Implicit solutions with consistent additive and multiplicative components

Use of multiple-point-constraint

Experimental Study of Thermal Performance of Different Fruit Packaging Box Designs

Packaging was recently identified as an essential element in addressing the key challenge of sustainable food supply and is gaining interest among researchers. It is a central element in food quality preservation due to its role in heat and mass exchange with the external atmosphere, contributing to the preservation of food quality during storage and extending food shelf life. This work proposes three new packaging configurations with the same size but different geometry and ventilation hole sizes and geometry, that change the conditions in which the heat and mass exchange occurs, during either the cooling period of fruits, inside the cooling chamber, or during the period when the packaging is exposed to ambient conditions, outside the cooling chamber. For this purpose, packages with fruit models that replicate the properties of real fruit were subjected to a cooling process inside a cooling chamber for 8 h. Subsequently, during the heating phase, the packages were exposed to ambient conditions for 10 h. Thermal conditions were also monitored, both inside and outside the chamber. Additionally, for comparative purposes, the thermal behavior of commercial packaging was also evaluated for the same operating conditions in the cooling and heating phases. The results show that the new packages do not substantially promote the preservation of fruits in the cooling phase, but in the heating phase, they ensure an extension of the period with proper thermal conditions of up to 50% in relation to the conventional packaging. This result is particularly important since the heating phase, in which fruits are outside the storage chamber, is the period with the greatest impact on the fruits’ useful life.This study was conducted within the activities of project “Pack2Life—High performance packaging”, project IDT in consortium n. 33792, call n. 03/SI/2017, Ref. POCI-01-0247-FEDER- 033792, promoted by COMPETE 2020 and co-funded by FEDER within Portugal 2020. The authors are grateful for the opportunity and financial support to continue this project to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and R&D Unit “Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies” (C-MAST), under project UIDB/00151/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of refrigeration systems in the Portuguese food processing industry

This study is within the activities of Project “PrunusPÓS - Optimization of processes for the storage, cold conservation, active and/or intelligent packaging and food quality traceability in post-harvested fruit products”, project n.º PDR2020-101-031695, Partnership n.º 87, initiative n.º 175, promoted by PDR 2020 and co-funded by FEADER within Portugal 2020.This paper presents the results of audits performed in 60 companies of the food processing industry, specifically of meat, dairy, horticultural and bread products. The refrigeration volume, type of refrigeration system, refrigerant, building and insulation materials of infrastructure and refrigeration chambers, average air temperature and humidity, and the energy consumption are presented, compared and discussed per sector. The analysis allows to provide several measures and best practices aimed for the improvement of the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the food processing industry. The implementation of simple and very cost-effective transversal electricity savings measures such as awareness and/or training of operators, proper maintenance and monitoring tasks can benefit the sector. Tailored energy efficiency measures by sector, which may offer savings on several levels, are discussed. These best practices may increase productivity and competitiveness and reduce the environmental impact, and thus improve the global sustainability of the Portuguese food sector.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Angolan cymbopogon citratus used for therapeutic benefits: nutritional composition and influence of solvents in phytochemicals content and antioxidant activity of leaf extracts

Folk medicine is a relevant and effective part of indigenous healthcare systems which are, in practice, totally dependent on traditional healers. An outstanding coincidence between indigenous medicinal plant uses and scientifically proved pharmacological properties of several phytochemicals has been observed along the years. This work focused on the leaves of a medicinal plant traditionally used for therapeutic benefits (Angolan Cymbopogon citratus), in order to evaluate their nutritional value. The bioactive phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of leaf extracts prepared with different solvents (water, methanol and ethanol) were also evaluated. The plant leaves contained ~60% of carbohydrates, protein (~20%), fat (~5%), ash (~4%) and moisture (~9%). The phytochemicals screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids in all extracts. Methanolic extracts also contained alkaloids and steroids. Several methods were used to evaluate total antioxidant capacity of the different extracts (DPPH; NO; and H2O2 scavenging assays, reducing power, and FRAP). Ethanolic extracts presented a significantly higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) except for FRAP, in which the best results were achieved by the aqueous extracts. Methanolic extracts showed the lowest radical scavenging activities for both DPPH; and NO; radicals

A subida do nível do mar durante o Holocénico no Golfo de Cadiz – tendência regional e diferenças locais

In Guadiana River Estuary, the Holocene sequence is underlain by pebbly delta fan formed in two stages, prior to 5E and 3 highstands. The Holocene sedimentary sequence was lain either directly on gravels or on top of fluvial sands deposited between 11000 and 10000 yr. BP. An accelerated phase of infilling of the estuary by clayey sediments, containing marsh foraminifer Trochammina, began at ca. 9800 yr. BP when the sea level was about 39 m below the present.At ca. 7000 BP the central part of the estuary started to accommodate coarser sediments, partially introduced from the shelf. The first phase of the Holocene sea level rise at a rate of 0.85 m/century terminated at ca 6500yr. BP. Since then, the lagoonal bodies in the vicinity of estuary started to enclose behind sand spits and predominantly sandy sedimentation initiated within the estuary. After the second phase of a slower rise at the rate of 0.3 m/century, which lasted until ca. 5000 yr.BP, the sea approached the present level. Data from Guadalete Estuary published in Spain set the beginning of Holocene transgression at shallower level (ca 10m)than in Guadiana Estuary.This discrepancy may be explained by isostatic uplift of Betic Cordillera or slumping of Guadiana terrace on which the Holocene sediments are lain. Since 7500 yr. BP the data from Odiel-Tinto, Guadalete and Guadiana are in a relatively good agreement.INTERREG I

Mechanisms of gene transfer mediated by lipoplexes associated with targeting ligands or pH-sensitive peptides

Association of a targeting ligand such as transferrin, or an endosome disrupting peptide such as GALA, with cationic liposome-DNA complexes (\u27lipoplexes\u27) results in a significant enhancement of transfection of several cell types. Although these strategies can overcome some of the barriers to gene delivery by lipoplexes, the mechanisms by which they actually enhance transfection is not known. In studies designed to establish the targeting specificity of transferrin, we found that apo-transferrin enhances transfection to the same extent as transferrin, indicating that internalization of the lipoplexes is mostly independent of transferrin receptors. These observations were reinforced by results obtained from competitive inhibition studies either by preincubating the cells with an excess of free ligand or with various \u27receptor-blocking\u27 lipoplexes. Transfection of cells in the presence of drugs that interfere with the endocytotic pathway provided additional insights into the mechanisms of gene delivery by transferrin- or GALA-lipoplexes. Our results indicate that transferrin-lipoplexes deliver transgenes by endocytosis primarily via a non-receptor-mediated mechanism, and that acidification of the endosomes is partially involved in this process

Interaction of cationic liposomes and their DNA complexes with monocytic leukemia cells

Cationic liposomes complexed with DNA have been used extensively as non-viral vectors for the intracellular delivery of reporter or therapeutic genes in culture and in vivo. We examined the relationship between the characteristics of the lipoplexes, their mode of interaction with monocytic THP-1 cells and their ability to transfect these cells. We determined the size and ζ potential of cationic liposomes (composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP) and its mixtures with neutral lipids), and lipoplexes at different (+/-) charge ratios. As the (+/-) charge ratio of the lipoplexes decreased to (1/1), a significant reduction in ζ potential and an increase in size was observed. The increase in size resulted from fusion between liposomes promoted by DNA, as demonstrated by a lipid mixing assay, and from aggregation of the complexes. Interaction of liposomes and lipoplexes with THP-1 cells was assessed by monitoring lipid mixing (\u27fusion\u27) as well as binding and cell association. While no lipid mixing was observed with the 1/2 (+/-) lipid/DNA complexes, lipoplexes with higher (+/-) charge ratios underwent significant fusion in conjunction with extensive cell binding. Liposome binding to cells was dependent on the positive charge of the liposomes, and their fusion could be modulated by the co-lipid. DOTAP/phosphatidylethanolamine (1:1) liposomes fused with THP-1 cells, unlike DOTAP/phosphatidylcholine (1:1) liposomes, although both liposome types bound to the cells to a similar extent. The use of inhibitors of endocytosis indicated that fusion of the cationic liposomes with cells occurred mainly at the plasma membrane level. The presence of serum increased the size of the cationic liposomes, but not that of the lipoplexes. Low concentrations of serum (3%) completely inhibited the fusion of cationic liposomes with cells, while inhibiting binding by only 20%. Our results suggest that binding of cationic liposomes and lipoplexes to cells is governed primarily by electrostatic interactions, whereas their fusion is regulated by the lipid composition and sterically favorable interactions with cell surface molecules. In addition our results indicate no correlation between fusion of the lipoplexes with the plasma membrane and the levels of transfection. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V

