Percorrer por autor "Pereira, Antia Gonzalez"
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- Analytical metabolomics and applications in health, environmental and food sciencePublication . Fraga-Corral, Maria; Carpena Rodríguez, María; Garcia-Oliveira, Paula; Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Simal-Gandara, JesusMetabolomics is a young field of knowledge that arises linked to other omics such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. This discipline seeks to understand the performance of metabolites, identifying, quantifying them, and thus understanding its mechanism of action. This new branch of omics science shows high potential, due to its noninvasive character and its close relation with phenotype. Several techniques have been developed to study the metabolome of biological samples, fundamentally nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and vibrational spectrometry (VS) or a combination of several techniques. These techniques are focused to separate, detect, characterize, and quantify metabolites, as well as elucidate their structures and their function on the metabolic pathways they are involved. However, due to the complexity of the metabolome, in most cases it is necessary to apply several of these techniques to understand completely the whole scenery. This review is aimed to offer a summary of the current knowledge of these analytical techniques for metabolomics and their application to different fields as environmental, food or health sciences. Each technique shows different advantages and drawbacks depending on their technical characteristics and limitations, some factors, such as the aim of the study or the nature of the biological sample will condition the choice. Regarding their applications, NMR has been employed specially to identify new compounds and elucidate structures. The use of MS has gained popularity because of its versatility, easiness to be coupled to separation techniques and its high sensitivity. Whereas VS is widely employed for in situ studies, due to its nondestructive character. Metabolomics applications in different science fields are growing each year, due to advances in analytical techniques and combination with other omics that allow to increase the comprehension of metabolic processes. Further development of analytical tools is necessary to continue exploiting all the possibilities of metabolomics.
- Camellia japonica flowers as a source of nutritional and bioactive compoundsPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Cassani, Lucia; Liu, Chao; Li, Ningyang; Chamorro, Franklin; Barreira, João C.M.; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.In recent decades, plants have strengthened their relevance as sources of molecules potentially beneficial for health. This underpinning effect also arises from the extensive research that has been conducted on plants that are typically undervalued, besides being scarcely used. This is the case with Camellia japonica in Galicia (NW Spain), where, despite its abundance, it is exclusively used for ornamental purposes and has been studied only for its proximate composition. Thus, the present study was conducted on several additional parameters in the flowers of eight C. japonica varieties. Our results show that camellia has a high nutritional value, with carbohydrates as the most abundant macronutrients followed by a moderate protein content (4.4-6.3 g/100 g dry weight) and high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially & omega;-3 fatty acids, which represent 12.9-22.7% of the total fatty acids), raising its potential for use for nutritional purposes. According to the thermochemical characterization and elemental composition of camellia, the raw material has poor mineralization and low nitrogen content, but high percentages of volatile matter and high carbon-fixation rates, making it a promising alternative for biofuel production. Furthermore, preliminary analysis reveals a high concentration of different bioactive compounds. As a result of these findings, camellias can be used as food or functional ingredients to improve the nutritional quality of food formulations.
- Citrus Seed Waste and Circular Bioeconomy: Insights on Nutritional Profile, Health Benefits, and Application as Food IngredientPublication . Seyyedi-Mansour, Sepidar; Carpena, María; Donn, Pauline; Barciela, Paula; Perez-Vazquez, Ana; Echave Álvarez, Javier; Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Citrus fruits are widely grown, processed, and distributed in more than 140 countries, with annual global production exceeding 124.3 million metric tons. This substantial consumption generates significant organic waste, accounting for approximately 50–60% of the total fruit mass, primarily in the form of peel, pulp, and seeds. Often discarded or reused as animal feed, these wastes contribute to significant environmental pollution and economic losses. Therefore, the valorization of these by-products represents an important opportunity to mitigate these challenges and improve the sustainability of the Citrus-related industry. This review highlights Citrus seed waste concerning its invaluable bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, phenolic compounds, limonoids, dietary fibers, vitamins, and carotenoids. Chemical compositions of Citrus seed biowaste differ depending on a variety of factors, such as Citrus variety, fruit maturity, environmental conditions, waste storage conditions, and extraction methods. The extraction and purification of phytochemicals from Citrus seed biowaste are one of the major procedures for valorizing waste. The two types of effective extraction methods are traditional (conventional extraction) and innovative (green extraction). Furthermore, Citrus seeds have been demonstrated to exhibit several biological activities and health-promoting properties including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Therefore, these wastes are safe and beneficial compounds used in the production of functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. A conclusion can be reached by emphasizing the abundance of bioactive compounds in Citrus seed wastes, which makes them an excellent opportunity for increased environmental and economic utilization.
- Extraction of phenolic compounds by high hydrostatic pressure from eight edible algae species from the North-West coast of Spain: process modelling and optimizationPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Jiménez López, Cecília; Lopes, C.S.P.L.; Barros, Lillian; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Simal-Gandara, JesusTwo thirds of the word are covered by oceans and a vast majority of that upper layer are inhabited by photoautotrophic organisms such as algae. Algae are not only of high ecological, but also of great economic importance. The industrial exploitation of algae has suffered a boom in the last two decades, revealing a source of compounds relevant to a diverse range of sectors (agriculture, energy, food science, cosmeceutical, pharmacology, etc). In consequence, many possible applications have emerged, such as production of biofuels for energy production, as nutraceutical ingredients in fish meals, as fertilizer in landfill applications, anti-biofilm activity in food science, incorporation in cosmeceutical and pharmacological products due to the rich content in bioactive compounds, among others [1]. In this work, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) was applied to the extraction of phenolic compounds from eight edible algae species (Table 1). The process was optimized by response surface methodology using a five-level central composite design combining the independent variables of processing time (t, 5-90 min), pressure (P, 10-600 MPa) and solvent (S, 0-100 % of ethanol, v/v) [2]. The individual and grouped phenolic compounds were analysed, and the extraction yield were used as response variables. The theoretical models were fitted to the experimental data, statistically validated, and used in the prediction and optimization steps. In general, the optimum extraction conditions for phenolic acids for all eight species analysed were found at shorter values of t, high values of P and high values of S. The identified phenolic compounds were also clustered according to the conditions that maximize their extraction. HHP was highlighted as a promising emerging technology to extract phenolic compounds from edible algae species using a green solvent and reduced extraction times. The analysis presented provides important data that allows the comparison between different extraction conditions, in terms of efficiency, and consequent related decision making. In an industrial level, these methodologies reduce costs related to energy, solvent consumption, equipment investment, etc. Achieving the optimal conditions and maximizing the responses is an important step to guide the choice of a suitable and sustainable process. In conclusion, the present study contributes in the valorisation of edible algae species, common in the North-West region of Spain, by the obtainment of rich extracts in phenolic compounds that potentially can be applied as ingredients in different industrial fields.
- Metabolite Profiling of Macroalgae: Biosynthesis and Beneficial Biological Properties of Active CompoundsPublication . Carpena, María; Pereira, Cláudia S.G.P.; Silva, Aurora; Barciela, Paula; Jorge, Ana Olívia Serra; Perez-Vazquez, Ana; Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Barreira, João C.M.; Oliveira, Beatriz; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Macroalgae are known as abundant sources of phytochemicals, which offer a plethora of beneficial biological properties. Besides being the most notable classes of compounds found in macroalgae, phlorotannins, bromophenols, and terpenoids comprise some of the most relevant for their biological properties. Phlorotannins, mainly prevalent in brown algae and structurally characterized as complex polyphenolic compounds derived from phloroglucinol units, possess robust antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities, modulated by factors such as the degree of polymerization and environmental conditions. Bromophenols, halogenated compounds found in algae and other marine organisms, exhibit significant antioxidant and antiviral properties. Their diverse structures and bromination patterns contribute to their potential as therapeutic and chemical defense agents. Pigments (chemically described as primary terpenoids) play a critical role in light absorption and energy transfer in macroalgae and are divided into three main groups: (i) carotenoids, which are primarily found in brown algae and provide photoprotective and antioxidant benefits; (ii) chlorophylls, known for facilitating the conversion of light into biological energy; and (iii) phycobilins, which are mostly found in red algae and play important roles in light absorption and energy transfer, besides providing remarkable health benefits. Finally, secondary terpenoids, which are particularly abundant in red algae (e.g., the Rhodomelaceae family) are central to cellular interactions and exhibit significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study represents a detailed analysis of the biosynthesis, structural diversity, and biological activities of these macroalgae metabolites, emphasizing their potential biological properties.
- Non-alkaloid nitrogen-containing compounds from fungiPublication . Hached, Hanine; Cassani, Lucia; Zbiss, Yosra; Fraga-Corral, Maria; Oliveira, Izamara; Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Carocho, MarcioFungi represent an ancient ubiquitous and interesting kingdom that can be classified into Phycomycota, Oomycota, Microsporidiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Deuteromycota divisions. These microorganisms are considered as a reservoir of bioactive compounds that can be exploited in crucial fields: food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. Non-alkaloid nitrogenated compounds are considered a prolific bouquet composed of proteins such as enzymes playing an essential role in the synthesis of compounds that are involved in vital life processes, lytic enzymes possessing depleting effects, antibiotics, toxins applied as antimicrobials and antifungals, immunosuppressive molecules, etc. Moreover, a number of species found in phyla like Oomycota and Microsporidiomycota have been and are still used as biological control agents for crops as a counterpart to chemical products.
