Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vida Simat, Danijela Skroza, Giulia Tabanelli, Martina Cagalj, Federica Pasini, Ana Maria Gomez-Caravaca, Carmen Fernandez-Fernandez, Meta Sternisa, Sonja Smole Mozina, Yesim Ozogul, Ivana Generalic Mekinic
Summary: This study investigated the phenolic profiles, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of hydroethanolic olive leaf extracts from six Mediterranean olive cultivars. The results showed variations in phenolic levels among the different cultivars, with the Oblica sample having the highest phenolic content and strongest antiradical and reducing activity. Oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and other compounds were detected as the main constituents. While the extracts exhibited relatively high antioxidant activity, they showed weak inhibitory effects against certain bacteria strains.
Article
Microbiology
Zizhong Tang, Yihan Qin, Wenhui Chen, Zhiqiao Zhao, Wenjie Lin, Yirong Xiao, Hong Chen, Yuntao Liu, Hui Chen, Tongliang Bu, Qingfeng Li, Yi Cai, Huipeng Yao, Yujun Wan
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of endophytic fungi in different parts of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort and found that some of the isolated fungi showed significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, potentially producing valuable polyphenols. Detailed analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium oxalicum demonstrated outstanding performance in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Josias Martins dos Anjos Cruz, Renilto Frota Correa, Carlos Victor Lamarao, Valdely Ferreira Kinupp, Edgar Aparecido Sanches, Pedro Henrique Campelo, Jaqueline de Araujo Bezerra
Summary: This review compiled the main reports of the past 5 years on Ficus spp. fruits, focusing on their chemistry, properties, and applications. These fruits, belonging to the Moraceae family, were found to contain phenolic acids, quercetin, and cyanidin derivatives. They demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as other functional properties beneficial to consumer health. Therefore, these fruits can be utilized by the food industry to develop new products with high added value and serve as a source of bioactive compounds.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Nayara Macedo Peixoto Araujo, Henrique Silvano Arruda, David Roger Paixao Marques, Williara Queiroz de Oliveira, Gustavo Araujo Pereira, Glaucia Maria Pastore
Summary: This review discusses the nutritional, phytochemical compounds, and biological properties of four fruits commonly consumed in the Amazon region. These fruits are rich in bioactive compounds and have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, making them suitable for food and therapeutic plant-material development.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hao Chen, Xuejiao Tian, Qunli Yu, Wei Hu, Jihong Chen, Libin Zhou
Summary: This study developed a novel strategy for extracting phenolic compounds from sweet sorghum, which significantly increased the total phenolic content and showed strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It provides a new approach for the comprehensive utilization of sweet sorghum.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gabriela Silveira da Rosa, Thamiris Renata Martiny, Guilherme Luiz Dotto, Sai Kranthi Vanga, Debora Parrine, Yvan Gariepy, Mark Lefsrud, Vijaya Raghavan
Summary: The study demonstrates that green technologies are suitable for extracting bioactive compounds from Brazilian olive tree leaves, with microwave-assisted extraction being the most efficient method and oleuropein being the predominant phenolic compound in the extracts.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Juan Carlos Sainz-Hernandez, Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente, Yaeel Isbeth Cornejo-Ramirez, Ariadna Thalia Bernal-Mercado, Hector Abelardo Gonzalez-Ocampo, Betzabe Ebenhezer Lopez-Corona
Summary: Maclura is a plant genus that is little known but has multiple applications, including soil recovery, medicinal treatments, and wood production. However, overexploitation and limited research on its biochemical composition have led to the endangerment of certain species. The bioactive compounds in Maclura, such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. Additionally, Maclura has potential as a source of biofuels due to its high content of lipids and carbohydrates.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Marta Peixoto, Ana Sofia Freitas, Ana Cunha, Rui Oliveira, Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
Summary: Blending propolis samples from different years can enhance their bioactivities, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Mixing propolis with other substances to prepare formulations can increase its availability and contribute to its standardization.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria G. G. Leichtweis, Adriana K. K. Molina, Tania C. S. Pires, Maria Ines Dias, Ricardo Calhelha, Khaldoun Bachari, Borhane E. C. Ziani, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Carla Pereira, Lillian Barros
