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Projeto de investigação
Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food
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Phytochemical and bioactive potentials of African Annonaceae species
Publication . Rangel, Josefa; Liberal, Ângela; Catarino, Sílvia; Costa, José Carlos; Romeiras, Maria M.; Fernandes, Ângela
This review aims to gather available information on the medicinal, nutritional, and bioactive profiles of Annonaceae species in the African continent, sponsoring their use worldwide and mainly in African communities, where access to food and medicines for basic health care is scarce. >60 medicinal taxa were compiled, belonging to 22 genera, namely Annickia, Annona, Anonidium, Artabotrys, Cleistochlamys, Cleistopholis, Dennettia, Duguetia, Greenwayodendron, Hexalobus, Isolona, Lettowianthus, Monanthotaxis, Monodora, Neostenanthera, Polyceratocarpus, Sphaerocoryne, Uvaria, Uvariastrum, Uvariodendron, Uvariopsis and Xylopia; the most diverse and economically important genera were the genera Annona, Uvaria and Xylopia with 7 species each. Annonaceae species hold a valuable nutritional profile, rich in proteins, fibers, and minerals, being also good sources of a wide range of bioactive compounds of high biological relevance. These compounds are especially important in developing countries, where most of these species are available for direct use as food and/or medicines by the most deprived populations.
Nutritional and Biochemical Assessment of Edible Fruits From Angola's Native Flora
Publication . Rangel, Josefa; Liberal, Ângela; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Barros, Lillian; Monteiro, Filipa; Romeiras, Maria M.; Fernandes, Ângela
Angola's native flora hides a wealth of underexplored edible fruits with significant nutritional and bioactive potential. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the physicochemical and bioactive potential of some less explored edible fruits from this country, namely Annona muricata, A. squamosa, A. senegalensis, A. boehmii, Dacryodes edulis, and Strychnos spinosa. Nutritional profiling revealed carbohydrates as the predominant macronutrient, with A. muricata exhibiting the highest concentration (93.3 g/100 g dw). D. edulis, in turn, stood out for its high fat content (40.5 g/100 g dw), while A. senegalensis contained the highest protein levels (15-6 g/100 g dw). Free sugars analysis highlighted A. squamosa for its elevated fructose and glucose levels, contributing to its pronounced characteristic sweetness, whereas D. edulis exhibited minimal sugar content (1.27 g/100 g dw). Organic acid profiling revealed malic acid as dominant. Saturated fatty acids were predominant across most fruits, with A. boehmii showing the highest levels (71.6%), while A. senegalensis was enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (45.15%). The phenolic analysis revealed a rich profile in bioactive compounds, with A. muricata and A. squamosa exhibiting significant levels of quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, while A. boehmii, S. spinosa, and D. edulis were characterized by distinct major phenolic compounds, such as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and corilagin, respectively. Antioxidant activity was strongest in D. edulis and A. senegalensis (EC50 = 0.18 and 0.25 mu g/mL, respectively), while A. squamosa exhibited notable antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.3 mg/mL). This study underscores the nutritional and bioactive potential of Angola's native fruits, highlighting their applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Valorization of angolan native plants: Nutritional composition, phenolic profile and bioactive potential of Commelina africana, Dombeya rotundifolia and Lablab purpureus leaves
Publication . Bastos, Claudete; Liberal, Ângela; Silveira, Tayse F. F. da; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Pereira, Carla; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Mandim, Filipa; Moldão, Margarida; Catarino, Luís; Barros, Lillian
Commelina africana L., Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch. and Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet are wild edible plants (WEPs) native to Africa, traditionally used in rural Angolan communities. This study characterizes their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive properties, with carbohydrates and proteins predominating as macronutrients across all species. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were most abundant in D. rotundifolia and C. africana. Phenolic profiling revealed that C. africana was mainly characterized by p-coumaroyl malic acid and caffeoyl shikimic acid, whereas D. rotundifolia contained majorly flavan-3-ols, including epicatechin and B-type procyanidin oligomers. In contrast, L. purpureus exhibited the highest total phenolic content overall. The hydroethanolic extract of D. rotundifolia exhibited the highest efficacy against foodborne and clinical bacteria and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. This integrated characterization demonstrates that these underutilized WEPs offer substantial dual nutritional and bioactive value, supporting their traditional use and potential for nutraceuticals and food applications.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Número da atribuição
UIDP/04129/2020