- Occurrence of fatty acids in Camellia genus: extractions technologies and potential applications: a reviewPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Carpena Rodríguez, María; Cassani, Lucia; Chamorro, Franklin; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.The Camellia genus (Theaceae) comprises more than 200 species, including the most famous Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Camellia oleifera Abel, and Camellia japonica (L.). The commercial interest in these plants linked to their seed fatty acid content increased in the last decades due to their quality and health-enhancing properties, which significantly depend on different aspects such as environmental conditions. Nowadays, the traditional extraction methods of fatty acids from camellias include mechanical press extraction and solvent extraction, which have a high environmental impact. Therefore, it is essential to develop extraction techniques to achieve the maximum lipid yield with the minimum environmental impact and cost. These innovative methods include enzymatic extraction, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). However, they are often limited to the laboratory or pilot scale due to economic or technical bottlenecks. This article aims to explore recent advances and innovations related to the extraction of fatty acids from Camellia.
- Plant alkaloids: production, extraction, and potential therapeutic propertiesPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Cassani, Lucia; Garcia-Oliveira, Paula; Otero, Paz; Mansoor, Sepidar; Echave Álvarez, Javier; Xiao, Jianbo; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Alkaloids are a type of secondary metabolites that can be found in different parts of plants. This group of compounds is diverse and can be divided into nine subgroups: pyridine, tropane, isoquinoline, phenanthrene, phenylethylamine, indole, purine, imidazole, and terpenoids. Most of these compounds are recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities, among others. Although more than 27,000 alkaloids have been described up to date, the search for novel compounds with promising therapeutic properties is a hot topic among researchers worldwide. In this line, the production of the currently marketed plant alkaloids including extraction methods, isolation, and purification is reviewed in this chapter. In addition, a deep description of different groups of alkaloids in terms of their chemical structure, plant source, and uses is also presented. Recent advances in the therapeutic potential and biological activities of this vast group of phytochemicals are also included.
- Status and challenges of plant-anticancer compounds in cancer treatmentPublication . Garcia-Oliveira, Paula; Otero, Paz; Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Chamorro Rivo, Franklin Noel; Carpena Rodríguez, María; Echave Álvarez, Javier; Fraga-Corral, Maria; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Nowadays, cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, which has been estimated to cause 9.9 million deaths in 2020. Conventional treatments for cancer commonly involve monochemotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and mono-chemotherapy. However, the negative side effects of these approaches have been extensively reported and have prompted the search of new therapeutic drugs. In this context, scientific community started to look for innovative sources of anticancer compounds in natural sources, including traditional plants. Currently, numerous studies have evaluated the anticancer properties of natural compounds derived from plants, both in vitro and in vivo. In pre-clinical stages, some promising compounds could be mentioned, such as the sulforaphane or different phenolic compounds. On the other hand, some phytochemicals obtained positive results in clinical stages and were further approved for cancer treatment, such as vinca alkaloids or the paclitaxel. Nevertheless, these compounds are not exempt of limitations, such as low solubility, restricted effect on their own, negative side-effects, etc. This review aims to compile the information about the current phytochemicals used for cancer treatment and also promising candidates, main action mechanisms and also reported limitations. In this sense, some strategies to face the limitations have been considered, such as nano-based formulations to improve solubility or chemical modification to reduce toxicity. In conclusion, although more research is still necessary to develop more efficient and safe phytochemical drugs, more of these compounds might be used in future cancer therapies.
- The use of camellias as potential antioxidant agentsPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Jarboui, Amira; Garcia-Perez, Pascual; Taofiq, Oludemi; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Barros, LillianThe genus Camellia presents a wide geographic distribution in which three species can be highlighted: Camellia japonica for ornamental purposes, Camellia oleifera for essential oil production, and Camellia sinensis for tea production. Among them, C. japonica is characterized by its associated high socioeconomic impact in Galicia (NW Spain) due to its abundance in gardens, since, to date, its use continues to be almost exclusively ornamental. However, different chemical characterizations carried out on Camellia genus have indicated a similar composition among different species, so it would be expected that C. japonica could be used for additional purposes [1]. These applications will be determined by the chemical composition of the part used, which in turn will be influenced by the variety of camellia and environmental factors (growing area, climate, soil). One of the parts of greatest interest are the flowers since it has been shown that the petals of C. japonica have a high content of phenolic compounds that make them potential sources of bioactive compounds for medicinal and cosmetic use [2]. In this work, a standard extraction (maceration) was carried out using a methanol: water mixture (60:40) as solvent to evaluate the bioactivity of the flowers of different varieties of C. japonica. Among the 8 varieties analyzed, two of them (Elegans variegated and Grandiflora Superba) were characterized by having a high antioxidant capacity, as observed in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of 136.5 and 86.8 μg/mL respectively. Overall, it can be concluded that camellias are a potential source of antioxidants with application in food and nutraceutical industries.