FCT2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas)
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Percorrer FCT2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas) por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "02:Erradicar a Fome"
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- Adapting mediterranean agroforestry to global change: trade-offs and lessons from the montadoPublication . Fatahi, Nour-Elhouda; Pinto-Correia, Teresa; Ferreira da Silva da Costa Freitas, Maria de Belém; Marques, João Tiago; Belhouchette, HatemThe Montado, a traditional Mediterranean agro-silvopastoral system, has historically sustained ecological and economic functions through the integration of trees, livestock, and crops. Today, its multifunctionality is increasingly threatened by climate variability, market volatility, and evolving policy frameworks. While previous research has examined Montado dynamics at landscape or plot scales, less attention has been paid to sustainability trajectories at the farm level, where management decisions are made. This study bridges that gap by assessing the sustainability dynamics of farms through a participatory, typology based, scenario approach grounded in a regional typology. We characterized three representative farm archetypes (forestry-focused, mixed agro-silvopastoral, and livestock-focused) and evaluated their trajectories under plausible future scenarios driven by climate, market, and policy pressures. Scenario outcomes were assessed using expert-based scoring (five-point scale), revealing score differences of up to two points across sustainability dimensions between farm archetypes and scenarios. Findings reveal marked trade-offs: Tree-focused farms maintain high environmental value but remain vulnerable to market and labor constraints, while livestock-specialized farms achieve higher economic output at the expense of ecological integrity. Mixed systems demonstrate greater resilience through diversification but face significant labor intensity challenges. We conclude that current “one-size-fits-all” policies generate contradictory incentives. Therefore, adaptive governance frameworks (e.g., results-based payment schemes) are essential to realign farm economics with ecological stewardship. Beyond the Montado, the approach provides insights relevant to other Mediterranean agroforestry systems facing similar sustainability challenges.
- Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of natural compounds: enhance the safety and quality of foodPublication . Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Miguel, Maria da GraçaNature has offered us a tremendous diversity of natural compounds, for which antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have been intensively explored and nowadays are plenty recognized. During the last decades both the antimicrobial action of natural compounds (preventing and limiting microbial growth) and their antioxidant properties (reducing the oxidation of fats and limiting the ripening and browning of fruit and vegetables after harvesting) have been intensively investigated, particularly in the food packaging sector, evidencing that they may represent an effective eco-friendly approach to enhance the safety and quality of food products, without an environmentally deleterious impact.
- Antioxidant and a-amylase inhibition activities of six plants used in the management of diabetes in MoroccoPublication . Aazza, Smail; El-Guendouz, Soukaina; Miguel, Maria da GraçaDiabetes mellitus is one of the major health problems in the world. Conventional antidiabetic drugs are effective; however, they also with unavoidable side effects. On the other hand, plants may be an alternative source of antidiabetic agents. In the present study, six plants (Cynara scolymus, Ceratonia siliqua, Centaurium erythraea, Marrubium vulgare, Salvia officinalis, and Ziziphus lotus reputed for their antidiabetic effect in Moroccan traditional medicine were chosen. The work was focused on the determination of the antioxidant activities by several methods, including as well as their -amylase inhibitory capacity. It was noted that S. officinalis extract contained the highest phenolic contents and the strongest ABTS and nitric oxide scavenging activities. C. erythraea has the highest total flavonoid content and the best total antioxidant activity. M. vulgare showed the best -amylase inhibitory activity and the best chelating power abreast with C. scolymus, which presented very weak antioxidant activities unless good -amylase inhibition. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a very good correlation between total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) along with 2,2'-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals scavenging activities. M. vulgare displayed the best α-amylase inhibition capacity.
- Assessing water requirements of pitaya (S. undatus) under greenhouse conditions: a first step towards optimizing irrigationPublication . Trindade, Ana Rita; Eller, Elda; Arozarena, A.; Neves, Maria Alcinda; Duarte, AmilcarThe Algarve region provides ideal edaphoclimatic conditions for cultivating subtropical and some tropical fruit species. Pitaya (Selenicereus spp.) is also aligned with Algarve’s goal of revitalizing fruit production through species that require less water. Recently introduced into commercial farming in Portugal, the expansion of this crop lacks more detailed information about its specific cultivation requirements. Although native to the humid forests of Central America, with consistent water availability, pitaya can also survive and produce in drier climates such as the Mediterranean. Nonetheless, to achieve good yields and high-quality fruit, adequate irrigation is essential. Understanding pitaya’s water needs can be challenging due to its natural water-conserving mechanisms, such as CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) and water-storing cladodes. This study aims to clarify these needs firstly by determining the daily water consumption (DWC). At the University of Algarve, a greenhouse experiment monitors the DWC of 36 plants (S. undatus) in 4-L pots, enabling precise measurement of water consumption, with and without vegetative growth. During the summer, DWC ranged between 0.02 and 0.08 L day-1, influenced by the excessively high temperatures and the low humidity. These conditions significantly increased substrate evaporation rates. The results also suggest that pitaya growth showed no correlation with DWC. Since the summer trial confirmed the negative impact of excessively high temperatures, the same experiment was conducted in the autumnwinter season, when the plants grew in more favourable conditions. Pitaya’s exceptional water efficiency, evidenced by low summer DWC, makes it ideal for waterscarce regions. Substrate or soil covering, can further enhance water use efficiency, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable and economically viable crop. Preliminary results on the DWC of these plants indicate that pitaya’s evapotranspiration seems significantly lower compared to other irrigated fruit crops in the region.
- Bacterial lipopeptides from bacillus: natural biostructuring agents for improving texture and stability in tomato-based functional foodsPublication . Gharsallah, Houda; Ngameni Tchonkouang, Rose Daphnee; Mabrouk, Aymen Ben; Jaoued, Najeh; Tas, Ozan; Boufi, Sami; Vieira, Margarida; Oztop, Mecit Halil; Zarai, ZiedIntroduction: Recent advances in functional food formulation have highlighted bacterial lipopeptides as natural biomolecules capable of replacing synthetic additives while enhancing the physicochemical properties of food systems. Their amphiphilic structure makes them promising candidates for improving texture, stability, and emulsification in complex matrices such as tomato-based products. Methods: In this study, lipopeptides produced by Bacillus strains were structurally characterized using 1 H-NMR and two-dimensional 1 H–1 H COSY spectroscopy to confirm their amphiphilic nature. Tomato-based formulations (juice and sauce) were enriched with lipopeptides at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/L. Rheological behavior was evaluated under steady-shear conditions to assess flow properties and time-dependent structural changes. Results: Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic aliphatic fatty acid chains and peptide residues, validating the lipopeptidic structure. All formulations exhibited shear-thinning behavior; however, the addition of lipopeptides significantly influenced time-dependent rheological properties. Improved texture, viscoelasticity, and stability were observed, with optimal performance achieved at low-to-moderate concentrations (H6: 0.5–1 g/kg; S15: up to 2 g/kg). Higher concentrations led to partial network disruption and reduced system stability. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that bacterial lipopeptides act as effective natural bio-structuring agents in tomato-based products. Their ability to enhance microstructural integrity and emulsification without compromising stability at optimal concentrations highlights their potential as sustainable alternatives to synthetic additives in functional food development.
- Beyond cadaster: landowners and land fragmentation—insights from a case studyPublication . Ferreira da Silva da Costa Freitas, Maria de Belém; Teixeira, Miguel; Rolo Antunes, Carla Maria; César Ribeiro, Henrique; Partidário, Maria do RosárioLand management is a relevant problem in rural areas all over the world, conditioning the planning decisions and the applicability of planning instruments. This study evaluates the limitations of cadastral data in representing land fragmentation and management patterns in wild-fire-prone landscapes, using Alferce (Portugal) as a case study with broader international relevance. Similar challenges—fragmented ownership, incomplete land registries, and increasing wildfire risk—affect many regions worldwide, particularly across the Mediterranean basin and other fire-prone rural landscapes. A mixed-methods approach combines cadastral data with field data from 23 landowners producing two datasets: cadaster-only and ownership-enhanced. Fragmentation is assessed using Simmons and Januszewki indices, supported by spatial analysis (Kernel Density and Moran’s I). Results show that cadastral data alone significantly overestimates fragmentation. While parcel-based analysis suggests a highly fragmented landscape, incorporating ownership information reveals more aggregated management structures. The 23 landowners manage 1247 ha (≈13% of the area), forming a “keystone” group with strong potential for coordinated land management and fire prevention. Higher fragmentation is associated with population centers. These findings demonstrate that cadastral units do not reflect functional management units and considerations about property fragmentation are biased by the lack of information about the owners, a key theoretical contribution with implications beyond Portugal. For policymakers, integrating ownership data and targeting key land managers can improve land use planning and wildfire mitigation and, overall, the sustainability of the territory. Despite limitations (small sample), the approach is transferable to other regions facing similar structural constraints.
- Comparative analysis of organoleptic preference and external attractiveness of ‘encore’ and ‘nadorcott’ mandarin cultivarsPublication . Zarcos Duarte, Beatriz; Matias, Pedro; Trindade, Ana Rita; Duarte, Amilcar; Deepanka SaikiaThe ‘Encore’ mandarin tree, cultivated in Portugal for long time, valued for its favour and later ripening period, faces challenges due to a rind-stain disorder afecting its external appearance. Despite its favourable attributes, the emergence of new cultivars such as ‘Nadorcott’, free from external appearance problems and with overlapping ripening periods, resulted in the marginalization of ‘Encore’ in the market. Major retailers, by prioritizing consumer preference for appearance, have contributed to the decline in ‘Encore’ cultivation. Despite this, the ‘Encore’ mandarin is still preferred by long-standing consumers who remember its greater availability in previous decades and value its characteristic taste. Currently, its distribution is mainly restricted to local markets and small-scale fruit retailers. To gauge consumer preference, we conducted a tasting and questionnaire survey with 131 randomly chosen participants, comparing ‘Encore’ and ‘Nadorcott’. The fndings revealed a clear consumer preference for the external appearance of ‘Nadorcott’, leading to a preference for purchasing it based on this criterion alone. Conversely, when evaluating internal fruit quality, consumers distinctly favoured ‘Encore’ for its aroma, sweetness, acidity and overall taste. They expressed a preference for purchasing it based solely on internal quality. However, when participants learnt that less visually appealing fruits were equivalent to the more desirable ones internally, their purchase intentions became indiferent towards both cultivars, with no signifcant diference observed. This highlights the complex interplay between perceptions of external appearance and internal organoleptic quality among consumers, challenging the assumption that appearance alone dictates purchasing decisions.
- Comparative analysis of organoleptic preference and external attractiveness of ‘Encore’ and ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin cultivarsPublication . Zarcos Duarte, Beatriz; Matias, Pedro; Trindade, Ana Rita; Duarte, AmilcarThe ‘Encore’ mandarin tree, cultivated in Portugal for long time, valued for its favour and later ripening period, faces challenges due to a rind-stain disorder afecting its external appearance. Despite its favourable attributes, the emergence of new cultivars such as ‘Nadorcott’, free from external appearance problems and with overlapping ripening periods, resulted in the marginalization of ‘Encore’ in the market. Major retailers, by prioritizing consumer preference for appearance, have contributed to the decline in ‘Encore’ cultivation. Despite this, the ‘Encore’ mandarin is still preferred by long-standing consumers who remember its greater availability in previous decades and value its characteristic taste. Currently, its distribution is mainly restricted to local markets and small-scale fruit retailers. To gauge consumer preference, we conducted a tasting and questionnaire survey with 131 randomly chosen participants, comparing ‘Encore’ and ‘Nadorcott’. The fndings revealed a clear consumer preference for the external appearance of ‘Nadorcott’, leading to a preference for purchasing it based on this criterion alone. Conversely, when evaluating internal fruit quality, consumers distinctly favoured ‘Encore’ for its aroma, sweetness, acidity and overall taste. They expressed a preference for purchasing it based solely on internal quality. However, when participants learnt that less visually appealing fruits were equivalent to the more desirable ones internally, their purchase intentions became indiferent towards both cultivars, with no signifcant diference observed. This highlights the complex interplay between perceptions of external appearance and internal organoleptic quality among consumers, challenging the assumption that appearance alone dictates purchasing decisions.
