Browsing by Author "Martins, Rui"
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- Black soldier fly: a new perspective as a functional and sustainable ingredientPublication . Borges, Sandra; Martins, Rui; Rosa, Ana; Almeida, André; Pintado, ManuelaThe world population has been expected by the Food and Agriculture Organization ( of the United Nations to rise to over 9 billion by 2050 requiring an intensification in food production While the increase in human population efforts the demand for food, there is a concomitant decrease in accessible land resources needed to produce this food, which is likely to be exacerbated by global warming (Lange and Nakamura, 2021 The production and use of edible insects has arisen as one of the most fascinating alternative sources of proteins Insect rearing has several advantages related to environmental sustainability comparing to cattle raising, namely insects emit less greenhouse gases, require less land and water and present high feed conversion efficiency Insects are a highly nutritious source of food, with high protein, fat, vitamin, mineral and fiber content The nutritional profile of edible insects depends on the species and can be highly variable (Borges et al 2023 Lange and Nakamura, 2021 Hermetia illucens designated as black soldier fly ( is attractive as a food/feed because is a non infesting species contrary to Musca domestica (i e common fly) BSF larvae ( are avid consumers of decomposing organic matter and able to convert efficiently huge amounts of waste or spoiled food into biomass As for its chemical components, BSF prepupa is composed to 37 g/ 100 g lipids, 32 g/ 100 g proteins, 19 g/ 100 g mineral salts (including micronutrients, such as iron and zinc), and 9 g/ 100 g chitin (Montevecchi et al 2021 BSFL are a well recognized nutritious source with a high protein content In this context, enzymatic hydrolysis can be a promising process for the development of new insect based ingredients with improved bioactive properties This approach is widely used as a way to obtain bioactive peptides from various food matrices such soy protein milk protein, fish protein, egg white protein, among others Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the potential of BSFL to generate bioactive peptides via enzymatic hydrolysis, with antioxidant and anti hypertensive potential
- Children’s understanding of informed assents in research studiesPublication . Cotrim, Hortense; Granja, Cristina; Carvalho, Ana Sofia; Cotrim, Carlos; Martins, RuiThe assent procedure reflects an effort to enable the minor to understand, to the degree they are capable of, what their participation in the decision making process would involve. Aims: To evaluate the minors’ ability to understand the information provided to them when obtaining assent and to evaluate the opinion of the parents regarding the importance of asking the child’s assent. Methods: The sample included a total of 52 minors aged between 10 and 17 years who underwent exercise echocardiogram. The Quality of Informed Consent is divided into two parts: Part A was used to measure objective understanding and part B to measure subjective understanding. Results: The results show that the minors have a high capacity to understand the information given to them when asking for assent. A positive relationship was found between the two parts of the questionnaire. No statistically significant relationship was found between age and sex and part A and part B or between both age groups (<14 years old and ≥14 years old) and the measure. In the case of the parents, 96.6% of parents consider assent as an advantage for the child’s acceptance of health care. The opinion of the parents is not related to the age, sex or level of schooling. Conclusion: Minors showed a substantial level of understanding regarding the information provided to them. The parents considered the implementation of assent fundamental to the child’s acceptance of health care.
- A comprehensive review of fish protein hydrolysates targeting pet food formulationsPublication . Ribeiro, Tânia Bragança; Maia, Margarida R. G.; Fonseca, António J. M.; Marques, Bianca; Caleja, Cristina; Rosa, Ana; Martins, Rui; Almeida, André; Mota, Maria J.; Aires, Tiago; Rocha, Cristina M. R.; Teixeira, José A.; Cabrita, Ana R. J.; Barros, Lillian; Pintado, ManuelaThe fish industry generates significant amounts of fish by- and co-products (FBCPs) annually, projected to reach 160.8 million tonnes by 2030. This growth highlights the urgent need for sustainable FBCP management and an opportunity to improve the sector's environmental sustainability. Fish protein hydrolysates (FBCPHs) and bioactive peptides (BPs) derived from these FBCPs are gaining recognition in the pet food sector for their nutritional and bioactives benefits. FBCPHs, primarily sourced from category 3 by-products unsuitable for human consumption, could significantly enhance the economic viability of both industries. This review analyzes production processes, highlighting the benefits and challenges of enzymatic hydrolysis and reviewed emerging technologies such as subcritical water hydrolysis (SWH), which are promising sustainable alternatives by enhancing extraction efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The review explores FBCPHs' applications in pet food, focusing on beneficial biological activities (e.g. antioxidant, prebiotic, neuroprotective). Findings show FBCPHs have significant potential in pet food formulations, providing palatability, hypoallergenic benefits, and addressing health concerns like gastrointestinal disorders and stress-related behaviors. However, further research is required to optimize production processes, scale industrial application, and ensure regulatory compliance. In conclusion, FBCPHs present a valuable solution for promoting sustainability, improving pet nutrition, and supporting the circular economy.
