Chemical and biological variability of different Awaras (Astrocaryum vulgare) from French Guian[...]

Université de Guyane; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

L'Université de Guyane propose un poste de doctorant axé sur la variabilité chimique et biologique de l'Astrocaryum vulgare. Ce projet de recherche, en partenariat avec l'Université fédérale du Pará au Brésil, vise à valoriser cette ressource alimentaire emblématique pour le développement de produits agri-alimentaires innovants dans un contexte de durabilité et de préservation de la biodiversité amazonienne.

Qualifications

• Formation académique en biologie, chimie ou domaines similaires.
• Intérêt pour l'agroalimentaire et la recherche appliquée.
• Capacités de travail en interdisciplinarité.

Responsabilités

• Mener des recherches sur les cultivars d'Astrocaryum vulgare.
• Développer des produits alimentaires innovants en collaboration avec l'industrie locale.
• Participer à des études sur les propriétés bioactives du palmier.

Connaissances

Biologie

Chimie

Agroalimentaire

Biochimie

Formation

Master en Sciences de la Vie

Formation complémentaire en biomédecine ou biotechnologie

Description du poste

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Chemical and biological variability of different Awaras (Astrocaryum vulgare) from French Guiana for an agri-food valorization

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Client:

Location:

France

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

c45aa39c4d7c

Job Views:

3

Posted:

30.06.2025

Expiry Date:

14.08.2025

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Job Description:

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Palm trees are the flagship elements of Amazonian plant biodiversity with more than species recorded in 39 genera. Astrocaryum alone includes 40 of these species (Da Fonseca Machado et al., )In french Guiana, there are more than 75 species of palm trees, many of which occupy an important place in local communities due to their many traditional uses for artisanal purposes (basketry, ornaments), food (from the oils of pulp and almond, and pulp) and medicinal (from the various vegetative organs). Among these, there is a species that deserves special attention : it is theAstrocaryum vulgare. Indeed, due to its strong heritage connotation, linked in particular to its integration into a local gastronomic dish ("bouyon wara") and traditional medicine (notably through the production of the so-called "tcho-tcho" oil from its almond), this palm is unavoidable. It is a very common palm in coastal plains, attached to well-drained sandy soils and savannah edges. It is very adapted to equatorial climatic conditions (strong sunshine, abundant rainfall) (Guerreiro Martorano et al., ). With an annual productivity of 50 to kg fruit per plant per year, it could be a major food resource for the territory if it was more domesticated (Menezes et al., ).

In addition, numerous scientific studies have highlighted its many properties, including:

TheAstrocaryum vulgarepalm is the basis of derived products that are used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This scientific work has involved a lot of plant resources outside French Guiana. The following questions arise : What chemical compounds are present in the awaras of French Guiana? What biological properties do they have ? Do these characterizations allow the creation of an innovative nutraceutical from awara pulp?

The PhD project, conducted in international cotutelle with the Federal University of Pará in Brazil (in the Center for Validation of Amazon Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA)) aims in its multidisciplinary approach (biology, chemistry, agri-food, biochemistry) to characterize the Franch Guiana cultivars ofAstrocaryum vulgarefrom a chemical and biological point of view and to provide preliminary elements for the creation of an innovative food product with high added value. This product will be developed in the medium and long term through a partnership with a (or more) local industry.

The PhD project, in keeping with the preservation and better knowledge of an emblematic resource of the Amazonian biome, moreover adapted to climate change, is part of one of the leading scientific orientations of the University of French Guiana and the Amazonian Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Innovation, around the "exploitation of natural resources" of the territory.

REFERENCES

Bony, Emilie ; Boudard, Frédéric ; Dussossoy, Emilie ; Portet, Karine ; Brat, Pierre ; Giaimis, Jean ; Michel, AlainChemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Unsaponifiable Fraction from Awara (Astrocaryum vulgareBony, Emilie ; Boudard, Frédéric ; Dussossoy, Emilie ; Portet, Karine ; Brat, Pierre ; Giaimis, Jean ; Michel, Alain .Chemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Unsaponifiable Fraction from Awara (Astrocaryum vulgareEderlan de Souza Ferreira ; Vitãria Georgina Lucien ; Andrão Siqueira Amaral ; Catia da Silva Silveira "Caracterização fisico-quimica do fruto e do oleo extrado de tucumã (astrocaryum vulgareLalouckova, Klara ; Skrivanova, Eva ; Rondevaldova, Johana ; Frankova, Adela ; Soukup, Josef ; Kokoska, Ladislav-In vitro antagonistic inhibitory effects of palm seed crude oils and their main constituent, lauric acid, with oxacillin in Staphylococcus aureus-Scientific reports, , Vol.11 , p.-, Article

Noronha Matos, Kevin Albert ; Praia Lima, Danielle ; Pereira Barbosa, Anna Paula ; Zerlotti Mercadante, Adriana ; Campos Chisté, Renan - "Peels of tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare) and peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) are by-products classified as very high carotenoid sources" "-Food chemistry, , Vol., p.-

Oboh, Fred O. J. "The food potential of Tucum (Astrocaryum vulgare) fruit pulp"-International Journal of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 5, 57–64.

Rossato, A., Silveira, L. da S., Lopes, L. Q. S., Filho, W. P. D. S., Schaffer, L. F., Santos, R. C. V., & Sagrillo, M. R. Evaluation in vitro of antimicrobial activity of tucuma ̃ oil (Astrocaryum Vulgare).Archives in Biosciences & Health,1, 99–.

Santos, M. F. G. ; Marmesat, S. ; Brito, E. S. ; Alves, R. E. ; Dobarganes, M. C."Major components in oils obtained from Amazonian palm fruits" -Grasas y aceites (Sevilla), , Vol.64 , p.-

Topic description

Les palmiers constituent les éléments phare de la biodiversité végétale amazonienne avec plus de espèces recensées réparties en 39 genres. Le genreregroupe à lui seul 40 de ces espèces (Da Fonseca Machado et al., )

En Guyane, on recense plus de 75 espèces de palmiers dont de nombreuses occupent une place importante au sein des communautés locales en raison de leurs nombreuses utilisations traditionnelles à des fins artisanales (vannerie, objets ornementaux), alimentaires (à partir des huiles de pulpe et d'amande, et la pulpe) et médicinales (à partir des différents organes végétatifs). Parmi celles-ci, il y a une espèce qui mérite une attention particulière : c'estl'Astrocaryum vulgare.En effet, en raison de sa forte connotation patrimoniale, liée notamment à son intégration dans un mets gastronomique local ("bouyon wara") et en médecine traditionnelle (notamment par la réalisation de l'huile dite "tcho-tcho" à partir de son amande), ce palmier est incontournable. C'est un palmier très commun en plaine côtière, inféodé aux sols sableux bien drainés et aux lisières de savanes. Il est très adapté aux conditions climatiques équatoriales (ensoleillement fort, pluviométrie abondante) (Guerreiro Martorano et al., ). Avec une productivité annuelle de 50 à kg fruits par plants et par an, il pourrait constituer une ressource alimentaire de taille pour le territoire s'il était plus domestiqué (Menezes et al., ).

De plus, de nombreuses études scientifiques ont mis en exergue ses nombreuses propriétés parmi lesquelles on peut citer :

despropriétés nutritionnellesliées à sa richesse en caroténoïdes, acides gras insaturés et phytostérols (Santos et al., ; Obooh et al., ; De Souza Ferreira et al., ; Noronha Matos et al., ; Santos et al., ), composés bioactifs d'intérêt.

et desactivités biologiquesparmi lesquelles les propriétés antioxydantes et anti-inflammatoires (Bony et al., ), antimicrobiennes (Rossato et al., ; Lalouckova et al., ; ) et hypoglycémiantes (Baldissera et al., ).

Le palmierAstrocaryum vulgareest à la base de produits dérivés trouvant leursapplications en agroalimentaire, cosmétique et pharmaceutique. Ces travaux scientifiques ont beaucoup impliqué des ressources végétales extérieures à la Guyane. Du coup, se posent les questions suivantes : Quels composés chimiques sont présents dans les awaras de Guyane ? Quelles propriétés biologiques en découlent ? Ces caractérisations permettent-elles d'envisager la création d'un nutraceutique innovant à partir de la pulpe d'awara ?

Le projet de thèse, mené encotutelle internationaleavec l'Université fédérale du Pará au Brésil (Centre de VAlorisation des Composés Bioactifs Amazoniens (CVACBA) visedans sonapproche pluridisciplinaire(biologie, chimie, agroalimentaire, biochimie) àcaractériser du point de vue chimique et biologique les cultivars guyanaisdel'Astrocaryum vulgareet à fournir deséléments préliminaires à la création d'un produit agroalimentaire innovantet à forte valeur ajoutée.Ce produit sera développé à moyen et long terme dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec un (ou des) industriel(s) locaux.

Le projet de thèse, en s'inscrivant dans la préservation et la meilleure connaissance d'une ressource emblématique du biome amazonien, de surcroît adaptée au changement climatique, s’inscrit dans une des orientations scientifiques phares de l’université de Guyaneet de l’institut amazonien de la biodiversité et de l’innovation durable, autour dela «valorisation des ressources naturelles » du territoire.

*****************************************

Palm trees are the flagship elements of Amazonian plant biodiversity with more than species recorded in 39 genera. Astrocaryum alone includes 40 of these species (Da Fonseca Machado et al., )In french Guiana, there are more than 75 species of palm trees, many of which occupy an important place in local communities due to their many traditional uses for artisanal purposes (basketry, ornaments), food (from the oils of pulp and almond, and pulp) and medicinal (from the various vegetative organs). Among these, there is a species that deserves special attention : it is theAstrocaryum vulgare. Indeed, due to its strong heritage connotation, linked in particular to its integration into a local gastronomic dish ("bouyon wara") and traditional medicine (notably through the production of the so-called "tcho-tcho" oil from its almond), this palm is unavoidable. It is a very common palm in coastal plains, attached to well-drained sandy soils and savannah edges. It is very adapted to equatorial climatic conditions (strong sunshine, abundant rainfall) (Guerreiro Martorano et al., ). With an annual productivity of 50 to kg fruit per plant per year, it could be a major food resource for the territory if it was more domesticated (Menezes et al., ).

In addition, numerous scientific studies have highlighted its many properties, including:

• nutritional properties related to its richness in carotenoids, unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols (Santos et al., ; Obooh et al., ; De Souza Ferreira et al., ; Noronha Matos et al., ; Santos et al., ), bioactive compounds of interest.

• and biological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Bony et al., ), antimicrobial (Rossato et al., ; Lalouckova et al., ; ) and hypoglycemic (Baldissera et al., ).

TheAstrocaryum vulgarepalm is the basis of derived products that are used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This scientific work has involved a lot of plant resources outside French Guiana. The following questions arise : What chemical compounds are present in the awaras of French Guiana? What biological properties do they have ? Do these characterizations allow the creation of an innovative nutraceutical from awara pulp?

The PhD project, conducted in international cotutelle with the Federal University of Pará in Brazil (in the Center for Validation of Amazon Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA)) aims in its multidisciplinary approach (biology, chemistry, agri-food, biochemistry) to characterize the Franch Guiana cultivars ofAstrocaryum vulgarefrom a chemical and biological point of view and to provide preliminary elements for the creation of an innovative food product with high added value. This product will be developed in the medium and long term through a partnership with a (or more) local industry.

The PhD project, in keeping with the preservation and better knowledge of an emblematic resource of the Amazonian biome, moreover adapted to climate change, is part of one of the leading scientific orientations of the University of French Guiana and the Amazonian Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Innovation, around the "exploitation of natural resources" of the territory.

REFERENCES

Ana Paula da Fonseca Machado, Roberto de Paula do Nascimento, Mariana da Rocha Alves, Lívia Mateus Reguengo, Mario Roberto Marostica Junior «Brazilian tucuma ̃-do-Amazonas (Astrocaryum aculeatum) and tucuma ̃-do-Para ́ (Astrocaryum vulgare) fruits : bioactive composition, health benefits, and technological potential» - Food Research International

Baldissera, Matheus D. ; Souza, Carine F. ; Grando, Thirssa H. ; Cossetin, Luciana F. ; Sagrillo, Michele R. ; Nascimento, Kátia ; da Silva, Aleksandro S. ; Machado, Alencar K. ; da Cruz, Ivana B.M. ; Stefani, Lenita M. ; Klein, Bruna ; Wagner, Roger ; Monteiro, Silvia G. Antihyperglycemic, antioxidant activitiesof tucumãoil (Astrocaryum vulgare) in

Bony, Emilie ; Boudard, Frédéric ; Dussossoy, Emilie ; Portet, Karine ; Brat, Pierre ; Giaimis, Jean ; Michel, AlainChemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Unsaponifiable Fraction from Awara (Astrocaryum vulgareBony, Emilie ; Boudard, Frédéric ; Dussossoy, Emilie ; Portet, Karine ; Brat, Pierre ; Giaimis, Jean ; Michel, Alain .Chemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory Properties of the Unsaponifiable Fraction from Awara (Astrocaryum vulgareEderlan de Souza Ferreira ; Vitãria Georgina Lucien ; Andrão Siqueira Amaral ; Catia da Silva Silveira "Caracterização fisico-quimica do fruto e do oleo extrado de tucumã (astrocaryum vulgareLalouckova, Klara ; Skrivanova, Eva ; Rondevaldova, Johana ; Frankova, Adela ; Soukup, Josef ; Kokoska, Ladislav-In vitro antagonistic inhibitory effects of palm seed crude oils and their main constituent, lauric acid, with oxacillin in Staphylococcus aureus-Scientific reports, , Vol.11 , p.-, Article

Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano, Maria do Socorro Padilha de Oliveira, Gleidson Guilherme Caldas Mendes, José Reinaldo da Silva Cabral de Moraes, Daniel Pereira Pinheiro, Afonso Henrique Moraes Oliveira «Agrometeorological conditions associated with phenological responses of tucumã-do-pará (Astrocaryum vulgareMart.) » - Ciência e Agrotecnologia 42:-, Mar/Apr. -

Menezes, Eduardo Gama Ortiz ; Barbosa, Jhonatas Rodrigues ; Pires, Flavia Cristina Seabra ; Ferreira, Maria Caroline Rodrigues ; de Souza e Silva, Ana Paula ; Siqueira, Leticia Maria Martins ; de Carvalho Junior, Raul Nunes."Development of a new scale-up equation to obtain Tucumã-of-Pará (Astrocaryum vulgare

Noronha Matos, Kevin Albert ; Praia Lima, Danielle ; Pereira Barbosa, Anna Paula ; Zerlotti Mercadante, Adriana ; Campos Chisté, Renan - "Peels of tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare) and peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) are by-products classified as very high carotenoid sources" "-Food chemistry, , Vol., p.-

Oboh, Fred O. J. "The food potential of Tucum (Astrocaryum vulgare) fruit pulp"-International Journal of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 5, 57–64.

Rossato, A., Silveira, L. da S., Lopes, L. Q. S., Filho, W. P. D. S., Schaffer, L. F., Santos, R. C. V., & Sagrillo, M. R. Evaluation in vitro of antimicrobial activity of tucuma ̃ oil (Astrocaryum Vulgare).Archives in Biosciences & Health,1, 99–.

Santos, M. F. G. ; Marmesat, S. ; Brito, E. S. ; Alves, R. E. ; Dobarganes, M. C."Major components in oils obtained from Amazonian palm fruits" -Grasas y aceites (Sevilla), , Vol.64 , p.-

Santos, M. F.G. ; Alves, R. E. ; Ruíz-Méndez, M. V. -Minor components in oils obtained from Amazonian palm fruits-Grasas y aceites (Sevilla), , Vol.64 , p.-

Starting date

-09-08

Funding category

Public funding alone (i.e. government, region, European, international organization research grant)

Funding further details

UG/AIBSI