Ana M M GonçalvesUniversity of Coimbra | UC · Department of Life Sciences
Ana M M Gonçalves
PhD
Auxiliary researcher at University of Coimbra
About
173
Publications
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Introduction
Ana M M Gonçalves currently works at MARE, Department of Life Sciences , University of Coimbra and Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro. Ana does research in Ecology, Marine Biology, Toxicology and Biochemistry. Their current project is 'Fatty Acids as Bioindicators'.
Publications
Publications (173)
Carrageenans are valuable marine polysaccharides derived from specific species of red seaweed (Rhodophyta) widely used as thickening and stabilizing agents across various industries. Kappaphycus alvarezii, predominantly cultivated in tropical countries, is the primary source of kappa-carrageenan. Traditional industrial extraction methods involve al...
The waterborne copper concentration has been increasing over the decades mainly associated with industrial and agricultural inputs. Remarkably, this metal is one of the most extensively used agrochemicals (both as fertilizer or pesticide) in Europe, employed for the elimination or control of fungi, bacteria, and algae. While copper can be physiolog...
Citation: Mendes, M.; Cotas, J.; Pacheco, D.; Ihle, K.; Hillinger, A.; Cascais, M.; Marques, J.C.; Pereira, L.; Gonçalves, A.M.M. Red Seaweed Abstract: Seaweed polysaccharides are versatile both in their functions in seaweed physiology and in their practical applications in society. However, their content and quality vary greatly. This review discu...
Climate change may increase the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination through extreme precipitation and extended drought periods. Therefore, the understanding of groundwater ecosystem dynamics is crucial, with bacterial assemblages playing a major role in biogeochemical cycles. The present research describes a geospatial study targeting the ba...
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition marked by high blood glucose levels caused by inadequate insulin synthesis or poor insulin use. This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide and is linked to a variety of consequences, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetes therapy now focus...
This review delves into the burgeoning field of seaweed proteins as promising alternative sources of protein. With global demand escalating and concerns over traditional protein sources’ sustainability and ethics, seaweed emerges as a viable solution, offering a high protein content and minimal environmental impacts. Exploring the nutritional compo...
Seaweeds have been used globally for different purposes. Recent developments in technology coupled with an increasing interest in the resource have created a need for seaweed aquaculture to meet the demand. This review tackles the question of whether seaweed aquaculture has the potential to support the blue economy as well as climate change adaptat...
Seaweed, a miscellaneous group of marine algae, has long been recognized for its rich nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, being considered nutraceutical ingredient. This revision delves into the promising role of seaweed-derived nutrients as a beneficial resource for drug discovery and innovative product development. Seaweeds are abund...
In modern times, the plastic industry is significantly responsible for the large quantities of plastic that end up in water bodies and land. Every year, tons of plastic waste are scattered into the oceans, causing widespread environmental pollution, and disrupting ecosystems. As the need to reduce the usage of petroleum-based plastics grows, resear...
Bivalve species have a key role at the ecosystem level and a very interesting economic value. Globally, bivalve production is higher than 15 million tons. Thus, this work intends to highlight the economic value of these organisms, but mostly highlights the potential of this resource for water management and water quality improvement, and thus to th...
Amidst unprecedented anthropogenic pressure on marine ecosystems, seabirds can serve as sentinels for shifts in marine prey availability. We examined the diet and foraging ecology of two sympatric Procellariiformes, the Cape Verde shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii) and Bulwer’s petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), during their breeding period in Cabo Verde,...
Currently, there is increased chemical pollution, and climate change is a major concern to scientific, political and social communities globally. Marine systems are very susceptible to changes, and considering the ecological and economic roles of bivalve species, like Cerastoderma edule, studies evaluating the effects of both stressors are of great...
Seaweeds are abundant sources of diverse bioactive compounds with various properties and mechanisms of action. These compounds offer protective effects, high nutritional value, and numerous health benefits. Seaweeds are versatile natural sources of metabolites applicable in the production of healthy food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and fertilizers...
Seabirds have evolved several life-history characteristics to help buffer environmental stochasticity. However, particularly during the breeding season, seabirds may be affected by reductions in prey availability and localised oceanographic conditions caused by variations in the environment. The increase in sea surface temperature, triggered by acc...
Polyphenols are beneficial natural compounds with antioxidant properties that have recently gain a lot of interest for their potential therapeutic applications. Marine polyphenols derived from marine macroalgae have been discovered to possess interesting antioxidant properties; therefore, these compounds can be included in several areas of drug dev...
Under the current scenario of global warming, it is ecologically relevant to understand how increased temperature influences the combined toxicity of pesticides to aquatic species. Hence, this work aims to: a) determine the temperature effect (15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C) on the toxicity of two pesticides (oxyfluorfen and Copper (Cu)), on the growth of...
Antibiotics are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. After a prolonged use of antibiotics, it may happen that bacteria adapt to their presence, developing antibiotic resistance and bringing up health complications. Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health and food security; therefore, scientists have...
Seaweeds are a promising source of bioactive compounds for
biotechnological applications, with the potential to provide natural
alternatives to a wide range of industries.
Among bioactive algal molecules, phenolic compounds are
synthesized as secondary metabolites. Ecologically, these molecules
play a role on plants and seaweeds defense mechanisms,...
In recent decades, pollution levels have increased, mainly as a result of the intensive anthropogenic activities such industrial development, intensive agricultural practices, among others. The impact of metals and organic contaminants is, nowadays, a great concern to the scientific and political communities. Copper compounds are the main sold pest...
Wildfires constitute a source of contamination to both freshwater and marine ecosystems. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant defense response of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea and the marine cockle (Cerastoderma edule) to wildfire ash exposure and the concomitant metal body burden. Organisms were exposed to different concentrations...
The present study aims to assess the potential exploitation of marine macroalgae waste using a cascade biorefinery approach. For that, biomass was collected from a northern Portugal beach, two different drying processes were employed (freeze-drying (FD) and sun-drying (SD)) and cascade extractions were conducted to obtain several extracts (fatty ac...
Seaweeds are an abundant source of bioactive compounds and hydrocolloids that can be used in several industries, especially in the food industry. They can be directly consumed as a whole, used as an ingredient, or a source of several compounds that can enrich the nutrient content and sensory experience of foods. The demand for more sustainable pack...
The use of seaweed for therapeutic purposes is ancient, but only in the last decade, with advanced technologies, has it been possible to extract seaweed’s bioactive compounds and test their potential properties. Algal metabolites possess nutritional properties, but they also exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities, which allow...
s have been used since ancient times as soil fertilizer and to turn infer�tile soil into fertile soil. Seaweeds’ research permitted in the last years to profile
various species of seaweeds and their valuable compounds for various fields,
such as human food, animal feed, biomedical, and pharmaceutical. In this case,
with the pressure to turn agri...
Seaweeds have been used since ancient times as soil fertilizer and to turn infer�tile soil into fertile soil. Seaweeds’ research permitted in the last years to profile various species of seaweeds and their valuable compounds for various fields, such as human food, animal feed, biomedical, and pharmaceutical. In this case, with the pressure to turn...
Seaweeds have been explored since pre-historic times as manure and to fertilize coastal areas and turn less fertile soil into fertile soil to sustain important crops for human and animal consumption. With the search for new products, seaweeds are regaining attention because of the restrain and reduction of synthetic products in agriculture. Thus, s...
Effects of ash-associated contaminants on freshwater (Corbicula fluminea) and marine bivalves (Cerastoderma edule). Effects on antioxidant defense response and metal bioaccumulation.
Wildfires are a social and environmental concern to the world due to their many adverse effects, including risk to the public health and security, economic damages in prevention and fight, ecosystems pollution, land usage sustainability, and biodiversity. In the Mediterranean region, these events have increased in the last years. Although several s...
In recent years, an increased interest in marine macroalgae bioactive compounds has been recorded due to their benefits to human health and welfare. Several of their bioactivities have been demonstrated, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial and antiviral behavior. However, there still lacks a clear definition rega...
In the last decades, the interest in seaweed has significantly increased. Bioactive compounds from seaweed's currently receive major attention from pharmaceutical companies as they express several interesting biological activities which are beneficial for humans. The structural diversity of seaweed metabolites provides diverse biological activities...
Seaweeds have been used since ancient times as soil fertilizer and to turn infertile
soil into fertile soil. Seaweeds’ research permitted in the last years to profile
various species of seaweeds and their valuable compounds for various fields,
such as human food, animal feed, biomedical, and pharmaceutical. In this case,
with the pressure to turn a...
Marine macroalgae are the source of a wide range of compounds that have
demonstrated a myriad of potential uses. Sulfated and non-sulfated polysaccharides
are some of the major compounds found in these organisms, and they
could be applied in many industries due to their diverse potentials. Seaweeds
are a valuable source of sulfated polysaccharides,...
Seaweeds have been explored since pre-historic times as manure and to
fertilize coastal areas and turn less fertile soil into fertile soil to sustain
important crops for human and animal consumption. With the search for
new products, seaweeds are regaining attention because of the restrain and
reduction of synthetic products in agriculture. Thus, s...
Plankton is strongly influenced by climate features, chemical stressors, and hydrological conditions. Their sensitivity to these fluctuations results in communities that are continuously changing and adapting to environmental factors as well as to changes in available resources. The organisms that constitute plankton are subdivided into phytoplankt...
