Foeniculum vulgare Essential Oils: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare commercial aerial parts and fruits were isolated by hydrodistillation, with different distillation times (30 min, I h, 2 h and 3 h), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antioxidant ability was estimated using four distinct methods. Antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. Remarkable differences, and worrying from the quality and safety point of view, were detected in the essential oils. trans-Anethole (31-36%), alpha-pinene (14-20%) and limonene (11-13%) were the main components of the essentials oil isolated from F. vulgare dried aerial parts, whereas methyl chavicol (= estragole) (79-88%) was dominant in the fruit oils. With the DPPH method the plant oils showed better antioxidant activity than the fruits oils. With the TBARS method and at higher concentrations, fennel essential oils showed a pro-oxidant activity. None of the oils showed a hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity >50%, but they showed an ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. The essential oils showed a very low antimicrobial activity. In general, the essential oils isolated during 2 h were as effective, from the biological activity point of view, as those isolated during 3 h.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of nanocoatings enriched with essential oils on ‘Rocha’ pear long storage

The effect of coating 'Rocha' pears with alginate-based nanoemulsions enriched with lemongrass essential oil (LG) or citral (Cit) was investigated. Fruit were treated with the nanoemulsions: sodium alginate 2% (w/w) + citral 1% (w/w) (Cit1%); sodium alginate 2% (w/w) + citral 2% (w/w) (Cit2%); sodium alginate 2% (w/w) + lemongrass 1.25% (w/w) (LG1.25%); sodium alginate 2% (w/w) + lemongrass 2.5% (w/w) (LG2.5%). Then, fruit were stored at 0 °C and at 95% relative humidity, for six months. Fruit samples were taken after two, four and six months, and then placed at 22 °C. Upon removal and after 7 d shelf-life, fruit were evaluated for colour CIE (L*, h◦), firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), weight loss, electrolytic leakage, microbial growth, symptoms of superficial scald and internal browning. All nanoemulsions had droplets in the nano range <500 nm, showed uniformity of particle size and stable dispersion. Cit-nanoemulsions had lower droplet size and higher stability than LG. No nanoemulsion showed cytotoxicity. Coatings reduced fruit colour evolution and preserved better firmness than control. After shelf-life, better firmness was found in LG-coated fruit. Coatings did not affect SSC and TA. Microbial growth was below the safety limits in all treatments. Fruit treated with LG-nanoemulsions did not show scald symptoms and panelists preferred LG1.25% coated fruit. Cit2% treated fruit showed the highest scald and internal browning symptoms, while LG1.25% did not show any disorders. This study suggests that LG-nanocoatings have the potential for preserving the quality of 'Rocha' pear.FCT (SFRH/BPD/108831/2015); UID/BIA/04325/2019/ UID/Multi/00631/2019/ UID/AMB/50017/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stability of Fried Olive and Sunflower Oils Enriched with Thymbra capitata Essential Oil

The stability of olive and sunflower oils for domestic uses after frying cow steak or only heating were evaluated in the presence or absence of the carvacrol-rich essential oil of Thymbra capitata. The treatments consisted of sunflower and olive oils either enriched with 200 mg/l of T. capitata oil or without it, heating at 180°C for 20 min, or frying 100 g cow steak at the same temperature and for the same period of time. In all assays, acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values were followed over time. The fatty acid profile was estimated before heating or frying as well as at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the type of fat as well as the type of treatment (frying or heating) was determinant for the acid, peroxide, and p-anisidine values found. The presence of the essential oil also demonstrated to affect those values depending on the type of the oil as well as on the type of the treatment (frying or heating). In contrast, the fatty acid profile did not change greatly

Antioxidant activity of thymbra capitata essential oil in meat-treated oil

Several synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), have been used to preserve meat. Nevertheless they are considered toxic and to have carcinogenic effects. Natural products, such as those present in essential oils, have been the target of studies as alternative antioxidants, showing promising results. In addition, these natural compounds have the advantage of having consumer's acceptance. Thymbra capitata is a perennial, herbaceous shrub commonly used as a spicy herb. The essential oils isolated from this plant showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the capacity of T. capitata oil to prevent lipid oxidation in bovine meat. Different concentrations of essential oil (0, 50, 75 and 100 mg/5 g of meat) were used in two types of bovine meat samples purchased in the local market. The protein content of both types of meat samples was 21%, and lipid content ranged from 9% to 15%. After covering with the oil, the two types of meat samples were stored at -17 degrees C, for one month. After 1 day, 15 days and 30 days, meat samples were taken and cooked at 85 degrees C for 90 min. The samples were then submitted to the TBARS modified method, for antioxidant activity evaluation. The essential oil was able to prevent meat oxidation even after one month of storage and showed a dose-dependent activity

