Most medicines are taken orally. To enter the systemic circulation, they dissolve in the intestinal fluid, cross the epithelial barrier, and pass through the liver. Intestinal absorption is driven by the unique features of the gastrointestinal tract, including the bile colloids formed in the lumen and the mucus layer covering the intestinal epithelium. Neglecting this multifaceted environment can lead to poor drug development decisions, especially for poorly water-soluble drugs that interact with bile and mucus. However, there is a lack of a rationale nexus of molecular interactions between oral medicines and gastrointestinal components with drug bioavailability. Against this background, this thesis aims to develop biopharmaceutical strategies to optimize the presentation of oral therapeutics to the intestinal epithelial barrier. In Chapter 1, the dynamics of bile colloids upon solubilization of the poorly-water soluble drug Perphenazine was studied. Perphenazine impacted molecular arrangement, structure, binding thermodynamics, and induced a morphological transition from vesicles to worm-like micelles. Despite these dynamics, the bile colloids ensured stable relative amounts of free drug substance. The chapter was published in Langmuir. Chapter 2 examined the impact of pharmaceutical polymeric excipients on bile-mediated drug solubilization. Perphenazine and Imatinib were introduced as model compounds interacting with bile, whereas Metoprolol did not. Some polymers altered the arrangement and geometry of bile colloids, thereby affecting the molecularly soluble amount of those drugs interacting with bile. These insights into the bile-drug-excipient interplay provide a blueprint to optimizing formulations leveraging bile solubilization. The chapter was published in Journal of Controlled Release. Chapter 3 deals with the impact of bile on porcine intestinal mucus. Mucus exposed to bile solution changed transiently, it stiffened, and the overall diffusion rate increased. The bile-induced changes eased the transport of the bile-interacting drug substance Fluphenazine, whereas Metoprolol was unaffected. This dichotomous pattern was linked to bioavailability in rats and generalized based on two previously published data sets. The outcomes point to a bile-mucus interaction relevant to drug delivery. The chapter is submitted. The Appendix provides a guide for biopharmaceutical characterization of drug substances by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy aiming at establishing a predictive algorithm. In summary, this thesis deciphers bile-driven mechanisms shaping intestinal drug absorption. Based on these molecular insights, pharmaceuticals can be developed along a biopharmaceutical optimization, ultimately leading to better oral drugs of tomorrow. / Die meisten Arzneimittel werden oral eingenommen. Um in den Blutkreislauf zu gelangen, liegen sie in der Darmflüssigkeit gelöst vor, überwinden die Epithelbarriere und passieren die Leber. Die intestinale Absorption wird durch die einzigartigen Eigenschaften des Magen-Darm-Trakts, einschließlich der im Lumen gebildeten Gallenkolloide und der Schleimschicht, die das Darmepithel bedeckt, bestimmt. Die Vernachlässigung dieser facettenreichen Umgebung kann zu schlechten Entscheidungen bei der Arzneimittelentwicklung führen, insbesondere bei schlecht wasserlöslich Wirkstoffen, die mit Galle und Schleim interagieren. Es fehlt jedoch eine rationale Verknüpfung der molekularen Wechselwirkungen zwischen oralen Arzneimitteln und gastrointestinalen Komponenten mit der Bioverfügbarkeit von Arzneimitteln. Vor diesem Hintergrund zielt diese Arbeit darauf ab, biopharmazeutische Strategien zur Optimierung der Präsentation von oralen Therapeutika an der intestinalen Epithelbarriere zu entwickeln. In Kapitel 1 wurde die Dynamik von Gallenkolloiden bei der Solubilisierung des schwer wasserlöslichen Wirkstoffes Perphenazin untersucht. Perphenazin beeinflusste die molekulare Anordnung, die Struktur sowie die Bindungsthermodynamik und führte zu einem morphologischen Übergang von Vesikeln hin zu wurmartigen Mizellen. Trotz dieser Dynamik sorgten die Gallenkolloide für stabile relative Mengen an freiem Arzneistoff. Dieses Kapitel wurde in Langmuir veröffentlicht. In Kapitel 2 wurde der Einfluss von pharmazeutischen polymeren Hilfsstoffen auf die Solubilisierung von Wirkstoffen durch Galle untersucht. Perphenazin und Imatinib wurden als Modellverbindungen eingeführt, die mit der Galle interagieren, während Metoprolol dies nicht tat. Einige Polymere veränderten die Anordnung und Geometrie der Gallenkolloide und beeinflussten somit die molekular lösliche Menge von solchen Wirkstoffen, die mit der Galle wechselwirken. Diese Einblicke in das Zusammenspiel von Galle und Arzneistoffen bieten einen Ansatz zur Optimierung von Formulierungen, die die Solubilisierung in der Galle nutzen. Dieses Kapitel wurde in Journal of Controlled Release veröffentlicht. Kapitel 3 befasst sich mit den Auswirkungen von Galle auf den Dünndarmschleim von Schweinen. Schleim, der Gallenlösung ausgesetzt war, veränderte sich vorübergehend, versteifte sich und die Gesamtdiffusionsrate nahm zu. Die durch die Galle hervorgerufenen Veränderungen erleichterten den Transport des mit der Galle interagierenden Wirkstoffs Fluphenazin, während Metoprolol unbeeinflusst blieb. Dieses dichotome Muster konnte mit der Bioverfügbarkeit bei Ratten verknüpft werden und durch zwei zuvor veröffentlichte Datensätze mit insgesamt 50 Verbindungen verallgemeinert werden. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf eine Wechselwirkung zwischen Galle und Schleim hin, die für die Verabreichung von Medikamenten relevant ist. Dieses Kapitel ist eingereicht. Der Anhang bietet einen Leitfaden für die biopharmazeutische Charakterisierung von Arzneimittelsubstanzen durch kernmagnetische Resonanzspektroskopie mit dem Ziel des Aufstellens von prädiktiven Algorithmen. Zusammenfassend entschlüsselt diese Arbeit die von der Galle gesteuerten Mechanismen, die die Aufnahme von Arzneimitteln im Darm beeinflussen. Auf der Grundlage dieser molekularen Erkenntnisse können Arzneimittel entlang einer biopharmazeutischen Optimierung entwickelt werden, was letztendlich zu besseren oralen Arzneimitteln führt.