- Competitiveness of portuguese montado ewe production systems among the european ewe production systemsPublication . Ferreira da Silva da Costa Freitas, Maria de Belém; Ventura-Lucas, Maria Raquel; Izquierdo, Lola; Deblitz, ClausThe number of ewes in Portugal registers a decrease since 1998. This decrease is felt particularly in the south of the country, which concentrates almost half of the existing ewes, mainly for meat production. One of the most important ewe production systems is the Montado, a High Nature Value ecosystem, occupying ca. 1.2 million ha in Portugal. The competitiveness of this system among the European ewe production systems is an important issue for the future of the Montado ecosystem. So, the objective of this paper is to analyze the ewe production systems in the Montado, using the agri benchmark database, and compare these systems with other European countries’ systems, ranking their competitiveness and e_ciency among other systems in the European Union. We concluded that this methodology facilitated an in-depth understanding not only of the competitiveness and e_ciency of ewe production systems in Portugal but also of their positioning regarding other systems in the European Union. The pattern of returns assures that these farms are competitive in the sense that they depend on the market on their decisions, and thus it is important that market values sheep products. Nevertheless, the diversification to other income sources would be a good option for the future sustainability of these farms and the opportunities and risks that these systems will deal with in a new green economy, with probable new functions and new opportunities for land, will be a challenge for the future.
- Consortium of microalgae/nitrogen-fixing bacteria as a next-generation biofertilizer, biostimulant and biopesticidePublication . Gouveia, Luisa; Ferreira, Alice; Bastos, Carolina Vela; Avetisova, Gayane; Karapetyan, Zhaneta; Toplaghaltsyan, Anna; Melkonyan, LusineThis study aims to provide insights into a new consortium of a microalga, twelve nitrogen-fixing (N-fixing) bacteria and a cyanobacterium. The microalga Tetradesmus obliquus (T), in conjunction with various N-fixing bacteria and the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (S), the N-fixing bacterium Sphingobacterium sp. L13G8 (5), cultivated in complete Bristol medium and in Bristol-NaNO3 free conditions, were examined. The study encompassed the analysis of their consortia, including evaluation of their growth, and potential as a biostimulant, biofertilizer and biopesticide, and assessed for sedimentation performance for targeted applications. The T and N-fixing bacteria consortia had higher growth in Bristol NaNO3-free media. The triple culture TS5 had the highest growth parameter (2.4 OD540) in the same medium, followed by T5. The consortia were employed to ascertain the efficacy of their biostimulants and biofertilizers on watercress (Lepidium sativum) and to determine the potency of their biopesticides against the fungal pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani (in certain consortia). Consortium T5 demonstrated the most significant impact on the seeds germination index (212.7%) and root length (6.0 cm) of L. sativum. The same consortium had a significant impact on the shoot length (4.4 cm) of L. sativum. Among all consortia that were examined, T5 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the growth of F. oxysporum (60.6%) and R. solani (69.2%). In the same consortium, the rate of microalgal biomass sedimentation was enhanced by the N-fixing bacterium (0.4 cm h−1). Consortium T5 was the most effective in relation to growth and biomass sedimentation efficiency, in addition to its use as a biostimulant, biofertilizer and biopesticide. The created combination of microalga and N-fixing bacterium represents significant progress in the field of microalga cultivation, with notable benefits including improved biomass sedimentation and enhanced agricultural practices, as well as environmental friendliness and safety.