Dr Myrna Deseo

Research Manager

t: +61 2 6626 9590
f: +61 2 6622 3459
e: myrna.deseo@scu.edu.au

Education:
B.Sc in Chemistry (University of the Philippines Los Bańos)
M.Sc in Soil Science/Agric Chem (University of the Philippines)
PhD in Natural Products Chemistry (Southern Cross University)

Research interests / background

Myrna A. Deseo is an analytical and natural products chemist, skilled on different chromatographic techniques and structure elucidation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. She has led various plant- and food-based projects both for the industry and academe and her more than 20 years of research experience has provided her expertise in project management and intellectual property management.

Myrna's concluded research funded by the CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRCSIIB) led to the development of GI-Wise™, which can lower the glycemic index of food. GI-Wise™ (www.sacroninnovations.com/product/gi-wise%E2%84%A2) was extracted from sugarcane after the milling process and can find applications in the nutraceutical and food industries.

Her current research is on the phytochemical diversity in coffee and bush tomato, and how these metabolites can be used to develop tools to assess food quality.

Grants/Awards

• $150,000 - RIRDC Project PRJ006673, "Identification of Desirable Coffee Secondary Metabolites" (2011 – 2014)
• $199,393 - CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology, "GI Modifiers from Sugar Cane Waste Stream (July 2008 – June 2010)
• $355,000 - Commercial research income from private sector (2007 – 2012)

Publications

Edited Book Chapter

Deseo, M.A. and R.V. Ebora. 2002. Part IV. Country Reports: Philippines. Production and Utilization of Pesticides in Asia and the Pacific. Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo, Japan. T.W. Schillhorn van Veen, ed. pp. 293-306.

Journal Article

Hamilton, K., Offord, C., Cuneo, P. and Deseo, M. 2012. A comparative study of seed morphology in relation to desiccation tolerance and other physiological responses in 71 Eastern Australian Rainforest species. Plant Species Biology, in press. (doi: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2011.00353.x)

Thakur, M., Connellan, P., Deseo, M.A., Morris, C., Praznik, W., Loeppert, R. and Dixit, V.K. 2012. Characterization and immunomodulatory screening of fructo-oligosaccharides of Asparagus racemosus Willd. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 50:77-81.

Hamilton, K., Offord, C., Cuneo, P., Ashmore, S. and Deseo, M. 2011. Conserving Australia's unique rainforest fruits and wild relatives. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 918:51-58. http://www.actahort.org/books/918/918_4.htm.

Suciati, Lambert, L.K., Ross, B.P., Deseo, M.A. and Garson, M.J. 2011. Phytochemical study of Fagraea spp. uncovers a new terpene alkaloid with anti-inflammatory properties. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 64(4):489-494.

Thakur, M., Thompson, D., Connellan, P., Deseo, M.A., Morris, C., and Dixit, V.K. 2010. Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by Ayurvedic herbs. Andrologia, 43(4):237-277.

Liu, L., Deseo, M.A., Morris, C., Winter, K.M. and Leach, D.N. 2010. Investigation of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of wheat bran and germ. Food Chemistry, 126 (2):553-561. (doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.11.041).

Thakur, M., Connellan, P., Deseo, M.A., Morris, C. and Dixit, V.K. 2010. Immunomodulatory polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum roots. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1093/ecam/neq012.

Wohlmuth, H, Deseo, M.A., Brushett, D.J., Thompson, D.R., MacFarlane, G., Stevenson, L.M. and Leach, D.N. 2010. Diarylheptanoid from Pleuranhodium racemigerum with in vitro Prostaglandin E2 Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activity. Journal of Natural Products, 73(4): 743-746.

Deseo, M.A., Hunter, I.S. and Waterman, P.G. 2005. Novel polyketide metabolites from Streptomyces rimosus mutant strain R1059. Journal of Antibiotics, 58(12):822-827.

Migo, V.P., So, R.S., Deseo, M.A. and Madamba, L.S.P. 1995. Chemical composition of Philippine molasses. The Philippine Agriculturist, 78(1):53-62.

So, R.S., Madamba, L.S.P., Deseo, M.A. and Migo, V.P. 1991. Determination of moisture in some food and agricultural materials using gas chromatography, ASEAN Food Journal, 6(4):145-150.

Edited Proceeding

So, R.S., Migo, V.P., Madamba, L.S.P. and Deseo, M.A. 1991. Analytical methodologies on the chemical characterization of molasses. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advanced Technology (Advanced Composite Materials), Osaka, Japan, October 15-16, 1991; pp. 69-86.

Conference Abstracts

Oprava, A., Leach, D. Beattie, K. Connellan, P. Forster, P. Leach, G. Buchbauer, G. Shepherd, K. and Deseo M. 2010. Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oils from native Australian Callitris species. Planta Medica. 76:SL_35. Paper presented at the 58th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA2010), Berlin, Germany, 29th August - 2nd September 2010.

Payn, D.N., Leach, D.N., Morris, C.A., O'Shea, M.G., Liu, L., Shepherd, K. and Deseo, M.A. 2010. Compounds from Saccharum officinarum L. as leads for anti-diabetes treatment. Microplate Technology (MipTec 2010). Basel, Switzerland, 20-24 September 2010.

Cyril, L., Deseo, M.A., Buchbauer, G., Forster, P.I. and Leach, D.N. 2010. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of volatile components of Plectranthus graveolens R. Br. 41st International Symposium on Essential Oils, Wroclaw, Poland, 5th - 8th September 2010.

Pašoski, E., Deseo, M.A., Buchbauer, G., Liu, L., Forster, P.I. and Leach, D.N. 2010. Preliminary investigation into the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Plecthrantus sp. 'Hann Tableland'. 41st International Symposium on Essential Oils, Wroclaw, Poland, 5th - 8th September 2010.