L'utilisation directe de roche phosphatée (RP) est une alternative viable pour remplacer les coûteux fertilisants chimiques dans les pays en voie de développement. L'utilisation de bactéries solubilisatrices de RP (BSRP) est un bon moyen pour augmenter la réactivité de la RP. L'objectif principal de ce travail a été d'obtenir des isolats provenant de la mycorhizosphère du maïs possédant une grande capacité de solubilisation de RP, compatibles avec la mycorhize arbusculaire (MA) et présentant des traits associés aux rhizobactéries favorisant la croissance de plantes (RFCP) pour le développement d'un inoculant bactérien pour le maïs.À partir de 118 isolats obtenus de maïs biologique cultivé au Québec, huit BSRP ont été identifiés comme Asaia lannaensis Vb1, Pseudomonas sp. Vr14, Rahnella aquatilis (Vr7, Vr13 et Sr24) et Pantoea agglomerans (Vr9, Ve16 et Vr25). En milieu liquide, les isolats ont dissous le P des RP selon leur réactivité (Gafsa> Tilemsi> Maroc). La solubilisation des RP s'est effectuée par la production d'acides organiques (OA) et l'abaissement du pH. Les meilleures BSRP de chaque groupe: (A. lannaensis Vb1, Pseudomonas sp. Vr14, R. aquatilis Sr24 et P. agglomerans Vr25) ont été sélectionnées selon leur capacité élevée de solubilisation de la RP et de leur production d'acide indolacétique (AIA) et de sidérophores. L’importance des biofilms formés, ainsi que le degré de motilité variaient selon les isolats et tous étaient compatibles avec le Glomus irregulare (Gi). L’étude de la colonisation des racines montre que R. aquatilis Sr24 et P. agglomerans Vr25 ont été les meilleurs colonisateurs. Lors des expériences en serre, certains mélanges contenant R. aquatilis Sr24, P. agglomerans Vr25 et Gi, ont amélioré la biomasse, l'absorption des nutriments et la colonisation de la plante en association avec un champignon mycorhizien indigène du maïs cultivé dans un sol non stérile et fertilisé avec la RP Marocaine. Nous attribuons ces résultats à leur capacité d'être de bonnes BSRP colonisatrices des racines. Elles sont aussi compatibles avec Gi et sont capables de produire de l'AIA et des sidérophores. Cette thèse démontre donc le potentiel d'utilisation de BSRP comme inoculant afin d'améliorer l'efficacité de l'utilisation directe de RP comme fertilisant phosphaté pour l'agriculture durable du maïs. / Phosphorous is the second most important nutrient for plant growth, but its availability is often reduced. Therefore high quantities of expensive soluble P-fertilizers are added to soil. Direct use of phosphate rock (PR) is an alternative to chemical P-fertilizers in developing countries and for sustainable agriculture. In order to increase PR reactivity the use of phosphate rock-solubilizing bacteria (PRSB) is a good alternative. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to obtain mycorrhizosphere-competent PRSB presenting other PGPR-associated traits to be used for the development of an inoculant to improve maize growth and P nutrition. Out of 118 isolates obtained from organically grown maize in Quebec, eight PRSB were identified as Asaia lannaensis Vb1, Pseudomonas sp. Vr14, Rahnella aquatilis (Vr7, Vr13 and Sr24) and Pantoea agglomerans (Vr9, Ve16 and Vr25). All isolates were able to mobilize P from different sparingly soluble P sources in solid media. In liquid medium the isolates were able to solubilize P from PRs according to their reactivity (Gafsa> Tilemsi> Morocco). PRs were solubilized by the production of organic acids (OAs) and by lowering the pH. The best PRSB from each group (A. lannaensis Vb1, Pseudomonas sp. Vr14, R. aquatilis Sr24 and P.3 agglomerans Vr25) were selected based on their high PR solubilization, and capacity for indolacetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production. These four isolates presented different biofilm formation and motility capacities and were compatible with Glomus irregulare (Gi). A root colonization study showed that R. aquatilis Sr24 and P. agglomerans Vr25 were the best root colonizers. Vr25 was very competitive when used with other PRSB. In greenhouse trials, plant inoculation with R. aquatilis Sr24 and P. agglomerans Vr25 in addition to Gi, increased the biomass, nutrient uptake in non-sterile soil amended with Moroccan PR (MPR). We attribute these results not only to their PR-solubilizing capacity but also for their ability to be good PRSB, competitive root colonizers, compatible with Gi and to produce IAA and siderophores. This thesis shows that PRSB with AM fungi can be used as inoculants to improve the efficiency of the direct use of PR as P fertilizer for sustainable maize production.

