FCT2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas)
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- 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.
- Host plant‐specific volatiles of Beauveria bassiana‐colonized plants initiate trophic plant–aphid–predator cascadesPublication . Cuenca‐Medina, María; Rodríguez Solana, Raquel; Moreno‐Rojas, José Manuel; Alcalá‐Herrera, Rafael; Quesada‐Moraga, Enrique; González‐Mas, NataliaBACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic ascomycetes (EAs) have efficacy in insect pest control through direct contact and indirectly as plant endophytes. As endophytes, they lead indirectly to pest mortality, enhance plant resilience to stresses, promote plant growth and alter plant volatile emissions. These changes can influence plant interactions with beneficial fauna, such as predators, parasitoids and pollinators. However, variation in endophytic colonization across plant species and EA strains raises questions about cultivar-specific responses within the same crop species. Here we evaluated the impact of endophytic colonization by the EA Beauveria bassiana on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of three melon cultivars: ‘Galia’, ‘Futuro’ and ‘Rinconete’. RESULTS: Beauveria bassiana colonization rates ranged from 73% (Rinconete) to 85% (Galia) and were associated with melon crop-specific VOCs such as cis-3-hexenal and N,N-dimethyldodecanamine. The B. bassiana colonization also triggered cultivar-specific VOCs including allomones and synomones that play a key role in melon–insect pest interactions which are relevant to crop protection. These included cis-3-hexenol and ⊎-phellandrene in Galia, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl alcohol in Futuro, and styrene and acetophenone in Rinconete. Differences in VOCs were evaluated in a multitrophic system involving cv. Galia, the aphid Aphis gossypii and the predator Chrysoperla carnea. Olfactometer bioassays revealed a lacewing preference for B. bassiana and aphid-infested plants. Significant differences in emissions of lacewing attractant VOCs were recorded between B. bassiana-colonized plants and controls, independent of aphid infestation. CONCLUSION: These results reinforce the potential of endophytic B. bassiana-related VOCs to be managed within integrated melon protection and production strategies tailored to specific melon varieties.
- 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.
- Exploring molecular markers associated with crumbly in Rubus idaeus L.Publication . de Souza Oliveira, Melissa Yves; Valdiviesso, Teresa; Luz, Francisco Rosado; Duarte, Amilcar; Oliveira, Pedro B.; Varela, Ana RitaThe raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), an economically important crop, is affected by the crumbly fruit disorder, a malformation that leads to fruit disintegration at harvest due to poor drupelet cohesion. Despite previous efforts to identify genetic determinants of this phenotype, its complex inheritance and strong environmental component have limited the development of robust predictive markers. This study assessed the behavior and transferability of previously reported SSR and SNP markers associated with crumbly fruit across plants from a diverse panel of 34 R. idaeus cultivars, including in adjacent genomic regions not screened previously. Phenotyping was based on multi-season fruit performance and drupelet cohesion, and genetic variation was analysed using PCR-based genotyping within a multilocus approach. Consistent clustering patterns were observed across multiple SSR and SNP loci, suggesting a reproducible association between these genomic regions and the crumbly phenotype. Overall, the results support a multilocus genetic architecture underlying crumbly fruit, but also demonstrate that previously reported markers are not universally transferable across genetic backgrounds. These findings highlight the importance of integrated, population-aware marker validation to enable more reliable implementation of marker-assisted strategies in raspberry breeding programs.
- 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.
- The ecosystem services of irrigated orchards: a reviewPublication . Matias, Pedro; Trindade, Ana Rita; Magalhães, Tomás Thormann Abranches de; Lisboa de Souza Junior, Silvio; Zarcos Duarte, Beatriz; Guerreiro David Coelho, Luísa Isabel; Freitas, Miguel João Pisoeiro de; Barrote, Isabel; Duarte, AmilcarIn the context of global population growth and intensifying climate change, ensuring food security remains a critical challenge. Orchards are more productive than arable crops, contributing significantly to the nutrition of a growing population. Ecologically, due to the absence of frequent soil tillage, orchards resemble natural forest ecosystems more closely than other agricultural systems. Irrigated orchards are particularly productive and enhance biodiversity in territories where water scarcity is the limiting factor for ecosystems. This review, the result of extensive reflection and a comprehensive analysis of the literature on orchard sustainability, synthesizes evidence on the diverse ecosystem services provided by these perennial systems. Due to their structural complexity, well-managed orchards contribute significantly to climate regulation through carbon sequestration, microclimate cooling, and soil erosion prevention. Furthermore, they support nutrient cycling and provide cultural value. This paper establishes an integrated scientific framework to inform evidence-based policies and reshape societal perceptions. It argues that recognizing orchards as multifunctional landscapes, rather than mere resource consumers, is critical for environmental resilience, supporting their fair valuation as essential components of a sustainable bioeconomy.
- Integrating constructed wetlands, microbial fuel cells, and microalgal photobioreactors for sustainable piggery wastewater treatmentPublication . Corrêa, Diego de Oliveira; Ferreira, Alice; Ribeiro, Belina; Murthy, Karan; Ganguly, Anasuya; Mutnuri, Srikanth; Gouveia, LuisaPig farming generates high-strength piggery wastewater (PWW) with extreme organic and nutrient concentrations. This research evaluated an integrated treatment system combining Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (VFCW), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), and Microalgae Photobioreactors (PBR) to enhance resource recovery, evaluate bio-electrochemical activity, and produce microalgal biomass. Findings showed that hydraulic saturation in the VFCW–MFC stage enhanced the open-circuit voltage response, reaching a maximum of 539 mV, indicative of bio-electrochemical activity. The optimized VFCW–MFC configuration, featuring pulsed feeding, achieved removals of total suspended solids (TSS, 83%) and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 69%). This integrated pretreatment mitigated ammonia toxicity and turbidity, enabling the subsequent cultivation of Tetradesmus obliquus microalga, reaching biomass yields of 1.1–1.3 g L−1 while providing crucial tertiary polishing. Overall, the combined VFCW–MFC–PBR system achieved removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and approximately 80% for COD. This synergistic approach successfully transforms PWW liabilities into valuable assets, including nutrient-rich biomass and bio-electrochemical activity, underscoring the potential of VFCW–MFC–PBR for sustainable wastewater management.
- Synthesis, characterization, hirshfeld surface analysis of V-substituted keggin polyoxotungstates and Ca2+-ATPase inhibiting potentialPublication . Meskini, Islem; Fraqueza, Gil; Capet, Frédéric; Aureliano, Manuel; Ayed, BrahimPolyoxometalates (POMs) biological and biomedical applications have attracted increasing attention over the past decades. Polyoxometalates are inorganic transition metal oxygen clusters characterized by having multiple structures and tunable electronic properties that are well-known to be effective inhibitors of many enzymes, such as ATPases. Herein, a new hybrid POM of the Keggin type, Vanadium-substituted Keggin polyoxotungstate, namely (C₆H₁₅N)₄(C₆H₁₆N)₆(VW₁₂O₄₀)₂⋅4H₂O, was synthesized via wet-chemical methods in aqueous solution. Its purity was confirmed, and the compound was fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The Keggin-type compound exhibited a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 8.25 μM toward calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+- ATPase) inhibition, as measured spectrophotometrically using a coupled pyruvate kinase/lactate dehydrogenase enzyme assay. Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed to investigate intermolecular interactions within the crystal structure, revealing differences in hydrogen bonding and oxygen-based contacts. These structural features may suggest a possible relationship with the observed biological activity; however, no direct correlation with Ca2+-ATPase inhibition can be firmly established from the present data. Therefore, the observed relationships should be considered preliminary and structural in nature, rather than mechanistic. Further computational and biological studies are required to clarify the role of these interactions in enzyme inhibition.
- Preclinical evaluation of asparagus stipularis in a rat model of metabolic syndrome and development of its nanoencapsulated formPublication . Adouni, Khaoula; Zouaoui, Olfa; Brandão, Pedro; Rijo, Patrícia; Lima, Sofia A. Costa; Reis, Salette; Achour, Lotfi; Fonte, PedroContext: Asparagus stipularis Forssk decoction (ASD) has shown potential metabolic and antioxidant benefits, yet its effects on pancreatic dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome remain insufficiently explored. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the pancreatic protective properties of ASD in high-fructose diet (HFrD)-fed rats and to characterize ASD-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) as a delivery system to enhance its therapeutic potential. Methods: Rats were fed an HFrD and treated with ASD at two dose levels. Serum α-amylase and lipase activities were measured to assess digestive enzyme modulation. Pancreatic lipid peroxidation was quantified using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), while antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined. Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate structural alterations in pancreatic tissues. ASD was encapsulated into PLGA NPs, and particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were analyzed. Results: ASD significantly reduced serum α-amylase activity to 2285.3 ± 256.6U/L (low dose) and 1846.4 ± 82.8U/L (high dose) compared to HFrD controls. Serum lipase activity decreased by 13% and 18% at the respective doses. TBARS levels were markedly reduced, and antioxidant enzyme activities were restored to near-control levels. Histological analysis revealed improved β-cell morphology and reduced acinar degeneration. ASD-loaded PLGA NPs exhibited a mean size of 248 ± 5nm, PdI of 0.13 ± 0.01, ZP of −24.7 ± 1.3mV, and an EE of 75.5 ± 3.2%. Conclusion: ASD demonstrates significant pancreatic protective effects, and nanoencapsulation enhances its therapeutic promise for metabolic disorders.
- Microplastic distribution and risk assessment in soil environment across Asian regionsPublication . Rehman, Zia Ur; Song, Jing; Wang, Chunhui; Nunes, Luís; Kazmi, Syed Shabi Ul Hassan; Azeem, Muhammad; Fu, Linxuan; Zhang, Yu; Li, GangPlastic pollution has emerged as a growing global environmental problem in recent years. As a major region for plastic production and consumption, Asia is at the forefront of this challenge. Although multiple studies have focused on microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic systems in the region, understanding of their distribution characteristics and ecological impacts in terrestrial ecosystems remains limited, particularly at an intercontinental scale. In addition, standardized ecological risk assessment methods and predictive frameworks for soil microplastics (MPs) remain lacking. This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of MP pollution in Asian countries, focusing on the differences between various regions in terms of quantity density, morphological characteristics (shape, size, and color), and land-use types. By integrating data from 128 studies published between 2018 and 2025, totaling 3370 sampling points, a comprehensive database was constructed to reveal the MP distribution patterns and potential risks. The analysis found significant spatial heterogeneity in Asian regions, with higher concentrations found in South Eastern Asia (8227.55 items/kg), Eastern Asia (3122.73 items/kg), and Southern Asia (2407.07 items/kg). The highest quantity densities of MPs were found in industrial and urban soils (4995.2 and 4359.6 items/kg), followed by agricultural soils (2812.8 items/kg), shedding light on the influence of intensive human activities and plastic inputs. In terms of morphological characteristics, fragments, fibers, and films shaped MPs predominated in most soils, with white, transparent, and black particles being the most common. Moreover, the analysis suggested possible vertical migration and gradual accumulation of MPs within soil profiles. Based on spatial distribution and morphological characteristics, this study evaluated the ecological risk using pollution load index and potential ecological risk index suggesting that certain regions may exhibit comparatively higher reported risk levels under the present assessment framework, particularly in Viet Nam, Indonesia, India, Iran, Bangladesh, and China, based on the currently available dataset. Lastly, machine learning models were applied for preliminary classification of soil MP ecological risk levels, with the random forest model showing the highest accuracy (99.5%), followed by GBDT (98.6%) and KNN (88.4%). This study provides spatial evidence for risk-oriented and predictive assessment of soil MP pollution across Asia and offers data support for future management and policy interventions.