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- Metabolite profiling of post-biotics obtained from fish by-productsPublication . Silva, Sara; Costa, Eduardo M.; Machado, ManuelaThe FERDINAND project aims to valorize fish by-products as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for applications in cardiometabolic health, focusing on the development and characterization of innovative post-biotic fractions. Post-biotic metabolite analysis provides critical insight into the biochemical transformations occurring during microbial fermentation and supports the valorization of fish by-products into high-value functional ingredients. In this study, fish-derived biomass is fermented using selected microbial strains, generating a complex mixture of post-biotics formed during the breakdown of proteins, lipids, and residual organic matter. A comprehensive analytical framework combining chromatographic and mass spectrometry-based techniques is applied to characterize the resulting metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, organic acids, and peptide fragments. Targeted quantification is performed using GC-FID and HPLC-RI, while LC-MS/MS and untargeted metabolomics enable in-depth profiling of low-molecular-weight compounds. Integrating targeted and untargeted data provides a holistic understanding of post-biotic composition, facilitating the identification of safe, stable, and bioactive fractions derived from fish by-products with potential applications in food, nutraceutical, and biomedical sectors.
- Bioactive phenolics from aromatic plants: chemical signatures and anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal cellsPublication . Machado, Manuela; Silva, Sara; Costa, Eduardo M.Aromatic plants constitute a rich and largely underexplored reservoir of bioactive phenolic compounds — flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and polyphenolic derivatives — whose structural diversity underlies a broad spectrum of bbiological activities. Their distinct chemical signatures, shaped by hydroxylation patterns, glycosylation states, and conjugation with organic acids, are key determinants of their bioavailability and therapeutic potency. These secondary metabolites have been shown to modulate critical inflammatory pathways in intestinal epithelial and immune cells, notably through inhibition of NF-?B signaling, downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL- 1?, TNF-?), and suppression of COX-2 and iNOS activity. Beyond direct anti-inflammatory action, phenolic compounds can reinforce epithelial barrier integrity and positively modulate gut microbiota composition, adding further relevance to their role in intestinal health. Inflammatory bowel conditions, characterized by chronic mucosal inflammation and significant impact on quality of life, remain a major therapeutic challenge — making the search for effective and safe natural alternatives increasingly urgent.
- Comparative proximate and phenolic characterization of winemaking sedimentsPublication . Costa, Eduardo M.; Vieira, Sofia; Machado, Manuela; Castro, Luís M.; Barros, Ana N.; Silva, SaraThe wine industry generates a wide range of solid residues throughout vinification, many of which remain underexploited despite their potential as sources of bioactive compounds. While byproducts such as pomace and conventional lees have been widely studied, less attention has been given to specific sediment fractions collected at defined stages of the process.In particular, sediments recovered after fermentation and prior to bottling represent a distinct and poorly characterised matrix. Unlike primary lees or pomace, these materials result from prolonged settling and transformation processes, potentially leading to unique compositional profiles shaped by fermentation dynamics, microbial activity, and chemical ageing.These sediments are expected to concentrate structural nutrients (e.g. proteins, fibres, minerals) alongside a diverse range of polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes, compounds associated with antioxidant and health-promoting properties. However, their nutritional composition and phenolic signature remain largely unexplored, limiting their integration into valorisation strategies.
- Core–shell hydrogel based on supercritical CO2-decellularized pancreatic ECM for functional ?-cell encapsulation and immune protectionPublication . Pazmino, Carlos; Sá, Simone; Amorim, Sara; Oliveira, Ana L.Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) affects over 9 million people worldwide and is characterized by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic ?-cells. While exogenous insulin remains the primary treatment, inaccurate dosing often leads to poor glycaemic control. Pancreatic islet transplantation offers a potential curative approach; however, long-term success is hindered by immune rejection and poor graft vascularization. To address these limitations, we developed a permeable, pro-angiogenic, immune-isolating core–shell hydrogel that replicates native pancreatic microenvironment. The construct, a decellularized porcine pancreatic extracellular matrix (dECM) core, repopulated with insulin- producing ?-cells, and an alginate shell. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO?) was employed for tissue decellularization due to its capacity to efficiently penetrate the tissue and remove cellular components while preserving ECM biochemical integrity. Decellularization efficacy was confirmed by DNA quantification (Grisp GRS kit), endotoxin analysis (Pierce chromogenic kit), and assessment of dECM components (GAGs and collagen-Blyscan kits). The resulting dECM was enzymatically digested with pepsin and photocrosslinked using ruthenium/sodium persulfate (Ru/SPS) under visible light to form a stable hydrogel. Rheological analysis was performed to assess mechanical properties. To enhance stability and immune protection, the dECM-Ru core was encapsulated within a CaCl?-crosslinked alginate shell, generating the optimized dECM-Ru/Alg core–shell construct. Encapsulated ?-cells displayed high viability (Alamar Blue), proliferation (BrdU incorporation), and insulin secretion (immunostaining), confirming functional maintenance within the hydrogel. The construct demonstrated tuneable mechanical properties, nutrient permeability, and potential for vascular integration. This dECM-Ru/Alg core–shell hydrogel provides a biomimetic, immune-isolating platform supporting ?-cell survival and function, offering a promising strategy for cell-based therapies in T1DM.
- Effectiveness of three disinfectants on the removal of Listeria monocytogenes biofilmsPublication . Carvalho, Marta; Ribeiro, Deise Helena Baggio; Teixeira, Paula
- Bioactive core–shell aerogel particles for adenosine delivery in chronic wound healingPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Sousa, Clara; Sellitto, Maria Rosaria; Iglesias-Mejuto, Ana; Gaudio, Pasquale del; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana LeiteChronic wounds require biomaterials that combine structural integrity with controlled delivery of bioactive agents. This study aimed to develop and characterize core–shell aerogel particles composed of silk fibroin (SF), silk sericin (SS), and alginate (ALG) for sustained release of adenosine (ADO), a nucleoside with anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative properties.
- Active packaging approach: impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles shape and size in antimicrobial activityPublication . Mendes, Ana Rita; Leite, Andreia; Silva, Francisco A. G. Soares; Granadeiro, Carlos; Pereira, Eulália; Teixeira, Paula; Poças, FátimaNanotechnology has been used in food packaging to improve material properties such as barrier to gases, thermal and light stability, and mechanical strength, offering active and intelligent functionalities that assure protection and preservation, together with biobased materials due to requirements for using less plastic packaging. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has received a positive safety evaluation from European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for packaging applications as transparent UV absorbers based on absence of significant migration in particulate form. It is also considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. ZnO NPs are also known to have good antimicrobial properties and therefore are suitable to be applied as active compounds. Despite the abundant literature addressing the use of ZnO NPs as antimicrobial component in packaging materials, the effect of particles size and morphology on the activity against different microorganisms is still poorly studied. In this work the impact of different shapes (spherical, sheet and flower) and sizes of nanoparticles was studied in their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli at 4 and 22 °C. ZnO NPs characterization was performed to assess their structural and physicochemical properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption for specific surface area determination. A further preliminary study was performed to characterize the antimicrobial activity of in situ ZnO NPs in bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) against E. coli at 4 and 22 °C.
- Active packaging approach: impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles shape and size in antimicrobial activityPublication . Mendes, Ana Rita; Leite, Andreia; Granadeiro, Carlos; Silva, Francisco A. G. Soares; Pereira, Eulália; Teixeira, Paula; Poças, FátimaNanotechnology has been used in food packaging to improve material properties such as barrier to gases, thermal and light stability, and mechanical strength, offering active and intelligent functionalities that assure protection and preservation, in particular together with biobased materials due to requirements for using less plastic packaging. Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) has received a positive safety evaluation from EFSA for packaging applications as transparent UV absorbers based on absence of significant migration in particulate form. It is also considered GRAS by the FDA. ZnO NP are also known to have good antimicrobial properties and therefore are suitable to be applied as active compounds. Despite the abundant literature addressing the use of ZnO NP as antimicrobial component in packaging materials, the effect of particles size and morphology on the activity against different microorganisms is still poorly studied. In this project the impact of different shapes (spherical, sheet and flower) and sizes of nanoparticles was studied in their antimicrobial activity against E.coli and S.aureus. The effect of temperature (4, 10 and 22°C) in the antimicrobial activity was also studied. The performance of the nanoparticles on UV-VIS absorption, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays) and ROS generation (EPR) was also studied. The sheet shape nanoparticles showed the highest antimicrobial activity. The cell count reduction depends on shape, bacteria and temperature. The effect of temperature and time on the bacteria inhibition was simulated by the Weibull model (R2?0.970). The absorption at 375 nm was highest for the flower shape and the EPR data showed equivalent ROS generation for the different shapes. Nevertheless, the antioxidant activity was not confirmed. The incorporation of ZnO NP sheet shaped in packaging materials as antimicrobial can be a viable approach to increase the product shelf life.
