Natural products and applications (NPA)

NPA is focused on unlocking the potential of natural products from Azorean Islands' species, to create sustainable solutions for pharmacology, cosmetics, and agriculture.

Natural products, are chemical compounds with a remarkable structural diversity, produced by terrestrial and marine species, influenced by evolutionary pathways and environmental conditions, that constitute a privileged source of nature-based solutions to human and ecological problems.

Considering the specificities of the ecosystem of the Azores islands, the NPA research objectives are:

1. a) To characterize the chemobiodiversity of the Azorean flora by sustainable extraction and characterization of emerging natural compounds sourced from both wild and cultivated plants, as well as from industrial waste biomass.
2. b) To evaluate the bioactivity of natural products and propose alternative and sustainable solutions in the ongoing battle against diseases, aging, and crop pests.
3. c) Raise awareness among society about the added value of natural products, promoting the sustainable use of natural products.

Based on the knowledge produced by IBBC (PL1) and HuEL (PL2), NPA contributes to a deeper description of Azores Islands ecosystem, as it adds the chemical level dimension to analysis the potential and weaknesses of the ecosystem. Thus, NPA increases the biological chemistry knowledge and complements the PB (TL4) work. Additionally, adopting a holistic approach, NPA, in collaboration with SAS (TL4), and oriented to practical applications, strives to propose eco-friendly, nature-based solutions addressing diseases, aging, and pests challenges.

By doing so, NPA contributes to TL4 and cE3c mission, striking a balance between the exploitation/valorisation of natural resources and the sustainability and conservation of ecosystems, in addition to engaging in community outreach and education on the sustainable use of natural resources.

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