A cultura anglófona e o ensino-aprendizagem do inglês no 1º ciclo

O presente relatório, elaborado no âmbito do Mestrado em Ensino de Inglês no 1ºCEB, está dividido em três partes: em primeiro lugar, apresenta-se uma descrição do enquadramento institucional em que foi realizado o estágio pedagógico, assim como uma descrição socioeconómica da cidade da Guarda, local onde fica a instituição de ensino onde a prática pedagógica teve lugar; em segundo lugar fornece-se uma descrição do processo da prática pedagógica supervisionada, juntamente com uma reflexão crítica da experiencia pedagógica; por último é feita uma abordagem ao tema “A cultura Anglófona e o Ensino-Aprendizagem do Inglês no 1ºCEB.” De forma aprofundada, na primeira parte deste relatório será apresentada uma descrição do meio sociocultural e económico onde desenvolvi a prática pedagógica no ano letivo de 2017/2018, na escola Básica de Sequeira da Guarda, na qual também se faz uma apresentação da cidade, do município e do ambiente educativo envolvendo o centro escolar, passando também por uma breve descrição da turma. Na segunda parte, é descrita a experiência da prática pedagógica incluindo uma elucidação das expectativas pré-estágio e uma breve avaliação do resultado final do mesmo, sendo aqui abordadas questões como a falta de experiência e receios associados a este mesmo assunto, tendo espaço para uma reflexão crítica sobre aquilo que foi feito no estágio pedagógico. Na terceira parte apresento uma abordagem aprofundada ao tema escolhido, para elaboração do presente relatório, salientando a importância do ensino linguístico em conjunto com a promoção de valores cultural e interculturalmente importantes. Aqui, são mencionados conceitos como cultura, cultura anglófona, interculturalidade, materiais autênticos e a sua importância, atitudes interculturais e de que forma estes conceitos podem ser introduzidos em sala de aula. dentro da sala de aula. São ainda apresentadas, no final, algumas propostas didáticas que fizeram parte do conjunto das sete aulas apresentadas

Agent-based simulation framework for the taxi sector modeling

Taxi services account for a significant part of the daily trips in most cities around the world. These services are regulated by a central authority, which usually monitors the performance of the taxi services provision and defines the policies applied to the taxi sector. In order to support policy makers, fleet managers and individual taxi drivers, there is a need for developing models to understand the behavior of these markets. Most of the models developed for analyzing the taxi market are based on econometric measurements and do not account for the spatial distribution of both taxi demand and supply. Only few simulation models are able to better understand the operational characteristics of the taxi market. This paper presents a framework for the development of agent based taxi simulation models. It is aimed at assessing policy makers, taxi fleet managers and individual drivers in the definition of the optimum operation mode and the number of vehicles.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

PVA−DNA Cryogel Membranes: Characterization, Swelling, and Transport Studies

Double-stranded (ds) DNA from salmon testes has been incorporated into PVA hydrogels obtained by a technique of repeated freezing and thawing. The cryogels obtained are free of potential toxic species like chemical cross-linkers, and consequently, they can be used in pharmaceutical or medical applications. These cryogels show a good mechanical resistance and a white and opaque appearance caused by a heterogeneous porous structure. Encapsulated DNA molecules can be in a compacted or an extended conformation in the PVA matrix and can be controlled by tailoring the degree of crystallinity of the PVA network; this is supported by fluorescence microscopy and UV and FTIR spectroscopic studies. The two forms of encapsulated DNA were observed for different types of matrixes: an extended one in a more crystalline network and a globular one in a more amorphous one. Different associations of base pairs have also been observed. PVA cryogel crystallinity could be tailored by the cryogel contact with different salt solutions. Cryogel surface (scanning electron microscopy) and bulk morphology (porosimetry), swelling, DNA retention, and delivery kinetics have also been studied. All these investigations clearly show strong interactions between PVA and DNA

Antioxidant, Anti-5-lipoxygenase and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Essential Oils and Decoction Waters of Some Aromatic Plants

The scavenging of free radicals and superoxide anion, the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and the antiacetylcholinesterase activities of essential oils and decoction waters of eight aromatic plants (Dittrichia viscosa, Foeniculum vulgare, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymbra capitata, Thymus camphoratus, Thymus carnosus and Thymus mastichina) were studied. The essential oils were dominated by 1,8-cineole in S. officinalis (59%), T. mastichina (49%) and T. camphoratus (21%); borneol (20%) in T. carnosus; carvacrol in Thymbra capitata (68%); gamma-terpinene (49%) in O. vulgare; alpha-pinene (26%) in F. vulgare; and trans-nerolidol (8%) + beta-oplopenone (7%) in D. viscosa. O. vulgare decoction waters had the highest amount of phenols (45 +/- 3mg GAE/mL) while F. vulgare only had 5 +/- 0mg GAE/mL. The decoction waters showed higher radical scavenging activity than the essential oils. O. vulgare decoction water showed the best antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 3 +/- 0 mu g/mL), while the most effective essential oils were those of Thymbra capitata (IC(50) = 61 +/- 2 mu g/mL) and O. vulgare (IC(50) = 156 +/- 5 mu g/mL). Thymbra capitata (IC(50) = 6 +/- 0 mu g/mL) decoction water showed the best superoxide anion scavenging activity. F. vulgare decoction water and essential oil revealed the best 5-lipoxygenase inhibition capacity (IC(50) = 27 +/- 1 mu g/mL and IC(50) = 68 +/- 2 mu/mL, respectively). T. mastichina (IC(50) = 46 +/- 4 mu g/mL), S. officinalis (IC(50) = 51 +/- 4 mu g/mL), Thymbra capitata (IC(50) = 52 +/- 1 mu g/mL) and T. camphoratus (IC(50) = 137 +/- 2 mu g/mL) essential oils showed the best antiacetylcholinesterase activity

Migration & Self-Rated Health: Comparing Occupational Cohorts in California & Spain (MICASA and ITSAL Projects)