La matière des eaux usées urbaines (ERU) subit des transformations au sein des filières « eau » et « boue » des stations d’épuration (STEP). Une fraction de la matière organique est systématiquement retrouvée en fin de traitement biologique sous forme particulaire et est, à ce titre, identifiée comme non biodégradable et notée XU. L’origine « exogène » i.e. provenant de l’ERU brute, ou « endogène », i.e, résidus générés par les processus microbiens, et la contribution quantitative des composés accumulés dans cette fraction XU ne sont pas identifiables simplement. Par ailleurs, si une faible bioaccessibilité et/ou une inadéquation entre leur nature chimique et le pool enzymatique présent peuvent être suspectées, les raisons de leur caractère réfractaire sont mal connues et constituent un frein pour optimiser la valorisation de la boue par digestion anaérobie. S’intéressant spécifiquement à la fraction organique réfractaire d’une boue d’épuration, ce travail de thèse s’est donc attaché à définir son origine, à quantifier sa proportion selon différentes conditions opératoires de STEP et à caractériser ses composés d’un point de vue physique et chimique. Une approche filière a tout d’abord été menée pour analyser la relation entre l’origine et la biodégradabilité d’une boue. Deux approches de caractérisation chimique ont été mises en œuvre : (i) Analyse directe de l’empreinte chimique globale par spectrophotométrie infrarouge (IR) en réflexion totale atténuée (ATR) ; (ii) Analyses moléculaires (fluorescence 2D et 3D, UV 210 et 280 nm, dosages biochimiques) de fractions solubilisées après déconstruction thermo-chimique de l’agrégat réfractaire. Associée à des analyses statistiques, l’utilisation de l’empreinte IR s’est révélée pertinente pour différencier chimiquement différentes matrices réfractaires et suivre l’évolution des empreintes au fil des unités de traitement d’épuration. Par ailleurs, l’utilisation combinée de techniques analytiques complémentaires a permis une caractérisation plus précise des familles de molécules impliquées. Enfin, l’empreinte IR s’est avéré un outil pertinent de caractérisation de l’effet d’un traitement thermique (60 à 95°C) ou chimique (hydrolyse acide et alcaline) sur la chimie de la fraction XU / Organic matter of urban wastewaters (WW) is modified all along the treatment units of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). A fraction of the organic matter systematically remains at the end of biological treatment, mainly aggregated in particulate form. It is thus classified as refractory organics, noticed XU. The “exogenous” origin (e.g. originated from the urban WW) or “endogenous” one (e.g. residues produced by the microbial processes) and the quantitative contribution of compounds accumulated into the XU fraction are difficult to identify. Limited bioaccessibility and/or inappropriate chemical characteristics can be suspected. However, the reasons of their non-biodegradability are not clearly identified that limits an optimal valorization of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion (AD). Focusing specifically on the refractory COD fraction of sewage sludge, this research work attempts to define its origin, to quantify its proportion depending on the applied operating conditions in the WWTP and to characterize the physical and chemical properties of its different compounds.A first approach is carried out to analyze the relationship between the WWTP operating conditions and the biodegradability of various sludges. The scientific approach is based on (1) the use of sludges of contrasted composition (fed with raw wastewater, or pre-settled WW, diluted primary sludge or synthetic influent, and produced with a solid retention time in the range of 2 and 70 days), and, on (2) the comparative analysis of physical, biological and chemical characteristics for refractory matrices resulting from their ultimate anaerobic digestion. Refractory COD fractionations are estimated comparing experimental and ASM1 predicted data. While 85% of anaerobic refractory organic matter remain aggregated, two characterization approaches were applied: (i) direct analysis (on unmodified particulate matter) of the global chemical fingerprint by infrared spectroscopy (IR) on attenuated total reflexion (ATR); (ii) molecular analysis (fluorescence 2D and 3D, UV 210 and 280 nm, biochemical assays) of solubilized fractions obtained by thermo-chemical solubilisation of the refractory aggregate.Combined with statistical tools (Hierarchical Ascendant Classification, HAC and Principal Component Analysis, PCA), infrared fingerprints appear relevant to chemically discriminate refractory residues of the selected sludges and hence to follow the evolution of the chemistry of matrices along the treatments chains. Main factors involved in the chemical fingerprint of XU are highlighted. For example the major effect of the chemistry of exogenic refractory compounds (XU,inf) on the XU chemical fingerprint is shown. In addition, our work underlines the interest of using complementary analytical techniques to get a more accurate chemical characterization of the molecules involved in the ultimate refractory matrices. For example, a significant contribution of proteins and humics on the chemistry of refractory aggregate could be observed with a clear contribution of bacterial compounds to protein refractory fraction.Finally, the infrared fingerprint was used to characterize the effect of heat treatments (60-95°C) or chemical treatments (acid and alkaline hydrolysis) on the chemistry of XU. In perspective, this approach could be extended to other treatments (e.g. high temperature, ozonation, enzymatic hydrolysis) to assess their effects and to define their optimal operating point for degradation of refractory compounds. Furthermore, the possibility to discriminate chemical fingerprints of different refractory residues could also be exploited. Acquiring spectral data banks could better define the scope of application of treatment units combined with the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.

