Browsing by Author "Narcisa M. Bandarra"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Dehydration, Rehydration and Thermal Treatment: Effect on Bioactive Compounds of Red Seaweeds Porphyra umbilicalis and Porphyra linearis
    (MDPI, 2024) Carla Pires; Maria Sapatinha; Rogério Mendes; Narcisa M. Bandarra; Amparo Gonçalves
    The nutritional and bioactive value of seaweeds is widely recognized, making them a valuable food source. To use seaweeds as food, drying and thermal treatments are required, but these treatments may have a negative impact on valuable bioactive compounds. In this study, the effects of dehydration, rehydration, and thermal treatment on the bioactive compounds (carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC)), antioxidant (ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities) and anti-Alzheimer’s (Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activities, and color properties of Porphyra umbilicalis and Porphyra linearis seaweeds were evaluated. The results revealed significant reductions in carotenoids, TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities after the seaweeds’ processing, with differences observed between species. Thermal treatment led to the most pronounced reductions in bioactive compound contents and antioxidant activity. AchE inhibitory activity remained relatively high in all samples, with P. umbilicalis showing higher activity than P. linearis. Changes in color (ΔE) were significant after seaweeds’ dehydration, rehydration and thermal treatment, especially in P. umbilicalis. Overall, optimizing processing methods is crucial for preserving the bioactive compounds and biological activities of seaweeds, thus maximizing their potential as sustainable and nutritious food sources or as nutraceutical ingredients.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Physiological and biochemical effects of conjugated linoleic acid and its use in aquaculture
    (Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd, 2009) Rui Rosa; Ana M. Andrade; Narcisa M. Bandarra; Maria L. Nunes
    In the past few decades, the major compelling force in the study of marine lipids has been the need of the developing aquaculture industry to understand the lipid nutritional requirements of farmed fish so as to optimize production. At present, there is also increased interest to include health-promoting nutrients (nutraceuticals) in farmed foods, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Conjugated linoleic acid, a group of positional and stereoisomers of linoleic acid (18:2), acts as a growth factor to promote a repartitioning of fat to lean, lower blood lipids, and shows anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolaemic and antiatherogenic properties. In the present paper, we discuss current knowledge of the role of CLA in animal physiology and health and review advances in its application in fish aquaculture.