ESACB - Comunicações em encontros científicos e técnicos
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- Spectroscopic insights into prodigiosin pigment production by Serratia marcescensPublication . Ferraz, Ana Rita Simões; Fernandes, Mariana; Goulão, Manuela; Pintado, Cristina Santos; Anjos, O.The appearance of cheese can be influenced by the intentional use of dyes such as paprika that color its rind, particularly in smear-ripened cheeses. In addition to this intentional addition, some microorganisms naturally present in cheeses can produce pigments that lead to color defects that negatively impact consumer acceptance and economic profitability. Serratia marcescens can produce a red pigment known as prodigiosin (Di Salvo, 2023). Prodigiosin is the most prominent secondary metabolite in the group of prodiginin compounds, with cycloprodigiosine, metacycloprodigiosine, undecylprodigiosin, prodigiosin R1, and streptorubin B (Stankovic et al., 2014). It was evaluated the prodigiosin production in two bacterial cultures Serratia marcescens ESACB 596 and Serratia marcescens ESACB 734, sourced from the Microbial Culture Collection of the Microbiology Laboratory of Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Portugal, with the aim to determine the optimal conditions to produce pink pigment. To achieve this, experiments were performed in three culture media (Luria Broth (LB), Nutritive Broth (NB) and Peptone Glycerol Phosphate (PGP), at two pH levels (7.5 and 8.0) and two different temperatures (22 °C and 28 °C).
- Comparison of FT-Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopy for distinguishing between two honey PDOsPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Ferreira, Ana; Catarro, Gonçalo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Peres, Maria de Fátima; Anjos, OféliaVibrational spectroscopy has demonstrated high applicability for honey analysis, offering rapid, non-destructive and accurate methods for assessing its chemical composition, identifying different honey regions and ensuring authenticity. In this study, we compare the usefulness of FT-Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopy techniques in distinguishing between two Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) of honey, name quality, determined according to the standard methods of the International Honey Commission including acidity, pH, moisture, water activity (aw), electrical conductivity (EC), total polyphenols (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and CIELAB color (L*, a*, b*), as well as the color in PFUND scale. The values observed for the analytical parameters are all in accordance with legal limits.
- Comparative analysis of bee pollen quality following different storage techniquesPublication . Anjos, O.; Seixas, Natália; Antunes, Carlos; Campos, Maria da Graça; Paula, Vanessa; Estevinho, Leticia M.Bee pollen is aknowledged as a versatile natural food valued for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, attributed to its rich chemical composition boasting notable bioactivities like antioxidant and antimicrobial.
- A GIS-based network analysis of urban green spaces accessibility and greenness: A case study in PortugalPublication . Teixeira, M.C.C.; Gonçalves, Dina; Martins Roque, Natália; Alegria, Cristina MariaUrban green spaces are an integral part of any urban area, and their benefits and importance are very well known. Usually, urbanization results in a high level of biodiversity loss. Living in an urban environment with easy accessto green areasis very important for most people. The aim of thisstudy was evaluating the amount of urban green spaces and the connectivity and accessibility (walking distances) of urban green spaces to the population. Urban green spaces were identified, georeferenced and digitalized using ArcGIS software. Population census data were used to explore its accessibility to the population. The analysis of the existing network of green corridors in the city was performed using the roads network and urban green spaces as nodes by the Network Analyst extension in ArcGIS software. Twelve green areas of the city were recognized as network nodes, and the pedestrian distances between them were measured, as well as different coverage areas that allowed analysing the density of existing green spaces. The results showed that the index of green areas obtained for the main green structure (urban green spaces 5, 6 10 and 12) has found to be below the recommend (17 m2 per inhabitant) while for the secondary green structure (the remaining urban green spaces) the value is in accordance with the recommended (10 m2 per inhabitant). The total length of the network is approximately 266 km, and the green corridors occupy approximately 117 km (44%). So, more than half the road network does not have green corridors. The resulting walking route for the shortest path, considering all the selected urban green spaces, has a total length of approximately 11.4 km considering its ends the nodes 9 and 3 (initial and final or vice-versa). Regarding the presence of green corridors in this route only 33% has no vegetation (3.8 km). This study can serve as a tool to support green areas planning throughout the city. In areas with less green density, restoration actions could be promoted, maintaining the pre-existing vegetation, and improving the index of green areas per inhabitant. The green corridors maintenance and planning can also be a part of the strategy to improve biodiversity in urban areas.
