Bioactive compounds of citrus as health promoters

Citrus are a group of fruit species, quite heterogeneous in many aspects, including chemical composition of the fruit. Since ancient times, some citrus fruits were used to prevent and cure human diseases. In the recent decades, it has been demonstrated that fruits can actually help prevent and cure some diseases and above all, they are essential in a balanced diet. Citrus fruits, as one of the groups of fruit species, with greater importance in the world, have been studied for their effects on human health. Some species of citrus were referred as potential antioxidant based therapy for heart disease, cancer and inflammation. Fruit peels and seeds have also high antioxidant activity. The health benefits of citrus fruit have mainly been attributed to the high level of bioactive compounds, such as phenols (e.g., flavanone glycosides, hydroxycinnamic acids), carotenoids and vitamin C. These compounds are present in the fruit pulp and hence in the juice. But some bioactive compounds can be found in parts of the fruit which usually are not used for human food. The content of bioactive compounds depends on the species and cultivar, but also depends on the production system followed in the orchard. Citrus fruits, their derivatives and their by-products (peel, pulp and oil) are reach in different bioactive compounds and its maturity, postharvest and agroindustry processes influence their composition and concentration. The aim of this chapter was to review the main bioactive compounds of the different components of citrus and their relationship to health.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on total organic carbon and trihalomethane formation potential

This research was conducted to study the use of radiation in water treatment as an alternative to chlorination which has caused health concerns due to the formation of harmful disinfection by-products. Groundwater solutions from the Biscayne aquifer were radiated with Cobalt-60 gamma radiation and studied for changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), fluorescence and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP). Molecular fractionations were conducted by ultrafiltration. Effect of the combination of radiation/peroxide was studied for DOC and UV254. Radiation showed significant removal in DOC and THMFP. Similar results were seen in the fluorescence and UV absorbance experiments. Radiation/peroxide did not improve the DOC removal. Radiation of the groundwater samples broke the larger molecular weight fractions in to smaller fractions.

Socio-economic characterisation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) growers and date value chains in Pakistan

Increasing food production to feed its rapidly growing population is a major policy goal of Pakistan. The production of traditional staples such as rice (Oryza sativa L.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been intensified in many regions, but not in remote, drought-ridden areas. In these arid, marginal environments dates and their by-products are an option to complement staples given their high nutritive value and storability. To fill knowledge gaps about the role of date palm in the household (HH) income of rural communities and the structure of date value chains, this project studied date palm production across six districts in four provinces of Pakistan. During 2012–2013 a total of 170 HHs were interviewed with a structured questionnaire using a snowball sampling approach. The results showed that most of the HH were headed by males (99 %) who were married (74 %) and often illiterate (40 %). Agriculture was the main occupation of date palm growers (56 %), while a few coupled agricultural activities with business (17 %) or extra-farm employment opportunities (government 9 %; private sector 8 %). Date sales contributed >50 % to the total income of 39 % of HH and 90–100 % to 24 % of HH. Overall farmers grew a total of 39 date palm cultivars and cultivated an average of 409 ± 559 mature date palms. The majority of the respondents sold dates to commission agents (35 %), contractors (22 %) and wholesalers (21 %), while 28 % of HH cultivated date palms only for self-consumption. Date palm growers had only limited knowledge about high quality date cultivars, optimized farm management and about effective post-harvest conservation. Changes in extension and marketing efforts are needed to allow farmers to better exploit value chains in date thereby reaping higher benefits from improved market access to secure their often marginal income.

Plan de negocios endúlzate: emprendimiento

En principio, la realización de este proyecto conllevo al desarrollo de mis habilidades y conocimientos adquiridos durante la carrera de administración de Negocios Internacionales. Así mismo, me permitió tener una visión más cercana sobre el proceso de comercio exterior, con el trabajo a diario en Procolombia, empresa en la que realizo mi pasantía, el hacer investigaciones de mercado, el contacto con empresarios exportadores de panela, trabajar con expertos de la empresa en el sector panelero, las diversas capacitaciones en temas de comercio exterior, identificación de mercados potenciales y asuntos legales de la exportación, enriqueció la información y construcción de mi proyecto. El mercado de los endulzantes naturales a nivel mundial, según estudios de Euromonitor Internacional ha venido tenido un protagonismo cada vez más importante en diversos mercados, especialmente en Estados Unidos y Europa. Así, cada vez existe un mayor número de personas que se abstienen del consumo del azúcar refinado, pues temen del padecimiento de enfermedades como la obesidad o el cáncer a causa de productos fabricados con químicos. De esta manera, las tendencias de consumo se encaminan hacia la búsqueda por parte de las personas por alimentos naturales, dentro de los cuales se encuentran los endulzantes sin químicos que aportan un alto valor nutricional. En este sentido, la unión Europea se convierte en un mercado atractivo para la exportación de endulzantes naturales, esto debido a las tendencias de los europeos hacia el consumo de alimentos saludables según lo afirma un estudio de mercado del Ministry of foreign affairs (CBI). De esta manera, el país con mayores índices de consumo de alimentos orgánicos es Alemania, sumado a ello en los hábitos de consumo son importantes los endulzantes pues la ingesta de té y café es alta, haciéndose mayor en época de invierno.

Desórdenes muscoloesqueléticos en el trabajador avícola – intervenciones en salud

Introducción: El trabajador avícola presenta un alto riesgo de sufrir de Desórdenes Musculo esqueléticos, debido a la realización de trabajos manuales repetitivos; posición bípeda prolongada, posturas por fuera de ángulos de confort de miembros superiores Objetivo: Establecer las recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia de las intervenciones en salud para los Desórdenes Musculoesqueléticos (DME) en el trabajador avícola. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura de los estudios primarios publicados en las bases de datos Medline, Scient Direct y Scielo desde 1990. Los artículos se clasificaron de acuerdo con: el tipo de estudio, la calidad de éste y el nivel de evidencia que aportaba. Resultados: Dentro de las recomendaciones de la evidencia disponible para el manejo integral de los pacientes de la industria avícola con riesgos o eventos asociados a DME se encuentran las siguientes: 1) incorporar un enfoque sistémico en la atención a dichos trabajadores, 2) incluir aspectos psicosociales en la identificación y explicación de los riesgos y eventos en salud, 3) permitir los descansos, microrupturas y pautas para el ejercicio, 4) facilitar la rotación y ampliación de puestos de trabajo, 5) mejorar las herramientas de trabajo - especialmente el corte de los cuchillos. Conclusiones: Las intervenciones descritas en la presente revisión, apuntan hacia el mejoramiento de la incidencia y la prevalencia de los DMS, la disminución de incapacidad temporal y definitiva por los DMS, el mejoramiento en la producción industrial y la reducción de costos tanto económicos como humanos. Sin embargo, se debe plantear la necesidad de continuar impulsando el desarrollo de investigaciones y estudios que permitan tener mayores elementos de juicio para poder realizar recomendaciones a los tipos de intervenciones propuestas. A pesar de lo anterior, las intervenciones en salud para los trabajadores de la industria avícola deben ser enfocadas desde la prestación integral de los servicios de salud.

Economic feasibility analysis of the implementation of a high value-added molecule extraction system in an olive oil mill

The production of olive oil generates several by-products that can be seen as an additional business opportunity. Among them are the olive pits, already used for heat and/or electricity generation in some mills. They contain compounds that are commercially very interesting and, if recovered, contribute to the sustainability of the olive mills. The work presented in this paper is a preliminary evaluation of the economic feasibility of implementing a system based on a batch prototype with 1 m3 for the extraction of high value-added bioactive molecules from olive pits that are separated during the production of virgin olive oil. For the analysis, a small representative olive mill in Portugal was considered and the traditional Discounted Cash Flow Method was applied. Based on the assumptions made, the simple payback for implementation a system for the extraction of value-added molecules from the olive pits is around 7 years.

Stable isotope and multi-analytical investigation of Monte da Cegonha: A Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal

This study presents for the first time the diet of a Late Antiquity population in southern Portugal (Civitas of Pax Julia), from the Roman villa of Monte da Cegonha (predominantly 7th century CE). Stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr) of human and faunal bone collagen and apatite was conducted in order to understand the influence of Roman subsistence strategies on the way of life of rural inhabitants of the area of Pax Julia and to explore their diet (types of ingested plants, amount of animal resources, terrestrial versus marine resources). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were used to determine the degree of bone diagenesis and assess the reliability of the bone stable isotopic composition for palaeodietary reconstruction. Anthropological analysis revealed a cariogenic diet, rich in starchy food and carbohydrates, in at least in two individuals based on the frequency of dental caries. Collagen and apatite carbon isotopic analysis suggested that C3 plants were the basis of the population's diet, complemented with some terrestrial meat and its by-products as reflected by the observed bone collagen nitrogen isotopic composition. Moreover, whilst the fairly low apatite-collagen spacing recorded in some skeletons (at around 4‰) may have been due to freshwater organisms intake, the relatively low nitrogen values observed indicate that this consumption did not occur very often, unless in the form of fresh fish of low trophic level or fish sauces. There were no significant differences in isotopic values depending on gender or burial type. Strontium and oxygen isotopic composition of bone apatite revealed a sedentary community, with the exception of a male individual who probably did not spend his childhood in Monte da Cegonha.

Open-cell Metallic Foams for the Electrochemical Conversion of Biomass-derived Compounds

The electrochemical conversion is a sustainable way for the production of added-value products, operating in mild conditions, using in-situ generated hydrogen/oxygen by water and avoiding the use of high H2/O2 pressures. The aim of this work is to investigate the electrocatalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymetilfurfural (HMF) and D-glucose, in alkaline media, using metallic open-cell foams based-catalysts. The electrochemical hydrogenation of HMF to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) was performed using nanostructured Ag, deposited by galvanic displacement (GD) or electrodeposition (ED), on Cu foam, obtaining AgCu bimetallic nanoparticles (ED) or dendrites (GD) which enhanced electroactive surface area, charge and mass transfer, than bare foams. In diluted 0.02M HMF solutions, Ag/Cu samples selectively produce BHMF; the large surface area enhanced the productivity, compared to their 2D counterparts. Furthermore, at more concentrated solutions (0.05 – 0.10M) a gradually decrease of selectivity is observed. The performances of the electrodes is stable during the catalytic tests but a Cu-enrichment of particles occurred. The performances of Ni foam-based catalysts, obtained by calcination of Ni foam or by electrodeposition of Ni-hydroxide/Ni and Ni particle/Ni, were firstly investigated for the selective electrochemical oxidation of D-glucose toward gluconic acid (GO) and glucaric acid (GA). Then, the calcined catalyst was chosen to study the influence of the reaction conditions on the reaction mechanism. The GO and GA selectivities increase with the charge passed, while the formation of by-products from C-C cleavage/retro-aldol process is maximum at low charge. The fructose obtained from glucose isomerization favours the formation of by-products. The best glucose/NaOH ratio is between 0.5 and 0.1: higher values suppress the OER, while lower values favour the formation of low molecular weight products. The increases of the potential enhance the GO selectivity, nevertheless higher GA selectivity is observed at 0.6 – 0.7V vs SCE, confirmed by catalytic test performed in gluconate (30-35% GA selectivity).

Determinazione gascromatografica di composti organici volatili e semi-volatili (VOCs e SVOCs) in poliolefine ed effetti delle condizioni di lavorazione

A relevant problem of polyolefins processing is the presence of volatile and semi-volatile compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) such as linear chains alkanes found out in final products. These VOCs can be detected by customers from the unpleasant smelt and can be an environmental issue, at the same time they can cause negative side effects during process. Since no previously standardized analytical techniques for polymeric matrix are available in bibliography, we have implemented different VOCs extraction methods and gaschromatographic analysis for quali-quantitative studies of such compounds. In literature different procedures can be found including microwave extraction (MAE) and thermo desorption (TDS) used with different purposes. TDS coupled with GC-MS are necessary for the identification of different compounds in the polymer matrix. Although the quantitative determination is complex, the results obtained from TDS/GC-MS show that by-products are mainly linear chains oligomers with even number of carbon in a C8-C22 range (for HDPE). In order to quantify these linear alkanes by-products, a more accurate GC-FID determination with internal standard has been run on MAE extracts. Regardless the type of extruder used, it is difficult to distinguish the effect of the various processes, which in any case entails having a lower-boiling substance content, lower than the corresponding virgin polymer. The two HDPEs studied can be distinguished on the basis of the quantity of analytes found, therefore the production process is mainly responsible for the amount of VOCs and SVOCs observed. The extruder technology used by Sacmi SC allows to obtain a significant reduction in VOCs compared to the conventional screw system. Thus, the result is significantly important as a lower quantity of volatile substances certainly leads to a lower migration of such materials, especially when used for food packaging.

Purple bacteria for the biotechnological valorisation of agro-industrial streams

Waste management worldwide has received increasing attention from global policies in recent years. In particular, agro-industrial streams represent a global concern due to the huge volumes generated and a high number of residues, which produce an environmental and economic impact on the ecosystem. The use of biotechnological approaches to treat these streams could allow the production of desirable by-products to be reinjected into the production cycle through sustainable processes. Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) are targeted as microorganisms capable to reduce the pressure of agro-industrial streams on environmental issues, due to their metabolic versatility (autotrophic and/or heterotrophic growth under different conditions). This Ph.D. research project aims to assess the effectiveness of PPB cultivation for industrial streams valorisation in the applications of biogas desulfurization and microbial protein production. For these purposes, the first part of the present work is dedicated to the cultivation of purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) for biogas streams upgrading, cleaning biogas from sulfur compounds (H2S), and producing elemental sulfur (S0), potentially suitable as a slow-release fertilizer. The second part of the thesis, instead, sees the application of purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) on streams rich in organics, such as molasses, generating biomass with high content of proteins and pigments, useful as supplements in animal feed. The assessment of the main metabolic mechanisms involved in the two processes is evaluated at a laboratory scale using flasks and a photobioreactor, to define the consumption of substrates and the accumulation of products both in the autotrophic (on biogas) and in heterotrophic grow (on molasses). In conclusion, the effectiveness of processes employing PPB for a sustainable valorisation of several agro-industrial streams has been proved promising, using actual residues, and coupling their treatments with the production of added-value by-products.

Towards cheaper, safer and low environmental impact materials for energy storage devices: natural resources-derived carbon based electrodes and aqueous electrolytes for supercapacitors

The growing market of electrical cars, portable electronics, photovoltaic systems..etc. requires the development of efficient, low-cost, and low environmental impact energy storage devices (ESDs) including batteries and supercapacitors.. Due to their extended charge-discharge cycle, high specific capacitance, and power capabilities supercapacitors are considered among the most attractive ESDs. Over the last decade, research and development in supercapacitor technology have accelerated: thousands of articles have been published in the literature describing the electrochemical properties of the electrode materials and electrolyte in addition to separators and current collectors. Carbon-based supercapacitor electrodes materials have gained increasing attention due to their high specific surface area, good electrical conductivity, and excellent stability in harsh environments, as well as other characteristics. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in activated carbon derived from low-cost abundant sources such as biomass for supercapacitor electrode materials. Also, particular attention was given to a major challenging issue concerning the substitution of organic solutions currently used as electrolytes due to their highest electrochemical stability window even though their high cost, toxicity, and flammability. In this regard, the main objective of this thesis is to investigate the performances of supercapacitors using low cost abundant safe, and low environmental impact materials for electrodes and electrolytes. Several prototypes were constructed and tested using natural resources through optimization of the preparation of appropriate carbon electrodes using agriculture by-products waste or coal (i.e. Argan shell or Anthracite from Jerrada). Such electrodes were tested using several electrolyte formulations (aqueous and water in salt electrolytes) beneficing their non-flammability, lower cost, and environmental impact; the characteristics that provide a promising opportunity to design safer, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly devices compared to organic electrolytes.

Toward wellbeing: investigation of traditional, classical and innovative approaches to improve population and environmental health

As the word population continues to grow and global resources are limited, the WHO definition of health is difficult to achieve for a large part of the population. Humanity is facing the need to improve both environmental and human wellbeing. This can be done through careful planning and management of natural resources, ensuring food safety and reducing and converting wastes. This work aims to contribute to the improvement of population and environmental health exploring different research fields: urban park ecosystem services, food chemical risk assessment and agri-food by-product valorization. To highlight the importance of urban parks and their ecosystem services, an ethnobotanical study was carried out in the Ausa urban park in Rimini, using a citizen science approach. The results showed that Ausa Park is an important focal point for plant gatherers in Rimini, as it allows for plant foraging and contributes to preserve the knowledge of the use of plants. Two food safety studies were carried out, looking at the exposure of Poles to bisphenol A through the consumption of soft drinks and to cadmium through the consumption of chocolate bars. The results, compared with EFSA’s scientific opinion, show that the exposure of the Polish population to BPA is of health concern, while cadmium is not. In the agri-food by-product valorization, a green extraction method was optimized to recover valuable phenolic compounds from red-fleshed apple pomace; moreover, the possibility of recovering pectin from the residue was evaluated. Furthermore, valuable compounds in four different types of wheat milling by-products, considered as an alternative source of bioactive compounds with potential human health benefits, were investigated. In conclusion, this work produced usable data in urban green area management and planning, in food chemical risk assessment and in business production decisions, thus contributing to improving environmental and people wellbeing.

Rhodium clusters: investigation of the reactivity towaeds phosphines and selected d- and p-metals

During my PhD we focused on different research projects concerning the synthesis and characterization of new rhodium carbonyl clusters. More specifically, we studied the reactivity between Rh4(CO)12 and different bidentate phosphines, obtaining seven different species: Rh4(CO)10(dppe), Rh4(CO)8(dppe)2, Rh4(CO)10(dppf), {Rh4(CO)10(dpp-hexane)}2, {Rh4(CO)10(t-dppe)}2, Rh2(CO)2(dppf)2 and Rh4(CO)9(μ2-dppe)(μ1-dppeO). The reactivity of [Rh7(CO)16]3- with [AuCl4]- and Au(Et2S)Cl led to the formation of seven bimetallic clusters, of which four new ones, namely [Rh16Au6(CO)36]6-, [Rh10Au(CO)26]3-, [Rh16Au6(CO)36]4-, [Rh16Au6(CO)36]5-, [Rh22Au3(CO)47]5-, [Rh19Au5(CO)40]4- and [Rh20Au7(CO)45]5-. The reactivity of [Rh16Au6(CO)36]6- and [Rh10Au(CO)26]3- was studied as well. The reactivity of [Rh7(CO)16]3- with AgBF4, AgNO3 and with Pt(Et2S)2Cl2 was investigated, yielding only to the already known [Rh6N(CO)15]-, [PtRh5(CO)15]- and [PtRh4(CO)14]2- compounds. [Rh7(CO)16]3- war reacted with SnCl2·2H2O in acetone obtaining [Rh7Sn4Cl10(CO)14]5-, and [Rh12Sn(CO)23Cl2]4- was reacted with H+ obtaining [Rh18Sn3Cl2(CO)44]4-. Reactivity of [Rh7(CO)16]3- with InCl3 resulted in the isolation of [Rh12In(CO)28]3- and [Rh11In3(CO)25Cl2]3-, already known in our research lab, and the new [HRh11In(CO)26]3-. Moreover, a more straightforward synthesis for [Rh6InCl3(CO)15]2- was found, and this also led to the isolation of the [Rh6InCl2(DMF)(CO)15]-. The recover or rhodium as valuable carbonyl compound was also studied, and starting from a mixture of by-products it was possible to obtain the starting material [Rh7(CO)16]3-.

Graphite for lithium-ion batteries: mineral analysis and global Material Flow Analysis

Graphite is a mineral commodity used as anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and its global demand is doomed to increase significantly in the future due to the forecasted global market demand of electric vehicles. Currently, the graphite used to produce LIBs is a mix of synthetic and natural graphite. The first one is produced by the crystallization of petroleum by-products and the second comes from mining, which causes threats related to pollution, social acceptance, and health. This MSc work has the objective of determining compositional and textural characteristics of natural, synthetic, and recycled graphite by using SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, and TEM analytical techniques and couple these data with dynamic Material Flow Analysis (MFA) models, which have the objective of predicting the future global use of graphite in order to test the hypothesis that natural graphite will no longer be used in the LIB market globally. The mineral analyses reveal that the synthetic graphite samples contain less impurities than the natural graphite, which has a rolled internal structure similar to the recycled one. However, recycled graphite shows fractures and discontinuities of the graphene layers caused by the recycling process, but its rolled internal structure can help the Li-ions’ migration through the fractures. Three dynamic MFA studies have been conducted to test distinct scenarios that include graphite recycling in the period 2022-2050 and it emerges that - irrespective of any considered scenario - there will be an increase of synthetic graphite demand, caused by the limited stocks of battery scrap available. Hence, I conclude that both natural and recycled graphite is doomed to be used in the LIB market in the future, at least until the year 2050 when the stock of recycled graphite production will be enough to supersede natural graphite. In addition, some new improvement in the dismantling and recycling processes are necessary to improve the quality of recycled graphite.