Ultrasound and microwave assisted extraction of ergosterol from Agaricus bisporus L.: optimization through response surface methodology

There is scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of mushrooms ingestion due to their richness in bioactive compounds such as mycosterols, in particular ergosterol [I]. Agaricus bisporus L. is the most consumed mushroom worldwide presenting 90% of ergosterol in its sterol fraction [2]. Thus, it is an interesting matrix to obtain ergosterol, a molecule with a high commercial value. According to literature, ergosterol concentration can vary between 3 to 9 mg per g of dried mushroom. Nowadays, traditional methods such as maceration and Soxhlet extraction are being replaced by emerging methodologies such as ultrasound (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) in order to decrease the used solvent amount, extraction time and, of course, increasing the extraction yield [2]. In the present work, A. bisporus was extracted varying several parameters relevant to UAE and MAE: UAE: solvent type (hexane and ethanol), ultrasound amplitude (50 - 100 %) and sonication time (5 min-15 min); MAE: solvent was fixed as ethanol, time (0-20 min), temperature (60-210 •c) and solid-liquid ratio (1-20 g!L). Moreover, in order to decrease the process complexity, the pertinence to apply a saponification step was evaluated. Response surface methodology was applied to generate mathematical models which allow maximizing and optimizing the response variables that influence the extraction of ergosterol. Concerning the UAE, ethanol proved to be the best solvent to achieve higher levels of ergosterol (671.5 ± 0.5 mg/100 g dw, at 75% amplitude for 15 min), once hexane was only able to extract 152.2 ± 0.2 mg/100 g dw, in the same conditions. Nevertheless, the hexane extract showed higher purity (11%) when compared with the ethanol counterpart ( 4% ). Furthermore, in the case of the ethanolic extract, the saponification step increased its purity to 21%, while for the hexane extract the purity was similar; in fact, hexane presents higher selectivity for the lipophilic compounds comparatively with ethanol. Regarding the MAE technique, the results showed that the optimal conditions (19 ± 3 min, 133 ± 12 •c and 1.6 ± 0.5 g!L) allowed higher ergosterol extraction levels (556 ± 26 mg/100 g dw). The values obtained with MAE are close to the ones obtained with conventional Soxhlet extraction (676 ± 3 mg/100 g dw) and UAE. Overall, UAE and MAE proved to he efficient technologies to maximize ergosterol extraction yields.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extration of phenolic compounds from tomao by full factorial design coupled with response surface methodology

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), apart from being a functional food rich in carotenoids, vitamins and minerals, is also an important source of phenolic compounds [1 ,2]. As antioxidants, these functional molecules play an important role in the prevention of human pathologies and have many applications in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. Therefore, the recovery of added-value phenolic compounds from natural sources, such as tomato surplus or industrial by-products, is highly desirable. Herein, the microwave-assisted extraction of the main phenolic acids and flavonoids from tomato was optimized. A S-Ieve! full factorial Box-Behnken design was implemented and response surface methodology used for analysis. The extraction time (0-20 min), temperature (60-180 "C), ethanol percentage (0-100%), solidlliquid ratio (5-45 g/L) and microwave power (0-400 W) were studied as independent variables. The phenolic profile of the studied tomato variety was initially characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESIIMS [2]. Then, the effect of the different extraction conditions, as defined by the used experimental design, on the target compounds was monitored by HPLC-DAD, using their UV spectra and retention time for identification and a series of calibrations based on external standards for quantification. The proposed model was successfully implemented and statistically validated. The microwave power had no effect on the extraction process. Comparing with the optimal extraction conditions for flavonoids, which demanded a short processing time (2 min), a low temperature (60 "C) and solidlliquid ratio (5 g/L), and pure ethanol, phenolic acids required a longer processing time ( 4.38 min), a higher temperature (145.6 •c) and solidlliquid ratio (45 g/L), and water as extraction solvent. Additionally, the studied tomato variety was highlighted as a source of added-value phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Flowers of Gomphrena globosa L. as an alternatve source of betacyanins: optimization of the extraction using response surface methodology

