Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-10-02"
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- Akkermansia muciniphila and delivery systems to promote gut healthPublication . Fonseca, Mariana Lopes da; Machado, Daniela Marlene da Silva; Gomes, Ana Maria Pereira; Barbosa, Joana Cristina PachecoIn the last years, Akkermansia muciniphila has emerged as a next-generation probiotic, given its demonstrated relevant biological activities in several intestinal and extra intestinal disorders. Furthermore, one of the major challenges for industry has been to develop effective delivery systems to ensure its high probiotic viability during manufacturing, product shelf-life and after consumption, namely throughout the gastrointestinal passage. Based on the above, this thesis aimed to evaluate the potentiality of A. muciniphila to promote gut health, through a phenotypic characterization of certain probiotic properties, and to develop delivery systems that promote the viability of this probiotic throughout refrigerated aerobic storage and when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Firstly, a phenotypic characterization of A. muciniphila DSM 22959 strain was performed, concerning the following probiotic properties: hydrophobicity, aggregation abilities and improvement of intestinal barrier function. In this analysis, this strain showed low cell-surface hydrophobicity, whereas auto-aggregation and co-aggregation percentages were similar to those obtained for Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, positive control strain. Regarding the intestinal barrier integrity assay, no conclusions could be drawn due to the need for optimization of the protocol used, however there is an apparent bias of A. muciniphila against the harmful effect of E. coli under the conditions tested. Upon phenotypic characterization, encapsulation via extrusion and a dairy food vector were explored as technological strategies to enhance viability and stability of A. muciniphila during refrigerated aerobic storage and when submitted to gastrointestinal transit. Indeed, A. muciniphila was successfully encapsulated in a calcium-alginate matrix via extrusion (60% yield) and exhibited a high stability in viability (ca. 108 CFU/g) after 28-days of refrigerated aerobic storage. Moreover, as storage time increased, encapsulated A. muciniphila demonstrated higher viability and stability under gastrointestinal conditions when compared to its free counterpart. The incorporation of A. muciniphila in a dairy matrix based on 77% (m/m) “Requeijão” and 23% (m/m) Greek style yogurt, originated a probiotic cheese spread with high microbiological quality, low total phenolic content (around 0.36 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried cheese) and interesting biological activities, namely antidiabetic (98.10% of α-glucosidase inhibition) and antihypertensive (49.18% of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibition) properties. Simultaneously, this novel food ensured a high A. muciniphila viability level (> 108 CFU/g) during 21-days at 4ºC in aerobiosis and when exposed to gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, this probiotic cheese displayed a similar profile in terms of texture, color, water activity and pH, when compared with cheese control/without bacteria, suggesting a potentially high acceptability among consumers. In conclusion, both extrusion in calcium-alginate matrix and incorporation into cheese spread seem to be promising strategies to safeguard A. muciniphila viability during refrigerated aerobic storage and detrimental gastrointestinal conditions.
- Avaliação dos hábitos alimentares de crianças com sobrecarga ponderal e das atitudes dos pais face à alimentação das criançasPublication . Freitas, Sara Isabel Correia; Gonçalves, Carla Cristina Sousa; Pinto, Elisabete Cristina BastosO presente Relatório de Estágio descreve as atividades desenvolvidas ao longo do estágio no âmbito da unidade curricular Dissertação de Mestrado, incluída no 2º ano do Mestrado em Biotecnologia e Inovação, pela Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa. O estágio foi realizado do Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira, onde tive a oportunidade de integrar a equipa de nutricionistas da Unidade de Nutrição e Dietética, o Serviço de Pediatria, do Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, e o Serviço de Atendimento ao Jovem, do Centro de Saúde do Bom Jesus. O estágio teve início a 3 de outubro de 2022 e terminou a 31 de março de 2023. Contou com a orientação da Dr.ª Carla Gonçalves, nutricionista no Serviço de Pediatria do Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça e coorientação da Prof. Doutora Elisabete Pinto, docente da Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Ao longo do estágio acompanhei o trabalho dos nutricionistas dos vários serviços, realizei consultas, externas e internas, de nutrição, desenvolvi materiais de educação alimentar, participei na resolução de casos clínicos, analisei bibliografia científica de apoio à intervenção nutricional e desenvolvi um trabalho de investigação. Além disso, estive presente em alguns eventos científicos e formações complementares que permitiram a constante atualização de conhecimentos. Os objetivos gerais e específicos definidos inicialmente foram atingidos durante o estágio. Tive a oportunidade de ficar a conhecer a realidade do nutricionista que trabalha diariamente para garantir a melhor qualidade de vida e saúde das crianças e jovens e ainda, aliar os conhecimentos adquiridos na licenciatura e ao longo do mestrado e transformá-los em momentos de aprendizagem para a minha prática profissional futura. O estágio foi uma experiência diferenciadora e enriquecedora, contribuindo para o meu crescimento a nível profissional e pessoal.
- Is the initial training of Portuguese early childhood education and care professionals adequately preparing them to work with children aged 0-3?Publication . Moreira, Janete Silva; Gregório, Inês; Aguiar, Ana Lúcia; Brito, Ana Teresa; Cadima, Joana; Barros, LuísaThe ProFormação 0-3 project aims to characterize Portuguese early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals’ initial training regarding children aged 0-3. Literature shows that ECEC professionals with specific training to work with children aged 0-3 have a more complex and multidimensional comprehension of their development and learning processes (Hu et al., 2019; Schaack et al., 2017). But further investigation is needed, specifically in Portugal (Gomes & Brito, 2022; Vasconcelos, 2011), to identify initial training key-elements (i.e., contents; practices) to potentiate ECEC quality (Eckhardt & Egert, 2018; Loizou & Recchia, 2018). To reach its goals, the project included 2 phases: a) documental analysis to identify all higher education and vocational programs available; b) focus groups with higher education lecturers of identified programs to understand their perceptions on how initial training prepares ECEC teachers to work with children aged 0-3, and with ECEC professionals to identify their training needs. The project was approved by the Ethics and Deontology Commission of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon and complies with all ethical procedures. Results showed that contents related to work with children aged 0-3 are rarely included in initial programs, raising concerns regarding professionals’ preparation to work with infants/toddlers. Interviewees reported a greater focus on children under 3 is needed and expressed their perceptions on the most relevant changes needed. Gaps between contents of current programs and the training needs of ECEC professionals will be discussed, as well as recommendations for relevant complementary training offers.