Manuela Simões

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa | NOVA · Centre for Research on Science and Geological Engineering (CICEGe)

Zinc enrichment of edible food products, through the soil and/or foliar application of fertilizers, is a strategy that can increase the contents of some nutrients, namely Zn. In this context, a workflow for agronomic enrichment with zinc was carried out on irrigated Vitis vinifera cv. Syrah, aiming to evaluate the mobilization of photoassimilates t...

Com vista à obtenção de uma matéria-prima para posterior transformação em produtos com características funcionais, o presente estudo visou o uso de uma prova sensorial para avaliar a perceção dos consumidores a possíveis impactos de um itinerário de enriquecimento agronómico na pera Rocha. Desta forma, sete pulverizações foliares (concentrações de...

O Zinco (Zn) é um micronutriente requerido em pequenas quantidades, no entanto fundamental para o crescimento, desenvolvimento e defesa contra os agentes patogénicos das plantas. A sua ação no organismo está associada à sua presença em diversas proteínas, agindo como um cofactor funcional, estrutural e regulador. Neste contexto, o défice de Zn é um...

There is a growing need for strategic actions involving efficient water use, sustainable agricultural production, and food security. Agricultural productivity can be improved through good agricultural practices based on water-quality management, new genetically modified resources, and using precision agriculture. This study aimed to monitor the cro...

Zinc deficiency affects the population worldwide, being developed several strategies to mitigate this health problem, such as agronomic biofortification. The absence of an adequate amount of Zn affects growth, immunity, and reproductive system. Accordingly, a technological itinerary for Zn agronomic biofortification was outlined using grapes Vitis...

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are micronutrients commonly linked to nutritional deficits. Inadequate intakes of Fe can be linked to impaired cognition, weakness and fatigue or pathologies such as anemia. As for Zn, cell damages, stunting or increases in infection susceptibility can occur. In Portugal, an enrichment workflow with foliar sprays was perform...

“Montado” is a Portuguese term that refers to a traditional agroforestry system commonly found in Portugal and Spain and is characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula's Mediterranean ecosystems. It involves the cultivation of cork oak and holm oak trees alongside grazing livestock, primarily pigs, cows and sheep. This study aimed to characterize the “...

In grapevines, Zn is essential for normal leaf growth, shoot elongation and pollen development, allowing a fully developed berry. In this context, using as a test system Vitis vinifera L. variety Syrah, this study aimed to assess the interactions between Zn enrichment in grapes and sugars and fatty acids profiles, further considering the sensory im...

O arroz (Oryza sativa L.) é a segunda cultura cerealífera mais cultivada e consumida no mundo. Devido à fácil acessibilidade, é considerado como alimento básico para aproximadamente 2/3 da população mundial. O arroz branqueado é a forma mais consumida, no entanto o arroz integral tem elevado valor nutricional. Neste tipo de grão são preservadas vit...

One-third of the world’s population is suffering from “hidden hunger” due to micronutrient deficiency. Zinc is acquired through diet, leading its deficiency to the development of disorders such as retarded growth, anorexia, infections, and hypogeusia. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop an agronomic workflow for Zn biofortification on two red...

Delineamento e otimização do itinerário técnico para a produção de arroz enriquecido em selénio.

Artigo técnico sobre biofortificação agronómica em Zinco de trigo mole para panificação. Revista "Frutas, Legumes e Flores": https://www.flfrevista.pt/sobre-nos/

Artigo técnico sobre biofortificação agronómica tomate em Mg (para processamento industrial) e em Zn e Fe (produzido em modo biológico). Revista "Frutas, Legumes e Flores": https://www.flfrevista.pt/sobre-nos/

Artigo técnico sobre biofortificação agronómica de uva em Zn para produção de vinho tinto e branco. Revista "Frutas, Legumes e Flores": https://www.flfrevista.pt/sobre-nos/

Artigo técnico sobre biofortificação de pera-rocha em cálcio. Publicado na revista "Frutas, Legumes e Flores": https://www.flfrevista.pt/sobre-nos/

Following an agronomic approach for the Ca enrichment of Rocha pears, this study aimed to assess the interactions between mineral nutrients in fruit tissues at harvest and after storage for 5 months and to characterize the implications on the profile of sugars and fatty acids (FA). A total of seven foliar sprays (with concentrations of 0.1–0.6 kg·h...

Nowadays, there is a growing concern about micronutrient deficits in food products, with agronomic biofortification being considered a mitigation strategy. In this context, as Zn is essential for growth and maintenance of human health, a workflow for the biofortification of grapes from the Vitis vinifera variety Fernão Pires, which contains this nu...

As the productivity and quality of tomato fruits are responsive to Mg applications, without surpassing the threshold of toxicity, the assessment of potential levels of Mg accumulation in tissues, as well as the interactions with Ca and physicochemical properties, prompt this study. An agronomic workflow for Mg enrichment, consisting of six foliar a...

Calcium is essential for plants, yet as its mobility is limited, the understanding of the rate of Ca2+ accumulation and deposition in tissues of tubers, as well as the interactions with other critical nutrients prompted this study. To assess the interactions and differential accumulation of micro and macronutrients in the tissues of tubers, Solanum...

This study evaluated the elemental composition of 25 herbal tea plants commonly used in infusions by Portuguese consumers and the contribution to the elemental daily intake of some essential elements. Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.), Matricaria chamomilla (L.), and Melissa officinalis (L.) samples are a rich source of K with around 6.0 mg g−1 while the A...

Grapes and wine are widely consumed in the world, yet their mineral content can be influenced by many factors such as the mineral composition of soils, viticulture practices and environmental conditions. In this context, considering the importance of Zn in the human physiology, the enrichment of Moscatel and Castelão grapes (white and red variety,...

Nutritional status performs an essential role in agriculture, affecting productivity and keeping crops functioning properly. Despite being required in smaller amounts, micronutrients are also needed for adequate growth, namely Zn (zinc) with regulatory, catalytic and structural functions. Fertilization with Zn is used to ameliorate the deficits of...

Soils provide plants both with a physical home and all the essential nutrients and support they crave to thrive. Such circumstances pave the way for a close analysis of the level of viability of different types of soils, and hence the need to assess the suitability of the experimental field in which to implement an agronomic biofortification itiner...

In the present day, there is an increasing demand for foods capable of fulfilling the nutritional needs of consumers, leading to a search for food products with a nutrient content able to promote a healthier lifestyle. In this study, an agronomic biofortification itinerary of Triticum aestivum L. (cv. Paiva) was conducted in an experimental field,...

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered one of the most consumed cereals worldwide. In fact, for most countries, it is considered a staple food crop. In this context, in Portugal, Ariete and Ceres are well known as varieties that produce grains with a high quality, yet little is known about their nutrient accumulation. In this context, this study aims...

Soil is a limited resource that is vital for plant production during the agricultural phase, and consequently, it is a fundamental component of the agro-industrial sector. In a near future, when efficiency in food production will be crucial to feed a growing population, agronomic strategies to ensure food quality need to be tested and optimized wit...

Soil is considered a highly complex ecosystem, providing food and maintaining crop and animal productivities. Soil variability can affect plant production. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare soil chemical characteristics from two different locations in the same region of western Portugal (Lourinhã), intended for potato production. Soil was co...

Appropriate soil conditions are important for the success of culturing tomatoes. In fact, there are mineral elements that are essential for the good and healthy development of tomatoes, namely, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and zinc. Additionally, organic matter and pH play important parts in the process. In thi...

Remote sensed data already have an important role in crop management. In fact, NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) has been use for staple crop management and monitorization since the 1980s, namely, in rice, wheat and maize. Accordingly, this study aimed to monitor, through precision agriculture, the development of a highly produced and c...

Calcium is an essential nutrient in the human body, being its deficiency related to the development of pathologies such as osteoporosis. On the other hand, the food industry will have to focus on ways to guarantee the quantity and quality of marketed food products, especially when considering an increase in the world population in the future. In th...

Balanced supply of essential nutrients in fruit trees, such as “Rocha” pears, is an important tool to achieve maximum yield and fruit quality, yet under fertilization the interactions among nutrients accumulation may be positive (synergistic) or negative (antagonistic), being also possible to have no interactions. Through foliar spraying of “Rocha”...

The irrigation water quality is crucial to ecosystems services, soils preservation, and crops’ development. Paddy-rice culture is highly implemented in the lower Tejo river basin and its tributaries (Almansor and Sorraia) alluviums, using irrigation waters with diverse types (ditches, water supply system, water reservoir, water canal, and rivers ru...

Using two rice genotypes as a test system (OP1505 and OP1509), the aim of this study was to develop an agronomic workflow for Se biofortification through foliar fertilization (with sodium selenate and sodium selenite). During the biofortification process, the state of the culture (slope, surface drainage, water lines and normalized differences vege...

In the next 30 years, scarcity of food resources for a growing population will be linked to specific nutritional requirements for keeping public human health. In this framework, target minerals increase in the edible part of plants, through foliar spraying, can minimize the development of some pathologies, but to guarantee consumers acceptance and...

The lower Tejo river basin is an important crop production area in Portugal. The mild climate, diverse water sources and availability along with flat and fertile land areas provide the condition to a highly productive region. Although the historically rainfed cultures installation since the eighteen century, irrigated cultures, such as rice, starte...

In the human body, Ca is required in high quantities, being crucial for bone synthesis, specific metabolic features, and tooth mineralization. However, its deficiency can trigger osteoporosis and rickets development. To avoid Ca deficiency, agronomic biofortification is a strategy that can improve this nutrient enhancement in food crops providing,...

As nowadays there is a growing concern about micronutrients deficiency in human food products, agronomic biofortification is being considered an enrichment potential technological option. In this context, to surpass limitations of Zn intake, ensuring proper level of this element for growth and maintenance of human health, this study aimed to develo...

The human metabolism requires Fe to support growth and the immune system. Iron further plays an essential role in the synthesis of oxygen transport proteins (namely, hemoglobin and myoglobin), while its deficiency can lead to anemia. Zinc also plays major physiological roles, working in multiple basic biochemical functions in the cells of the organ...

In the next 30 years a sharp increase in the world population is expected, which determines the need of an increasing food production, linked to a high nutritional pattern, to ensure human health. In this context, as bread wheat is one of the most produced cereals worldwide, its mineral enrichment through agronomic biofortification is of great inte...

Deficiency in selenium (Se) intake has been associated with the occurrence of various diseases. Rice, being the staple food for many populations, it has enormous potential to reduce this micronutrient deficit. The growing demand for efficient, bioeconomic and sustainable strategies to increase Se contents in rice is therefore justified, as it is ou...

Smart farming techniques can be used to maximize food production. This can be achieved by the rapid detection of variations in crops and clever use of resources such as water and fertilizers, which might minimize crop stress through direct target practices. In an orchard located in the West region of Portugal (GPS coordinates 39°23′28.997″ N; 9°4′5...

As the human population is growing worldwide, the food demand is sharply increasing. Following this assumption, strategies to enhance the food production are being explored, namely, smart farming, for monitoring crops during the production cycle. In this study, a vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Moscatel located in Palmela (N 38°35′47.113′′ O 8°40′46...

In the context of an exponentially growing population and resource limitations, precision agriculture techniques can improve efficiency in the agricultural sector. This can be achieved by monitorization and quick detection of changes in crops, resulting in smart resource use, waste reduction and maximization of production. In a field located in Pal...

Due to the rapid growth of the population worldwide and the need to provide food safety in large crop productions, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are being used in agriculture to provide valuable data for decision making. Accordingly, through precision agriculture, efficient management of resources, using data obtained by the technologies, is poss...

It is expected that the population worldwide might exceed 9 billion by 2050, therefore it being imperative to increase food production. As such, the development of smart farming technology is an important key food production issue. In fact, through the use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), it is possible to create normalized difference vegetation...

Tejo River Plains, specially “Lezírias” from Vila Franca de Xira, are an important agricultural region where irrigated cultures prevail. Different water sources provide the demand fulfil for the agricultural practices. Surface waters, in particular those from Tejo River, are the most common in the region. Climate change future scenarios would affec...

This study aimed to assess the implications of Zn enrichment in wheat grains as a function of contrasting genotypes, edaphic conditions and foliar fertilizers. Triticum aestivum L. varieties Roxo and Paiva were grown in four production fields, and sprayed with ZnSO4 (0, 16.20 and 36.40 kg/ha) Zn-EDTA (0, 6.30 and 12.60 kg/ha) and Tecnifol Zinc (0,...

Low dietary intake of Ca in humans has been epidemiologically linked to various diseases, which can have serious health consequences over time. Accordingly, the development of an agronomic itinerary for Ca bio-fortification of Rocha pears and the assessment of physicochemical deviations prompted this study. Two orchards with contrasting soil and wa...

An agronomic itinerary for Se biofortification of two rice cultivars (Ariete and Ceres) through foliar fertilization with sodium selenate and sodium selenite with different concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 g Se.ha−1), was implemented in experimental fields. The selenium toxicity threshold was not exceeded, as shown by the eco-physiological data o...