- Interplay of bioactive peptides and the gut-skin axis: a novel perspective on psoriasis therapyPublication . Silva, Isa; Lambert, Jo L. W.; Pintado, Manuela; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and immune dysregulation, involving the activation of Th1/Th17 cells and elevated levels of cytokines such as TNF-?, IL- 17, and IL-23. Although current treatments range from topical corticosteroids to systemic biologics, recent studies highlight the importance of the gut–skin axis in psoriasis pathogenesis, where gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability contribute to systemic inflammation. This emerging link underscores the need for therapeutic strategies that address both gut and skin homeostasis. We developed a PhD project hypothesizing that bioactive peptides (BPeps) derived from natural dietary sources can modulate inflammation and epithelial barrier integrity in both the gut and skin, offering a novel therapeutic avenue for psoriasis based on host–microbe interactions and personalised nutraceuticals. Selected using bioinformatics and machine learning tools, 4 BPeps were synthesized and will be screened in intestinal cell models to evaluate their immunomodulatory effects in gut dysbiosis and psoriasis. This includes profiling cytokine expression and analyzing NF-?B and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Promising peptides will undergo simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and their colonic fractions will be tested in gut fermentation models to assess effects on microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid production, and barrier function. Absorbed peptide fractions and microbiota-derived metabolites will then be applied to in vitro and ex vivo 3D psoriatic skin models to assess their influence on inflammation, tissue regeneration, and skin barrier restoration. In parallel, intact BPeps will be directly tested on psoriatic skin to evaluate local activity. This approach enables a comparative evaluation of peptide effects in both gut and skin systems and the gut-skin axis. By bridging immunonutrition, microbiome science, and dermatology, this research advances novel peptide-based therapies and deepens our understanding of host–microbe symbioses in chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Carbon sequestration potential in constructed weatlands: a mini-reviewPublication . Ojediran, Adetunji; Pereira, Sofia; Rosa-Santos, Paulo; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.Background: Wetlands are “high-carbon ecosystems,” covering only 5–8% of the Earth’s land surface yet storing 20–30% of terrestrial carbon. Constructed wetlands (CWs), originally designed for wastewater treatment, also provide carbon sequestration alongside biodiversity support, flood regulation, and landscape enhancement. Studies show high carbon sequestration rates (CSR) during the first 0–15?years of CWs, followed by a plateau, with average carbon storage of 3.58 ± 2.21?kg?C?m?² (~0.12?kg?C?m?²?yr?¹), 92% of which is organic carbon, and mid-term rates are enhanced by macrophytes growth, among other factors. Figure?1 schematically illustrates plant-mediated carbon sequestration and the main carbon cycling processes in wetland ecosystems. With rising anthropogenic GHG emissions, advancing real-scale evaluations and long-term monitoring is essential to confirm CWs as a practical nature-based solution (NBS) for carbon neutrality strategies and climate change mitigation. Aim: The aim of this review is to synthesize current evidence (2021–2025) on how CWs contribute to carbon sequestration and to evaluate their potential as a NBS in climate neutrality strategies. Conclusions: CWs are a NBS that combine wastewater treatment with ecological services, notably carbon sequestration. The surge of research (77 papers, 2021– 2025) highlights their rising global importance and multifunctionality. Advancing real-scale evaluations and long-term studies will be essential to confirm their role as a practical NBS for carbon neutrality strategies.