Health Sciences Research Centre

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Miniaturized solid phase extraction techniques applied to natural products

Publication . Rosendo, Luana M.; Brinca, Ana Teresa; Pires, Bruno; Catarro, Gonçalo; Rosado, Tiago; Guiné, Raquel P. F.; Araújo, André R. T. S.; Anjos, Ofélia; Gallardo, Eugenia

Natural products are increasingly becoming part of our daily lives through their use in industry, food, as therapeutic agents, etc. To evaluate their possible applications, it is essential to characterize them chemically to explore their potential. Different techniques may be used to characterize natural products, including microextraction techniques. These techniques have been gaining popularity due to the advantages associated with their low use of organic solvents and the small amount of sample used relative to more classical sample preparation techniques. Their application in the extraction of compounds from natural products is still scarce. This manuscript intends to review the most used solid-based miniaturized sample preparation techniques applied to determining compounds in natural products. The main applications of these methodologies will be discussed, with a particular focus on natural product analysis, as well as their advantages and disadvantages over traditionally used sample preparation techniques

2023-01Journal article

Open access

Insights into the Bioactivities and Chemical Analysis of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Publication . Caramelo, Débora; Pedro, Soraia I.; Marques, Hernâni; Simão, Ana Y.; Rosado, Tiago; Barroca, Celina; Gominho, Jorge; Anjos, Ofélia; Gallardo, Eugénia

Many species of the so-called exotic plants coexist with native species in a balanced way, but others thrive very quickly and escape human control, becoming harmful—these are called invasive alien species. In addition to overcoming geographic barriers, these species can defeat biotic and abiotic barriers, maintaining stable populations. Ailanthus altissima is no exception; it is disseminated worldwide and is considered high risk due to its easy propagation and resistance to external environmental factors. Currently, it has no particular use other than ornamental, even though it is used to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, asthma, ophthalmic diseases, and seborrhoea in Chinese medicine. Considering its rich composition in alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, doubtlessly, its use in medicine or other fields can be maximised. This review will focus on the knowledge of the chemical composition and the discovery of the biological properties of A. altissima to understand this plant better and maximise its possible use for purposes such as medicine, pharmacy, or the food industry. Methods for the extraction and detection to know the chemical composition will also be discussed in detail

2021Journal article

Open access