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- Assessment of mineral and organic compounds from livestock effluentsPublication . Oliveira, Verónica; Vitória, Cláudia; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Anjos, O.; Gallardo, EugeniaO processo eletrodialítico (ED) permite extrair macronutrientes (nitrogénio (N), fósforo (P), cálcio (Ca), potássio (K) e magnésio (Mg)) de efluentes pecuários, para obtenção de fertilizantes minerais de base biológica.
- Characterization of mineral composition and nutritional value of acacia green podsPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Antunes, Carlos Alberto Lopes; Monteiro, M.C.H. Carmo; Pitacas, F.I.; Gonçalves, Joana; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, OThe Acacia genus is considered one of the most invasive taxa in some habitats, namely coastal dunes, maritime calcareous soils, fresh lands in the valleys, mountainous areas, and the banks of watercourses and roadsides. In Portugal, the severity risk is very high, so this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and mineral contents of the green pods as a potential source for livestock feeds and soil fertilizer because, as far as we know, there is no use for this species. The seven different species of Acacia (Acacia mearnsii Link, Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd, Acacia melanoxylon R. Br., Acacia pycnantha Bentham, Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia retinodes Schlecht, and Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don fil) were evaluated. The results showed that Acacia green pods have a high protein, fibre and minerals content, especially in potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). All species present a different profile of the studied parameters, suggesting different potentials for their future use. Near-infrared spectroscopy was a potential tool to predict the earlier quality of the Acacia green pods to better select the raw material for the different applications.
- Volatilomics as an emerging strategy to determine potential biomarkers of female infertility: a pilot studyPublication . Brinca, Ana Teresa; Anjos, O.; Alves, Maria Manuel; Sousa, Ângela; Oliani, António Hélio; Breitenfeld, Luísa; Passarinha, Luís A.; Ramalhinho, Ana Cristina; Gallardo, EugeniaDue to its high prevalence, infertility has become a prominent public health issue, posing a significant challenge to modern reproductive medicine. Some clinical conditions that lead to female infertility include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure (POF). Follicular fluid (FF) is the biological matrix that has the most contact with the oocyte and can, therefore, be used as a predictor of its quality. Volatilomics has emerged as a non-invasive, straightforward, affordable, and simple method for characterizing various diseases and determining the effectiveness of their current therapies. In order to find potential biomarkers of infertility, this study set out to determine the volatomic pattern of the follicular fluid from patients with PCOS, endometriosis, and POF. The chromatographic data integration was performed through solid-phase microextraction (SPME), followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings pointed to specific metabolite patterns as potential biomarkers for the studied diseases. These open the door for further research into the relevant metabolomic pathways to enhance infertility knowledge and diagnostic tools. An extended investigation may, however, produce a new mechanistic understanding of the pathophysiology of the diseases.
- Chemical composition and nutritional value of flowers and fruits of Cytisus striatus (Hill) RothmPublication . Caramelo, Débora; Pitacas, F.I.; Vitória, Cláudia; Gonçalves, Joana; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, O.In ancient times, the shoots of certain species within the Cytisus genus were used as animal feed. Cytisus striatus is a plentiful and widespread shrub that has long been utilized as a soil fertilizer in the Iberian Peninsula. The flowers of this shrub have traditionally been employed for medicinal purposes. However, the nutritional value of yellow broom flowers and fruits remains largely unexplored. In this study, flowers and fruit of C. striatus (Cytisus striatus) were collected from natural shrubs at three different locations in Portugal during the same year. An analytical assessment of their macro and micronutrient content was conducted. Regarding nutritional composition, flowers and fruits exhibited a fibre content of 18% and 42%, protein content of 21% and 12%, lipid content of 2% and 1%, carbohydrate content of 43% and 14%, and ash content of 4% and 3%, respectively. Potassium was the most abundant mineral, with concentrations of approximately 20,094 mg/kg in the flowers and 11,746 mg/kg in the fruits, followed by calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Compared to some edible flowers and fruits, these plant parts of C. striatus showed macro and micronutrient values similar to species such as lavender, lupins, and cowpea pod husks.
- Use of acacia pods as a source of vegetal organic matter for soilPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Antunes, Carlos Alberto Lopes; Pitacas, F.I.; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, O.Incorporating vegetal organic matter into the soil releases nutrients and increases its contents in organic matter, which can provide higher soil productivity and lower susceptibility to compaction. Acacia is an invasive plant in Portugal, and the huge seed bank incorporated into the soil every year is problematic for their dissemination. Suppose the green pods can have a sustainable use contributing to soil fertility. In that case, it will be possible to reduce this seed bank and contribute to delaying the proliferation of this species. In this work, the value, and mineral elements contents of Acacia pycnantha, A. retinodes and A. longifolia green pods were evaluated concerning their potential use as soil fertilizers.