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of Ca enrichment in tubers of three genotypes of Solanum tuberosum L., through foliar spraying with CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2 solutions. In this context, soil heterogeneity of three potato-growing fields, as well as the implications of Ca accumulation among tissues and some quality parameters were assessed. Three...

The food industry will face determinant challenges in the future, namely, feeding a growing population, set to reach up to 9 billion people by 2050, while maintaining food quality, in circumstances of resource limitations and sustainable use. In this outlook, minimizing mineral deficits in the human diet can prevent health diseases. Calcium is one...

Selenium is an antioxidant trace mineral important for human health and development. Therefore, the growing demand for efficient, bioeconomic and sustainable strategies to increase Se content in cereals, namely, rice, is justified. In this context, biofortification is a strategy that can promote nutrient enhancement in food crops and, therefore, in...

Calcium is a crucial nutrient for bone development and the normal functioning of the circulatory system, whereas its deficiency can trigger the development of osteoporosis and rickets. On the other hand, Solanum tuberosum L. is one of the most important staple food crops worldwide and is a primary component of the human diet. Accordingly, using thi...

In the human body, about 53% of Mg is involved in the development and maintenance of bone and other calcified tissues, although it also has a physiological role in protein synthesis, muscle and nerve functions, blood glucose control and blood pressure regulation. Nevertheless, Mg deficiency triggers electrolyte disturbance that can result in multip...

Zinc has a fundamental role at the regulatory, functional and structural levels, and its deficiency leads to loss of brain function, changes in growth and weakening of the immune system. In this context, biofortification, which is a process in which there is an enrichment of both content and bioavailability of micronutrients in edible tissues of st...

Micronutrient deficiency affects individuals all around the world, being a public health problem. To minimize this problem, several alternatives are being developed, namely agronomic biofortification, to increase the amount of nutrients in food crops. In this context, Zn is one of the most relevant micronutrients for the human body, displaying cata...

Bread is a staple food prepared by baking a dough of flour and water. The virtually infinite combinations of different flours and differing proportions of ingredients has resulted in the wide variety of types, shapes, sizes, and textures available around the world. Considering the worldwide consume of this staple food, this study aimed to develop a...

Selenium is an antioxidant trace mineral important for human health and development. Therefore, the growing demand for efficient, bioeconomic and sustainable strategies to increase Se content in cereals, namely, rice, is justified. In this context, biofortification is a strategy that can promote nutrient enhancement in food crops and, therefore, in...

In worldwide production, rice is the second-most-grown crop. It is considered a staple food for many populations and, if naturally enriched in Se, has a huge potential to reduce nutrient deficiencies in foodstuff for human consumption. This study aimed to develop an agronomic itinerary for Se biofortification of Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae) and assess...

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans, yet its dietary intake is low, mostly due to the low bioavailability in soils and therefore in edible plant tissues. To overcome Se deficiency, the breeding approach ( i.e ., genetic biofortification), namely in rice, is largely dependent on available Se pools. To ensure the success of genetic...

Apresentam-se os resultados obtidos decorrido um ano do projeto PDR2020-101-FEADER-030701 para produção e processamento industrial de tomate biofortificado em Mg (variedades H1534 e H9205), e em Fe e Zn (variedades Coração de Boi, Chucha e Maçã) em modo de produção biológico para consumo direto.

O cálcio (Ca) é o elemento mineral mais abundante no corpo humano e um dos três minerais essenciais ao funcionamento do mesmo, sendo necessário em quantidades relativamente elevadas. É imprescindível para a formação e metabolismo do osso, a mineralização dos dentes e para a regulação de processos intracelulares em diversos tecidos. Acresce que a de...

Procedeu-se ao desenvolvimento de um projeto que visa a biofortificação de pera Rocha em cálcio, um produto tipicamente português (cuja produção média anual atinge as 173.000 toneladas, destinando-se 60% da produção nacional aos mercados internacionais), com o objetivo final de disseminar informação técnica junto de produtores e indústria transform...

O elemento Zinco (Zn) detém um elevado potencial antioxidante, participando em processos de regulação enzimática, com benefícios reconhecidos face à dermatite atópica, distúrbios da próstata, gravidez, espermatogénese, alopécia, e osteopénia. A uva, embora forneça apenas 70 cal/100g, possui essencialmente glucose, frutose e fibras dietéticas, sendo...