Application of NMR-based metabolomics techniques to biological systems: a case study on bivalves
type: CreativeWork
description: In the past years, metabolomics has progressed greatly, providing a reliable and high-throughput approach particularly feasible for the study of complex biological systems. Indeed, thanks to the development of powerful analytical methods capable of screening a large number of chemical compounds in a sample, nowadays metabolomics plays an important role in gaining biological insights toward the influence of internal (genetic and developmental) and external (environmental) factors on phenotypes. The work presented in this Ph.D. thesis shows examples of applications of NMR-based metabolomics to the study of bivalves, facing challenges of interest in both food and environmental sciences. The outcome of such studies yield insights, at molecular level, into several aspects concerning the impact of different storage conditions on shellfish quality and the effect of natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors on bivalves’ metabolic profiles. Firstly, the effect of different cold storage conditions on the hydrosoluble chemical components of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) was investigated for the first time by NMR-based metabolomics. The data revealed substantial time-related changes in the metabolic profiles of mussels stored at 0 °C and 4 °C. The observed biochemical modifications were in good agreement with the microbiological quality of samples, reflecting changes in their microbial loads. These results confirmed the potential use of metabolomics as a reliable method to assess seafood freshness. Secondly, a metabolomic approach was also applied to study the effect of short-term exposure to heavy metals on two different clams’ species: Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850). Heavy metals are considered to be among the most harmful pollutants that can contaminate marine environments. The toxicity of trace metals gives rise from their persistent nature which lead to environmental accumulation. Given the high a…
abstract: In the past years, metabolomics has progressed greatly, providing a reliable and high-throughput approach particularly feasible for the study of complex biological systems. Indeed, thanks to the development of powerful analytical methods capable of screening a large number of chemical compounds in a sample, nowadays metabolomics plays an important role in gaining biological insights toward the influence of internal (genetic and developmental) and external (environmental) factors on phenotypes. The work presented in this Ph.D. thesis shows examples of applications of NMR-based metabolomics to the study of bivalves, facing challenges of interest in both food and environmental sciences. The outcome of such studies yield insights, at molecular level, into several aspects concerning the impact of different storage conditions on shellfish quality and the effect of natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors on bivalves’ metabolic profiles. Firstly, the effect of different cold storage conditions on the hydrosoluble chemical components of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) was investigated for the first time by NMR-based metabolomics. The data revealed substantial time-related changes in the metabolic profiles of mussels stored at 0 °C and 4 °C. The observed biochemical modifications were in good agreement with the microbiological quality of samples, reflecting changes in their microbial loads. These results confirmed the potential use of metabolomics as a reliable method to assess seafood freshness. Secondly, a metabolomic approach was also applied to study the effect of short-term exposure to heavy metals on two different clams’ species: Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850). Heavy metals are considered to be among the most harmful pollutants that can contaminate marine environments. The toxicity of trace metals gives rise from their persistent nature which lead to environmental accumulation. Given the high a…
author: ARU, VIOLETTA
language: eng
keywords: NMR-spectroscopy, bivalves, metabolomics, Settore CHIM/01 - Chimica Analitica
date published: 2016-03-31
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:30:12Z
provider: Università di Cagliari
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Università degli Studi di Cagliari

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11584/266762