Isolation and structural characterization of fucoidans from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus

agricultural, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or bioenergy applications. They contain bioactive compounds, namely, polysaccharides Fucoidan. These polysaccharides are mainly constituted by fucose residues and sulfate esters, and have been reported to possess a broad variety of bioactivities, such as anticoagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral and antioxidant. In this work, the fucoidans from brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus from “Ria de Aveiro” were isolated and characterized in order to add value to this natural resource of the region. The polysaccharides from the algae were extracted with hot water and fractioned by ethanol precipitation and calcium chloride salts. They were further purified by using anion-exchange chromatography, allowing to separate the neutral polysaccharides (laminaranas) from those negatively charged (sulfated fucoidans and alginate). The purified polysaccharides showed high content of fucose (41 mol%) and sulfates (50 mol%), having also galactose residues (6 mol%), which confirm the presence of only sulfated fucoidans. Glycosidic linkages analysis show the presence of high amounts of terminal fucose (25%) and (1→3,4)-Fuc (26%), allowing to infer that the fucoidans were highly branched. These fucoidans are composed also by (1→2)-Fuc (14%) and (1→3)-Fuc linkages (10-16%). In this work it was also tested an alternative extraction technology, the microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity system, where it was possible to extract sugars, although in low yields. However, this methodology allowed to extract polysaccharides, constituted mainly by fucose and uronic acids, as well as mannitol, without the need to add any solvent, obtaining at the end the dry alga. The current work allowed to characterize the structure of the fucoidans isolated from “Ria de Aveiro” F. vesiculosus. The presence of high content of sulfate residues and the high branch degree of the purified fucoidans allow to infer that these polysaccharides could have potential to be studied for biomedical applications, according to their biological activities.

Chemical characterization and evaluation of biological activity of Cynara cardunculus extractable compounds

The Mediterranean species Cynara cardunculus L. is recognized in the traditional medicine, for their hepatoprotective and choleretic effects. Biomass of C. cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC), or cultivated cardoon, may be explored not only for the production of energy and pulp fibers, but also for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The chemical characterization of extractable components, namely terpenic and phenolic compounds, may valorize the cultivated cardoon plantation, due to their antioxidant, antitumoral and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the chemical composition of lipophilic and phenolic fractions of C. cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC), cultivated in the south of Portugal (Baixo Alentejo region) was characterized in detail, intending the integral valorization of its biomass. The biological activity of cultivated cardoon extracts was evaluated in terms of antioxidant, human tumor cell antiproliferative and antibacterial effects. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the chemical analysis of lipophilic compounds. Sixty-five lipophilic compounds were identified, from which 1 sesquiterpene lactone and 4 pentacyclic triterpenes were described, for the first time, as cultivated cardoon components, such as: deacylcynaropicrin, acetates of β- and α-amyrin, lupenyl acetate and ψ-taraxasteryl acetate. Sesquiterpene lactones were the major family of lipophilic components of leaves (≈94.5 g/kg), mostly represented by cynaropicrin (≈87.4 g/kg). Pentacyclic triterpenes were also detected, in considerably high contents, in the remaining parts of cultivated cardoon, especially in the florets (≈27.5 g/kg). Taraxasteryl acetate was the main pentacyclic triterpene (≈8.9 g/kg in florets). High pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was utilized for the chemical analysis of phenolic compounds. Among the identified 28 phenolic compounds, eriodictyol hexoside was reported for the first time as C. cardunculus L. component, and 6 as cultivated cardoon components, namely 1,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, naringenin 7-O-glucoside, naringenin rutinoside, naringenin, luteolin acetylhexoside and apigenin acetylhexoside. The highest content of the identified phenolic compounds was observed in the florets (≈12.6 g/kg). Stalks outer part contained the highest hydroxycinnamic acids abundance (≈10.3 g/kg), and florets presented the highest flavonoids content (≈10.3 g/kg). The antioxidant activity of phenolic fraction was examined through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Stalks outer part, and receptacles and bracts extracts demonstrated the highest antioxidant effect on DPPH (IC50 of 34.35 μg/mL and 35.25 μg/mL, respectively). (cont.) abstract (cont.) The DPPH scavenging effect was linearly correlated with the total contents of hydroxycinnamic acids (r = -0.990). The in vitro antiproliferative activity of cultivated cardoon lipophilic and phenolic extracts was evaluated on a human tumor cells line of triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), one of the most refractory human cancers to conventional therapeutics. After 48 h of exposition, leaves lipophilic extract showed higher inhibitory effect (IC50 = 10.39 μg/mL) than florets lipophilic extract (IC50 = 315.22 μg/mL), upon MDA-MB-231 cellular viability. Pure compound of cynaropicrin, representative of the main compound identified in leaves lipophilic extract, also prevented the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 17.86 μM). MDA-MB-231 cells were much more resistant to the 48 h- treatment with phenolic extracts of stalks outer part (IC50 = 3341.20 μg/mL) and florets (IC50 > 4500 μg/mL), and also with the pure compound of 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (IC50 = 1741.69 μM). MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed, for 48 h, to the respective IC50 concentrations of leaves lipophilic extract and pure compound of cynaropicrin, in order to understand their ability in modelling cellular responses, and consequently important potentially signaling pathways for the cellular viability decrease. Leaves lipophilic extract increased the caspase-3 enzymatic activity, contrarily to pure compound of cynaropicrin. Additionally, leaves lipophilic extract and pure compound of cynaropicrin caused G2 cell cycle arrest, possibly by upregulating the p21Waf1/Cip1 and the accumulation of phospho-Tyr15-CDK1 and cyclin B1. The inhibitory effects of leaves lipophilic extract and cynaropicrin pure compound, against the MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, may also be related to the downregulation of phospho-Ser473-Akt. The antibacterial activity of cultivated cardoon lipophilic and phenolic extracts was assessed, for the first time, on two multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and the Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), two of the main bacteria responsible for health care-associated infections. Accordingly, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined. Lipophilic and phenolic extracts of florets did not have antibacterial activity on P. aeruginosa PAO1 and MRSA (MIC > 2048 μg/mL). Leaves lipophilic extract did not prevent the P. aeruginosa PAO1 growth, but pure compound of cynaropicrin was slightly active (MIC = 2048 μg/mL). Leaves lipophilic extract and pure compound of cynaropicrin blocked MRSA growth (MIC of 1024 and 256 μg/mL, respectively). The scientific knowledge revealed in this thesis, either by the chemical viewpoint, or by the biological viewpoint, contributes for the valorization of C. cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC) biomass. Cultivated cardoon has potential to be exploited as source of bioactive compounds, in conciliation with other valorization pathways, and Portuguese traditional cheeses manufacturing.

