Browsing by Author "Soares, José"
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- Cereal bars functionalized through Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and inulin incorporated in edible coatings of whey protein isolate or alginatePublication . Pereira, Joana Odila; Soares, José; Monteiro, Maria J. P.; Amaro, Ana; Gomes, Ana; Pintado, ManuelaCurrently, cereal bars are gaining interest globally because of their nutritionally balanced and convenient nature. One healthy strategy is to add probiotics to cereal bars, to make them a functional food product. So, in this study a cereal bar functionalized with edible coatings of whey protein isolate (WPI) and alginate (ALG) incorporated with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and inulin was developed and evaluated for its consumer acceptability and physicochemical and microbiological properties, throughout 90 days of storage. WPI-coated cereal bars were shown to be the solution that better maintained the level of the incorporated probiotic strain when compared to the ones coated with ALG, throughout storage and throughout in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The physicochemical properties of the bars, namely aw, moisture content, color and texture, were not altered during the storage period. The sensory evaluation showed that coated bars were accepted as well as control bars. Moreover, the consumers appreciated better the odor and flavor of WPI-coated bars than those of ALG-coated bars.
- Characterization of edible films based on alginate or whey protein incorporated with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and prebioticsPublication . Pereira, Joana Odila; Soares, José; Costa, Eduardo; Silva, Sara; Gomes, Ana; Pintado, ManuelaRecently, edible films were shown to be an effective strategy for the delivery of functional ingredients, such as probiotics and prebiotics. With that in mind, two soluble fibres (inulin and fructooligosaccharides) were selected as prebiotic elements, in whey protein isolate (WPI) and alginate (ALG) matrices plasticized with glycerol and used for the incorporation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. The results obtained showed that the viability of the B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 probiotic strain was maintained within the minimum threshold (10(6) CFU/g) necessary to act as a probiotic throughout 60 days of storage at 23 degrees C. The incorporation of prebiotic compounds improved B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 viability, with inulin showing the best performance, as it maintained the viability at 7.34 log CFU/g. The compositional characteristics (biopolymer type and prebiotics addition) of the film forming solutions had no significant impact upon the viability of the probiotic strain. The incorporation of probiotics and prebiotics did not modify the infrared spectra, revealing that the molecular structure of the films was not modified. The moisture content and water solubility decreased positively in WPI- and ALG-based films with the addition of prebiotics compounds. Overall, the results obtained in this work support the use of WPI films containing inulin as a good strategy to immobilize B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, with potential applications in the development of functional foods.
- Chitosan coated textiles may improve atopic dermatitis severity by modulating skin staphylococcal profile: a randomized controlled trialPublication . Lopes, Cristina; Soares, José; Tavaria, Freni; Duarte, Ana; Correia, Osvaldo; Sokhatska, Oksana; Severo, Milton; Silva, Diana; Pintado, Manuela; Delgado, Luís; Moreira, AndréBackground: Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients may benefit from using textiles coated with skin microbiome-modulating compounds. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer with immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties, has been considered potentially useful. Objective: This randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical utility of chitosan-coated garment use in AD. Methods: Of the 102 patients screened, 78 adult and adolescents were randomly allocated to overnight use of chitosan-coated or uncoated cotton long-sleeved pyjama tops and pants for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in disease severity assessed by Scoring Atopic dermatitis index (SCORAD). Other outcomes were changes in quality of life, pruritus and sleep loss, days with need for rescue medication, number of flares and controlled weeks, and adverse events. Changes in total staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus skin counts were also assessed. Comparisons were made using analysis of variance supplemented by repeated measures analysis for the primary outcome. Interaction term between time and intervention was used to compare time trends between groups. Results: Chitosan group improved SCORAD from baseline in 43.8%, (95% CI: 30.9 to 55.9), P = 0.01, placebo group in 16.5%(-21.6 to 54.6); P = 0.02 with no significant differences between groups; Dermatology Quality of life Index Score significantly improved in chitosan group (P = 0.02) and a significant increase of skin Coagulase negative Staphylococci (P = 0.02) was seen. Conclusions: Chitosan coated textiles may impact on disease severity by modulating skin staphylococcal profile. Moreover, a potential effect in quality of life may be considered.