Physiological changes were explored in fatty acids (FA) and carbohydrate (CHO) composition in the shredder Calamoceras marsupus larvae (Trichoptera) and leaf litter (C. marsupus food) exposed to copper and uranium under natural and experimental conditions. We measured FA and CHO content in leaf litter and larvae specimens from reference and impacte...
Fatty acids are molecules with important physiological functions, proved to be good bioindicators of the presence of natural and chemical stressors and so used as early warning signals. Indeed, biochemical analyzes, such as fatty acids, are an important tool in water body management and water quality analysis, allowing detecting molecular changes i...
In modern times, seaweeds have become widely involved in several biotechnological applications due to the variety of their constituent bioactive compounds. The consumption of seaweeds dates to ancient times; however, only from the last few decades of research can we explain the mechanisms of action and the potential of seaweed-derived bioactive com...
World aquaculture food production rises every year, amounting, by 2018, to another all-time record of 82.1 million tonnes of farmed seafood, with Asia leading global production. In Europe, although coastal countries present historical fishing habits, aquaculture is in true expansion. Norway, the leading European producer, is the eighth main produce...
Although dating back thousands of years, aquaculture has only recently experienced
great development worldwide.
It is unclear when aquaculture practices began, but findings over the years suggest
the activity has existed for centuries. The first steps in this production may date back
to the Neolithic age, around 4000 B.C., focusing on trapping aqua...
Recently, there has been increased interest in the development of novel antimicrobial compounds for utilization in a variety of sectors, including pharmaceutical, biomedical, textile, and food. The use, overuse, and misuse of synthetic compounds or derivatives have led to an increase of pathogenic microorganisms gaining resistance to the traditiona...
Recently, there has been increased interest in the development of novel antimicrobial compounds for utilization in a variety of sectors, including pharmaceutical , biomedical, textile, and food. The use, overuse, and misuse of synthetic compounds or derivatives have led to an increase of pathogenic microorganisms gaining resistance to the tradition...
Seaweeds have been consumed worldwide throughout coastal areas since the start of human civilization. During the last decades, the interest in seaweed consumption as a nutraceutical or functional food has witnessed an upsurge, concurrently research has evolved, and consumer awareness rose. Red macroalgae (phylum Rhodophyta) can be directly consumed...
Because the world’s population is increasing, science-based policies are needed to promote sustainable global development. It is important to maintain and restore the environment and help human society overcome the risks from industrialization and unsustainable exponential growth. In recent years, many studies have highlighted that macroalgae repre...
Urban habitats offer spatially and temporally predictable anthropogenic food sources for opportunistic species, such as several species of gulls that are known to exploit urban areas and take advantage of accessible and diverse food sources, reducing foraging time and energy expenditure. However, human-derived food may have a poorer nutritional qua...
Nowadays, seaweeds are widely involved in biotechnological applications. Due to the variety of bioactive compounds in their composition, species of phylum Ochrophyta, class Phae-ophyceae, phylum Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta are valuable for the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Seaweeds have been consumed as whole food sinc...
There is a need to find new possible raw food sources with interesting nutritional values. One of the most unexploited sources are seaweeds. Thus, Ulva sp. is a green edible seaweed that shows a high growth rate in nature and can support drastic abiotic changes, such as temperature and salinity. This work aims to determine the main nutritional comp...
Citation: García-Poza, S.; Morais, T.; Leandro, A.; Cotas, J.; Marques, J.C.; Pereira, L.; Gonçalves, A.M.M. A Comparative Study of the Fatty Acids and Monosaccharides of Wild and Cultivated Ulva sp. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 233. https://doi.
Impacts of nanoplastics (NPPs) on leaf decomposers and food quality were assessed. • NPPs (0-25 µg L-1) impacted leaf mass loss, fungal sporulation and abundance. • NPPs (100 nm) had a pronounced impact on food quality. • Food quality did not impact the feeding behaviour of invertebrates. • Basal trophic levels are more impacted by low concentratio...
Seaweeds are a source of several compounds with bioactive properties. The research about these compounds has been increasing mainly to develop edible and biodegradable films to extend shelf life of food products maintaining the safety and preserving the quality of raw and pre-cooked food products, while reducing food and packaging waste. Therefore,...
The harvesting and the consumption of seaweeds (marine macroalgae) has been known for centuries. There are ancient records of their use in Asian countries, nevertheless in recent years they have become popular and commercialized in Europe, as well in the American continent. Harvesting and aquaculture have increased seaweed feedstock and consequentl...
