Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R."
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- Improving bioactive compounds extractability of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) NicolsonPublication . Costa, Anabela S.G.; Barreira, João C.M.; Ruas, Adilson; Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Pimentel, Filipa B.; Alves, Rita C.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) is an underground, unbranched deciduous plant that produces a large tubercle (rhizome) with recognized health effects. In this study, the influence of solvent nature (water, water/etanol (1:1) and absolute ethanol) and processing type (fresh, lyophilized and boiled) on the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds extractability of elephant foot yam was evaluated. Extracts were compared for their contents in total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins. Moreover, their antioxidant capacity was assessed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging capacity assays. Phenolics (154 mg GAE/L) and tannins (109 mg GAE/L) were maximized in lyophilized samples extracted with the hydroalcoholic solvent, which attained also the highest FRAP value (711 mg FSE/L). In turn, flavonoids reached the highest yields in lyophilized samples (95 mg ECE/L) extracted with pure ethanol, as well as the highest DPPH• scavenging activity. These findings might have practical applications to define the best processing methodology regarding the enhancement of elephant foot yam, either for prompt consumption, as well as to develop food supplements or pharmaceutical related products.
- Therapeutic, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of acorns (Quercus Nuts): a reviewPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Barreira, João C.M.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.The current global food system must adapt to the expected growth of world population. This adaptation will probably include an increased consumption of edible wild foods, due to their richness in micronutrients and bioactive compounds, besides providing a cost-effective and sustainable way of improving caloric food security. Acorns (Quercus nuts) have been presenting an important role on the rural economy. In fact, their nutritional value; high contents in bioactive compounds; biological activity such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and cardioprotective properties; and use in the treatment of specific diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease have raised the interest in integrating acorns into the human diet. In the present review, we present the chemical constituents of acorns and their biological activities.