Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana-Marija Cikos, Drago Subaric, Marin Roje, Jurislav Babic, Igor Jerkovic, Stela Jokic
Summary: Macroalgal pigments can serve as indicators of environmental stresses, and their content is influenced by various factors. This review summarizes the main pigments isolated from three different macroalgal groups and their bioactivities, and compares the methods of pigment extraction.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Fernandez, Cristina Pineiro-Corbeira, Sara Barrientos, Rodolfo Barreiro
Summary: The decline of L. ochroleuca in NW Iberia may alter the patterns of biodiversity within kelp forests, as the coexisting S. polyschides cannot fully replace it as a habitat provider for holdfast epifauna.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Pardilho, Rui Boaventura, Manuel Almeida, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: The study evaluated marine macroalgae waste as feedstock for anaerobic digestion processes, finding that the highest biogas volume and methane concentration were obtained at a total solids content of 2.5% TS. The experiments showed an average of 43% COD reduction and 46% VS reduction after 57 days, corresponding to about 27% of the theoretical maximum methane production. However, inhibition of the process was observed when using 3.5% TS, likely due to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Pardilho, Rui Boaventura, Manuel Almeida, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: Co-digestion of marine macroalgae waste and fruit waste enhances methane production, but the choice of substrate ratio needs to be considered.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
C. Cardoso, J. Almeida, I. Coelho, I. Delgado, R. Gomes, R. Quinta, N. M. Bandarra, C. Afonso
Summary: The study investigated the nutritional value, elemental and fatty acid composition, and key biological activities of a large brown seaweed species, Saccorhiza polyschides. The effects of wild vs farmed and land-based vs open sea Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system dichotomies were considered. The results showed that S. polyschides has significant amounts of relevant nutrients, some biological activity, and high contents of essential elements Se and I. However, monitoring of As levels and careful consumption of seaweed are recommended to avoid excessive intake of certain elements.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sara Pardilho, Emanuel Costa, Diana Melo, Susana Machado, Liliana Espirito Santo, Maria Beatriz Oliveira, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: Marine macroalgae waste, along with extracted lipids and solid fractions, have potential for agricultural applications and biofuel production due to high mineral and fiber contents. However, biodiesel production may not be feasible, but lipids could be used in fish diets.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuliya Kulikova, Stanislav Sukhikh, Svetlana Ivanova, Olga Babich, Natalia Sliusar
Summary: This article provides an overview of fuel production from macroalgae and marine debris, and assesses the possibility of their joint recovery. It also discusses the use of heterogeneous catalysis and co-solvent to increase fuel yield and improve its quality, as well as the feasibility of extracting other valuable components. The article concludes that joint processing of waste macroalgae and marine debris is not advisable.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatiana Pereira, Andre Horta, Sonia Barroso, Susana Mendes, Maria M. Gil
Summary: Efforts are being made to reduce saturated fat in processed foods and replace it with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Macroalgae are being considered as a potential alternative source of healthy food. The fatty acid profiles of different seaweeds vary by season, with some showing higher PUFA content in spring and summer. Studying seasonal variations in macroalgal FA profiles can be useful in determining the best seasons for FA production of interest.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nora Salland, Catherine Wilding, Antony Jensen, Dan A. Smale
Summary: This study examined the population demographic information of S. polyschides populations in southwest UK and found it to be a significant and abundant species in rocky reef habitats. It provides complex and abundant biogenic habitat and plays an important role in associated organisms and primary productivity. However, due to its short-lived life strategy, any changes in marine habitats resulting from ocean warming may have implications for local biodiversity and community composition.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sara Pardilho, Joao Cotas, Diana Pacheco, Ana M. M. Goncalves, Kiril Bahcevandziev, Leonel Pereira, Artur Figueirinha, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: The present study evaluates the potential utilization of marine macroalgae waste through a cascade bio-refinery approach. Biomass from a beach in northern Portugal was subjected to different drying processes and cascade extractions to obtain various extracts and a final extraction residue. The results demonstrate that the drying process affects the compounds of pigments the most, while polymers, sugars, and minerals remain unaffected. Comparing to the use of raw biomass, cascade extractions have a greater impact on the concentrations of monosaccharides and uronic acids, as well as total minerals. The cascade process appears to be the most desirable route for exploiting marine macroalgae waste efficiently.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sara Pardilho, Jose C. Pires, Rui Boaventura, Manuel Almeida, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: This study compares the performance of five different kinetic models in describing methane production during the digestion of marine macroalgae waste, and finds that the multi-Gompertz model can predict methane yield more accurately.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
