DigitUMa

University of Madeira Institutional Repository

Bem-vindo ao Repositório Digital da UNIVERSIDADE DA MADEIRA.

O Repositório da Universidade da Madeira (UMa), conhecido pelo acrónimo DigitUMa, tem como objetivo a disponibilização, em regime de livre acesso e texto integral, de toda a produção científica realizada pelos docentes, investigadores da UMa, discentes dos 2º e 3º ciclos e pelos funcionários.

O Repositório Institucional, DigitUMa, assenta na política de Acesso Aberto à informação e conhecimento científicos.

Email antonio.freitas@staff.uma.pt

Recent Submissions

A comparative study of the biological properties of Eugenia uniflora L. fruits and leaves related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Publication . Gonçalves, Jéssica; Hontman, Nance; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José S.; Hontman, Nance; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, emphasizing the need for effective preventive strategies. Plant-based foods, rich in phytochemicals, offer a promising potential in CVD prevention. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties of two Eugenia uniflora L. varieties (orange and purple pitanga) and their leaves. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity assays, while their antihypertensive activity was evaluated through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Their anti-inflammatory potential was determined via protein denaturation inhibition. Both fruit varieties exhibited similar bioactivities, with the purple variety showing a slightly higher activity, except in the DPPH and ABTS assays. The leaves consistently demonstrated the lowest activities across all assays. Free polyphenols, dominated by gallic acid, were quantified using µ-QuEChERS followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-PDA). The orange variety contained the highest concentration of gallic acid (13.1 mg/100 g DW). These findings highlight the potential of Eugenia uniflora L. extracts as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive agents, suggesting their value in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications for promoting human health and preventing CVDs.

2025-01-22Journal article

Open access

Secondary bioactive metabolites from foods of plant origin as theravention agents against neurodegenerative disorders

Publication . Gomes, Telma Marisa; Sousa, Patrícia; Campos, Catarina; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José S.; Gomes, Telma; Perestrelo, Rosa

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) are on the rise, robbing people of their memories and independence. While risk factors such as age and genetics play an important role, exciting studies suggest that a diet rich in foods from plant origin may offer a line of defense. These kinds of foods, namely fruits and vegetables, are packed with a plethora of powerful bioactive secondary metabolites (SBMs), including terpenoids, polyphenols, glucosinolates, phytosterols and capsaicinoids, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-Alzheimer’s, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties, associated with preventive effects in the development of chronic diseases mediated by oxidative stress such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and NDDs. This review explores the potential of SBMs as theravention agents (metabolites with therapeutic and preventive action) against NDDs. By understanding the science behind plant-based prevention, we may be able to develop new strategies to promote brain health and prevent the rise in NDDs. The proposed review stands out by emphasizing the integration of multiple SBMs in plant-based foods and their potential in preventing NDDs. Previous research has often focused on individual compounds or specific foods, but this review aims to present a comprehensive fingerprint of how a diet rich in various SBMs can synergistically contribute to brain health. The risk factors related to NDD development and the diagnostic process, in addition to some examples of food-related products and medicinal plants that significantly reduce the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), are highlighted.

2024-07-20Journal article

Open access

Dos princípios à prática: candidatura das tradições do Vinho Madeira a património cultural imaterial da humanidade

Publication . Silva, António José Marques da; Marques da Silva, António José; Nunes, Naidea Nunes; Santos, Rossana Andreia Neves dos; Santos, Rossana; Nunes Nunes, Naidea; António José Marques da

2025Book part

Open access

As tradições do Vinho Madeira: testemunhos de viticultores

Publication . Silva, António José Marques da; Nunes, Naidea Nunes; Marques da Silva, António José; Nunes Nunes, Naidea; Santos, Rossana Andreia Neves dos; Santos, Rossana

Este volume dos «Cadernos do Território» dá à estampa 24 entrevistas inéditas de viticultoras e viticultores, que exercem a sua atividade em várias localidades da ilha da Madeira. A recolha foi levada a cabo por António J. M. Silva (entrevistador) e Naidea N. Nunes (auxiliar no registo dos dados), durante a vindima de 2024. Este trabalho de campo inscreve-se na preparação da candidatura das Tradições do Vinho Madeira à Lista Representativa do Património Cultural Imaterial da Humanidade, promovida e financiada exclusivamente pela Reitoria da Universidade da Madeira. Trata-se do primeiro volume a ser publicado, com materiais de um conjunto mais amplo representativo de toda a fileira do Vinho Madeira.

2025Contribution to journal

Open access

Grape pomace as a renewable natural biosource of value-added compounds with potential food industrial applications

Publication . Abreu, Teresa; Sousa, Patrícia; Gonçalves, Jéssica; Hontman, Nance; Teixeira, Juan; Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; De Abreu Abreu, Maria Teresa; Gonçalves, Jéssica; Câmara, José; Perestrelo, Rosa; Hontman, Nance

Growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious, sustainable, and helpful products has prompted scientists and industry experts worldwide to look for inventive approaches to mitigate the environmental impact, particularly concerning agricultural and industrial waste. Among the by-products of winemaking, grape pomace (skins, seeds, stems) has the potential to be economically valuable as it is rich in value-added compounds (e.g., phenolic compounds, fibers, flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenoids) related to health (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective effects) and technological issues (e.g., extraction of value-added compounds). These value-added compounds can be extracted using emerging green extraction techniques and then used in the food industry as preservatives, colorants, and for the formulation of functional foods, as well as in the development of smart food packaging. This review provides an overview of the value-added compounds identified in grape pomace, the emerging green extraction, and integrated approaches to extract value-added compounds based on the literature published in the last five years. The potential applications of these value-added compounds have been extensively researched for the food industry.

2024-06-17Journal article

Open access