- Pyrenean oak forests under global change - integrating projected suitable areas in management planPublication . Passos, Isabel; Almeida, Alice A.; Vila-Viçosa, Carlos; Ribeiro, Maria Margarida; Figueiredo, AlbanoForests provide broad ecosystem services (ES), and their contribution to regulation and maintenance services (e.g. carbon sequestration, soil formation, habitat protection, erosion control) explains why forest recovery/expansion is an effective nature-based solution for climate change mitigation. Thus, forest restoration measures must integrate results about expected changes in species distribution, as future climate change may promote range shifts and suitable habitat loss, followed by species turnover. Expected changes in forest species’ potential distribution should be considered in forest ecosystem restoration planning actions, to increase long-term success, and enhance ES at long term. Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) is a native species to the western Mediterranean Basin, and a structural tree in central and northern inland Portugal forests, together with pedunculate oak (Q. robur subsp. broteroana). Despite the extensive potential growing area, it has a fragmented distribution due to fast-growing forest species reforestation, agriculture, and other land-use impacts. In this work, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to assess changes in suitable areas for the Pyrenean oak under two climate change scenarios (SSP370 and SSP585), aiming to guide forest recovery measures dedicated to ES enhancement at long term. The Pyrenean oak's entire native range was considered in the models’ calibration, and different algorithms were used. The results suggest that the species' total suitable area will be negatively affected by climate change in the future, with a clear suitability turnover with other oak species, namely more dryness-adapted ones. Overall, Quercus pyrenaica suitable area will decline, and management actions should consider this aspect in future restoration plans, especially at the edges of its current distribution area
- How will climate change impact maritime pine forest distribution and productivity in PortugalPublication . Alegria, Cristina Maria; Almeida, Alice M.; Ribeiro, Maria Margarida; Martins Roque, Natália; Fernandez, Paulo; Gerassis, Saki; Albuquerque, Maria TeresaPortuguese maritime pine forests are severely affected by forest fires. The study aimed at modelling: (1) species’ current distribution and productivity; and (2) species’ distribution for projected future climate change scenarios. The land cover, national forest inventory, and environmental data were used. A Bayesian Machine Learning (ML) analysis allowed exploring the most influential environmental variables. Species’ spatial productivity was modelled by stochastic Sequential Gaussian Simulation. Species’ potential distribution modelling was performed using two methodological approaches: (1) ML algorithms (Random Forest and Maximum Entropy); and (2) GIS map algebra (ecological envelopes) maps regarding a set of environmental variables and previously known thresholds. Results showed that species distribution was mainly determined by precipitation-related variables, but elevation and temperature related variables were important to differentiate species productivity. Species’ distribution for the present using ML modelling provided fitting efficiencies around 70% and matched well the species’ current distribution. The species ecological envelope map for the present was closer to the species’ empiric potential distribution. Climate change impacts on species’ future distributions by the ML approach were moderate with areas being relocated (47.3% regular-medium-high suitability area to 48.7%–48.3% in the future). The impacts in species’ ecological envelopes maps were higher and with greater future losses than the latter (76.5% regular-favourable-optimum suitability area to 58.2%–51.6% in the future). The two approaches showed a 44% concordance in the present, decreasing to 30%–35% in the future. These maps are key to support recommendations to set species' best suitability areas in planning future afforestation to attain fire-resilient landscapes, enhanced forest ecosystems biodiversity, functionality, and productivity under climate change scenarios.
- How people perceive the ecosystem services provided by Pyrenean oak forestsPublication . Paula, Anabela; Passos, IsabelThe Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) is an autochthonous tree in Portugal, predominant in the supramediterranean north and center inland. Despite having an extensive potential area in Portugal, the species has a fragmented distribution due to the long-lasting impact of agriculture and afforestation. The ecological meaning and the vast range of ecosystem services (ES) provided by oak forests are recognized by the scientific community. However, the public's perception of those forests' importance as ES providers, is unknown. We aim to evaluate people’s perceptions on Pyrenean oak forests as a source of ES in the CULTIVAR project study area (www.icultivar.pt). An online survey was carried out to assess: a) which ES are assumed to be provided by those forests (provisioning,regulating and maintenance, and culturalservices), b) which ES the respondents consider to benefit directly and c) how much they value the ES obtained and how to increase this value. The main perceived provisioning services were: the use of oak as firewood, the use of oak forest as a hunting site, a livestock grazing site, and for wild mushroom collection. Nevertheless, most respondents consider not directly profit from those ES, except for firewood and mushroom picking. In opposition, culturalservices seem to be well perceived and enjoyed, being forest oaks considered as a natural heritage that must be preserved, and an important recreation and nature observation area. The ES respondents consider that society and themselves benefit directly from most of the regulation & maintenance ES provided by oak forest. The public’s opinion about this forest value and ES are critical in helping policymakers' decisions and fostering more suitable policies for the sector. The perceptions about such forests and their benefits will also help to identify opportunities to improve communication strategies, which might greatly impact society and its various stakeholders.
- Effects of olive mill waste compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi application on soil fertilityPublication . Carneiro, J.P.; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Veloso, Abel; Batista, Marta; Antunes, Ângela; Almeida, C.A.M.Olive mill waste (OMW) is a common by-product of olive oil production, which has a high plant and microbial toxicity. However, composted OMW can be safely used as a soil fertilizer.
- Avaliação do efeito fertilizante de lama de digestão anaeróbia provenientes de biorresíduos da atividade agropecuáriaPublication . Monteiro, M.C.H.; Batista, Marta; Antunes, Ângela; Dias, Isabel; Carneiro, J.P.; Veloso, AbelO objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar o efeito fertilizante de um digerido obtido a partir da co-digestão de chorume de suíno e de resíduos de cereais, por comparação com a fertilização mineral tradicional (FM).
- Nutritional assessment and comparative study between two Clupeiform speciesPublication . Pitacas, F.I.; Benito Bernáldez, Maria José; Blasco Ruiz, Manuel; Lopéz González, José Antonio; Casquete Palencia, Rocio; Anjos, O.; Rodrigues, A.M.Nutritional assessment and comparative study between two Clupeiform species