Institute of Chemical Biology - National Hellenic Research Foundation

Biomimetics, Biocatalysis and Bioactive Compounds
Dr. Maria Zoumpanioti | Principal Research Scientist, Group Leader

About Team Collaborations Funding Publications

Main Research Directions / Ongoing Research Activities

Biomimetics

Development of liquid, solid or semi-solid carriers

biomimetics

Our lab has the expertise on the development and characterization of nanodispersions (conventional microemulsions based on surfactant e.g. lecithin, or surfactant-free microemulsions), gels (organo- and hydro-gels) or polymeric films, that are used for the encapsulation, protection and controlled release of bioactive compounds. A variety of nanocarriers have been developed, involving biocompatible and biodegradable surfactants, oils of natural origin as well as biopolymers. Structural and morphological analysis is conducted for the developed systems as well as the incorporated compounds. Therefore, the nanocarriers are physiochemically characterized with advanced techniques involving DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, SEM microscopy.

Our group is highly active on the immobilisation of enzymes in nanodispersions that mimic the biological membranes, or in solid / semi-solid and polymeric film carriers. The activity and functional stability of the immobilized enzymes is the main target of our studies.

Biocatalysis

Production of High Added Value products

biocatalysis

In this direction, we study the activity of enzymes immobilized on carriers developed by our group. The aim is the production of high added value products of industrial interest. Some examples would be the production of phenolic acid esters or fatty acid esters, or other products that may be serving as flavour improving additives, taste enhancers, emulsifiers, lubricants, edible surfactants, nutrition additives in food etc. Their synthesis is achieved enzymatically, using low water content systems such as microemulsions and related organogels, hydrogels or films.

Bioactive compounds

Bioactive compounds from natural sources

Bioactive compounds

Our recent research interests are focused on the isolation and exploitation of valuable constituents from natural sources such as microalgae cultures and microalgae cultivation medium. We focus on the isolation of bioactive molecules including proteins, exopolysaccharides and lipids, aiming on the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

Education & Training

PhD Theses

K. Matskou, MSc Biologist, Dep. of Biology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. The subject of the thesis is the isolation of biologically active compounds from natural sources, the development of matrices based on natural polymers and the encapsulation of the isolated compounds, to protect them and to be used in food or pharmaceutical products. (ongoing)
E. Mitsou, Biologist, Dep. of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina. The subject of the thesis was the development of microemulsions for the administration of bioactive compounds. 2019

Diploma thesis

Vassiliki Kokkovou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dpt. of Biology
Maria Vlachou, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Despina Noti, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Kalliopi Kourioti, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Anastasios Aridas, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Konstantinos Rigkos, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Evdoxia Karpenisioti, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Maria Paraskevi Nikou, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Maria Kiriakaki, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Evdokia Vassiliadi, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies

Internships

Alexis Leroy, University of Grenoble Alpes, France
Amalia Frida, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Athanasios Christopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dpt. of Biology
Maria Spilia, University of Ioannina, Dpt. of Biological Applications and Technologies
Vassiliki Kontou, Agricultural University of Athens, Dpt. of Biotechnology
Dajana Duro, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dpt. of Biology
Maria Samoili, Agricultural University of Athens, Dpt. of Biotechnology

Science & Society

The members of the team actively and regularly participate in

the organization of the "Science & Society" annual event of the National Hellenic Research Foundation aiming at communicating front line scientific issues to the general public
the Researcher's Night and Athens Science Festival events
Science Communication & Dissemination Events

Group Structure and Personnel

Maria Zoumpanioti, Group leader, Principal Research Scientist
Theodoros G. Sotiroudis, Researcher, Emeritus
Georgios Sotiroudis, Scientific Technical Personnel

Post-doctoral Researchers
Dr. Ilias Matis,
Dr. Evgenia Mitsou,
Dr. Ioanna Theochari

PhD Students
Konstantina Matskou
Evdokia Vassiliadi

Undergraduate Students
Vassiliki Kokkovou,
Kalliopi Kourioti,
Despina Noti
Konstantinos Rigkos
Evdoxia Karpenisioti
Anastasios Aridas

Collaborations

Collaboration with private industries
The collaboration of our group with industries has 2 main axes, Common funded projects and Provision of services in order to determine properties of different types of products (use of EPR, DLS etc.)

YOTIS S.A
Spirulina Supreme
Algae S.A.
NEOKEM
Unilever
Pharmathen S.A.

Collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes in Greece

Department of Biology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Department of Chemistry, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina
CERTH
Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes abroad

Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Germany
Centre CEA Marcoule, France
Centre de Recherches Paul Pascal - CRPP, Univ. Bordeaux, France
Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Degli Studi Di Torino, Italy
Faculty of Chemistry (UBFC), Department of Biochemistry & Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland

Funding

2022 – 2024: Strengthening the potential of algal proteins for food colouring and fortification using high-pressure technology (PRESSION) ANSO-CR-PP-2021-01, the Alliance of International Science Organizations. Total budget $ 150,000.00, Team budget $ 12,000.00.

