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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Traditionally used wild plants have sparked a growing interest as they are considered a valuable source
of natural compounds with recognized health effects on consumer’s health. Among these compounds
are vitamins and mineral elements with a well-known role in maintaining human health [1]. Vitamin B9
(folic acid) is an important cofactor of many reactions that occurs on human cells [2], while macro and
micro elements play a fundamental role on energy production and maintaining the structural integrity of
the cell membrane [3]. Macroelements also function as modulators of metabolism and acid-base
equilibrium [4,5]. The analysis of these elements in wild plants and, mainly, in bioavailability related
aspects, is still very scarce.
Herein, a membrane dialysis process was performed with the main goal of simulating gastrointestinal
conditions to evaluate the bioavailability of the mineral elements present in different formulations (dry
plant and infusion) of Achillea millefollium L. (yarrow), Laurus nobilis L. (laurel) and Taraxacum sec.
Ruderalia (dandelion). The retention/passage dynamics was evaluated using a cellulose membrane with
34 mm of porosity. The vitamin B9 contents were also analysed by high-performance liquid
chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector in the different preparations of each sample.
Dandelion showed the highest levels of mineral elements (except for zinc) regardless of the formulation
used (dry plant or infusion). On the other hand, yarrow showed the highest content of vitamin B9. Dry
plants, as expected, presented higher quantities of the studied elements, in relation to the corresponding
infusions; however, the extraction yield of mineral elements vary considerably, being higher for
macroelements; Mg>Ca>K>>Fe>Cu>Zn>Mn. Vitamin B9 levels were also very low for infusions,
possible due to the degradation induced by the boiling water at the time of preparation. Regarding the
bioavailability, calcium and potassium showed higher capacity to cross the dialysis membrane.
The studied plant species, especially if used directly in dry form, can be considered for the development
of new formulations that act as sources of vitamin B9 and minerals.
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Pedagogical Context
Citation
Dias, Maria Inês; Morales, Patrícia; Barreira, João C.M.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Sánchez-Mata, Maria Cortes; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2016). Profiling minerals and vitamin B9 in a membrane dialysis process after a simulated-gastrointestinal model. In XXII Encontro Luso-Galego de Química. Bragança. ISBN 978-989-8124-17-3