Francisca Rodrigues
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View article: Morphological and elemental characterization of fine and ultrafine particulate matter generated from fires
Morphological and elemental characterization of fine and ultrafine particulate matter generated from fires Open
Fire emissions aggravate air pollution by releasing several hazardous pollutants, including respirable particulate matter (PM). Evidence on fires contribution to fine and ultrafine PM is scarce, principally in real fire scenarios. This stu…
View article: Design of Polymeric Delivery Systems for Lycium barbarum Phytochemicals: A Spray Drying Approach for Nutraceuticals
Design of Polymeric Delivery Systems for Lycium barbarum Phytochemicals: A Spray Drying Approach for Nutraceuticals Open
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) are extremely rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which contribute to the strong antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, positioning them as a promising candid…
View article: Recovery of verbascoside from Lantana camara pruning waste for development of phytosomes with antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties
Recovery of verbascoside from Lantana camara pruning waste for development of phytosomes with antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties Open
Verbascoside is a phenolic glycoside with various biological properties and is employed in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. However, it suffers from both low bioavailability and chemical stability. This work aims to recov…
View article: Orodispersible films containing chestnut shell phenolics for buccal delivery: a preclinical approach for oral mucositis prevention
Orodispersible films containing chestnut shell phenolics for buccal delivery: a preclinical approach for oral mucositis prevention Open
Introduction Oral mucositis (OM) is a prevalent complication of cancer treatment that causes painful erythematous and ulcerated lesions in oral mucosa. Current treatments lack efficacy, being natural compounds explored as alternatives. Che…
View article: Mixed Green Banana (Musa spp.) Pulp and Peel Flour Reduced Body Weight Gain and Adiposity and Improved Lipid Profile and Intestinal Morphology in Wistar Rats
Mixed Green Banana (Musa spp.) Pulp and Peel Flour Reduced Body Weight Gain and Adiposity and Improved Lipid Profile and Intestinal Morphology in Wistar Rats Open
Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been growing interest in the production of ingredients rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, such as green banana flours. This study evaluated the effect of consumption of mixed green…
View article: Unraveling the nutraceutical potential of Salicornia ramosissima by-product – impact of gastrointestinal digestion and intestinal permeability on in vitro bioactivity
Unraveling the nutraceutical potential of Salicornia ramosissima by-product – impact of gastrointestinal digestion and intestinal permeability on in vitro bioactivity Open
Salicornia ramosissima by-product (SP) is an underexploited antioxidant-rich by-product. This study explored the phytochemical profile, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of SP before and after extraction (SBE and SAE, respectively)…
View article: Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks
Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks Open
Background: An effective risk assessment and management methodology is essential to minimize/mitigate health risks associated with firefighting activities. The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory during structur…
View article: Exploring the metabolic fate of antioxidant and hypoglycemic compounds from Pistacia vera shells through in vitro simulated digestion and untargeted metabolomics
Exploring the metabolic fate of antioxidant and hypoglycemic compounds from Pistacia vera shells through in vitro simulated digestion and untargeted metabolomics Open
Pistacia vera L. shells (PS) are a sustainable source of health-promoting ingredients. The metabolic fate of a PS extract with antioxidant/antiradical and hypoglycemic properties prepared by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was investig…
View article: Phenolic-Rich Wine Pomace Extracts as Antioxidant and Antipathogenic Agents Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Phenolic-Rich Wine Pomace Extracts as Antioxidant and Antipathogenic Agents Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Open
Background/Objectives: Wine pomace is a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the antipathogenic and antioxidant properties of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from wine …
View article: Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structure fires: Concentrations outside and inside self-contained breathing apparatus and in vitro respiratory toxicity
Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structure fires: Concentrations outside and inside self-contained breathing apparatus and in vitro respiratory toxicity Open
Structure fires release several health-hazardous compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory to protect firefighters' airways. The characterization of …
View article: Biological and Health-Promoting Potential of Fruits from Three Cold-Hardy Actinidia Species
Biological and Health-Promoting Potential of Fruits from Three Cold-Hardy Actinidia Species Open
Fruits are essential components of the human diet, valued for their diverse bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting properties. This study focuses on three cold-hardy Actinidia species, namely A. arguta, A. kolomikta, and A. po…
View article: Comparative Analysis on Polyphenolic Composition of Different Olive Mill Wastewater and Related Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extracts and Evaluation of Nutraceutical Properties by Cell-Based Studies
Comparative Analysis on Polyphenolic Composition of Different Olive Mill Wastewater and Related Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extracts and Evaluation of Nutraceutical Properties by Cell-Based Studies Open
This study reports a comparative analysis of the polyphenolic composition and nutraceutical properties of different olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and corresponding extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) extracts. Specifically, four OMWWs and corresp…
View article: Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation
Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation Open
Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients’ origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora d…
View article: Development and characterization of spray-drying microparticles loaded with chestnut shells extract: New insights for oral mucositis therapy
Development and characterization of spray-drying microparticles loaded with chestnut shells extract: New insights for oral mucositis therapy Open
Chestnut shells (CS) are fruit by-products with a high content of (poly)phenols that may play a key role in the oral mucositis (OM) pathogenesis. OM is an inflammatory condition and a common side effect of oncological treatments, being cha…
View article: Unlocking the nutraceutical potential of <scp><i>Corylus avellana</i></scp> L. shells: microwave‐assisted extraction of phytochemicals with antiradical and anti‐diabetic properties
Unlocking the nutraceutical potential of <span><i>Corylus avellana</i></span> L. shells: microwave‐assisted extraction of phytochemicals with antiradical and anti‐diabetic properties Open
BACKGROUND In recent years, the demand for high‐quality natural extracts to be included in nutraceutical formulations has increased sharply. Hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.) shells (HZS) are underrated agricultural by‐products that could be…
View article: Enhancing tomato plants' tolerance to combined heat and salt stress – The role of arbuscular mycorrhizae and biochar
Enhancing tomato plants' tolerance to combined heat and salt stress – The role of arbuscular mycorrhizae and biochar Open
The Mediterranean basin is highly susceptible to climate change, with soil salinization and the increase in average temperatures being two of the main factors affecting crop productivity in this region. Following our previous studies on de…
View article: Characterization of Wildland Firefighters’ Exposure to Coarse, Fine, and Ultrafine Particles; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; and Metal(loid)s, and Estimation of Associated Health Risks
Characterization of Wildland Firefighters’ Exposure to Coarse, Fine, and Ultrafine Particles; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; and Metal(loid)s, and Estimation of Associated Health Risks Open
Firefighters’ occupational activity causes cancer, and the characterization of exposure during firefighting activities remains limited. This work characterizes, for the first time, firefighters’ exposure to (coarse/fine/ultrafine) particul…
View article: Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and the Bioactive Properties of Malbec and Torrontés Wine Pomaces from the Calchaquíes Valleys (Argentina) for Their Sustainable Exploitation
Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and the Bioactive Properties of Malbec and Torrontés Wine Pomaces from the Calchaquíes Valleys (Argentina) for Their Sustainable Exploitation Open
Hydroalcoholic extracts from Malbec and Torrontés wine pomaces (Vitis vinifera L.) originating from the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina’s Calchaquí Valleys were characterized. Total phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, orthodiphenols, an…
View article: Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and the Bioactive Properties of Malbec and Torrontés Wine Pomace from the Calchaquíes Valleys (Argentina) for their Sustainable Exploitation
Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and the Bioactive Properties of Malbec and Torrontés Wine Pomace from the Calchaquíes Valleys (Argentina) for their Sustainable Exploitation Open
Hydroalcoholic extracts from Malbec and Torrontés wine pomace (Vitis vinifera L.) originating from the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina's Calchaquí Valleys were characterized. Total phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, orthodiphenols…
View article: Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: Optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessment
Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: Optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessment Open
Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-h…
View article: Insights into the Bioactive Composition, Antioxidant Properties and In Vitro Cell Effects of Disphyma crassifolium
Insights into the Bioactive Composition, Antioxidant Properties and In Vitro Cell Effects of Disphyma crassifolium Open
Disphyma crassifolium, commonly known as sea fingers, is a halophyte plant recently introduced in gourmet cuisine. The present study aims to extract the bioactive compounds of D. crassifolium using ultrasound-assisted extraction and employ…