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- Upcycling fish by-products into bioactive fish oil: the suitability of microwave-assisted extractionPublication . Pinela, José; Rodrigues, Matilde; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Mandim, Filipa; Almeida, André; Dias, Maria Inês; Caleja, Cristina; Barros, LillianThe seafood industry is often left out of the food waste discussion, but this sector is no exception, as it generates large amounts of various by-products. This study aimed to explore the potential of the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique to obtain high-quality oil from fish by-products. The independent variables, which were time (1-30 min), microwave power (50-1000 W), and solid/liquid ratio (70-120 g/L) were combined in a 20-run experimental design coupled with the response surface methodology (RSM) for process optimization. The obtained oil yield values were fitted to a quadratic equation to build the theoretical models, which were statistically validated based on statistical criteria and used to predict the optimal MAE condition. The oil yields were significantly affected by the three independent variables through linear, quadratic, and/or interactive effects. Compared to a conventional Soxhlet extraction (SE), the optimal MAE conditions allowed between 60 and 100% of oil to be recovered in less than 19 min and with less solvent consumption. The fatty acid profiles of the oils obtained through SE and optimized MAE were characterized by gas chromatography with flame ionizing detection (GC-FID) after a derivatization process. These oils were constituted mainly of health, beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic, docosahexaenoic (DHA), linoleic, and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids, which were not affected (p > 0.05) by the extraction methods. Interestingly, the oils obtained through MAE showed the best microbial growth inhibition results may have been due to thermolabile compounds, preserved via this unconventional non-thermal method. The oils also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects via nitric oxide production inhibition and cytotoxic potential especially, against breast and gastric adenocarcinoma cells. However, the threshold of toxicity should be further investigated. Overall, this work emerges as a future-oriented approach to upcycling fish by-products into high-quality oils that can be used in the formulation of pet food and other products.
- Biotechnological approaches for reducing antinutrients and enhancing lentil (Lens culinaris) flours qualityPublication . Liberal, Ângela; Fernandes, Ângela; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Vívar-Quintana, Ana Maria; Barros, LillianThis study explores the effects of germination and cooking as pretreatments, followed by fermentation using different starter cultures on the physicochemical, nutritional, and techno-functional properties of Beluga and Du Puy lentil flours, focusing on reducing antinutritional factors and enhancing nutrient bioavailability. Fermentation was conducted using lactic acid bacteria (Furfurilactobacillus rossiae and Lactobacillus brevis) and a probiotic yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii) as starter cultures, individually and in combination. Results showed significant improvements in protein content, which increased by up to 38.4 g/100 g dry weight (dw) in Beluga lentils, and γ-tocopherol levels, which reached 8.15 mg/100 g dw after fermentation with L. brevis. Also, in Beluga lentils, germination followed by fermentation with F. rossiae and S. boulardii reduced carbohydrates to 57.7 g/100 g dw. Germination alone enhanced sucrose concentrations to 4.09 g/100 g dw and 4.44 g/100 g dw both Beluga and Du Puy lentils, respectively, while fermentation reduced its levels and promoted glucose production, reaching up to 1.02 g/100 g dw. Reduction in antinutritional factors was notable, with decreased phytic acid and condensed tannins concentration. Techno-functional properties such as water and oil holding capacity, and emulsifying capacity also improved significantly across treatments, enhancing the versatility of lentil flours in diverse food applications. These results highlight the potential of tailored processing techniques to enhance the physico-chemical profile of lentils, providing a foundation for their use in developing nutrient-dense, plant-based food products. Such innovations offer sustainable alternatives to traditional food sources, aligning with the growing demand for high-yield, environmentally friendly options.
- The Effect of Cropping System and Irrigation Regime on the Plant Growth and Biochemical Profile of Cichorium spinosumPublication . Paschoalinotto, Beatriz H.; Polyzos, Nikolaos; Liava, Vasiliki; Mandim, Filipa; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Añibarro-Ortega, Mikel; Dias, Maria Inês; Barros, Lillian; Petropoulos, Spyridon A.This study evaluated the effects of three irrigation treatments (control (rain-fed plants), deficit irrigation (DI: 50% of maximum field capacity), full irrigation (FI: 100% of maximum field capacity)), and two crop-management treatments (with or without crop rotation with bean, CR, and NCR, respectively) on the plant growth and chemical composition of C. spinosum. The results indicated that deficit irrigation combined with crop rotation increased the weight of leaves per plant, followed by rain-fed plants for the same crop-management treatment. Additionally, these two factors significantly influenced the nutritional profile, free sugars, and organic acid content in a variable manner. Moreover, the control treatment and deficit irrigation increased the content of K, Na, and Mg, which are highly mobile nutrients, whereas the levels of moderately mobile nutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn decreased. Deficit irrigation without crop rotation significantly increased the content of total tocopherols, followed by deficit irrigation with crop rotation and full irrigation without crop rotation. The main fatty acids were α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2n6), while the control and deficit irrigation treatments combined with crop rotation increased PUFA and decreased SFA content. Furthermore, deficit irrigation and crop rotation induced the accumulation of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, especially the content of the major compounds (e.g., chicoric acid, quercetin-O-hexurunoside, and luteolin-O-hexurunoside). The leaf extracts exhibited varied antioxidant activity (assessed by TBARS and OxHLIA assays), and antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, no antifungal, antiproliferative (except for AGS cell line), hepatotoxic, or anti-inflammatory effects were recorded. In conclusion, the combination of deficit irrigation and crop rotation with bean positively affected the quality traits and the fresh weight of leaves, thus suggesting that such eco-friendly practices could have beneficial effects in the cultivation of C. spinosum plants within the context of climate-change mitigation strategies.
- Extraction of phenolic compounds from Juglans regia L. leaves using aqueous solutions of eutectic solventsPublication . Cordova, Isabella Weber; Oludemi, Taofiq; Vieira, Vanessa; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Pinho, Simão; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, OlgaThe leaves of Juglans regia L. (walnut tree) are a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, which can be used in cosmetic applications due to their antioxidant properties. Conventionally, these compounds are extracted using volatile organic solvents. This study focuses on a more sustainable approach by designing a heat-assisted extraction process using aqueous solutions of eutectic solvents (ES) composed of cosmetic-compatible ingredients aiming for direct incorporation into cream formulations. In this context, aqueous solutions of the ES betaine + urea and betaine + 1,3-propanediol (PPD) were selected, considering their potential as cosmetic ingredients. The screening process targeted the maximum extraction yield of phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), quantified by HPLC-DAD. The selected variables were water content (25, 50 and 75 % in weight) and the molar proportion of the ES components. For comparison purposes, pure water was used as a reference solvent. The total phenolic content ranged between 5.5 and 14.6 mg/g of dry plant. Betaine:urea (2:1), betaine:PPD (1:2), betaine, and PPD, all with 50 % water mass percentage, were among those resulting in higher extraction yields and were further selected for bioactivity analysis. The system containing betaine presented the best antioxidant capacity, analysed through ferric reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging, and TBARS assays. The extracts obtained with PPD presented the highest antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. The results show the potential of using binary aqueous mixtures of betaine, or 1,3-propanediol, which are simple ingredients in cosmetics formulations, to efficiently extract phenolic compounds from a natural matrix. Moreover, the bioactivity results, particularly in the antioxidant dimension, support using J. regia leaves as a source of natural antioxidants.
- The consumption of generic medicaments: perception and level of knowledgePublication . Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Santos, Adriana; Neto, Ana; Oliveira, Carla; Nascimento, Marisa; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.Introduction: The generic medicine has the same qualitative and quantitative composition in active substances, pharmaceutical form and dosage, administered by the same way with the same therapeutic indication and security than the reference medicine (1). Objectives: To analyze the perception and level of knowledge about generic medicines and to study the correlation with socio-economic variables such as education level, monthly medicines expenses, employment, age and gender. Materials and Methods: It was developed a cross-sectional study. A non-probabilistic sample of 381 individuals was collected in northern Portuguese localities during January and February 2015. To collect the data was applied a questionnaire developed by Lopes, Silva, Pinto e Ribeiro (2). Most respondents were female (53.5%) with ages between 18 and 88 years. Results and Discussion: The level of knowledge about generic medicines was very poor (14.8%); poor (21.0%); fair (39.9%); good (23.1%) and very good (1.2%). Most respondents (91.4%) consumed generic medicines although they consider that reference medicines are more effective. The level of knowledge is positive correlated with the education level and negatively correlated with age and monthly medicines expenses. Gender was associated with the level of knowledge. Employment wasn’t associated with the level of knowledge. Conclusion: A significative proportion of respondents were misinformed about generic medicines, preferring to consume the reference medicines that they consider more effective. According to the literature, doctors are primarily responsible by the scarce information provided to the patient about generic medicines and by not prescribing these medicines. References: 1. Branco, M. & Nunes, B. (2009). Uma observação sobre o consumo de Genéricos. Departamento de Epidemiologia. Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Doutor Ricardo Jorge. Lisboa. 2. Lopes, C.; Silva, F.; Pinto, Isabel; Ribeiro, Maria (2011). A perspectiva dos consumidores portugueses sobre os medicamentos de marca vs medicamentos genéricos. In XXV Encontro Nacional APLF. Coimbra.
