Evaluation of the inorganic content of six underused wild berries from Portugal: Potential new sources of essential minerals

The mineral content and levels of trace elements in six wild underused berries (Elaeagnus umbellata, Myrica faya, Rubus grandifolius, Sambucus lanceolata, Vaccinium padifolium and Vaccinium cylindraceum) have been determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after microwave digestion. The inorganic content of these foodstuffs has not been previously described in scientific literature (except for E. umbellata). Hence, this information is of high interest concerning the introduction of these noncommercial berries in the mainstream market. The analytical method has been validated analyzing a certified reference material and performing recovery experiments. The results obtained have been discussed using the Recommended Daily Allowance for minerals provided by the Commission of the European Community, and a comparison between the composition of the analyzed berries and different commercialised berries has been carried out. Data obtained in this study support the consumption of these less-known berries, in particular R. grandifolius and S. lanceolata, as potential novel sources of essential minerals.The authors are grateful to Esmeralda Meneses, Cândida Dias and to Funchal Ecological Park for the supply of plant material. E. J. Llorent-Martínez acknowledges the financial support from the UCLM Research Plan. CICT from University of Jaén is also acknowledged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Polyphenols of Myrica faya inhibit key enzymes linked to type II diabetes and obesity and formation of advanced glycation end-products (in vitro): Potential role in the prevention of diabetic complications

Myrica faya Aiton (fire tree, faya) is an underused species with a diverse flavonoid composition (anthocyanins, flavonols, ellagitannins) which can promote positive effects on human health. M. faya has been reported to possess high antioxidant activities, but its potential in the prevention of type II diabetes has not been evaluated so far. In the present study, eight M. faya samples from different areas of Madeira and Azores archipelagos (Portugal) were collected to determine their phytochemical profile and then tested for their in vitro anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities. The analyzed extracts showed strong inhibitory activities towards α -glucosidase, aldose reductase and glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and moderate effects towards α-amylase and lipase (by comparison with reference compounds). Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and ellagitannins were the main bioactive agents involved in the anti-diabetic effects of M. faya. Such results may provide important scientific evidence for further utilization of M. faya as dietary or nutraceutical products for the prevention and/or control of hyperglycaemia-associated complications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antioxidant polyphenols of Madeira sorrel (Rumex maderensis): How do they survive to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion?

In this work, we report the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of different morphological parts of Rumex maderensis Lowe (Polygonaceae), a wild leafy-vegetable growing in Madeira Island (Portugal). Methanol extracts from leaves, flowers, and stems were submitted to high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection to obtain the phytochemical profile, which allowed the identification of 86 polyphenols (about 70% C- and O-flavonoids) and 9 non-phenolic compounds. In vitro antioxidant activities were measured against ABTS, DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide free radicals. Then, the samples were subjected to an in vitro digestion, observing a decrease of about 50% in both the content of phenolics and the antioxidant activity. However, relevant antioxidant capacity was still observed after the simulated digestion. Therefore, this study supports the consumption of R. maderensis as an interesting foodstuff and a dietary source of antioxidant phytochemicals that survive the gastrointestinal digestion process.V. Spínola acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for a Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/84672/2012. This research was supported by FCT with funds from the Portuguese Government (Project PEst-OE/QUI/UI0674/2013) and the Portuguese National Mass Spectrometry Network (Contract RNEMREDE/1508/REM/2005). Funding through the project M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000005 - Centro de Química da Madeira - CQM+ (Madeira 14-20) is also acknowledged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phenolic profiles of Lauraceae plant species endemic to Laurisilva forest: a chemotaxonomic survey

In this work, the phenolic composition of several trees endemic to Madeira archipelago (Portugal) was studied. Specifically, the leaves of the most relevant species of the Lauraceae family (Laurus novocanariensis, Apollonias barbujana, Ocotea foetens, and Persea indica) have been analyzed. The screening of the main phenolic compounds in their methanol extracts has been performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI–MSn ), identifying or tentatively characterizing almost 100 compounds, including a high number of proanthocyanidins (A- and B-type), which have been reported to present remarkable health benefits. Thirty-four compounds have been quantified, observing total individual phenolic contents (TIPCs) between 18.43 and 88.99 mg g−1 dry extract, with the lowest TIPC in O. foetens and the highest in A. barbujana.E. J. Llorent-Martínez acknowledges the financial support from the UCLM Research Plan. V. Spínola is grateful to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for a Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/84672/ 2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Culturas, políticas y prácticas de inclusión en las universidades: enfoque desde la formación inicial del profesorado

Nuestra definición de Inclusión parte de la propuesta de una educación accesible y de calidad, que contemple a todas las personas, en cualquier nivel de enseñanza. Tal definición apuesta por la construcción de una mirada crítica en el currículo y su transversalidad durante la formación de futuros profesionales, lo que consideramos fundamental para discutir la organización de una propuesta de Educación Inclusiva en el nivel de enseñanza superior. El objetivo de este proyecto es profundizar en los procesos de inclusión/exclusión educativa en la formación inicial del profesorado, ya que como futuros educadores sus concepciones al respecto influirán en su práctica docente, a lo que hay que añadir la proyección social de la figura del profesional de la educación. Este estudio incorpora, además, la consideración del tema en un ámbito internacional desde una perspectiva educativa comparada, convirtiéndolo en una experiencia mucho más enriquecedora y que aporta datos de interés para otros trabajos en el campo abordado.Our definition of inclusion originates of the proposal for an accessible and quality education, which includes everyone, at any level of education. This definition is committed to building a critical look at the curriculum and its mainstreaming in the education of future professionals; we considered the organization to discuss a proposal for Inclusive Education in the higher education level. Examine the processes of inclusion/exclusion of education in initial teacher training is the goal of this project, because as future educators their conceptions influence in their teaching practice, to which must be added the outreach they have. This study incorporates our interest in international comparative educational perspective, making it a much richer experience and it provides very interesting data

Changes in the phenolic compositions of Elaeagnus umbellata and Sambucus lanceolata after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and evaluation of their potential anti-diabetic properties

In this work, the phenolic composition of E. umbellata leaves and berries is reported. Berries were rich in flavonols, whereas leaves presented abundant flavonols and ellagitannins. Then, the enzyme-inhibitory properties, anti-glycation and antioxidant activities of E. umbellata and Sambucus lanceolata (its phenolic profile has been already established in a previous work) were tested by several in vitro assays and compared. The simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in a decrease on their phenolic composition. Nevertheless, both species still had the ability to inhibit aldose reductase activity and protein glycation and scavenge free radicals at the end of the process. Thus, the potential beneficial effects of E. umbellata and S. lanceolata seems to be kept to some extent after passage throughout the digestive system. Altogether, this study provides further insight into investigation of these species as dietary sources of bioactive compounds to lower the risk of type-2 diabetes and obesity.The authors are grateful to Esmeralda Dias from “A Quintinha das Aromáticas” (Funchal, Portugal) for the supply of E. umbellata samples and to Francisco Fernandes and José Carvalho from Madeira Botanical Garden (Funchal) for the identification of plant material. V. Spínola acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for a Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/84672/2012. This work was also supported by FCT (project PEst-OE/QUI/UI0674/2019, CQM, Portuguese Government funds) and the Portuguese National Mass Spectrometry Network (Contract RNEMREDE/1508/REM/2005), and through Madeira 14-20 Program, project PROEQUIPRAM - Reforço do Investimento em Equipamentos e Infraestruturas Científicas na RAM (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000008) and by ARDITI-Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, through the project M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000005 - Centro de Química da Madeira - CQM+ (Madeira 14-20).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Myrica faya: a new source of antioxidant phytochemicals

Myrica faya is a fruit tree endemic of the Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, and Canary Island), and its edible fruits are known as "amorinhos" (little loves), bright red to purple berries, used fresh and in jams and liquors. The phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of leaves and berries from M. faya are presented here for the first time. The screening of phytochemical compounds was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with online UV and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n)). There were 55 compounds characterized, mostly galloyl esters of flavonoids and phenolic acids; 26 of the identified compounds (anthocyanins, isoflavonoids, lignans, terpenes, fatty acids, and phenylethanoids) have not been reported in Myrica genus so far. From the data presented here, it can be concluded that faya berries represent a rich source of cyanidin-3-glucoside, flavonoids, and vitamin C. In fact, higher antioxidant activity than that of the well-known Myrica rubra berries (Chinese bayberry) has been observed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HPLC-ESI-MSn characterization of phenolic compounds, terpenoid saponins, and other minor compounds in Bituminaria bituminosa

Bituminaria bituminosa is a wild legume that can endure drastic conditions, including contaminated and degraded soils. It has been traditionally used as feeding for livestock, and different uses in folk medicine are known. The chemical composition of leaves and flowers from B. bituminosa is presented for the first time. The screening of phytochemical compounds was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI-MSn). More than 40 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized. A high percentage of the detected compounds corresponded to glycosylated flavonoids, especially from apigenin, although phenolic acids, lignans, and saponins were also identified.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of seasonal and Organ-Related Fluctuations on the anthelmintic properties and chemical profile of Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl Extracts

The use of plants and their metabolites stands as a promising option to tackle parasitic infections by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in integrated control strategies. Still, the influence of environmental and phenological factors, and their interactions, in the wild on the metabolomics and biological properties of target plant species, is often disregarded. In this work, we hypothesized that variations in the anthelmintic (AH) properties and chemical composition of extracts from the salt tolerant species Cladium mariscus L. Pohl (sawgrass) may be influenced by seasonal factors and organ-parts. To test this hypothesis, acetone/water extracts were prepared from dried biomass obtained from aerial organs collected from sawgrass in consecutive seasons and tested against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis by the larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA) and egg hatching inhibition assay (EHIA). To ascertain the role of plant organ, the activity of leaves and inflorescences extracts from summer samples was compared. The role of polyphenols in the anthelmintic activity depending on GINs and fluctuations across seasons and plant organs was assessed using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), coupled with an in-depth chemical profiling analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography completed with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI-MSn). Main differences in anthelmintic activities were observed for summer and autumn samples, for both assays. Moreover, inflorescences' extracts were significantly more active than those from leaves against both parasite species on EHIA and against H. contortus on LEIA. Application of PVPP totally inhibit the AH effects based on EHIA and only partly for LEIA. Non-treated PVPP extracts were predominantly composed of flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, luteolin and glycosylated flavonoids, while two flavonoid glycosides were quantified in all PVPP-treated samples. Thus, the activity of such compounds should be further explored, although some unknown metabolites remain to be identified. This study reinforces the hypothesis of the AH potential of sawgrass and of its polyphenolic metabolites uses as nutraceutical and/or phytotherapeutic drugs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acción y reflexión para la inclusión educativa desde el modelo DUA.

Esta comunicación forma parte de un proyecto global titulado DUA-INCLUDIG PID 2020- 112530RB-I00 (Convocatoria 2020 de I+D+i del Ministerio de Ciencia) que tiene como finalidad analizar las aportaciones a las prácticas curriculares y a las culturas inclusivas y digitales de los centros educativos que se hacen desde el DUA. De manera específica, se presenta el modelo de formación para docentes llevado a cabo durante el curso 2022-23 en diez centros educativos de toda España.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech