A new insight into the influence of habitat on the biochemical properties of three commercial sea cucumber species

This work makes a comparative evaluation of the biochemical profile of three sea commercial cucumber species (Holothuria mammata, H. polii and H. tubulosa) caught from different locations of the Mediterranean Sea (SE Spain). All species had high levels of moisture (from 73.6% in H. mammata to 81.2% in H. tubulosa), crude ash (from 9.61% in H. mammata to 14.7% in H. tubulosa) and protein (3.01% in H. tubulosa to 11.1% in H. mammata). They also had a low fat content, from 0.21% in H. tubulosa to 0.55% in H. mammata. Holothuria polii had intermediate values between the other two species, for all considered variables. All species had adequate protein/lipid ratios (H. mammata, 20:1; H. polii, 23:1; H. tubulosa, 14:1) and low lipid levels, enriched in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially arachidonic acid. The fatty acid profile suggests that H. polii is feeding on sediments more influenced by terrestrial inputs than the remaining species. Holothuria mammata and H. tubulosa are feeding on marine food sources mainly, but also with some terrestrial influence. The most abundant amino acids detected were alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, and glycine. All species had similar contents of essential amino acids (EAA) and ratios of EAA/non-essential amino acids. Holothuria tubulosa had a high content of toxic metals including Cr, Pb and Ni. This work highlights differences in compositional characteristics between different species of the same genus (Holothuria) from different locations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical profiling of infusions and decoctions of Helichrysum italicum subsp picardii by UHPLC-PDA-MS and in vitro biological activities comparatively with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and rooibos tisane (Aspalathus linearis)

Several medicinal plants are currently used by the food industry as functional additives, for example botanical extracts in herbal drinks. Moreover, the scientific community has recently begun focusing on halophytes as sources of functional beverages. Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (everlasting) is an aromatic halophyte common in southern Europe frequently used as spice and in traditional medicine. In this context, this work explored for the first time H. italicum subsp. picardii as a potential source of innovative herbal beverages with potential health promoting properties. For that purpose, infusions and decoctions were prepared from roots, vegetative aerial-organs (stems and leaves) and flowers and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. Samples were also assessed for toxicity in different mammalian cell lines and chemically characterized by spectrophotometric methods and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography photo diode array mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-MS). Results were expressed relating to 'a cup-of-tea' and compared with those obtained with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and rooibos tisane (Aspalathus linearis). Tisanes from the everlasting's above-ground organs, particularly flowers, have high polyphenolic content and several phenolics were identified; the main compounds were chlorogenic and quinic acids, dicaffeoylquinic-acid isomers and gnaphaliin-A. The antioxidant activity of beverages from the everlasting's above-ground organs matched or surpassed that of green tea and rooibos. Its anti-diabetic activity was moderate and toxicity low. Overall, our results suggest that the everlasting is a potential source of innovative and functional herbal beverages. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.national funds through Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [CCMAR/Multi/04326/2013]FCT [SFRH/BD/94407/2013, SFRH/BD/116604/2016]Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) [12M8315N]FCT Investigator Programme [IF/00049/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pulmonary telerehabilitation: an international call for action

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Sustainable valorization of halophytes from the Mediterranean area: a comprehensive evaluation of their fatty acid profile and implications for human and animal nutrition

Halophytic plants can provide an economical and environmentally sustainable source of products for human and animal feeding, in the context of the increase of worldwide emergent semi-arid landscapes. This work reports a comprehensive evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids (FA) of nineteen Mediterranean halophytes collected in southern Portugal, with the purpose of establishing their possible uses as food and feed. For FA determination, lipids and free FA were converted to the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and analyzed by GC-MS. Beta maritima had the highest FAME levels (7.3 mg/g DW) while Suaeda vera had the lowest content (1.0 mg/g DW). The most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) across all studied species was palmitic acid. The most prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was oleic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were led by linoleic acid. Less common FAMEs were also detected, namely eicosadienoic and hexadecatrienoic acids. Cotula coronopifolia, Phragmites australis and Suaeda vera displayed the best FA nutritional profiles. These species also showed bioactivities relevant for both human and animal health according to the literature and thus, collectively with this study, they could be further explored as food and feed.Agência financiadora Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology Portuguese National Budget through the XtremeBio project PTDC/MAR-EST/4346/2012 Portuguese National Budget through GreenVet project ALG-01-0145-FEDER-028876 Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology SFRH/BD/81425/2011 SFRH/BD/116604/2016 IF/00049/2012 FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus CEECIND/00425/2017 Portuguese National Budget UID/Multi/04326/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A comparative evaluation of biological activities and bioactive compounds of the seagrasses Zostera marina and Zostera noltei from southern Portugal

