Development of dairy beverages functionalized with pure ergosterol and mycosterol extracts: an alternative to phytosterol-based beverages

In the present work, Agaricus bisporus extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and ergosterol, were incorporated into dairy beverages at concentrations mimicking commercial phytosterol-added yogurts, to work as alternatives. The samples were analysed for nutritional and bioactive properties, and compared with controls (yogurts with no additives or phytosterols), at two storage times (right after incorporation (ST = 0) and after seven days at 4 °C (ST = 7)). The ones incorporated with the extract (YAb) and with ergosterol at the same concentration as in the extract (YPEAb) showed similar antioxidant properties as the ones with phytosterols (YPhy), but a higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells. YPEPhy, the sample with ergosterol at the same amount as phytosterols in YPhy, was the strongest in both bioactivities. For YAb, YPEAb and YPEPhy the antioxidant capacity increased from ST = 0 to ST = 7, meaning that the extract and ergosterol protected the yogurt from oxidation, improving the shelf life. Nutritional parameters were identical for all samples.The authors acknowledge FCT (Portugal) for financial support to (UID/AGR/00690/2013), Sandrina A. Heleno (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014), L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) and R.C. Calhelha (SFRH/BPD/BPD/68344/2010); POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT; Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tailoring swelling of alginate-gelatin hydrogel microspheres by crosslinking with calcium chloride combined with transglutaminase

lginate-based hydrogels can find uses in a wide range of applications, including in the encapsulation field. This type of hydrogels is usually ionically crosslinked using calcium sources giving rise to products with limited internal crosslinking. In this work, it is hypothesized that the combination of alginate crosslinked by calcium chloride (external crosslinking; ionic mechanism) with gelatin crosslinked by transglutaminase (internal crosslinking; enzymatic induced mechanism) can be used to tailor the swelling behavior of alginate-based hydrogel microspheres. A systematic study was conducted by covering process variables such as gelatin content, TGase concentration, and CaCl2 contact time, added by statistic tools as central composite rotatable design (CCRD), principal component analysis (PCA) and multiobjective optimization, to map their effect on the resulting water content after production (expressed as swelling ratio), and swelling properties at pH 3 and 7. Among the studied variables, particle's swelling was mostly affected by the gelatin content and transglutaminase concentration.This work was financially supported by Associate Laboratory LSRELCM (UID/EQU/50020/2019) funded by national funds through FCT/ MCTES (PIDDAC), and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and by CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019) trough FEDER under Program PT2020. The authors are grateful to CAPES, CNPq and Fundação Araucária for the support and also to Ajinomoto Foods Europe S.A.S. (France) for kindly provide the transglutaminase sample used in this work. I.P. Fernandes thanks the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for her contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Heat and pH stable curcumin-based hydrophylic colorants obtained by the solid dispersion technology assisted by spray-drying

Natural food colorants are on demand due to food safety concerns related with some synthetic counterparts. Health-friendly alternatives can be available from plant sources, which include curcumin extracted from Curcuma longa L. However, its industrial use is difficult to achieve due to the low water affinity, pH and thermal instability, which is particularly challenging, e.g. for baked foods. In this work, the solid dispersion technique followed by spray-drying, an emergent approach in the context of colorants, was applied to curcumin using k-carrageenan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyvinylpyrrolidone, as the encapsulant materials. An orthogonal central composite design with dummy-variables was applied, and principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) carried out to identify the experimental conditions leading to the most effective formulations. In general, particles with a wide range of pH and heat stability have been produced depending on the chosen encapsulant material, used formulation (curcumin, surfactant and polymer contents), and synthesis conditions (pH). Moreover, the used mathematical approach showed to be a valuable tool to support the development of tailor-made formulations directed to specific applications where pH and temperature are relevant processing parameters.This work was financially supported by Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM (UID/EQU/50020/2019) funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal). CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019) through FEDER under Program PT2020. Authors thank CAPES (Brazil), CNPq (Brazil) and Fundação Araucária (Brazil) for the support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microencapsulation of ergosterol and Agaricus bisporus L. extracts by complex coacervation using whey protein and chitosan: Optimization study using response surface methodology

