Reuse of fruits and vegetables biowaste for sustainable development of natural ingredients

Considering the annual waste in the food sector that occurs throughout the value chain, it is important to establish strategic measures to reduce, value and reintroduce them into the industrial sector. Additionally, the constant search for the development of sustainable strategies to promote safe and healthy products for consumers has gained great prominence. Biowastes from fruits and vegetables present in their composition an excellent source of compounds of interest, which can be reused in different technological routes, providing added value in the industrial, socioeconomic and therapeutic sectors. In particular, the phenolic compounds present in fruit and vegetable biowastes, have bioactive and preservative characteristics that are excellent candidates for the development of natural ingredients that can be substitutes for synthetic preservatives. As the list of identified phenolic compounds is extensive and accessible, the interest in these compounds is gaining more and more prominence, since the use of ingredients of synthetic origin is being delayed by actions harmful to the health of the consumer. Phenolic compounds, in addition to having preservative capacity, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity, are also known for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiallergic and other biological properties, which increases the interest in their use in functional and nutraceutical preparations. Based on this, this review gathers information on the impacts that the exacerbated generation of fruit and vegetable waste can generate in the environmental, economic and social sectors, as well as lists different ways of reusing these wastes, highlighting the characteristics of phenolic compounds.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/ 2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021), national funding by F.C.T. for Tatiane C.G. Oliveira PhD grant (2021.06046.BD) and for L. Barros and E. Pereira (2021.03908.CEECIND) contracts, through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. C. Caleja are grateful to the Healthy-PETFOOD (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-047073) project for her contract. The authors are also grateful to the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of by “BIOMA” for financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dietary inclusion of blood hydrolysates affects muscle growth in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Dietary supplementation with hydrolysates has been suggested to influence muscle protein synthesis and fish growth. This study assessed the impact of including 3% swine blood hydrolysates (BH) in a plant-based diet on muscle cellularity and the expression of molecular markers related to muscle fibre proliferation and hypertrophic growth of European seabass. Three BH fractions were obtained by two different processes, autohydrolysis (AH-H) and enzymatic hydrolysis followed by micro- (RMF-H) and nanofiltration (RNF-H). Each BH was added to a commercial-based diet, where 50% of fishmeal was replaced by vegetable proteins (negative control, NC). A fishmeal-based diet was used as positive control, PC. The diets were fed to juveniles (12 g) during 74 days. The RMF group showed down-regulation of myod1 and fgf4, essential to myoblast proliferation and differentiation, and upregulation of mafbx, responsible for protein breakdown, resulting in impairment of muscle hyperplasic growth and the lowest muscle fibres number. However, compensatory growth mechanisms were observed through capn1 downregulation and mymk upregulation, suggesting decreased muscle proteolysis and increased myoblast fusion. Despite this, the compensatory mechanisms were insufficient as RMF group had the worst growth. RNF group had a final weight similar to the NC, but downregulation of fgf4, fgf6 and capn1 may compromise growth potential at long term. The expression of these genes in the AH group was similar to that in the FM-based diet. Despite not having demonstrated growth promotion ability, BH affect muscle growth and cellularity factors, prompting further research on commercial-sized fish to reveal their impact on important commercial traits.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical characterization of “Alcaparras” stoned table olives from Northeast Portugal

Commercial stoned table olives named "alcaparras" from Trás-os-Montes (Portugal) were chemically characterized. During three consecutive years (2004-2006) 30 samples (10 per year) were examined for their nutritional value (moisture, crude protein, total fat, ash, carbohydrates, and energy), with a detailed report of the fatty acids and tocopherols composition. Water was the major constituent (72.5 ± 5.5%), followed by fat (14.6 ± 5.1%). The average amount of protein and ash were 1.1% and 3.4%, respectively, reporting unusual ash values for table olives, related to the technological process. One hundred grams of fresh stoned table olives presented an average energetic value of 156 kcal, lower than most table olives. The lipids are rich in oleic acid (average of 77.7 ± 2.0%), followed by palmitic acid and linoleic acid. Samples showed an average of total tocopherols of 1.2 mg/100 g of fresh weight, being α-tocopherol the most abundant. Table olives are important sources of MUFA, as olive oil, recognized as a preventive factor in diseases in which free radicals are implicated, complemented by the amounts of vitamin E, with both antioxidant and vitamin action.The authors are grateful to INTERREG III A Program, Project PIREFI for financial support of this work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Are coffee silverskin extracts safe for topical use? An in vitro and in vivo approach

Recent changes in regulatory requirements and social views on animal testing have incremented the development of reliable alternative tests for predicting skin and ocular irritation potential of products based on new raw materials. In this regard, botanical ingredients used in cosmetic products are among those materials, and should be carefully reviewed concerning the potential presence of irritant constituents. In particular, cosmetic products used on the face, in vicinity of the eyes or that may come in contact with mucous membranes, should avoid botanical ingredients that contain, or are suspected to contain, such ingredients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of a new cosmetic ingredient, namely, coffee silverskin (CS), with an in vitro skin and ocular irritation assay using reconstructed human epidermis, EpiSkin™, and human corneal epithelial model, SkinEthics™ HCE, and an in vivo assay. Three different extracts of CS were evaluated. The histology of the models after extracts applications was analysed. The in vitro results demonstrated that extracts were not classified as irritant and the histological analyses proved that extracts did not affect both models structure. The content of caffeine, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and chlorogenic acid was quantified after the epidermal assay. The in vivo test carried out with the most promising extract (hydroalcoholic) showed that, with respect to irritant effects, these extracts can be regarded as safe for topical application

Information and knowledge management and complexity theory in the business context: a study in the communication and technology sector

Uma sociedade imersa em grandes quantidades de informação deve ser pautada pela integração dos mais variados contextos organizacionais e informacionais, a fim de produzir conhecimento com características inter, multi, pluri e transdisciplinares. Assim, apresenta-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: a empresa contemplada pela pesquisa, pertencente ao ramo de comunicação e tecnologia, possui uma cultura organizacional voltada à promoção e desenvolvimento da gestão da informação e do conhecimento baseada no pensamento complexo? O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar se esta empresa apresenta fatores que indicam uma cultura organizacional voltada à promoção e desenvolvimento da gestão da informação e do conhecimento em suas práticas de trabalho, com base na teoria da complexidade. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritivo-exploratória de natureza qualitativa, utilizando como instrumento de pesquisa o roteiro de entrevista, e como método de análise, a “Análise de Conteúdo”. Os resultados demonstram que o ambiente organizacional desenvolve de maneira mais acentuada as práticas de gestão da informação do que de gestão do conhecimento, baseando-se em alguns princípios do pensamento complexo desenvolvidos em paralelo com a gestão da informação, e se pode apontar que dos sete princípios do pensamento complexo, os desenvolvidos na empresa pesquisada são: princípio hologramático, princípio da auto-eco-organização, princípio do círculo retroativo e princípio do círculo recursivo.A society immersed in large amounts of information must be guided by the integration of the most varied organizational and informational contexts, in order to produce knowledge with inter, multi, multi and transdisciplinary characteristics. Thus, the following research problem is presented: Does the company contemplated by the research, belonging to the field of communication and technology, have an organizational culture focused on the promotion and development of information and knowledge management based on complex thinking? The objective of the research is to verify if this company presents factors that indicate an organizational culture focused on the promotion and development of information and knowledge management in its work practices, based on complexity theory. For this, a descriptive-exploratory research of a qualitative nature was carried out, using as a research tool the interview script, and as a method of analysis, the 'Content Analysis'. The results show that the organizational environment develops more strongly the practices of information management than of management of knowledge, based on some principles of complex thinking developed in parallel with the information management, and it can be pointed out that of the seven principles of complex thinking, those developed in the researched enterprise are: hologramatic principle, self-eco-organization principle, retroactive circle principle and recursive circle principle.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Information and knowledge management and complexity theory in the business context: a study in the communication and technology sector

Uma sociedade imersa em grandes quantidades de informação deve ser pautada pela integração dos mais variados contextos organizacionais e informacionais, a fim de produzir conhecimento com características inter, multi, pluri e transdisciplinares. Assim, apresenta-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: a empresa contemplada pela pesquisa, pertencente ao ramo de comunicação e tecnologia, possui uma cultura organizacional voltada à promoção e desenvolvimento da gestão da informação e do conhecimento baseada no pensamento complexo? O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar se esta empresa apresenta fatores que indicam uma cultura organizacional voltada à promoção e desenvolvimento da gestão da informação e do conhecimento em suas práticas de trabalho, com base na teoria da complexidade. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritivo-exploratória de natureza qualitativa, utilizando como instrumento de pesquisa o roteiro de entrevista, e como método de análise, a “Análise de Conteúdo”. Os resultados demonstram que o ambiente organizacional desenvolve de maneira mais acentuada as práticas de gestão da informação do que de gestão do conhecimento, baseando-se em alguns princípios do pensamento complexo desenvolvidos em paralelo com a gestão da informação, e se pode apontar que dos sete princípios do pensamento complexo, os desenvolvidos na empresa pesquisada são: princípio hologramático, princípio da auto-eco-organização, princípio do círculo retroativo e princípio do círculo recursivo.A society immersed in large amounts of information must be guided by the integration of the most varied organizational and informational contexts, in order to produce knowledge with inter, multi, multi and transdisciplinary characteristics. Thus, the following research problem is presented: Does the company contemplated by the research, belonging to the field of communication and technology, have an organizational culture focused on the promotion and development of information and knowledge management based on complex thinking? The objective of the research is to verify if this company presents factors that indicate an organizational culture focused on the promotion and development of information and knowledge management in its work practices, based on complexity theory. For this, a descriptive-exploratory research of a qualitative nature was carried out, using as a research tool the interview script, and as a method of analysis, the 'Content Analysis'. The results show that the organizational environment develops more strongly the practices of information management than of management of knowledge, based on some principles of complex thinking developed in parallel with the information management, and it can be pointed out that of the seven principles of complex thinking, those developed in the researched enterprise are: hologramatic principle, self-eco-organization principle, retroactive circle principle and recursive circle principle.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Microplastics effects in Scrobicularia plana