Le but de ce travail est la compréhension du mécanisme de la solubilisation micellaire de molécules organiques modèle de faible masse moléculaire et d'une solubilité limitée dans l'eau. Les interactions entre ces molécules organiques<br />(Phénol, butanol, heptanol et acide heptanoïque) et les micelles du tensioactif cationique le bromure d'hexadécyltriméthylammonium (CTAB) au voisinage de la concentration micellaire critique et à de faibles concentrations en solutés ont été caractérisées avec différentes techniques expérimentales : La RMN du 1H, la microcalorimétrie de titration, la conductivité spécifique et la spectroscopie UV. La localisation et l'orientation des solutés modèle dans la micelle ont été déterminées.<br />La solubilisation de ces molécules dans un système micellaire varie selon la composition du mélange. En effet, les interactions tensioactif-soluté, qui sont très faibles et difficiles à détecter, nécessitent pour être étudiées des techniques expérimentales sensibles et précises (RMN 1H et microcalorimétrie de titration).<br />L'exploitation des résultats obtenus a fourni des indications sur la localisation et l'orientation du Phénol à l'intérieur de la micelle. Ces résultats confirment que le Phénol, pour de faibles molalités, se solubilise principalement dans la couronne micellaire et la couche de palissade. A cause de l'aspect compétitif entre le Phénol, le NaBr et les alcools résulte que à faibles molalités en solutés, le Phénol est contraint à quitter la micelle. Le butanol et l'acide favorisent la solubilisation du Phénol dans le coeur de la micelle.

Certains Trichoderma spp. sont des agents de lutte biologique reconnus pour réprimer des microorganismes telluriques phytopathogènes, dont les Oomycota Pythium spp. Aussi, le silicium est connue pour son rôle prophylactique envers les Pythium spp. Le but de cette étude est de démontrer le potentiel de Trichoderma à augmenter la biodisponibilité du silicium (Si) de deux matériaux qui en sont riches et à réduire l'intensité de la fonte des semis en étudiant le modèle : concombre (Cucumis sativus) - P. ultimum. Les réactions enzymatiques et les tests de confrontation avec des microorganismes ont permis de construire l'arbre phylogénétique séparant les souches de Trichoderma. L'hémicellulase a été effective pour l'ensemble des souches, la lignase pour sept souches et la cellulase pour une souche. Le test de confrontation a montré le potentiel antagoniste des souches, et la souche A de Trichoderma sp., isolée d'Equisetum sp. a présenté un effet inhibiteur dû à la production d'antibiotiques (sorbicillinoïdes). Dans l'eau stérile additionnée des poudres de wollastonite(silicate minéral), de glumes de riz (organo-silicate), et de leur mélange 1 :1, avec et sans l'addition d'une souche de Trichoderma, la teneur en acide silicique a augmenté. Lors du bioessai avec le concombre, les masses sèches aériennes et l'intensité de la maladie ont été similaires entre les traitements témoins et ceux enrichis d'une souche de Trichoderma. Cependant, la teneur la plus élevée en Si a été mesurée pour les traitements additionnés de la souche de Trichoderma A ou de la souche C (collection UL # 16). Au final, l'enrobage des semences avec des matériaux riches en silicium additionné d'une souche de Trichoderma confirme partiellement l'hypothèse ; certaines souches de Trichoderma ont permis une meilleure biodisponibilité du silicium pour la plante, tout en ayant tendance à limiter l'intensité de la fonte des semis du concombre causée par Pythium. / Some Trichoderma spp. are biological control agents known to control phytopathogenic soil-borne microorganisms, including Oomycota Pythium spp. In addition, silicon (Si) is known for its prophylactic role against Pythium spp. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of Trichoderma to increase the plant biodisponibility of Si and reduced the severity of damping-off by studying the model : cucumber (Cucumis sativus) - P. ultimum. The enzymatic and microbial confrontation characterizations made it possible to build the phylogenetic tree separating the Trichoderma strains. Hemicellulase was effective for all strains in opposite to lignase who was effective for seven strains and cellulase for one strain. The confrontation test showed the potential antagonist of some strains, and the Trichoderma strain A, isolated from field horsetail (Equisetum sp.), had an inhibitory effect, due to the production of antibiotics (sorbicillinoids). The addition of wollastonite and husk powders, alone or in combination in sterile water allowed Si solubilization (measured as silicic acid); on top of that, the addition of a Trichoderma strain increased Si solubilization. In the plant-cucumber bioassay, aerial dry weights and disease severity were similar between the control and the Trichoderma treatments. In cucumber, the highest total Si content was measured forthe treatments coated with strains A and C (from the collection of Université Laval # 16). In conclusion, coating cucumber seeds with mixed wollastonite and rice husk powders and a strain of Trichoderma partially confirms the hypothesis; some strains of Trichoderma allowed a better bioavailability of silicium for the plant, while tending to limit the severity of damping-off caused by Pythium.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Le procédé Arkométha® est un système de digestion anaérobie de rejets organiques fonctionnant en voie épaisse et comprenant plusieurs compartiments phasés en température. Ce travail s’est intéressé aux performances des différentes phases du procédé pour le traitement de résidus agricoles. Dans un premier temps, le compartiment d’hydrolyse a été étudié. Les paramètres les plus influents ont été identifiés (température et durée de l’hydrolyse) à l’aide d’un plan d’expérience. Ils ont ensuite été testés sur un pilote afin d’évaluer leur influence sur la solubilisation et la production de méthane ultérieure. Des tests ont alors été conduits à l’échelle laboratoire en mode continu au moyen de réacteurs en séries. Le compartiment méthanogène, constitué de deux à trois secteurs, a été étudié en mettant en évidence l’efficacité de chaque secteur. L’effet de la température a ici également été étudié, avec un impact important. Les deux compartiments ont été mis en série permettant l’étude du procédé complet. Ceci a permis de mettre en lumière certains risques liés à des combinaisons de température peu favorables. Par ailleurs, une comparaison avec un procédé mono-étape a été effectuée. Outre l’étude des performances de chaque compartiment et l’analyse de leur articulation, un résultat intéressant de ce travail réside dans l’affinement de la notion d’hydrolyse dans le cadre de la méthanisation en voie épaisse, communément confondue avec la solubilisation. En effet, nous avons montré que le gain apporté par l’utilisation d’un réacteur séquencé avec un compartiment dédié à l’hydrolyse ne réside pas dans l’amélioration de la solubilisation, mais dans l’augmentation conséquente de la cinétique de méthanisation dans les étapes suivantes. De façon intéressante, alors que la température joue un rôle primordial dans la solubilisation de la matière organique, elle est relativement peu influente pour l’amélioration de la cinétique de dégradation, où le temps de séjour devient prépondérant. / The Arkométha ® process is a system treating organic wastes in several sectors working at high solid concentration and being temperature phased. The present work focuses on the performances of the different phases of the process in treating agricultural wastes. In a first time, the hydrolysis sector has been studied. The most influent parameters have been identified (temperature and retention time), using design of experience. They have been tested afterwards at a pilot scale in order to assess the influence on solubilization and later methane production. Then, tests have been conducted at the lab scale in continuous mode using serial reactors. The methanogenic compartment, composed by two to three sectors has been studied highlighting the efficiency of each sector. The effect of temperature has also been studied, with a strong impact. The two compartments being used in series enabled the study of the complete process. This allowed highlighting some risks linked with certain temperatures combinations. On the other hand, a comparison with a single step reactor has been made. Beside the analysis of the relative performances of each compartment, a major result of this work lies in the distinction between hydrolysis and solubilization. Eventually, we showed that the gain brought by the hydrolysis compartment is not only related to solubilization of organic matter, but also in the increase in kinetics in the downwards sectors. Interestingly, while temperature has a major role in solubilization, it is of less importance in improving the degradation kinetics, where the retention time becomes of higher importance.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo a avaliação físico-química e biológica de uma fração de saponinas enriquecida, obtida a partir de frutos verdes de Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil (mate). A espécie apresenta grande importância econômica para vários países sul-americanos, dentre eles o Brasil. Os frutos verdes da espécie acumulam significativa quantidade de saponinas, entretanto, são considerados subproduto da indústria do beneficiamento das folhas de mate. O extrato liofilizado dos frutos (EX40) foi obtido por turboextração na proporção planta-solvente de 1:10 utilizando como solvente solução hidroalcoólica a 40%. Para análise do extrato bruto foi desenvolvido e validado um método analítico por CLAE-UV, que permitiu: 1) quantificar o marcador químico ilexosídeo II em EX40; 2) estimar o conteúdo em saponinas totais do extrato, tendo sido obtidos valores de 8,2 g% e 47,6 g% respectivamente. Uma fração enriquecida em saponinas, denominada MSF, foi obtida mediante fracionamento em fase sólida a partir de EX40, utilizando resina hidrofóbica poliaromática e gradiente metanol:água de polaridade decrescente. Os maiores teores de saponinas foram obtidos para as frações contendo 70 e 90 % de metanol. A reprodutibilidade do processo foi avaliada por CLAE-UV, considerando o desvio padrão relativo (DPR) entre a área dos dois picos majoritários de MSF produzidas em seis lotes distintos. Valores de DPR de 8,17% para o pico I (ilexosídeo II) e 5,96 % para o pico II (majoritário) foram obtidos. A toxicidade da fração foi avaliada pelo potencial hemolítico in vitro e citotoxicidade sobre cultura de células de mamífero (MDBK ATCC CCL-22). Para atividade hemolítica foi determinado um valor de IC50 de 0,2 g/L (0,22 mM, expresso