Browsing by Author "Costa, Anabela S.G."
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- Almond cold-pressed oil by-product as ingredient for cookies with potential health benefits: chemical and sensory evaluationPublication . Barreira, João C.M.; Nunes, M. Antónia; Silva, Beatriz Vieira da; Pimentel, Filipa B.; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Alvarez-Ortí, M.; Pardo, J.E.; Oliveira, BeatriztNowadays, food security is a global concern and a great scientific challenge. Agro-industrial by-productscan be used as potential ingredients of innovative food products, contributing to solve this societaldemand. By-products of high specialty oils processing, for instance, have remarkable nutritional andorganoleptic properties. Accordingly, the partially delipidified almond flour (PDAF) remaining fromalmond oil extraction, was used as an alternative ingredient in a highly appreciated almond-based cookie(“almendrados”). For comparison purposes, four different “almendrados” formulations (one industrial,two with PDAF, and one with whole almond flour), were compared regarding nutritional composition,vitamin E and fatty acids profiles. To assess the cookie sensory properties, seventy-four consumers eval-uated “appearance”, “taste”, “sweetness”, “crunchiness”, “hardness”, “overall quality” using adequatehedonic scales. Fat and protein levels showed significant differences among industrial and the otherthree samples. Cookies with PDAF presented similar tocopherols and fatty acids to the traditional (moreexpensive) formulation, besides reaching the highest scores on “appearance”, “sweetness”, “hardness”,“overall quality” and “buying predisposition” parameters. Accordingly, the incorporation of PDAF mightrepresent an effective way of adding value to an industrial by-product, while providing a pleasant novelcookie formulation.
- Antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of polar extracts from saffron (Crocus sativus L) flowersPublication . Barreira, João C.M.; Rebelo, José Miguel; Costa, Carla Sofia; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Oliveira, BeatrizSaffron (Crocus sativus L.) flower is composed of six purple tepals, three yellow stamens and a white filiform style ending in a stigma with three threads, which only represents less than 10% (w/w) of the flower weight. Nevertheless, saffron is cultivated for the stigma of its flowers which, after being dried, is the most valued spice [1]. For each kg of this spice, about 63 kg of floral bio-residues are produced, which so far are not exploited, being usually thrown away. However, the floral bio-residues were reported as having high phenolic content and bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, antityrosinase, antidepressant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and arterial pressure reducer activities [2]. In view of the reported bioactivity, it is important to study the cytotoxic effects of saffron [3]. Furthermore, it is a wellknown fact that the effectiveness of bioactive compounds extraction from plants, as well as their corresponding activity, is highly dependent on factors such as different types of solvent, solvent-to-solid ratios and specially the solvent polarity [4]. In the present work, the antioxidant activity of different polar extracts (ethanol, ethanol:water 1:1 v/v, and water) of saffron was evaluated using different in vitro assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, ferric reducing reducing power and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assay). In addition, the cytotoxicity of the extracts was also evaluated in Caco-2 (ATCC HTB-37TM) cultures by using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. All samples proved to have antioxidant activity, despite the higher effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic extract. Up to the assayed concentrations, none of the extracts showed cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cell lines. Accordingly, saffron flowers might be used in different applications such as the development of food supplements or pharmaceutic related products.
- Antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of polar extracts from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) flowersPublication . Barreira, João C.M.; Rebelo, José Miguel; Costa, Carla Sofia; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Oliveira, BeatrizSaffron is cultivated exclusively to obtain the stigma of its flowers, which represents less than 10% of the flower weight. In fact, to achieve a single kg of dried stigma, more than 60 kg of floral bio-residues are produced. These bio-residues were reported as having high bioactivity and important contents in bioactive compounds. Before considering the use of these bioresidues in different applications, it is important to assess its cytotoxicity. Herein, the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of saffron flower polar extracts were evaluated. All samples showed antioxidant activity, despite the higher effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic extract. Up to the concentrations corresponding to the EC50 values obtained in the antioxidant activity assays, none of the extracts showed high cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cell lines. Accordingly, saffron flowers might be used in different applications such as the development of food supplements or pharmaceutical related products.