Characterization of the use of household refrigerators and of food waste in the student community of the University of Beira Interior

Os elevados níveis de desperdício alimentar são preocupações prementes das sociedades e governos actuais. A maior parcela de desperdício alimentar encontra-se a nível doméstico, sendo que mais de 50% desse valor podia ser evitado. Os factores que levam a esse desperdício alimentar podem decorrer da má gestão dos alimentos conservados nos frigoríficos ou até mesmo da utilização indevida do equipamento. Este estudo compreende a análise dos resultados de dois inquéritos sobre o tipo de utilização do equipamento frigorífico e o desperdício alimentar, aplicados à comunidade estudantil da Universidade da Beira Interior. A amostra de inquiridos foi constituída por 51 elementos. Verifica-se que o comportamento dos estudantes na utilização dos equipamentos não é o mais adequado, embora estes tentem evitar o desperdício alimentar. A conclusão mais relevante consiste na pouca informação sobre desperdício alimentar e os métodos e procedimentos para o mitigar, evidenciando a necessidade de informação e esclarecimento e consciencialização sobre estes tópicos.The high levels of food waste are current concerns of society and governments nowadays. The largest share of food waste occurs in households and more than 50% of this waste could be avoided. The factors that lead to food waste may result from mismanagement of the food stored in the refrigerators or even the misuse of the equipment. This study comprises the analysis of the results of two surveys on the use of the refrigerator and food waste applied to the student community of the University of Beira Interior. The sample consisted of 51 elements. It is found that the behaviour of the students in the use of the equipment is not the most adequate, although they try to avoid food waste. The most important conclusion is the lack of information on food waste and the methods and procedures for mitigation. Thus, the survey results highlight the need for information, enlightenment and awareness about these topics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Postglacial sea-level rise in South Portugal as recorded in Guadiana Estuary

The Guadiana River Estuary is located in the terminal part of a deeply incised river valley, which accumulated several tens of meters of sediments during the Holocenic transgression. Five cored boreholes (see Fig.1 for localisation) that reached the pre-Holocenic substratum were drilled recently in order to recognize the architecture of sedimentary facies and to quantify the accumulation of organic carbon trapped in sediments during the valley infilling by marine waters. It was assumed that due to structural constraints imposed by Palaeozoic and Mezozoic substratum, the main estuarine channel did not change its position significantly. Consequently borehole locations were chosen in order to represent different sedimentary environments in the estuary: proximity to the main channel (CM1 and CM3), external sea facing (CM4) and lagoonal (CM2 and CM5) environments

Valorization of Punica granatum L. leaves extracts as a source of bioactive molecules

Due to a lack of innovative valorization strategies, pomegranate processing generates a significant amount of residues with a negative environmental footprint. These by-products are a rich source of bioactive compounds with functional and medicinal benefits. This study reports the valorization of pomegranate leaves as a source of bioactive ingredients using maceration, ultrasound, and microwave-assisted extraction techniques. The phenolic composition of the leaf extracts was analyzed using an HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn system. The extracts’ antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and skin-beneficial properties were determined using validated in vitro methodologies. The results showed that gallic acid, (-)-epicatechin, and granatin B were the most abundant compounds in the three hydroethanolic extracts (between 0.95 and 1.45, 0.7 and 2.4, and 0.133 and 3.0 mg/g, respectively). The leaf extracts revealed broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects against clinical and food pathogens. They also presented antioxidant potential and cytotoxic effects against all tested cancer cell lines. In addition, tyrosinase activity was also verified. The tested concentrations (50–400 µg/mL) ensured a cellular viability higher than 70% in both keratinocyte and fibroblast skin cell lines. The obtained results indicate that the pomegranate leaves could be used as a low-cost source of value-added functional ingredients for potential nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. RYC-2017-22891Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. FJC2019-042549-IMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. FJC20120-045405-IFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/00690/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDP/00690/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. LA/P/0007/2021Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. SFRH/BD/146614/201