CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute

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Valorization of cork stoppers, coffee-grounds and walnut shells in the development and characterization of Pectin-Based composite films: Physical, barrier, antioxidant, genotoxic, and biodegradation properties

Publication . Cruz, Rui; Rainer, Bernhard; Wagner, Isabella; Krauter, Victoria; Janalíková, Magda; Vicente, António A.; Vieira, Jorge M.

The development of sustainable materials from the valorization of waste is a good alternative to reducing the negative environmental impact of plastic packaging. The objectives of this study were to develop and characterize pectin-based composite films incorporated with cork or cork with either coffee grounds or walnut shells, as well as to test the films’ genotoxicity, antioxidant properties, and biodegradation capacity in soil and seawater. The addition of cork, coffee grounds, or walnut shells modified the films’ characteristics. The results showed that those films were thicker (0.487 ± 0.014 mm to 0.572 ± 0.014 mm), more opaque (around 100%), darker (L* = 25.30 ± 0.78 to 33.93 ± 0.84), and had a higher total phenolic content (3.17 ± 0.01 mg GA/g to 4.24 ± 0.02 mg GA/g). On the other hand, the films incorporated only with cork showed higher values of elongation at break (32.24 ± 1.88% to 36.30 ± 3.25%) but lower tensile strength (0.91 ± 0.19 MPa to 1.09 ± 0.08 MPa). All the films presented more heterogeneous and rougher microstructures than the pectin film. This study also revealed that the developed films do not contain DNA-reactive substances and that they are biodegradable in soil and seawater. These positive properties could subsequently make the developed films an interesting eco-friendly food packaging solution that contributes to the valorization of organic waste and by-products, thus promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of plastic materials.

2024-04-11Journal article

Open Access

Impact of temperature on Phenolic and Osmolyte contents in In Vitro cultures and micropropagated plants of two mediterranean plant species, Lavandula viridis and Thymus lotocephalus

Publication . Mansinhos, Inês; Gonçalves, Sandra; Rodríguez Solana, Raquel; Ordóñez-Díaz, José Luis; Moreno-Rojas, José Manuel; Romano, Anabela

In this study, in vitro cultures and micropropagated plants of two Mediterranean aromatic plants, Lavandula viridis L’Hér and Thymus lotocephalus López and Morales, were exposed to different temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30 ◦C). The effect of temperature on the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ), lipid peroxidation, and osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins), as well as on the phenolic profile by HPLC-HRMS and intermediates of the secondary metabolism (phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and shikimic acid content), was investigated. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was also analyzed. Overall, considering the lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, the extreme temperatures (15 and 30 ◦C) caused the greatest damage to both species, but the osmoprotectant response was different depending on the species and plant material. In both species, phenolic compounds and related antioxidant activity increased with the rise in temperature in the micropropagated plants, while the opposite occurred in in vitro cultures. L. viridis cultures showed the highest biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid (92.6 g/kgDW) at 15 ◦C and seem to be a good alternative to produce this valuable compound. We conclude that contrasting temperatures greatly influence both species’ primary and secondary metabolism, but the response is different depending on the plant micropropagation stage.

2022-12-14Journal article

Open Access

Carob: A mediterranean resource for the future

Publication . Martins-Loução, Maria Amélia; Correia, Pedro José; Romano, Anabela

For centuries, the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has contributed to the economy of the Mediterranean basin, mainly as food for livestock. Nowadays, the value of the carob tree extends far beyond its traditional uses, encompassing a wide range of industries and applications that take advantage of its unique properties and nutritional benefits. Despite its high industrial demand and European indications, there has been a 65% reduction in the area cultivated throughout the Mediterranean area in the 21st century. Given the threats posed by climate change, including reduced water availability and nutrient-depleted soils, there is a growing need to focus on this crop, which is well placed to cope with unpredictable weather. In this review, we use a bibliographic search approach to emphasise the prioritisation of research needs for effective carob tree exploitation. We found enormous gaps in the scientific knowledge of this under-utilised crop species with fruit pulp and seeds of high industrial value. Insufficient understanding of the biology of the species, as well as inadequate agronomic practices, compromise the quantity and the quality of fruits available to the industry. In addition to industrial applications, carob can also be used in reforestation or restoration programmes, providing a valuable crop while promoting biodiversity conservation and soil restoration. The carbon sequestration potential of the trees should be taken into account as a promising alternative in fighting climate change. This bibliographic search has highlighted clusters with different knowledge gaps that require further research and investment. The carob tree has untapped potential for innovation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