- Compositional and Bioactive Differentiation of Opuntia spp. Fruit Varieties by PCA and LDAPublication . Espírito Santo, Liliana; Pereira, Cláudia S.G.P.; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Almeida, Agostinho; Barreira, João C.M.; Oliveira, Beatriz; Vinha, Ana F.The nutritional, mineral, and bioactive profiles of four Opuntia fruit varieties-Opuntia robusta red variety (OR-RV) and three Opuntia ficus-indica varieties (red, yellow, and green: OFI-RV, OFI-YV, and OFI-GV, respectively)-were characterized to assess their compositional diversity and potential discriminant markers. Standard analytical procedures were applied to determine proximate composition, individual sugars, fibre content, mineral concentration, and bioactive compounds, followed by antioxidant activity assays. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) were used to explore multivariate patterns and identify variables with the greatest discriminatory power. Results revealed significant inter-varietal differences across all measured parameters (p < 0.05). OR-RV displayed the highest non-fibre carbohydrate, protein, copper, and ascorbic acid contents, as well as superior antioxidant activity. OFI-GV stood out for its high soluble and insoluble fibre, magnesium, and strontium levels, while OFI-YV was characterized by elevated sodium and calcium, and OFI-RV by increased protein and glucose contents. LDA identified ascorbic acid, protein, and five mineral elements (Sr, Zn, Cu, Mn, B) as key discriminant variables, achieving 100% classification accuracy. These findings highlight compositional diversity among Opuntia varieties and support their differentiated use in food and health applications.
- Detailed Phytochemical Composition, Cyto-/Hepatotoxicity, and Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Profile of Moroccan Spices: A Study on Coriander, Caraway, and Mystical CuminPublication . Bouzaid, Hiba; Espírito Santo, Liliana; Ferreira, Diana M.; Machado, Susana; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Dias, Maria Inês; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Chater, Oumaima; Rodi, Youssef Kandri; Errachidi, Faouzi; Chahdi, Fouad Ouazzani; Oliveira, Beatriz; Alves, Rita C.Coriander, caraway, and mystical cumin are famous for their aromatic properties and widely used in Moroccan cuisine. The nutritional/phytochemical composition of their seeds (used for food flavoring and preservation) were compared. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and hepatotoxic effects were also explored. The fat content was similar among the samples (13%), with monounsaturated fatty acids being predominant. The coriander and mystical cumin seeds were extremely rich in C18:1n9c (81 and 85%, respectively) while, in the caraway, C18:1n12 (25%) was found together with C18:1n9c (32%). The caraway seeds also presented a higher proportion of C18:2n6c (34%) than the other seeds (13 and 8%, correspondingly). γ-Tocotrienol was the major vitamin E form in all the samples. The caraway seeds contained double the amount of protein (~18%) compared to the other seeds (~8%) but, qualitatively, the amino acid profiles among all seeds were similar. The seeds were also rich in dietary fiber (40–53%); however, differences were found in their fiber profiles. Caraway showed the highest antioxidant profile and anti-inflammatory activity and an LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed great differences in the phenolic profiles of the samples. Cytotoxicity (NCI-H460, AGS, MCF-7, and CaCo2) and hepatotoxicity (RAW264.7) were not observed. In sum, besides their flavoring/preservation properties, these seeds are also relevant source of bioactive compounds with health-promoting activities.
- Floral bio-residues of Crocus sativus L. as a potential source of anthocyaninsPublication . Barreira, João C.M.; Oliveira, Beatriz; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Martins, Anabela; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Santos-Buelga, CelestinoSaffron (Crocus sativus L.) flower is composed of six purple tepals, three yellow stamens and a white phylliform style ending in a stigma with three threads. Saffron is cultivated for its stigma, which corresponds to the most valued spice worldwide [1]. The production of a single kg of this spice originates about 63 kg of floral bioresidues without any known utilization. These bio-residues have been reported as having high phenolic content with bioactive properties [2] and, therefore, the study of their anthocyanin composition is worthwhile. Accordingly, saffron petals were extracted with acidified (trifluoracetic acid) methanol and further purified with Cl8 SepPak® Vac 3 cc cartridges (Phenomenex), followed by filtration (0.22-f!m disposable LC filter disk) . Samples were analyzed in a Hewlett-Packard 1100 HPLC (Agilent Technologies) with a quaternary pump and a diode array detector (DAD) coupled to an HP Chem Station data-processing. Double detection was carried out by DAD, using 520 nm as the preferred wavelength, and MS detection, performed in an API 3200 Qtrap (Applied Biosystems) equipped with an ESI source and a triple quadrupole-ion trap mass analyzer (Analyst 5.1 software). The anthocyanin profiles presented three main peaks identified as glycosylated derivatives of delphinidin and petunidin di- 0-glucosides, and cyanidin 0-rutinoside, based on their chromatographic, UV and mass spectral characteristics. As far as we know the presence of this later is reported for the first time in Crocus spp. Delphinidin di-0-glucoside (Fig. lA) was the major anthocyanin in saffron petals. According to the detected amounts, floral bio-residues of C. sativus might be considered as a valuable natural source of anthocyanins with potential industrial applications.
- Improving bioactive compounds extractability of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) NicolsonPublication . Costa, Anabela S.G.; Barreira, João C.M.; Ruas, Adilson; Vinha, Ana F.; Pimentel, Filipa B.; Alves, Rita C.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, BeatrizElephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) is an underground, unbranched deciduous plant that produces a large tubercle (rhizome) with recognized health effects. In this study, the influence of solvent nature (water, water/etanol (1:1) and absolute ethanol) and processing type (fresh, lyophilized and boiled) on the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds extractability of elephant foot yam was evaluated. Extracts were compared for their contents in total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins. Moreover, their antioxidant capacity was assessed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH▪) scavenging capacity assays. Phenolics (154 mg GAE/L) and tannins (109 mg GAE/L) were maximized in lyophilized samples extracted with the hydroalcoholic solvent, which attained also the highest FRAP value (711 mg FSE/L). In turn, flavonoids reached the highest yields in lyophilized samples (95 mg ECE/L) extracted with pure ethanol, as well as the highest DPPH▪ scavenging activity. These findings might have practical applications to define the best processing methodology regarding the enhancement of elephant foot yam, either for prompt consumption, as well as to develop food supplements or pharmaceutical related products.
- A New Age for Quercus spp. Fruits: Review on Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition and Related Biological Activities of AcornsPublication . Vinha, Ana F.; Barreira, João C.M.; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Oliveira, BeatrizThe current global food system must adapt to the expected growth of world population (about 9 billion individuals by 2050). This adaptation will probably include an increased consumption of edible wild foods, due to their richness in micronutrients and bioactive compounds, besides providing a cost-effective and sustainable way of improving caloric food security. A striking example of such natural matrices is the Quercus genus, which has the additional advantage of being widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In a traditional sense, Quercus fruits (acorns) were mainly used in animal feeding, despite their potentially important role on the rural economy. But this preconception is changing. In fact, their nutritional value, high contents in phytochemical compounds, biological activity (such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and cardioprotective properties) and use in the treatment of specific diseases (such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or Alzheimer's disease) have raised the interest in integrating acorns into the human diet. Accordingly, this comprehensive overview was designed to provide an evidence-based review of the literature, with the objective to achieve useful conclusions regarding the nutritional properties, methodologies of extraction, identification, and characterization of a wide variety of bioactive compounds and scientifically validated bioactivities in Quercus species worldwide. The industrial by-products from acorn oil extraction or flour production are also included. Data regarding the analytical techniques, individual compounds, and their bioactivities, are organized in tables. The reported data are discussed and directions for further investigations are suggested, highlighting the use of acorns in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.