
Maria OliveiraUniversity of Porto | UP · Faculty of Pharmacy
Maria Oliveira
PhD
About
700
Publications
207,721
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
24,995
Citations
Publications
Publications (700)
The extraction of phenolics from grape pomace (GP) is still a challenging process as part of compounds may be bound to macromolecules in the plant cell wall. Herein, the combination of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) to recover phenolic compounds was evaluated for the first time in GP (BRS Violeta). Results...
Opuntia, a cactus known for its edible fruit, produces both summer and winter fruit with distinct nutritional profiles. This study, using samples from the same plant in Northeast Portugal, revealed that winter seeds contain 2.4 times more fructose and 1.8 times more total sugars than summer seeds. Winter samples also showed a 2.3-fold increase in α...
In this study, we describe the development of hydrogel formulations composed of micelles loading two natural antioxidants—resveratrol and rutin—and the evaluation of the effect of a by-product on the rheological and textural properties of the developed semi-solids. This approach aims to associate the advantages of hydrogels for topical administrati...
The use of fruit by-products to develop new food products could be an advantageous approach to meet the demand for healthy foods and reduce food waste. In this study, the amino acid and mineral profiles of melon peel flour were evaluated. Non-essential/toxic elements were also determined. Furthermore, two formulations (biscuit and muffin) were deve...
This study intended to evaluate the influence of different postharvest cooling conditions in the physicochemical, antioxidant activity and microbiological contamination of tomato cultivars namely: Cereja, Chucha, Rama and Redondo. Pink fruits were kept for 15 days under three different storage temperatures (6ºC, 12ºC and 25ºC) during which their we...
It was studied the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties of the essential oil obtained from the Cymbopogon citratus of Angolan origin. Its major constituents analyzed by GC-MS were Alpha-citral (40.55%), Beta-citral (28.26%), myrcene (10.50%) and geraniol (3.37%). The essential oil antioxidant capacity was stati...
This chapter explores the prebiotic potential of coffee and its by-products, focusing on their impact on gut microbiota and human health. It defines prebiotics and characterizes gut microbiota, emphasizing their role in supporting gut health. The biotransformation of prebiotics and coffee ingredients (chlorogenic acids, melanoidins, and oligosaccha...
Fatty acids (FAs) are biochemical components of food, essential for human health due to their numerous biological functions. However, many of then if consumed in excess can trigger disfunctions/illness. Therefore, analytical methods, such as gas chromatography (GC-FID) are essential for the accurate identification and quantification of FAs, playing...
Apple pomace (AP), the common designation of bio-residues generated during apple processing, holds a vast potential for alternative added-value solutions, particularly by applying new sustainable technologies in the food sector. This review provides an overview of the scientific validation of AP as a suitable source of starting materials for differ...
Macroalgae are known as abundant sources of phytochemicals, which offer a plethora of beneficial biological properties. Besides being the most notable classes of compounds found in macroalgae, phlorotannins, bromophenols, and terpenoids comprise some of the most relevant for their biological properties. Phlorotannins, mainly prevalent in brown alga...
Background: Flaxseeds are functional foods popular in current diets. Cold-pressing is a solvent-free method to extract flaxseed oil, resulting in a by-product—defatted flour. Objectives/Methods: This study compared whole flaxseeds and defatted flour (proximate composition, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity...
Introduction:
Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in the pharmaceutical field to treat various human disorders. Among these, lipid-based NPs (LNPs), including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), are favored for drug/bioactive delivery due to their high stability, biocompatibility, encapsulation efficiency, and...
Introduction:
Numerous purified bioactive compounds, crude extracts, and essential oils have demonstrated potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, particularly in vitro or in silico; however, their in vivo applications are hindered by inadequate absorption and distribution in the organism. The incorporation o...
The food industry is encouraged to develop new sustainable foodstuffs, and agri-food by-products can serve as valuable ingredients in these formulations. In this work, olive pomace (OP), a by-product of olive oil production, was incorporated as an ingredient in pasta. The changes in the nutritional composition and consumer acceptance were assessed,...
Milk has a high nutritional value and is also one of the most versatile products in the food industry. Unfortunately, fraud involving the product is constant and needs to be combated. This work presents a measurement methodology to perform the electrical impedance analysis in food. The influence of temperature on the measurements has been evaluated...
Prebiotic demand is increasing due to growing concerns about human gut health and well-being. Recently, agri-food by-products have been explored as a potential source of prebiotic ingredients. This study analysed the chemical composition of a freeze-dried coffee silverskin extract (FSE) and evaluated its impact on Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp...
