Analysis and Diagnosis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in a Galician Association of Entrepreneurs

[Resumo] A responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE) comeza a ser un dos ámbitos importantes dentro dunha empresa, como noutros días o foron a prevención de riscos laborais ou a calidade. No entanto, os estudos en entidades sen ánimo de lucro son escasos. Por tal motivo, este traballo pretende analizar e diagnosticar a RSE nunha asociación de empresarios galega. Neste sentido, considéranse os aspectos legais, identifícanse os grupos de interese mediante as matrices de importancia-influencia e impacto-probabilidade, lévase a cabo un diagnóstico de percepcións e cuantitativo da situación actual da entidade e, finalmente, realízase unha análise das súas debilidades, ameazas, fortalezas e oportunidades. As conclusións permiten determinar cales son os focos en termos de RSE que a organización pode mellorar no futuro.[Abstract] Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming one of the most important fields in a company, as risk prevention and quality were years ago. However, there are not enough studies about non-profit organizations. This is the main reason why the present study will analyse the CSR in a Galician association of entrepreneurs. In this regard, several aspects can be considered: legal issues, stakeholders (importance-influence matrix and impactprobability matrix), insight and quantitative study and, finally, the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. Conclusions determine where the focus in CSR terms should be in the future

Trends in the Recent Evolution of Coastal Lagoons and Lakes in Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Coastal lagoons are habitats of great environmental value. However, they are currently subject to major threats, particularly due to increasing sea levels. This study aims to identify changes—both natural and induced by anthropic activity—and their impact on the recent evolution of three different types of coastal lagoons in Galicia (Louro, Vixán, and Xuño). The application of information obtained through laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) techniques suggests that the outer limits of the three lagoon systems have not experienced any relevant changes in the last 60 years (i.e., no occupation of the lagoon area has been identified). However, the internal configuration of these wetland areas has experienced some alterations. A generalized increase in the area occupied by macrophytic communities (Phragmites australis, Scirpus maritimus, Juncus maritimus, etc.) has been observed. Image interpretation by geographic information systems (GIS) and field surveys suggest that the area currently occupied by macrophytes experienced a 7% to 63% increase at the expense of the free water body. This loss of flooded area is consistent with the increase in sedimentation rates associated with the convergence of several causes, such as the abandonment of traditional macrophyte biomass harvesting and agricultural activities around the lagoons, the expansion of riparian forests, and sediment contributions by erosion due to recurrent forest fires within the drainage basins of each lagoon. Finally, water and sediment composition suggest that, of the three studied lagoons, two of them (Louro and Vixán) are included within the definition of “coastal lagoons” (habitat code 1150) by the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC), while the Xuño lagoon should be considered a “natural eutrophic lake” (habitat code 3150)This work is part of a research project entitled “Monitorización de los procesos biogeoquímicos en las lagunas litorales en relación con su calidad ambiental y respuesta al cambio climático” (Xunta de Galicia, PGIDIT08MDS036000PR), within the program for consolidation of competitive research groups (Xunta de Galicia-Consellería de Educación, Universidades e Formación Profesional, Plan Galego, ref. ED31C2018/12, Group ref. 2018-PG036) and Cross-Research in Environmental Technologies, CRETUS (Xunta de Galicia GRUP2015/02, ref. 2018-PG100). AGP is supported by an FPU predoctoral contract by the Spanish government (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte). Grant Number: FPU16/03050S

Contribution of GIS and Geochemical Proxies to Improving Habitat Identification and Delimitation for the Natura 2000 Network: The Case of Coastal Lagoons in Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula)

