Percorrer por autor "Ribeiro, Andreia"
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- Advancing Pickering emulsions with natural-based solid dispersion particles: Particle screening and design of pectin-based emulsionsPublication . Rezende, Stephany; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Ribeiro, Andreia; Dias, Madalena M.; Barreiro, FilomenaGiven the evolving trends in consumption, Pickering emulsions are emerging as a promising solution for functional and healthier foods, highlighting the need to diversify particle stabilisers. This study assessed the potential of curcumin-based solid dispersions (SDs) prepared with natural polymers (pectin, maltodextrin, Arabic gum, potato starch, and k-carrageenan) as Pickering stabilisers. Among these, pectin-curcumin SDs (contact angle = 48.0 ± 3.6◦) demonstrated effective emulsion stabilisation, as confirmed by confocal microscopy. The impact of oil volume fraction (φ = 0.20–0.70) and SD concentration (1.0–5.0 % wt.) on emulsion stability was evaluated. An intermediate φ (0.45) consistently minimised creaming index (CI = 0–16.67 %) and droplet size (D[4,3] =2.53–4.12 μm). Complete reduction of creaming (CI = 0 %) was achieved at high SD concentration with low φ or low SD concentration with high φ, leading to improved stability. The three produced optimised formulations exhibited distinct colour properties (L* = 64.06–72.00, a* = 11.09–12.50, b* = 55.10–60.70), with hues ranging from yellow to orange, highlighting their potential for natural colouring applications. Rheological behaviour varied from gel-like (G’ > G”) to viscoelastic (G’ = G”), broadening their potential in food formulations. Higher SD concentrations with lower/intermediate φ produced structured, gel-like emulsions suitable for sauces or spreads. In contrast, lower SD concentrations with higher φ yielded fluid emulsions for dressings or beverages. These findings highlight the feasibility of SD-based Pickering emulsions for designing stable (≥30 days), visually appealing, and texturally versatile food products.
- Antiangiogenic compounds: well-established drugs versus emerging natural moleculesPublication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Dias, Madalena M.; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Angiogenesis is the natural and physiologic process of growing blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Pathological angiogenesis occurs when the precise balance of all the molecular pathways that regulate angiogenesis is disrupted, and this process is a critical step in many diseases, including cancer. A limited number of antiangiogenic synthetic drugs have been developed. However, due to toxicity and side effects issues, the search for alternative to existing drugs is ongoing. In this sense, natural molecules obtained from plants or macrofungi, have demonstrated extraordinary potential in the treatment of angiogenesis-related pathologies, specially taking into consideration its absence or very low toxicity, when compared to synthetic drugs. Using natural compounds as potential angiogenesis modulators is thus a promising field of research, supporting the creation of novel therapies able to reduce the use of drugs and associated side effects. In this review, the current status of antiangiogenic drugs and the wide variety of natural extracts and molecules with antiangiogenic capacities, as well as the angiogenesis molecular pathways and therapeutic targets, are presented. Finally, the challenges that need to be overcome in order to increase the use of natural compounds for clinical purposes are discussed.
- Antiangiogenic potential of yogurts added with extracts rich in apigenin derivativesPublication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Oliveira, Franciely dos Santos de; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Demczuk Junior, Bogdan; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Angiogenesis is a biological process through which there is the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones [I]. However, in pathological cases, the abnormal growth of new blood vessels promotes the development of various diseases including cancer [2) through the production of atypically large amounts of angiogenesis factors, e.g. the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [3]. The plant secondary metabolites have been the subject of several studies to evaluate their benefits to human health. In particular, the phenolic compounds have high potential for use in the food industry, including the development of functional foods. Among these, apigenin has been associated with chemopreventive effects related to cancer [4]. In fact, chemoprevention is a present-day concept and contemplates the use of medicines, biological compounds or nutrients as an intervention strategy of cancer prevention. In this work, an Arenaria montana L hydroethanolic extract was prepared and after characterization by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS showed to be rich in apigenin derivatives. Furthermore, it exhibited ability to inhibit the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelium growth factor receptor) through an enzymatic assay. However, for the major protection of bioactive compounds, the extract was microencapsulated by an atomization/coagulation technique with alginate as the matrix material. Posteriorly, the hydroethanolic extract, in free and microencapsulated forms, was incorporated in yogurts in order to develop a novel chemopreventer food in relation to the angiogenesis process. The functionalized yogurts with A. montana extracts (free and microencapsulated) showed a nutritional value similar to the used control (yogurt without extract); however, the samples enriched with extracts revealed added-value regarding the VEGFR-2 phosphorylation inhibition ability. This effect was more effectively preserved over time in the samples functionalized with the protected extract. Overall, this work contributes to the valorization of plants rich in flavonoids, exploring its antiangiogenic potential with VEGFR-2 as target. Moreover, the atomization/coagulation technique allowed the production of viable microspheres enriched with the plant extract. The microspheres were effectively incorporated into yogurts, protecting the extract thus envisaging the development of novel functional foods with chemopreventive effects.
- Caracterização do perfil fenólico do extrato aquoso e hidroetanólico de Rosmarinus officinalis L.Publication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Caleja, Cristina; Barros, Lillian; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Desde a antiguidade, as plantas têm suscitado grande interesse pelos benefícios que trazem para a saúde humana. Em particular, algumas espécies de plantas, para além das suas características aromáticas, constituem uma fonte natural de diversos compostos bioativos nomeadamente compostos fenólicos, que têm sido associados a propriedades antioxidantes, anti -inflamatórias, entre outras. Neste trabalho, estudaram -se amostras de Rosmarinus officinalis L. fornecidas pelo Cantinho das Aromáticas Lda. (Vila Nova de Gaia). Prepararam -se duas tipologias de extratos, aquoso e hidroetanólico, que foram subsequentemente caracterizados por HPLC -DAD -ESI/MS. Relativamente ao extrato hidroetanólico, o extrato aquoso apresentou um teor de compostos fenólicos total superior, assim como concentrações dos compostos individuais superiores. O ácido rosmarínico foi o composto mais abundante em ambos os extratos.
- Caracterização do perfil fenólico do extrato aquoso e hidroetanólico de Rosmarinus officinalis L..Publication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Caleja, Cristina; Barros, Lillian; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Desde a antiguidade que as plantas têm recebido grande atenção pelos benefícios que trazem para a saúde humana. Em particular algumas espécies de plantas, para além das suas características aromáticas, constituem uma fonte natural de diversos compostos bioativos nomeadamente compostos fenólicos, que têm sido associados a propriedades antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórias, antimicrobianas, entre outras [1-4]. Neste trabalho, estudaram-se amostras de Rosmarinus officinalis L. (vulgarmente designado como alecrim) fornecidas pelo Cantinho das Aromáticas Lda. (Vila Nova de Gaia). Prepararam-se duas tipologias de extratos: aquoso (por infusão e subsequente liofilização) e hidroetanólico (por maceração numa mistura etanol:água 80:20, v/v e subsequente remoção do solvente). A caracterização química dos extratos, realizada por HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, revelou a presença de compostos fenólicos com grupos cafeoil, mais especificamente 16 dos 18 compostos detetados, numa concentração total de 154,52±2 mg/g no extrato aquoso e de 34,37±0.99 mg/g no extrato hidroetanólico. Os restantes compostos quantificados correspondem a flavonoides que foram identificados como derivados de flavonas e que apresentaram concentrações de 12,3±0,2 e 0,94±0,03 mg/g nos extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico, respetivamente. O extrato aquoso apresentou maior teor total de compostos fenólicos e maior concentração em cada um dos compostos individuais comparativamente ao extrato hidroetanólico. O ácido rosmarínico foi o composto mais abundante em ambos os extratos, com concentrações de 68,5±0,1 e 13,1±0,1 mg/g para os extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico, respetivamente. Assim, os extratos de alecrim, ricos em compostos biologicamente ativos poderão ser utilizados como ingredientes naturais no desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais com benefícios para a saúde do consumidor.
- Catalytic properties of carbon materials for wet oxidation of anilinePublication . Gomes, Helder; Machado, Bruno; Ribeiro, Andreia; Moreira, Ivo; Rosário, Márcio; Silva, Adrián; Figueiredo, José; Faria, JoaquimA mesoporous carbon xerogel with a significant amount of oxygen functional groups and a commercial activated carbon, were tested in the catalytic wet air oxidation of aniline at 200 ◦C and 6.9 bar of oxygen partial pressure. Both carbon materials showed high activity in aniline and total organic carbon removal, a clear increase in the removal efficiency relatively to non-catalytic wet air oxidation being observed. The best results in terms of aniline removal were obtained with carbon xerogel, an almost complete aniline conversion after 1 h oxidation with high selectivity to non-organic compounds being achieved. The materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, temperature programmed desorption, N2 adsorption and scanning electron microscopy, in order to relate their performances to the chemical and textural characteristics. It was concluded that the removal efficiency, attributed to both adsorption and catalytic activity, is related to the mesoporous character of the materials and to the presence of specific oxygen containing functional groups at their surface. The effect of catalytic activity was found to be more important in the removal of aniline than the effect of adsorption at the materials surface. The results obtained indicate that mesoporous carbon xerogels are promising catalysts for CWAO processes.
- Catalytic properties of carbon xerogels for wet oxidation of anilinePublication . Machado, Bruno; Ribeiro, Andreia; Moreira, Ivo; Rosário, Márcio; Gomes, Helder; Figueiredo, José; Faria, JoaquimThe main objective of this work was to develop carbon materials suitable to be used efficiently in catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) processes. Accordingly, carbon xerogels with different mesoporous surface area and chemistry were prepared by the conventional sol-gel approach and tested in the CWAO of aniline at 200ºC and 6.9 bar of oxygen partial pressure. The developed materials showed high activity in aniline and total organic carbon removal, a clear increase in the removal efficiency relatively to non-CWAO being observed. At 200ºC, almost complete aniline conversions were obtained after one hour oxidation with high selectivity to non-organic compounds. The materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption and scanning electron microscopy, in order to relate their efficiency to the chemical and textural characteristics. It was concluded that the removal efficiency increases with the mesoporous character of the materials and with the concentration of oxygen containing functional groups at their surface. The results obtained indicate that mesoporous carbon xerogels are promising catalysts for CWAO processes.
- Chestnut burrs as a sustainable source of cellulose for Pickering emulsion stabilisersPublication . Lains, Joana; Almeida, Heloísa H.S.; Barreiro, Filomena; Silva, Cláudia Gomes; Dias, Madalena M.; Santos, Ricardo J.; Ribeiro, Andreia; Martins, Isabel M.As the global population grows, increasing food consumption drives a significant rise in agri-food waste. In the northern Tras-os-Montes region of Portugal, one of the world's largest chestnut producers, this waste includes valuable by-products such as chestnut burrs, which are composed of 63% cellulose. This study aims to valorise chestnut burrs by extracting compounds for incorporation into high-added-value products. Cellulose was extracted through physical and chemical pre-treatments, alkali hydrolysis and bleaching. The process parameters were adjusted to enhance the extracted cellulose content and purity. Extracts were characterised by thermogravimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and parameters such as particle size, zeta potential and wettability were also assessed and compared with commercial microcrystalline cellulose. Temperature was identified as the key parameter in alkali hydrolysis, with optimal conditions obtained for 10% NaOH at 100 degrees C for 1 h and a biomass-to-solvent ratio of 1:20 g/mL. Bleaching under optimal conditions (2% NaClO at 35 degrees C) removed an additional 7% lignin and enhanced the whiteness of the final product. The cellulose obtained has a purity of 72%, with a particle size of 55 mu m, a negative surface charge, hydrophilic behaviour, an estimated molecular weight of 13.2 kDa, and a crystallinity of 56.5%. When applied at 0.8 wt% of the aqueous phase in 20:80 oil-in-water emulsions, these particles stabilise Pickering emulsions with a 12 mm average droplet size, remaining stable for at least 30 days. These findings demonstrate that chestnut burrs are a viable and sustainable source of cellulose with high potential as a natural Pickering emulsion stabiliser for use in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- Closing Editorial: New Insights into Food Ingredients for Human Health PromotionPublication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Barreiro, FilomenaIn recent years, the intersection of food science and health promotion has gained interest. Driven by consumer awareness and a global push toward healthier, safer, and more sustainable food systems, the demand for functional, fortified, and clean-label products has grown substantially. In response to these evolving expectations, this Special Issue of Applied Sciences, titled “New Insights into Food Ingredients for Human Health Promotion”, brings together research and review articles that explore the development, characterization, and application of bioactive compounds with the potential to promote human health. These contributions reflect a commitment to innovation in food ingredient science, offering solutions that are both effective and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Continuous production of hydroxyapatite Pickering emulsions using a mesostructured reactorPublication . Ribeiro, Andreia; Manrique, Yaidelin A.; Barreiro, M.F.; Lopes, José Carlos B.; Dias, Madalena M.Emulsions are used in a wide range of applications, including food and cosmetics. Nowadays, the demand for sustainable products has increased with Pickering emulsions emerging as clean alternatives. To achieve the industrial implementation of Pickering emulsions, continuous production and less intensive energy devices are required. In this context, a mesostructured reactor based on an innovative static mixer, NETmix, was tested to produce Pickering emulsions from a previously developed formulation in batch mode. The effect of the number of cycles (2–35) and Reynolds number (200–500), parameters that influence the residence time and the quality of mixing, on the Pickering emulsion properties (average droplet size, droplet morphology, and stability) was studied. The obtained results pointed out the feasibility of using NETmix to produce Pickering emulsions. It is a versatile technique to control in a tailor-made way the droplet size and generate small droplets at short times. Results show a decrease of the droplet size with increasing number of cycles and Reynolds. Under the tested conditions, stable dispersions with droplet size of ∼7 μm were produced using 17 cycles and Re = 400. Microscopy images show an oil core and nano-hydroxyapatite shell morphology.