Evaluación de fibra dietética, isoflavonas y compuestos fenólicos con propiedades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas de quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

The consumption of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been steadily increasing due to its high nutritional value and health benefits associated with its high antioxidant capacity. The objective of this study was to determine the contents of dietary fiber, polyphenols, flavonoids and isoflavones, and how they contribute to the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of six ecotypes of quinoa cultivated in three different zones of Chile. The ecotypes studied were: Ancovinto and Cancosa (Northern zone), Cáhuil and Faro (Central zone), and Regalona and Villarrica (Southern zone). The results indicate that all Chilean quinoa ecotypes could be considered as good sources of dietary fiber (12.23 g 100 g-1 dry matter) and polyphenols (161.32 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) 100 g-1 dry matter). The North and Central ecotypes exhibited the highest isoflavone concentration. The Northern Cancosa was the ecotype that showed the highest flavonoid content (211.06 mg Catechin Equivalents (CAE) 100 g-1 dry matter). Based on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay, Ancovinto, Cancosa and Faro presented the highest antioxidant capacity (67.6 mmol Trolox Equivalents (TE) 100 g-1 dry matter). Regarding antimicrobial activity, Regalona ecotype showed the best performance against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Listeria innocua. The bioactive compounds found in this study add new knowledge to the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Chilean quinoa seeds.El consumo de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) está aumentando debido a su valor nutricional y beneficios para la salud relacionados con su capacidad antioxidante. El objetivo de presente estudio fue determinar los contenidos de fibra dietética, polifenoles, flavonoides e isoflavonas, y cómo estos compuestos contribuyen a la actividad antioxidante y antimicrobiana de seis ecotipos de quinua cultivados en tres zonas de Chile. Las muestras de quinua de la zona Norte se denominan Ancovinto y Cancosa, de la zona Centro se llaman Cáhuil y Faro, y de la zona Sur se denominan Regalona y Villarrica. Los resultados mostraron que todos los ecotipos de quinua chilena pueden considerarse buena fuente de fibra dietética (12,23 g 100 g-1 materia seca) y de polifenoles (161,32 mg de Equivalentes de Acido Gálico (EAG) 100 g-1 materia seca). Los ecotipos de la zona Norte y Centro mostraron la mayor concentración de isoflavonas. El ecotipo Cancosa, de la zona Norte, fue el que mostró el mayor contenido de flavonoides (211,06 mg Equivalentes de Catequina (ECA) 100 g-1 materia seca). Basado en el ensayo ORAC (del inglés Oxigen Radical Absorbance Capacity), los ecotipos Ancovinto, Cancosa y Faro, presentaron en promedio la mayor capacidad antioxidante (67,6 mmol de Equivalentes Trolox (ET) 100 g-1 materia seca). El ecotipo Regalona mostró la más alta actividad antimicrobiana frente a Saccharomyces cerevisiae y Listeria innocua. Los compuestos bioactivos encontrados en este estudio aportan nuevos conocimientos a la actividad antioxidante y antimicrobiana de las semillas de quinua chilena.Fil: Vega Gálvez, Antonio. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Zura, Liliana. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Lutz, Mariane. Universidad de Vlparaíso; ChileFil: Jagus, Rosa Juana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long"; ArgentinaFil: Agüero, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long"; ArgentinaFil: Pastén, Alexis. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Di Scala, Karina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Uribe, Elsa. Universidad de La Serena; Chil

Muxama and other traditional food products obtained from tuna in south Portugal and Spain: review and future perspectives

There is evidence that consumers perceive fish as healthy (Carlucci D et.al, Appetite 84:212–27,2015; Vanhonacker F et.al, Br Food J 115:508–25,2013; Verbeke W et.al, Public Health Nutr 8:422–9,2005.). Historically, the development of (traditional) processing techniques allowed for the preservation of excess quantities of fresh fish for storage or transport. Those technologies are not well documented and are being lost with the trend to urbanization and consumption of convenience, ready-to-eat food. In the so-called developed world, there is still a considerable demand for traditionally processed (sea)food products, wherein the raw material and the final product are of high value. Muxama or mojama is a traditional, highly valued food product prepared from dry-cured tuna loins that is a delicatessen in the southern Iberian Peninsula: Algarve (Portugal) and Andalucía, Murcia, Alicante, and Valencia (Spain). The tuna (mostly Thunnus obesus and T. albacares) loins are salted and dried following a typically artisanal process that incorporates empirical knowledge passed down numerous generations since at least the tenth century Common Era (Aníbal J and Esteves E, Muxama and estupeta: traditional food products obtained from tuna loins in South Portugal and Spain, Traditional food products 2016, Lindkvist KB et.al, Can Geogr-Géogr Can 52:105–20,2008, Gallart-Jornet L et.al, La salazón de pescado, una tradición en la dieta mediterránea [The salting of fish, a tradition in the Mediterranean diet] 2005.). The production process changed little over the years but is different among locations, even supporting distinct certifications. The stability of muxama derives from the reduced water activity. Furthermore, the drying method has secondary effects on flavor, color, and nutritional value of the product. In southern Portugal and Spain, muxama is the prime food product obtained from tuna at the end of the traditional quartering of tunas, named ronqueamento in Portugal or ronqueo in Spain. Other food products obtained from tuna include Estupeta, Mormos, Rabinhos, Faceiras and Orelhas, Ventresca, Tarantela and Sangacho, Espinheta, Tripa, Bucho, and Ovas. These products result from employing different manufacturing procedures and processes. In this paper, we tentatively describe the main features of the processing stages and traditional food products obtained from tuna produced in the southern Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) and discuss the interactions of knowledge systems and transmission of traditional knowledge regarding its production.This study received national funds from FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) [UID/Multi/04326/2019] (EE) and [UID/MAR/00350/ 2019 CIMA] (JA).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Meat yield of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae): comparative assessment of the influence of sex, size and reproductive status

The present study assessed the influence of sex, size and reproductive status on the meat yield (soft tissues proportion) of the purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) from the Ria Formosa lagoon (southern Portugal). During one year of monthly sampling (October 2008-September 2009), average meat yield of B. brandaris was 40.5 +/- 6.1% (range: 25.8-56.1% wet weight), with no significant differences between sexes. Relationships established between specimen size and soft parts weight indicated that both shell length and total weight are excellent indicators of meat yield. Significant differences in meat yield between size classes further reinforced the trend of increasing meat yield during ontogeny. Meat yield exhibited significant monthly variation and a similar temporal trend in both sexes, which were directly related to the reproductive status. Meat yield of B. brandaris was compared with that of other muricid species and the marked influence of the reproductive status on meat yield prompted a comparative assessment of the spawning season and peak of three sympatric muricids (B. brandaris, Hexaplex trunculus and Stramonita haemastoma). Overall, these findings have implications at diverse levels, including the management, regulation and inspection of this fishing/ harvesting activity and the commercialization and consumption of this seafood product.postdoctoral grant [SFRH/BPD/26348/2006]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT - Portugal); Fisheries Operational Programme (PROMAR); European Fisheries Fund [EFF 2007-2013]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Um paradigma alternativo para o ordenamento do território e o turismo em paisagens costeiras: as métricas espaciais como indicadores para ordenamento e o turismo em paisagens costeiras

Coastal urbanization dynamics in the Algarve are intimately related with tourism, which dominates the regional economy. We present part of the results of a research project in the coastal landscapes of Algarve, focusing on land use and land change, particularly urban sprawl around Faro, one of the highest concentrations of tourism resorts in the region. We performed a diachronic analysis (1990-2000) based on Corine Land Cover data. We combined contingence tables and landscape metrics. A parsimonious suite of these spatial metrics were selected in order to be easily combined as to derive results with a straightforward interpretation, and moving windows technique facilitated the task in identifying gradients of landscape heterogeneity. Land use planning must pay more attention to tourism, adopting combined spatial approaches, monitor initiatives, and do better plans. Metrics are good indicators for this purpose.As dinâmicas urbanas no litoral do Algarve estão intimamente ligadas ao turismo, que domina a economia regional. Apresentamos uma parte dos resultados de um projecto de investigação sobre as alterações do uso do solo nas paisagens costeiras do Algarve, nomeadamente na dispersão urbana em volta de Faro, uma das zonas com maior concentração de “resorts” na região. Desenvolvemos uma análise diacrónica (1990-2000) baseada no Corine Land Cover combinando tabelas de contingência com métricas da paisagem. Foi seleccionado um conjunto parcimonioso de métricas facilitando o seu uso conjunto e gerando resultados que fossem claramente interpretados; a ténica “janelas móveis” facilitou a identificação de gradientes de heterogeneidade da paisagem. O ordenamento do território deve prestar mais atenção ao turismo, adoptando abordagens espaciais, monitorizando iniciativas, planeando melhor. As métricas constituem bons indicadores para este fiminfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estimation of growth parameters for the exploited sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis from South Portugal

Understanding how species grow is critical for choosing appropriate fisheries management strategies. Sea cucumbers shrink during periods of aestivation and have naturally flaccid bodies that make measuring growth difficult. In this study, we obtained length-frequency data on Holothuria arguinensis, measuring undisturbed animals in situ, because it is one of the new target species of the NE Atlantic and Southwestern Mediterranean fisheries. Growth parameters were estimated for individuals inhabiting the Ria Formosa lagoon (Portugal). Length-frequency data were collected between November 2012 and March 2014 by using a visual census augmented with random sampling in 2014. To estimate the asymptotic length (L-infinity) and growth coefficient (K), 2 different growth models were fitted to the length frequency data for 1198 sea cucumbers: the nonseasonal von Bertalanffy and Hoenig seasonal von Bertalanffy models. A L-infinity of 69.9 cm and K of 0.88 were estimated by using the Hoenig function for seasonal growth. The value of 1.0 obtained for the parameter C of this function indicates reduction in growth during winter. The relatively high growth rate (K) of this species may have important implications for its survival, mainly in environments where conditions cause biological stress and oceanic disturbances but may also increase its potential as a candidate for aquaculture.CUMFISH project - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/MAR/119363/2010]; "Sea cucumber as new marine resource: potential for aquaculture" (CUMARSUR) project - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/MAR-BIO/5948/2014]; Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia (Colfuturo); FCT Investigator Programme-Career Development [IF/00998/2014