Crescimento micelial de Ganoderma lucidum em diferentes substratos e relação com concentração de β-Glucanas, atividade antioxidante e efeitos sobre o desempenho de coelhos

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom traditionally consumed in Asian countries that presents several beneficial effects already verified. Despite all studies about their bioactive compounds, the best cultivation media enrichment aiming to increase the production of these compounds is still uncertain. Besides, few studies are related to the performance of production animals. In order to test different cultivation media for G. lucidum mycelia, agricultural residues (solid state fermentation) and different sugars and aminoacids (in culture media with agar), were tested to evaluate G. lucidum mycelium growth. Supply of flour with G. lucidum mycelia obtained by solid state fermentation (wheat grain) for rabbits was also evaluated. Mycelium of G. lucidum developed very well in all agricultural residues, soybean hulls was the residue that presented higher growth rate and higher concentration of β-glucans. In the cultivation media experiment, G. lucidum also developed well, media that contained cellobiose and tyrosine, despite presenting lower growth rates and total growth within 10 days, produced mycelia with higher concentration of β-glucans and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), respectively. Rabbits did not show any sign of intolerance to feed with different concentrations of flour with G. lucidum mycelium. All performance parameters and dressing percentages were adequate to the age at which they were slaughtered. Histological evaluation of organs presented alterations in renal cells (tubular and glomerulus), indicating a possible renal lesion according to the increase of flour with mycelium in feed. Histomorphometric evaluation showed increased vilous height in ileum and decreased vilous width of jejunus at 0.5% concentration, and decrease in crypt diameter according to the increase of concentration of flour with mycelium in feed. These results indicate the possibility of more studies regarding the aspects about cellobiose and tyrosine utilization for the production of bioactive compounds, and about toxicity of this mushroom mycelia, assuring the safety in supplying this product for animails.

Araça amarelo: atividade antioxidante, composição nutricional e aplicação em barra de cereais

Brazil has a great diversity of native fruits, which are not always widely consumed, being sold only in certain regions, due to their difficulty of post-harvest conservation. One such fruit is yellow guava, interesting source of nutrients. To promote the consumption and use of this fruit to the consumer public in different regions of the country, this study evaluated the incorporation of yellow Ya-cy araçá in formulating a cereal bar. Therefore, fruits were evaluated for their chemical, physical and chemical characteristics and bioactive compounds in different stages of maturation yellow guava (green, mature and dried forms). The behavior of guava yellow front of to UV-C radiation was also evaluated. After these reviews, there was obtained yellow ripe guava flour after previous tests, was added to the base formulation cereal bar. For the experimental planning and development of the formulations was used factorial design 22 with a central point. The developed formulations were subjected to sensory evaluation using for treatment of multivariate data analysis (Principal Component Analysis- ACP). The preferred formulation in sensory evaluation was evaluated in their physical characteristics (texture), physical-chemical (moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and calorie), mineral content and fatty acid profile. The results indicated that the added yellow guava cereal bar developed in this study is one way to application and use of guava, increasing the consumption of fruit to different regions of the country, and can be considered a functional product, not only to contain the fruit in its composition, but also to present many beneficial nutrients that contribute to the health of consumers.

Melhoria da qualidade de jerked beef pela substituição de nitrito de sódio por extratos naturais de própolis e erva mate como agente antioxidante

Jerked beef, an industrial meat product obtained from beef with the addition of sodium chloride and curing salts and subjected to a maturing and drying process is a typical Brazilian product which has been gradually discovered by the consumer. The replacement of synthetic antioxidants by natural substances with antioxidant potential due to possible side effects discovered by lab tests, consumer health, is being implemented by the meat industry. This study aimed to evaluate the lipid oxidation of jerked beef throughout the storage period by replacing the sodium nitrite by natural extracts of propolis and Yerba Mate. For jerked beef processing brisket was used as raw material processed in 6 different formulations: formulation 1 (control - in nature), formulation 2 (sodium nitrite - NO), formulation 3 (Yerba Mate - EM), formulation 4 (propolis extract - PRO), formulation 5 (sodium nitrite + Yerba Mate - MS + NO), formulation 6 (propolis extract + sodium nitrite - PRO + NO). The raw material was subjected to wet salting, dry salting (tombos), drying at 25°C, packaging and storage in BOD 25°C. Samples of each formulation were taken every 7 days for analysis of lipid oxidation by the TBARS method. In all formulations, were carried out analysis of chemical composition at time zero and sixty days of storage. The water activity analysis and color (L *, a *, b *) was monitored at time zero, thirty and sixty days of storage. The Salmonella spp count, Coliform bacteria, Termotolerant coliforms and coagulase positive staphylococci were taken at time zero and sixty days. The activity of natural antioxidants evaluated shows the decline of lipid oxidation up to 2.5 times compared with the product in natura and presented values with no significant differences between treatments NO and EM, confirming the potential in minimize lipid oxidation of Jerked beef throughout the 60 days of storage. The results also showed that yerba mate has a higher antioxidant capacity compared to the propolis except the PRO + NO formulation. When associated with yerba mate with sodium nitrate, TBARS values become close to values obtained only for the control samples with the addition of sodium nitrite. The proximal composition of the formulations remained within the standards required in the IN nº22/2000 for jerked beef. Samples that differ significantly at 5% are directly related to the established type of formulation. The count of microorganisms was within the standards of the DRC nº12/2001 required for matured meat products. The intensity of the red (a*) decreased with storage time and increase the intensity of yellow (b*) indicates a darkening of the product despite L* also have been increased. These results suggest that yerba mate is a good alternative to meat industry in reducing healing addition salts when associated with another antioxidant.

Efeito da adição de óleo essencial de Origanum vulgar e Ocimum gratissimum L. no perfil lipídico da gordura de palma usada em fritura de batata tipo chips

The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant effect of essential oregano and alfavaca oil on the fatty acid profile of palm oil, used in industrial potato chips processing, aiming to reduce the oxidative state of palm oil. Essential oregano oil was obtained from industrial residues and commercial essential oregano oil was also acquired. The antioxidant activity of Oregano’s essential oil was taken by DPPH method. The DPPH analysis of the essential oil of oregano residue resulted in an IC50 of 797.04 mg.mL-1 and the essential oil of commercial oregano was 424.25 mg.mL-1. Regarding the content of total phenols, the essential oil of commercial oregano showed 0.167 ± 0.058 ug EAG.g-1. Based on these results, concentrations of 50, 100 e 150ug.g-1 of commercial oregano essential oil was added to palm oil and the fatty acid profile was determined by gas cromatography. Analysis were done with palm oil without being used in frying processes and without added essential oil, as well as with the different essential oil concentrations submitted at three frying processes at one single day. In the second part of the project, the effect of oreganos’s comercial essential oil compared to alfavacão essential oil, at the concentration of 100ug.g-1 in palm oil, and submitted to three frying processes during eleven cycles, was studied. The lipid profile was similar to that described in the literature, which an increase in the number of frying times caused a polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease and, therefore, a proportional increase in saturated fatty acids. It was noted an increase in the amounts of total saturated fatty acids from 43.36% (control) to 43.60% (palm oil with essential oil after 11 frying cycles at the concentration of 100ug.g-1). This fact proves that during the frying process, there is an increase in the rate of formation of saturated fatty acids. However, the addition of oregano essential oil did not provide significant change in the fatty acids of palm oil used in frying process of potato chips. The addition of oregano essential oil in a concentration of 100 ug./mL-1 until the third frying cycle showed a reduction effect of trans fatty acid formation. Although, during 11 frying cycles it was not noticed the essential oil effect under trans fatty acid formation. It can be suggested that this factor may be correlated to the frying time, which may not have been sufficient for significant formation of saturated and trans compounds.

Caracterización analítica y antioxidante de uvas Pedro Ximénez y Tempranillo durante su pasificación. Potencial enológico de la variedad Tempranillo pasificada

En esta Tesis Doctoral se estudian la pasificación de las uvas Pedro Ximénez y Tempranillo, y la obtención de vinos dulces de uvas Tempranillo pasificadas. Durante la pasificación aumentan los azúcares, el pH, la acidez titulable y la acidez volátil. Los compuestos con aroma herbáceo disminuyen y los de aroma a fruta madura aumentan. En Tempranillo también aumentan los aromas especiados y a hierba seca. La nariz electrónica se revela como herramienta de análisis rápida y sencilla para decidir el punto óptimo de pasificación en función de la composición volátil. Parece existir un óptimo de pasificación sobre el 25% de deshidratación. La composición fenólica y la actividad antioxidante de mostos aumentan con la pasificación, mientras que disminuyen en los hollejos. Los valores de ambas variables son superiores en Tempranillo. En Pedro Ximénez la fracción más influyente varía durante la pasificación, siendo al final de la misma la correspondiente a las procianidinas poliméricas. En Tempranillo son los antocianos los que más contribuyen a la actividad antioxidante. Los ensayos in vitro con Pedro Ximénez demuestran que tanto los mostos como sus extractos fenólicos protegen al ADN, a lípidos, azúcares y proteínas de la oxidación provocada por distintos radicales libres. Los ensayos in vivo manifiestan que la incubación de las levadura con los mostos de uvas Pedro Ximénez y Tempranillo pasificadas, les confiere un claro efecto protector frente al estrés oxidativo. Efecto que aumenta con el grado de pasificación. Los hollejos de la variedad Tempranillo se han mostrado más efectivos que los mostos en esta protección. El contenido en compuestos volátiles es mayor en los vinos dulces de uvas Tempranillo pasificadas obtenidos por fermentación parcial que en los elaborados por el método tradicional, siendo también los mejor valorados organolépticamente.

Seleção de jabuticabeiras juvenis considerando o vigor, o potencial antioxidante e a tolerância a geadas