D. Cvitkovic, V. Dragovic-Uzelac, A. Dobrinc, R. Coz-Rakovac, S. Balbino
Summary: This study explored the lipid extracts of different Adriatic macroalgae species and found variations in fatty acid and pigment contents. Different extraction methods and solvents were tested for their effects on the extraction efficiency. Sterol composition was also analyzed for additional differentiation information among the algae species.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
N. Arul Manikandan, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: A green strategy using citric acid as both an extractant and a cross-linking agent was developed to extract and esterify ulvan from two different morphologies of seaweed, foliose and filamentous Ulva sp., for hydrogel preparation. The optimized extraction process parameters yielded superior ulvan extraction compared to conventional hydrochloric acid and water-based methods. The extracted ulvan was characterized and used to prepare hydrogels with promising applications in various fields.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Kalavathy Gengiah, Baskar Gurunathan, Naveenkumar Rajendran, Jeehoon Han
Summary: This study used seaweed Codium tomentosum as a source for biodiesel production and achieved maximum oil recovery through ultrasound-assisted pretreatment. The transesterification of extracted oil using a solid-solid nanocatalyst resulted in a maximum biodiesel conversion rate of 90.5%. Techno-economic analysis indicated a positive investment return for biodiesel production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
N. Gonzalez-Ballesteros, L. Diego-Gonzalez, M. Lastra-Valdor, M. Grimaldi, A. Cavazza, F. Bigi, M. C. Rodriguez-Arguelles, R. Simon-Vazquez
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards using environmentally friendly processes to synthesize nanomaterials, particularly in nanomedicine where the use of bionanofactories has shown promising potential for preserving properties or reducing toxicity. The study demonstrated that gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized using an aqueous extract of Saccorhiza polyschides exhibited superior immunostimulant and antiproliferative activities on immune and tumor cells, indicating significant therapeutic potential for cancer treatment or immunostimulant therapy.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Pardilho, Joao Cotas, Diana Pacheco, Kiril Bahcevandziev, Leonel Pereira, Maria Beatriz Oliveira, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: In this study, Marine Macroalgae Waste (MMW) biomass collected from the seashore in northern Portugal was characterized and seed germination was performed to evaluate its potential for agricultural use. The results showed that liquid extract from MMW can promote seed germination and growth, suggesting the feasibility of producing biostimulants, biofertilizers, or soil conditioners from this resource.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Juliana Barreto A. Peixoto, Joana F. Silva, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rita C. Alves
Summary: This review focuses on the sustainability concerns in the coffee industry and discusses the strategies being developed to achieve sustainability. It emphasizes the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to attain sustainable coffee chain.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bianca R. Albuquerque, Jose Pinela, Maria Ines Dias, Carla Pereira, Jovana Petrovic, Marina Sokovic, Ricardo C. Calhelha, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros
Summary: This study characterized the chemical constituents and bioactive properties of rambutan peel. Heat-/ultrasound-assisted extractions of anthocyanins were optimized. The peel extract exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, and had no cytotoxicity. Heat-assisted extraction was found to be more effective in recovering anthocyanins compared to ultrasound-assisted extraction.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sara Pardilho, Joao Cotas, Diana Pacheco, Ana M. M. Goncalves, Kiril Bahcevandziev, Leonel Pereira, Artur Figueirinha, Joana Maia Dias
Summary: The present study evaluates the potential utilization of marine macroalgae waste through a cascade bio-refinery approach. Biomass from a beach in northern Portugal was subjected to different drying processes and cascade extractions to obtain various extracts and a final extraction residue. The results demonstrate that the drying process affects the compounds of pigments the most, while polymers, sugars, and minerals remain unaffected. Comparing to the use of raw biomass, cascade extractions have a greater impact on the concentrations of monosaccharides and uronic acids, as well as total minerals. The cascade process appears to be the most desirable route for exploiting marine macroalgae waste efficiently.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana Melo Ferreira, Maria Antonia Nunes, Liliana Espirito Santo, Susana Machado, Anabela S. G. Costa, Manuel Alvarez-Orti, Jose E. Pardo, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rita C. Alves
Summary: The increasing demand for superfoods has led to an increase in chia seeds consumption. The reintroduction of this ancient crop is beneficial for food security as it can thrive in high-stress conditions. This study aimed to characterize chia seeds, cold-pressed oil, and defatted cake to enhance their value and meet consumer expectations for low-fat products.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Marlene Machado, Helena Ferreira, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rita C. Alves