- Casting light on the chemical characterization of acacia podsPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Fernandes, Tiago A.; Antunes, Alexandra M.M.; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, O.Invasive species impose a strain on natural ecosystems by contributing to the loss of certain native species. Acacia species are amongst the most aggressive invasive species in Portugal. In this work, Acacia retinodes, A. longifolia, A. melanoxylon, A. pycnantha and A. dealbata pods were studied concerning the extraction of compounds for potential industrial application.
- First chemical profile analysis of acacia podsPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Fernandes, Tiago A.; Luís, Ângelo; Antunes, Alexandra M.M.; Gonçalves, José Carlos; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, O.This study intended to evaluate the potential industrial applications of various Acacia species (Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia longifolia, Acacia cyclops, Acacia retinodes, Acacia pycnantha, Acacia mearnsii, and Acacia dealbata) by examining their chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, a comprehensive analysis successfully identified targeted compounds, including flavonoids (flavonols/flavones) and phenolic acids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ellagic acid. Additionally, p-coumaric acid was specifically identified and quantified within the hydroxycinnamic aldehydes. This comprehensive characterization provides valuable insights into the chemical profiles of the studied species. Among the studied species, A. pycnantha exhibited a higher concentration of total phenolic compounds, including catechin, myricetin, quercetin, and coniferaldehyde. Furthermore, A. pycnantha displayed notable antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and B. cereus. The identified compounds in Acacia pods and their shown antibacterial activities exhibit promising potential for future applications. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy was a reliable method for distinguishing between species. These significant findings enhance our understanding of Acacia species and their potential for various industrial applications.
- Wine spirit ageing with chestnut staves under different micro-oxygenation strategies: effects on the volatile compounds and sensory profilePublication . Caldeira, Ilda; Vitória, Cláudia; Anjos, O.; Fernandes, Tiago A.; Gallardo, Eugenia; Fargeton, Laurent; Boissier, Benjamin; Catarino, Sofia; Canas, SaraThe purpose of this work is to evaluate the wine spirit aged by an alternative process (staves combined with different micro-oxygenation levels) and its comparison with the traditional process (wooden barrels). This evaluation was made by analyzing the volatile compounds and sensory profile of the spirits during 365 days of ageing. The findings confirmed the role played by oxygen in the volatile profile of aged wine spirits. Samples of alternative ageing modalities were well distinguished from those of wooden barrels based on the volatile profile, namely on the concentrations of several volatile phenols. From a sensory point of view, the results are promising with high overall consistency scores obtained from samples of alternative ageing process modalities.
- Insights into the bioactivities and chemical analysis of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) SwinglePublication . Caramelo, Débora; Pedro, Soraia; Marques, Hernâni; Simão, Ana Y.; Rosado, Tiago; Barroca, Celina; Gominho, Jorge; Anjos, O.; Gallardo, EugeniaMany species of the so-called exotic plants coexist with native species in a balanced way, but others thrive very quickly and escape human control, becoming harmful—these are called invasive alien species. In addition to overcoming geographic barriers, these species can defeat biotic and abiotic barriers, maintaining stable populations. Ailanthus altissima is no exception; it is disseminated worldwide and is considered high risk due to its easy propagation and resistance to external environmental factors. Currently, it has no particular use other than ornamental, even though it is used to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, asthma, ophthalmic diseases, and seborrhoea in Chinese medicine. Considering its rich composition in alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, doubtlessly, its use in medicine or other fields can be maximised. This review will focus on the knowledge of the chemical composition and the discovery of the biological properties of A. altissima to understand this plant better and maximise its possible use for purposes such as medicine, pharmacy, or the food industry. Methods for the extraction and detection to know the chemical composition will also be discussed in detail.
- Steroid hormone levels in postmenopausal hysterectomised women with and without ovarian conservation: the continuous endocrine function of the ovariesPublication . Nunes, Elsa; Gallardo, Eugenia; Nunes, Sara; Moutinho, José FonsecaThis study aims to clarify the effect of postmenopausal bilateral oophorectomy on plasma steroid hormone levels. Women who were submitted in the postmenopausal period to hysterectomy for uterine benign conditions were divided into two groups: 18 women had isolated hysterectomy and 11 had hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. In both groups serum hormone levels were quantified by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Differences in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone, androstenedione and oestradiol were determined in both groups. The analysis revealed lower steroid levels in the bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy group when compared to the isolated hysterectomy group with statistically significant differences found for DHEA (5.8 ± 3.2 vs. 9.4 ± 4.4 ng/mL; p ¼ 0.019) and oestradiol (0.69 ± 0.4 vs. 1.48 ± 4.3 ng/mL; p ¼ 0.007). The results are consistent with a significant endocrine activity of the postmenopausal ovary. The clinical consequences of these findings need to be clarified and postmenopausal prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy re-evaluated.
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