The genus Gigartina belongs to the phylum Rhodophyta and is considered an edible seaweed. This genus is characterized by worldwide distribution, mainly in the Northeast and Southeast Atlantic and Southeast Asia. Gigartina sp. has the particularity of producing different types of carrageenans, depending on the stage of the life cycle, having a high...
The interest in macroalgae has been growing worldwide in the recent years, due to the new discoveries regarding the numerous health benefits they provide to consumers, namely anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that enhance resistance and ability to combat disease to consumers, granted by algae’s bioactive molecules. In the...
World population is expected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. Depletion of food resources is estimated to occur due to the consequences of climate changes in crops and loss of arable soil. Sustainability in food resources management is pivotal to guarantee nutritious food supply. Seaweeds are, historically, a food source. Currently, they are ga...
Plants, animals and humans have several defense mechanisms against their infecting pathogens. Some biological molecules mimicking pathogen effectors’ mode-of-action are defined as “immune system elicitors” and reside in marine organisms, especially in seaweeds. Elicitor perception triggers various signaling pathways conducting to circumvent multipl...
Synthetic or semi-synthetic organic polymers (known as plastics) are widely used, due to their low price and easy manufacture. Over the years, glass, wood, and other materials (e.g. metal) have been replaced by plastic in many applications. Nowadays, plastics play a significant role in many “short-term” disposable applications, such as product pack...
Cultivated seaweeds do not compete with food crops for arable land or freshwater, so this marine-based crop could provide an alternative source for the sustainable production of food, fuel, and natural compounds, without the usage of fertilizers or pesticides. However, increasing the global production of seaweeds requires an understanding of the cr...
The scientific community is focused on the quest of novel types of fuels, due to the harmful impacts of fossil fuels in the environment. Currently, microalgae-based biofuel market is not the most feasible from an economic point of view. However, the companies in this segment are developing new technologies to improve biofuel production, mainly with...
Seaweeds are an abundant source of bioactive compounds and hydrocolloids that can be used in several industries, especially in the food industry. They can be directly consumed as a whole, used as an ingredient, or a source of several compounds that can enrich the nutrient content and sensory experience of foods. The demand for more sustainable pack...
The use of seaweeds in wastewater treatment (WWT) is increasing around the world, being one of the most employed biotic systems to reduce the nutrient eutrophication pressure caused by wastewater. However, the physicochemical characteristics of the seaweeds used in the WWT limit their commercialization. Consequently, this biomass is mainly discharg...
Seaweeds have been incorporated in the daily diet of several human cultures since ancient times, due to their nutritional characteristics and healthy properties. The brown seaweeds Undaria pinnatifida, Saccharina latissima, Sacchoriza polyschides, and Laminaria ochroleuca were collected in the Viana do Castelo (Portugal) bay to assess their proxima...
Seaweeds are gaining momentum as novel and functional food and feed products. From
whole consumption to small bioactive compounds, seaweeds have remarkable flexibility in their applicability, ranging from food production to fertilizers or usages in chemical industries. Regarding food production, there is an increasing interest in the development of...
Citation: Monteiro, P.; Lomartire, S.; Cotas, J.; Pacheco, D.; Marques, J.C.; Pereira, L.; Gonçalves, A.M.M. Seaweeds as a Fermentation Substrate: A Challenge for the Food Processing Industry. Processes 2021, 9, 1953. https://doi.org/10.3390/ pr9111953 Academic Editors: Tiane Finimundy, Taofiq Oludemi and Filipa S. Reis
Marine biota is a great source of ecosystem services. Recently, the involvement of marine organisms in biotechnological applications has been discovered and become useful for the development of alternative and healthy food, natural medicine and cosmetics. The most known ecosystem service is the provision of seafood; however, fishery management has...
Macroalgae are a biological group that has mainly been used in Asian countries; however, the interest shown by Western society is recent, its application in the industrial sector having increased in the last few decades. Seaweeds are filled with properties which are beneficial to our health. To use them as food and enhance these properties, heat ha...
Macroalgae are a biological group that has mainly been used in Asian countries; however,
the interest shown byWestern society is recent, its application in the industrial sector having increased in the last few decades. Seaweeds are filled with properties which are beneficial to our health. To use them as food and enhance these properties, heat has...
The exponential increase of the human population demands the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture practices to suppress food production needs. The excessive use of these chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) can comport deleterious effects to the ecosystems, including aquatic systems and communities. Oxyfluorfen is a fluorine-based...
Currently, seaweeds are gaining major attention due to the benefits they give to our health. Recent studies demonstrate the high nutritional value of seaweeds and the powerful properties that seaweeds’ bioactive compounds provide. Species of class Phaeophyceae, phylum Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta possess unique compounds with several properties that...
Currently, the high food demand led to a mass agriculture practices, w