Summary: Consumers' demand for nutritious and healthy foods has driven the development of prebiotic foods. In the coffee industry, the waste/by-products generated from the transformation of cherries into roasted beans can be used as sources of prebiotic ingredients. Coffee by-products contain dietary fiber and other components that can improve gut health and stimulate beneficial bacteria, making them potential prebiotic ingredients. However, further in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings obtained in vitro. This review highlights the potential of coffee by-products in the development of functional foods, contributing to sustainability, circular economy, food security, and health.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Zielinska, Raquel da Ana, Joel Fonseca, Milena Szalata, Karolina Wielgus, Faezeh Fathi, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Rafal Staszewski, Jacek Karczewski, Eliana B. Souto
Summary: Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) were used to encapsulate CBD, and their physicochemical characteristics were investigated. The results showed that CBD-loaded SLN had a mean particle size of 217.2 +/- 6.5 nm, PDI of 0.273 +/- 0.023, and EE of about 74%, while CBD-loaded NLC had Z-Ave of 158.3 +/- 6.6 nm, PDI of 0.325 +/- 0.016, and EE of about 70%. Rheological analysis indicated that both lipid nanoparticle formulations exhibited more elasticity than viscosity. SEM study confirmed the morphology and shape of the nanoparticles.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria G. Leichtweis, Adriana K. Molina, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Marcio Carocho, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Maria Ines Dias, Ricardo Calhelha, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Carla Pereira, Lillian Barros
Summary: The peels from three pumpkin genotypes cultivated in Greece were evaluated for their phenolic content and bioactive properties. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process using heat-assisted and ultrasound-assisted techniques. The extracts obtained showed high antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal potential without cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of pumpkin peel extracts for food applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Manuela Sousa, Diana Melo Ferreira, Susana Machado, Joana C. Lobo, Anabela S. G. Costa, Josman D. Palmeira, Maria Antonia Nunes, Rita C. Alves, Helena Ferreira, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira
Summary: This study investigated the influence of different time/temperature conditions on the nutritional quality, chemical composition, and efficiency on natural microbial load control/elimination of olive pomace paste. The binomial 88 degrees C/15 s showed the best preservation of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, protein, and fiber contents. This treatment is also faster and easier to implement at an industrial level, providing a safe functional ingredient to meet consumers' demands for sustainable products while addressing food safety and food security concerns.
Article
Biology
Joana Oliveira, Sara Pardilho, Joana M. Dias, Jose C. M. Pires
Summary: This study evaluates the influence of acid concentration, hydrolysis time, and biomass/acid ratio on the thermal acid hydrolysis of Aurantiochytrium sp. through the response surface methodology, aiming at further bioethanol production. The biomass/acid ratio and time are the most influential parameters on the sugar concentration and yield models. This study provides insights into the hydrolysis of microalgae for bioethanol production and suggests that Aurantiochytrium sp. microalgae could be a promising feedstock.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara C. C. Oliveira, Marlene Machado, Susana Machado, Anabela S. G. Costa, Silvia Bessada, Rita C. Alves, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira
Summary: Algae are promising alternative ingredients due to their high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds. This study compares the nutritional and antioxidant composition of whole-wheat pasta without and with algae enrichment, and examines the effect of cooking on their features. The results show that algae-enriched pasta has significantly higher fat, protein, ash, and amino acid contents, as well as higher antioxidant activity. After cooking, the protein, dietary fiber, amino acids, and antioxidant activity remained stable in the algae-enriched pasta.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bianca R. Albuquerque, Tiane C. Finimundy, Jose Pinela, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Filipa Mandim, Josiana Vaz, Rubia C. G. Correa, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Lillian Barros
Summary: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and assess the bioactivities of the hydroethanolic extracts of different parts of Eugenia brasiliensis, a little explored Brazilian berry. The peel fraction showed the highest concentration of organic acids, vitamins, tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, while the seed fraction had the highest content of monounsaturated fatty acids and hydrolysable tannins. The study also revealed that the residue of E. brasiliensis could serve as a good source of bioactive compounds, but further research is still needed to confirm its safety and understand the mechanisms behind its biological activities.
