Further insights into the utilization of a by-product from the chestnut production chain as a source of functional ingredients for beverages: the beer challenge

Mestrado de dupla diplomação com Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo (IFES)Beer is one of the oldest and most appreciated alcoholic beverages worldwide. The industrial beer market is already established as an important factor for the national economy, however microbreweries have conquered their space, by offering craft products with distinct sensory attributes, with varied production styles and a wide range of flavours. Because they are artisanal, these beers have generally less stability and a shorter shelf life compared to large-scale processed beers. Aiming at greater conservation of these beverages, there is great interest in the inclusion of natural ingredients with bioactive potential to add quality to the product. In this sense, the present work aims to produce a functional ingredient from extracts rich in phenolic compounds from the chestnut flower, to apply it in the production of craft beers to stabilize the product by preventing its rapid oxidation. For this, flowers and burs of Castanea sativa collected in the region of Bragança were lyophilized, ground and subjected to an extraction process using food grade solvent. Chestnut by-products extracts were characterized and added to prototype craft beers produced by a local microbrewery. Beers with incorporated and control extracts were monitored using volatile oxidation markers by solid phase microextraction with dynamic headspace coupled to gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, in addition to monitoring the composition of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass. All samples exhibited the ability to inhibit the oxidative process. Two bur extractions (maceration and ultrasound using water as a solvent) had the lowest half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.002 mg/mL. This was followed by ultrasound extraction of flowers (0.003 mg/mL) and maceration of flowers and ultrasound with ethanol:water of burs (0.004 mg/mL). Samples with high phenolic compound content demonstrated better results, suggesting a positive correlation between phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. C. sativa extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against various strains of bacteria and caused death of the bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for Gram-positive bacteria were lower than those for Gram-negative bacteria. The extracts also showed similar antifungal potential, with MIC values of 10 mg/mL. A total of 32 different compounds were identified in the extracts of C. sativa by-products. Incorporating a natural ingredient from chestnut flowers into Indian Pale Ale (IPA) craft beers was effective in preserving the beer's flavour profile during the storage months. This natural extract acted as a preservative agent, inhibiting reactions that could result in the formation of undesirable, off-flavour compounds. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing chestnut flower extract as an alternative to enhance the flavour stability and overall quality of craft beers, contributing to extending the shelf life of the product.A cerveja é uma das bebidas alcoólicas mais antigas e apreciadas em todo o mundo. O mercado de cervejas industriais já está consolidado como fator importante para a economia nacional, porém as microcervejarias têm conquistado seu espaço, trazendo produtos artesanais com atributos sensoriais afetivos, com estilos de produção variados e ampla gama de aromas e sabores. Por serem artesanais, essas cervejas têm menos estabilidade e menor prazo de validade em comparação com as cervejas processadas em larga escala. Visando uma maior conservação dessas bebidas e considerando indícios de riscos à saúde associados aos conservantes sintéticos, há grande interesse na inclusão de adjuntos naturais com potencial bioativo para agregar qualidade ao produto. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho visa produzir um ingrediente funcional a partir de extratos ricos em compostos fenólicos da flor do castanheiro, para aplicá-lo na produção de cervejas artesanais para estabilizar o produto evitando sua rápida oxidação. Para isso, flores e ouriços de Castanea sativa coletadas na região de Bragança foram liofilizadas, moídas e submetidas a um processo de extração com solvente grau alimentício. Extratos de subprodutos da castanha foram caracterizados e adicionados a protótipos de cervejas artesanais produzidas por uma microcervejaria local. Cervejas com extratos incorporados e controle foram monitoradas utilizando marcadores voláteis de oxidação por microextração em fase sólida com headspace dinâmico acoplado a cromatografia gasosa com detector de ionização de chama e cromatografia a gás acoplada à espectrometria de massas, além do monitoramento da composição de compostos fenólicos por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à detecção de arranjo de diodos e massa em tandem de ionização por eletrospray. Todas as amostras exibiram a capacidade de inibir o processo oxidativo. Duas extrações de ouriço (maceração e ultrassom usando água como solvente) tiveram o menor valor de metade da concentração efetiva máxima (EC50) de 0,002 mg/mL. Seguiu-se extração ultrassônica das flores (0,003 mg/mL) e maceração das flores e ultrassom com etanol:água dos ouriços (0,004 mg/mL). Amostras com alto teor de compostos fenólicos apresentaram melhores resultados, sugerindo uma correlação positiva entre composição fenólica e atividade antioxidante. Os extratos de C. sativa exibiram atividade antibacteriana contra várias cepas de bactérias e causaram a morte das cepas bacterianas. Os valores de concentração inibitória mínima (MIC) para bactérias Gram-positivas foram menores do que para bactérias Gram-negativas. Os extratos também apresentaram potencial antifúngico semelhante, com valores de MIC de 10 mg/mL. Um total de 32 compostos diferentes foram identificados nos extratos de subprodutos de C. sativa. A incorporação do ingrediente natural de flores de castanheiro em cervejas artesanais Indian Pale Ale (IPA) foi eficaz em preservar o perfil de sabor da cerveja durante os meses de armazenamento. Este extrato natural atuou como agente conservante, inibindo reações que poderiam resultar na formação de compostos indesejáveis e com sabor desagradável. Esses achados destacam o potencial da utilização do extrato de flor de castanheiro como uma alternativa para melhorar a estabilidade do sabor e a qualidade geral das cervejas artesanais, contribuindo para prolongar a vida útil do produto

Polyphenol composition by HPLC-DAD-(ESI-)MS/MS and bioactivities of extracts from grape agri-food wastes

Background: Grape agri-food wastes, such as skin, seeds, and other discarded by-products, contain phytochemical compounds that offer potential health benefits. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the polyphenol composition and bioactivities of different extracts obtained from grape marc and seeds, with the goal of exploring their potential for application as natural food additives. Results: Regardless of the extraction method used (dynamic maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)), all extracts exhibited relatively high concentrations of phenolic compounds. The chemical characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of specific compounds and chemical groups associated with each extraction methodology. Moreover, the extracts displayed satisfactory antioxidant activities, especially in inhibiting lipoperoxidation as assessed by the TBARS assay. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated effective inhibition against different strains of bacteria and fungi known as food contaminants. Taken together, these findings indicate that those extracts have the potential to be tested as natural antioxidants and preservatives with sustainable origins in food and beverage systems. Among the extraction methods evaluated, traditional maceration and UAE provided extracts with the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Conclusions: Our results suggest the opportunity to explore grape marc and seeds discarded by the winery industry in Portugal as natural sources of bioactive compounds, which could be employed as functional food ingredients or technological additives. The valorization of grape biowastes offers a promising strategy to reduce waste and harness their potential health benefits.Authors acknowledge the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal), for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program contract for L. Barros, S.A. Heleno and R.C. Calhelha, and for E. Pereira through the individual program contract. J. M. Ueda thanks FCT for his Ph.D. grant (2022.13392.BD). Moreover, the authors thank the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the research and technological development incentive system (SI I&DT), notice 13/si/2020 corporate R&D projects in co-promotion for inland territories, within the scope of Project Bio4Drinks (NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-113508), for the research contracts of D.B. Rodrigues and T. C. Finimundy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Attachment goes to court: child protection and custody issues

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration

Attachment goes to court: Child protection and custody issues

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration

El Apego Va a Juicio: Problemas de Custodia y Protección Infantil1

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. This article is divided into two parts. In the first part, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration