CBQF - Contribuições em Revistas Científicas / Contribution to Journals
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- Evaluating biosolutions for sustainable food systems: a review of safety, quality, regulatory, and sustainability considerations within the European UnionPublication . Thomsen, Marianne; Leroi, Françoise; Passerini, Delphine; Siemiatkowska, Milena; Sopacua, Tirzania; Andersson, Kristina; Teixeira, Paula; Poças, Fatima; Heir, Even; Langsrud, Solveig; Zuliani, VéroniqueBiosolutions, such as food cultures and fermentates, are emerging alternatives to classical food preservation methods, offering multiple benefits, including food quality and safety enhancement, and waste reduction, with limited sensory and nutritional modification of the product and higher consumer acceptance. This study explores the potential of biosolutions to address critical challenges in sustainable food systems through their application in food production. Evaluation criteria of focus include impacts on food quality and safety, environmental sustainability, and compliance with European regulatory frameworks. The study emphasizes the role of biosolutions in reducing foodborne illnesses, promoting circular economy principles, and building consumer trust. A holistic approach is proposed to support industry stakeholders and policymakers interested in integrating biosolutions into resilient, resource-efficient, and sustainable food systems.
- Effect of different disinfection procedures on the microbiological quality and germination efficacy of sprouted quinoa (chenopodium quinoa) flourPublication . García-Torres, Silvia Melissa; Teixeira, José António; Encina-Zelada, Christian R.; Silva, Cristina L. M.; Gomes, Ana MariaGrain processing requires sustainable and innovative alternatives. Germination, which enhances the nutritional value of grains, can also increase the microbial load, posing a challenge to food safety. In quinoa, a superfood with an exceptional nutritional profile, germination could maximize its benefits if proper methods are applied to ensure safety. The effects of different disinfection methods on mesophilic aerobic bacteria, enterobacteria, and the germination capacity of two Peruvian quinoa varieties (Rosada de Huancayo (RH) and Pasankalla (PK)) were evaluated for germinated flour production. Seven treatments were applied: four with chemical agents (200 ppm sodium hypochlorite, 4% acetic acid, 8% H2O2, and 70% alcohol) and three combined methods (sodium hypochlorite with ultrasound (35 kHz, 15 or 30 min), and hot water (50 °C) with H2O2 (2%) and acetic acid (0.1%)). All treatments significantly reduced mesophilic aerobic bacteria (1.29–4.08 log CFU/g), except alcohol (PK, RH) and sodium hypochlorite (PK). Reductions in enterobacteria (p < 0.05) ranged from 1.78 to 3.55 log CFU/g in RH; in PK, only the hot water + 2 chemical agents or 8% H2O2 treatments achieved significant reductions. The most effective treatment was hot water with H2O2 and acetic acid, which reduced bacteria and improved germination.
- Establishing the effects of climate and soil on the nutritional composition of an array of faba bean varieties grown in two different zones of Andalusia, SpainPublication . Osorio, Jazmín; Fortunato, Gianuario; Barilli, Eleonora; Rubiales, Diego; Pinto, Elisabete; Vasconcelos, Marta W.Legumes contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing fertilizer use, enhancing nitrogen fixation, and with high species diversity (~20,000 species). Spain is a leading EU producer, yielding up to 30,000 tons of different legume varieties annually. The Mediterranean climate, particularly in regions like Andalusia, is under increasing pressure from climate change, with extreme temperature variations and drought becoming more frequent. While these changes may jeopardize crop yields, limited information is available on their effects on the nutritional profile of legumes. From 2017 to 2019, six faba bean (Vicia faba) varieties were monitored in two climatically distinct areas of Andalusia to assess the impact of temperature (T) and rainfall (R) on key nutrients and bioactive compounds, including protein, minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, B), total polyphenol content (TPC), tannins (TA), and saponins (S). Spearman correlations showed that higher T negatively impacted TPC (r = ?0.40) and Mg (r = ?0.33), while positively influencing Zn (r = 0.27) and Ca (r = 0.22). Rainfall increased TPC and Mg but reduced TA, Zn, and Ca. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and PERMANOVA (p < 0.001) confirmed T, R, and yield as significant factors. These insights support breeding strategies for climate-adapted, nutrient-rich faba beans and the development of more resilient food systems.
