Supervised by:

Normand Voyer (Regular member)

Normand Voyer (CEN director)

Research project description

Characterization of odorous compounds from truffles of the Tuber genus and bioactive secondary metabolites of macrofungi from Quebec

IntroductionThe fungal biodiversity of Quebec remains largely unknown(1), as are the bioactive metabolites it may contains. Nevertheless, specific fungi can produce highly bioactive metabolites that have revolutionized various aspects of medicine.(2) Northern ecosystems are undergoing rapid transformations in response to climate change, unprecedented in the modern era.(3) The potential loss of certain mushroom species, whether due to global warming or human activity, would mean forfeiting invaluable medicinal resources, the full potential of which remains vastly unexplored. Molecular characterization of these organisms could lead to the discovery of new therapeutic molecules, while providing crucial data to justify the preservation of these species.ObjectivesOur primary goal is to identify novel biologically active compounds in Quebec mushrooms, with a specific focus on Nunavik, a region highly susceptible to climate-related disruptions. Molecular characterization of these organisms may unveil groundbreaking therapeutic molecules and provide vital data to support the preservation of these species.Study sitesThe northern study site is in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik, Nunavik, Canada, known for its exceptional subarctic flora, shaped by diverse climates and environmental pressures distinctive of northern condition. This environment fosters the adaptation of plants and fungi, resulting in unique organisms with specific secondary metabolites to thrive under these harsh conditions.Material and methodsFrom a methodological standpoint, we employ a bioguided screening approach. Various mushroom species, with a focus on those in the Nunavik (Kuujjuarapik region), are collected, dried, and cataloged in a fungarium. These extracts are then subjected to fractionation via MPLC, resulting in enriched fractions for the assessment of their biological activities. Fractions demonstrating promising activities undergo further MPLC-based re-fractionation, followed by the purification of compounds using preparative HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). Biological tests on pure compounds confirm their significance, while the structures are elucidated through a combination of mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, utilizing our laboratory's standard techniques (1H, 13C, COZY, HSQC, HMBC).References(1)Bazzicalupo, A.; Gonçalves, S. C.; Hébert, R.; Jakob, S.; Justo, A.; Kernaghan, G.; Lebeuf, R.; Malloch, B.; Thorn, R. G.; Walker, A. K., Macrofungal Conservation in Canada and Target Species for Assessment: A Starting Point. FACETS 2022, 7 (1), 448-463. (2)Hanson, J. R., Chemistry of Fungi. Royal Society of Chemistry: 2008. (3)Myers-Smith, I. H.; Forbes, B. C.; Wilmking, M.; Hallinger, M.; Lantz, T.; Blok, D.; Tape, K. D.; Macias-Fauria, M.; Sass-Klaassen, U.; Lévesque, E., Shrub expansion in tundra ecosystems: dynamics, impacts and research priorities. Environmental Research Letters 2011, 6 (4), 045509.

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