Browsing by Author "Lopes, A."
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- Edible coatings with polysaccharides and bioactive compounds from exhausted olive oil pomace to extend the shelf life of strawberryPublication . Martins, V.; Lopes, A.; Pintado, M.; Morais, R. M. S. C.; Morais, A. M. M. B.Introduction: Exhausted or delipidified olive oil pomace (EOP) is a by-product generated from the olive pomace after air drying and hexane extraction of residual oil [1]. This by-product is rich in phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and catechol, with associated properties: antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti- inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-HIV [1, 2]. Coatings and films are materials used for example to increase the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetables. They can be made of polysaccharides, lipids and proteins from natural sources. It is essential to include bioactive compounds in the formulation to achieve bioactive properties, such as antimicrobial and antioxidant activities [3]. In this work a coating was performed using alginate and an extract rich in phenolics from EOP to increase the shelf life of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa). Objectives: To develop an edible coating using alginate and an extract rich in phenolics from EOP. To apply the coating to a perishable fruit, such as strawberry. To determine the moisture loss of the coated strawberry. To observe the natural decay of strawberry. To determine the growing curves of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and molds in the coated strawberry. Conclusions: The formulation 2 % alginate + 5 % EOP extract can be successfully used as an edible coating. The application of the coating on strawberry are effective to prevent moisture loss, maintaining the quality of the fruits. It prevents the proliferation of several bacteria, such as psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds.
- Exploring the relationship between older parents and their middle-aged children: a scoping reviewPublication . Ribeiro, S.; Lopes, A.; Duque, E.; Faria, C.
- Mushroom-derived polysaccharides as bioactive agents for skin regeneration: evaluation of antimicrobial, wound-healing, and immunomodulatory effectsPublication . Fernandes, A.; Lopes, A.; Magalhães, R.; Oliveira, C.; Pintado, M.; Tavaria, F.Mushroom polysaccharides have emerged as promising bioactive agents for enhancing skin regeneration. This study evaluates three polysaccharide-rich fractions (SB, SC, RD) obtained by hot water and alkaline extractions from Coriolus versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Hericium erinaceus. Their potential to promote skin repair was investigated by analyzing effects on cell proliferation and migration, immune modulation, and microbial growth inhibition. These fractions were previously characterized by several chemical and structural characterization methods that revealed significant presence of bioactive molecules (e.g., glucans, proteins, phenolics). Cell viability was accessed by PrestoBlue and MTT assays in HaCat and L929 cell lines, revealing the non-toxicity of the compounds at tested concentrations. Furthermore, proliferation assays (BrdU incorporation) and migration assays (scratch assay) in HaCaT cells were conducted at optimized concentrations (0.6 and 0.3 mg/mL). Notably, C. versicolor fractions promoted wound closure of the injured monolayer by 95% after 48 h (at 0.6 mg/mL) compared to 66% in the non-treated control. The fractions exhibited broadspectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity in Gram-positive bacteria (S. epidermidis, MRSA), Gram-negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa, E. coli) and yeast (C. albicans, C. tropicalis). Microbial growth inhibition varied across the three species and extraction method, ranging from 30% to 70% at a concentration of 20 mg/mL. Additionally, immunomodulatory effects are being assessed by measuring key pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-?, IL-17A, IL-1?, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) to elucidate how these polysaccharides regulate inflammation during healing and skin repair. These findings highlight the potential of polysaccharides as multifunctional agents in dermatological applications, supporting their role in developing innovative, natural-based therapies for skin regeneration.