The Natura 2000 network is an ambitious European project aimed at nature conservation. Nevertheless, the identification and delimitation of habitats is a complex task and simultaneously essential for correct ecosystem management. In this study we compared the current habitat delimitation and designation and the results produced by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geochemical proxies for the categorization of four coastal lakes in Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula). The findings reveal important errors in the delimitation/designation. The first error is the designation of all four lakes as Coastal lagoons (habitat 1150), when geochemical data indicate that two of these lakes were always freshwater lakes and should consequently be classified as Natural eutrophic lakes (habitat 3150). Another error is of conceptual origin, because the lakes comprise a unique functional system composing of different environmental units (e.g., open water or aquatic vegetation). Subdivision into different habitats is therefore meaningless for units of negligible surface area. In addition, the designation of some habitats is very dubious according to the available data. Finally, notable changes in relation to the temporal changes of wetlands were observed. Thus, the area occupied by aquatic macrophytes increased greatly at the expense of open waters, and the increase was also reflected in the alluvial forest. This last finding indicates the importance of updating the state of Natura 2000 network in Galicia to improve habitat managementThis work is part of a research project entitled “Monitorización de los procesos biogeoquímicos en las lagunas litorales en relación con su calidad ambiental y respuesta al cambio climático” (Xunta de Galicia, PGIDIT08MDS036000PR), the program for consolidation of competitive research groups (Axudas á consolidación e estruturación de unidades de investigación competitivas do SUG del Plan Galego IDT, Ambiosol Group ref. 2018-PG036), and Cross-Research in Environmental Technologies, CRETUS (Xunta de Galicia GRUP2015/02, ref. 2018-PG100). A.G.-P. is supported by an FPU predoctoral contract by the Spanish government (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte). Grant Number: FPU16/03050S

Secondary aroma: influence of wine microorganisms in their aroma profile

Aroma profile is one of the main features for the acceptance of wine. Yeasts and bacteria are the responsible organisms to carry out both, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation is in turn, responsible for transforming grape juice into wine and providing secondary aromas. Secondary aroma can be influenced by different factors; however, the influence of the microorganisms is one of the main agents affecting final wine aroma profile. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has historically been the most used yeast for winemaking process for its specific characteristics: high fermentative metabolism and kinetics, low acetic acid production, resistance to high levels of sugar, ethanol, sulfur dioxide and also, the production of pleasant aromatic compounds. Nevertheless, in the last years, the use of non-saccharomyces yeasts has been progressively growing according to their capacity to enhance aroma complexity and interact with S. cerevisiae, especially in mixed cultures. Hence, this review article is aimed at associating the main secondary aroma compounds present in wine with the microorganisms involved in the spontaneous and guided fermentations, as well as an approach to the strain variability of species, the genetic modifications that can occur and their relevance to wine aroma construction.The research leading to these results was supported by FEDER under the program Interreg V-A Spain-Portugal (POPTEC) 2014–2020 ref. 0377_IBERPHENOL_6_E and ref. 0181_NANOEATERS_ 01_E; by Xunta de Galicia supporting with the Axudas Conecta Peme the IN852A 2018/58 NeuroFood Project and the program EXCELENCIA-ED431F 2020/12; by EcoChestnut Project (Erasmus+ KA202) that supports the work of M. Carpena; by Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology (CYTED—AQUA-CIBUS, P317RT0003) and by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 888003 UP4HEALTH Project (H2020-BBI-JTI-2019), the JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium. The research leading to these results was supported by MICINN with the Ramón&Cajal grant for M. A. Prieto (RYC-2017-22891) and the Juan de la Cierva_incorporación grant for P. Otero (IJCI-2016-27774); by Xunta de Galicia and University of Vigo supporting the postdoctoral grant of M. Fraga-Corral (ED481B-2019/096) and the pre-doctoral grant for P. García-Oliveira (ED481A-2019/295).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

State-of-the-art of analytical techniques to determine food fraud in olive oils

The benefits of the food industry compared to other sectors are much lower, which is why producers are tempted to commit fraud. Although it is a bad practice committed with a wide variety of foods, it is worth noting the case of olive oil because it is a product of great value and with a high percentage of fraud. It is for all these reasons that the authenticity of olive oil has become a major problem for producers, consumers, and legislators. To avoid such fraud, it is necessary to develop analytical techniques to detect them. In this review, we performed a complete analysis about the available instrumentation used in olive fraud which comprised spectroscopic and spectrometric methodology and analyte separation techniques such as liquid chromatography and gas chroma-tography. Additionally, other methodology including protein-based biomolecular techniques and analytical approaches like metabolomic, hhyperspectral imaging and chemometrics are discussed.The research leading to these results was supported by MICINN with the Ramón&Cajal grant for M. A. Prieto (RYC-2017-22891); by Xunta de Galicia and University of Vigo supporting the post-doctoral grant of M. Fraga-Corral (ED481B-2019/096) and the pre-doctoral grants for A. G. Pereira (ED481A-2019/0228) and P. García-Oliveira (ED481A-2019/295) and by University of Vigo supporting the predoctoral grant for M. Carpena (Uvigo-00VI 131H 6410211).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Traditional plants from Asteraceae family as potential candidates for functional food industry