The jabuticaba tree has great potential for commercial exploitation. However, its is very little used. This fact shows to be necessary to do studies that allow understand their growth behavior during the year and, if it is tolerant to frost. So that it can establish management strategies for cultivation in orchard. Other point, it is the fact that the long juvenile period of jabuticaba tree limits its use. However, many species have compound leaves that characterize them as functional compounds, what to posible its commercialization. If the leaf jabuticaba tree also present such nutraceutical compounds, this it may become an alternative source of income until the plant to start its yield. The objectives of this study were to analyze the growth behavior, the occurrence of flowering and fruit set, and the frost tolerance of jabuticaba tree genotypes present in the collection of Native Fruit from UTFPR – Câmpus Dois Vizinhos. Associated growth analysis was made evaluation of genetic divergence among these genotypes, checking the adaptive behavior in orchard condition through adaptability and stability analysis based on growth measures to stem and shoots; estimating the repeatability coefficient of stem length of characters and primary shoots, and determine the minimum number of evaluations able to provide certain levels of prediction of the actual value of these individuals. Also determined the genetic divergence among genotypes as the leaves of antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods, as well as the determination of total phenolics. The genotypes studied were put in orchard in 2009. The growth response in the three cycles was variable between months and genotypes, what it can be difficult the practices in the orchard if it do not use clones. Genotypes 'Silvestre' and 'Açú' showed greater width and leaf area compared with other genotypes, but such behavior is not favored for increased stem growth and primary shoots. Foliar increments in most genotypes occurred in the fall for leaf width, spring for length and leaf area, despite the winter also arise with genotypes, it showed superiority to width and leaf area. Most jabuticabas trees were juvenile stage with only four starting at its transition between the vegetative and reproductive phase. Tolerance to frost was observed in 26 families jabuticabeira of the 29 present in the collection. The diversity among the genotypes was to change with the time, already in each cycle, there was the formation of different groups by the methods used. The methods tested for adaptability and stability of the jabuticaba tree growth behavior did not show the same pattern in the results. The number of measurements needed to predict the actual value of genotypes based on variables evaluated was approximately one to the stem length and four for the shoots based on the method of main components of covariance with 90% probability. he antioxidant activity of the extracts of leaves of jabuticaba tree genotypes were demonstrated high when compared to other species by methods DPPH and ABTS, as well as the amount of phenolic compounds. Genotype 'Silvestre' and 'IAPAR' showed the highest antioxidant activity in the leaves. However, the genetic divergence among genotypes jabuticaba tree from collection of Native Fruit trees at UTFPR - Câmpus Dois Vizinhos for antioxidant activity leaves showed that they have great homogeneity among them and the low divergence. However, it is recommended as possible hybridization the use as parents, José 4, IAPAR 4 and Fernando Xavier genotypes.

Hidrolisados protéicos de anchoita (engraulis anchoita): obtenção, atividade antioxidante e aplicação em embutido emulsionado

Uma alternativa para pescados subaproveitados e subprodutos da industrialização de pescado é o desenvolvimento de processos para recuperação e/ou alteração das proteínas musculares de pescados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a obtenção de hidrolisados protéicos de carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) de anchoita (Engraulis anchoita) e a avaliação da sua atividade antioxidante, aplicando-os bem embutido preparado com o surimi de anchoita. Foram produzidos diferentes hidrolisados com as enzimas microbianas Alcalase, Flavourzyme e Protamex, fixando a concentração de substrato e de enzima e os parâmetros pH e temperatura foram variados. Os hidrolisados foram efetivos contra a inibição da peroxidação lipídica (43,8±0,2%) e no poder redutor, onde o hidrolisado com a enzima Flavourzyme em 1 hora de reação mostrou-se mais efetivo. No seqüestro de radicais livres, como o DPPH, o hidrolisado com a enzima Flavourzyme, obtido em tempo de hidrólise de 5 horas, alcançou valores acima de 45,0% em concentração de 5 mg/mL. Na produção de surimi foram testadas lavagens da CMS de anchoita com soluções de bicarbonato de sódio 0,5%, ácido fosfórico 0,05% e cloreto de sódio 0,3%. O maior rendimento (90,5%) e uma coloração mais clara (W= 50,24±1,81) foram encontrados no surimi obtido por lavagens com bicarbonato de sódio e cloreto de sódio (BS), em comparação ao surimi que se utilizou água, ácido fosfórico e cloreto de sódio (AF) ou com soluções de cloreto de sódio, ácido fosfórico e bicarbonato de sódio (AB). Na força de gel o surimi AF (1154,25 ± 4,37 g.mm) obteve maior valor, sendo utilizado para a produção de salsichas. Foram analisadas diferentes concentrações de surimi (70, 75 e 80%) em salsichas, que foram submetidas às análises de cor e textura. Não houve influência da concentração de surimi nas características tecnológicas da salsicha, exceto nos valores de luminosidade. A salsicha com 75% de surimi de anchoita foi caracterizada pela composição proximal, valor energético total (VET) e conteúdo de sódio. A salsicha com surimi e comercial apresentou composição semelhante. O produto com surimi apresentou menor VET (193,7Kcal/100g) e conteúdo de sódio (520 mg/100g) que a salsicha comercial. Nas condições de estudo, no embutido emulsionado, não foi verificada ação antioxidante de hidrolisados, porém houve efeito sobre a CMS de anchoita.

