Class Chemistry of Natural Bioactives

The course "Chemistry of Natural Bioactives" provides students with knowledge about natural bioactive compounds, especially from plants. Within this course, students will characterize natural bioactive compounds based on their biosynthesis and chemical structure, classify secondary and primary metabolites with therapeutic importance, identify medicinal plants, explain their uses, and recognize active compounds. Furthermore, they will understand the principles of product development from natural sources and acquire skills in the analysis, processing, and quality assessment of natural products. This course is essential in the study cycle, promoting innovation in the development of pharmaceutical and therapeutic products from natural sources. Its relevance lies in its direct application in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and food supplement industries, where the demand for natural products is constantly growing.

Not applicable

1.1Introduction (Definitions and historical context) 1.2.  Crude drugs (Nomenclature, Production, Preparation, and Isolation of pure compounds) 1.3. Regulamentation and use. Macro and microscopic identification of crud drugs. Quality control (Portuguese Pharmacopeia). 1.4. Biological Active Compounds in Plants – Biosynthesis. Classification of natural products) 1.5. Carbohydrates. 1.6. Shikimic Acid Derivatives (Shikimic acid. Gallic and tannins. Aromatic amino acids. Phenylpropanes) 1.7. Acetate Derivatives from acylpolymalonate pathway and the isopentenyl diphosphate pathway. Isoprenoids.Terpenes and Steroids). 1.8. Amino acids and Derived from amino acids. 1.9. Alkaloids (General aspects. Amino, Pyridine and piperidine, Tropane, Pyrrolizidine, Quinolizidine, Bisbenzylisoquinoline, Isoquinoline, terpenoid tetrahydroisoquinoline and quinoline, Benzophenanthridine, Indole and Imidazole alkaloids.) 1.10. Purines.

Lectures are designed to stimulate independent thinking and critical learning through active participation, discussion, and questioning. This approach promotes understanding and critical thinking. Laboratory work allows students to deepen their knowledge of key topics covered in lectures through practical application, complementing the objectives of the curriculum. Tutorial teaching involves researching specialized literature and critically analyzing and contextualizing the results for the preparation of assignments. Laboratory classes provide tools for identifying and preparing simple drugs and their quality control. The evaluation of practical work values active participation and student interest. Fieldwork offers an excellent opportunity for students to engage with real-world applications of natural bioactives in the pharmaceutical industry and related areas.

  1.               Samuelsson, G., & Bohlin, L. (2017). Drugs of natural origin: A treatise of pharmacognosy (7th rev. ed.). Stockholm, Sweden: Apotekarsocieteten. 2.               Heinrich, M., Barnes, J., & Gibbons, S. (Eds.). (2020). Fundamentals, Applications, and Strategies of Pharmacognosy. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 3.               Evans, W. C., Trease, G. E., & Evans, D. (Eds.). (2019). Pharmacognosy (17th ed.). Edinburgh, UK: Elsevier. 4.               Farmacopeia portuguesa IX (Ed. oficial ed.). (2008). Lisboa: Imprensa Nacional, Casa da Moeda.