em ilexosídeo II). O valor de IC50 para citotoxicidade foi 3,8 g/L (4,04 mM, expresso em ilexosídeo II), caracterizando um produto de baixa toxicidade. Dentre as várias atividades biológicas descritas para saponinas, selecionouse avaliar MSF quanto ao seu potencial como imunoadjuvante, assim como a atividade tricomonicida. Para o primeiro caso, MSF foi testada em uma vacina contendo herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 como antígeno viral, nas doses de 100 e 500 μg. Entretanto, o incremento no título de IgG totais, avaliado por ELISA, não foi significativo. A atividade tricomonicida foi comparada aos tensoativos polissorbato 80 e tiloxapol e a uma fração enriquecida em saponinas de Quillaja saponaria. Após 24 h de incubação foi observado para MSF um efeito dose-dependente, atingindo letalidade total dos trofozoítos na concentração de 0,6 g/L. Esse efeito foi superior ao observado para polissorbato 80 e tiloxapol e similar ao de quillaia. O tratamento com metronidazol, administrado tanto após tratamento prévio dos trofozoítos com MSF quanto em associação com essa fração, não revelou qualquer alteração significativa no efeito de ambos os produtos, o que sugere ausência de interação entre MSF e MTZ e a possível existência de mecanismos de ação distintos. A caracterização físico-química enfatizou o estudo do tamanho e forma das micelas, seu comportamento reológico e capacidade de solubilizar compostos hidrofóbicos. A concentração micelar crítica foi determinada em 0,41 g/L utilizando um corante hidrofóbico como marcador. A análise por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e CRIO-MET revelou a presença simultânea de micelas alongadas, com tamanho superior a 500 nm, e micelas esféricas de tamanho menor. Para a fração de micelas esféricas, a análise por espalhamento de nêutrons a baixo ângulo permitiu estabelecer diâmetro de 17,9 Å, perfazendo 23,1 e 32,6 % das micelas observadas em soluções de MSF a 0,5 e 1,0 % m/v, respectivamente. O comportamento reológico de MSF nas concentrações de 0,25 a 4,0 %, determinado por reometria dinâmica com controle de deformação, foi do tipo viscoelástico para todas as concentrações. Esse fato corrobora a existência de agregados não-esféricos, filiformes, semelhantes a micelas tipo wormlike. A solubilização micelar de fármacos mediante MSF foi avaliada utilizando como substâncias-modelos os fármacos flurbiprofeno – FLB (ácido fraco) e carbamazepina - CBZ (base fraca), ambos pouco solúveis, e saponinas de quillaia como produto de comparação. Nas concentrações de 0,13 a 1,5 % as saponinas de quillaia foram mais eficientes frente ao flurbiprofeno, enquanto MSF foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a solubilidade da carbamazepina. O incremento na solubilização gerado por MSF foi de 0,0145 e 0,0129 g/L para CBZ e FLB, respectivamente. / The present work aimed the physicochemical and biological evaluation of a saponin enriched fraction from the green fruits of Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (mate), a species of great economical importance in several Southern American countries, including Brazil. Despite possessing high amounts of saponins, mate green fruits have no commercial use to date and are considered a waste product from the mate leaves processing companies. Mate fruits lyophilized extract (EX40) was produced using turbo-extraction having a 40:60 mixture of water and ethanol as solvent and a 1:10 drug/solvent proportion. An HPLC-UV method was developed and validated aiming at: I) Quantify the EX40 chemical marker, ilexoside II; II) Determine the EX40 total saponin content. The values obtained were of 8.20 wt% and 47.60 wt%, respectively. An enriched saponin fraction (MSF) was obtained from EX40 through a solid phase extraction process within a polyaromatic resin and a decreasing solvent polarity gradient of methanol and water. The higher recovery of mate saponins was achieved with the 70 and 90 % methanol-containing fractions. The process reproducibility was assessed by HPLC-UV through the analysis of the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the two major MSF saponins peak areas obtained in six different batches. RSD values of 8.17 % for peak I (ilexoside II) and 5.96 % for peak II (major peak) were obtained. The MSF toxicity was evaluated according to its haemolytical activity and in vitro cytotoxicity against a mammalian cell culture lineage (MDBK ATCC CCL-22). Values of IC50 of 0.2 g/L (0.22 mM expressed as ilexoside II) and 3.8 g/L (4.04 mM as Ilexoside II) were found for the haemolysis and cytotoxicity respectively. Therefore we could classify MSF as a low toxicity product. Among the several biological activities ascribed to saponins, this work focused on the investigation of MSF immune enhancer potential and its anti-trichomonads vaginalis activity. For the first evaluation, MSF wad added to a bovine herpesvirus 5 vaccine, at 100 and 500 μg doses. However total IGg titres determined by ELISA were not statistically significant. The antitrichomonads activity of MSF was compared a saponin enriched fraction from the species Quillaja saponaria (Quillaja) and to tyloxapol and polysorbate 80. After 24h of incubation MSF presented a dose-dependent activity with total trophozoites lethality at a concentration of 0.6 g/L. The activity was higher than the synthetic surfactants and similar to Quillaja. The treatment with metronidazole (MTZ), peformed in association and after exposing the trophozoites with MSF did not show any synergistic effect of MZT and MSF which suggest an absence of interaction between the compounds and also that they probably have distinct mechanisms of action. The physicochemical evaluation of MSF focused the determination of MSF micelles size and shape, their rheological behaviour and ability to increase the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. MSF critical micellar concentration was determined as 0.41 g/L using a hydrophobic dye as a probe. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and CRYO-TEM analysis revealed the occurrence of filiform micelles higher than 500 nm and smaller sizes spherical micelles simultaneously. The spherical micelles radius of 17.9 Å were determined using small angle neutron scattering.and they corresponded to 23.1 and 32.6 % of the total micelles in MSF solutions of 0.5 and 1.0 % w/v, respectively. The rheological behavior of MSF ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 4.0% was determined on a dynamic strain control rheometer and a viscoelastic behavior was observed for all concentrations. These findings corroborate the occurrence of nonspherical micelles very long in size (wormlike). MSF ability to improve the solubilisation of poor aqueous soluble drugs was assessed using carbamazepine (CBZ) and flurbiprofen (FLB) as a model of amphiphilic basic and acidic coumpounds. Saponin enriched fractions were evaluated in concentrations ranging from 0.13 to 1.5 %. Quillaja was more efficient toward the weak acid while MSF was able to increase significantly the CBZ solubility. The increase on CBZ and FLB solubility after MSF addition was of 0.0145 and 0.0129 g/L, respectively.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo a avaliação físico-química e biológica de uma fração de saponinas enriquecida, obtida a partir de frutos verdes de Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil (mate). A espécie apresenta grande importância econômica para vários países sul-americanos, dentre eles o Brasil. Os frutos verdes da espécie acumulam significativa quantidade de saponinas, entretanto, são considerados subproduto da indústria do beneficiamento das folhas de mate. O extrato liofilizado dos frutos (EX40) foi obtido por turboextração na proporção planta-solvente de 1:10 utilizando como solvente solução hidroalcoólica a 40%. Para análise do extrato bruto foi desenvolvido e validado um método analítico por CLAE-UV, que permitiu: 1) quantificar o marcador químico ilexosídeo II em EX40; 2) estimar o conteúdo em saponinas totais do extrato, tendo sido obtidos valores de 8,2 g% e 47,6 g% respectivamente. Uma fração enriquecida em saponinas, denominada MSF, foi obtida mediante fracionamento em fase sólida a partir de EX40, utilizando resina hidrofóbica poliaromática e gradiente metanol:água de polaridade decrescente. Os maiores teores de saponinas foram obtidos para as frações contendo 70 e 90 % de metanol. A reprodutibilidade do processo foi avaliada por CLAE-UV, considerando o desvio padrão relativo (DPR) entre a área dos dois picos majoritários de MSF produzidas em seis lotes distintos. Valores de DPR de 8,17% para o pico I (ilexosídeo II) e 5,96 % para o pico II (majoritário) foram obtidos. A toxicidade da fração foi avaliada pelo potencial hemolítico in vitro e citotoxicidade sobre cultura de células de mamífero (MDBK ATCC CCL-22). Para atividade hemolítica foi determinado um valor de IC50 de 0,2 g/L (0,22 mM, expresso em ilexosídeo II). O valor de IC50 para citotoxicidade foi 3,8 g/L (4,04 mM, expresso em ilexosídeo II), caracterizando um produto de baixa toxicidade. Dentre as várias atividades biológicas descritas para saponinas, selecionouse avaliar MSF quanto ao seu potencial como imunoadjuvante, assim como a atividade tricomonicida. Para o primeiro caso, MSF foi testada em uma vacina contendo herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 como antígeno viral, nas doses de 100 e 500 μg. Entretanto, o incremento no título de IgG totais, avaliado por ELISA, não foi significativo. A atividade tricomonicida foi comparada aos tensoativos polissorbato 80 e tiloxapol e a uma fração enriquecida em saponinas de Quillaja saponaria. Após 24 h de incubação foi observado para MSF um efeito dose-dependente, atingindo letalidade total dos trofozoítos na concentração de 0,6 g/L. Esse efeito foi superior ao observado para polissorbato 80 e tiloxapol e similar ao de quillaia. O tratamento com metronidazol, administrado tanto após tratamento prévio dos trofozoítos com MSF quanto em associação com essa fração, não revelou qualquer alteração significativa no efeito de ambos os produtos, o que sugere ausência de interação entre MSF e MTZ e a possível existência de mecanismos de ação distintos. A caracterização físico-química enfatizou o estudo do tamanho e forma das micelas, seu comportamento reológico e capacidade de solubilizar compostos hidrofóbicos. A concentração micelar crítica foi determinada em 0,41 g/L utilizando um corante hidrofóbico como marcador. A análise por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e CRIO-MET revelou a presença simultânea de micelas alongadas, com tamanho superior a 500 nm, e micelas esféricas de tamanho menor. Para a fração de micelas esféricas, a análise