- Suplementação vitamínica e mineral em Portugal durante o primeiro ano de vida: resultados do EPACI Portugal 2012Publication . Rêgo, Carla; Nazareth, Margarida; Lopes, Carla; Graça, Pedro; Pinto, ElisabeteIntrodução: A adequação nutricional e o status vitamínico e mineral são determinantes para a saúde, crescimento e desenvolvimento. São desconhecidas as práticas de suplementação nos lactentes portugueses. Pretendeu-se caracterizar a suplementação em vitaminas e minerais e quantificar a sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos e sanitários, numa amostra representativa nacional. Métodos: Do questionário retrospetivo, presencial, aplicado aos acompanhantes de 2232 crianças (12-36 meses) e integrado no protocolo do Estudo do Padrão Alimentar e de Crescimento na Infância - Portugal 2012, foi retirada informação relativa à toma de suplementos durante o primeiro ano de vida. Resultados: Verificou-se que 68,3% dos lactentes portugueses efetuam suplementação com vitamina D e 16,6%, 24,0 % e 4,5% efetuam, respetivamente, com ferro, vitamina C e flúor. Residir na zona Norte (exceto para o flúor) ou ser acompanhado em simultâneo por pediatra/médico de família, associa-se a maior frequência de suplementação. O acompanhamento apenas por médico de família aumenta o risco em 23,0% e 45,0% de não ser efetuada suplementação, respetivamente, com vitamina D e ferro. A prematuridade associa-se a suplementação com ferro e com multivitamínico. Maior escolaridade materna ou viver casada/em união de facto associa-se a maior frequência de suplementação em vitamina D. Discussão: Apenas dois terços dos lactentes portugueses efetuam suplementação com vitamina D, um sexto efetua com ferro e um quarto com vitamina C. A suplementação com flúor é residual e a suplementação com multivitamínico associa-se à prematuridade. Fatores socioeconómicos, o prestador de cuidados de saúde de rotina e a localização geográfica associam-se, em Portugal, à prevalência da suplementação vitamínica e mineral durante o primeiro ano de vida.
- Non-invasive bladder cancer detection: identification of a urinary volatile biomarker panel using GC-MS metabolomics and machine learningPublication . Carapito, Â.; Ferreira, V. S. Fernandes; Ferreira, A. C. Silva; Teixeira-Marques, A.; Henrique, R.; Jerónimo, C.; Roque, A. C. A.; Carvalho, F.; Pinto, J.; Pinho, P. Guedes deEarly detection of bladder cancer (BC) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limitations of current diagnostic methods, which are often invasive, expensive, or insufficiently sensitive, particularly for early-stage disease. Metabolomics approaches, when integrated with machine learning (ML) techniques, offer a powerful platform for identifying novel, non-invasive biomarkers. In this study, urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed from 87 BC patients and 90 age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Of the 90 VOCs identified, 27 were selected and used to train five ML algorithms—random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and k-nearest neighbors (k-NN). Model performance was evaluated using cross-validation and an independent validation set, with metrics including area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RF achieved the highest performance using all 27 features (AUC = 0.913; sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy = 85 %). After feature selection, an eight-VOC panel improved performance on the validation set (AUC = 0.872; sensitivity = 89 %, specificity = 92 %, accuracy = 91 %). The panel included ketones, aldehydes, a short fatty alcohol, and a phenol compound—seven elevated in BC, and one (acetone) decreased. This panel outperformed FDA-approved urinary assays and closely matched the specificity of urine cytology. These findings underscore the promise of VOC-based urinary biomarkers, in combination with ML, for the non-invasive detection of BC. Further large-scale validation studies are essential to confirm diagnostic utility and enable clinical translation.
- The impact of climate change-induced abiotic stresses on the nutritional quality of legume seedsPublication . Machado, Joana; Silva, Marta Nunes da; Vasconcelos, Marta W.; Santos, Carla S.Legumes are integral to agricultural sustainability, offering multifaceted benefits ranging from enhanced yields to companion crops and improved soil health. Despite their recognized advantages, challenges such as technological lock-ins, limited breeding resources, and adverse environmental conditions pose threats to their cultivation. In this review, the complex interaction between climate change stressors, specifically drought, high temperatures, and elevated CO 2 levels, and their individual and combined impacts on the nutritional quality of legumes will be discussed. This topic has not been thoroughly reviewed across multiple legume crops despite its importance under climate change. Here, we critically examine the impacts of environmental stresses on the nutritional quality of legume seeds and explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms, encompassing protein, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and bioactive compounds. Key insights indicate a general need to shift legume cultivation practices, and the necessity of field studies beyond controlled environments for results that are more readily translated to the target population of environments for legume cultivation.
- Advancing solar cooking: challenges, innovations, and future directionsPublication . Araújo, Ana C.; Gomes, Ana; Rodrigues, Pedro M.; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- Exploring the biodegradation of PET in mangrove soil and its intermediates by enriched bacterial consortiaPublication . Saidu, Muhammad Bashir; Moreira, Irina S.; Amorim, Catarina L.; Wu, Rongben; Ho, Yuen-Wa; Fang, James Kar-Hei; Castro, Paula M. L.; Gonçalves, DavidThe biodegradation of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is important due to the environmental impact of plastic waste. This study investigates the degradation of PET films in soil microcosms, with and without mangrove plants, and with mangrove plants bioaugmented with a bacterial consortium (Bacillus sp.- GPB12 and Enterococcus sp.- WTP31B-5) while following the evolution of soil microcosm microbiome. The ability of bacterial consortia retrieved from soil microcosms of each tested condition to degrade PET intermediates - bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), terephthalic acid (TPA), and monoethylene glycol (MEG) was also assessed. In the microcosms’ assays with mangrove plants, variations in functional groups and surface morphology detected by FTIR and SEM analysis indicated PET degradation. Soil microcosms microbiome evolved differently according to the conditions imposed, with dominance of phylum Proteobacteria in all final microcosms. After 270 days, bacterial consortia retrieved from all soil microcosms revealed to be able to completely degrade TPA within three days. MEG degradation reached ca. 84% using the consortium retrieved from the microcosm with bioaugmented mangrove plants. BHETdegradation was ca. 96% with the consortium obtained from the microcosm with non-bioaugmented mangrove plants. These intermediates are key molecules in PET degradation pathways; thus, their degradation is an indicator of biodegradation potential. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on biodegradation of PET, BHET, TPA, and MEG by microbial community from mangrove soil, providing insights into key taxa involved in PET degradation. These findings can pave a way to develop bioremediation strategies and more efficient waste management solutions.
