Innovative anti-inflammatory and anti-pathogenic systems based on proanthocyanidins isolated from lignocellulosic waste from fruit bush agriculture

Project summary

The aim of the project is to create new knowledge about the composition, structure, properties and correlations of proanthocyanidins obtained from the agricultural residues of sea buckthorn, chokeberry and blackcurrant fruit bushes growing in Latvia and, based on the established correlations, to develop a technological solution for the production of antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The lignocellulosic waste of fruit bushes, which is formed as a result of pruning branches, is a valuable source of secondary metabolites - pranthocyanidins (PACs). Plant PACs are characterized by multifaceted chemical and biological activity making them promising for use in health care. Based on the combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic analyzes adopted for the characterization of complex individual compounds and their mixtures, fundamental and applied knowledge will be developed on the diversity of PACs in the biomass of native fruit bushes (buckthorn, chokeberry and blackcurrant). With the aim of reducing and rationalizing the use of antibiotics, which is one of the EU's priorities, and the side effects associated with them, the project will determine the relationship between the concentration of PACs in the extract, the composition and biological activity of PACs, as well as their synergy with antibiotics. The obtained results will provide the practical evidence base for PACs, as a promising alternative to synthetic agents, for limiting the development of microbial resistance, which is of fundamental importance in the treatment of human and animal infections and causes not only health but also economic problems. The functional composition of PACs provides mucoadhesive properties, which will allow the development of innovative anti-inflammatory and anti-pathogenic systems of local action.

Project implementation period: 36 months.

Total financing of the project: EUR 300 000.

Place of project implementation: Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia.

Call, activity: Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research Project 2022/1 (LCS FARP 2022/1)