2019 – 2021: Study and exploitation of olive oil as innovative raw material for special industrial applications to baby food products (ELAION) MIS 5040301, NSRF, Operational Program West Greece. Total budget 250,000.00 €, Team budget 65,000.00 €.

2018 – 2022: Bioconversion of CO2 into high added value bioproducts through sustainable microalgae cultivation processes (CO2-BioProducts) MIS 5031682. NSRF. Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020 (EPAnEK). Total budget 1,000,000.00 €, Team budget 150,000.10 €.

2017 – 2021: Project-STHENOS-b. Targeted therapeutic approaches against degenerative diseases, focusing on cancer and aging optimization of targeted bioactive compounds. MIS 5002398 Developmental Projects of Research Organisations- Kripis, NSRF. Total budget 750,000.00 €, Team budget 22,000 €.

Earlier projects

2013 – 2015: Project STHENOS. Targeted therapeutic approaches against degenerative diseases, focusing on cancer and aging. Developmental Projects of Research Organisations- Kripis, NSRF. Total budget 1,500,000.00 €, Team budget 174,773.00 €.

2010 – 2014: Project CAPES, Nanobiotechnology. Lipase Activity. Ministry of Education, Brazil. Budget 40,000.00 €.

2010 – 2012: Development of nanoemulsions as new materials managing phytoprotective products to reduce the environmental charge. National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), Cooperation, Action I. Total budget 449,040.00 €, Team budget 147,743.00 €.

2007 – 2008: Bilateral Greek-French project, Biocatalysis by enzymes immobilized in mesoporous materials for the biotechnological production of high added value products. Franco—Hellenic project PLATON 15064YC/06-FR 23. Budget 12,400.00 €.

2007: Program PAVET 2005, Production of high added value products by the biotechnological application of lipases as biocatalysts. Budget 35,000.00 €.

2002 – 2004: Program IKYDA, Enzyme immobilization in microemulsion organogels – Study in supercritical fluids. Budget 10,000.00 €.

2003 – 2004: Project EPAN, Enzymatic preparation for deep and permanent epilation. EPAN 01 ΠΡΑΞΕ 18.

2001 – 2003: Project PAVET, New systems for delivery of drugs and biologically active substances with repetitive and controlled release. Program ΕΠΑΝ ΠΑΒΕΤ 2000 00ΒΕ58. Total budget 83.436.000 Grd. Team budget 3.350.000 Grd.

1999 – 2001: Program ΕΠΕΤ ΙΙ, New materials based on hydrosoluble polymers as carriers of biologically active substances. ΕΠΕΤ ΙΙ - Subprogram 4, Action 4.1, ΠΕΝΕΔ 99ΕΔ98. Total budget 57,000,000 Grd, Team budget 18.500.000 Grd.

2000 – 2001: Bilateral project, Application of new immobilized enzymic systems for the synthesis of pharmaceutics. Greek-Spanish Collaboration. Budget 4,000,000 Grd.

1998 – 2000: Program ΕΠΕΤ ΙΙ, New technology for transdermal drug delivery. Application of microemulsions and organogels. ΕΠΕΤ ΙΙ - Subprogram 2, Action 2.1, ΠΑΒΕ-97ΒΕ93. Total budget 67,649,087 Grd, Team budget 14.000.000 Grd.

Publications

E. Vassiliadi, A. Aridas, V. Schmitt, A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti, (2022) “(Hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose - chitosan film as a matrix for lipase immobilization. Operational and morphological study”, Molecular Catalysis, 522, 112252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112252
E. Vassiliadi, E. Mitsou, S. Avramiotis, C. L. Chochos, F. Pirolt, M. Medebach, O. Glatter, A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti (2020) “Structural Study of (Hydroxypropyl)Methyl Cellulose Microemulsion-Based Gels Used for Biocompatible Encapsulations”, Nanomaterials, 10(11), 2204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10112204.
E. Mitsou, V. Pletsa, G.T. Sotiroudis, P. Panine, M. Zoumpanioti, A. Xenakis, (2020) “Development of a microemulsion for encapsulation and delivery of Gallic acid. The role of chitosan”, Colloid Surf B: Biointerf, 190, 110974
E. Mitsou, E.P. Kalogianni, D. Georgiou, H. Stamatis, A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti (2019) “Formulation and structural study of a biocompatible water-in-oil microemulsion as an appropriate enzyme carrier: The model case of Horseradish peroxidase”, Langmiur, 35, 150. DOI:10.1021acs.langmuir.8b03124.
P.C. Ioannou, C. Arbez-Gindre, M. Zoumpanioti, C.P. Raptopoulou, V. Psycharis, I.D. Kostas, P. Kyritsis, (2019) “Catalytic reactivity of the complexes [Pd{(Ph2P)2N(tBu)-P,P'}X2], X = Cl, Br, I, in the Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reaction: Probing effects of the halogeno ligand X- and the ligand's tBu group”, J Organometallic Chem, 879, 40-46.
E. Vassiliadi, A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti (2018) “Chitosan hydrogels: A new and simple matrix for lipase catalysed biosynthesis”, Molecular Catalysis, 45, 206-212.
E. Mitsou, A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti (2017) “Oxidation catalysis by enzymes in microemulsions”, Catalysts, 7, 52.
K.M. Gonçalves, I.I. Junior, V. Papadimitriou, M. Zoumpanioti, I.C.R. Leal, R.O.M.A. de Souza, Y. Cordeiro, A. Xenakis, (2016) “Nanoencapsulated Lecitase Ultra and Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase, a comparative structural study”, Langmuir, 32, 6746-6756.
A. Xenakis, M. Zoumpanioti, H. Stamatis, (2016) “Enzymatic reactions in structured surfactant-free microemulsions”, Curr Opinion Colloid Interf Sci, 22, 41-45.
V. Sereti, M. Zoumpanioti, V. Papadimitriou, S. Pispas, A. Xenakis, (2014) “Biocolloids Based On Amphiphilic Block Copolymers as a Medium for Enzyme Encapsulation”, J Phys Chem B, 118, 9808-9816.
I. Itabaiana-Jr, K.M. Gonçalves, M. Zoumpanioti, I.C.R. Leal, L.S.M. de Miranda, A. Xenakis, R.O. M.A de Souza, (2014) “Microemulsion-Based Organogels as an Efficient Support for Lipase Catalyzed Reactions Under Continuous Flow Conditions”, Org Process Res Dev, 18, 1372-1376.
A.F. Zanette, I. Zampakidi, G.T. Sotiroudis, M. Zoumpanioti, I.C.R. Leal, R.O.M.A. de Souza, L. Cardozo-Filho, A. Xenakis, (2014) “Chemo-enzymatic epoxidation catalyzed by C. antarctica lipase immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels”, J Mol Catal B: Enzymatic, 107, 89-94.
I. Itabaiana-Jr, K.M. Gonçalves, Y.M.L. Cordeiro, M. Zoumpanioti, I.C.R. Leal, L.S.M. de Miranda, R.O.M.A de Souza, A. Xenakis, (2013), “Kinetics and mechanism of lipase catalyzed monoacylglycerols synthesis”, J Mol Catal B: Enzymatic, 96, 34-39.
Review: M. Zoumpanioti, H. Stamatis, A. Xenakis, (2010), “Microemulsion-based organogels as matrices for lipase immobilization”, Biotechnology Advances, 28, 395-406.
F. Michaux, M. Zoumpanioti, M. Papamentzelopoulou, M.J. Stébé, J.L. Blin, A. Xenakis, (2010), “Immobilization and activity of Rhizomucor miehei lipase. Effect of the matrix properties prepared from nonionic fluorinated surfactants”, Process Biochemistry, 45, 39-46.
M. Zoumpanioti, E. Merianou, T. Karandreas, H. Stamatis, A. Xenakis, (2010), “Esterification of phenolic acids catalyzed by lipases immobilized in οrganogels”, Biotechnol Lett, 32, 1457-1462.
V. Papadimitriou, S. Pispas, S. Syriou, A. Pournara, M. Zoumpanioti, T.G. Sotiroudis, A. Xenakis, (2008), “Biocompatible microemulsions based on limonene: Formulation, structure and applications”, Langmuir, 24, 3380-3386.
M. Zoumpanioti, P. Parmaklis, P. Domínguez de María, H. Stamatis, J.V. Sinisterra, A. Xenakis, (2008), “Esterification reactions catalyzed by lipases immobilized in organogels. Effect of temperature and substrate diffusion”, Biotechnol Lett, 30, 1627-1631.
C. Blattner, M. Zoumpanioti, J. Kröner, G. Schmeer, A. Xenakis, W. Kunz, (2006), “Biocatalysis using lipase encapsulated in microemulsion-based organogels in supercritical carbon dioxide”, Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 36 (3), 182-193.
M. Zoumpanioti, H. Stamatis, V. Papadimitriou, A. Xenakis, (2006), “Spectroscopic and catalytic studies of lipases in ternary hexane – 1-propanol – water microemulsion-like systems”, Colloid Surf B: Biointerf, 47, 1-9.
M. Zoumpanioti, M. Karali, H. Stamatis, A. Xenakis, (2006), “Lipase biocatalytic processes in surfactant free microemulsion-like ternary systems and related organogels”, Enzym Microb Technol, 39, 531-539.
Μ. Zoumpanioti, E. Karavas, C. Skopelitis, H. Stamatis, A. Xenakis, (2004), “Lecithin organogels as model carriers of pharmaceuticals”, Prog Colloid Polymer Sci, 123, 199-202.
Ch. Delimitsou, M. Zoumpanioti, A. Xenakis, H. Stamatis, (2002), “Activity and stability studies of Mucor miehei lipase immobilized in novel microemulsion-based organogels”, Biocatal Biotransform, 20(5), 319-327.