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Authenticity and Bioactive Markers Search in the Phenolic‐Rich Extracts of Asteraceae Medicinal Plants Through Integrative Computational Chemometrics

Publication . Garcia Perez, Pascual; Garcia‐Oliveira, Paula; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Pinela, José; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Nenadić, Marija; Soković, Marina; Simal‐Gandara, Jesus; Barros, Lillian; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.

The Asteraceae family has been of significant concern for ethnobotanical studies, thanks to its health-promoting properties linked to a plethora of bioactive compounds, among which phenolic compounds play a critical role. In this work, a workflow based on computational chemometrics was employed to assess the authenticity and biomarker search of five key Asteraceae species commonly employed in traditional medicine. The UHPLC-DAD- ESI/ MS–MS phenolic profile of Asteraceae extracts was combined with the evaluation of several in vitro biological properties. Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), chicoric acids, and flavonoid glycosides were reported as authenticity markers of Achillea millefolium, Taraxacum officinale, and Arnica montana, respectively. The integration of phenolic profile and in vitro bioactivities provide insights for the identification of trans 3,5-O- dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-O- diCQA) and isorhamnetin glycosides as the major antioxidant agents in Asteraceae extracts, whereas several CQAs and caffeoyl-deoxy- octulopyranosonic acids have been reported as responsible for their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. These results shed light on the authentication and quality evaluation of Asteraceae extracts, along with the characterization of their functional properties, leading to their application in the design of novel plant-based functional foods.

2025Journal article

Open access

Valorization of natural resources - development of a functional plant-based beverage

Publication . Fernandes, Filipa Alexandra; Roriz, Custódio Lobo; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Rodrigues, Paula; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, Lillian; Heleno, Sandrina A.

Plant-based beverages are gaining attention due to their potential to offer sustainable and health-promoting alternatives to traditional dairy products. This study aimed to develop a dehydrated functional plant-based beverage composed of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.), mukua pulp (Adansonia digitata L.), and thermal water. All matrices and the final beverage were fully characterized in terms of physical properties, nutritional value, chemical parameters, mineral content, and bioactive capacity (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative and hypocholesterolemic effects). Microbiological safety was ensured. To promote zero waste, byproduct from the beverage development was characterized for potential applications. The ingredients used to develop the plant-based beverage showed a rich nutritional, chemical and bioactive profile, resulting in a beverage with high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin E. This beverage demonstrated functional potential with antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic effects and no toxicity in in vitro screening, positioning it as a promising functional plant-based product with commercial viability.

2025Journal article

Open access