Associate Laboratory for Sustainability and Tecnology in Mountain Regions

Publications

Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) and the Interaction with its hosts: A Review

Publication . Abranches de Magalhães, Tomás Thormann; Duarte, Amilcar; Tomás Marques, Natália; Pereira, José Alberto

The cultivation of citrus in the Mediterranean region is of considerable economic importance. The viability of this industry is contingent upon a number of factors, with adequate phytosanitary management being of particular significance. During the last decade, the geographical range of the invasive psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918), has expanded to the mainland territories of Portugal and Spain. Trioza erytreae acts as a vector for the Huanglongbing disease (HLB). This review presents the current knowledge about the hosts of the psyllid and their attractiveness and suitability. A classification of the hosts according to their suitability, as assessed in the literature, is provided. The attributes of the hosts and the methods used to assess their suitability are described, as well as the climatic factors that affect the psyllid–host interaction. The review emphasises the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of the interactions between the psyllids and their hosts to develop and implement more effective strategies for controlling T. erytreae.

2025-01-04Journal article

Open access

Antimicrobial and wound healing effects associated to cytocompatibility and the relationship with phytochemical profile of selected Portuguese monofloral honeys

Publication . Machado, Alexandra M.; Marto, Joana; Gonçalves, Lídia Maria; Ribeiro, Helena Margarida; Duarte, Aida; Tomás, Andreia; Falcão, Soraia I.; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Miguel, Maria da Graça; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina

Owing to its applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries honey is regarded as a functional product. This study evaluated 32 Portuguese monofloral honeys and their activity was compared with manuka honey 850 +. The antimicrobial activity was determined against Gram-positive and negative bacteria, and yeast. Antioxidant activity, wound healing ability, and cell viability were studied in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Phytochemical profile analysis was performed by UPLC/DAD/ESI-MSn. Chestnut, bell heather, eucalyptus, manuka, and strawberry tree honeys demonstrated higher antioxidant activity and were effective against S. aureus. Incense and orange honeys showed wound healing rates of 89 % and 86 %, respectively. All the honeys had cell viability above 76 %. Bell heather and strawberry tree honeys showed the highest total phenolic content, while incense and orange honeys, showed the lower ones. Phytochemical profile analysis evidenced two main clusters, one dominated by isoprenoids and norisoprenoids, as well as phenolic acids and derivatives, while the other included flavonoids as main compounds. Blending different Portuguese monofloral honeys may be an alternative to faster wound healing, by combining their diverse bioactive components. The gathered knowledge can be further explored in formulations that consider the biological activity capacity and composition of each honey.

2025-08Journal article

Restricted access