Betacyanins are betalain pigments that display a red-violet colour which have been reported to be three times stronger than the red-violet dye produced by anthocyanins [1]. The applications of betacyanins cover a wide range of matrices, mainly as additives or ingredients in the food industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and livestock feed. Although, being less commonly used than anthocyanins and carotenoids, betacyanins are stable between pH 3 to 7 and suitable for colouring in low acid matrices. In addition, betacyanins have been reported to display interesting medicinal character as powerful antioxidant and chemopreventive compounds either in vitro or in vivo models [2]. Betacyanins are obtained mainly from the red beet of Beta vulgaris plant (between I 0 to 20 mg per I 00 g pulp) but alternative primary sources are needed [3]. In addition, independently of the source used, the effect of the variables that affect the extraction of betacyanins have not been properly described and quantified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identifY and optimize the conditions that maximize betacyanins extraction using the tepals of Gomphrena globosa L. flowers as an alternative source. Assisted by the statistical technique of response surface methodology, an experimental design was developed for testing the significant explanatory variables of the extraction (time, temperature, solid-liquid ratio and ethanolwater ratio). The identification was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometry with electron spray ionization (HPLC-PDAMS/ ESI) and the response was measured by the quantification of these compounds using HPLC-PDA. Afterwards, a response surface analysis was performed to evaluate the results. The major betacyanin compounds identified were gomphrenin 11 and Ill and isogomphrenin IJ and Ill. The highest total betacyanins content was obtained by using the following conditions: 45 min of extraction. time, 35•c, 35 g/L of solid-liquid ratio and 25% of ethanol. These values would not be found without optimizing the conditions of the betacyanins extraction, which moreover showed contrary trends to what it has been described in the scientific bibliography. More specifically, concerning the time and temperature variables, an increase of both values (from the common ones used in the bibliography) showed a considerable improvement on the betacyanins extraction yield without displaying any type of degradation patterns.

Quality of life in institutionalized elderly undergoing an active aging program

Living with quality is a growing concern of the old population. There is an increasing institutionalization of the elderly, and it is in this context that active aging programs assume relevance, allowing the elderly the contact with experiences that allow them to age with quality of life, by maintaining their autonomy and promoting their physical, mental and emotional well-being. This study aims to assess the quality of life of institutionalized elderly undergoing to an active aging program. Methods: We have developed a semi-experimental study that considers the quantitative methodology in which the following instruments were used to measure the quality of life: Eurohis-Qol-8 (Pereira, Melo, Gameiro, & Canavarro, 2011) and Whoqol-Old (Vilar et al., 2010), to which sociodemographic and clinical questions were added. Assessments were made in two different moments, before and after the intervention program, in a sample of 37 institutionalized elderly. Results: Concerning the assessment of quality of life related to health (Eurohis-Qol-8), significant higher scores were obtained in the second moment (p = 0.004). Regarding the quality of life related to the elderly significant better scores were also obtained in the second assessment (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The results obtained allow us to conclude that using either of the measuring scales of Eurohis-Qol-8 or Whoqol-old, there is a perceived improvement in quality of life in those using the active aging program. Thus, institutionalized elderly must be the main target in the design and implementation of active aging programs.

Prática de ensino supervisionada em Educação Pré-escolar e Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

O presente relatório foi realizado no âmbito da unidade curricular de Prática de Ensino Supervisionada (PES), integrada no plano de estudos do Mestrado Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, descreve e analisa experiências de ensino/aprendizagem realizadas em contexto Pré-Escolar e de 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Foi nossa intenção promover experiências enriquecedoras que nos permitissem analisar o processo de transição entre estes dois contextos. Procuramos envolver as crianças em novas realidades potenciadoras de múltiplas interações sociais, integradas no contexto escolar, com o objetivo de potenciar as relações educativas entre os diferentes níveis de ensino. Dado que o nosso foco investigativo se centrava na transição entre os dois níveis educativos procuramos delinear uma questão que orientasse o nosso estudo: “Que estratégias se podem desenvolver em contexto de Educação Pré-Escolar e 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico que promovam a articulação, numa perspetiva de continuidade educativa, entre estes dois contextos?”. Para dar resposta a esta questão delineamos os seguintes objetivos: desenvolver estratégias integradoras que promovessem a adaptação das crianças a cada etapa formativa, perceber se as estratégias utlizadas foram as adequadas e que reflexos tiveram na transição educativa e perceber se as aprendizagens adquiridas facilitaram a articulação entre os dois níveis educativos, valorizando o desenvolvimento de competências neste domínio. Para orientar metodologicamente a investigação recorremos a uma metodologia qualitativa, cujos dados foram recolhidos através da observação participante, das notas de campo e dos registos fotográficos, respeitando o sigilo inerente à prática de investigação e solicitando autorização prévia para a sua implementação, as dois grupos de crianças, um do Pré-escolar, com idades de 5 e 6 anos e outro do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico com 6 ano de idade. Da análise dos dados, evidencia-se a facilidade de adaptação das crianças, da Educação Pré-escolar para o 1.º CEB, demonstrando saber que as duas realidades são diferentes. Referem-se aos contextos como apresentando caraterísticas distintas e onde se realizam atividades diferentes, diversificadas. Realça-se, ainda, que o relacionamento interpessoal entre e intra grupo que foi de extrema importância para facilitar a transição, tendo-se verificado união, companheirismo, colaboração e apoio constantes dentro do grupo.