2024-04-25Journal article

Open Access

Anti-obesogenic effects of plant natural products: A focus on Korean traditional foods

Publication . Gitishree Das; Luis Alfonso Jiménez Ortega; J. Basilio Heredia; Maria de Lourdes Gomes Pereira; Han-Seung Shin; Jayanta Kumar Patra; Gonçalves, Sandra; Romano, Anabela

Background Natural products from food can play an important role in obesity management. Korean traditional food (KTF), characterized by a high inclusion of fresh or prepared vegetables, a reasonable contribution of fish, pulses, and with very little amount of meat, is one of the most recognized cuisines for its nutritional quality, diversity, and flavor. The traditional Korean food contains relevant phytochemicals and probiotic microorganisms with anticancer, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-obesogenic properties. Scope Obesity is a chronic degenerative pathology which causes adverse effects on health, low quality of life, and social costs. The use of fermentation as a conservation/preparation method increases the functional value of KTF, conferring new medicinal properties such as anti-obesogenic. Key findings and conclusions This review article summarizes data about the anti-obesogenic properties of phytochemicals and KTF. Reviewed results indicated that several phytochemicals present in KTF (e.g., flavonoids, saponins, terpenes) exerted anti-obesogenic effects due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of enzymes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, inflection of lipid homeostasis, thermogenic, life cycle of adipocyte, and appetite suppression. Besides, both in vivo and medical research have showed that fermented products extensively included in KTF have a positive effect on the reduction of obesity through different mechanisms particularly by altering human metabolism and affecting gut microbiota. Some molecular mechanisms among these anti-obesogenic agents, are referred in research, focused on the search for phytochemicals that can intervene with leptin sensitizers, GLP1/glucagon dual agonists, GIP/GLP1/glucagon tri-agonists, amylin/calcitonin dual agonists, Y2R agonists, GIP/GLP1 dual agonists, drugs targeting the ghrelin pathway, and GLP1R agonists. Overall, the current review highlights the anti-obesogenic impact of KTF in accordance with the low rate of obesity in the Korean population.

2024-06Journal article

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Advancements in detection and mitigation strategies for Petroleum-Derived contaminants in aquatic environments: a comprehensive review

Publication . Duarte, Hugo; Aliaño González, María José; Medronho, Bruno

The exponential increase in the production and transportation of petroleum-derived products observed in recent years has been driven by the escalating demand for energy, textiles, plastic-based materials, and other goods derived from petroleum. Consequently, there has been a corresponding rise in spills of these petroleum derivatives, particularly in water sources utilized for transportation or, occasionally, illegally utilized for tank cleaning or industrial equipment maintenance. Numerous researchers have proposed highly effective techniques for detecting these products, aiming to facilitate their cleanup or containment and thereby minimize environmental pollution. However, many of these techniques rely on the identification of individual compounds, which presents significant drawbacks, including complexity of handling, subjectivity, lengthy analysis times, infeasibility for in situ analysis, and high costs. In response, there has been a notable surge in the utilization of sensors or generalized profiling techniques serving as sensors to generate characteristic fingerprints of these products, thereby circumventing the aforementioned disadvantages. This review comprehensively examines the evolution of techniques employed for detecting petroleum-derived products in water samples, along with their associated advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the review examines current perspectives on methods for the removal and/or containment of these products from water sources, to minimize their environmental impact and the associated health repercussions on living organisms and ecosystems.

2024-05-21Journal article

Open Access