Development of intelligent packaging based on raw materials obtained from the rhodophyte Porphyridium cruentum

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Dunaliella viridis TAV01: A halotolerant, Protein-Rich Microalga from the Algarve Coast

Publication . Bombo, Gabriel; Cristofoli, N. L.; Santos, Tamara; Schüler, Lisa M.; Maia, Inês Beatriz; Pereira, Hugo; Barreira, Luísa; Varela, João

Tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, high growth rates and an amino acid profile adequate for human consumption are beneficial features observed in Dunaliella viridis TAV01, a novel strain isolated from a salt pond in the Algarve, Portugal. TAV01 was identified down to the species level by maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers one and two regions (ITS1 and ITS-2) and was supported by ITS2 secondary structure analysis. The biochemical profile revealed high protein (35.7 g 100 g−1 DW; 65% higher than the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization) and lipid contents (21.3 g 100 g−1 DW), a relatively higher proportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), α-linolenic (26.3% of total fatty acids (TFA)) and linoleic acids (22.8% of TFA), compared to those of other Dunaliella strains, and a balanced essential amino acids profile containing significant levels of leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and threonine. The major carotenoid was lutein, making up over 85% of total carotenoids. The presence of high-quality natural products in D. viridis TAV01 offers the possibility of using this new strain as a valuable biological resource for novel feed or food products as ingredients or supplements.

2023-02-07Journal article

Open access

Advances in the food packaging production from Agri-Food waste and by-products: Market trends for a sustainable development

Publication . Cristofoli, Nathana L.; Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Tchonkouang, Rose Daphnee; Quintino, Andreia; Vieira, Margarida

Agricultural waste has been a prominent environmental concern due to its significant negative impact on the environment when it is incinerated, disposed of in landfills, or burned. These scenarios promoted innovations in the food packaging sector using renewable resources, namely agri-food waste and by-products such as bagasse, pulps, roots, shells, straws, and wastewater for the extraction and isolation of biopolymers that are later transformed into packaging materials such as bioplastics, biofilms, paper, and cardboards, among others. In this context, the circular bioeconomy (CBE) model is shown in the literature as a viable alternative for designing more sustainable production chains. Moreover, the biorefinery concept has been one of the main links between the agri-food chain and the food packaging industry. This review article aimed to compile recent advances in the food packaging field, presenting main industrial and scientific innovations, economic data, and the challenges the food packaging sector has faced in favor of sustainable development.

2023-04-03Journal article

Open access

Structural characterization of exopolysaccharides obtained from Porphyridium cruentum exhausted culture medium

Publication . Cristofoli, Nathana L.; Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Rosa Da Costa, Ana; Evtyugin, Dmitry; Silva, Carlos; Varela, João; Vieira, Margarida

Microalgae produce and secrete large quantities of polysaccharides into the culture medium that is discarded when biomass is separated. The main objective of this study was to add value to the exhausted culture medium (ECM) of Porphyridium cruentum through the recovery of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) by different extracting and purifying methods for the future biotechnological applications. The ECM was submitted to pre-cipitation with cold absolute ethanol, using ultrasound, dialysis, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as purification methods. The purification provided a lower yield, with higher car-bohydrate content. The TCA purified sample presented up to twice as much total carbo-hydrates as the non-purified samples, mainly composed of xylose, galactose, and glucose. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed the smooth structure of P. cruentum EPS, in which TCA post-treatment and dialysis allowed obtaining larger and purest par-ticles, being a good candidate for film making. Microalgal polymeric by-products are a sustainable source to recover valuable compounds, and the purification treatment proved to be an important step to valorize this material.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Institution of Chemical Engineers. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creati-vecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

2023Journal article

Open access

Comparative study of the production of cellulose nanofibers from agro-industrial waste streams of Salicornia ramosissima by acid and enzymatic treatment

Publication . Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Cristofoli, Nathana L.; Rosa Da Costa, Ana; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Vieira, Margarida

The study of the suitability of two isolation processes to produce cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from Salicornia ramosissima waste, with potential applicability as a reinforcing agent of polymeric composites was carried out. To separate the cellulose fibrils from the cell wall and obtain CNFs an alkaline treatment was applied followed by a bleaching treat-ment and, the insoluble residue was next hydrolyzed by either an acid treatment (AT) or an enzyme treatment (ET). SEM and TEM images indicated fiber exposure caused by both treatments. The diameter, length, aspect ratio, and polydispersity index, were measured for both CNFs. CNF (ET) showed high zeta potential values suggesting that ET produces more electrically stable and thinner nanofibers. The FTIR spectra revealed that both treatments effectively removed the amorphous components allowing the CNFs isolation, and XRD patterns evidenced the increase in the degree of crystallinity of both CNFs. Nonetheless, CNF(AT) presented a lower mechanical resistance due to its smaller particle size, compared to the CNF(ET). In summary, the (ET) could successfully isolate CNFs from the Salicornia waste, encouraging the use of this treatment, once when compared to (AT), it does not generate toxic residues, presents mild thermal conditions, and produces CNFs with higher-value applications.

2023Journal article

Open access

UV-C light: a promising preservation technology for vegetable-based nonsolid food products

Publication . Tchonkouang, Rose Daphnee; Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Quintino, Andreia; Cristofoli, Nathana L.; Vieira, Margarida

A variety of bioactive substances present in fruit- and vegetable-processed products have health-promoting properties. The consumption of nutrient-rich plant-based products is essential to address undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Preservation is paramount in manufacturing plant-based nonsolid foods such as juices, purees, and sauces. Thermal processing has been widely used to preserve fruit- and vegetable-based products by reducing enzymatic and microbial activities, thereby ensuring safety and prolonged shelf life. However, the nutritional value of products is compromised due to the deleterious effects of thermal treatments on essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. To prevent the loss of nutrients associated with thermal treatment, alternative technologies are being researched extensively. In studies conducted on nonsolid food, UV-C treatment has been proven to preserve quality and minimize nutrient degradation. This review compiles information on the use of UV-C technology in preserving the nutritional attributes of nonsolid foods derived from fruit and vegetables. The legislation, market potential, consumer acceptance, and limitations of UV-C are reviewed.

2023-08-27Journal article

Open access