Summary: Pumpkin fruits are widely appreciated and consumed worldwide for their balanced nutritional profile and bioactive compounds. However, the seeds, peels, and fibrous strands resulting from pumpkin processing are still underutilized. This study explored the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial properties of these byproducts and found that they have potential as bio-based preservatives.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cornelia-Ioana Ilie, Eliza Oprea, Elisabeta-Irina Geana, Angela Spoiala, Mihaela Buleandra, Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Irinel Adriana Badea, Denisa Ficai, Ecaterina Andronescu, Anton Ficai, Lia-Mara Ditu
Summary: This paper evaluated the chemical and biological properties of bee pollen samples from Romania. The results showed that the bee pollen had significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, making it a potential prebiotic and antitumor agent.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Malika Chbani, Said El Harkaoui, Ina Willenberg, Bertrand Matthaus
Summary: The physicochemical parameters, nutritional composition, and therapeutic effects of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil extracted by different extraction techniques were reviewed. The oil content of cactus seeds ranges from 3.4% to 14.4% and contains linoleic acid and oleic acid as major fatty acids. The dominant triacylglycerols are LLL, LLO, LLP, and OOL. Gamma-tocopherol constitutes more than 90% of the total tocopherols. The main phytosterol is beta-sitosterol, accounting for 71.6% to 79.1% of the total content. The major volatile compounds are aldehydes. Cactus seed oil is also rich in phenolic compounds, with vanillin, syringaldehyde, and ferulaldehyde as the main components.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Anna Starzynska-Janiszewska, Bozena Stodolak, Carmen Fernandez-Fernandez, Barbara Mickowska, Vito Verardo, Ana Maria Gomez-Caravaca
Summary: Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a technique to increase the bioactive potential and nutritional value of plant materials. This study evaluated the impact of SSF with different fungi on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and amino acid composition of moringa leaves. The results showed that short-term fermentation enhanced the concentration of some phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, but extending the fermentation time decreased these parameters. However, a 3-day fermentation with Neurospora resulted in a significant increase in the accumulation of individual amino acids.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Silvia Petronilho, Joana Navega, Carla Pereira, Adelaide Almeida, Joao Siopa, Fernando M. Nunes, Manuel A. Coimbra, Claudia P. Passos
Summary: Instant chicory, similar to coffee, contains high-molecular weight nitrogen-brown compounds called melanoidins, which may have health-promoting potential. The chemical composition of chicory high-molecular weight material (HMWM) includes carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds. The HMWM exhibits antioxidant and antibacterial properties, as well as the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase activity, suggesting its potential in preventing diabetes and enhancing the protective effects against pathogenic bacteria.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Zilanir Carvalho Pereira, Josias Martins dos Anjos Cruz, Renilto Frota Correa, Edgar Aparecido Sanches, Pedro Henrique Campelo, Jaqueline de Araujo Bezerra
Summary: This review focuses on the chemical composition, health benefits, and products derived from the pulps of Passiflora spp. over the last 5 years. Phenolic acids and polyphenols were among the major organic compounds found in the pulps of Passiflora spp. The fruits demonstrated antioxidant properties as well as inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes. These findings indicate the potential use of Passiflora spp. in developing a variety of products, especially non-dairy beverages, to meet consumer demand for alternatives. Sensory analysis and in vivo tests are encouraged to further explore the development of pharmaceutical and food products with high value. Patents also show considerable interest in research and product development in various food technology areas, as well as biotechnology, pharmacy, and materials engineering.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhijing Ye, Jinlin Shi, Roland Harrison, Richard Hider, Alaa El-Din A. Bekhit
Summary: This paragraph investigates the effects of oxidation on flavonoids, and finds that oxidation can increase the content of catechin and grape seed tannin, as well as enhance antimicrobial activity. However, it does not have a significant impact on the total phenol content of wine lees. Moreover, new compounds may be formed during the oxidation treatment, which exhibit stronger microbicidal activity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pedro M. A. Pereira, Joana R. Bernardo, M. Conceicao Oliveira, Luisa Bivar Roseiro, Rafal M. Lukasik