- Microvascular, biochemical, and clinical impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcersPublication . Martins-Mendes, Daniela; Costa, Raquel; Rodrigues, Ilda; Camacho, Óscar; Coelho, Pedro Barata; Paixão-Dias, Vítor; Luís, Carla; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Fernandes, Rúben; Lima, Jorge; Soares, RaquelBackground: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and are often difficult to treat. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment to promote healing, but its long-term clinical and biological effects remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HBOT on systemic biomarkers, local microvasculature, and clinical outcomes in patients with DFUs. Methods: In this non-randomized prospective study, 20 patients with ischemic DFUs were followed over a 36-month period. Fourteen received HBOT in addition to standard care, while six received standard care alone. Clinical outcomes—including DFU resolution, recurrence, lower extremity amputation (LEA), and mortality—were assessed alongside systemic inflammatory and angiogenic biomarkers and wound characteristics at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 36 months. CD31 immunostaining was performed on available tissue samples. Results: The two groups were comparable at baseline (mean age 62 ± 12 years; diabetes duration 18 ± 9 years). At 3 months, the HBOT group showed significant reductions in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and DFU size (p < 0.05), with downward trends observed in C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and placental growth factor (PlGF), and an increase in stromal-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF1-?). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CD31+ microvessel density appeared to increase in HBOT-treated DFU tissue after one month, although the sample size was limited. Patients receiving HBOT had lower rates of LEA and mortality, improved wound healing, and sustained outcomes over three years. DFU recurrence rates were similar between groups. Conclusions: HBOT was associated with improved wound healing and favorable biomarker profiles in patients with treatment-resistant ischemic DFUs. While these findings are encouraging, the small sample size and non-randomized design limit their generalizability, highlighting the need for larger, controlled studies.
- Exploring the development of a clean-label vegan burger enriched with fermented microalgaePublication . Bassani, Joseane C.; Martins, Valter F. R.; Barbosa, Joana; Coelho, Marta; Sousa, Clara; Steffens, Juliana; Backes, Geciane T.; Pereira, Hugo; Pintado, Manuela E.; Teixeira, Paula C.; Morais, Alcina M. M. B.; Morais, Rui M. S. C.Haematococcus pluvialis and Porphyridium cruentum are red microalgae with high biotechnological potential due to their rich composition of bioactive compounds. However, their intense flavor limits their application in food products. This study evaluated the impact of fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (30 ?C for 48 h; LAB-to-biomass ratio of 0.1:1; 106 CFU/mL) on the physicochemical and functional properties of H. pluvialis and P. cruentum biomasses. Particular attention was given to antioxidant activity (ABTS and ORAC assays), color, amino acid profiles, and volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles, all of which may influence sensory characteristics. Results demonstrated that non-fermented H. pluvialis exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity (AA) than P. cruentum. After fermentation, H. pluvialis showed an ABTS value of 3.22 ± 0.35 and an ORAC value of 54.32 ± 1.79 µmol TE/100 mg DW, while P. cruentum showed an ABTS of 0.26 ± 0.00 and an ORAC of 3.11 ± 0.13 µmol TE/100 mg DW. Total phenolic content (TPC) of fermented H. pluvialis and P. cruentum was 1.08 ± 0.23 and 0.18 ± 0.026 mg GAE/100 mg DW, respectively. Both AA and TPC increased after fermentation. Fermentation also significantly affected biomass color. FTIR analysis showed intensification of protein and carbohydrate vibrational bands post-fermentation. GC-MS analysis of VOCs showed that P. cruentum contained 42 VOCs before fermentation, including trans-?-ionone, 4-ethyl-6-hepten-3-one, hexanal, and heptadienal, which are responsible for fishy and algal odors. Fermentation with Lb. plantarum significantly reduced these compounds, lowering trans-?-ionone to 0.1453 mg/L and eliminating 4-ethyl-6-hepten-3-one entirely. H. pluvialis contained 22 VOCs pre-fermentation; fermentation eliminated hexanal and reduced heptadienal to 0.1747 ± 0.0323 mg/L. These changes contributed to improved sensory profiles. Fermentation also induced significant changes in the amino acid profiles of both microalgae. The fermented biomasses were incorporated into vegan burgers made from chickpea, lentil, and quinoa. Color evaluation showed more stable and visually appealing tones, while texture remained within desirable consumer parameters. These findings suggest that Lb. plantarum fermentation is an effective strategy for improving the sensory and functional characteristics of microalgal biomass, promoting their use as sustainable, value-added ingredients in innovative plant-based foods.