Lipolytic potential of seeds of Bactris gasipaes Kunth

Authors

  • Diogo Melo Batista State University of Pará
  • Everton Vanzeler Pastana State University of Pará
  • Isabela Ewelyn Barra Viana State University of Pará
  • Jakeline dos Santos State University of Pará
  • Ketharine Caroline Borges Assunção State University of Pará
  • João da Silva Carneiro State University of Pará

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30681/rcaa.v23i2.13807

Keywords:

enzymatic activity, physicochemical characterization

Abstract

Lipolytic enzymes of plant origin have been attracting increasing interest due to their potential to replace synthetic catalysts in industrial processes, offering more sustainable and economical alternatives. However, the search for new natural sources of lipases is still limited, especially among native Amazonian species. In this context, Bactris gasipaes Kunth (peach palm) emerges as a promising plant, since its seeds, although generally discarded, have a composition rich in lipids and proteins that can act as a substrate for enzymes of biotechnological interest. Thus, this work aimed to investigate the presence and characterize the physicochemical properties of lipases present in the seeds of B. gasipaes, contributing to expanding knowledge about potential Amazonian plant enzyme sources. The study involved obtaining crude extracts from mature seeds of B. gasipaes collected in the municipality of Cametá (PA). After grinding and extraction in a specific buffer, lipase activity was evaluated by titration of fatty acids released from the hydrolysis of olive oil under different pH (4.0–8.8) and temperature (37–60°C) conditions. Activity was expressed in enzyme units per milliliter (U/mL). The results demonstrated significant lipolytic activity, with performance superior to that reported for other plant lipases. The optimum pH was identified at 4.5, and the optimum temperature at 40°C, reaching 130 U/mL of activity. The enzymes showed partial stability in more alkaline ranges, suggesting the presence of isoenzymes. This adaptation to acidic pH is especially interesting for applications in transesterification processes of waste oils with high acidity, such as in biodiesel production. The observed catalytic efficiency exceeds values found in microbial lipases (5–16 U/mL), indicating biotechnological potential. It is concluded that the seeds of B. gasipaes represent a novel and promising source of plant lipases with high yield and low production cost. Their physicochemical characteristics, combined with the wide availability of the species in the Amazon, reinforce their potential for application in sustainable industrial processes, especially in the energy and food sectors. This study contributes to filling a scientific gap regarding enzymes of Amazonian plant origin, highlighting the importance of exploring regional biological resources in the search for efficient and environmentally compatible biocatalysts.

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Author Biographies

  • Diogo Melo Batista, State University of Pará

    Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the State University of Pará. He works as a scientific initiation scholarship holder, where he develops work in the area of ​​Biochemistry, Enzymology and Biotechnology, with an emphasis on the study of lipase enzymes from plant sources. He taught classes on the content of Biology and its aspects at the Popular Preparatory Course for the National Institute of Biology (CIEBT) (2024).

  • Everton Vanzeler Pastana, State University of Pará

    Everton Vanzeler Pastana, 22 years old, born in Cametá-PA, has a degree in Chemistry from the State University of Pará (UEPA). He has research focused on Organic Chemistry, with an emphasis on biomolecules and enzymatic activities, investigating lipases from Amazonian fruits. In the area of ​​Environmental Education, with extension projects that combine sustainable practices and awareness of environmental issues. In addition, in the area of ​​teaching Chemistry through contextualized experimentation and playful strategies. Experience acquired from the PIBIC/CNPQ/UEPA program, Monitoring and PROEXT-UEPA program.

  • Isabela Ewelyn Barra Viana, State University of Pará

    He has a degree in Chemistry from the State University of Pará (2025) and a High School degree from EEEM PROFESSORA OSVALDINA MUNIZ (2018).

  • Jakeline dos Santos, State University of Pará

    Graduated in Chemistry from the State University of Pará - Campus XVIII/Cametá (2025). Presents research focused on Organic Chemistry, with an emphasis on biomolecules and enzymatic activities, investigating lipases from Amazonian fruits. In the area of ​​Environmental Education, with extension projects that combine sustainable practices and awareness of environmental issues. In addition, in the area of ​​​​teaching Chemistry through contextualized experimentation and playful strategies. Experience acquired from the PIBIC/CNPQ/UEPA program, Monitoring and PROEXT-UEPA program.

  • Ketharine Caroline Borges Assunção, State University of Pará

    Graduated in Chemistry from the State University of Pará - Campus XVIII/Cametá. Her research is focused on Organic Chemistry, with emphasis on the study of enzymatic activities present in fruits from the Amazon region. In addition, in the area of ​​Chemistry teaching, she has works on contextualized experimentation and recreational activities.

  • João da Silva Carneiro, State University of Pará

    He holds a degree in Science/Chemistry from the Federal University of Pará (2001), a master's degree in organic chemistry from the Federal University of Pará (2005) and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Federal University of Pará (2010). He is currently an adjunct professor IV at the State University of Pará (UEPA), with exclusive dedication. He was the first coordinator of the Full Degree Course in Chemistry at UEPA (2018-2021), ordinance 1837/18. He was a member of the Scientific Committee of UEPA, in the periods 2016-2018 and 2018-2020. He is the leader of the research group entitled: Chemistry, Chemistry Teaching and Environment, created in 2015. He has experience in the area of ​​Chemistry, with an emphasis on Organic Chemistry, working mainly on the following topics: natural products, phytochemistry, chromatography and essential oils, as well as in the study of Biomolecules, with an emphasis on the study of lipase and peroxidase enzymes from plant sources and biotransformation reactions, having a PATENT in this area, registered under number BR1020190139340. He has experience in Teaching Chemistry, with the use of active methodologies, in the following research lines: chemical tests applied to teaching, study of natural resources and products from the Amazon, Interdisciplinary Approaches in the Teaching of Science and Chemistry and environmental education, and also develops work in the area of ​​​​Teacher Training in Chemistry and Supervised Internships.

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Published

2025-12-16

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2025): RCAA

Section

Ciências Biológicas

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Copyright (c) 2025 Diogo Melo Batista, Everton Vanzeler Pastana, Isabela Ewelyn Barra Viana, Jakeline dos Santos, Ketharine Caroline Borges Assunção, João da Silva Carneiro

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How to Cite

Melo Batista, D., Vanzeler Pastana, E., Barra Viana, I. E. ., dos Santos, J., Borges Assunção, K. C. ., & da Silva Carneiro, J. . (2025). Lipolytic potential of seeds of Bactris gasipaes Kunth. Revista De Ciências Agro-Ambientais, 23(2), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.30681/rcaa.v23i2.13807