Summary: This study focuses on the pretreatment of residual lignocellulosic biomass using the alkaline solvent-imidazole to obtain cellulose- and hemicellulose-rich fractions while depolymerizing lignin. The highest cellulose content was achieved at 160 degrees C for 4 hours, with a delignification yield of 65.2 +/- 0.4 wt%. The efficiency of enzymatic digestibility was also analyzed, showing a linear relationship between delignification yield and glucan to glucose yield. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of recovered imidazole were determined, with the presence of added-value phenolic compounds identified through HPLC-MS analysis.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paula Viana, Leonor Meisel, Ana Lopes, Rosario de Jesus, Georgina Sarmento, Sofia Duarte, Bruno Sepodes, Ana Fernandes, Margarida M. Correia dos Santos, Anabela Almeida, M. Conceicao Oliveira
Summary: This study conducted a survey on antibiotics in surface and groundwater in Portugal, revealing the detection of various antibiotics and highlighting regions with significant substance frequencies. The data indicated issues such as low efficiency in urban wastewater treatment plants and increased agricultural pressure. Screening substances is crucial for future quantitative risk assessment and establishing water quality standards.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ines Leitao, Luisa L. Martins, Luisa Carvalho, M. Conceicao Oliveira, M. Matilde Marques, Miguel P. Mourato
Summary: The study found that contamination of lettuce plants with acetaminophen (ACT) can induce oxidative stress and increase stress indicators, while also causing significant changes in the enzymatic activities related to the antioxidative system. Additionally, ACT has a specific impact on the glutathione cycle in contaminated leaves, and induces an antioxidative response in lettuce plants with significant increases in anthocyanin content.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian Gao, Zongmin Wei, Yun Liu, Fang Wang, Shuting Zhang, Carmo Serrano, Lingxi Li, Baoshan Sun
Summary: This study successfully separated the main polyphenols from Moringa oleifera leaves using high-speed counter-current chromatography and verified their neuroprotective activities.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Joao Rodrigues, Viana Castaneda-Loaiza, Ivo Monteiro, Jose Pinela, Lillian Barros, Rui M. V. Abreu, Maria Conceicao Oliveira, Catarina Reis, Florbela Soares, Pedro Pousao-Ferreira, Catarina G. Pereira, Luisa Custodio
Summary: Water extracts from sea lavender plants cultivated in greenhouse conditions and irrigated with freshwater and saline aquaculture effluents were evaluated for metabolomics and functional properties. The extracts showed strong antioxidant activity, particularly towards TBARS and tyrosinase, suggesting potential use as a food preservative or functional ingredient.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Andreia Fortuna, Rita Goncalves-Pereira, Paulo J. Costa, Radek Jorda, Veronika Vojackova, Gabriel Gonzalez, Niels Heise, Rene Csuk, M. Conceicao Oliveira, Nuno M. Xavier
Summary: This study describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel guanidino sugars as isonucleoside analogs. Some of the compounds showed selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and moderate antiproliferative effects in chronic myeloid leukemia and breast cancer cells. The most potent compound also exhibited low toxicity in human fibroblasts.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Samaneh Sharif, Paula Nabais, Maria J. Melo, Fernando Pina, M. Conceicao Oliveira
Summary: This research calculated the photodegradation quantum yields of flavonoid yellows and compared their reactivity to other flavonoids. The stability of flavonoid yellows is related to excited state proton transfer and the position of hydroxyl groups. In addition, the environment has a significant impact on the stability. The study of degradation products revealed that the double bond between C2 and C3 in the C ring is the most reactive site.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Vasco Cachatra, Maria Conceicao Oliveira, Oscar Lopez, Jose G. Fernandez-Bolanos, Amelia Pilar Rauter
Summary: We disclosed a new family of purine nucleoside cholinesterase inhibitors by tuning the structural and stereochemical features of nucleosides with perbenzylated glycosyl moieties. The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new purine nucleosides were conducted to investigate the required glycon protecting group pattern for anticholinesterase activity and selectivity. Regioselective chemistry and N-glycosylation were used to obtain the target nucleosides, which showed cholinesterase inhibition and selectivity for butyrylcholinesterase.
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carmo Serrano, Rafael Santos, Claudia Viegas, M. Margarida Sapata, R. Galhano dos Santos, J. A. D. Condeco, Ana C. Marques, J. C. Bordado
Summary: Edible films, developed with starch, were used as packaging to extend the shelf life of food products by inhibiting moisture transfer. The pea starch film showed better resistance against water and microbial development, delaying moisture transfer and enhancing the sensory characteristics of the food products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GASTRONOMY AND FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leonor Corte-Real, Ana Rita Bras, Adhan Pilon, Nuno Mendes, Ana Sofia Ribeiro, Tiago D. Martins, Jose Paulo S. Farinha, M. Conceicao Oliveira, Fatima Gartner, M. Helena Garcia, Ana Preto, Andreia Valente
Summary: The need for new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer is clinically relevant. A new family of ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes was synthesized with the aim of enhancing cancer cell uptake through a multi-targeting approach. These compounds showed promising anti-cancer effects against triple-negative breast cancer cells in experimental conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
B. T. Barrocas, R. Osawa, M. Conceicao Oliveira, O. C. Monteiro
Summary: Fe and Co co-doped titanate nanowires (TNW) were prepared by hydrothermal methodology to improve their photocatalytic performance. XRD characterization confirmed the presence of Fe and Co in the lattice structure, while XPS analysis identified the existence of Co2+ in addition to Fe2+ and Fe3+. The optical characterization showed that the d-d transitions of Fe and Co influenced the absorption properties of TNW by creating additional 3d energetic levels within the prohibited zone. The photocatalytic evaluation demonstrated that the CoFeTNW sample exhibited the highest activity for the degradation of acetaminophen in the presence or absence of caffeine. The presence of both Co and Fe was found to be essential for the successful removal of acetaminophen and caffeine in TNW.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carmo Serrano, Margarida Sapata, M. Conceicao Oliveira, Andreia Soares, Carla Pereira, Rui M. V. Abreu, Lillian Barros
Summary: The encapsulation of red dye extracted from sorghum leaves was explored for potential food applications. The study showed that the encapsulated dye exhibited antioxidant activity and had no anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic properties, making it suitable for food products. The encapsulation efficiency, solubility, and color of the microparticles produced by different carrier agents were studied. The results showed that maltodextrin at a 2:1 ratio had the highest dye concentration and total phenolic content. The freeze-drying process offered better protection to the dye compared to the non-encapsulated dye.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tania Leandro, M. Conceicao Oliveira, M. Manuela R. da Fonseca, M. Teresa Cesario
Summary: The effects of nitrogen limitation and phosphate limitation on the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) by Halomonas elongata 1H9(T), a moderate halophilic strain, were evaluated. Co-production of P(3HB) and gluconic acid was observed in fed-batch glucose cultivations under nitrogen limiting conditions. A maximum P(3HB) accumulation of 53.0% (w/w) and a maximum co-production of 133 g/L of gluconic acid were achieved. However, under phosphate limiting conditions, only 33.3% (w/w) of P(3HB) accumulation was observed with no gluconic acid production.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Biomedical
Tiago A. H. Fonseca, M. Conceieao Oliveira, Ruben Araujo, Luis Bento, Cristiana Von Rekowski, Goncalo C. Justino, Cecilia R. C. Calado
Summary: Metabolomics is a powerful tool in discovering new biomarkers for medical diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, two analytical platforms were compared to analyze the serum metabolome of critically ill patients. Untargeted serum metabolome analysis by UPLC-MS/MS identified metabolites that were statistically different between deceased and discharged patients, leading to a good predictive model with high sensitivity and specificity. FTIR spectroscopy, although unable to identify metabolites, identified molecular fingerprints associated with each patient group and also produced a predictive model with high sensitivity and specificity. These techniques offer complementary characteristics for metabolome characterization and biomarker discovery.
2023 IEEE 7TH PORTUGUESE MEETING ON BIOENGINEERING, ENBENG
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Joana Silva, Antonio Jorge Parola, Maria Conceicao Oliveira, Bertrand Lavedrine, Ana Maria Ramos
Summary: Chromogenic reversal films are susceptible to chemical degradation and have poor long-term stability. There is a lack of knowledge regarding chromogenic materials, specifically the dyes used in chromogenic reversal films. A research study focused on the characterization of chromogenic dyes, using various analytical techniques, showed promising results for understanding these materials.
