Browsing by Author "Berenguer, Cristina V."
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- Current challenges in the sustainable valorisation of agri-food wastes: a reviewPublication . Berenguer, Cristina V.; Andrade, Carolina; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Perestrelo, Rosa; José S. Câmara; Berenguer, Cristina; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, JoséIn the upcoming years, the world will face societal challenges arising, in particular, from the impact of climate change and the inefficient use of natural resources, in addition to an exponential growth of the world population, which according to the United Nations (UN) estimations will be 9.8 billion in 2050. This increasing trend requires optimized management of natural resources with the use of value-added waste and a significant reduction in food loss and food waste. Moreover, the recent pandemic situation, COVID-19, has contributed indisputably. Along with the agri-food supply chain, several amounts of waste or by-products are generated. In most cases, these biomass wastes cause serious environmental concerns and high costs to enterprises. The valorisation of the agri-food loss and food industry wastes emerged as a useful strategy to produce certain value-added compounds with several potential applications, namely in the food, health, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and environmental fields. Therefore, in this review, some of the crucial sustainable challenges with impacts on the valorisation of agri-food loss/wastes and by-products are discussed and identified, in addition to several opportunities, trends and innovations. Potential applications and usages of the most important compounds found in food loss/waste will be highlighted, with a focus on the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, and the environment.
- Delving into agri-food waste composition for antibacterial phytochemicalsPublication . Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Câmara, José S.The overuse of antibiotics in the healthcare, veterinary, and agricultural industries has led to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), resulting in significant economic losses worldwide and a growing healthcare problem that urgently needs to be solved. Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites, making them an area of interest in the search for new phytochemicals to cope with AMR. A great part of agri-food waste is of plant origin, constituting a promising source of valuable compounds with different bioactivities, including those against antimicrobial resistance. Many types of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, glucosinolates, and phenolic compounds, are widely present in plant by-products, such as citrus peels, tomato waste, and wine pomace. Unveiling these and other bioactive compounds is therefore very relevant and could be an important and sustainable form of agri-food waste valorisation, adding profit for local economies and mitigating the negative impact of these wastes’ decomposition on the environment. This review will focus on the potential of agri-food waste from a plant origin as a source of phytochemicals with antibacterial activity for global health benefits against AMR.
- Differences in the volatilomic urinary biosignature of prostate cancer patients as a feasibility study for the detection of potential biomarkersPublication . Riccio, Giulia; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Pereira, Ferdinando; Berenguer, Pedro; Ornelas, Cristina P.; Sousa, Ana Célia; Vital, João Aragão; Pinto, Maria do Carmo; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Greco, Viviana; Câmara, José S.; Berenguer, Cristina; Perestrelo, Rosa; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Câmara, JoséProstate cancer (PCa) continues to be the second most common malignant tumour and the main cause of oncological death in men. Investigating endogenous volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) produced by various metabolic pathways is emerging as a novel, effective, and non-invasive source of information to establish the volatilomic biosignature of PCa. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was used to establish the urine volatilomic profile of PCa and identify VOMs that can discriminate between the two investigated groups. This non-invasive approach was applied to oncological patients (PCa group, n = 26) and cancer-free individuals (control group, n = 30), retrieving a total of 147 VOMs from various chemical families. This included terpenes, norisoprenoid, sesquiterpenes, phenolic, sulphur and furanic compounds, ketones, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, carboxylic acid, benzene and naphthalene derivatives, hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic hydrocarbons. The data matrix was subjected to multivariate analysis, namely partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Accordingly, this analysis showed that the group under study presented different volatomic profiles and suggested potential PCa biomarkers. Nevertheless, a larger cohort of samples is required to boost the predictability and accuracy of the statistical models developed.
- Exploring the potential of microextraction in the survey of food fruits and vegetable safetyPublication . Berenguer, Cristina V.; García-Cansino, Laura; Ángeles García, María; Marina, María Luisa; Câmara, José S.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeThe increasing demand for food to feed an exponentially growing population, the fast evolution of climate changes, how global warming affects soil productivity, and the erosion of arable lands, create enormous pressure on the food chain. This problem is particularly evident for fresh fruits and vegetables that have a short shelf life. For this reason, food safety precautions are not always a priority and they are often overused to increase the productivity and shelf life of these food commodities, causing concerns among consumers and public authorities. In this context, this review discusses the potential of microextraction in comparison to conventional extraction approaches as a strategy to improve the survey of food safety requirements. Accordingly, selected examples reported in the literature in the last five years will focus on the detection and quantification of pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives in fresh fruits and vegetables using different extraction approaches. Overall, the use of microextraction techniques to survey the presence of contaminants in the food chain is very advantageous, involving simpler and faster protocols, reduced amounts of solvents and samples, and consequently, reduced waste produced during analysis while conserving a high potential for automation. Additionally, this higher greener profile of the microextraction techniques will boost a progressive substitution of conventional extraction approaches by microextraction processes in most analytical applications, including the survey of food chain safety.
- Green Extraction Techniques as Advanced Sample Preparation Approaches in Biological, Food, and Environmental Matrices: A ReviewPublication . Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Andrade, Carolina F. P.; Gomes, Telma M.; Olayanju, Basit; Kabir, Abuzar; Rocha, Cristina M.R.; Teixeira, José António; Pereira, Jorge A. M.Green extraction techniques (GreETs) emerged in the last decade as greener and sustain able alternatives to classical sample preparation procedures aiming to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods, simultaneously reducing the deleterious side effects of classical extraction techniques (CETs) for both the operator and the environment. The implementation of improved processes that overcome the main constraints of classical methods in terms of efficiency and ability to minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances will promote more efficient use of energy and resources in close association with the principles supporting the concept of green chemistry. The current review aims to update the state of the art of some cutting-edge GreETs developed and implemented in recent years focusing on the improvement of the main analytical features, practical aspects, and relevant applications in the biological, food, and environmental fields. Approaches to improve and accelerate the extraction efficiency and to lower solvent consumption, including sorbent-based techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and fabric-phase sorbent extraction (FPSE), and solvent-based techniques (µQuEChERS; micro quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), in addition to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), are highlighted.
- Management of agri-food waste based on thermochemical processes towards a circular bioeconomy concept: the case study of the portuguese industryPublication . Berenguer, Cristina V.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Câmara, José S.; Berenguer, Cristina; Perestrelo, Rosa; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Câmara, JoséSustainable biomass production has a significant potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, providing an alternative to produce eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and carbonaceous materials for biological, energetic, and environmental applications. Biomass from agroforestry and agricultural wastes is the richest natural carbon source and a sustainable option for woody biomass from a circular economic perspective. The European Union (EU) is estimated to produce 1.3 billion tons of agri-food waste annually. Portugal has a large supply of residual biomass, as well as other byproducts and wastes from forestry, agriculture, and the food industry, and has a high availability of residual biomass. By using biomass waste to create high-value products, Portugal envisages an improvement in its economic performance, while reducing its dependence on energy imports and fossil fuel use. This review explores the potential of agri-food waste obtained from Portuguese industries through thermochemical conversion technologies as a promising sustainable substitute for wood-based biomass for the development of eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and high-value carbonaceous materials, and their applications. This strategy, based on the circular bioeconomy concept, can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fulfil the needs of the growing population, and offer a sustainable waste management solution.
- Overview of Different Modes and Applications of Liquid Phase-Based Microextraction TechniquesPublication . Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Olayanju, Basit; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Kabir, Abuzar; Pereira, Jorge A. M.Liquid phase-based microextraction techniques (LPµETs) have attracted great attention from the scientific community since their invention and implementation mainly due to their high effi ciency, low solvent and sample amount, enhanced selectivity and precision, and good reproducibility for a wide range of analytes. This review explores the different possibilities and applications of LPµETs including dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and single-drop microextrac tion (SDME), highlighting its two main approaches, direct immersion-SDME and headspace-SDME, hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) in its two- and three-phase device modes using the donor–acceptor interactions, and electro membrane extraction (EME). Currently, these LPµETs are used in very different areas of interest, from the environment to food and beverages, pharma ceutical, clinical, and forensic analysis. Several important potential applications of each technique will be reported, highlighting its advantages and drawbacks. Moreover, the use of alternative and efficient “green” extraction solvents including nanostructured supramolecular solvents (SUPRASs, deep eutectic solvents (DES), and ionic liquids (ILs)) will be discussed.
