CBQF - Livros e Partes de Livros / Books and Books Parts
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- Functional activity of extracts from goji berries (Lycium barbarum)Publication . Mendes, M.; Carvalho, A. P.; Barroso, M. F.; Magalhães, J. M. C. S.; Gomes, A. M.; Delerue-Matos, C.Lycium barbarum is a woody perennial plant that produces a berry commonly known as Goji. This fruit has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to control/prevent several diseases, and is also associated with longevity [1,2]. Currently, and mainly due to their antioxidant properties, Goji berries caught the attention of the Western food industry, since antioxidants can protect cells against damage effects caused by free radicals. Goji berries can be eaten fresh or dried, alone or in various culinary uses. Most of the commercially available Goji berries in Western countries are dried, because such procedure increases durability and facilitates transportation. Nevertheless, several compounds of interest may suffer numerous modifications during the drying process, e.g. degradation of heat-sensitive chemicals and losses of volatile compounds; on the other hand, other components may increase their concentration. The present study aims to investigate the differences in biological properties of dried Goji berries commercially available. As the selection of extraction methodologies is of extreme importance especially when it concerns the achieving of compounds of interest with functional properties, a method combining the use of microwaves and solvents was exploited, in order to obtain bioactive compounds available for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. A response surface methodology obtained from a multivariate study was used to investigate the performance of the extraction procedure, to study the relevance of the variables required in extraction and to determine the final optimal settings. Results revealed that temperature is of utmost importance during extraction process, whereas time and the polarity of the extracting solvent presented a decreased degree of influence.
- A importância da vida no pó: aerobiologia na conservação preventivaPublication . Moreira, Patrícia R.; Pintado, ManuelaPara os profissionais de conservação e restauro, museólogos e curadores ligados a instituições culturais, públicas ou privadas, o controlo do pó representa um desafio, já que implica encontrar um equilíbrio entre o desgaste pela limpeza e o risco físico substancial de biodeterioração para os objectos culturais das colecções. A sua constituição em termos de microrganismos ou esporos, origem e formas de dispersão, variação sazonal, potencial de acumulação e formação de biofilmes, são informações obtidas pela aerobiologia e microbiologia que são relevantes no processo de decisão de adopção de intervenções, quer no campo da conservação curativa, quer no da conservação preventiva. A presença de componentes fúngicos nos bioaerosóis, monitorização do ar e sua utilização como indicador ecológico para o controlo de biocontaminação e a sua aplicação a casos específicos serão discutidos na sua estreita relação com a colonização na superfície de obras de arte e potencial biodeterioração daí resultante.
- Noroeste globalPublication . Ribeiro, José Manuel Félix; Ferrão, João; Moura, Francisca; Chorincas, Joana; Vaz, Manuel Afonso; Cardoso, Eduardo Luís; Costa, Joana Cunha e; Teixeira, Luís
- Beyond the apnea-hypopnea index: symptomatic assessment as a treatment pathway for obstructive sleep apnea managementPublication . Almeida, Fernanda R.; Falardo, Susana
- CIPCA2025: X international Conference on food proteins and colloidsPublication . Coscueta, Ezequiel; Brassesco, María Emilia; Machado, Manuela; Borges, Sandra; Coelho, Marta; Gómez-Garcia, Ricardo; Campos, Débora
- Life cycle assessment of floating wetland islands for crop productionPublication . Carrillo, Valentina; Pereira, Sofia; Afonso, Carlos A.; Calheiros, CristinaBackground & Aim: Floating wetland islands (FWI) are innovative, nature-based solutions for water management and ecological restoration, rooted in circular economy and sustainable development [1,2]. They consist of floating media planted with macrophytes that act as biofilters by absorbing pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby enhancing crop production [3]. FWI in hydroponic crops can be a viable alternative for agricultural production, allowing a yield per square meter by taking advantage of the nutrients present in the water and optimizing the use of space. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of crop production in FWI using a hydroponic system, estimating the potential yield per square meter. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed to quantify the environmental impact and ensure resource efficiency in this innovative agricultural approach. Methods: Rainwater runoff will be used and characterized to evaluate parameters such as nutrients, organic matter, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, electrical conductivity and temperature. The study will consist of a prototype FWI with three replicates and a control, using expanded clay on the floating platform. Plants will be selected for humans and animals. Biomass production per m², foliar analysis and chlorophyll will be measured. Finally, LCA will be carried out from “cradle to grave”, considering the limits and scope of the system in three types of scenarios. Expected results: The feasibility of hydroponic crop production in FWI is expected, analyzing yield per square meter, associated to the plants health and establishment. The LCA will allow us to assess the environmental impact and identify opportunities to optimize the sustainability and efficiency of the system according to the planned approach. system according to the intended approach.
