HERCULES Laboratory - Cultural Heritage, Studies and Safeguard

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Comparative study of the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of two types of Moroccan Euphorbia entire honey and their phenolic extracts

Publication . Boutoub, Oumaima; EL-GUENDOUZ, Soukaina; Manhita, Ana; Dias, Cristina Barrocas; Estevinho, Letícia M.; Paula, Vanessa B.; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria Clara; Rodrigues, Brígida; Raposo, Sara; Aazza, Smail; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Miguel, Maria Graça

Honey is a natural food product very famous for its health benefits for being an important source of antioxidant and phenolic compounds. Euphorbia honeys obtained from different regions of Morocco were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase activities. Their antioxidant properties were evaluated using the: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacity, nitric oxide scavenging activity (NO) and scavenging ability of superoxide anion radical. Then, the phenolic extracts of the same entire honey samples were evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS) and tested for the biological activities previously evaluated on the entire honeys, in order to conduct a comparative study between both (honey and phenolic extracts). The chromatographic profiles for the studied Euphorbia honey extracts were different. Phenolic compounds gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid were detected in all samples, whereas kampferol was only present in two samples. Physicochemical parameters and total phenolic content were also determined. Entire honey that recorded the highest rate of phenols was sample M6 (E. resinifera) = 69.25 mg GAE/100 g. On the other hand, the phenolic extracts had better antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities than the entire honeys, regardless the monofloral honey type. In conclusion, the studied Euphorbia honeys may have a great potential as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase sources for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

2021-08-17Journal article

Open Access

Estratégias alimentares dos animais domésticos do povoado de Leceia (Oeiras, Portugal) durante a transição do 4.º para o 3.º milénio a.C.: uma abordagem a partir dos isótopos estáveis

Publication . Navarrete, Vanessa; Cardoso, João Luis; Dias, Cristina Barrocas; Detry, Cleia; Curto, Ana; Waterman, Anna J.; Wright, Elizabeth; Maurer, Anne‑France

In this article, we analyse faunal samples from the Late Neolithic (Layer 4) and Early Chalcolithic (Layer 3) levels of the fortified settlement of Leceia (Oeiras, Portugal) in order to understand the management of the feeding of domestic animals recovered in these excavations. Through the analyses of stable isotopes of δ13C and δ15N in bone collagen, we aim to characterise the grazing systems and the maintenance strategies of the livestock that were consumed and raised in Leceia, in an attempt to obtain a further perspective on the economic complexity of the fortified settlements that emerged during the 3rd millennium in Portuguese Extremadura. The results show the possible use of forage to feed the animals and also seem to indicate the use of fertilised fields. This demonstrates that animal production is already based on intentional practices of animal and land management, as well as on complex exchange networks.

2024-07-30Journal article

Open Access

Variability of lesions and lesion patterns in possible treponematosis cases: Insights from an archaeological site in Tomar, Portugal

Publication . Curto, Ana; Fernandes, Teresa; Relvado, Cláudia; Ferro, Sónia; Lopes, Célia

Objective: This study aims to describe various types of skeletal lesions and lesion patterns observed in five potential cases of treponematosis from the same archaeological site. Material and methods: The study examines five adult skeletons recovered from Santa Maria do Olival, Tomar, Portugal. Macroscopic observations were conducted on all remains, supplemented by relevant radiographic investigations. Results: The analyzed individuals exhibited diverse types of skeletal lesions and distinct patterns of lesion distribution. Radiocarbon dating of two of these skeletons locates them chronologically close to the beginning of the colonial period (15th century). Discussion: The findings indicate considerable variation in the lesions and lesion patterns associated with treponematosis, even within the same archaeological site. The radiocarbon data implies the presence of pre-Columbian treponemal disease or a rapid progression to the tertiary phase of the disease. This study represents the oldest cases of treponematosis in Portugal and the only one with more than one individual affected from the same archaeological site. Considering Portugal's prominent role in the European Age of Exploration, the study underscores the significance of pathogen exchanges between Europeans, South Americans, Africans, and Asians. Future investigations should reassess Iberian osteological collections from this time period, given the historical importance of Portugal and Spain in the intercontinental movements.

2024-08-15Journal article

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