Papers by Conceição Fernandes
The precipitation of tartrate crystals is a natural phenomenon in wine evolution, which occurs ma... more The precipitation of tartrate crystals is a natural phenomenon in wine evolution, which occurs mainly during wine conservation. Preventative solutions to this phenomenon can be chemical or physical treatments. Within these, ion exchange resins is an accepted stabilization process by the OIV to prevent tartrate instability of wines, according to the Resolution 43/2000 [1]. Tartaric acid is the most important organic acid in the wine. It is easily ionized, leading to the formation of precipitates like potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHT) and calcium tartrate (CaT). These precipitates, although not being harmful to health of the consumer, leads to a decrease in the commercial acceptance and, consequently, to the decrease of the wine commercial value [2]. Thus, the aim of this work was to compare ion exchange resins with oenological additives, such as CMC’s with different structural features and metatartaric acid, in a white wine from the Douro Valley, on tartaric stability. It was also st...
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2005
The Bohr effect, which can be most generally defined as the influence of pH on the oxygen binding... more The Bohr effect, which can be most generally defined as the influence of pH on the oxygen binding affinity of proteins, is a common feature of respiratory pigments, ranging from the haemocyanins of molluscs and crustaceans to the haemoglobins of vertebrates. Its physiological role is generally seen in the facilitation of oxygen release from respiratory pigments during tissue acidosis. The magnitude of the effect can be influenced by a multitude of factors such as temperature, carbon dioxide, chloride ions, organic phosphates and the investigated pH range. Here we present data on the maximal alkaline Bohr effect in haemoglobins from a large number of species covering all vertebrate classes, obtained at physiological temperatures in the presence of 100 mM chloride ions and the absence of carbon dioxide and organic phosphates. This data together with literature data obtained under comparable conditions is used to reconstruct the evolution of the Bohr effect on a vertebrate phylogeny [1]. Results suggest that the Bohr effect may have evolved as many as three times independently during vertebrate evolution, namely in agnathans, ray-finned fishes and amniotes. This is consistent with recent reports of distinct differences in the molecular mechanism of the Bohr effect between mammalian and teleost fish haemoglobins, and with the elucidation of yet another, entirely different molecular mechanism of the Bohr effect in agnathan haemoglobin.
The in-vitro •Konspec"test WM developed for measu;ng tolCIOty In ~lated rnembfanes of a photosynl... more The in-vitro •Konspec"test WM developed for measu;ng tolCIOty In ~lated rnembfanes of a photosynllletiC llacteJium. However. high mombf3ne density and low-solUbility of hydrophobic oM<nica!s ~mots applicl>bll ty of this assay These romlta!lons-.. Ol/lli'OOm8 by iUrodueing a kklellcally controlled do<;ing system. Polydornell>ylsilox..., (POMS) loadftd ....n oc!cctod PAHs wao uMd to elq)OSQ solutions oon~ 1~ Key advanlaga ol ll>os system are aiiC>IdO>g CC>-an:! the ai)Oidy 10 generate atexposur.,. up 10 ,..-t y of test Slbslances Mecnod devolopmonl inclutled detennlnallon of POUs.w.ter and Chooo~"""'';IIOI' ~ ooclllaents. de!o:pllon """* end df!ualon .......mnces n bolh POMS a n d-OU$I)GI1slons. ln.tool-• <Jemonstr.>,.ll>e utMty of the 'Kinspec' test. Olleefved per!\llt)allC)nln membrone POtonllal-oto rnemllQne PAH ~and-.found 1o be ol V• same ~ ,..
