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Browsing by Author "da Silva, Manuela Moreira"

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  • Halophytes: Gourmet food with nutritional health benefits?
    Publication . Barreira, Luísa; Resek, Eva; Rodrigues, Maria Joao; Rocha, Maria Isabel; Pereira, Hugo; Bandarra, Narcisa; da Silva, Manuela Moreira; J. C. or Varela J. or Varela J.C.S., Varela; Custodio, Luisa
    Although little is known about their nutritional composition, Sarcocornia perennis subsp. perennis, S. perennis subsp. alpini and Salicornia ramosissima (Salicorniaceae) as well as Arthrocnemum macro-stachyum (Amaranthaceae) are consumed in gourmet cuisine. In spite of belonging to different families, these halophytes share morphological and organoleptic characteristics. This work explored the nutritional properties and the antioxidant potential of these species using five integrative methods. All species had a nutritional profile suitable for human consumption with high levels of protein (5.20-13.2 g/100 g dw) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA), particularly or alpha-linolenic acid (19.3-25.9% of total FA), and low concentration of toxic metals (below the limits imposed by the European Commission). These halophytes are also a good source of minerals, particularly sodium (64.1-109 mg/gdw), and S. ramosissima is an excellent source of manganese (204 mu g/g dw). However, due care should be taken not to exceed the legal limits for sodium ingestion. These plants showed also significant antioxidant potential, with high radical scavenging activity (RSA), iron reducing power and total phenolics content (20.5-49.2 mg GAE/g). A. macrostachyum had the highest RSA (lC(50-DPPH) = 0.84 mg/mL; IC50-NO = 0.60 mg/mL), and iron reducing potential (IC50= 0.84 mg/mL) along with high levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol (8.74 and 4.71 mg/100 g dw, respectively). (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
    2017-06Journal article Restricted Show more
  • Proximate biochemical composition and mineral content of edible species from the genus Cystoseira in Portugal
    Publication . Vizetto-Duarte, C; Custódio, Luísa; Barreira, Luísa; da Silva, Manuela Moreira; Rauter, Amelia P.; Albericio, Fernando; Varela, J.
    Macroalgae are valuable resources for human consumption in many countries. This work reports for the first time a comparative evaluation of the nutritional properties of five edible macroalgae from the genus Cystoseira, namely C. humilis, C. tamariscifolia, C. nodicaulis, C. compressa and C. baccata. For this purpose, their proximate composition was determined in terms of moisture, ash, and total contents of protein, lipids, carbohydrates and mineral profile. Cystoseira tamariscifolia and C. baccata were the species that in general had the higher ash, protein and lipid contents, while the highest levels of moisture and total carbohydrates were detected in C. nodicaulis and C. compressa. Cystoseira species had also high amounts of minerals, especially of potassium, calcium and iron, and a favorable Na/K ratio. The present study shows that Cystoseira has a balanced nutritional composition, suitable for human consumption, and that its intake can contribute to a healthy and well-balanced diet.
    2016-08Journal article Open Access Show more