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- Flour fortification with grape must for nutritional and health benefitsPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Brenha, João; Sampaio, RicardoCurrently, dietary health natural supplements have increasingly used in the prevention and treatment of chronic disorders. Moreover, deficiencies of macro and micronutrients, (vitamins and minerals), and non-nutrients (polyphenolics) have mainly cause several illnesses, especially in children and women worldwide. World organizations have focused great efforts to address these shortcomings and improve the health of the populations. Grape must, or commonly known as grape must juice, becomes a valued ingredient with nutritional and chemical qualities already recognized. Four portuguese grapevine must (Touriga Nacional; Touriga Franca; Tinta Roriz and Vinha Velha) were analysed and results of phytochemical screening revealed that Touriga Nacional grape must contains a number of medicinally active secondary metabolites, with highest total phenolic and flavonoids contents (325.2 mg GAE/L and 218.3 mg CE/L, respectively). In contrast, Tinta Roriz exhibited the lowest values (144.4 mg GAE/L and 18.3 mg CE/L, respectively). Natural pigments were also investigated, with significantly different levels of anthocyanins in all four portuguese grapevine must: Touriga Nacional (23%), Touriga Franca (63%), Tinta Roriz (70%), and Vinha Velha (19%). Apart from the sensory attributes that grape must can impart in commercial flours, the presence of non-nutrient compounds (polyphenols) is an asset in the development of new functional foods, namely in flours for infant formulations, preteens, teens, adult and athletes.
- Edible flowers of ornamental plants: a food promise in the sustainability sectorPublication . Pinto, Sara; Oliveira, Adriana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Ferreira da Vinha, AnaThe growing interest in nutraceutical ingredients and functional foods has increased research into new foods that provide beneficial health. Although flowers were already used as food in ancient times, they have only recently sparked off nutraceutical research focusing on new agronomic and economic horizons, which are part of the concept of sustainability. OBJECTIVES: Having in mind the potential of edible flowers as source of bioactive compounds and related antioxidant activity, this work evaluated the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, in aqueous extracts of rose (Rosa canina L.), marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) and camellia (Camellia L.). Additionally, the antioxidant activity of all the extracts was evaluated.
- 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.
- Phytotherapeutic activities of six plant infusions: chemical constituents and antioxidant activityPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa eThe use of traditional medicine is attributable not only to cultural and poverty reasons but also to the ineffectiveness of many existing medicines. The lack of effective pharmaceutical formulas and the resistance created by current antibiotic pathogens, as well as oxidative stress new therapeutic agents from plants. In fact, several studies have shown that medicinal plants possess antioxidant properties due largely to their phytochemical profile. In addition, they can prevent oxidative modification by neutralizing free radicals, oxygen scavenging, or decomposing peroxides through their antioxidant activities. Endemic plants can be a source of new bioactive compounds able to prevent several diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s disease by combating oxidative stress and its associated pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and caffeine in six medicinal plants used traditionally in phytotherapy, usually consumed as tea or infusion namely: Camellia sinensis, Melissa officinalis, Lippia citriodora, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla, and Tilia cordata. Significant variations in total phenolics and flavonoids content were found among analyzed plants and depending on the nature of the extract. The concentration of caffeine was also very dissimilar and followed the sequence M. officinalis < T. cordata < C. citratus < M. chamomilla < L. citriodora < C. sinensis.
- Biological activities and valuable bioactive compounds from portuguese medicinal plantsPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa eCurrently, there are more than 85,000 plant species that have been documented for medical use globally. This implies, plant derived natural products hold great promise for discovery and development of new pharmaceuticals in diverse human ailments. The lack of effective pharmaceutical formulas and the resistance created by current antibiotic pathogens, as well as oxidative stress new therapeutic agents from plants. In fact, several studies have shown that medicinal plants possess antioxidant properties due largely to their phytochemical profile. Endemic plants can be a source of new bioactive compounds able to prevent several diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s disease by combating oxidative stress and its associated pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and caffeine in six medicinal plants used traditionally in phytotherapy, usually consumed as tea or infusion namely: Camellia sinensis, Melissa officinalis, Lippia citriodora, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla, and Tilia cordata. Significant variations in total phenolics and flavonoids content were found among analyzed plants and depending on the nature of the extract. The concentration of caffeine was also very dissimilar and followed the sequence M. officinalis < T. cordata < C. citratus < M. chamomilla < L. citriodora < C. sinensis. Also, the antioxidant activity of each plant was found to vary according to C. citratus (90.9%) > C. sinensis (87.8%) > M. officinalis (50.7%) > M. chamomilla (45.3%) > T. cordata (32.2%) > L. citriodora (28.0%).