Traditional plants have been used in the treatment of disease and pain due to their beneficial properties such as antioxidant, antiinflammation, analgesic, and antibiotic activities. The Asteraceae family is one of the most common groups of plants used in folk medicine. The species Achillea millefolium, Arnica montana, Bellis perennis, Calendula officinalis, Chamaemelum nobile, Eupatorium cannabinum, Helichrysum stoechas, and Taraxacum officinale have been used in different remedies in Northwest Spain. Besides health benefits, some of them like C. nobile and H. stoechas are already employed in cooking and culinary uses, including cocktails, desserts, and savory dishes. This study aimed to review the current information on nutritive and beneficial properties and bioactive compounds of these plants, which are not mainly used as foods but are possible candidates for this purpose. The report highlights their current uses and suitability for the development of new functional food industrial applications. Phenolic compounds, essential oils, and sesquiterpene lactones are some of the most important compounds, being related to different bioactivities. Hence, they could be interesting for the development of new functional foods.The research leading to these results received institutioanl and financial support from the: Programa de Cooperación Interreg V-A España—Portugal (POCTEP) 2014–2020 (Projects Ref.: 0181_NANOEATERS_01_E and 0377_IBERPHENOL_6_E); MICINN supporting the Ramón&Cajal grant for M. A. Prieto (RYC-2017-22891); Xunta de Galicia and University of Vigo for supporting the post-doctoral grant of María Fraga Corral (ED481B-2019/096) and the pre-doctoral grant of P. García- Oliveira (ED481A-2019/295); to Xunta de Galicia for the program EXCELENCIA-ED431F 2020/12; to Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology (CYTED – AQUA-CIBUS, P317RT0003); by EcoChestnut Project (Erasmus+ KA202) that supports the work of M. Carpena; by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement no. 888003 UP4HEALTH Project (H2020-BBI-JTI-2019), the JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Challenges in the application of circular economy models to agricultural by-products: pesticides in Spain as a case study

The income and residue production from agriculture has a strong impact in Spain. A circular economy and a bioeconomy are two alternative sustainable models that include the revalorization of agri-food by-products to recover healthy biomolecules. However, most crops are conventional, implying the use of pesticides. Hence, the reutilization of agri-food by-products may involve the accumulation of pesticides. Even though the waste-to-bioproducts trend has been widely studied, the potential accumulation of pesticides during by-product revalorization has been scarcely assessed. Therefore, in this study, the most common pesticides found in eight highly productive crops in Spain are evaluated according to the available published data, mainly from EFSA reports. Among these, oranges, berries and peppers showed an increasing tendency regarding pesticide exceedances. In addition, the adverse effects of pesticides on human and animal health and the environment were considered. Finally, a safety assessment was developed to understand if the reutilization of citrus peels to recover ascorbic acid (AA) would represent a risk to human health. The results obtained seem to indicate the safety of this by-product to recover AA concentrations to avoid scurvy (45 mg/day) and improve health (200 mg/day). Therefore, this work evaluates the potential risk of pesticide exposure through the revalorization of agri-food by-products using peels from citruses, one of the major agricultural crops in Spain, as a case study.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2019/096Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2021/152Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology | Ref. CYTED—AQUA-CIBUS, P317RT0003ERA-NET ERA-HDHL | Ref. 696295Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. RYC-2017-22891Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. FPU2020/0614

Challenges for future food systems: from the Green Revolution to food supply chains with a special focus on sustainability

Finding a food system to feed the growing worldwide population remains a challenge, especially in the current era, where natural resources are being dramatically depleted. From a historical point of view, the Green Revolution, together with biofortification and sustainable intensification, was established as a possible solution to counter hunger and malnutrition during the second half of the 20th century. As a solution, to overcome the limitations attributed to the Green Revolution, food supply chains were developed. The current food system, based on the long food supply chain (LFSC), is characterized by globalization, promoting several advantages for both producers and consumers. However, LFSC has been demonstrated to be unable to feed the global population and, furthermore, it generates negative ecological, environmental, logistical, and nutritional pressures. Thus, novel efficient food systems are required to respond to current environmental and consumers' demands, as is the case of short food supply chain (SFSC). As a recently emerging food system, the evaluation of SFSC sustainability in terms of environmental, economic, and social assessment is yet to be determined. This review is focused on the evolution of food supply systems, starting from the Green Revolution to food supply chains, providing a significant perspective on sustainability.The research leading to these results was supported by MICINN supporting the Ramón y Cajal grant for M. A. Prieto (RYC-2017-22891), the Juan de la Cierva Incorporación for Hui Cao (IJC2020-04605- 5-I) and the FPU grant for A. Soria-Lopez (FPU2020/06140); by Xunta de Galicia for supporting the program (EXCELENCIA-ED431F 2020/12) and by supporting the postdoctoral grant of M. Fraga- Corral (ED481B-2019-096) and the predoctoral grants of M. Carpena (ED481A 2021/313) and of P. Garcia-Oliveira (ED481A-2019/295); and by the European Union through the “NextGenerationEU” program supporting the “Margarita Salas” grant awarded to P. Garcia-Perez. The authors are grateful to Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology (CYTED—AQUA-CIBUS, P317RT0003), to the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No. 888003 UP4HEALTH Project (H2020-BBI-JTI-2019) that supports the work of P. Otero and P. Garcia-Perez. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium. The project SYSTEMIC Knowledge hub on Nutrition and Food Security, has received funding from national research funding parties in Belgium (FWO), France (INRA), Germany (BLE), Italy (MIPAAF), Latvia (IZM), Norway (RCN), Portugal (FCT), and Spain (AEI) in a joint action of JPI HDHL, JPI-OCEANS and FACCE-JPI launched in 2019 under the ERA-NET ERA-HDHL (No. 696295)

By-products of agri-food industry as tannin-rich sources: a review of tannins’ biological activities and their potential for valorization

During recent decades, consumers have been continuously moving towards the substitution of synthetic ingredients of the food industry by natural products, obtained from vegetal, animal or microbial sources. Additionally, a circular economy has been proposed as the most efficient production system since it allows for reducing and reutilizing different wastes. Current agriculture is responsible for producing high quantities of organic agricultural waste (e.g., discarded fruits and vegetables, peels, leaves, seeds or forestall residues), that usually ends up underutilized and accumulated, causing environmental problems. Interestingly, these agri-food by-products are potential sources of valuable bioactive molecules such as tannins. Tannins are phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites of plants widespread in terrestrial and aquatic natural environments. As they can be found in plenty of plants and herbs, they have been traditionally used for medicinal and other purposes, such as the leather industry. This fact is explained by the fact that they exert plenty of different biological activities and, thus, they entail a great potential to be used in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, this review article is directed towards the description of the biological activities exerted by tannins as they could be further extracted from by-products of the agri-food industry to produce high-added-value products.The research leading to these results was funded by FEDER under the program Interreg V-A Spain-Portugal (POPTEC) 2014–2020 ref. 0377_IBERPHENOL_6_E and ref. 0181_NANOEATERS_ 01_E; to Xunta de Galicia supporting the Axudas Conecta Peme the IN852A 2018/58 NeuroFood Project and the program EXCELENCIA-ED431F 2020/12; to Ibero-American Program on Science and Technology (CYTED—AQUA-CIBUS, P317RT0003) and by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 888003 UP4HEALTH Project (H2020-BBI-JTI-2019). The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of nanocomposites using microwaves for curing process

The 20th International Electronic Conference on Synthetic Organic Chemistry session Polymer and Supramolecular ChemistryThe main objetive of this work is the synthesis of epoxy nanocomposites with gold nanoparticles. The curing process was optimized by microwave taking into account variables such as time and temperatur