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- Usage of thermal spring water for optimal skin health: bridging traditional therapy with modern dermatologyPublication . Rocha, Pedro Emanuel; Alves, Maria José; Fidalgo, Cátia; Correia, Daniela; Pedrosa, Silvia; Madureira, Ana RaquelThermal spring waters (TSW) have been employed forntherapeutic purposes across the centuries being increasingly recognized for its unique benefits in skin health, in which immunomodulatory effects play a crucial role. By reviewing the literature, the multifaceted properties of TSW, which arise from its diverse mineral composition as well as its thermal characteristics, revealed the strong potential of these waters to aid in managing various chronic skin disorders, holding also a significant promise in cosmeceutical formulation.
- FIG (Ficus Carica L.) Bioresidues as sources of bioactive compounds and natural pigments for the food industryPublication . Shiraishi, Carlos S.H.; Zbiss, Yosra; Roriz, Custódio Lobo; Carocho, Márcio; Domingos, Sara; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Alves, Maria José; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Barros, LillianThe 17 goals of sustainable development address several topics, such as: (2) Zero hunger and sustainable agriculture; (9) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; (12) Responsible consumption and production; that are essential for the promotion of the circular economy, product development and conscious production [1]. Fig is a food matrix, cultivated in Portugal and valued by the Portuguese people for consumption in natura, being also used in wines, liqueurs, and jams. As this fruit is very appreciated and consumed, it´s cultivation leads to the production of tons of leaves, usually discarded [2]. Therefore, in the present work, the leaves of five fig varieties (Figure 1), namely Dauphine (Da), Longue d'Aout (La), Pasteliere (Pa), Marseille (Ma) and Bourjassote Noire (Bn), were nutritionally and chemically characterized to detect possible bioactive molecules. The antioxidant and antimicrobial, activities were also analyzed, to provide the food industry with natural additives in alternative to the artificial ones; and at the same time, promote the circular economy. Regarding the nutritional profile of the five leaves, La sample exhibited the highest amount in proteins (18.0±0.6 g/100g dw), while Pa revealed the highest content in fats (2.2±0.1 g/100g dw). The highest moisture content was presented by Da leaves (17.3±0.1 g/100g fw), and for the ashes, La sample was the one that presented the highest value (14.18±0.06 g/100g fw). Concerning the organic acids, these molecules were most abundant in Ma leaves, where it was possible to identify oxalic, malic and citric acids with a total of 139.6±0.4 mg/g dw. For the soluble sugars profiling, in all samples it was possible to identify five sugars, namely, fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, and raffinose in different concentrations; however, Da leaves revealed the higher amount (17±1 g/100g dw). Tocopherols where also analyzed, and in all samples, three of the four isoforms where detected, being Pa sample standing for the predominance of these compounds (4.14±0.05 mg/100 g dw). For the bioactive analysis, different assays were performed, and Pa sample showed the strongest antioxidant potential for the TBARS assay, with an EC50 value of 105±5 mg/mL. For the antimicrobial activity assay, Da leaf extract was the one displaying the best results, by presenting Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/mL against the tested bacterial strains. On the other hand, for the antifungal activity, the samples present very similar profiles, with the exception of the Pa sample, that present the lowest MIC of 5 mg/mL for Aspergillus fumigatus. In general, these leaf extracts can be used in the food industry namely in pastry and bakery products as promising sources of bioactive compounds, and at the same time, this reuse of biowaste promotes circular economy, and reduces the impact of biowaste resulting from the fig industry, thus meeting some of the goals of sustainable development.
