Secondary Metabolism and Bioactive Compounds

Recommended Prerequisites

General knowledge in botany (1st cycle)

Teaching Methods

Lectures using highly illustrated powerpoints.

Theoretico-practicals: interactive and highly participative teaching.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the student with (i) knowledge on the biogenesis and chemical structure of the bioactive secondary metabolites and their therapeutical activity; (ii) awareness on the potential of biotechnology in the commercial exploitation of these compounds; (iii) understanding on the eco-physiological role of such metabolites in the plants.

At the end of the course the student should be able:

1. To recognise and use fundamental concepts in the field of plant secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds.

2. To collect, analyse and synthetize information within this field using the specialised resources.

3. To develop critical and analytical attitude on the use of plant bioactive compounds for medicinal purposes.

4. To adequately describe information on extraction and mechanisms of action of these compounds in a working group environment.

5. To become autonomous in searching scientific literature on secondary metabolism and bioactive compounds.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Secondary plant metabolites. Structure and biogenesis: Terpenes, phenols, alkaloids and glycosides

2. Bioactive compounds

2.1. Definition, efficacy and safety. Variety of sources and uses.

2.2. Plant toxicology and therapeutical activity

2.3. Methods of extraction and analysis. Biotechnological approaches for the production of active compounds

3. Ecophysiological significance of secondary metabolites

4. Secondary metabolites and taxonomy

5. Conservation of medicinal plants. Ethnobotany

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria de Fátima Matias Sales Machado

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 30.0%
Report of a seminar or field trip: 70.0%

Bibliography

BIESALSKI et al 2009 Bioactive compounds: safety and efficacy. Nutrition 25: 1206–1211

CUNHA et al 2003 Plantas e Produtos Vegetais em Fitoterapia. FCG, Lisboa

IASON, DICKE, HARTLEY 2012 The ecology of plant secondary metabolites: from genes to global processes. Cambridge Univ. Press

GIL-CHÁVEZ et al 2013 Technologies for extraction and productionof bioactive compounds to be used as nutraceuticals and food ingredients: an overview. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science & Food Safety 12: 5-23

ØYVIND & MARKHAM (eds) 2006 Flavonoids - Chemistry, Biochemistry and Applications. CRC Press

SALES et al. 2011 Plantas aromáticas e medicinais do Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela. Guia etnobotânico. CISE, Seia

SAMUELSSON 1999 Drugs of natural origin. Textbook of Pharmacognosy. 4ed. Apotekarsocieteten

SIMÕES et al. 2003 Farmacognosia. Da planta ao medicamento. 5ed. P. Alegre, Floranópolis Ed. da UFRGS

VAUGHAN & GEISSLER 2009 The new Oxford book of food plants. 2ed. Oxford Univ. Press

INTERNET

PubMed

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