- Natural Food Colorant Obtained from Wild Berberis vulgaris L. by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction: Optimization and CharacterizationPublication . Vega, Erika N.; González-Zamorano, Lorena; Cebadera, Elena; Barros, Lillian; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Molina, Adriana K.; Silveira, Tayse F. F. da; Ulzurrun, Guillermo Vidal-Diez de; Tardío, Javier; Cámara, Montaña; Fernández-Ruiz, Virginia; Morales, PatriciaIn this study, a novel natural food colorant based on anthocyanins was developed from wild barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) fruits using ultrasound-assisted extraction, which was optimized through RSM. Four extraction variables (ultrasound power, time, S/L ratio, and extraction solvent pH) were evaluated in combination. The response criteria used were the total anthocyanin content (TAC) and color parameters. The optimal TAC was achieved at 2.5 min, 345 W, pH 3, and 22.12 g/L. The fruit sample (without seeds) (BVFF) and its optimized extract (BVE) were characterized in terms of chemical composition and bioactivities. Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside was identified as the predominant anthocyanin. BVE exhibited a total phenolic content of 290.72 mg/g. Additionally, both BVFF and BVE presented significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity, especially in the case of BVE, which inhibited the growth of several foodborne bacteria and fungi and even showed bactericidal capacity against most of the tested bacteria, particularly against E. cloacae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. cereus. These results highlight the richness of BVFF and BVE in bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins, underscoring their potential as natural food colorants that can be used in food product formulations instead of synthetic azo colorants.
- Green and Innovative Extraction: Phenolic Profiles and Biological Activities of Underutilized Plant Extracts Using Pulsed Electric Fields and MacerationPublication . Pallarés, Noelia; Berrada, Houda; Ferrer, Emilia; Rached, Wahiba; Pinela, José; Mandim, Filipa; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Barba, Francisco J.; Barros, LillianUnderutilized plant species such as Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less., Haloxylon scoparium Pomel, and Ruta chalepensis L. have been historically valued in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. These species present an untapped source of bioactive compounds with significant applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, including the development of functional foods and additives. Recent advances in food processing have introduced innovative methods, such as pulsed electric fields (PEFs), to enhance the extraction of valuable compounds without compromising their integrity or quality. This study investigates the impact of PEF technology on the recovery of bioactive compounds from these plants, comparing it with conventional maceration (MAC) techniques. Phenolic compound profiles and biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, were evaluated. The results demonstrated that for R. chalepensis, PEF extraction achieved comparable phenolic content (58 mg/g) to MAC (72 mg/g). However, MAC generally provided higher phenolic yields for other plants. A. graveolens extracts exhibited significant antitumoral and anti-inflammatory potentials. The antimicrobial results indicated that MAC extracts were more effective against bacterial growth, while PEF extracts outperformed MAC against A. brasiliensis (MIC: 10 mg/mL). Antioxidant potential was observed in both methods, with TBARS IC50 values ranging from 17 to 79.5 µg/mL. While MAC generally yielded superior results, PEF extraction showed great promise as an environmentally sustainable alternative, eliminating the need for organic solvents and aligning with green extraction principles.
- Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Rubus Idaeus Bioresidues: A Full Screening on Phenolic Composition and Bioactive PotentialPublication . Plasencia, Paula; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Carocho, Márcio; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Añibarro-Ortega, Mikel; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Barreiro, Filomena; Garcia, Pablo A.; Barros, Lillian; Heleno, Sandrina A.Purpose Rubus idaeus cultivation has boosted productivity due to its high nutritional value. In consequence, waste produc- tion increased. The discarded biomass, including leaves and aerial components, can be transformed into valuable functional ingredients for industrial applications, such as cosmetics. Studying their bioactivity potential is highly relevant. Methods According to the present idea, the research involved producing extracts from raspberry plant branches and leaves by employing four different techniques: aqueous decoction, aqueous infusion, hydroethanolic maceration, and ultrasound- assisted extraction (UAE). Subsequently, these compounds were screened for their bioactive potential, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties. Results The ultrasound-assisted extraction produced extracts rich in phenolic compounds, whereas the infusion and macera- tion methods resulted in higher flavonol contents. Among the identified phenolic compounds, hydrolyzable tannins, particu- larly galloyl-bis-HHDP-glucose, were the most dominant ones. Regarding antioxidant potential, the decoction extract was the strongest, while the infusion showed the greatest potential for inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The UAE extract was found to be highly effective as an antibacterial agent. Both infusion and UAE extracts demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory potential. Conclusion The combination of these results highlights the sample’s bioactive potential and the importance of exploiting bioresidues as unique, sustainable candidates for industrial applications.
- Development of new bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) based snacks: Nutritional, chemical and bioactive featuresPublication . Pires, Tânia C.S.; Dias, Maria Inês; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Alves, Maria José; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, LillianThe sustainable exploitation of fruit and cereal processing is being conducted to produce novel food products with promising nutritional properties and high content in added value compounds. Herein, three bilberry fruit-based snacks supplemented with edible petals and fruits were characterized for their nutritional properties and chemical composition. The phenolic profile, antioxidant, antibacterial and hepatotoxic properties were analyzed. Protein (3–4 g/100 g dw) and carbohydrates (94.3–94.8 g/100 g dw) represented the major macronutrients. The combination of bilberry fruits with edible petals, calendula and rose, improved the nutritional and phytochemical input in organic acids and tocopherols content, respectively. Also, the supplementation with apple and goji fruits provided higher content in phenolic acids and anthocyanins (up to a 9-fold higher concentration, 199.7 µg/g of extract), also resulting in a higher antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The results obtained can contribute for the development of novel sustainable and healthier snacks for the food industry.
- Atividade antimicrobiana de acacia tortilis em patogénicos comensais e microbiota vaginal não patogénicaPublication . Silva, Andreia; Silva, Sofia; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Ziani, Borhane E.C.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Alves, Maria JoséEnquadramento: a vaginose Bacteriana (VB) é a doença infeciosa mais comum do trato vaginal, afeta muitas mulheres em todo o mundo e ocorre quando há um desequilíbrio na microbiota vaginal, ocorrendo diminuição de Lactobacillus 1-4. A Acacia tortilis é conhecida pelas suas propriedades medicinais de entre as quais se destacam a sua atividade antibacteriana e antifúngica. Objetivo: avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do extrato hidroetanólico de Acacia tortilis em patogénicos vaginais e em microbiota vaginal humana. Metodologia: estudo experimental. O extrato hidroetanólico de A. tortilis foi obtido por um método de maceração com agitação utilizando etanol/ água (80:20 v/v) à temperatura ambiente. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pelo método da microdiluição e ensaio colorimétrico com cloreto de p-iodonitrotetrazólio (INT). Resultados: o extrato hidroetanólico apresentou valores de concentrações mínimas inibitórias (CMIs) bastante promissoras em microrganismos patogénicos como Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis e Gardenerella vaginalis (1,25 mg/mL). Já para Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a CMI aumentou para 5 mg/mL. Relativamente à microbiota vaginal não-patogénica, os três Lactobacillus testados apresentaram CMIs de 5 mg/mL. Comparando as CMIs dos patogénicos comensais com a microbiota vaginal não patogénica comensal, verificamos que para uma concentração de 2,5 mg/mL de extrato, foram inibidos alguns patogénicos comensais como Gardenerella vaginalis, Proteus mirabilis e Escherichia coli, no entanto, os Lactobacillus (casei, plantarum , delbrueckii subs. bulgaricus LMG) testados não sofreram inibição. Conclusão: o extrato hidroetanólico de Acacia tortilis inibiu o crescimento de alguns patogénicos comensais sem afetar o crescimento da microbiota vaginal não patogénica (Lactobacillus).