- Epidemiologia de Trichomonas vaginalis em mulheresPublication . Alves, Maria José; Oliveira, Rita; Balteiro, Jorge; Cruz, AgostinhoA tricomoniose é uma das Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis (DSTs) não viral mais comum em todo mundo, com uma incidência anual superior a 180 milhões de casos. A Organização Mundial de Saúde estimou que esta infecção explica quase 50 % de todas as DSTs com cura em todo o mundo. Em Portugal poucos têm sido os trabalhos de carácter epidemiológico realizados sobre parasitose. Assim, o objectivo deste estudo consistiu em determinar a prevalência da T. vaginalis em mulheres que frequentam a consulta de planeamento familiar nos CSN.º1 CSN.º2 e Hospital em Chaves, e estabelecer uma possível associação desta parasitose com as características sociodemográficas, a sintomatologia, o comportamento sexual e o tratamento anterior deste tipo de parasitoses, através da resposta a um inquérito. Material e métodos: Foi recolhida uma amostra de exsudado vaginal em 288 mulheres sintomáticas / assintomáticas para pesquisa de T. vaginalis recorrendo ao exame directo e cultural. Resultados: Das 288 mulheres que aderiram ao estudo 11 (3,8 %) encontravam–se com tricomoniose. Variáveis como a idade, estado civil, grau de escolaridade, uso de contracepção, não apresentaram resultados estatisticamente significativos relativamente ao número de casos positivos. De entre os casos positivos apenas 54, 5 % das mulheres eram sintomáticas sendo as restantes 45,5 % assintomáticas. Uma associação estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada entre tricomoniose e múltiplos parceiros sexuais. Conclusão: Em suma, há necessidade de se seguirem outros estudos com o intuito de reavaliar o quadro actual desta parasitose em Portugal. Finalmente parece fundamental informar a população acerca dos elevados casos assintomáticos desta parasitose, bem com das consequências que desta podem advir.
- Phenolic profile and antimicrobial activity of different dietary supplements based on Cochlospermum angolensis WelwPublication . Pereira, Carla; Barros, Lillian; Alves, Maria José; Pereira, Liliana; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Three different formulations (infusion, pills and syrup) of Cochlospermum angolensis were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS regarding phenolic composition, and evaluated by their in vitro antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of multiresistant bacteria. Infusion and pills showed the highest variety of phenolic compounds, with eleven molecules identified. Protocatechuic acid was only present in infusions, being the most abundant compound, while (epi)gallocatechin-O-gallate was the main molecule identified in pills and eucaglobulin/globulusin in syrup. Infusion revealed antimicrobial activity against all the studied bacteria with the exception of Proteus mirabilis whereas the pills revealed activity in Escherichia coli spectrum extended producer of β-lactamases and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the syrup there was no antimicrobial activity detected, which is in agreement with its low concentrations of phenolic compounds. None of the formulations inhibited P. mirabilis. Considering the obtained results, C. angolensis infusion can be considered a good source of phenolic compounds as well as a good antimicrobial agent.
- Ganoderma Lucidum: Uma fonte importante de ingredientes bioativos multifuncionaisPublication . Taofiq, Oludemi; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Alves, Maria José; Barros, Lillian; González-Paramás, Ana María; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Ganoderma lucidum {Curtis) P. Karst. é um cogumelo medicinal muito conhecido, cuja compos1çao bioativa {compostos fenólicos, triterpenoides e polissacáridos) tem sido relacionada com efeitos farmacológicos e fisiológicos (por exemplo, propriedades imunomoduladoras, citotóxicas, anti-inflamatórias, antimicrobianas e antioxidantes). No presente trabalho, os corpos frutíferos de G. ludicum foram caracterizados quanto à sua composição química (terpenoides e triterpenos, polissacáridos e tocoferóis), sendo posteriormente avaliadas diferentes propriedades bioativas (e.g., antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, antitirosinase, citotóxica e antimicrobiana) no extrato etanólico obtido por Soxhlet. O extrato foi também caracterizado quanto à sua composição em ácidos fenólicos e triterpenoides por HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Por fim, o extrato bioativo foi incorporado numa formulação cosmética semi-sólida, cujas propriedades bioativas e físico-químicas foram também avaliadas. A espécie G. lucidum demonstrou ser uma boa fonte de tocoferóis (141 ± 7 (lg/100 g