- Edible films as carrier for lactic acid bacteriaPublication . Pereira, Joana Odila; Soares, José; Sousa, Sérgio; Madureira, Ana Raquel; Gomes, Ana M. P.; Pintado, M. E.The use of edible coatings and films formulated with bioactive compounds in food products in order to convey new functionalities or extend shelf-life opens new possibilities as a carrier for functional lactic acid bacteria. In this work the main objective was to study the stability of probiotic microorganisms, viz. Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12® and Lactobacillus casei-01, in edible film formulations based on whey protein isolate (WPI). The results demonstrated a loss of bacterial cell viability of ca. 3 log cycles (reaching 106 CFU/g film) until 60 d at both 23 and 4 C, noting that the most marked decrease was at 23 C for both strains. Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12® remained viable for a longer period of time and with less decrease in its cell numbers (108 CFU/g film). Physical properties, namely color, water activity, thickness, young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and the molecular structure of WPI films were maintained stable throughout the storage period at both temperatures tested. Edible films incorporated with probiotics can be good carriers for these to be ingested together with food products.
- Efficacy and safety of chitosan coated garments on atopic dermatitis management: a randomized controlled trialPublication . Lopes, Cristina; Soares, José; Tavaria, Freni; Severo, Milton; Duarte, Ana; Correia, Osvaldo; Pintado, M. E.; Delgado, Luis; Moreira, Andre M.
- Filaggrin gene polymorphism Pro478Ser, but not loss-of-function mutations Mp.Arg501Ter or C.2282del4, relates with atopic dermatitis severity and increased Staphylococcal aureus colonization in adult patientsPublication . Rocha, Liliana; Lopes, Cristina; Fernandes, Susana; Sokhatska, Oksana; Soares, José; Tavaria, Freni; Pintado, M. E.; Moreira, André M.; Delgado, Luís
- Growth and nutritional responses of bean and soybean genotypes to elevated CO2 in a controlled environmentPublication . Soares, José; Deuchande, Teresa; Valente, Luísa M. P.; Pintado, Manuela; Vasconcelos, Marta W.In the current situation of a constant increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration, there is a potential risk of decreased nutritional value and food crop quality. Therefore, selecting strong-responsive varieties to elevated CO2 (eCO2) conditions in terms of yield and nutritional quality is an important decision for improving crop productivity under future CO2 conditions. Using bean and soybean varieties of contrasting responses to eCO2 and different origins, we assessed the effects of eCO2 (800 ppm) in a controlled environment on the yield performance and the concentration of protein, fat, and mineral elements in seeds. The range of seed yield responses to eCO2 was −11.0 to 32.7% (average change of 5%) in beans and −23.8 to 39.6% (average change of 7.1%) in soybeans. There was a significant correlation between seed yield enhancement and aboveground biomass, seed number, and pod number per plant. At maturity, eCO2 increased seed protein concentration in beans, while it did not affect soybean. Lipid concentration was not affected by eCO2 in either legume species. Compared with ambient CO2 (aCO2), the concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and potassium (K) decreased significantly, magnesium (Mg) increased, while zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) were not changed under eCO2 in bean seeds. However, in soybean, Mn and K concentrations decreased significantly, Ca increased, and Zn, Fe, P, and Mg concentrations were not significantly affected by eCO2 conditions. Our results suggest that intraspecific variation in seed yield improvement and reduced sensitivity to mineral losses might be suitable parameters for breeders to begin selecting lines that maximize yield and nutrition under eCO2.
- Impact of whey protein coating incorporated with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus on sliced ham propertiesPublication . Pereira, Joana Odila; Soares, José; Monteiro, Maria João P.; Gomes, Ana; Pintado, ManuelaEdible coatings/films with functional ingredients may be a solution to consumers' demands for high-quality food products and an extended shelf-life. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of edible coatings incorporated with probiotics on sliced ham preservation. Coatings was developed based on whey protein isolates with incorporation of Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12® or Lactobacillus casei-01. The physicochemical analyses showed that coating decreased water and weight loss on the ham. Furthermore, color analysis showed that coated sliced ham, exhibited no color change, comparatively to uncoated slices. The edible coatings incorporating the probiotic strains inhibited detectable growth of Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts/molds, at least, for 45 days of storage at 4 °C. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that there was a preference for the sliced coated ham. Probiotic bacteria viable cell numbers were maintained at ca. 108 CFU/g throughout storage time, enabling the slice of ham to act as a suitable carrier for the beneficial bacteria.
- In vitro evaluation of “horchata” co-products as carbon source for probiotic bacteria growthPublication . Sánchez-Zapata, Elena; Fernández-López, Juana; Pérez-Alvarez, José A.; Soares, José; Sousa, Sérgio; Gomes, Ana M. P.; Pintado, Manuela M. E.Tiger nut milk ("horchata") liquid co-products (TNLC) were evaluated as carbon source for probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis) growth by screening via microplate assay and determination of viable cells and metabolic activity. Based on MRS five different basal media were prepared ((i) without carbon source, (ii) with 2% (w/v) glucose, (iii) with 2% (w/v) FOS, (iv) with 2% (v/v) TNLC and (v) 3% (v/v) TNLC). Additionally, reconstituted TNLC was also used as basal medium. For determination of viable cells and metabolic activity skim milk powder was used. Glucose was found to be the best substrate to L. acidophilus grows, followed by FOS and TNLC (2% and 3%, respectively). TNLC (3%) was found to be the best substrate followed by TNLC (2%), glucose and FOS, in the promotion of growth of B. animalis. The growth of L. acidophilus and B. animalis in skim milk reconstituted TNLC + water was higher than samples inoculated in skim milk reconstituted only with water (p < 0.05). This is supported by the pH effect and by the faster organic acid production (mainly lactic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid), confirming the property of TNLC as a carbon source for probiotic bacteria growth.
- Perfil de diversidade da comunidade estafilocócica da pele em doentes com dermatite atópicaPublication . Lopes, Cristina; Soares, José; Tavaria, Freni; Silva, Rosa; Oliveira, Vera; Morgado, José; Delgado, Luís; Pintado, ManuelaIntrodução: A dermatite atópica (DA) é uma doença cutânea crónica imunologicamente mediada em que a maioria dos doentes está colonizada por Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) capaz de produzir vários factores de virulência. O S. aureus pode ser cultivado em cerca de 90% das lesões cutâneas e pode colonizar a pele de aspecto morfologicamente normal. Os estafilococos coagulase negativos (SCN) geralmente não produzem toxinas com actividade superantigénica, mas o seu papel patogénico na DA não pode ser excluído. Neste estudo, pretende-se caracterizar a comunidade estafilocócica da pele de doentes com DA e indivíduos saudáveis, assim como identificar factores de virulência nas espécies identificadas. Métodos: Todos os isolados estafilocócicos foram submetidos a análise numérica de factores de virulência. As espécies isoladas da pele de doentes com DA e indivíduos saudáveis foram submetidas a técnicas de identificação molecular por Multiplex-PCR para identificação de bactérias pertencentes às espécies S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. hominis e S. haemolyticus através de fragmentos específicos de ADN de 700, 124, 208, 806 e 271 bp, respectivamente. Identificação complementar de cada isolado, previamente identificado por Multiplex-PCR e de 22 isolados não identificados foram realizados por sequenciação do gene sodA. Resultados: Nos doentes com DA isolaram -se estirpes de S. aureus, com 71 (36,2%), S. epidermidis com 59 (30,1%) e S. hominis com 54 (27,6%) isolados. Foi analisada a pele de indivíduos -controlo saudáveis com prevalência para o S. warneri com 10 (23,8%) isolados e S. saprophyticus com 9 (21,4%) isolados juntamente com mais seis espécies identificadas, i.e., S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. capitis, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus e S. lugdunensis. A maioria das espécies de estafilococos foi coagulase negativo (158/238 isolados) e desoxirribonuclease negativos (161/238). Verificou -se maior biodiversidade na pele de indivíduos saudáveis, com 8 espécies identificadas, do que na pele de doentes com DA, com 4 espécies identificadas. Conclusão: Existe uma maior diversidade de espécies estafilocócicas em indivíduos saudáveis comparativamente aos doentes com DA na presente amostra. A predominância de SA na pele de doentes com DA evidencia a sua maior adaptação. A caracterização detalhada e o perfil de virulência para cada doente poderão ser úteis numa terapêutica antimicrobiana individualizada. A relação simbiótica versus antagonista entre os estafilococos comensais e SA deverá ser melhor esclarecida.