- Plant-derived terpenoids: a plethora of bioactive compounds with several health functions and industrial applications: a comprehensive overviewPublication . Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Ferreira, Rui; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Castilho, Paula C.; Câmara, José; Perestrelo, Rosa; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeTerpenoids are a large class of natural secondary plant metabolites which are highly diverse in structure, formed from isoprene units (C-5), associated with a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anticancer, antimetastatic, antiangiogenesis, and apoptosis induction, and are considered for potential application in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. In plants, terpenoids exert a variety of basic functions in growth and development. This review gives an overview, highlighting the current knowledge of terpenoids and recent advances in our understanding of the organization, regulation, and diversification of core and specialized terpenoid metabolic pathways and addressing the most important functions of volatile and non-volatile specialized terpenoid metabolites in plants. A comprehensive description of different aspects of plant-derived terpenoids as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, their biosynthetic pathway, the several biological properties attributed to these secondary metabolites associated with health-promoting effects, and their potential industrial applications in several fields will be provided, and emerging and green extraction methods will also be discussed. In addition, future research perspectives within this framework will be highlighted. Literature selection was carried out using the National Library of Medicine, PubMed, and international reference data for the period from 2010 to 2024 using the keyword “terpenoids”. A total of 177,633 published papers were found, of which 196 original and review papers were included in this review according to the criteria of their scientific reliability, their completeness, and their relevance to the theme considered.
- Underlying features of prostate cancer—Statistics, risk factors, and emerging methods for Its diagnosisPublication . Berenguer, Cristina V.; Pereira, Ferdinando; Câmara, José S.; Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Berenguer, Cristina; Câmara, José; Augusto Machado Pereira, JorgeProstate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently occurring type of malignant tumor and a leading cause of oncological death in men. PCa is very heterogeneous in terms of grade, phenotypes, and genetics, displaying complex features. This tumor often has indolent growth, not compromising the patient’s quality of life, while its more aggressive forms can manifest rapid growth with progression to adjacent organs and spread to lymph nodes and bones. Nevertheless, the overtreatment of PCa patients leads to important physical, mental, and economic burdens, which can be avoided with careful monitoring. Early detection, even in the cases of locally advanced and metastatic tumors, provides a higher chance of cure, and patients can thus go through less aggressive treatments with fewer side effects. Furthermore, it is important to offer knowledge about how modifiable risk factors can be an effective method for reducing cancer risk. Innovations in PCa diagnostics and therapy are still required to overcome some of the limitations of the current screening techniques, in terms of specificity and sensitivity. In this context, this review provides a brief overview of PCa statistics, reporting its incidence and mortality rates worldwide, risk factors, and emerging screening strategies.
- Unveiling the bioactive potential of fresh fruit and vegetable waste in human health from a consumer perspectivePublication . Pereira, Jorge A. M.; Berenguer, Cristina V.; Andrade, Carolina F. P.; Câmara, José S.Food supply disruption and shortage verified during the current pandemic events are a scenario that many anticipate for the near future. The impact of climate changes on food production, the continuous decrease in arable land, and the exponential growth of the human population are important drivers for this problem. In this context, adding value to food waste is an obvious strategy to mitigate food shortages, but there is a long way to go in this field. Globally, it is estimated that one-third of all food produced is lost. This is certainly due to many different factors, but the lack of awareness of the consumer about the nutritional value of certain foods parts, namely peels and seeds, is certainly among them. In this review, we will unveil the nutritional and bioactive value of the waste discarded from the most important fresh fruit and vegetables consumed worldwide as a strategy to decrease food waste. This will span the characterization of the bioactive composition of selected waste from fruits and vegetables, particularly their seeds and peels, and their possible uses, whether in our diet or recycled to other ends.