International migration is a growing global phenomenon.  The magnitude of the global population living outside their countries of origin substantiates the value of considering potential public health issues and their population-wide burden.  As migration has yet to be generally accepted as an exposure in and of itself, and encompasses a wide range of experiences and health effects, a measure of overall health is well suited for this research. This study compares self-rated health between two independently collected occupational cohorts as part of the ITSAL study in Spain and the MICASA study in Mendota, California, USA.  We observed greater gender balance in the MICASA sample than the ITSAL sample, where there was a substantial male majority.  Mexican-born workers in the MICASA sample tended to be older, less educated, and more likely to work in agriculture than their Moroccan-born counterparts in the ITSAL study.  We also observed a higher prevalence of poor self-rated health in the MICASA sample compared to the ITSAL sample.  Differences may be due to sampling and data collection issues, cultural issues and the subjectivity of self-rated health as an outcome, as well as actual health differences.  Further research is needed to determine common and distinct migration-related public health issues.L'immigration internationale est un phénomène mondial en plein essor. Le pourcentage élevé de personnes dans le monde vivant dans un pays autre que son pays d'origine justifie l'intérêt de prendre en compte les problèmes de santé publique potentiels et le fardeau que cela implique à l'échelle de la population. Alors que l'immigration n'est pas encore généralement reconnue comme une exposition en soi, et englobe un large éventail d'expériences et d'effets sur la santé, une évaluation de la santé globale est tout à fait appropriée pour cette étude. Cette étude compare la santé auto-évaluée de deux cohortes professionnelles, les donnés ayant été recueillies indépendamment dans le cadre de l'étude ITSAL en Espagne et de l'étude MICASA à Mendota, en Californie. Nous avons observé un plus grand équilibre entre les sexes dans l'échantillon MICASA que dans l'échantillon ITSAL, dans lequel il y avait une majorité considérable d'hommes. Les ouvriers de l'échantillon MICASA nés au Mexique avaient tendance à être plus âgés, à avoir un niveau d'instruction moindre, et à être plus susceptibles de travailler dans l'agriculture que leurs homologues nés au Maroc de l'étude ITSAL. Nous avons également observé une plus forte prévalence de mauvaise santé auto-évaluée dans l'échantillon MICASA que dans l'échantillon ITSAL. Les différences peuvent être dues aux méthodes d'échantillonnage et de recueil des données, à des aspects culturels et à la subjectivité des résultats de la santé auto-déclarée, ainsi qu'à de réelles différences en matière de santé. D'autres études sont nécessaires pour déterminer les problèmes de santé publique liées à l'immigration communs et distincts.La migración internacional es un fenómeno creciente a nivel mundial. La magnitud de la población mundial que vive fuera de su país de origen justifica el valor del estudio de los problemas potenciales para la salud pública y la carga que supone para la población en general. Debido a que todavía no se ha aceptado de forma generalizada que la migración supone una exposición por sí misma y al hecho de que abarca una amplia gama de experiencias y efectos para la salud, una medición de la salud en general parece apropiada para este estudio. En este trabajo se compara la autoevaluación de la salud entre dos cohortes ocupacionales analizadas independientemente como parte del estudio ITSAL en España y el estudio MICASA en Mendota (California, Estados Unidos.). Hemos observado un mayor equilibrio entre sexos en la muestra de MICASA que en la de ITSAL, donde había una importante mayoría masculina. Los trabajadores de origen mexicano de la muestra de MICASA tendían a ser mayores, con menor nivel educativo y con mayor probabilidad de trabajar en la agricultura que los colegas de origen marroquí del estudio ITSAL. Asimismo, hemos observado una mayor prevalencia de salud deficiente en la muestra de MICASA en comparación con la muestra de ITSAL. Las diferencias pueden deberse a problemas de muestreo y de recopilación de datos, a aspectos culturales y a la subjetividad de los resultados de la autoevaluación de la salud, así como a verdaderas diferencias de salud. Asimismo, es necesario realizar otros estudios para determinar qué aspectos de salud pública relacionados con la migración se comparten y cuáles son diferentes

Network Formation of Catanionic Vesicles and Oppositely Charged Polyelectrolytes. Effect of Polymer Charge Density and Hydrophobic Modification

In nonequimolar solutions of a cationic and an anionic surfactant, vesicles bearing a net charge can be spontaneously formed and apparently exist as thermodynamically stable aggregates. These vesicles can associate strongly with polymers in solution by means of hydrophobic and/or electrostatic interactions. In the current work, we have investigated the rheological and microstructural properties of mixtures of cationic polyelectrolytes and net anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate/didodecyldimethylammonium bromide vesicles. The polyelectrolytes consist of two cationic cellulose derivatives with different charge densities; the lowest charge density polymer contains also hydrophobic grafts, with the number of charges equal to the number of grafts. For both systems, polymer−vesicle association leads to a major increase in viscosity and to gel-like behavior, but the viscosity effects are more pronounced for the less charged, hydrophobically modified polymer. Evaluation of the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli for the two systems shows further differences in behavior: while the more long-lived cross-links occur for the more highly charged hydrophilic polymer, the number of cross-links is higher for the hydrophobically modified polymer. Microstructure studies by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy indicate that the two polymers affect the vesicle stability in different ways. With the hydrophobically modified polymer, the aggregates remain largely in the form of globular vesicles and faceted vesicles (polygon-shaped vesicles with largely planar regions). For the hydrophilic polycation, on the other hand, the surfactant aggregate structure is more extensively modified: first, the vesicles change from a globular to a faceted shape; second, there is opening of the bilayers leading to holey vesicles and ultimately to considerable vesicle disruption leading to planar bilayer, disklike aggregates. The faceted shape is tentatively attributed to a crystallization of the surfactant film in the vesicles. It is inferred that a hydrophobically modified polyion with relatively low charge density can better stabilize vesicles due to formation of molecularly mixed aggregates, while a hydrophilic polyion with relatively high charge density associates so strongly to the surfactant films, due to strong electrostatic interactions, that the vesicles are more perturbed and even disrupted