Personal profile
Research Interests
Recent research:
Across the publications, the researcher partakes in two interrelated strands of work: (1) optimizing microalgal production and value-added compounds via experimental design and statistical modeling to reduce costs and improve yields in sustainable bioresource systems; and (2) exploring natural products and microbial biotransformations to inform health-related applications and biotechnological processes. The first study applies response surface methodology and central composite design to urea and potassium nitrate as nitrogen sources for Arthrospira platensis, achieving optimized growth and phycocyanin production with specific concentrations, while highlighting cost-efficient cultivation for scalable production. The second body of work surveys phytotherapy options for urinary tract infections and synthesizes ethnobotanical evidence, emphasizing plant-based alternatives amidst antibiotic resistance, though with methodological limitations in selection criteria. The third investigation evaluates microbial biotransformations of bile acids using bacteria from Ecuadorian sources, identifying efficient strains for transforming hyodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acids, and discusses differential capabilities between bacteria and fungi as well as sampling sources. Overall, the research emphasizes practical optimization, sustainable bioprocessing, and the exploration of natural and microbial agents with potential health and industrial applications, employing design of experiments, literature synthesis, and analytical methods (RSM/CCD, ANOVA, TLC, NMR). The impact centers on providing actionable guidelines for cost-effective cultivation, informing phytotherapy considerations in urinary tract health, and advancing microbial biotransformation knowledge for bile acids.
Key Topics:
Across the publications, the researcher partakes in two interrelated strands of work: (1) optimizing microalgal production and value-added compounds via experimental design and statistical modeling to reduce costs and improve yields in sustainable bioresource systems; and (2) exploring natural products and microbial biotransformations to inform health-related applications and biotechnological processes. The first study applies response surface methodology and central composite design to urea and potassium nitrate as nitrogen sources for Arthrospira platensis, achieving optimized growth and phycocyanin production with specific concentrations, while highlighting cost-efficient cultivation for scalable production. The second body of work surveys phytotherapy options for urinary tract infections and synthesizes ethnobotanical evidence, emphasizing plant-based alternatives amidst antibiotic resistance, though with methodological limitations in selection criteria. The third investigation evaluates microbial biotransformations of bile acids using bacteria from Ecuadorian sources, identifying efficient strains for transforming hyodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acids, and discusses differential capabilities between bacteria and fungi as well as sampling sources. Overall, the research emphasizes practical optimization, sustainable bioprocessing, and the exploration of natural and microbial agents with potential health and industrial applications, employing design of experiments, literature synthesis, and analytical methods (RSM/CCD, ANOVA, TLC, NMR). The impact centers on providing actionable guidelines for cost-effective cultivation, informing phytotherapy considerations in urinary tract health, and advancing microbial biotransformation knowledge for bile acids.
Key Topics:
- Agriculture, Precision Farming, Food Systems & Agroecology
- Optimization, Operations Research & Decision Support
- Biodiversity, Ethnobotany & Natural Products
- Healthcare, Clinical Epidemiology & Public Health
- Biotransformations, Microbial Metabolism & Natural Product Chemistry
- Analytical Methods: RSM/CCD, ANOVA, TLC, NMR
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vaccinium floribundum (Mortiño) Extract from Cotopaxi Province, in Urinary Tract Infections (Phase 4)
Maldonado Rodriguez, M. E. (PI), Meneses Morillo, J. G. (Col), Ayala Cadena, A. D. (Student) & Vasquez Canchig, D. M. (Student)
12/04/24 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vaccinium floribundum (Mortiño) Extract from Cotopaxi Province in Urinary Tract Infections (Phase 3)
Maldonado Rodriguez, M. E. (PI) & Meneses Morillo, J. G. (Col)
6/04/23 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vaccinium floribundum (Mortiño) Extract from Cotopaxi Province Against Urinary Tract Infections (Phase 2)
Maldonado Rodriguez, M. E. (PI) & Meneses Morillo, J. G. (Col)
3/02/22 → 31/12/22
Project: Research and Development
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Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vaccinium floribundum (Mortiño) Extract from Cotopaxi Province, in Urinary Tract Infections
Maldonado Rodriguez, M. E. (PI)
6/07/21 → 31/12/21
Project: Research and Development
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Phytochemical and Biological Activity Evaluation of Plants with Antifungal Activity
Maldonado Rodriguez, M. E. (PI), Meneses Morillo, J. G. (Assistant), Guanochanga Montatixe, J. M. (Student), Paredes Toca, M. J. (Student), Basantes Carrillo, C. R. (Student), Tello Leon, C. G. (Student), Toalombo Guajala, S. V. (Student), Tejada Nuñez, P. E. (Assistant) & Sarco Perdomo, D. E. (Student)
5/03/20 → 28/05/21
Project: Research and Development
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Optimization of an Alternative Culture Medium for Phycocyanin Production from Arthrospira platensis under Laboratory Conditions
Freire Balseca, D. A., Castro Reyes, K. S. & Maldonado Rodríguez, M. E., 10 Feb 2024, In: Microorganisms. 12, 2, 363.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access9 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Biotransformation of Hyodeoxycholic and Deoxycholic Bile Acids
Rodríguez, M. E. M., Guayasamín, M. E. A., Ruíz Moreno, A. A. & Costa, S., 2022, Communication, Smart Technologies and Innovation for Society - Proceedings of CITIS 2021. Rocha, Á., López-López, P. C. & Salgado-Guerrero, J. P. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 31-40 10 p. (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; vol. 252).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Plantas Utilizadas para el Tratamientode Infecciones Agudas del Tracto Urinario (ITU)
Translated title of the contribution :Plants Used for the Treatment of Acute Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Biocatalytic approach for direct esterification of ibuprofen with sorbitol in biphasic media
Zappaterra, F., Rodriguez, M. E. M., Summa, D., Semeraro, B., Costa, S. & Tamburini, E., 2 Mar 2021, In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22, 6, p. 1-18 18 p., 3066.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access19 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Actinomicetos con capacidad de biotransformación de sales sódicas de ácidos biliares
Translated title of the contribution :Actinomicets with biotransformation capacity of sodium sales of biliars acids Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations