CIMO - Artigos em Revistas Indexados à WoS/Scopus
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- Sewage sludge showed high agronomic value, releasing nitrogen faster than farmyard manurePublication . Dimande, Paulo; Arrobas, Margarida; Correia, Carlos Manuel; Rodrigues, ManuelThe use of fertilizers in agriculture, particularly organic fertilizers such as sewage sludge, is a key research priority due to its impacts on crop productivity, production costs, environmental risks and the push for a more circular economy. This study, conducted in Bragan & ccedil;a, northeastern Portugal, focused on forage maize during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Eight fertilization treatments were established corresponding to the application of mineral nitrogen (N) at rates of 50 (N50), 100 (N100), 150 (N150) and 200 (N200) kg ha(-1), three organic amendments applied at a rate equivalent to 200 kg ha(-1) of N, namely sewage sludge (SS200), cow manure (CM200) and sheep manure (SM200), and a non-fertilized control (N0), with the aim of assessing the agronomic value of these treatments for forage maize (Zea mays L.). Maize dry matter yield (DMY) ranged from 10.8 to 20.3 t ha(-1) in 2022 and 13.7 to 23.6 t ha(-1) in 2023 for N0 and N200, respectively. Organic amendments produced 14.7-17.7 t ha(-1) in 2022 and 20.5-24.4 t ha(-1 )in 2023. Increased mineral N rates resulted in higher soil inorganic N content, N concentration in leaves and N recovery in tissues, with organic amendments showing lower values than crops fertilized with N200. However, due to cumulative nutrient release, organic amendments improved DMY and N use efficiency in the second year. Sewage sludge mineralized rapidly due to its low carbon (C)/N ratio and absence of hard-to-degrade compounds. It is also rich in phosphorus (P), enhancing its fertilizing value. Although nitrate leaching and denitrification potential appeared lower with organic amendments, long-term applications may increase risks, requiring careful monitoring to ensure sustainable and safe practices.
- Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue: in vitro and in vivo studiesPublication . Brito Júnior, Anildo Alves de; Louro Crugeira, Pedro Jorge; Barbosa, Andressa Vollono; Costa, Wellington Luis Reis; Cangussu, Maria Cristina Teixeira; Oliveira, Susana Carla Pires Sampaio de; Pinheiro, Antônio Luiz Barbosa; Melo, Amanda Inês Vieira de; Pinheiro, Antônio Luiz Barbosa; Azevedo, Juliana MonteiroThe efficiency of antibiotics in terms of their bacterial inhibition is well known. However, studies show that its overuse, underuse, and misuse induce antimicrobial resistance, promoting the need to work with alternative methods. In this sense, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising selective method demonstrating excellent response. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial action promoted in Staphylococcus aureus using 1,9 dimethyl methylene blue dye (DMMB) combined with red LED (λ 630 ± 20 nm, CW, 125 mW, 12 J/ cm², 192 s) in planktonic culture and rats skin wounds contaminated with staphylococcal bacteria. The experimental in vitro and in vivo groups were Control, LED, DMMB, and LED + DMMB; after aPDT, the triplicate samples for each dilution were incubated for 24 h, and the number of bacteria was determined by counting the colony-forming units, and the logarithm (CFU/mL log). Based on in vitro data obtained, the LED + DMMB group, when compared to the Control, showed a reduction in microbial load of 99.943% (p < 0.0001), with decimal reduction (RD = 3). Whereas in vivo results, the same comparing groups demonstrated a reduc- tion in microbial load, reaching 99.994% (RD = 4). In this research, the aPDT was a unique treatment, and it is possible to repeat it to obtain higher microbial reduction, providing an alternative therapeutic that can be clinically validated to combat infections caused by S. aureus.
- Controlling Listeria monocytogenes contamination in fresh goat milk cheeses: Dynamic modelling during storagePublication . Bonilla-Luque, Olga María; Possas, Arícia; Gonzales-Barron, Ursula; Cadavez, Vasco; Ezzaky, Youssef; Hussein, Abdelraheem; Valero, AntonioPredictive models applied for artisanal fresh goat cheeses are invaluable tools for rapid decision-making in quality and safety management. Listeria monocytogenes is a common foodborne pathogen associated with recent safety alerts in ready-to-eat (RTE) products in Andalucia. Managing artisanal production variables, such as storage conditions and final product features (pH or water activity [aw]) might be crucial for controlling L. monocytogenes in these traditional products. This study evaluated the time-temperature dependence of L. monocytogenes during shelf-life of fresh goat milk cheese artisanally produced in Andalucía. The effect of storage temperature (4–25 ◦C) over 5–20 days was tested in lab-scale fresh goat milk cheeses initially inoculated with a three-strain cocktail of the pathogen (ca. 2–3 log cfu/g). The Huang (model A) and Baranyi (model B) models coupled with Ratkowsky were fitted to the collected growth data to describe the relationship between L. monocytogenes concentration, growth rate (μmax, log cfu/d), storage temperature, and time. The results highlighted the higher variability of growth data at 4 ◦C, the linear relationship between μmax and temperature, the inverse correlation between ymax (exceeding 5 log cfu/g at all the temperatures) and ΔY (with a maximum of 4.386 and minimum of 2.461, at 4 and 25 ◦C, respectively) and a faster decrease of pH at higher temperatures. Model validity, assessed through goodness-of-fit and both internal and external validations (under both isothermal temperatures and a dynamic temperature workflow simulating real production scenario), revealed good model adjustment to L. monocytogenes growth in artisanal commercial cheeses, after determining a correction factor of 1.806 and 1.856, for models A and B, respectively. Predictions indicated that an initially contaminated artisanal fresh goat milk cheese would not meet regulatory limits after 4 days under refrigeration conditions (4 ◦C), aerobic conditions, or opened packaging. These results highlight the potential public health risk of artisanal fresh goat milk cheeses related to L. monocytogenes transmission if manufacturing and storage conditions are not well controlled, emphasizing the need for stringent microbial control efforts and mitigation measures.
- Interspecific differences in the physiological condition of native freshwater mussels in response to the invasive Asian clam Corbicula flumineaPublication . Modesto, Vanessa; Ilarri, Martina; Castro, Paulo S.; Carvalho, Francisco; Cavalheri, Thais; Lopes-Lima, Manuel; Teixeira, Amílcar; Ozório, Rodrigo O.A.; Antunes, Carlos; Sousa, RonaldoThe Asian clam Corbicula fluminea has been widely introduced into aquatic ecosystems and may impact the physiological condition and survival of native freshwater mussels. However, very few studies have evaluated this issue quantitatively. To fill this gap, manipulative field experiments were performed to assess two possible mechanisms of impact on native mussels: (i) interspecific interactions, and (ii) C. fluminea die-offs. We assessed these effects by measuring the physiological condition through the analysis of glycogen content in the foot tissue of the native freshwater mussel species Anodonta anatina, Potomida littoralis, and Unio delphinus. Although with interspecific differences, our results suggest that C. fluminea can impact the physiological condition of native freshwater mussels. Anodonta anatina showed positive significant variations on glycogen content when subjected to high densities of live C. fluminea in contrast to the other native species studied, P. littoralis and U. delphinus, where no significances were observed. On the other hand, these native species do not seem be significantly impacted by the decomposition of C. fluminea resulting from a die-off. Overall, and contrary to our expectations, both experiments showed a positive (or no) effect of C. fluminea on the physiological condition of the three freshwater mussel species.
- Genomic DNA extraction from honey bee (Apis mellifera) queen spermathecal contentPublication . Yadró, Carlos A.; Lopes, Ana Rita; Henriques, Dora; Musin, Eduard; Wegener, Jakob; Pinto, M. AliceGenetic analysis of the honey bee spermathecal content can be particularly useful to provide an estimate of the genetic diversity and purity of the surrounding populations. Here we compared the concentration and quality of DNA extracted from queen spermatheca using four commercial kits to determine the best method to obtain DNA suitable for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping by next-generation sequencing. The four kits were tested with different adjustments in the lysis incubation time, use of RNA-carrier, elution conditions and number of re-elutions. Only the use of QIAamp DNA Microkit with 3 h of lysis incubation, the addition of RNA-carrier and multiple re-elutions produced a DNA concentration over the required threshold.
- Invasive dynamics of the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus in a protected areaPublication . Carvalho, Francisco; Alves, Henrique; Pascoal, Cláudia; Castro, Paulo; Miranda, Fernando Jorge Veloso; Teixeira, Amílcar; Cássio, Fernanda; Sousa, RonaldoInvasive species have been drivers of biodiversity loss and functional changes in aquatic ecosystems, including in protected areas. Therefore, monitoring population invasion dynamics and biological traits is fundamental to better understand their ecological and economic impacts and for management actions development. We followed signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) invasion in Rabaçal River upper reach at Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. We collected information on the spread and biological traits (abundance, size, weight, physical condition, sex ratio, and aggressiveness) to assess differences between invasion core and front areas and among years. Signal crayfish population remained restricted since first reports in 2013 in the invasion core until 2017. After 2019, signal crayfish population has been spreading downstream, decreasing abundance at invasion core but increasing at invasion front. Significant higher number of crayfish with claw loss indicate potential higher signs of aggressiveness in the invasion front. Results also demonstrate a significant dominance of females although sex ratio is closer to 1:1 at the invasion front. Overall, results indicate signal crayfish is spreading and increasing their abundance at Rabaçal River highlighting the need for immediate management actions to hold dispersion and mitigate possible impacts.
