Ateneo - UPO

Approach to natural active pronciples for cosmetic and dermatological use considering the advantages and disadvantages of natural compounds application as pure entities or as a phytocomplex.
Classes of primary and secondary metabolites with their chemical and physiscal characteristics and different applications. From classic to modern techniques of extraction and evaporation applied to vegetable material. Classic and modern techniques applied for isolation and analysis of natural compounds.

Power point slides containe all the scientific references.

Book: Trease and Evans: Pharmacognosy – Elsevier; Richard J. P. Cannell: Natural Products Isolation – Springer.
Book: Janes and Glavac: Modern Cosmetics - Ingredient of natural origin

Students will learn what a primary and secondary metabolite are and why plants produce them. They will learn and recognize classifications of natural compounds and the possibilities of interactions with our biology. They will understand important functional groups leading to precise biological effects and new biological aspects. Students will also learn different purification technologies that allow to obtain pure compounds, how to choose the best one, and how to scale up a method from the laboratory to an industrial setting. After that, students will be able to choose the best technique for the isolation of a pure active ingredient or the analysis required for the quality control and/or stability.

Organic chemistry, biology and pharmacology.

Lectures with computer and video supporting: projection of powerpoint slides. Interactive lectures with discussion. Vegetable samples, extracts, different oils, essential oils and pure compounds will be shown to be touched, smelled and compared to demonstrate practically the physical, chemical and olfactory differences.

Required frequency: 75%. The attendance will be monitored in the classroom.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

A written exam evaluating the knowledge, notions and processes acquired during the lectures. The test includes:
a) 3 open questions with answers of 100-150 words maximum, 6 points each. 60% of the final grade.
b) 10 multiple choice questions with one true answer, 3 points each. Correct answer gives 1.2 point. All other possibilities is 0 point. There will be no negative grades. 40% of the final grade.

The overall grade will be the sum of the two parts.

What is a natural product? Phytocomplex and the entourage effect. Primary and secondary metabolites: definition, roles and classification.

Pure natural compound and phytocomplex: advantage and disadvantage.

Primary metabolites: oils, butters, waxes. Stability and characteristics.

Classification and characteristics of secondary metabolites:

– alkaloids: biosynthesis and isolation, a matter of basicity

– isoprenoids: from essential oil composition to chemestetic properties of functional groups, how to recognize, how to apply them (TRPV3, TRPA1, TRPV1, hTAS2R)

– meroterpenoids and TRPV1

– phenyl propanoids and polyketides

Drying process.

Solvents: differences in polarity and application. NADES.

Extraction process: classic techniques as maceration, percolation, infusion and decoction, distillation, cold expression.
Modern techniques: ASE, MWE, sonication, SFE, electroporation, enzymatic extraction.
Rotavapor, wiped film distillation, sray drying.

Isolation techniques with stationary phases: differences and how to choose the appropriate one.

HPLC, FLASH chromatography and GC. Definition and application.

Other processes: distillation, liquid-liquid partition, avoiding of fatty acids and waxes.

Every aspect of the program is supported by examples of natural compounds and ther application in the dermatological/cosmetic field.

Students should be able to recognize different classes of primary and secondary metabolites and their physical, chemical characteristics and behaviors. They should also be able to plan extraction and isolation strategies. All the principles and techniques learnt during the course will be put in practice during the laboratory included in the course.