Publication
Development of new bioactive materials based on microbial exopolysaccharides of marine origin
| Summary: | The arising of novel bio-based products and processes is vital for the sustainable development of society. The exploitation of marine resources towards the development of new ecological products with commercial interest is a promising solution. In this thesis, marine biodiversity was explored for the development of new and improved biomaterials and/or bioactive compounds based on marine exopolysaccharides (EPS). Marine microorganisms, including both microalgae and bacteria, were prospected for their EPS production capacity. The results obtained in this study showed that marine microalgae have an enormous potential as producers of EPS with unique chemical compositions, including high contents in sulphate and unusual sugars. These characteristics are often associated with biological activities, which supports the potential of microalgal EPS to be employed as bioactive compounds. Indeed, in this work, the EPS produced by microalga Heterocapsa AC210 demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the EPS produced by bacteria isolated from unusual marine environments showed interesting compositions, including high uronic acids contents, and relevant functional properties. These biopolymers presented thickening, gel and film forming capacities, suggesting that they might be successfully used as structuring biomaterials. This work showed that it was possible to use low-cost feedstocks for the cultivation of the bacterium Alteromonas macleodii Mo169, resulting in higher productivities and distinctive EPS compositions. The EPS produced by this strain also revealed potential in the nanotechnology field, as it might be used for the ecological synthesis of gold, silver, and selenium nanoparticles with wound healing and antioxidant properties. Overall, this work supports that natural EPS bioprospected from marine microorganisms can be used for the development of bio-based products with application in high-value markets, thus, contributing to a sustainable future powered by marine biotechnology. |
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| Main Authors: | Reis, Patrícia Concórdio dos |
| Subject: | Marine bacteria Marine microalgae Exopolysaccharide (EPS) Bioactive materials Structuring biomaterials bio-nanocomposites |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | doctoral thesis |
| Access type: | open access |
| Associated institution: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Summary: | The arising of novel bio-based products and processes is vital for the sustainable development of society. The exploitation of marine resources towards the development of new ecological products with commercial interest is a promising solution. In this thesis, marine biodiversity was explored for the development of new and improved biomaterials and/or bioactive compounds based on marine exopolysaccharides (EPS). Marine microorganisms, including both microalgae and bacteria, were prospected for their EPS production capacity. The results obtained in this study showed that marine microalgae have an enormous potential as producers of EPS with unique chemical compositions, including high contents in sulphate and unusual sugars. These characteristics are often associated with biological activities, which supports the potential of microalgal EPS to be employed as bioactive compounds. Indeed, in this work, the EPS produced by microalga Heterocapsa AC210 demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the EPS produced by bacteria isolated from unusual marine environments showed interesting compositions, including high uronic acids contents, and relevant functional properties. These biopolymers presented thickening, gel and film forming capacities, suggesting that they might be successfully used as structuring biomaterials. This work showed that it was possible to use low-cost feedstocks for the cultivation of the bacterium Alteromonas macleodii Mo169, resulting in higher productivities and distinctive EPS compositions. The EPS produced by this strain also revealed potential in the nanotechnology field, as it might be used for the ecological synthesis of gold, silver, and selenium nanoparticles with wound healing and antioxidant properties. Overall, this work supports that natural EPS bioprospected from marine microorganisms can be used for the development of bio-based products with application in high-value markets, thus, contributing to a sustainable future powered by marine biotechnology. |
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