This work assessed the antioxidant potential, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and the in vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of the seagrasses Zostera marina and Zostera noltei collected from southern Portugal. The total phenolic contents (TPCs), the rosmarinic acid (RA) concentration (HPLC/DAD) and the fatty acid (FA) profile (GC/MS) are also described. Z. marina had the highest TPC, radical scavenging activity against DPPH radicals and copper chelating activity. Z. noltei had metal chelation capacity to copper and iron ions. None of the species was able to inhibit AChE. Both seagrasses had high levels of polyunsaturated FAs. Z. marina significantly and selectively reduced the viability of tumorous neuronal cells. Z. noltei was highly toxic for the three cell lines tested and was selective against hepatocarcinoma cells at the concentration of 100g/mL. RA was the main compound identified in Z. marina, but not in Z. noltei

Tailoring natural-based oleogels combining ethylcellulose and virgin coconut oil

Oleogels are becoming an attractive research field, since they have recently been shown to be feasible for the food and pharmaceutical sectors and provided some insights into the biomedical area. In this work, edible oleogels were tailored through the combination of ethylcellulose (EC), a gelling agent, with virgin coconut oil (VCO), vegetable oil derived from coconut. The influence of the different EC and VCO ratios on the structural, physical, and thermal properties of the oleogels was studied. All EC/VCO-based oleogels presented a stable network with a viscoelastic nature, adequate structural stability, modulable stiffness, high oil-binding capability, antioxidant activity, and good thermal stability, evidencing the EC and VCOâ s good compatibility.The authors acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese FCT (SFRH/BPD/93697/2013, and CEECIND/01306/2018). This work is also financially supported by the FCT R&D&I projects with references POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029813 (PTDC/CTM-CTM/29813/2017), POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031570 (PTDC/BII-BIO/31570/2017), and TERM RES Hub, Ref Norte-01-0145-FEDER-02219015

Ongoing host-shift speciation in Plasmodium simium

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Plasmodium simium, a malaria parasite that infects platyrrhine monkeys and humans in the New World, is nearly identical to Plasmodium vivax. Recent genomic comparative analyses of these sister species have identified elevated divergence in a gene that may underlie P. simium adaptation to non-human primates during its gradual speciation process.publishersversionpublishe

Padrões de consumo de álcool em estudantes da Universidade de Aveiro: relação com comportamentos de risco e stress

Resumo: O consumo excessivo de álcool em estudantes universitários tem sido focode grandes preocupações, não só devido aos seus efeitos negativos na saúde, mastambém porque habitualmente leva a comportamentos de risco, como a condução sobo efeito de álcool, ou relações sexuais sem proteção. Outro aspeto muitoverificado entre os estudantes universitários, e que parece ser um dos motivos queleva ao consumo de álcool são os níveis de stress. Neste estudo, realizado a760 estudantes da Universidade de Aveiro, verificámos que os participantes apresentamelevados consumos de álcool, sobretudo em festas académicas. Os comportamentosde risco associados não se mostram significativos. Verificámos igualmente que omaior consumo de álcool está associado ao sexo masculino. Também se constatou queos estudantes universitários que saem de casa dos pais/da sua residência apresentammaiores consumos de álcool. Relativamente à perceção de stress, verificámos queos estudantes universitários de Aveiro apresentam níveis moderados de stress eque estes se encontram negativamente correlacionados com os consumos de álcool.Os nossos resultados são discutidos à luz das teorias existentes sobre ospadrões de consumo de álcool em estudantes universitários.Palavras-chave: estudantes universitários, consumo de álcool,comportamentos de risco, stress  Abstract: The alcohol consumption in college students had beena point of enormous concerns, not only because the alcohol has negative effectsfor the health, but also because frequently it has risk behaviours associated,for instance driving sob alcohol effect or sexual relations sob alcohol effect.Other aspect that we can view in college students is stress that probably it’sa motive for the alcohol consumption. In this study, that it was realized with 760students at University of Aveiro, we found that students consume alcohol a lot,particularly in academics celebrations. However, the risk behaviours aren’tsignificants in our sample. We also found that higher consumption of alcohol isassociated with masculine students and with students that are dislocated of thefamilies’ house. Our sample has a medium level of stress. The stress’ studentsis negatively correlated with the alcohol consumption. Our results arediscussed in light of existing theories about the alcohol consumption incollege students. Keywords: college students, alcohol consumption, riskbehaviours, stres

Role of physical activity and diet in incidence of hypertension: a population-based study in Portuguese adults

Background/Objectives: To evaluate longitudinally the role of physical activity (PA) (type and intensity) and diet (measured using DASH score, nutrients and food intake) in hypertension incidence. Subjects/Methods: As part of the EPIPorto study, 549 participants (X40 years), resident in Porto, Portugal, at risk of developing hypertension, were evaluated. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained twice (1999–2003 and 2005–2008), with a median interval of 3.8 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP>=140mmHg and/or diastolic BP>=90mmHg, and/or if the subjects were under anti-hypertensive therapy. Validated questionnaires were used to assess usual PA and dietary intake during the previous year. Poisson regression was used to calculate the incident rate ratios (IRRs) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: In our population, the crude incidence rate (95% confidence interval (CI)) per 100 person-years of hypertension was 6.23 (5.26–7.20). After adjustment for several confounders, an inverse, though not significant, association was found across increasing tertiles of leisure-time PA and IRR (95% CI): 1 (reference); 0.77 (0.51–1.16); and 0.74 (0.48–1.11). No significant associations between the DASH score and hypertension incidence were observed. However, potassium intake (mg/1000 kcal) was shown to be inversely associated with hypertension development (upper tertile: >1863.0 for women and >1657.2 for men) vs first tertile (IRR=0.65 (0.44–0.96), P for trend=0.025). Additionally, in multivariate analysis, a significantly inverse association between the consumption of fruits/vegetables/pulses and hypertension incidence was found (upper vs first tertile: IRR=0.61 (0.40–0.93), P for trend=0.024). Conclusions: In Portuguese adults, after adjustment for several confounders, the development of hypertension was inversely associated with potassium and fruits/vegetables/pulses intake. A dose–response is inherent to these inverse associations

Nutritional anti-nutritional chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the leaves of the sea cliff dwelling species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze

This work explored the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the leaves of the halophytic species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze from Tunisian sea cliffs. Furthermore, the analysis of the total phenolics and flavonoids contents and their individual compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were also studied. L. spathulatum leaves had high levels of moisture, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, but low concentrations of crude protein, crude fat and acid detergent lignin. It contained low carbohydrates levels, and low energetic values. The most abundant macroelements were Cl, Na and Ca while the microelements detected in the highest levels were Fe and Zn. No relevant alpha-amylase inhibition was observed, and no toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and phytic acid were detected. The ethanol and the hydroethanolic extracts had the highest capacity to scavenge free radicals, to chelate iron and copper and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The same samples were also the most active towards oxidative haemolysis. These extracts contained high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. HPLC analysis, performed on ethanolic extracts identified 58 individual compounds known for their high antioxidant actvitiy including hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic, syringic acids), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, coumaric, ferulic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and naringin).In conclusion, the leaves of Tunisian accession of L. spathulatum were good source of minerals and fibers useful in the human diet for attaining nutritional sufficiency. The high in vitro and ex vitro antioxidant activities associated with high favonoids contents and compounds suggest the possibility to use the extracts of L. spathulatum in herbal products with the aim of improving general health and well-being, and/or as food additives for preventing lipid oxidation of lipid-rich foodinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio