PTDC/AGR-TEC/2125/2014: Microbial Production of Bioactive Conjugated Linolenic Acid Isomers to Obtain Functional Ingredients.
admin-cespu
Principal Investigator:
Luis Miguel Rodríguez Alcalá
Leader Institution:
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP)
Research Team:
Luís Miguel Rodríguez Alcalá; Ana C. Freitas; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes; Armando Duarte; Catarina Simões; Dina Maria Ferreira Rodrigues; Francisco Alonso; João Carvalho; José Carlos Andrade; Pimentel, L. L.; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Virgínia M. F. Gonçalves
Funding entity:
FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)
Budget:
199.507,00 euros
Period covered:
2016 - 2019
Abstract:
Conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) isomers are promising compounds due to their chemical similarities with the healthy omega 3 and Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and bioactivity at lower doses than this former compound. Moreover, some bacteria from foods transform linolenic acid (ALA) into CLnA and improved the in vivo fatty acid (FA) composition of liver, adipose tissue and brain in animals. It opens promising possibilities in the elaboration of new functional products. However, according to the existing bibliography and the experience of the research team of this proposal, some questions need to be addressed: a) The number of identified CLnA producing bacteria is too low b) Lack of knowledge about pathways involved in the microbial production of CLA/CLnA c) Are CLnA isomers only produced as FFA? d) Can microbial CLnA isomers exert positive health effects? e) Stability of High CLnA products The PRO-TECh-CLNA project aims to cover these topics to bring cutting-edge knowledge and result into social and economic benefits.
Conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) isomers are promising compounds due to their chemical similarities with the healthy omega 3 and Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and bioactivity at lower doses than this former compound. Moreover, some bacteria from foods transform linolenic acid (ALA) into CLnA and improved the in vivo fatty acid (FA) composition of liver, adipose tissue and brain in animals. It opens promising possibilities in the elaboration of new functional products. However, according to the existing bibliography and the experience of the research team of this proposal, some questions need to be addressed: a) The number of identified CLnA producing bacteria is too low b) Lack of knowledge about pathways involved in the microbial production of CLA/CLnA c) Are CLnA isomers only produced as FFA? d) Can microbial CLnA isomers exert positive health effects? e) Stability of High CLnA products The PRO-TECh-CLNA project aims to cover these topics to bring cutting-edge knowledge and result into social and economic benefits.