Sandrina A. Heleno’s research while affiliated with Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and other places

Background/Objectives: The food industry produces substantial amounts of fruit byproducts, which are often discarded despite their high content of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Pyrus communis (pear) residues, which are particularly rich in phenolic compounds, represent a valuable yet underutilized resource. These byproducts have demonstrated significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, suggesting their potential for medical and pharmaceutical applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenolic profile of P. communis byproducts, emphasizing their antioxidant and antibacterial mechanisms and their prospective use in combating oxidative stress and antibacterial resistance. Methods: A comprehensive review of the key phenolic compounds from P. communis residues was conducted using ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases (from 2014 to 2024). Studies assessing antioxidant and antibacterial activities were reviewed, with a focus on their mechanisms of action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Results: A minimum of 14 distinct phenolic compounds were identified among P. communis residues. However, chlorogenic acid and catechin were identified as the primary contributors to the antioxidant activity of P. communis residues. Hydroquinone and chlorogenic acid exhibited strong antibacterial effects through membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, and metabolic interference. Despite this potential, hydroquinone’s cytotoxicity and regulatory concerns limit its direct pharmaceutical application. Conclusions: While P. communis phenolics show promise as natural antibacterial agents, future research should address bioavailability, extraction standardization, and safe formulation strategies. Investigating their synergy with conventional antibiotics and improving stability for cosmetic applications are key steps toward their practical use. In vivo and clinical studies are crucial to validating their therapeutic potential and ensuring regulatory approval.

Lentinus tigrinus is a wood-decay fungus known for its nutritional, culinary, and medicinal benefits. It contains bioactive compounds like polyphenols, terpenes, and flavonoids that exhibit antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory effects. These natural antioxidants are increasingly recognized for their potential to prevent oxidative damage linked to aging and chronic diseases. This study investigates the antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from L. tigrinus sporophores cultivated on hazelnut shells (Lt1_HS), a waste material rich in phenolic compounds, and sporophores cultivated on sawdust (Lt1_S). Bioactivity tests, including DPPH, TBARS, MTT, and DCFH-DA assays, were performed to assess the hydroalcoholic extracts’ efficiency. The results showed that all the extracts contained various bioactive compounds, primarily polyphenols. Notably, the caffeoylquinic acids present in HS and Lt1_HS are linked to anti-peroxidant effects. Biological analyses demonstrated that the Lt1_HS extract has higher anti-peroxidant activity (IC50 0.77 ± 0.01 mg/mL) compared to Lt1_S (IC50 1.36 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in HaCaT cells by 80%. However, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects are still unclear, and further analysis will be conducted. Additionally, this study promotes recycling hazelnut shells as a valuable substrate for fungal cultivation, supporting sustainable waste management.

Today, energy drinks (EDs) have become popular consumables, second only to bottled water as the fastest growing products in the beverage industry. Children consume them for breakfast before school, athletes use them to improve physical performance and sports achievement, and adults rely on them to help them perform at work or home and to enhance their mood. Notably, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), nearly 70% of European teenagers consume EDs. However, this prevalence is alarming due to the absence of legislative measures and the low nutritional quality of these stimulant beverages. Previous research has linked the abuse of EDs to various health problems, including cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal disturbance, neurological changes (anxiety, depression, insomnia) and organ inflammation, exacerbated by their high sugar content (12 ± 3 g/100 mL). With a caffeine content of 160 mg per 500 mL, about four times that of a shot of espresso, EDs can pose health risks beyond caffeine alone. These risks are increased by other ingredients such as taurine, carnitine, and extra stimulants such as ginseng or guarana, and by interactions between these components. Research into genetic markers influencing health risks from EDs consumption is promising. Nutrigenomics, which explores gene-nutrient interactions, can optimize consumption recommendations, enhancing performance benefits and minimizing health risks. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for research, dissemination, and development of safer alternatives to EDs. This research aims to provide updated and comprehensive data on the evolving patterns of EDs use to support the development of targeted interventions and policies. Hence, a systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, searching PubMed and ScienceDirect using the terms ‘‘epidemiology’’ or ‘‘prevalence’’ and ‘‘energy drink’’ without limiting the year published.

The gut microbiota, recognised for its vital functions in host health, operates as an endocrine organ, exerting systemic effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract. This “virtual organ” produces hormones that influence distal organs, including the brain. With its diverse microbial composition, the gut microbiota surpasses the biochemical complexity of traditional endocrine organs, generating neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. Despite challenges in culturing gut bacteria, advances in research methodologies have elucidated their role in behaviour, metabolism, appetite, and insulin resistance. As microbial endocrinology continues to evolve, further exploration of the intricate connections between hormones and the microbiome are anticipated, highlighting hormones’ pivotal role in the dynamic host–microbiota relationship.