Cryomorphological topographies in the study of ice caves

Producción CientíficaThe current interest in ice caves requires that their varied manifestations be known as accurately as possible in view of their responses to a global change and also to their great potential as paleoenvironmental witnesses. This phenomenon has been known about for a long time but is still scarcely studied from the point of view of its cryological values and the evolution and distribution of many of their morphologies. For this, the development of cryomorphological topographies from traditional techniques to geodetic surveys with different tools, including terrestrial laser scanning, is one of the most current ways to characterize and quantify this type of cryospheric phenomena. It represents a new kind of periglacial cartography whose use is feasible in spite of the difficulties these environments present.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (project CGL2015-68144-R

Regional Incomes in Portugal: Industrialisation, Integration and Inequality, 1890-1980

The analysis of the evolution of the location of economic activity in Portugal between 1890 and 1980 depicts a strong concentration of productive activity in the coastal regions. We estimate data for regional GDP per capita, which show that the evolution of regional inequality followed an inverted U-curve, in line with that observed in other regions of Europe, but with a rather late peak, in 1970. The reasons for this behaviour may be found in the limits to industrialisation in the interior regions and the benefits generated by the agglomeration economies in the more developed coastal regions

The effect of inflation on growth investments: A note

Motivated by the pioneering work of Brenner and Venetia (1983), henceforth designated as BV, a previous note that focused attention on the effect of taxation on the optimal duration of investments in a non inflationary environment (de Faro, 1996), the present note is aimed at investigating the effects of inflation on the optimal duration of investments. Specifically, considering the no reinvestment case only, our objective is to include in the analysis both a numerical illustration of the peculiar results of BV as well as indexation procedures that have been used in some high inflation economies.

Insights on the changing dynamics of cemetery use in the neolithic and chalcolithic of southern Portugal. Radiocarbon dating of Lugar do Canto Cave (Santarém)

Lugar do Canto Cave is one of the most relevant Neolithic burial caves in Portugal given not only its extraordinary preservation conditions at the time of discovery but also the quality of the field record obtained during excavation. Its material culture immediately pointed to a Middle Neolithic cemetery but recent radiocarbon determinations also allowed the recognition of an apparent two step phasing of its use within the period (ca. 4000-3400 cal BC): an older one characterized by a single burial and a later reoccupation as a collective necropolis. Comparisons with other well-dated cave cemeteries in Southern Portugal permitted the recognition of changing funerary practices and strategies of cemetery use during the later stages of the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic: 1) ca. 3800 cal BC as the possible turning point from the practice of individual to collective burials; 2) alternating periods of intensive use and deliberate abandonment of cemeteries (evidenced by their intentional closure). Research avenues to investigate the social organization and ideological context underlying these aspects of the Neolithic communities in greater depth are tentatively pointed out in this paper.FEDER funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competividade (COMPETE

Developing Allometric Equations for Teak Plantations Located in the Coastal Region of Ecuador from Terrestrial Laser Scanning Data

Traditional studies aimed at developing allometric models to estimate dry above-ground biomass (AGB) and other tree-level variables, such as tree stem commercial volume (TSCV) or tree stem volume (TSV), usually involves cutting down the trees. Although this method has low uncertainty, it is quite costly and inefficient since it requires a very time-consuming field work. In order to assist in data collection and processing, remote sensing is allowing the application of non-destructive sampling methods such as that based on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). In this work, TLS-derived point clouds were used to digitally reconstruct the tree stem of a set of teak trees (Tectona grandis Linn. F.) from 58 circular reference plots of 18 m radius belonging to three different plantations located in the Coastal Region of Ecuador. After manually selecting the appropriate trees from the entire sample, semi-automatic data processing was performed to provide measurements of TSCV and TSV, together with estimates of AGB values at tree level. These observed values were used to develop allometric models, based on diameter at breast height (DBH), total tree height (h), or the metric DBH2 × h, by applying a robust regression method to remove likely outliers. Results showed that the developed allometric models performed reasonably well, especially those based on the metric DBH2 × h, providing low bias estimates and relative RMSE values of 21.60% and 16.41% for TSCV and TSV, respectively. Allometric models only based on tree height were derived from replacing DBH by h in the expression DBH2 x h, according to adjusted expressions depending on DBH classes (ranges of DBH). This finding can facilitate the obtaining of variables such as AGB (carbon stock) and commercial volume of wood over teak plantations in the Coastal Region of Ecuador from only knowing the tree height, constituting a promising method to address large-scale teak plantations monitoring from the canopy height models derived from digital aerial stereophotogrammetry