por espalhamento de nêutrons a baixo ângulo permitiu estabelecer diâmetro de 17,9 Å, perfazendo 23,1 e 32,6 % das micelas observadas em soluções de MSF a 0,5 e 1,0 % m/v, respectivamente. O comportamento reológico de MSF nas concentrações de 0,25 a 4,0 %, determinado por reometria dinâmica com controle de deformação, foi do tipo viscoelástico para todas as concentrações. Esse fato corrobora a existência de agregados não-esféricos, filiformes, semelhantes a micelas tipo wormlike. A solubilização micelar de fármacos mediante MSF foi avaliada utilizando como substâncias-modelos os fármacos flurbiprofeno – FLB (ácido fraco) e carbamazepina - CBZ (base fraca), ambos pouco solúveis, e saponinas de quillaia como produto de comparação. Nas concentrações de 0,13 a 1,5 % as saponinas de quillaia foram mais eficientes frente ao flurbiprofeno, enquanto MSF foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a solubilidade da carbamazepina. O incremento na solubilização gerado por MSF foi de 0,0145 e 0,0129 g/L para CBZ e FLB, respectivamente. / The present work aimed the physicochemical and biological evaluation of a saponin enriched fraction from the green fruits of Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (mate), a species of great economical importance in several Southern American countries, including Brazil. Despite possessing high amounts of saponins, mate green fruits have no commercial use to date and are considered a waste product from the mate leaves processing companies. Mate fruits lyophilized extract (EX40) was produced using turbo-extraction having a 40:60 mixture of water and ethanol as solvent and a 1:10 drug/solvent proportion. An HPLC-UV method was developed and validated aiming at: I) Quantify the EX40 chemical marker, ilexoside II; II) Determine the EX40 total saponin content. The values obtained were of 8.20 wt% and 47.60 wt%, respectively. An enriched saponin fraction (MSF) was obtained from EX40 through a solid phase extraction process within a polyaromatic resin and a decreasing solvent polarity gradient of methanol and water. The higher recovery of mate saponins was achieved with the 70 and 90 % methanol-containing fractions. The process reproducibility was assessed by HPLC-UV through the analysis of the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the two major MSF saponins peak areas obtained in six different batches. RSD values of 8.17 % for peak I (ilexoside II) and 5.96 % for peak II (major peak) were obtained. The MSF toxicity was evaluated according to its haemolytical activity and in vitro cytotoxicity against a mammalian cell culture lineage (MDBK ATCC CCL-22). Values of IC50 of 0.2 g/L (0.22 mM expressed as ilexoside II) and 3.8 g/L (4.04 mM as Ilexoside II) were found for the haemolysis and cytotoxicity respectively. Therefore we could classify MSF as a low toxicity product. Among the several biological activities ascribed to saponins, this work focused on the investigation of MSF immune enhancer potential and its anti-trichomonads vaginalis activity. For the first evaluation, MSF wad added to a bovine herpesvirus 5 vaccine, at 100 and 500 μg doses. However total IGg titres determined by ELISA were not statistically significant. The antitrichomonads activity of MSF was compared a saponin enriched fraction from the species Quillaja saponaria (Quillaja) and to tyloxapol and polysorbate 80. After 24h of incubation MSF presented a dose-dependent activity with total trophozoites lethality at a concentration of 0.6 g/L. The activity was higher than the synthetic surfactants and similar to Quillaja. The treatment with metronidazole (MTZ), peformed in association and after exposing the trophozoites with MSF did not show any synergistic effect of MZT and MSF which suggest an absence of interaction between the compounds and also that they probably have distinct mechanisms of action. The physicochemical evaluation of MSF focused the determination of MSF micelles size and shape, their rheological behaviour and ability to increase the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. MSF critical micellar concentration was determined as 0.41 g/L using a hydrophobic dye as a probe. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and CRYO-TEM analysis revealed the occurrence of filiform micelles higher than 500 nm and smaller sizes spherical micelles simultaneously. The spherical micelles radius of 17.9 Å were determined using small angle neutron scattering.and they corresponded to 23.1 and 32.6 % of the total micelles in MSF solutions of 0.5 and 1.0 % w/v, respectively. The rheological behavior of MSF ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 4.0% was determined on a dynamic strain control rheometer and a viscoelastic behavior was observed for all concentrations. These findings corroborate the occurrence of nonspherical micelles very long in size (wormlike). MSF ability to improve the solubilisation of poor aqueous soluble drugs was assessed using carbamazepine (CBZ) and flurbiprofen (FLB) as a model of amphiphilic basic and acidic coumpounds. Saponin enriched fractions were evaluated in concentrations ranging from 0.13 to 1.5 %. Quillaja was more efficient toward the weak acid while MSF was able to increase significantly the CBZ solubility. The increase on CBZ and FLB solubility after MSF addition was of 0.0145 and 0.0129 g/L, respectively.