Environmental Toxicology, 2007
The histopathological changes are among the most recognized responses to environmental stressors,... more The histopathological changes are among the most recognized responses to environmental stressors, namely heavy metals. Liza saliens were sampled, in the Portuguese Esmoriz-Paramos coastal lagoon to assess their gill histopathological response to Cu and Zn contaminated sediments. A lesion prevalence index, severity, and extension scores of each lesion, as well as an assessment value (severity  extension), were determined to evaluate the effect of environmental heavy metal exposure. The main histopathological changes observed were aneurisms, hyperplasia, lifting, and vasodilation. A high prevalence for each lesion (65-85%) was found, in addition to a high number of simultaneous lesions. Vasodilation and hyperplasia were the lesions that showed higher prevalence indexes. Lifting, followed by hyperplasia, were the lesions with highest assessment value. The prevalence of the number of the lesions found in L. saliens collected from the Esmoriz-Paramos lagoon was high when compared with mullet caught in the sea. A previous work revealed that fish collected in the lagoon showed elevated Cu and Zn levels in their gills, in a positive correlation with age. However, no positive correlation was observed between assessment value and gill metal levels.
Journal of Herbal Medicine, Dec 1, 2017
Despite the antibacterial potential of plant extracts against several bacterial infections, until... more Despite the antibacterial potential of plant extracts against several bacterial infections, until now, no major studies have been published about the effect of lavender and nettle leaves against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively). Thus, the authors studied their antibacterial potential against MSSA and MRSA from diabetic foot ulcers in order to find alternatives to the systematic use of antibiotics. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavones and flavonols were extracted from lavender and nettle leaves and characterized by HPLC-DAD/Vis. Disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were used to assess their antibacterial activity. A direct association between the high content of hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin) and decreasing bacterial growth activity was noted. The fact that lavender and nettle are rich in hydroxycinnamic acids and quercetin seems to explain the high antibacterial potential of these plant and the differences between them.
Gaia Scientia, 2016
CresCimento de Chlorella Vulgaris (Chlorophyta uniCelular) na presença de Compostos fenóliCos nun... more CresCimento de Chlorella Vulgaris (Chlorophyta uniCelular) na presença de Compostos fenóliCos nunes da silva a.s. 1 ; Geraldes a.m. 1 ; aires a. 2 & fernandes C. 1*
Acta horticulturae, Nov 1, 2012
Streams located at Montesinho Natural Park (NE Portugal) have, generally, high biodiversity and a... more Streams located at Montesinho Natural Park (NE Portugal) have, generally, high biodiversity and an excellent ecological status. However, in this area there arc several abandoned mine sites. As a consequence of intense precipitation during December 2009, several millions of cubic meters of wastes were spilled into Portelo stream, a tributary of Rio Sabor (Douro basin)
Staphylococcus aureus é uma bactéria presente na flora comensal do Homem e comumente responsável ... more Staphylococcus aureus é uma bactéria presente na flora comensal do Homem e comumente responsável por intoxicações alimentares. A importância das análises laboratoriais é patente na realização de análises microbiológicas a alimentos, águas, superfícies e manipuladores, como meio de verificar o cumprimento da legislação, das boas práticas de higiene e das boas práticas de fabrico. Desta forma surge a necessidade da confiança nos resultados analíticos dos laboratórios que é conseguida pela acreditação dos seus métodos. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a metodologia para acreditação do método da Contagem de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, pela ISO 6888-2:1999/Amd.1:2003, aplicável a géneros alimentícios e alimentos para animais, de acordo com a NP EN ISO /IEC 17025:2018.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Plasma levels of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ were evaluated in fish exposed / not exposed to sublethal conce... more Plasma levels of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ were evaluated in fish exposed / not exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cu to assess adverse effects on osmoregulation as well as their ability to reverse these levels. Acute toxicity tests were performed using barbells (Luciobarbus bocagei) under two different concentrations of Cu. Barbells exposed to Cu showed ionic imbalance, respiratory difficulties, mortality and reduced value of K. According to the results, plasma levels of K+ and Ca2+ increase, while plasma levels of Na+ decrease, allowing the fish an osmotic adjustment and a reduction in susceptibility to Cu. Under the conditions of this experiment, fish also showed the ability to reverse electrolyte levels when they are no longer exposed to Cu; however, dependent on exposure concentration.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Linguiça is a Portuguese popular ready-to-eat dry fermented sausage. Despite the high diversity o... more Linguiça is a Portuguese popular ready-to-eat dry fermented sausage. Despite the high diversity of sausages produced in Portugal, all of them are made from cut pork meat macerated with water, wine, salt, garlic, pepper, and undergoes processes of maturation, smoking and drying. During the fermentation and drying of sausages, L. monocytogenes tends to decrease considerably. However, despite the various hurdles in the dry sausage manufacturing process, this foodborne pathogen is able to survive and is detected in the final product. Factors that may affect the growth or survival of foodborne pathogens in sausage products such as linguiça include water activity (aw), pH, temperature, use of starter cultures and use of ingredients with antimicrobial activity (e.g., garlic, smoke). The present study has evaluated the influence of the addition of a commercial starter culture and ripening temperature (10º C and 18ºC) on growth and survival of L. monocytogenes strains, isolated from sausage,...
Orbital: The Electronic Journal of Chemistry, 2019
The objective of this work was to use a systematic review of the literature on the cultivation of... more The objective of this work was to use a systematic review of the literature on the cultivation of microalgae resistant to herbicide using the Method Methodi Ordinatio, which assists the search, selection, collection and classification of scientific articles. Initially, research was done on the databases Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science, using the keywords "microalgae" and "herbicide". The results were imported to the Mendeley bibliographic reference manager. Subsequently, the index In Ordinatio index was applied, which works with the three most important factors in a scientific article: The impact factor, the year of publication and the number of citations of the research. This index turns it is possible to classify the most important articles in the area of herbicide-tolerant microalgae and note the importance of this method, which made it possible to find current studies and demonstrate the relevance of this research theme. In order to show the dynamics of the methodology, a research with the theme is presented, comprising works from years 2008 to 2018. The results indicate that the methodology is effective in relation to the objectives proposed, and the most relevant work on the cultivation of herbicide resistant microalgae are used to construct the scenario in this theme.
… and Biochimica and …, 2006
The Esmoriz-Paramos coastal lagoon represents an ecosystem of great physical and ecological signi... more The Esmoriz-Paramos coastal lagoon represents an ecosystem of great physical and ecological significance. However, as a result of industrial, agricultural and anUrropogenic activities this habitat hIlS becn progressively degrading over the la<;t decades. The heavy metal conlamination is an important factor to the decline of sediments quality and may adversely affect fish health. In the present work the leaping grey mullet Liza saliens was studied because it is the dominant endemic species in the lagoon. It is a filter feeder and also being a detritus-mud feeder, it is therefore
No distrito de Bragança, o fabrico tradicional do cusco, tem contribuído para o desenvolvimento e... more No distrito de Bragança, o fabrico tradicional do cusco, tem contribuído para o desenvolvimento económico da região, levando a Câmara Municipal de Vinhais a preparar um caderno de especificações, com vista à certificação pela União Europeia dos cuscos como “Especialidade Tradicional Garantida”. Nesse sentido, é fundamental proceder à avaliação físico-química e microbiológica dos cuscos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A large spill of mining wastes into Portelo Stream a tributary of Sabor River (Douro Basin; NE Po... more A large spill of mining wastes into Portelo Stream a tributary of Sabor River (Douro Basin; NE Portugal) occurred in January 2010. In order to access the impact of this event, the aim of the present research was to evaluate the amplitude of the initial effects of the spill on the aquatic ecosystem, as well as, the recovery of the aquatic ecosystem after the mining spill. Water and macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly from January to July 2010, 2011 and 2012. Samplings were carried out in eight locations (P1 to P8) distributed along 20 km. Concentrations of Al, Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, Cd and As were measured in the dissolved fraction (<0.45 μm) of the water samples. Sampling stations located closer to the spill point (Portelo Stream) presented a low pH (≈ 4) and a potential toxicity due to the high Cu concentrations. The stations located at 15 km or more from the discharge point seemed not to have been significantly impacted by the mining spill. In terms of abundance and diversity of m...
Engenharia química: Desenvolvimento de novos processos e produtos
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Papers by Conceição Fernandes