Josef Ressel Center for Innovative Bioavailability Research

What we are working on

In cooperation with two well-known partners from industry (agromed Austria GmbH, PM International AG), researchers at the Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences are working on incorporating plant-based active ingredients into food (supplements).

To this end, biological test systems are being developed, implemented and used which make it possible to characterize herbal active ingredients in detail at the cellular level with regard to their modes of action. Various in-vitro, in-vivo, in-ovo and in-silico test systems are used.

So-called phytochemicals are plant-based chemical compounds that can have a positive effect on human and animal health. It is currently estimated that more than 28,000 different plant species have corresponding medicinal effects, although only a fraction of these are known in today's medicine and nutrition. In addition, there is usually a lack of detailed information on the potential molecular modes of action. Nevertheless, natural chemical compounds have long been an important source of new medicines and offer a unique structural diversity.

Why we do research
 

There is increasing scientific evidence that phytogenic food components or isolated phytogenic substances have a positive influence on human health when consumed as part of the daily diet. A large number of studies have shown that a diet rich in polyphenols can prevent cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, cancer-inhibiting activities as well as various effects against diseases such as Alzheimer's, obesity and diabetes have been identified. Nevertheless, the actual effect of phytamines at the molecular and cellular level often remains unclear. Further studies to clarify possible functional modes of action and to identify potential bioactive components or to assess the toxic potential are therefore of major importance.

Phytogenic substances have also gained enormously in importance as bioactive feed additives in animal breeding and fattening in recent years due to the ban on antibiotics as growth-promoting feed additives. In this context, phytogenic substances are being discussed as a possible natural substitute. However, their modes of action and possible areas of application have not yet been fully researched.