- Fish by-products as a source of proteolytic enzymes and bioactive peptidesPublication . Borges, Sandra; Odila, Joana; Martins, Rui; Rosa, Ana; Vanderpoorten, Wouter; Almeida, André; Pintado, Manuela
- Fish by-products: a source of enzymes to generate circular bioactive hydrolysatesPublication . Borges, Sandra; Odila, Joana; Voss, Glenise; Martins, Rui; Rosa, Ana; Couto, José António; Almeida, André; Pintado, ManuelaFish viscera are usually discarded as waste, causing environmental problems, or as low-value by-products. This study describes a self-sufficient and zero waste approach to obtain enzymes and protein hydrolysates from fish by-products. Firstly, recovery steps of viscera enzymatic extract were applied, and the resulting raw extract was stable at a pH range of 8–9 and at temperatures between 40 and 50 °C. The application of the extracted enzymes and alcalase on fish by-products hydrolysis was also determined. The selected conditions for the enzymatic hydrolysis were 10% (E/S) for 6 h using viscera enzymatic extract and 3% (E/S) for 2 h using alcalase. Fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) proved to have a notable antioxidant capacity with similar activity, ~11 mg ascorbic acid/g dry extract (ABTS assay) and ~150 mg Trolox/g dry extract (ORAC assay). FPH were also able to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, however, alcalase hydrolysates revealed a higher antihypertensive potential, IC50 of 101 µg of protein/mL. In general, FPH obtained by both enzymes systems maintained these bioactivities after the passage throughout a simulated gastrointestinal tract. The hydrolysates also displayed important technological properties, namely oil absorption capacity (~1 g oil/g sample) and emulsifying property (~40%). Therefore, it will be conceivable to use fish by-products based on a circular economy approach to generate added value compounds for animal and human nutrition
- Gestão da qualidade da uva: VinePATPublication . Martins, Rui; Lopes, V. V.; Ferreira, A. C. SilvaO sistema VinePAT é um sistema de gestão da vinha baseado nas metodologias das Tecnologias Analíticas de Processos cujo objectivo é proporcionar aos vinicultores imagens de elevada qualidade do metabolismo das vinhas de modo a permitir a viticultura de precisão através da utilização de técnicas de espectroscopia de UV-VIS-SWNIR.
- Locally-sourced animal protein hydrolysates in high-plant-protein diets can promote European seabass growth and nutrient utilization, reducing reliance on fishmealPublication . Rodrigues-dos-Santos, Luciano; Basto, Ana; Monteiro, Marta; António, Carla; Rodrigues, Ana M.; Sá, Tiago; Velasco, Cristina; Martins, Rui; Rosa, Ana; Pintado, Manuela; Almeida, André; Valente, Luisa M. P.Upcycling meat and fish by-products into bioactive protein hydrolysates promotes zero-waste practices within the circular bioeconomy and provides locally-sourced alternatives to replace fishmeal (FM) in aquafeeds. In this study, novel hydrolysates were developed from blue shark skin, fish by-products, and swine processed animal protein, aiming to reduce the high-quality FM inclusion in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) diets. Four isoproteic (53%) and isolipidic (18%) plant-based diets were formulated: a control (CTRL) diet containing 12.5% FM was compared to three experimental diets, including 3% of each hydrolysate at the expense of FM-protein: SHARK, FISH, and SWINE. Seabass juveniles (13 g) stocked in 160 L tanks (3.9 kg/m3) were fed the diets in triplicate, three times daily until satiety, for 89 days. All diets were equally well accepted, promoting similar feed intake, daily growth index (1.6), and efficient feed conversion ratio (1.0–1.1). All fish at least quadrupled their initial size, but those fed the SWINE diet showed the highest body weight (55 g) and significantly higher condition factor (1.22), hepatosomatic index (HSI) (1.6), and viscerosomatic index (VSI) (8.4). Intestinal integrity remained similar across treatments, and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein and fat were above 96%. Iron (Fe) ADC was at least doubled with hydrolysates inclusion. Whole-body and muscle composition were similar across groups. However, the muscle metabolome of the SHARK-fed fish exhibited higher levels of glycolytic intermediates and lower levels of glucogenic amino acids (AAs) and fumarate, suggesting an increased catabolic activity. However, these changes were not reflected in fish growth performance or muscle flesh quality, which remained similar among treatments.
- Marketing social e infeção por VIH/SIDA nas pessoas com mais de 50 anosPublication . Ribeiro, Ana Isabel de Almeida; Martins, Rui; Pereira, Paulo Almeida; Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Departamento de Economia, Gestão e Ciências SociaisO Marketing Social tem como finalidade a mudança de comportamentos, o estimular da consciência social em cada indivíduo, obrigando à adoção de novos hábitos, importantes para a pessoa e para a sociedade. O seu crescimento torna-se maior e tão mais importante, quanto maior é a preocupação com os problemas sociais, como é o caso da infeção por VIH/SIDA. Este é um dos temas que mais preocupa a sociedade atual, não só pelas proporções que tem tomado ao longo do tempo, com o aumento da morbilidade, mas também por todos os custos económicos e socias gerados por ela. Estudos recentes revelam um aumento exponencial desta síndrome na população com mais de 50 anos, podendo, o marketing social, ser utilizado como estratégia para dirimir este facto. A investigação em curso teve como objetivo principal discutir e obter informação sobre a relação das duas componentes abordadas, o Marketing Social e a infeção por VIH/SIDA, nos cidadãos comuns com mais de 50 anos, tendo chegado à conclusão que os comportamentos de risco são superiores ao expectável, sendo a educação para a saúde, a consciencialização da doença e a mudança de comportamentos e atitudes as ferramentas mais eficazes para o seu controlo, conseguindo-as facilmente através do marketing social.
- Membrane fractionation of Cynara cardunculus swine blood hydrolysate: ingredients of high nutritional and nutraceutical valuePublication . Araújo-Rodrigues, Helena; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.; Pereira, Miguel F.; Cunha, Sara A.; Almeida, André; Rosa, Ana; Martins, Rui; Pereira, Carlos D.; Pintado, Manuela E.This work proposes an innovative approach to valorise swine blood based on enzymatic hydrolysis and membrane fractionations. Hydrolysis with Cynara cardunculus enzymes, followed by microfiltration and double nanofiltration generated three high protein fractions, retentate of microfiltration (RMF; >0.5 µm) and retentate of nanofiltration (RNF; >3 kDa) with approximately 90% of protein on a dry basis and filtrate of nanofiltrate (FNF; <3 kDa) with 65%. FNF, rich in low molecular weight peptides, showed excellent antioxidants (ABTS and ORAC of 911.81 and 532.82 µmol TE g−1 DB, respectively) and antihypertensive (IC50 of 28.51 µg mL−1) potential. By peptidomics and in silico analysis, 43 unique sequences of interest were found, among which LVV-Hemorphin-7 was identified. This hemorphin was demonstrated as the main responsible for the observed bioactivity. Complementary results showed a prebiotic effect mainly for the growth of Bifidobacterium animalis Bo, as well as interesting free amino acids (mainly glutamic acid, leucine, alanine, phenylalanine and aspartic acid) and mineral (e.g., Ca, Mg, P, K and Na) profiles. No antibacterial effect was verified for the seven pathogenic bacteria tested. This study allowed obtaining new ingredient of high nutritional and nutraceutical value for human consumption, with a perspective of sustainability and industrial viability.
- Monitoring beta-blocker therapy in adolescents with exercise-induced intraventricular gradients using exercise stress echocardiographyPublication . Cotrim, Nuno; Café, Hugo M.; Guardado, Jorge; Cordeiro, Pedro; Martins, Rui; Cotrim, Hortense; Cotrim, CarlosBackground: Treadmill exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is both feasible and safe in the pediatric population. Although regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) have limited diagnostic utility, Doppler studies frequently demonstrate significant intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs) during exercise. These IVPGs, which were observed in 39% of 258 previously studied adolescents, are absent at rest. Their detection provides valuable insight into exercise-related symptoms and abnormal findings on resting or stress electrocardiograms (ECGs). Purpose: To evaluate the effect of ?-blocker therapy on the occurrence of intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs) in adolescents presenting with symptoms or abnormal findings on resting or stress electrocardiograms (ECGs). Methods: Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) was repeated in 66 of 101 adolescents who were found to have developed intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs) during the initial assessment. All participants had normal resting echocardiograms, and all underwent follow-up evaluation while receiving ?-blocker therapy. The study cohort included 15 females (23%) and the mean age of participants was 14.6 ± 1.7 years (range: 11–17 years). Comprehensive two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic assessments were performed at baseline and during ?-blocker treatment. Results: During the initial ESE, the mean intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) was 105 ± 38 mmHg. Under ?-blocker therapy, 37 adolescents no longer developed IVPGs while, in the remaining 29 adolescents, the IVPG was significantly reduced to a mean of 58 ± 32 mmHg (p < 0.0001). The mean heart rate at peak exercise decreased from 178 ± 15 bpm at baseline to 157 ± 9 bpm during the repeat ESE under ?-blocker treatment (p < 0.0001). Clinical symptoms were reproduced in forty-seven adolescents during the initial ESE, but occurred in only seven adolescents during treatment (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In adolescents presenting with symptoms or abnormal resting or stress ECG findings, and exertional intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs), oral ?-blocker therapy either prevented the occurrence of IVPGs or significantly reduced their severity. These hemodynamic improvements were associated with the resolution of clinical symptoms in 85% of the symptomatic cohort.