Obtenção de biopeptídeos com atividade antioxidante a partir de proteínas de origem animal

Pele, ossos, espinhas, entre outros, separados durante o processamento de produtos cárneos podem ser uma boa fonte de proteína, especialmente de colágeno. Para obtenção de colágeno nativo a partir de ossos é necessário um tratamento prévio de desproteinização e desmineralização. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os melhores parâmetros para a desmineralização de ossos de pescado e frango utilizando soluções de HCl e EDTA um complexante de íons metálicos. O melhor efeito da desmineralização foi obtido com solução de HCl 1,0 mol/L. Após 48 h de extração, 99,4 e 95,4% das substâncias minerais foram solubilizadas para os ossos de pescado e para ossos de frango, respectivamente. Paralelamente, a menor perda de colágeno também foi observada nessas condições. O processo realizado empregando soluções de EDTA foi menos eficaz do que com solução de HCl. Após 48 h de extração com EDTA 0,1 mol/L, 37,5 e 32,4% dos compostos minerais foram removidos dos ossos de pescado e dos ossos de frango, respectivamente. Uma maior eficiência foi alcançada com solução de EDTA 0,5 mol/L. O rendimento do processo foi de cerca de 66,6% a partir dos ossos de pescado e 70,6% a partir os ossos de frango. A desmineralização com EDTA não provocou perda de colágeno.

Doenças do metabolismo do colesterol: cromatografia de esteróis no diagnóstico de 25 casos em Portugal

Os esteróis desempenham um papel fundamental nos processos fisiológicos de praticamente todos os organismos vivos. O esterol mais abundante nos seres humanos é o colesterol, o qual desempenha uma multiplicidade de funções desde a estrutural à sinalização. A extração e análise de esteróis no plasma é complexa devido à sua insolubilidade, sequestração dentro das lipoproteínas e à grande diferença entre cada tipo de esterol. Os autores apresentam a casuística referentes à análise de 13 esteróis e fitosteróis em plasma e líquido amniótico.

Potencial antifúngico, antioxidante e inibidor da produção de aflatoxina por extratos fenólicos de Chlorella sp. e Spirulina platensis

A contaminação fúngica acarreta alterações na qualidade nutricional e no valor econômico de produtos alimentícios podendo causar danos patológicos em plantas, animais e humanos. A identificação da atividade antioxidante, antifúngica e antimicotoxinas, em extratos de microalgas com propriedade de inibir a multiplicação de fungos e subseqüente produção de micotoxinas abre a perspectiva de empregar substâncias mais eficientes e com maior ação específica contra estes microorganismos. Entre os compostos com propriedades inibidoras de radicais livres, de crescimento fúngico e produção de micotoxinas, destacam-se os compostos fenólicos, que podem inibir a atividade metabólica microbiana, dificultando a atividade de enzimas. Neste estudo foram avaliados o poder de inibição de multiplicação fúngica de Rhizopus oryzae e Aspergillus flavus pelos extratos fenólicos de Chlorella sp. e Spirulina platensis, bem como sua atividade antioxidante, e a atividade antimicotoxinas da última microalga contra Aspergillus flavus. O conteúdo de fenóis totais foi em média 1000 µgfenóis/g Spirulina platensis e 600 µgfenóis/g Chlorella sp., sendo que o acido gálico e o cafeíco foram identificados como compostos majoritários na Spirulina platensis. As determinações de glicosamina (parede celular) e ergosterol (membrana celular) mostraram-se bons indicativos do desenvolvimento microbiano permitindo uma boa estimativa da inibição dele. O extrato fenólico de Spirulina platensis apresentou capacidade de inibir cerca de 50% a formação da parede e da membrana celular para ambos os fungos estudados e de 100% a produção de aflatoxina B1 até o 10º dia de cultivo do Aspergillus flavus. Além disso, o extrato metanólico de Spirulina platensis inativou 53,5% o DPPH reativo, limitou o escurecimento enzimático ocasionado pela peroxidase em 55% e inibiu a peroxidação lipídica em 46% após 14 dias de armazenamento sob luz. Estes resultados mostram que a ação antifúngica, antimicotoxinas e antioxidante está naturalmente presente em alguns tecidos microbianos e que encontrar a forma de extraí-los e aplicá-los como conservantes alimentícios é muito promissor para substituição aos antifúngicos e outros conservantes químicos.