CYPonins: Cypress saponins as a possible bio-based alternative to address high-mortality rate tumours

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Closing the loop: exploring apple pomace as a source of bioactive compounds in the framework of circular economy

Publication . Pascoalino, Liege; Barros, Lillian; Barreira, João C.M.; Oliveira, Maria Beatriz Prior Pinto; Reis, Filipa S.

Apple pomace (AP), the common designation of bio-residues generated during apple processing, holds a vast potential for alternative added-value solutions, particularly by applying new sustainable technologies in the food sector. This review provides an overview of the scientific validation of AP as a suitable source of starting materials for different competitive applications, compatible with circular economy guidelines and contributing to raising awareness about the impact and advantages of reincorporating bio-residues into the supply chain. The losses of the apple production chain, strategies to recover bio-residues, main nutritional and bioactive components, and innovative and eco-friendly technologies used for their extraction and subsequent use are thoroughly characterized. Additionally, a general perspective on the AP's bioavailability compounds will be presented, focusing on the association among nutrients in food and their physiological use.

2025Journal article

Open access

How Does Domestic Cooking Affect the Biochemical Properties of Wild Edible Greens of the Asteraceae Family?

Publication . Liava, Vasiliki; Fernandes, Ângela; Reis, Filipa S.; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Mandim, Filipa; Pinela, José; Stojković, Dejan; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, Lillian; Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.

Wild edible greens are a key ingredient of the so-called Mediterranean diet and they are commonly used in various local dishes in their raw or processed form. Domestic processing of edible greens may affect their nutritional value and chemical profile. In this work, six wild species (e.g., Cichorium spinosum L. (S1); Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta (DC.) Runemark (S2); Picris echioides (L.) Holub (S3); Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex. F.W. Schmidt (S4); Sonchus oleraceus L. (S5); and S. asper L. (S6)) were assessed for the effect of domestic processing (boiling) on chemical composition and bioactivities. Concerning the chemical composition, glucose, oxalic acid, α-tocopherol, and α-linolenic acid were the most abundant compounds, especially in P. echiodes leaves. After decoction, mainly sugars, tocopherols, and oxalic acid were decreased. The species and processing affected the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activities. Specific compounds were not previously detected in the studied species, while hydroethanolic extracts contained a higher total phenolic compound content. Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were effective towards a range of bacterial and fungi strains. Therefore, the consumption of leaves has health-promoting properties owing to the bioactive compounds and can be integrated into healthy diets. However, domestic cooking may affect the chemical profile and bioactivities of the edible leaves, especially in the case of free sugars and phenolic compound content where a significant reduction was recorded in leaves after decoction. On the other hand, domestic processing could be beneficial since it reduces the oxalic acid content in edible leaves, which is considered an antinutritional factor.

2024Journal article

Open access

Investigating bioactive compounds in apple pomace: Potential to develop high added-value products from an industrial surplus

Publication . Pascoalino, Liege; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Pereira, Carla; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, Beatriz; Barreira, João C.M.; Reis, Filipa S.

This study investigates bioactive compounds in apple pomace (AP) obtained from Malus domestica varieties Granny Smith and Cripps Pink, emphasizing its potential for developing high-added-value products from industrial surplus. Regarding its chemical characterization, AP stood out for its high concentration of dietary fibers (7.1g/100g fw), polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and oleic acids), α-tocopherol (0.64 mg/100g fw), and phenolic compounds. Regarding these last, the profile obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS allowed the identification of 23 phenolic compounds, with higher concentrations of quercetin and flavonoids in pomace than whole apples. Moreover, concerning evaluating AP bioactivity through in vitro methods, the analyzed AP samples, with seeds and stems (APSS) and without (APA), exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, particularly in the OxHLIA test, preserving erythrocyte integrity. Additionally, the pomace demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 5 mg/mL. Finally, no cytotoxic or anti-inflammatory effects were observed, as GI50 values exceeded 400 μg/mL (maximum tested concentration). These findings highlight apple pomace as a rich source of bioactive compounds, promoting its valorization in food safety and preservation while encouraging sustainable practices utilizing industrial bio-residues.

2025Journal article

Restricted access

Foliar application of biostimulants improves nutritional and bioactive quality of walnuts

Publication . Pascoalino, Liege; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Pinela, José; Rodrigues, M.A.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, Lillian; Barreira, João C.M.; Reis, Filipa S.

Owing to their health benefits, walnuts are attracting interest as a good option for nutritious meals, thereby promoting their production. Furthermore, the adoption of ecologically and environmentally friendly agriculture strengthens biostimulant use as a sustainable complement to traditional fertilizers. This study evaluated the effects of different foliarapplied biostimulants in walnut tree orchards, in northeastern Portugal, on walnuts' chemical composition and bioactivity. RESULTS: Walnut samples were rich in fat (particularly the polyunsaturated linoleic acid), dietary fiber and protein. Sucrose was the most prevalent soluble sugar, followed by glucose and fructose. Studied samples also showed an antioxidant activity comparable (or superior) to that of Trolox. Some plant biostimulants (e.g. Sprint Plus®) had a positive impact on the nutritional composition of walnuts, more specifically by boosting tocopherol levels, besides improving the bioactivity of walnut extracts against specific bacteria. CONCLUSION: Overall, this research demonstrated that important quality traits of walnuts can be improved using sustainable agricultural bioproducts and practices.

2024Journal article

Open access

Phenolic Compounds from Pyrus communis Residues: Mechanisms of Antibacterial Action and Therapeutic Applications

Publication . Ribeiro, Jessica; Silva, Vanessa; Igrejas, Gilberto; Barros, Lillian; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Reis, Filipa S.; Poeta, Patrícia

The food industry produces substantial amounts of fruit byproducts, which are often discarded despite their high content of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Pyrus communis (pear) residues, which are particularly rich in phenolic compounds, represent a valuable yet underutilized resource. These byproducts have demonstrated significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, suggesting their potential for medical and pharmaceutical applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenolic profile of P. communis byproducts, emphasizing their antioxidant and antibacterial mechanisms and their prospective use in combating oxidative stress and antibacterial resistance. Methods: A comprehensive review of the key phenolic compounds from P. communis residues was conducted using ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases (from 2014 to 2024). Studies assessing antioxidant and antibacterial activities were reviewed, with a focus on their mechanisms of action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Results: A minimum of 14 distinct phenolic compounds were identified among P. communis residues. However, chlorogenic acid and catechin were identified as the primary contributors to the antioxidant activity of P. communis residues. Hydroquinone and chlorogenic acid exhibited strong antibacterial effects through membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, and metabolic interference. Despite this potential, hydroquinone’s cytotoxicity and regulatory concerns limit its direct pharmaceutical application. Conclusions: While P. communis phenolics show promise as natural antibacterial agents, future research should address bioavailability, extraction standardization, and safe formulation strategies. Investigating their synergy with conventional antibiotics and improving stability for cosmetic applications are key steps toward their practical use. In vivo and clinical studies are crucial to validating their therapeutic potential and ensuring regulatory approval.

2025Journal article

Open access