- Soluções descentralizadas de base natural para a gestão da águaPublication . Magalhães, João; Pereira, Sofia; Calheiros, CristinaA gestão das águas residuais em áreas rurais e montanhosas representa um desafio, devido à necessidade de soluções adaptadas às condições locais e à fraca capacidade económica associada a estas regiões. As instalações turísticas apresentam uma particular complexidade devido à grande variação na quantidade e composição das águas residuais, resultantes das flutuações ao longo do ano, do número de hóspedes, e às suas atividades. As zonas húmidas construídas, leitos de plantas ou FitoETARs, são reconhecidas como sendo uma tecnologia de base natural, robusta e económica, capaz de dar resposta a estes desafios. Os leitos de plantas são sistemas de engenharia que mimetizam os processos físico-químicos e biológicos que ocorrem nas zonas húmidas naturais promovendo a depuração da água através de processos de fitorremediação. Estas soluções foram desenvolvidas principalmente para tratamento de águas residuais, mas hoje são consideradas uma solução baseada na Natureza de excelência devido à sua flexibilidade de aplicação e aos serviços de ecossistema associados. O presente estudo centrou-se na avaliação da eficiência de um Leito de Plantas à escala real no tratamento de águas residuais numa unidade de Turismo de Habitação - Paço de Calheiros, situada em contexto rural, no Norte de Portugal, Ponte de Lima. O Leito de Plantas opera em modo contínuo desde 2010, com fluxo subsurperficial horizontal, e comporta uma policultura de Canna flaccida, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Canna indica, Agapanthus africanus e Watsonia borbónica. Além da depuração da água foram avaliados outros serviços ecossistémicos como o aumento da biodiversidade, mais especificamente das comunidades de macroinvertebrados associadas. O sistema apresentou consistência na sua operacionalização tendo-se verificado uma elevada eficiência na remoção de nutrientes, nomeadamente azoto e fósforo, e microrganismos patogénicos. Deste modo, a água tratada apresenta características físico-químicas e microbiológicas que permitem a sua potencial utilização na rega de áreas ajardinadas e irrigação de culturas.
- Floating islands as a strategy for promoting biodiversity in freshwater pondsPublication . Graff, Lauren Marques; Pereira, Sofia I. A.; IIarri, Martina I.; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.Background & Aim: Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) are a nature-based solution for water treatment and also delivered a wide range of other ecosystem services. The establishment of a FTW relies, mainly, on the presence of plants in a floating structure, where direct contact of the biological components enables the uptake and removal of contaminants from the water, through phytoremediation processes (Calheiros et al, 2023). However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the performance and the impact on biodiversity of this NBS. The aim of this study was to assess the biodiversity associated with a FTW installed in 2018 in a freshwater pond using cork agglomerate as floating platform. Methods: The flora comprised specimens of Iris germanica, Acorus gramineus, Caltha palustris and Typha latifolia. Samples from the platform biofilm and plant rhizosphere were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing technique to identify culturable bacterial communities and they were characterized on their ability to produce plant growth- promoting substances (PGPS). Macroinvertebrates were identified and biodiversity indexes calculated. Results: Preliminary results identified a variety of bacterial communities and the presence of strains with production of PGPS. Macroinvertebrates were classified mainly in the order Odonata, with more than 80% belonging to genus Coenagrion. Conclusions: Further research should explore the use of the bacterial strains with best production of PGPS in phytoremediation strategies and with plants undergoing climate change conditions. This study highlights the use of FTW as a water management technology and to promote biodiversity, as its aesthetic value.
- Advanced treatment in constructed wetlands: the role of photocatalytic modules and nanostructured filtersPublication . Ojediran, Adetunji A.; Pereira, Sofia I. A.; Rosa-Santos, Paulo; Arenas, Francisco; Dolbeth, Marina; Ntougias, Spyros; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.Background & Aim: Constructed wetlands (CWs) have emerged as a leading nature-based solution (NBS) for wastewater treatment, offering multiple benefits such as low maintenance costs, high pollutant removal efficiency, carbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, and aesthetic value (Justino et al., 2023; Kadlec, 2008). However, in tourism facilities, two major challenges affect wastewater management: seasonal variability in wastewater composition and volume, and the lack of connection to centralized treatment systems (Calheiros et al., 2015). To address these issues, a decentralized CW system was developed, operating alongside a septic tank for wastewater collection. This horizontal subsurface flow CW has been operational since 2010. The study aims to integrate photocatalytic modules and nanostructured filter technologies with CW to enhance water quality for irrigation. Methods: wastewater quality characterization will be performed according to national legislation and the efficiency of the photocatalytic modules and nano filters will be assessed. Results: CW efficiency is being assessed, and ongoing studies are being carried out related to the best approach for the implementation of the photocatalytic modules and nanostructured filters technologies. Conclusions: By integrating advanced filtration and photocatalytic technologies, this research intends to develop a highly efficient, self-sustaining, and ecofriendly wastewater treatment system suitable for the tourism industry. The findings will contribute to the broader application of CW in decentralized wastewater management and sustainable water reuse strategies, most especially in a tourism facility.
- Modification of acorn starch structure and properties by high hydrostatic pressurePublication . Castro, Luís M. G.; Caço, Ana I.; Pereira, Carla F.; Sousa, Sérgio C.; Brassesco, María E.; Machado, Manuela; Ramos, Óscar L.; Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Pintado, ManuelaDespite being rich in starch, over half of acorn production is undervalued. High hydrostatic pressure was used to modify the properties of Q. pyrenaica (0.1 and 460 MPa for 20 min) and Q. robur (0.1 and 333 MPa for 17.4 min) acorn starches to obtain high-valued ingredients. Pressure significantly altered the span distribution and heterogeneity of the acorn starch granules depending on the species, but their morphology was unaffected. Pressurization increased the amylose/amylopectin ratio and damaged starch contents, but the effect was more prominent in Q. pyrenaica than in Q. robur. However, the polymorphism, relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperatures, and enthalpies were preserved. The pressure effect on the starch properties depended on the property and species. The solubility, swelling power, and acorn gels’ resistance towards deformation for both species decreased after pressurization. For Q. pyrenaica starch, the in vitro digestibility increased, but the pseudoplastic behavior decreased after pressurization. No differences were seen for Q. robur. Regarding the commercial starch, acorn starches had lower gelatinization temperatures and enthalpies, lower in vitro digestibility, lower resistance towards deformation, superior pseudoplastic behavior, and overall higher solubility and swelling power until 80 ?C. This encourages the usage of acorn starches as a new food ingredient.