compounds
Cereal grain fractionation in the context of modern biorefinery. Intensification of raw material constituents utilization, the use of unusual feedstocks and wastes and diversification of production technology are the main challenges in bioethanol production. The main raw materials for first generation bioethanol in moderate climate are corn and wheat, which are plants sensitive to harsh weather and widely used in food production. Therefore, the use of other grains such as rye or barley may widen the raw material base for bioethanol plant. However, because of the high content of non-starch polysaccharides such as β-glucan and arabinoxylan the media obtained from these grains are highly viscous which makes their processing challenging to be used in very high gravity conditions. Therefore, fractionation of the constituents of rye or barley via dry method (sieving) and wet method (alkaline extraction) may result in the obtainment of fractions which allow to be processed in a simplified manner and would finally increase the ethanol production yield.
Leader investigator of the task: dr inż. Witold Pietrzak
Keywords: alkaline extraction, bioethanol, fractionation, ethanol fermentation
Cereal grain fractionation in the context of modern biorefinery. Intensification of raw material constituents utilization, the use of unusual feedstocks and wastes and diversification of production technology are the main challenges in bioethanol production. The main raw materials for first generation bioethanol in moderate climate are corn and wheat, which are plants sensitive to harsh weather and widely used in food production. Therefore, the use of other grains such as rye or barley may widen the raw material base for bioethanol plant. However, because of the high content of non-starch polysaccharides such as β-glucan and arabinoxylan the media obtained from these grains are highly viscous which makes their processing challenging to be used in very high gravity conditions. Therefore, fractionation of the constituents of rye or barley via dry method (sieving) and wet method (alkaline extraction) may result in the obtainment of fractions which allow to be processed in a simplified manner and would finally increase the ethanol production yield.
Leader investigator of the task: dr inż. Witold Pietrzak
Keywords: alkaline extraction, bioethanol, fractionation, ethanol fermentation
The effect of cytostatic platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes with tris (2-carboxyethyl)phosphine on biological membranes. The aim of the study is to examine the toxicity of platinum(II) (Pt-TCEP) and palladium (II)(Pd-TCEP) complexes for erythrocytes and to investigate the effect of these compounds on the physicochemical parameters of biological membrane and on albumin. The object of research will be erythrocyte cells, monolayer liposomes with different lipid composition and the main protein found in blood plasma – human albumin. These interdisciplinary studies are conducted in collaboration with Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
Leader investigator of the task: Dr hab. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. uczelni
Keywords: anticancer compounds, biological activity, toxicity, liposome, erythrocyte, biological membranes, phase transition, fluidity of membrane
The effect of newly synthesized structured lipids on the biophysical properties of the biological membrane. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effect of newly synthesized phospholipid modified with anisic acid (1-ANYŻ-2-PA-PC and 1-PA-2-ANYŻ-PC), showing promising antiproliferative properties, against tested cell lines on thermodynamic parameters of model systems (liposomes ) formed from major membrane lipids (DPPC, DMPC, DMPE, cholesterol). These interdisciplinary studies are conducted in collaboration with Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. uczelni
Keywords: anticancer compounds, biological activity, toxicity, liposome, erythrocyte, biological membranes, phase transition, fluidity of membrane
Research funded under the 2018/31/B/NZ9/00602 grant 'Study of the physicochemical and biological properties of sterol glycerides and their products produced during thermal oxidation'.
1) The research concerns the interactions of biologically active compounds with linear and plasmid DNA. The group of biologically active compounds includes organometallic compounds, dendrimers, liposomes, lactones and antioxidants.
2) The research concerns the interaction of lipoplexes, dendrimers, lactones, antioxidants and metal derivatives with cancer cells.
Research on topics 1) and 2) is conducted using highly advanced fluorescence techniques and methods based on confocal microscopy. The research is interdisciplinary and includes collaboration with Hanna Pruchnik Ph.D., D.Sc.,. Witold Gładkowski Ph.D., D.Sc., Paulina Strugała Ph.D. and. Aleksandra Włoch Ph.D. (Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences), Dr Nathalie Mignet (Paris, France), Prof. Barbara Klajnert-Maculewicz (University of Lodz, Poland), Prof. Martin Hof (J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the CAS, Czech Republic).
Keywords: DNA condensation, single molecule fluorescence, gene therapy, dendrimers, lipoplexes, antioxidants
Antioxidative Activity in vivo of Blue Congo Purple Potatoes Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. The aim of the project is to assess the level of oxidative stress markers (advanced glycation end-products -AGEs, advanced oxidation protein products -AOPPs and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances – MDA) in STZ-induced diabetic rats and in rats fed with purple potato extract. Histopathology study in kidney, muscles and liver was carried out. The obtained results are expected to give answer if feeding rats with purple potatoes extract impacts on inhibition of glycation, oxidation and glycoxidation processes which are closely correlated with oxidative stress. This study is a continuation of previous cooperation with the Department of Biochemistry, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Division of Histology and Embryology Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Leader investigator of the task: dr Paulina Strugała
Investigators: dr Paulina Strugała, mgr Olha Dzydzan, dr Piotr Kuropka
Keywords: purple potatoes, in vivo studies, streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, antidiabetic activity, antioxidant enzymes, markers of oxidative stress
Biological activity of new compounds of the flavonoid group and their interaction with biomolecules and the erythrocyte membrane. The aim of this study is to assess the anti-diabetic and anti-aging activity of newly synthesized compounds from the flavonoid group (chalcone, flavanone and flavone), and to determine the effects of these compounds on lipid and lipid-protein membranes and human serum albumin. The tests also include investigating the cytotoxicity of the compounds against red blood cells. The research is conducted in cooperation with the Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Leader investigator of the task: dr hab. Edyta Kostrzewa-Susłow, prof. uczelni
Investigators: dr Paulina Strugała, dr Aleksandra Włoch, dr inż. Agnieszka Krawczyk-Łebek, Karolina Szczecka, Angelika Strach
Keywords: anti-diabetic and anti-aging activity, flavonoid, membrane, cytotoxicity
Interaction of new bicyclic δ-halo-γ-lactones with biological and model membranes. The purpose of this research is to examine the cytotoxicity of three enantiomeric pairs of γ-lactones with a cyclohexane system containing an additional halogen atom (chlorine, iodine or bromine) against red blood cells and to determine their interaction with biological and model membranes. Preliminary studies on canine leukemia lines showed their high anti-tumor activity, therefore, biophysical studies of the interaction of these compounds with membranes are an important tool to better understand their activity. The results provide information about their cytotoxicity that may be extremely important when they are potentially used. Knowledge acquired during this type of research can be used to design new compounds with increased anti-cancer activity. The research is conducted in cooperation with the Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Investigators: dr Aleksandra Włoch, dr inż. Marcelina Mazur, dr hab. Hanna Pruchnik, prof. UPWr, dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. UPWr
Keywards: halolactones, biological membranes, cytotoxic activity
Selected biomarkers of oxidative stress used to assess the impact of SiO2 on endothelial cells HMEC-1. The aim of the project is to use selected biomarkers of oxidative stress to assess the impact of SiO2 on human microvascular endothelial cells. Endothelial cells induced with SiO2 nanoparticles will be tested in proper concentrations. The level of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and the level of reduced glutathione will be determined.
Leader investigator of the task: dr Katarzyna Solarska-Ściuk
Keywords: nanoparticles SiO2, HMEC-1, oxidative stress
The effect of bromolactones with a 2,5-dimethylphenyl substituent on biological membranes and their hemolytic activity. The aim of the study was to determine the hemolytic activity and effect of bromolactones with a 2,5-dimethylphenyl substituent on the biological membranes. The compounds were obtained at the Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences in a form of enantiomerically pure isomers with defined stereogenic centers. Obtained results provided information about the toxicity of the tested compounds, allowed to determine their localization in the membrane and the effect of optically active bromolactones with different structure on the physical parameters of the membrane. These results may help to explain the antitumor activity of the test compounds and design compounds with increased activity in the future.
Investigators: dr Aleksandra Włoch, dr hab. inż. Witold Gładkowski, prof. uczelni
Keywords: bromolactones, biological membranes, hemolytic activity
