Browsing by Author "Reboredo, Fernando"
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- Corema album spp: Edible wild crowberries with a high content in minerals and organic acidsPublication . Brito, Catarina; Bertotti, Taciana; Primitivo, Maria João; Neves, Marta; Pires, Cristiana L.; Cruz, Pedro F.; Martins, Patrícia A. T.; Rodrigues, Ana Cristina; Moreno, Maria João; Brito, Rui M. M.; Campos, Maria; Vaz, Daniela C.; Pessoa, Maria Fernanda; Lidon, Fernando; Reboredo, Fernando; Ribeiro, Vânia S.Edible wild plants are part of the ethnobotanical and gastronomic heritage of different geographical areas. Corema album (L.) D. Don is an endemic species of the dune systems of the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The aerial parts of Corema album are a source of nutrients and antioxidants. The Corema album white berry (Portuguese crowberry) is rich in calcium, iron, and zinc. The plant also shows high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity associated with the leaves, fruit, and flowers. The presence of organic acids, namely phenolic acids, such as hydroxycinnamic acids, and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 has also been confirmed. Toxicity studies evaluated by cell viability tests with human intestinal epithelium model cells (Caco-2) have shown that, at low concentrations, plant extracts may present beneficial effects.
- Edible flowers of Helichrysum italicum: Composition, nutritive value, and bioactivitiesPublication . Primitivo, Maria João; Neves, Marta; Pires, Cristiana L.; Cruz, Pedro F.; Brito, Catarina; Rodrigues, Ana C.; Carvalho, Carla C. C. R. de; Mortimer, Megan M.; Moreno, Maria João; Brito, Rui M. M.; Taylor, Edward J.; Millson, Stefan H.; Reboredo, Fernando; Campos, Maria; Vaz, Daniela C.; Ribeiro, VâniaHelichrysum italicum (H. italicum) is a halophyte shrub with bright yellow flowers with a strong curry-like aroma. The essential oils of H. italicum have been used in the production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, due to their antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the agri-food sector, H. italicum flowers can be used for seasoning and flavoring food, and as natural food preservatives. Here, we report on the composition, bioactive compounds, and nutritive value of H. italicum flowers. Flowers were mainly composed of carbohydrates (>80 % dry weight), followed by minerals (6.31 ± 0.95 % dw), protein (5.44 ± 0.35 % dw), and lipids (3.59 % ± 0.53 % dw). High percentages of Fe, Zn, Ca, and K were found in the flower material, along with a high content in antioxidants, polyphenols, and carotenoids, as corroborated by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. Flowers were mainly composed of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (54.50 ± 0.95 % of total FA), followed by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (37.73 ± 1.25 % of total FA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (7.77 ± 0.34 %), as detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The omega-6 PUFA linoleic acid (22.55 ± 0.76 % of total FA) was the most abundant fatty acid found. Flower extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Komagataella phaffii, as well as against Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. H. italicum flower material was nontoxic to human intestinal Caco-2 model cells at concentrations up to 1.0 % w/v.
- Nutritional profile of the Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L var. costata) and its relationship with the elemental soil analysisPublication . Pessoa, Maria; Campos, Paula; Pais, Isabel; Feteiro, Ana; Canuto, Daniela; Simes, Manuela; Pelica, João; Pataco, Inês; Ribeiro, Vânia; Reboredo, Fernando; Ramalho, Jos; Lidon, FernandoThe economic and financial crisis has increased the number of urban horticulture on lands close to present or past industrial areas. “Tronchuda” or the Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L var. costata DC) was studied because of its importance in Portuguese diet. It belongs to a number of economically significant horticultural crops (Brassica species), which are also known to be nutritionally well-balanced vegetables. “Tronchuda” produced in urban horticultures from 4 regions of mainland Portugal was studied for its nutritional profile along with elemental soil analysis of each sampling site. This study revealed significant interactions between essential elements in soil and plant leaves - the edible part of the plant for human nutrition. In general, these organs contained poor concentrations of Fe and Si, while Mn is absent, regardless of the sampling sites. Conversely, Ca levels were abundant with values ranging between 3.3% and 3.9%. Soils from CAP showed a soil nutrient exhaustion of Fe, Mn and Mo, although the highest protein and sucrose contents in the leaves was observed in plants growing in those soils. Protein, lipids and carbohydrates concentrations differed according to sampling site, reflecting different production practices.
- Nutritive Value and Bioactivities of a Halophyte Edible Plant: Crithmum maritimum L. (Sea Fennel)Publication . Correia, Iris; Antunes, Madalena; Tecelão, Carla; Neves, Marta; Pires, Cristiana L.; Cruz, Pedro F.; Peralta, Claúdia C.; Pereira, Cidália D.; Reboredo, Fernando; Moreno, Maria João; Brito, Rui M. M.; Ribeiro, Vânia S.; Vaz, Daniela C.; Campos, Maria; Rodrigues, Maria JorgeCrithmum maritimum L. (sea fennel), an edible xerophyte of coastal habitats, is considered an emerging cash crop for biosaline agriculture due to its salt-tolerance ability and potential applications in the agri-food sector. Here, the nutritional value and bioactive properties of sea fennel are described. Sea fennel leaves, flowers, and schizocarps are composed of carbohydrates (>65%) followed by ash, proteins, and lipids. Sea fennel’s salty, succulent leaves are a source of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. Extracts obtained from flowers and fruits/schizocarps are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and show antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis. Plant material is particularly rich in sodium (Na) but also in other nutritionally relevant minerals, such as calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), beyond presenting a potential prebiotic effect on Lactobacillus bulgaricus and being nontoxic to human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 model cells, up to 1.0% (w/v). Hence, the rational use of sea fennel can bring nutrients, aroma, and flavor to culinary dishes while balancing microbiomes and contributing to expanding the shelf life of food products.