UR COVAPAM

Our scientific projects focus on 2 main areas:

Area 1-Knowledge of biodiversity

This research area aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the functioning of Amazonian biodiversity, particularly at the molecular level. This area is characterised by three major research activities:  the chemical characterisation of molecules, the biological assessment of their activity and, above all, the understanding of structure-function relationships.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, the team is working to :

• identify, isolate and characterise bioactive molecules.
• assess their biological properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc.) within the producer organism or other organisms (such as human beings).
• to understand the mechanisms and interactions required for these molecules to function with each other, within the cell and more broadly within the organism

Priority 2-Enhancing biodiversity

The aim of this area of research is to develop molecules derived from biodiversity whose properties have been recognised in this area:

• setting up bioresource transformation processes
• support for project leaders in the formulation of high added-value products in the cosmetics and agri-food sectors.

This priority is being pursued as part of a circular economy and sustainable development approach, with the aim of making sustainable use of the Amazon's resources while opening up new economic opportunities for the region.

• Amazonian palms
• Plant species of the genus Theobroma
• Guyanese honeys
• Aromatic, fragrant and medicinal plants (PAPAM)

7 permanent staff

• 2 University Professor (Biochemistry and Chemistry);
• 2 senior lecturers (agri-food biochemistry and plant physiology);
• 2 Design Engineers;
• 1 Laboratory technician;

4 doctoral students

• Issa MALLE (subject: "Understanding and exploiting adaptation mechanisms in Amazonian palm trees Euterpe oleracea" ) ;
• Yaovi TABIOU (subject: "Miels from French Guiana: chemical variability and biological activity");
• Zanele MSIBI (subject: "Design of innovative products based on cocoa and cupuaçu from French Guiana: impact of unit operations on the functional character of these foods")
• Julien PENAUD (Impact of ripening on the lipid and polysaccharide compositions of moucaya pulp (Acrocomia aculeata). Optimisation of nanoformulation processes.

Weiwen J.; Battesti M-J.; Yang Y.; Jean-Marie E.; Costa J.; Bereau D.; Paolini J. et J_C. Robinson (2024) - Melissopalynologicalanalysis of honeyfrom French Guiana - Foods,13, 1073

Denagbe W.; Covis R.; Guegan J-P.; Robinson J-C.; Bereau D. et T. Benvegnu (2024) - Structure and emulsifying properties of unprecedented glucomannan oligo-and polysaccharides from Amazonia Acrocomia aculeata palm fruit. Carbohydrate polymers, Carbohydrate polymers, 324, 121510

Jiang W. ; Paolini J. ; Bereau D. ; Battesti M-J. ; Yang Y. ; Jean-Marie E. ; Costa J. and J.C. Robinson (2023) - French Guiana honeys from the amazon biome: first description of volatile fraction and antioxidant capacity. Heliyon, 9(8): e18526.

Patient A. ; Jean-Marie E.; Robinson J.-C.; Martial K.; Meudec E.; Levalois-Grützmacher J.; Closs B. et D. Bereau (2022) - Polyphenol Composition and Antioxidant Activity of TapiriraGuianensisAubl. (Anarcadiaceae) Leaves - Plants 2022, 11, 326.

Jean-Marie E.; Jiang W.; Bereau D. and J.C. Robinson (2022) - Theobroma Cacao and Theobroma grandiflorumBotany, Composition and Pharmacological activities of pods and seeds - Foods, 11, 3966.

Jean-Marie E.; Bereau D. and J.C. Robinson (2021) - Benefits of Polyphenols and Methylxanthines from Cocoa Beans on Dietary Metabolic Disorders. Foods, 10, 2049.

Jean-Marie E.; Bereau D.; Poucheret P.; Guzman C.; Boudard F. et J.C. Robinson (2021) - Antioxidative and Immunomodulatory Potential of the Endemic French Guiana Wild Cocoa "Guiana". - Foods, 10, 522.

The research work is carried out in a laboratory at 600 m2 and includes a number of items of equipment

Chromatography

• 2HPLC coupled to a mass spectrometer (Orbitrap) and UV-visible diode array detector;
• 2 HPLC with light scattering detector (LSD) and charged aerosol detector (CAD); flashChromato system;
•  Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and FID (GC/MS/MS);

Spectroscopy

• Infrared spectrometer ;
• Spectrofluorimeter,
• UV/Visible spectrophotometers,
• Microplate reader (UV/Visible and fluorescence)

Biochemistry and molecular biology equipment

•  (Geldoc, DNA and protein Westernblot electrophoresis

Food processing equipment

• Texturometer
• Crossflow microfiltration unit
• Depulper

Extraction

• Ultrasonic and microwave extraction equipment ;
• Hydrodistillers (Clevenger apparatus); Soxhlet extractors

Preparation equipment

• Plant dryer
• Benchtop centrifuges of various capacities (10ml to 3 litres)
• Freezing and cryoconservation unit: freeze-dryer, -20°C and -80°C freezers

Welcoming students to the laboratory is one of our priorities. Students have the opportunity to play an active part in the laboratory's scientific work, in a stimulating environment. They receive personalised supervision from the laboratory's teacher-researchers, and support from other members of the laboratory (engineers, technicians) who guide them throughout their placement. This support includes methodological advice, assistance with data collection and analysis, and guidance in writing their dissertation.