massa seca, ms), sobretudo pela contribuição das isoformas a e õ. Os conteúdos em terpenoides, triterpenoides e polissacáridos foram 27,2 ± 0,7 mg equiv. linalol/g ms, 5,6 ± 0,5 mg equiv. ácido ursólico/g ms e 15,4 ± 0,2 mg equiv. amido/g ms, respetivamente. O extrato etanólico apresentou uma elevada atividade antioxidante (valores de EC50 para a atividade captadora de radicais livres - 0,73 ± 0,01 mg/ml e poder redutor - 0,15 ± 0,01 mg/ml), antitirosinase (EC50 = 2,81 ± 0,01 mg/ml), citotóxica (valores de Gl 50 para as linhas celulares MCF7: 61 ± 4 (lg/ml; NCI -H460: 64 ± 3 (lg/ml; HepG2: 68,44 ± 0,08 (lg/ml; Hela: 73 ± 2 (lg/ml) e antimicrobiana (MICs até 10 mg/ml contra Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, MRSA- Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina, MSSA- Staphylococcus aureus suscetível à meticilina). O extrato não exibiu toxicidade para células não tumorais {GI 50> 400 ~g/ml). A análise do extrato, realizada por HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, revelou a presença de três ácidos fenólicos {ácidos protocatéquico, p-hidroxibenzoico e siringíco) e 26 ácidos triterpénicos, sendo os ácidos ganodéricos C2, A e H os compostos mais abundantes. A formulação cosmecêutica preparada com o extrato manteve todas as bioatividades (atividades antioxidantes, antitirosinase e antimicrobiana). Os parâmetros de cor avaliados através do sistema L* a* b* foram de 70,3 ± 0,6; 12,1 ± 0,5 e 32,9 ± 0,9, respetivamente para L (luminosidade), a (verde-vermelho) e b (azul-amarelo). A formulação apresentou um pH de 4,61 ± 0,02, que é considerado desejável para a manutenção da função de barreira da pele. Em suma, o extrato etanólico de G. lucidum incorporado em formulações tópicas revelou ter um grande potencial para garantir as diferentes funções fisiológicas da pele. No entanto, as questões relacionadas com a estabilidade, permeabilidade, eficácia e biodisponibilidade tópica serão abordadas em estudos futuros.
- Detailed chemical composition and functional properties of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cross. & Dur. and Moringa oleifera LamarckPublication . Ziani, Borhane E.C.; Rached, Wahiba; Bachari, Khaldoun; Alves, Maria José; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Edible Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cross. & Dur. and Moringa oleifera Lamarck are largely used in the Algerian Sahara. In this context, soluble sugars, fatty acids, organic acids, and tocopherols were characterized. Decoctions and hydroethanolic extracts were studied regarding their phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn, and in-vitro cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities were evaluated. Results indicate high contents of carbohydrates (glucose and sucrose) and significant levels of protein and mineral were recorded for both plants. Malic acid was the major organic acid alongside with α-tocopherol, while PUFA was predominant in M. oleifera and MUFA in A. leucotrichus. Flavonoid derivatives were the most abundant group, being luteolin-O-(malonyl-glucoside) the main compound in A. leucotrichus and quercetin-3-O-(6″-malonyl-glucoside) and 3-O-caffeoylquininc acid the major molecules in M. oleifera. Extracts exhibited significant cytotoxicity on Hela and MCF-7 cell lines. The anti-inflammatory activity was also higher in the hydroethanolic extracts, which also revealed the highest antibacterial effects, especially for Gram-positive bacteria.
- Índice de qualidade da colocação e manutenção do CVC num SMI : análise do índice de qualidade da colocação e manutenção do CVC no SMI de um hospital do Norte de PortugalPublication . Gomes, Solange Marisa Lage; Martins, Matilde; Alves, Maria JoséConclui-se que o Índice de Colocação e Manutenção do Cateter Venoso Central bem como, o Índice Global de Adesão à Norma 022/2015 da Direção Geral de Saúde foi ótimo. A prevalência de Infeção Nosocomial da Corrente Sanguínea relacionada com o Cateter Venoso Central foi ligeiramente elevada. O seu desenvolvimento associou-se às perfusões em curso, ao local de inserção e ao tempo de permanência do CVC. Perante os resultados sugerimos a redução do tempo de permanência do CVC quando possível ou a sua substituição, a colocação do cateter preferencialmente na subclávia e uma maior vigilância na substituição atempada da perfusão de propofol. É de extrema importância que as equipas de saúde reflitam sobre os fatores de risco associados a esta infeção e desenvolvam ações de formação contínua, contribuindo para a promoção de estratégias e medidas de melhoria desta prática. A realização de outros estudos longitudinais, com amostras maiores, capazes de inferir resultados para a população em geral e identificar outros fatores de risco.
