Bioresidues of Agaricus bisporus Portobello as sustainable sources of vitamin D2: yield improvement by irradiation, refinement and stabilization to functionalize novel food formulations.

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Nutritional characterization of Cytinus hypocistis L.

Publication . Silva, Ana Rita; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; García, Pablo A.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

The habit of eating wild plants in Europe is often associated with times of famine or food scarcity (although not exclusively). Most ofthe early studies on the use ofwild food plants in Europe capture the memory offamine and the use ofwild plants for survival, including the consumption ofstarvation foods that in normal times would be discarded by the community [l]. An example ofsuch is the Cytinus hypocistis L.; the young plant can be cooked as an asparagus substitute; the nectar eaten as sweets, and the species is quoted as famine food in Portugal [2]. Despite these traditional uses, its chemical composition is largely unknown, and the active substances are not yet idenüfied. To help start bridging this gap, and to explore alternative uses of this plant species, the present workreports the nutriüonal composition ofC. hypocistis whole plant and nectar. Plant specimens were collected in June 2018 in Castro Daire, Portaigal. After lyophüisation, the whole plant and the nectar chamber of flower were further analysed. The proximate composition was evaluated by AOAC official procedures (fat, proteins, ash, carbohydrates, and energy) [3 ], free sugars were determined using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a refraction mdex detector (HPLC-RI), whüe organic acids were determined using ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (UPLC-DAD) [4]. The nutritional profile of the whole plant and the nectar chamber of the flower were very similar in terms of fat, ash and carbohydrate contents. Nevertheless, the protein content in the nectar chamber ofthe flower was almost 2-fold higher in comparison to the whole plant (9.4 and 4.9 g/100 g dw, respectively). Fructose, glucose, sucrose, and trehalose were the free sugars present in both samples. Although both parts presented similar concentration of trehalose, the sugar content was much higher in the whole plant (6. 3 g/100 g dw versas 1.4 g/100 g dw) due to the higher leveis of the other 3 sugars. Oxalic, malic, and citric acids were the identified organic acids in both samples, being citric acid the most abundant molecule. The nectar chamber of the flower also presented ascorbic acid (0. 180 g/100 g dw), while the whole plant presented traces of shikinic acid. This study allowed for a better understanding of the reasons behind the use of this plant in the past, but further investigation is needed in arder to clarify C. hypocistis potential applications.

2018Conference object

Open access

How extraction method affects yield, fatty acids composition and bioactive properties of cardoon seed oil?

Publication . Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.; Fernandes, Ângela; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Danalatos, Nikolaos; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.; Asteraceae) is a perennial species with several uses, especially in the industry of energy production, while it is classiﬁed as a non-conventional energy crop within the European Union (EU). The aim of the present study was to evaluate chemical composition and antioxidant properties of cardoon seed oils extracted with two mechanical pressing methods, while at the same time it further determined composition and antioxidant properties of the obtained seedcakes. Oil extraction yield did not diﬀer between the tested methods and growing years, indicating that both heat and cold extraction are eﬃcient methods for oil production (approx. 75% extraction yield). Oils obtained from heat extraction method had better antioxidant properties than cold pressed oils, while signiﬁcant variation between the growing years was also observed. Seedcakes of heat extraction method had the highest total phenols (405mg Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract) and the highest antioxidant properties for all the tested assays (with the exception of reducing power assay). Moreover, none of the studied materials (seeds, seed oils, and seedcakes) showed toxicity eﬀects against PLP2 non-tumor cells (GI50 > 400μg/mL). The main fatty acids were linoleic and oleic acids which were detected in similar amounts in oils and seedcakes, while signiﬁcant variation was observed between the tested methods and the growing years. The results of the present study signiﬁed the importance of cardoon as an alternative ﬁeld crop under the Mediterranean climate conditions. In addition, seed oil production byproducts (e.g. seedcakes) are a promising material due to its bioactivities and its fat content and fatty acid composition, that could ﬁnd alternative uses in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.

2018Journal article

Open access

Pseudofistulina radicata (Schwein) Burds: the first study focused on its antioxidante activity and bioactive compounds

Publication . Castaneda Najarro, Blanca Cecilia; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; Heleno, Sandrina A.; García, Pablo A.; Castro, María Ángeles; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

Natural products with antioxidant activity are very useful in helping the organism to maintain health and be protected from several diseases originated by the excessive production of free radicais, being also used as nutraceuticals. Accordingly, the antioxidants intake from our daily diet, particularly in mushrooms, is of great importance, acting as protective agents against oxidative damage [1]. Pseudofistulina radicata (Schwein) Burds is a wild native mushroom from El Salvador, of which to the best of our knowledge no studies have been published identifying bioactive molecules or evaluating its antioxidant properties. The present work aims to study the antioxidant activity and to identify the bioactive compounds present in the dichloromethane extract obtained from this mushroom. P. radicata was purchase from street vendors in the municipality of Concepción de Ataco (Ahuachapán, El Salvador). An increasing polarity extraction from powdered dry mushroom, with tive solvents at room temperature from hexane to water, was performed. The antioxidant activity of the dichloromethane extract (the second one after using hexane) was evaluated through the reducing power and p-carotene bleaching inhibition assays; the results were 1.43 ± 0.01mg/mL responsible for 0.5 absorbance in the reducing power assay and 2.50 ± O.OSmg/mL responsible for 50% of pcarotene bleaching inhibition. The fraction was chemically characterized by gás chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ('H NMR). Palmitic acid, linoleic acid and friedelin were the main molecules identified. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, presenting anti-inflammatory activity and that prevents coronary diseases [2]. Friedelin is a terpene which possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities [3]. Overall, these results indicate and strong potential of P. radicata to be used as a source of bioactive molecules, which could be included in diets as nutraceuticals and/or as functional foods maintaining and promoting health, longevity and life quality.

