Publications by authors named "Calhelha R"

The Asteraceae family has been of significant concern for ethnobotanical studies, thanks to its health-promoting properties linked to a plethora of bioactive compounds, among which phenolic compounds play a critical role. In this work, a workflow based on computational chemometrics was employed to assess the authenticity and biomarker search of five key Asteraceae species commonly employed in traditional medicine. The UHPLC-DAD-ESI/MS-MS phenolic profile of Asteraceae extracts was combined with the evaluation of several in vitro biological properties.

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Plant-based beverages are gaining attention due to their potential to offer sustainable and health-promoting alternatives to traditional dairy products. This study aimed to develop a dehydrated functional plant-based beverage composed of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.), mukua pulp (Adansonia digitata L.

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This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and a selected group of bioactivities of jatoba ( L.) pod residue. An aqueous extract (deionized water; AE) and a hydroethanolic extract (ethanol: deionized water, 70:30 /; ETOH) were obtained via maceration.

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This research investigated the effects of hydroponic cultivation with enriched concentrations of magnesium (+Mg), manganese (+Mn), a combination of +Mg and +Mn, or decreased concentrations of these minerals (control) on the nutritional, chemical, and bioactive attributes of purple and green basil. While Mn significantly increased the growth of purple basil and affected the composition of essential oil and mineral accumulation, plants treated with Mg showed alterations in nutrient absorption. Protein values were lower, indicating suboptimal protein synthesis, but significant increases were observed in fat, ash, and carbohydrates, suggesting a more nutrient-rich composition due to hydroponic cultivation.

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Globally, the yearly disposal of 1.3 billion tonnes of food raises environmental and public health concerns. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae present a sustainable solution, converting organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass.

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Wound healing, a complex physiological process orchestrating intricate cellular and molecular events, seeks to restore tissue integrity. The burgeoning interest in leveraging the therapeutic potential of natural substances for advanced wound dressings is a recent phenomenon. Notably, Sericin, a silk-derived protein, and L.

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The goal of the current work was to assess the nutritional profile and phytochemical properties of cucurbit ( L.) seeds, seed oils and oil extraction by-products (e.g.

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The gut microbiota establishes a mutually beneficial relationship with the host starting from birth, impacting diverse metabolic and immunological processes. Dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance of microorganisms, is linked to numerous medical conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders. This imbalance promotes the proliferation of toxin-producing bacteria, disrupts the host's equilibrium, and initiates inflammation.

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Coriander, caraway, and mystical cumin are famous for their aromatic properties and widely used in Moroccan cuisine. The nutritional/phytochemical composition of their seeds (used for food flavoring and preservation) were compared. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and hepatotoxic effects were also explored.

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Since the early twentieth century, research on vitamins has revealed their therapeutic potential beyond their role as essential micronutrients. Riboflavin, known as vitamin B2, stands out for its unique characteristics. Despite numerous studies, riboflavin remains vital, with implications for human health.

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The Lamiaceae family, which includes several well-known aromatic plants, is scientifically relevant due to its essential oils (EOs). In this work, four EOs from Mediterranean species, namely L., L.

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Despite past efforts towards therapeutical innovation, cancer remains a highly incident and lethal disease, with current treatments lacking efficiency and leading to severe side effects. Hence, it is imperative to develop new, more efficient, and safer therapies. Bee venom has proven to have multiple and synergistic bioactivities, including antitumor effects.

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Red rice has been proposed as a super-food. Accordingly, the nutritional properties (AOAC), as well as its chemical composition, including sugars (HPLC-RI), organic acids (UFLC-PDA), tocopherols (HPLD-FD), and phenolic compounds (LC-DAD-ESI/MSn), together with the main bioactive properties (antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and antibacterial activities), were evaluated to access its nutritional benefits and health improvement potential. The most abundant macronutrients found were carbohydrates (87.

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Chronic diseases (CD) may result from a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle and social behaviours, healthcare system influences, community factors, and environmental determinants of health. These risk factors frequently coexist and interact with one another. Ongoing research and a focus on personalized interventions are pivotal strategies for preventing and managing chronic disease outcomes.

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This study assessed the chemical profiles and bioactivities of the infusions, decoctions and hydroethanolic extracts of tarragon, basil and French lavender. The extracts were chemically characterised (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) and their bioactivities were evaluated in vitro. All extracts revealed antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties.

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This study evaluated the nutritional profile and fiber content of innovative formulations of wheat-based biscuits enriched with chia seeds, carob flour and coconut sugar. The antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were also investigated to understand the potential health advantages of the incorporation of these new ingredients. The novel biscuits demonstrated significant improvements in protein and mineral content, with increases of 50% and 100% in chia biscuits, and up to 20% and 40% in carob biscuits, respectively.

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Nowadays, bee products are commended by consumers for their medicinal and dietary properties. This study aimed to differentiate between monofloral bee pollens originating from Portugal using phenolic and volatile profiles and investigate their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were recorded between 2.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Pansy and viola edible flowers were grown hydroponically with varying levels of magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn), and their nutritional composition was analyzed for components like free sugars, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds using advanced testing methods.
  • - Results demonstrated that while increased Mg negatively impacted plant growth and mineral levels, it enhanced photosynthesis and the flowers were found to be rich in protein, low in fat, and contained sugars like glucose and fructose, with distinct fatty acids and phenolic compounds based on treatment.
  • - The flowers showed promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to insights on Mg and Mn interactions, and highlighting potential for improving sustainable agriculture and health-conscious food options.
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Background: Grape agri-food wastes, such as skin, seeds, and other discarded by-products, contain phytochemical compounds that offer potential health benefits.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the polyphenol composition and bioactivities of different extracts obtained from grape marc and seeds, with the goal of exploring their potential for application as natural food additives.

Results: Regardless of the extraction method used (dynamic maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)), all extracts exhibited relatively high concentrations of phenolic compounds.

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The demand for organic and functional food continues to increase yearly. Among the available functional foods, propolis is a bee product that has various beneficial properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it generally is only available in ethanol solution, which has poor bioavailability, as it is relatively insoluble in water.

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This study assessed the halophyte species (Desf.) as a possible source of natural ingredients with the capacity to inhibit enzymes related to relevant human health disorders and food browning. Extracts using food-grade solvents such as water and ethanol were prepared by maceration from dried leaves.

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This study presents a sustainable and cost-effective method for preserving the bioactivity of phenolic compounds in olive leaves (OLE) during their application. The extraction and nanoencapsulation of OLE were performed in a single-step process using a rotor-stator system with zein as the encapsulating agent. The nanoprecipitation step was carried out using an aqueous sodium caseinate solution, resulting in spherical particles with an average diameter of about 640 nm, as confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy.

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In this work, a comparison between the extracts of dehydrated yerba mate () and bio-waste of yerba mate leaves from the Brazilian industry was made. The incorporation of the functional extract as a preservative/functional ingredient in a pastry product (pancakes) was tested. The individual profile of phenolic compounds was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and the bioactive potential was assessed using in vitro assays for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities.

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, endogenous from Cape Verde, is a medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine with a large spectrum of applications, such as treating skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. The aim of this work was to chemically characterize the crude ethanolic extract (WcCEE), and evaluate its bioactivities as antidermatophytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, as well as its cytotoxicity. WcCEE was chemically characterized via HPLC-MS.

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Opportunities for the valorisation of agro-industrial residues of the chestnut ( Mill.) production chain have been fostered with the production of multifunctional polyphenol-rich extracts with the potential to be introduced as natural additives or active components in several products. Nonetheless, it is crucial to explore the feasibility of different extracts from the various by-products for these applications through the exhaustive study of their composition and bioactivities without losing sight of the sustainable character of the process.

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