- Exploring the bioactive potential of Artemisia annua L. hydroethanolic extracts obtained by microwave-assisted extractionPublication . Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Alves, Maria José; Barros, Lillian; Pinho, Simão; Ayuso, ManuelArtemisia annua L. is known for producing artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone compound, which is applied to treat of malaria [1]. Its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, as well as its strong capacity for Plasmodium elimination, have raised many expectations for this new class of antimalarial drugs [2]. However, this plant has been also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat of various diseases since ancient times. Recent studies have focused on its extensive biological activities, which makes this plant an excellent candidate to be used in clinical therapies. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate different bioactivities from a hydroethanolic extract of Artemisia annua. The plant extract in ethanol:water (80:20 v/v) was obtained by microwave-assisted extraction. The antioxidant activity was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, showing a potent activity with an IC50 of 10.3 ± 1.0 μg/mL. A. annua L. extract also exhibited antibacterial and antifungal properties, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10 mg/mL. The ethanolic extract was very effective against the four tumor cell lines, presenting GI50 ranging from 21 to 61 μg/mL and excellent anti-inflammatory activity (38 μg/mL). However, it was also cytotoxic against the two normal cells tested (50 and 19 μg/mL). Concluding, despite the excellent biological activities exhibited by A. annua L. extract, it was also demonstrated to be cytotoxic against normal cells. Therefore, further studies are necessary to study how the cytotoxicity of this extract could be reduced without affecting its bioactive properties.
- Phytochemical profile and biological activities of 'Ora-pro-nobis' leaves (Pereskia aculeata Miller), an underexploited superfood from the Brazilian Atlantic ForestPublication . Garcia, Jéssica A.A.; Corrêa, Rúbia C.G.; Barros, Lillian; Pereira, Carla; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Alves, Maria José; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Bracht, Adelar; Peralta, Rosane M.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.South to Northeast of Brazil, ora-pro-nobis leaves are used in traditional cuisine, featuring as an ingredient of various sweet and savoury dishes. In some low-income communities, it is known as the ‘meat of the poor’, being the main protein source available.1 The aim of the present work was to perform an inedited study on the phytochemical profile and some biological activities of P. aculeate leaves, with the view of expanding the current knowledge on the potentialities of this superfood. For this purpose, its hydroethanolic extract was characterized in terms of phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial capabilities and finally the hepatotoxicity of the extract was evaluated. A total of ten phenolic compounds were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and mass spectrometer (HPLC–DAD–ESI/MSn): two phenolic acids (caffeic acid derivatives) and eight flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin glycoside derivatives). Caftaric acid was the extract’s major phenolic constituent, accounting for more than 49% of the phenolic content, followed by quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (14.99%) and isorhamnetin-O-pentoside-O-rutinoside (9.56%). The total phenolic content found in the hydromethanolic extract was relevant (23.75 mg/g). A broad study of the extracts’ antioxidant activity was carried out, using a set of five distinct methods: two cell-based methods (1) oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA); (2) the inhibition of the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); besides three chemical in vitro assays (3) reduction of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH); (4) reduction of the 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) cation (ABTS) and (5) hydroxyl radical scavenging assay.2 Overall, the ora-pro-nobis leaf extract showed relevant values of antioxidant activity, even higher than Trolox in the DPPH and ABTS trials. The antioxidant activity verified for the hydroethanolic leaf extract of P. aculeata is possibly related to its phenolic composition; the predominant constituents of the extract, i.e. caftaric acid and rutin, have widely proven antioxidant activities.1 Furthermore, the evaluated extract showed no toxicity against a non-tumour liver primary culture PLP2, at the highest tested concentration (400 μg/mL). The antimicrobial activity exhibited by the extract against both Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, MRSA – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria (MIC values between 5 to 20 mg/mL) suggests the presence of a broad spectrum of phytochemicals with antimicrobial activity. The extract was more active against K. pneumonia than the antibiotic ampicillin, whereas against M. morganii it presented equivalent inhibitory effect. Therefore, the information reported here not only corroborates the importance of the production and consumption of P. aculeata leaves by the low income population to improve nutrition, but also reinforces their potential as a sustainable source of promising food ingredients to be used both for food enrichment and preservation.
- 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.