Banca de DEFESA: LETÍCIA GONDIM LAMBERT MOREIRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LETÍCIA GONDIM LAMBERT MOREIRA
DATE: 23/05/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: VIDEOCONFERÊNCIA
TITLE:

Conservation, Chemiodiversity, and Prospecting of Compounds in Controlled and In Vitro Cultivations of Erythroxylum pungens O. E. Shulz (Erythroxylaceae)

KEY WORDS:

Tropane alkaloids; Erythroxylum pungens; Caatinga biome; GC-MS; callogenesis; stress; virtual museum.

PAGES: 177
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Farmácia
SUMMARY:

The Caatinga is recognized as one of the richest and most biodiverse Seasonally Dry Tropical

Forests, standing out for its unique fauna and flora, which are well adapted to the peculiar

conditions of this biome. Considered the most biodiverse semi-arid region in the world, its

ecological and cultural importance in Brazil is vast, encompassing fields such as scientific

research, arts, literature, and audiovisual productions. Understanding the impacts of climate

change on the Caatinga is essential to support public policies and practices aimed at

conservation and sustainable management, providing valuable insights to address the climatic

challenges affecting the region. The preservation of this biome becomes even more urgent given

that it is one of the least studied and most degraded by anthropogenic actions. Its conservation

ensures the protection of species that have inhabited this region for centuries. Among them,

Erythroxylum pungens O.E. Schulz stands out as an endemic plant predominantly found in the

Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte. In this study, the Caatinga is used as an artistic subject

in the virtual exhibition entitled “Caatinga in Focus: Biodiversity, Science, and Preservation,”

developed on a specific interactive platform for virtual tours. Additionally, a scientific review

article was developed, focusing on the biotechnological potential of the Caatinga’s flora,

highlighting the most studied secondary metabolites and exploring their technological and

biotechnological applications in the development of new bioactive products. The research also

examined the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids over a 12-month developmental period of E.

pungens, identifying compounds already reported in the literature and novel bioactive

metabolites. In vitro callus cultivation was conducted using various culture media, with

Gamborg B5 medium enriched with NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) proving most effective

for callus and adventitious root formation. Although other media produced larger calluses,

adventitious roots did not form. Rapid oxidation impeded callus formation from leaves, as

observed in similar species of the genus. Analytical results revealed traces of tropacocaine,

along with indications of terpenoids, amino acids, and fatty acids. Findings were limited by low

biomass yield, tissue injury, and slow growth, necessitating further studies to investigate the

unique chemodiversity of the species. Lastly, the study evaluated the effects of stress-inducing

agents on the species' cultures, analyzing the composition of tropane, indole alkaloids, and other

bioactive compounds. Salicylic acid application led to the detection of N,N-dimethyltryptamine

(N,N-DMT) in the roots after two days, while multifactorial tests involving high temperatures,

water deficit, and high light exposure demonstrated a significant reduction in alkaloid

concentration and diversity. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the

biochemical mechanisms and adaptive responses of E. pungens.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - VANDERLÚCIA FONSECA DE PAULA - UESB
Externo à Instituição - EDUARDO LUIS KONRATH - UFRGS
Externo ao Programa - 1228866 - EDUARDO LUIZ VOIGT - nullExterna ao Programa - 3469628 - EMANUELLA DE ARAGÃO TAVARES - nullPresidente - 1871916 - RAQUEL BRANDT GIORDANI