In the present work microencapsulation was applied to an ergosterol enriched extract (EEE) from Agaricus bisporus L. and pure ergosterol (PE) using a complex coacervation process. The process was optimized following two steps: (i) using response surface methodology to optimize the conditions of temperature (T, 55 to 95 °C), protein-to-chitosan ratio (P/C, 0.5 to 10.5), maximizing yield (Y1, %, w/w), efficiency (Y2, %, w/w) and load (Y3, %, w/w); and (ii) using the dose-response methodology to optimize the ergosterol content (E) at the optimal conditions achieved in (i). The global optimal conditions for both cases were the same (T of 55 °C and a P/C of 0.5), but with maximized responses of Y1=75.02%; Y2=100.00%, Y3=12.78%, and Y1=19.19%; Y2=100.00%, Y3=15.87%, respectively. The effect of increasing ergosterol content led to the reduction of the microencapsulation yield, but with an increase in the ergosterol load and maintenance of the microencapsulation efficiency.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), to European Structural and Investment Funds (FEEI) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural®, Sandrina A. Heleno (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014), L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/ 2015) and Xunta de Galicia for financial support for the post-doctoral researcher of M.A. Prieto; POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE LCM), funded by FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT; Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Functionalization of yogurts with Agaricus bisporus extracts encapsulated in spray-dried maltodextrin crosslinked with citric acid

Mushroom extracts contain bioactive compounds potentially useful to functionalize foodstuffs. Herein, alcoholic extracts of Agaricus bisporus were studied for their bioactivity and viability as functional ingredients in a food product with high water content (yogurt). Extracts were microencapsulated (to improve their stability and hydrophilicity) by spray-drying, using maltodextrin crosslinked with citric acid as encapsulating material. The effect of thermal treatment (after atomization) on crosslinking and bioactivity of microspheres was tested. The incorporation of free and thermally untreated forms resulted in yogurts with higher initial antioxidant activity (EC 50 values: 214 and 272 mg.mL −1 ) that decreased after 7 days (EC 50 values: 248 and 314 mg.mL −1 ). Contrarily, thermally treated microencapsulated extracts showed higher antioxidant activity after the same period (EC 50 values, 0 days: 106 mg.mL −1 ; 7 days: 48.7 mg.mL −1 ), in result of an effective protection provided by microencapsulation with crosslinked maltodextrin and citric acid. Functionalized yogurts showed an overall maintenance of nutritional properties.This work was financially supported by: Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 – Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) – and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. The authors are also grateful to FCT and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), S. Heleno grant (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014) and L. Barros, J. Barreira and C. Calhelha contracts. To Norte 2020, through FEDER e FSE under PT2020 (Projeto NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006). To FEEI through NORTE 2020 (Project ValorNatural®). To CAPES (Brasil) (Project 99999.000488/2016-00, Strategic programs -DRI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

β-Carotene colouring systems based on solid lipid particles produced by hot melt dispersion

In this work, β-carotene was selected to develop a novel study, namely a food colorant system based on beeswax solid lipid particles obtained by hot melt dispersion. The obtained microparticles were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. It was observed that the obtained size can be modulated by using different amounts of emulsifier, as well as the dispersing capability. In a final stage, the obtained particles were tested concerning their colorant power by selecting a food matrix widely appreciated and consumed (mayonnaise). Moreover, the formulation providing the best hue and dispersibility (formulation containing 3% of Tween 80, and β-carotene at 5 mg/25 g of commercial mayonnaise) was analysed along a storage period of 15 days concerning colour, nutritional value and chemical composition. The results pointed out for colour stability and nutritional value maintenance, after 15 days under storage at 6 °C.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), and to UIDB/50020/2020 of the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM - funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); national funding by FCT, PI, through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros’s and I. Fernandes contract; to the project AllNat for the contract of C. Caleja (Project AllNat POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463), the Valor Natural project for the contract of E. Pereira (Mobilized Project Norte-01-0247- FEDER-024479), and FCT for the PhD research grant SFRH/BD/147326/2019 (S.C. Rezende). This work is also funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01- 0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural®; and to FEDER-Interreg España- Portugal programme for financial support through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Women in radiology: gender diversity is not a metric—it is a tool for excellence

Abstract: Women in Focus: Be Inspired was a unique programme held at the 2019 European Congress of Radiology that was structured to address a range of topics related to gender and healthcare, including leadership, mentoring and the generational progression of women in medicine. In most countries, women constitute substantially fewer than half of radiologists in academia or private practice despite frequently accounting for at least half of medical school enrolees. Furthermore, the proportion of women decreases at higher academic ranks and levels of leadership, a phenomenon which has been referred to as a “leaky pipeline”. Gender diversity in the radiologic workplace, including in academic and leadership positions, is important for the present and future success of the field. It is a tool for excellence that helps to optimize patient care and research; moreover, it is essential to overcome the current shortage of radiologists. This article reviews the current state of gender diversity in academic and leadership positions in radiology internationally and explores a wide range of potential reasons for gender disparities, including the lack of role models and mentorship, unconscious bias and generational changes in attitudes about the desirability of leadership positions. Strategies for both individuals and institutions to proactively increase the representation of women in academic and leadership positions are suggested. Key Points: • Gender-diverse teams perform better. Thus, gender diversity throughout the radiologic workplace, including in leadership positions, is important for the current and future success of the field. • Though women now make up roughly half of medical students, they remain underrepresented among radiology trainees, faculty and leaders. • Factors leading to the gender gap in academia and leadership positions in Radiology include a lack of role models and mentors, unconscious biases, other societal barriers and generational changes

Lipid composition optimization in spray congealing technique and testing with curcumin-loaded microparticles

Spray-congealing, a technique based on the fast solidification of sprayed molten lipids, is considered a novel strategy to encapsulate natural products. Among others, it is a safe, low cost, fast and reproducible technique, with rising interest for several applications (e.g. food applications). One of the key parameters for the application of this technique is the lipid solidification temperature, which can be modulated by optimizing the lipid composition. In this work, three lipid components (beeswax, carnauba wax, and medium-chain triglycerides (Miglyol 812)) were selected, and the mixture composition modelled using a simplex-centroid experimental design. Three different lipid compositions were chosen to validate the proposed model, then tested in the preparation of curcumin-loaded microparticles (1.5%, w/w). The produced microparticles were analysed in terms of colour, morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency and load, physicochemical, crystalline, and thermal properties. Results evidenced that microparticle's properties, including encapsulation efficiency, vary according to the used lipid mixture, supporting their tailoring role. This fact brings advantages in the design of microencapsulation systems based on spray congealing processes, broadening their applicability. Moreover, lipid composition optimisation was proved to be an important tool to precede the development of spray-congealing applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antioxidants extraction from Pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) coats and application to zein films

Seeds from Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze are consumed after cooking and their coats discarded. Both coats and the cooking water present phenolic compounds, which may be used to improve mechanical properties and provide antioxidant characteristics to films. The objective of this work was to obtain and pinhão coat extracts and to apply these polyphenolic-rich extracts in zein films. Phenolic compounds composition, extraction yield and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) of the extracts were determined. The most abundant molecules present in the hydroethanolic extract were (+)-catechin and an (epi)catechin dimer, whereas protocatechuic acid were predominant in the both cooking water and ethanolic extracts. Glass transition temperature of zein was not found in the extract-loaded films. Morphological changes were also caused by the presence of the extracts yielding smoother surfaces. The extracts added to zein films led to a three-fold increase in tensile strength (from 5.80 MPa to 17.65 MPa) and two-fold increase in the elongation at break (from 1.60% to 3.18%).Authors thank to CNPq (Chamada Universal– MCTI/CNPq Nº 14/ 2014, Processo 447768/2014-0), CAPES (Master's scholarship) and Fundação Araucária (Programa Universal/Pesquisa Básica e Aplicada 24/2012, protocolo 7334133700514041013) for the finantial support. Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 – Associated Laboratory LSRELCM funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nanodispersions of beta-carotene: effects on antioxidant enzymes and cytotoxic properties

Beta-carotene is a carotenoid precursor of vitamin A, known for its biological activities. Due to its high hydrophobicity, nanonization processes, i.e. the transformation into nanoparticles, can improve its water affinity, and therefore the activity in aqueous systems. The objective of this study was to produce beta-carotene nanoparticles by the solid dispersion method and to evaluate their effects on the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes using Drosophila melanogaster (DM) homogenate, the superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities under in vitro conditions, and their cytotoxic properties against tumor and non-tumor cells. The formed nanometric beta-carotene particles resulted in stable colloids, readily dispersed in water, able to modulate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and presenting high potential to control the cholinergic system. Beta-carotene nanoparticles, at concentrations much lower than the pure pristine beta-carotene, presented in vitro mimetic activity to superoxide dismutase and altered glutathione-S-transferase activity in DM tissue. The content of hydrogen peroxide was neither affected by the nanoparticles (in aqueous solution) nor by pristine beta-carotene (in DMSO). In the cytotoxic assays, beta-carotene nanoparticles dispersed in water showed activity against four different tumor cell lines. Overall, beta-carotene nanoparticles presented significant bioactivity in aqueous medium surpassing their high hydrophobicity constraint.The authors thank CNPq, CAPES and Fundação Araucária for the support. The authors are also grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project UID/AGR/00690/2013) and R. Calhelha contract, and to the project POCI-01-0145- FEDER-006984 – Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM funded by the FEDER through COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) – and by national funds through FCT. This work was also funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (FEEI) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE and Project Mobilizador ValorNatural®.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio