Publications by authors named "M Vaz-Velho"
Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) are microorganisms of significant scientific and industrial importance and have great potential for application in meat and meat products. This comprehensive review addresses the main characteristics of LABs, their nutritional, functional, and technological benefits, and especially their importance not only as starter cultures. LABs produce several metabolites during their fermentation process, which include bioactive compounds, such as peptides with antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBoar taint is an unpleasant odour found in the carcasses of entire male pigs, resulting from androstenone and skatole accumulation during pubertal development, and impacting pork quality. This study proposes the validation of an adapted chromatographic method for quantifying skatole and androstenone in the pigs' liquid fat using fluorescence detection. A good chromatographic separation was achieved, with skatole (SKA) and androstenone (AND) elution at 4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe scientific community has reached a consensus on humans' important role as causative agents of climate change; however, branches of society are still sceptical about this. Climate change is a key issue for humanity and only the commitment to change human attitudes and lifestyles, at the global level, can be effective in its mitigation. With this purpose, it is important to convey the right message and prevent misinformation to manipulate people's minds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study investigates the effects of seasonality on Bísaro boars, a Portuguese pig breed, by analyzing 20 male pigs raised outdoors and slaughtered in either winter or summer.
- - Results showed that summer boars had smaller testicle volume, indicating decreased reproductive functionality, and although no major differences in boar taint compounds were found, summer meat had a stronger aroma and flavor of boar taint.
- - The fatty acid profile was higher in winter pigs, highlighting that reproductive seasonality influences meat quality and potential farm management strategies.
Article Synopsis
- Maritime pine is crucial for the Iberian Peninsula's forests, mainly for wood production and emerging agroforestry by-products.
- The study focused on analyzing the bark from this pine, particularly its chemical and thermal properties using multiple analytical techniques.
- Findings indicate that the bark is rich in lignin and holocellulose, with low ash content and no heavy metals, and shows specific degradation characteristics at elevated temperatures.