One of the most common plastics in the marine environment is polystyrene (PS) that can be broken down to micro sized particles. Marine organisms are vulnerable to the exposure to microplastics. This study assesses the effects of PS microplastics in tissues of the clam Scrobicularia plana. Clams were exposed to 1mgL-1(20μm) for 14days, followed by 7days of depuration. A qualitative analysis by infrared spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode period detected the presence of microplastics in clam tissues upon exposure, which were not eliminated after depuration. The effects of microplastics were assessed by a battery of biomarkers and results revealed that microplastics induce effects on antioxidant capacity, DNA damage, neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. S. plana is a significant target to assess the environmental risk of PS microplastics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Benthic foraminiferal response to variations in temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon, in the Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Recent benthic foraminiferal distribution patterns in Guanabara Bay are investigated in relation to temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon content. Patterns of foraminiferal fauna differ between the entrance of the bay and inner parts. The primary result of the present study is that the distribution of Cassidulina subglobosa and Discorbis williamsoni appear to be governed by lower temperature and higher salinities being found in the entrance of the bay. According to dissolved oxygen content it was observed that Quinqueloculina seminulum occurs when values are higher than 2 mg/l, being intolerant to low oxygen bottom water conditions. By the other hand, Buliminella elegantissima, Bolivina striatula and Bulimmina elongata flourishes under low oxygen waters and in sediment where the organic matter accumulation is high, being found mainly in the central parts of the bay.Padrões de distribuição de foraminíferos bentônicos recentes são investigados com relação a temperatura, salinidade, oxigênio dissolvido e conteúdo de carbono orgânico. A distribuição de foraminíferos é diferente na entrada da baía se comparada às partes internas. Os primeiros resultados mostram que Cassidulina subglobosa e Discorbis williamsoni são encontradas em ambientes com baixa temperatura e altas salinidades na entrada da baía. De acordo com o teor de oxigênio dissolvido foi observado que Quinqueloculina seminulum ocorre quando os valores são mais altos que 2mg/l, sendo intolerante às condições. Por outro lado, Buliminella elegantissima, Bolivina striatula e Bulimmina elongata aparecem nas partes centrais da baía, que são locais com baixa oxigenação e sedimentos onde a acumulação de matéria orgânica é alta

Utilidad de los marcadores biológicos en la detección precoz y prevención del síndrome de burnout

Burnout is associated with a worse health self-perception and greater physical and psychiatric comorbidity. The objective of this review is to summarize in a systematic way the main biomarkers associated with the burnout syndrome: cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate and variability of heart rate); sleep-related (quality,fragmentation, and sleep latency); associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis (cortisol, salivary IgA, lysozime, a-amylase and chromogranin-A); related to the immune system (natural killer cells and mononuclear antibodies CD57 and CD16), and related to inflammation (TNF-a, IL-4 interleukins, fibrinogen, reactive C protein). In the next years, some of these biomarkers, mainly those related to the immune system and inflammation could become useful keys for the early detection and monitorization of this disorder.El burnout se asocia a una peor autopercepción de la salud, así como a una gran comorbilidad somática y psicológica. El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar de forma sistemática los principales biomarcadores asociados al burnout: cardiovasculares (tensión arterial, frecuencia cardiaca y variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca); losrelacionados con el sueño (calidad, fragmentación, latencia y horas de sueño); losrelacionados con los ejes hipotálamo-hipófiso-suprarrenal y simpático-médulo-suprarrenal (cortisol, IgA, lisozima, a-amilasa y cromogranina A salival);relacionados con el sistema inmunitario (células naturales asesinas y anticuerpos mononucleares CD57 y CD16), ylosrelacionados con la inflamación (TNF-a, interleuquinas IL-4, fibrinógeno, proteína c-reactiva). Es probable que en los próximos años algunos de estos biomarcadores, sobre todo los relacionados con el sistema inmune y con la inflamación, resulten de gran utilidad para la detección precoz y monitorización del tratamiento en este trastorno.

A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis sp. microalga – Energy and CO2 emission and economic analyses

Are microalgae a potential energy source for biofuel production? This paper presents the laboratory results from a Nannochloropsis sp. microalga biorefinery for the production of oil, high-value pigments, and biohydrogen (bioH2). The energy consumption and CO2 emissions involved in the whole process (microalgae cultivation, harvest, dewater, mill, extraction and leftover biomass fermentation) were evaluated. An economic evaluation was also performed. Oil was obtained by soxhlet (SE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The bioH2 was produced by fermentation of the leftover biomass. The oil production pathway by SE shows the lowest value of energy consumption, 177-245 MJ/MJprod, and CO2 emissions, 13–15 kgCO2/MJprod. Despite consuming and emitting c.a. 20% more than the SE pathway, the oil obtained by SFE, proved to be more economically viable, with a cost of 365€/kgoil produced and simultaneously extracting high-value pigments. The bioH2 as co-product may be advantageous in terms of product yield or profit