Unidad de Investigación en Productos Naturales

The Natural Products Research Unit conducts multidisciplinary studies of Peruvian biodiversity for the development of products for use in human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, the cosmetics industry, food/nutraceuticals, biocidal products, dyes, and others. Among the natural products they research are food/medicinal plants, marine organisms, macromycete fungi, microorganisms, and bee products (propolis). Their experience includes evaluating hundreds of medicinal plants for their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antileishmania, antichagas, antituberculosis, and biocidal activity. The most active plants have been chemically studied, allowing the structures of their respective active ingredients to be isolated and identified. Research is carried out for the characterization, development, and innovation of natural products in collaboration with various national companies. The objective is to understand the characteristics and properties of Peruvian natural products for the development of value-added products. Its importance lies in the fact that it is vital for the rational use of natural products and the improvement of society's quality of life.