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- High-value compounds in papaya by-products (Carica papaya L. var. Formosa and Aliança): potential sustainable use and exploitationPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; S.G.Costa, Anabela; Espírito Santo, Liliana; Ferreira, Diana Melo; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Pinto, E.; Almeida, Agostinho; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Background: Food waste is a global and growing problem that is gaining traction due to its environmental, ethical, social, and economic repercussions. Between 2022 and 2027, the worldwide papaya market is expected to have a huge increase, meaning a growth in organic waste, including peels and seeds. Thus, this study evaluated the potential use of peels and seeds of two mature papaya fruits as a source of bioactive compounds, converting these by-products into value-added products. Proximate analysis (AOAC methods), mineral content (ICP-MS), free sugars (HPLC-ELSD), fatty acid composition (GC-FID), vitamin E profile (HPLC-DAD-FLD), and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays) were evaluated. Results: Both by-products showed high total protein (20–27%), and dietary fiber (32–38%) contents. Papaya peels presented a high ash content (14–16%), indicating a potential application as a mineral source. 14 fatty acids were detected, with α-linolenic acid (30%) as the most abundant in the peels and oleic acid (74%) in the seeds. Both by-products showed high antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Papaya by-products display great potential for industrial recovery and application, such as formulation of new functional food ingredients.
- Food waste and by-products recovery: nutraceuticals and health potential of carotenoids as natural pigmentsPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.
- Bioactive compounds and scavenging capacity of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab fruit) pulp extracts against ROS and RNS of physiological relevancePublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Pimentel, Filipa B.; Santo, Liliana Espírito; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Freitas, Marisa; Fernandes, Eduarda; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Background: Baobab fruit is valued for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Although it is acknowledged that baobab pulp is beneficial for health, studies that link its nutraceutical properties to the ability to eliminate reactive species (ROS and RNS) are scarce. Methods: The nutritional profile and the antioxidant properties of baobab pulp extracts from Angola were evaluated. Thus, for the first time, the evaluation of in vitro scavenging capacity against the most physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were the focus of inves tigation. Results: Angolan fruit pulp presented high contents of ash (8.0%) and total dietary fiber (52%). Vitamin E content was reported for the first time in fruit pulp. Green solvents were used to quantify bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited the high est contents of phenolics (1573.0 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (768.7 mg/100 g). Thus, hydroalcoholic extracts showed higher antioxidant activity, and higher scavenging capacity for ROS (O2•−, H2O2, HOCl, ROO•) and RNS (•NO, ONOO−), being most active for •NO and ONOO−. Conclusion: For the first time, Angolan baobab fruit was described in respect to its nutritional contribution as well as its positive antioxidant effects, both as a functional food and as a nutraceutical ingredient.
- Variation in chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fresh tomato fruit: combined effect of cultivar and storagePublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Castro, Ana; Soares, Marta De Oliveira; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.; Costa, A.S.G.Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most consumed vegetables in the world and probably the most preferred garden crop. It is a key component of the Mediterranean diet, commonly associated with a reduced risk of chronic degenerative diseases. Currently there are a large number of tomato cultivars with different morphological and sensorial characteristics. Its consumption brings health benefits, linked with its high levels of bioactive ingredients, including carotenoids such as β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, and mostly lycopene, which is responsible for the red colour, vitamins in particular ascorbic acid and tocopherols, phenolic compounds including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids, and lectins. The content of these compounds is variety dependent. Besides, unlike unripe tomatoes, which contain a high content of tomatine (glycoalkaloid) but no lycopene, ripe red tomatoes contain high amounts of lycopene and a lower quantity of glycoalkaloids. Current studies demonstrate the several benefits of these bioactive compounds, either isolated or in combined extracts, namely anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects among other health benefits, mainly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study intended to evaluate the influence of different postharvest cooling conditions in the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and microbiological contamination of tomato cultivars namely: Cereja, Chucha, Rama and Redondo. Pink fruits were kept for 15 days under three different storage temperatures (6ºC, 12ºC and 25ºC) during which their lycopene, ascorbic acid contents, total phenolics and antioxidant activity were evaluated every three days. Counts of colony forming units of coliform bacteria, yeasts and molds and the presence of Escherichia coli, were determined before and after 15 days of storage. All studied parameters revealed that temperature and storage duration caused statistically significant differences in nutritional values of every cultivar. It was observed an increase in the lycopene concentration and antioxidant activity with temperature and storage duration. The phenolic and ascorbic acid contents showed a slight increase during storage at every temperature. Microbial contamination was only found in cultivars that grew in direct contact with the soil (Chucha and Redondo) and bacterial population increased exponentially with storage temperature. Our results indicate that the ideal temperature to maintain optimal physiological, biochemical and microbiological profiles of the cultivars studied is 12ºC and that the cv. Rama fruit is the most suited for consumption in natura.
- A new approach on carotenoids: classification; bioavailability and further industrial applicationsPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Moutinho, Carla; Matos, Carla; Espírito-Santo, Liliana; SG Costa, Anabela; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids that have been related to a number of health benefits. Their presence in foods, dietary intake and circulating levels have been associated with a reduced incidence of obesity, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even lower total mortality. In this review, several considerations for their safe and sustainable use in foods mostly intended for health promotion are provided. Specifically, information about biosynthesis, sources, ingestion, and factors affecting their bioavailability is summarized. Furthermore, their health-promoting actions and their importance in public health regarding their contribution to reduce the risk of several deseases are synthesized. Also, in this review is emphasized carotenoids benefits as potential strategy for nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industrial applications.This study also addressed the significant obstacles as well as the synergistic factors that interfere with the bioavailability and consequent biological functions of carotenoids. Finally, this review enhances the use of carotenoids as functional compounds in different industries.
- Carotenoids: natural pigments and their recovery in food wastePublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.