Known for its stimulating effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, caffeine has proven remarkable versatile properties. It can be used in a wide range of different products, from anti-aging cosmetics to the pharmaceutical treatment of hair loss. Caffeine is known for its antioxidant properties and is commonly found in moisturising creams...
The distinct microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of sheep milk enable the production of cheeses with unique organoleptic properties. The scenario of sheep cheeses in Brazil is still uncertain, lacking data and regulations. This study aims to characterize the diversity of bacterial groups with potential pathogenic and/or harmful prop...
Coriander, caraway, and mystical cumin are famous for their aromatic properties and widely used in Moroccan cuisine. The nutritional/phytochemical composition of their seeds (used for food flavoring and preservation) were compared. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and hepatotoxic effects were also explored. The fat content was simila...
This review focus on the increase of the cosmetics industry leading to the need for more standards for the safety and effectiveness evaluation of the used new products. This approach was justified by the growing awareness of the risks associated to many chemicals in cosmetics as well as the health advantages of natural products from plants and othe...
One of the biggest challenges in the food industry is the incorporation of probiotics into food products while maintaining their properties, both in the processing phases and in the gastrointestinal tract. The production of this type of functional food, which has been used to prevent and/or help in the treatment of some diseases, needs improvements...
The current burden associated to multidrug resistance, and the emerging superbugs, result in a decreased and even loss of antibiotic efficacy, which poses significant challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases. This situation has created a high demand for the discovery of novel antibiotics that are both effective and safe. However, while an...
The poster titled "Recent Developments in the Removal of Heavy Metals in Water and Wastewater" discusses the latest advancements and innovative approaches in removing heavy metals from contaminated water sources.
Cannabinoids are compounds with increasing scientific interest, particularly due to their interaction with the endocannabinoid system via CBR1 and CBR2 receptors. They can interfere with appetite, pain, and sleep or develop mood changes in the individual. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a well-known cannabinoid with potential benefits, including reducing epil...
Grape pomace (GP) is the solid organic material remaining after grape industrialization in the production of wines and juices. It comprises skin, seeds, and residues of pulp or must. This by-product, still considered underused, is rich in bioactive compounds, especially phenolics, being attractive for pharmaceutical and food markets. Phenolic compo...
Because olive pomace (the main by-product of olive oil production) is phytotoxic, new applications must be investigated to minimize its negative environmental impact. In this work, olive pomace was fermented for 4 and 32 days at room temperature, having in view its valorization as a novel food, thereby creating opportunities for the food industry a...
Grape pomace is widely studied as a source of phenolic compounds. These secondary metabolites are recognized by presenting pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase, vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic and antitumoral, that can be exploited in new and sustainable therapies. In this review, we gath...
Background: Baobab fruit is valued for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Although it is acknowledged that baobab pulp is beneficial for health, studies that link its nutraceutical properties to the ability to eliminate reactive species (ROS and RNS) are scarce. Methods: The nutritional profile and the antioxidant properties of baobab pulp ext...
Consumers are increasingly interested in food products with high nutritional value and health benefits. For instance, fish consumption is linked with diverse positive health benefits and the prevention of certain widespread disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular diseases. These benefits have been attributed to its excelle...
The delivery of peptides and proteins usually faces formulation development challenges attributed to the difficulties encountered in their stabilization. Nanoparticles offer an alternative to improve the physicochemical stability of such biomacromolecules, while increasing their bioavailability by overcoming biological absorption barriers. With thi...
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is among the most valued fruits due to its organoleptic properties and nutritional worth. Cherry stems are rich in bioactive compounds, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Innumerable studies have indicated that some bioactive compounds can modulate sugar absorption in the small intestine. In...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile of the flesh and yield parameters of Greek pumpkin genotypes, including nine local landraces and two commercially available cultivars, focusing on valorizing the genetic pool of Cucurbita sp. with high added value products. Yield parameters (mean fruit weight and total fruit yield) recorded...
This study is aimed at maximizing the recovery of anthocyanins from Sicana odorifera fruit epicarp by heat- and ultrasound-assisted extraction (HAE and UAE, respectively) and at evaluating the in vitro bioactive properties of the anthocyanin-rich extracts obtained under optimized conditions. The optimization process utilized response surface method...
Natural colorants have gained increased popularity among consumers and food producers due to their reputation as safer and healthier alternatives to commonly used artificial analogues. These natural pigments can be...
Aim: As far as is known, the pharmaceutical effects of neem on human B-lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells have not been studied until now. Hence, the present study aimed to obtain neem phenolic extracts for inhibits the proliferation of TK6 cells and explore some possible underlying mechanisms involved in these effects. Methods: Hexane extract (HE) was obt...
Algae contain high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds, making them promising alternative ingredients. Since pasta is consumed worldwide, it can be an effective vehicle for incorporating algae. This study compares the nutritional and antioxidant composition of whole-wheat pasta without and with enrichment of an algae m...
Adapting our food production chain and increasing the flora and fauna’s livelihood in climate change-affected areas using Opuntia is not only theoretical but already exists in practice in many places. This cactus grows in unsuitable soil for most species as it is adapted to arid and semi-arid soils and hot weather. In these regions, Opuntia protect...
Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o efeito da germinação no teor de macronutrientes e da desidratação em compostos bioativos, nutrientes e atividade antioxidante de farinhas das leguminosas Phaseolus lunatus L. e Cajanus cajan (L. Millsp.) germinadas. As condições de germinação foram controladas em laboratório e as amostras foram submetidas...
There is previous research to assess the effectiveness of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This study conducted a systematic review of scientific literature, encompassing animal and human studies, including randomised clinical trials. Cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant or can be s...
Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), widely recognized as prickly pear, is a native species from Mexico, being also widely distributed in many other geographical regions worldwide. OFI is a plant with numerous beneficial properties, provide that it is a source of dietary fibres, vitamins and many other bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemi...
Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, which can be found in mammalian milk. It was first isolated from bovine milk in the 1930s, and later in the 1960s, it was determined from human milk. This multifunctional protein has the specific ability to bind iron. It plays various biological roles, such as antibacterial, an...
Processing the coffee cherry into roasted beans generates a large amount of by-products, which can negatively impact the environment. The aim of this study was to analyze the bioactive potential and chemical composition of different coffee by-products (pulp, husk, parchment, silverskin, defective beans, and green coffee sieving residue) having in m...
In the Mediterranean region, where olive oil is mostly produced, high amounts of olive oil by-products are generated, which creates an ecological concern, due to their phytotoxic phenolic components (e.g., oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol). However, these compounds also represent a relevant source of antioxidants for health and well-being. The f...
Cosmetic interest in agro-industrial byproducts is growing. In fact, many studies have shown that these residues present bioactive compounds with several skincare applications. One example is olive byproducts, such as olive pomace, which has a composition rich in phenolic compounds. As the production of olive oil is increasing, the amount of byprod...
Produced water (PW) is an effluent from the petrochemical industry that has a significant environmental impact due to its high salinity and presence of chemical compounds and heavy metal. Microalgae have been considered promising to phytoremediation of this effluent and producing biomass with high added value. Therefore, this study aimed to stimula...
The peels from three pumpkin genotypes cultivated in Greece were assessed for their phenolic content and bioactive properties to obtain extracts with a high preservative capacity. The optimization of the extraction was performed through response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box–Behnken experimental design after applying two extraction techn...
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) are receiving increasing interest as an approach to encapsulate natural extracts to increase the physicochemical stability of bioactives. Cannabis extract-derived cannabidiol (CBD) has potent therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective...
Consumers' demand for foods with high nutritional value and health benefits has fueled the development of prebiotic foods. In coffee industry, cherries transformation into roasted beans generates a large amount of waste/by-products (pulp/husks, mucilage, parchment, defective beans, silverskin and spent coffee grounds) that usually end up in landfil...
The industrial processing of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) generates high amounts of waste, as ~60% of the fruit is formed by an inedible pericarp. However, its pericarp has been explored as a source of xanthones; nevertheless, studies addressing the recovery of other chemical compounds from such biomass are still scarce. Hence, this study in...
The cosmetic industry is continuously searching for new active ingredients in an effort to attend to consumer demands which, in recent years, are focused on more natural and environmentally friendly products, obtained from sustainable resources. Nevertheless, they are required to provide cosmetologically appealing skincare products, ultimately with...
Olea europaea L. folium merits further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leaf sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Organic analysis assessed the moisture conte...
Chemical constituents and bioactive properties of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel were characterized and heat-/ultrasound-assisted extractions (HAE/UAE) of anthocyanins were optimized by response surface methodology. Five organic acids, the α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol isoforms, and twenty-five fatty acids (36.8 % oleic acid) were identified, as...