Publications by authors named "Carla Alegria"

Article Synopsis
  • A genomic database encompassing all eukaryotic species on Earth is crucial for scientific advancements, yet most species lack genomic data.
  • The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) was initiated in 2018 by global scientists to compile high-quality reference genomes for approximately 1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species.
  • The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) launched a Pilot Project to create a decentralized model for reference genome production by testing it on 98 species, providing valuable insights into scalability, equity, and inclusiveness for genomic projects.
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In this study, the lactic fermentation of immature tomatoes as a tool for food ingredient production was evaluated as a circular economy-oriented alternative for valorising industrial tomatoes that are unsuitable for processing and which have wasted away in large quantities in the field. Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were assessed as starter cultures in an immature tomato pulp fermentation to produce functional food ingredients with probiotic potential. The first trial evaluated the probiotic character of (LAB97, isolated from immature tomato microbiota) and (C1090, from the INIAV collection) through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion simulation.

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The drying process is an essential thermal process for preserving vegetables and can be used in developing dried products as healthy alternative snacks. The effects of air-drying conditions using a convection dryer with hot air at different temperatures (60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, and 80 °C, in the range 5-200 min, at a fixed air speed of 2.3 m/s) were tested on the quality of slices (2.

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Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as near-fresh foods, are a quick and easy solution to a healthy and balanced diet. The rapid degradation of nutritional and sensory quality during the processing and storage of a product is critical and plant-type-dependent. The introduction of disruptive technological solutions in fresh-cut processing, which could maintain fresh-like quality with less environmental impact, is an emerging research concept.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lactic fermentation of unripe green tomatoes can provide a sustainable method to utilize excess tomatoes that are not suitable for processing in the food industry.
  • The study analyzed the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in these tomatoes, identifying promising strains that can improve the quality and probiotic benefits of fermented products.
  • Two specific LAB strains showed resilience to solanine and demonstrated strong potential for use as starter cultures in creating probiotic foods from unripe green tomatoes.
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Article Synopsis
  • Fresh-cut vegetables are affected by combined (abiotic and biotic) stresses, which can alter their response compared to individual stressors.
  • In an experiment with carrots, peeling and shredding together initially reduced total phenolic content (TPC) but allowed for recovery through induced phenolic biosynthesis after 7 days.
  • Heat treatment combined with shredding delayed TPC increases by two days but ultimately led to higher phenolic levels after 10 days, although it reduced peroxidase activity, which may affect quality during storage.
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It is often overlooked that even food production is linked to the ecology of plants and animals. Living organisms respond to environmental short-and long-term variability: acknowledging this may help in the ultimate goal of valorizing a territory/product. We investigated acorns of the two main species of the Portuguese , a main feed of the renown black Iberian pig.

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Whole tomato fruits were treated at ultrasonic power levels from 10% to 100%, and at a constant frequency of 45 kHz, for different times (1-19 min). A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied to optimise ultrasonic treatments for tomato quality (colour, texture and total phenolic content (TPC)) maintenance. According to response surface analysis, the optimal treatment parameters were 55%_10 min, 80%_15 min and 100%_19 min.

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The effects of water blanching treatment on peroxidase inactivation, total phenolic content, color parameters [-a*/b* and hue (h degrees*)], texture (maximum shear force), and sensory attributes (color and texture, evaluated by a trained panel) of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. Italica) were studied at five temperatures (70, 75, 80, 85, and 90 degrees C).

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