- Structural Characterization of Microcapsules from Common Bee Pollen for the Development of Delivery SystemsPublication . Ertosun, Seymanur; Aylanc, Volkan; Peixoto, Andreia F.; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Russo-Almeida, Paulo; Freire, Cristina; Vilas-Boas, MiguelExine, in the form of a natural microcapsule, refers to the outermost layer of the pollen grains and is composed of a complex mixture of sporopollenin, a highly resistant polymer, which makes it durable and able to withstand harsh conditions. Distinctive features of sporopollenin have attracted interest in the encapsulation of bioactive substances. Herein, we describe the pathway to producing sporopollenin microcapsules (SMCs) by exploiting bees and trapping common bee pollen pellets, offering a simple approach to acquiring substantial amounts of pollen grains for industrial application. Palynological results showed that separating bee pollen pellets by colour could lead to almost pure products ranging from 90 to 96%, depending on the pollen species. Subsequently, a single extraction technique removed around 82– 86% of the proteinaceous content, which could cause potential allergic reactions in humans. Detailed morphological analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and laser diffraction particle size (LDPS) analysis proved that the purified SMCs retained their 3D micro-structures, besides being hollow and uniform micron-scale size. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) findings point out that the sporopollenin biopolymer structure of the pollen grain comprises distinct aliphatic and aromatic domains, and the purification of the SMCs resulted in the loss of nitrogen-related peaks. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of the SMCs, evaluated by contact angle measurements, showed variability between pollen, depending on the specificities of their chemical structure. Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) confirmed SMCs thermal stability up to 451 °C. Altogether, we showed that green microcapsules with various morphological properties could be produced by simply processing Castanea spp., Cistus spp., Erica spp., Olea spp, and Rubus spp, all common bee pollen pellets available in large quantities in the northeast of Portugal, but also many other countries. These microcarriers promise applicability to various fields, from pharmaceuticals to the food industry.
- Bioaccessibility Performance of Phenolic Compounds from Red Fruits During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and Colonic FermentationPublication . Bortolini, Débora Gonçalves; Barros, Lillian; Maciel, Giselle Maria; Peralta, Rosane M.; Corrêa, Vanesa G.; Finimundy, Tiane Cristine; Haminiuk, Charles Windson IsidoroRed fruits are rich in phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins, which contribute to their vibrant colors and health benefits. However, anthocyanins are chemically sensitive during digestion, which affects their bioaccessibility. This study evaluated the impact of simulated gastrointestinal digestion on whole red fruits (oral, gastric, intestinal, and colonic phases). Total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 8.60−50.41 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoid content (TFC) from 1.66−10.67 mg CAT/g DW, and total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) from 0.54−1.28 mg CYA/g DW. Antioxidant activity strongly correlated with TPC (r ≥ 0.91). High-phenolic fruits showed lower bioaccessibility compared with low-phenolic ones. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn identified glycosylated anthocyanins, which were highly sensitive; jaboticaba anthocyanins were nonbioaccessible, while 51.83% remained bioaccessible in raspberries. Colonic fermentation further reduced TPC and TFC, and anthocyanins were entirely degraded. These results highlight the need for innovative delivery systems to improve anthocyanin bioaccessibility and functional benefits.
- Impacts of climate-induced drought on lake and reservoir biodiversity and ecosystem services: a reviewPublication . Sun, Xinyu; Armstrong, Margaret; Moradi, Amirmohammad; Bhattacharya, Ruchi; Geraldes, Ana Maria; Munthali, Elias; Grossart, Hans-Peter; Matsuzaki, Shin-Ichiro; Kangur, Külli; Dunalska, Julita; Stockwell, Jason; Borre, LisaIntensifying extreme droughts are altering lentic ecosystems and disrupting services provisioning. Unfortunately, drought research often lacks a holistic and intersectoral consideration of drought impacts, which can limit relevance of the insights for adaptive management. This literature review evaluated the current state of lake and reservoir extreme drought research in relation to biodiversity and three ecosystem services. The study findings demonstrated that few articles linked or discussed drought implications with one or more ecosystem services, instead focusing primarily on biodiversity. Drought effects on biodiversity varied among species and taxonomic groups. In the limited literature that included ecosystem service provisioning, droughts had a general negative effect. Drinking water supply can decrease and become more costly. Decreasing water flow and volume can reduce hydropower generation. Degraded water quality can also impact recreation. Future intersectoral collaborations and research on intensifying droughts should support adaptive management efforts in mitigating drought impacts.
- Optimisation of Catalytic Oxidation Conditions for the 2‐Keto‐L‐Gulonic Acid Production Using Response Surface MethodologyPublication . Mutlu, Ceren; Candal‐Uslu, Cihadiye; Erbaş, MustafaL-Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a very important antioxidant ingredient situated many usage areas in different industries. 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG) is the main precursor component of L-ascorbic acid production and it can be produced from L-sorbose via microbial fermentation or chemical (catalytic) oxidation. While some special strains are used in microbial fermentation, it is benefitted from some catalysts in chemical oxidation. Herein, it was aimed to determine the optimum reaction temperature, pH, and time conditions to produce maximum 2-KLG compound with the catalytic oxidation of L-sorbose in the presence of Pt/Al2O3 catalyst with response surface methodology approach. For this aim, the reaction temperature, pH, and time used as variable factors. The limit values of variable factors were applied as 40–60°C for the temperature, 7.00–9.00 for the pH value, and 3–9 h for the time. The analyses results demonstrated that the increasing temperature and time negatively effected the conversion of L-sorbose into the 2-KLG. The optimum conditions of variable factors were determined as 41.30 °C for the temperature, 8.23 for the pH, and 3.25 h for the reaction time by the central composite design. Under these optimum conditions, L-sorbose was converted into 2-KLG with an average yield of 43.70%.