2017Conference object

Open access

Perfil cromatográfico em ácidos gordos de seis genótipos de Portulaca olerace L.: uma fonte alternativa de ómega-3

Publication . Fernandes, Ângela; Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.; Karkanis, Anestis; Barros, Lillian; Ntatsi, Georgia; Petrotos, Konstantinos; Lykas, Christos; Khah, Ebrahim; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

Portulaca oleracea L. é conhecida vulgarmente como beldroega comum e é uma planta de folhas suculentas e flores coloridas pertencente à família das Portulacaceae. Apesar de ser considerada uma erva daninha, é bastante apreciada e consumida crua, em saladas ou cozinhada; as suas folhas têm um sabor ligeiramente ácido e salgado [1]. Contém vários compostos bioativos, nomeadamente ácidos gordos ómega-3, que são considerados benéficos nos distúrbios cardíacos [2]. Neste trabalho, estudou-se o perfil em ácidos gordos de seis genótipos de beldroegas: três ecótipos silvestres do mar Cáspio, região do Irão (genótipo A, B e C das cidades de Sari, Gorgan e Aliabad, respetivamente), uma variedade local proveniente da região de “Domokos” na Grécia central (genótipo D) e duas cultivares comerciais de beldroega comum de Gemma S.A. (genótipo E) e beldroega verde escura (genótipo F). O perfil individual em ácidos gordos foi determinado por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a um detetor de ionização de chama (GC-FID). Os ácidos gordos mais abundantes nas amostras estudadas foram o ácido palmítico (C16:0), o ácido oleico (C18:1), o ácido linoleico (C18:2n6) e o ácido alfa-linolénico (C18:3n3), com diferenças significativas nos teores detetados em cada um dos diferentes genótipos avaliados. O genótipo D apresentou uma maior percentagem relativa de ácido alfa-linolénico. O genótipo E revelou possuir uma composição equilibrada de ácidos gordos ómega-3 e ómega-6. As variedades comerciais (genótipos E e F) revelaram perfis de ácidos gordos bastante similares aos dos genótipos B e C. Assim, o uso da diversidade genética para o desenvolvimento de cultivares de qualidade e alto rendimento em ácidos gordos ómega-3 deve ser considerado com vista à sua potencial utilização como alimento funcional.

2017Conference object

Open access

Epicarpo de Diospyros kaki L. como uma fonte de vitaminas: análise cromatográfica de ácido ascórbico e de tocoferóis

Publication . Souza, Nilton P.; Fernandes, Ângela; Conceição, Natália; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.

Diospyros kaki L. é a espécie mais cultivada para a produção de frutos do género Diospyros e pertence à família Ebenaceae. Apesar de ser nativa do continente Asiático, esta espécie tem-se disseminado por todo o mundo [1]. O fruto, conhecido como dióspiro, apresenta um grande valor económico, associado às suas propriedades bioativas, baixo valor energético e teor muito reduzido de gordura. Neste contexto, foram encontrados estudos que evidenciam a sua elevada atividade antioxidante, citotóxica e antidiabética, bem como um efeito benéfico em doenças coronárias [2]. Ao consumir o fruto, o epicarpo é retirado e descartado, contudo, poderá apresentar um elevado teor de compostos bioativos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e caracterizar a presença de tocoferóis (vitamina E) e ácido ascórbico (vitamina C) nos bioresíduos do diospiro. Os frutos foram adquiridos comercialmente em Bragança, em outubro de 2017. Retirou-se o epicarpo manualmente, que apresentava uma espessura média de 2 mm, tendo sido posteriormente congelado e liofilizado. Os tocoferóis foram determinados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a um detetor de fluorescência (HPLC-FL) e o ácido ascórbico foi determinado por cromatografia líquida ultra rápida acoplada a um detetor de díodos (UPLC-DAD). Foram quantificadas os quatro vitâmeros de tocoferóis (α-, β-, γ- e δ-tocoferóis), tendo sido o α-tocoferol encontrado em concentrações mais elevadas (9,4±0,1 mg/100 g matéria seca). O teor em ácido ascórbico foi de 125,6±0,2 mg/100 g matéria seca. Este estudo destaca a importância da recuperação e valorização de bioresíduos do dióspiro como uma fonte de vitaminas, podendo ser interessante para o desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais.

2017Conference object

Open access