Deseo, M., Shepherd, K.M., Abasolo, M., Shepherd, M. and Lee, D.J. 2010. Chemical variation in the leaf essential oils of Australian Corymbia spp. 41st International Symposium on Essential Oils, Wroclaw, Poland, 5th - 8th September 2010.

Hamilton, K., Offord, C. , Cuneo, P., Ashmore, S. and Deseo, M. Conserving Australia's unique rainforest fruits and wild relatives. 28th International Horticultural Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 22-27 August 2010.

Hamilton, K., Offord, C. , Cuneo, P., Ashmore, S. and Deseo, M. 2010. Seed biology research and conservation of eastern Australian rainforest diversity. 4th Global Botanic Gardens Congress (www.4gbgc.com/index.html), Dublin, Ireland, 13 - 18 June 2010.

Jensen, E.B., A.B.O. Larsen, D.N. Leach and M.A. Deseo. Isolation and identification of antioxidant compounds from Carica papaya L. RACI Natural Products Group One Day Symposium, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2 October 2009.

Pašoski, E., L. Marangattil, M.A. Deseo, D.N. Leach and P.I. Forster. Preliminary investigation into the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Plectranthus species, RACI Natural Products Group One Day Symposium, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2 October 2009.

Liu, L., M.A. Deseo, D. Thompson, H. Wohlmuth and D. Leach. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Australian bloodroots (Haemodora spp.). Royal Australian Chemical Institute Natural Products Group Annual Symposium, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2 October 2009.

Thakur, M., Connellan, P., Deseo, M.A., Morris, C. and Dixit, V.K. 2009. Modulation of natural killer cell activity by water soluble polysaccharides from the roots of Asparagus racemosus Linn. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie, 30:P43. DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1239928. Berliner Kongress Phytotherapie 2009, Germany, September 2009.

Hamilton, K., C. Offord, P. Cuneo, S. Ashmore, M. Deseo and K. Shepherd. Rainforest Seed Project. Native Seed Forum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia, 2-4 September 2009.

Westbrooke, V. H. Smyth, K. Shepherd, C. Morris, B. Granzin and M. Deseo. Preliminary investigation into milk flavour. 10th Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Association for Chemosensory Science (AACSS), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4-6th December 2008.

Shepherd, K.M., V.C.F. Westbrooke and M.A. Deseo. GC analysis of aqueous plant extracts. RACI Natural Products Group One Day Symposium, SCU, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 3 October 2008.

Payn, D.N., R.P. Taylor, M.A. Deseo, M.G. O'Shea, N.P. Masel and D.N. Leach. Sugarcane molasses – A potential source of anti-diabetic compounds. ASSCT Conference, May 2008.

Payn, D.N., Deseo, M.A., Thompson, D.R., Morris C.A. and Leach, D.N. 2007. Optimisation of a fluorimetric assay for the screening of potential α-glucosidase inhibitors in coloured plant extracts and foods. Planta Medica. 73(9):816 (Art No. YRW005, Abstract). 55th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant Research, Graz, Austria, 2-6 September, 2007.

Wohlmuth, H., Deseo, M.A., Brushett, D.J., MacFarlane, G. Waterman, P.G., Stevenson, L.M. and Leach, D.N. 2007. Biological activity and novel cytotoxic curcuminoid from Pleuranthodium racemigerum – an Australian Zingiberaceae. Planta Medica. 73(9):947-948 (Art No. P396, Abstract)

Battu, G. R., B.G. Solomon, M.A. Deseo and D.N. Leach. Preliminary investigation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties of alcoholic root extract of an Indian traditional medicinal plant, Aubutilon indicum Linn. Royal Australian Chemical Institute Symposium, Royal Australian Chemical Institute Natural Products Group Annual Symposium, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 28 September 2007.

T.O Zulaybar, M.A. Deseo, D. Hunter., R.P.Taylor, I. A. Papa and E.C. Marfori. Philippine Streptomycete Extract as Potential Anticancer Drug. NRCP Annual Meeting, Philippines, 8 March 2007.

Payn, D.N., R.P. Taylor, D.N. Leach, L.M. Stevenson, P.G. Waterman, D. Brushett, M.A. Deseo, D. Hunter, M.G. O'Shea, N.P. Masel and L.M. Burns. Medicinal Natural Products from Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). 5th Annual Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Conference, Invercauld House, Southern Cross University, Australia, 16-17 November, 2006.

Deseo, M.A., P.G. Waterman and I.S. Hunter. Two novel polyketide metabolites from a mutant of Streptomyces rimosus. Royal Australian Chemical Institute Natural Products Group Annual Symposium, University of Wollongong, Australia, 29 September 2006.

Clayton, D.N., R.P. Taylor, D.N. Leach, L.M. Stevenson, P.G. Waterman, D. Brushett, M.A. Deseo, D. Hunter, M.G. O'Shea, N.P. Masel and L.M. Burns. Isolation and identification of cytotoxic compounds from Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). RACI Natural Products Group One Day Symposium, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, 30 September 2005.

Prayakprom, P. H.L. Rasikari, M.A. Deseo, D.N. Leach, P.G. Waterman and P.F. Forster. Phytochemistry of Some Australian Lamiaceae. Royal Australian Chemical Institute Symposium, Macquarie University, Sydney Australia, 30 September 2005.

Patents

Payn, D.N., D,N. Leach, M.A. Deseo and C.A. Morris. Compounds Affecting Glycemic Index. Sugar Industry Innovation Pty Ltd, PCT/AU2010/000427 (WO/2010/118474). Filed: 17 April 2009.

Deseo, M.A., et al. Glycemic Index Lowering Extract and Method of Extraction. Provisional application: Filed: 29 April 2011.

Updated: 06 November 2012