Produção de colorantes e atividade biológica de esclerotiorina

Abstract

Lately there has been a great interest in natural dyes due to problems of toxicity and biodegradability associated with the use of synthetic colorings. Colorants from fungal metabolites are still underexplored despite having a very attractive biotechnological potential. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the production of dyes and biological activity of sclerotiorin. Then in sequence, bioprocesses in a submerged solid media were realized in order to investigate the influence of the bioprocess factors in the production of colorants. The colorants produced were subjected to isolation methods (column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography), and identification of the chemical structure (nuclear magnetic resonance). The sclerotiorin dye was purchased commercially and it was evaluated their cytotoxic and antifungal activity. In relation to the bioprocesses, factors: sucrose, peptone, bioprocess time and orbital shaking had influence in the submerged bioprocesses, while only the time factor was shown to have influence on the bioprocess in a solid medium. It was not possible to isolate and identify colorants with strain P. sclerotiorum 2AV2, however the oleic acid was obtained as a major component in a colored fraction (PS 4.2). Finally, when performed sclerotiorin in bioassays, this compound demonstrated antitumor activity against the SKMEL-19, SKMEL-28, and MESA-DX cells. In addition, it can demonstrate the antifungal activity of sclerotiorin against the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. The biotechnological potential of the pigments produced by fungi is great and motivates further research that may result in new biotechnological products.