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The cultivation of energy crops on degraded soils contributes to reduce the risks associated with land use change, and the biomass may represent an additional revenue as a feedstock for bioenergy. Switchgrass and giant reed were tested under 300 and 600 mg Cr kg−1, 110 and 220 mg Ni kg−1, and 4 and 8 mg Cd kg−1 contaminated soils, in a two year pot experiment. Switchgrass yields (average aerial 330 g.m−2 and below ground 430 g.m−2), after the second year harvest, were not affected by Cd contamination and 110 mg Ni kg−1, but 220 mg Ni kg−1 significantly affected the yields (55–60% reduction). A total plant loss was observed in Cr-contaminated pots. Giant reed aboveground yields (control: 410 g.m−2), in the second year harvest, were significantly affected by all metals and levels of contamination (30–70% reduction), except in 110 mg Ni kg−1 pots. The belowground biomass yields (average 1600 g.m−2) were not affected by the tested metals. Contamination did not affect the high heating value (HHV) of switchgrass (average 18.4 MJ.kg−1) and giant reed aerial fractions (average 18.9 MJ.kg−1, stems, and 18.1 MJ.kg−1, leaves), harvested in the second year, indicating that the biomass can be exploited for bioenergy.

The dwindling availability of agricultural land, caused by factors such as rapid population growth, urban expansion, and soil contamination, has significantly increased the pressure on food production. To address this challenge, cultivating non-food crops on contaminated land has emerged as a promising solution. This approach not only frees up fertile soil for food production but also mitigates human exposure to contaminants. This work aimed to examine the impact of soil contamination with Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn on the growth, productivity, metal accumulation, and the tolerance of five lignocellulosic non-food crops: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), African fodder cane (Saccharum spontaneum L. spp. aegyptiacum Willd. Hackel), and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.). A two-year pot experiment was conducted in Greece, Italy, and Portugal, following the same protocols and applying various levels of metals: Cd (0, 4, 8 mg kg−1), Pb and Zn (0, 450, 900 mg kg−1), and Ni (0, 110, 220 mg kg−1). The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replicates for each treatment. The results showed that switchgrass and sorghum generally maintained their height and productivity under Cd and Pb stress but were adversely affected by high Zn and Ni concentrations. Giant reed and African fodder cane showed reduced height and productivity at higher Ni and Zn levels. Miscanthus exhibited resilience in height but experienced productivity reductions only at the highest Zn concentration. Heavy metal uptake varied among crops, with switchgrass and sorghum showing high Cd and Pb uptake, while giant reed accumulated the most Cd and Zn. Miscanthus had the highest Ni accumulation. The tolerance indices indicated that switchgrass and sorghum were more tolerant to Cd and Zn at lower concentrations, whereas miscanthus had lower tolerance to Cd but a higher tolerance to Zn at higher concentrations. Giant reed and African fodder cane demonstrated stable tolerance across most heavy metals. Accumulation indices highlighted the effectiveness of switchgrass and sorghum in Cd and Pb uptake, while miscanthus excelled in Ni and Zn accumulation. The cluster analysis revealed similar responses to heavy metal stress between African fodder cane and giant reed, as well as between sorghum and miscanthus, with switchgrass displaying distinct behavior. Overall, the study highlights the differential tolerance and accumulation capacities of these crops, indicating the potential for phytoremediation applications and biomass production in heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Co-products from the frozen fish processing industry often lead to financial losses. Therefore, it is essential to transform these co-products into profitable goods. This study explores the production of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) from three co-products: the heads and bones of black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo), the carcasses of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and the trimmings of Nile perch (Lates niloticus). Four enzymatic hydrolysis systems were tested: an endopeptidase (Alcalase, A), an exopeptidase (Protana, P), two-stage hydrolysis with an endopeptidase followed by an exopeptidase (A + P), and a single stage with endo- and exopeptidase (AP). The results show that combined enzymatic treatments, especially single-stage Alcalase and Protana (AP), achieved high protein yields (80%) and enhanced degrees of hydrolysis (34 to 49%), producing peptides with lower molecular weights. FPH exhibited significant antioxidant activity, in 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, with EC50 values below 5 mg/mL. Additionally, AP hydrolysates demonstrated over 60% angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition at 5 mg/mL, indicating potential antihypertensive applications. Antidiabetic and anti-Alzheimer activities were present, but at relatively low levels. AP hydrolysates, especially from gilthead seabream, proved to be the most promising. This study highlights the value of fish co-products as sources of functional peptides, contributing to waste reduction, and their potential applications in food, agriculture, and nutraceuticals.

Giant reed ( Arundo donax ) and Miscanthus spp. were tested to evaluate their tolerance and phytoremediation capacity in soils contaminated with heavy metals. Giant reed was tested under 450 and 900 mg Zn kg −1 , 300 and 600 mg Cr kg −1 , and 450 and 900 mg Pb kg −1 contaminated soils, while the Miscanthus genotypes M . × giganteus , M. sinensis , and M. floridulus were tested on 450 and 900 mg Zn kg −1 contaminated soils, along 2 years. Giant reed biomass production was negatively affected by the contamination; however, yield reduction was only significant under 600 mg Cr kg −1 soil. Zn contamination reduced significantly M . × giganteus production but not M. sinensis or M. floridulus yields. Yet, M . × giganteus was also the most productive. Both grasses can be considered as indicators, once metal concentration in the biomass reflected soil metal concentration. Regarding giant reed experiments, higher modified bioconcentration factors (mBCFs, 0.3–0.6) and translocation factors (TFs, 1.0–1.1) were obtained for Zn, in the contaminated soils, followed by Cr (mBCFs, 0.2–0.4, belowground organs; TFs, 0.2–0.4) and Pb (mBCFs, 0.06–0.07, belowground organs; TFs, 0.2–0.4). Metal accumulation also followed the same pattern Zn > Cr > Pb. Miscanthus genotypes showed different phytoremediation potential facing similar soil conditions. mBCFs (0.3–0.9) and TFs (0.7–1.5) were similar among species, but highest zinc accumulation was observed with M . × giganteus due to the higher biomass production. Giant reed and M . × giganteus can be considered as interesting candidates for Zn phytoextraction, favored by the metal accumulation observed and the high biomass produced. A. donax and Miscanthus genotypes showed to be well suited for phytostabilization of heavy metal contamination as these grasses prevented the leaching of heavy metal and groundwater contamination.

The advances on the development of novel materials capable to enhance the shelf life of food products may contribute to reduce the current worldwide food waste problem. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and due to their good antimicrobial properties are suitable to be applied as active compounds in food packaging. ZnO NPs were synthesized to be tested in active bionanocomposites through an eco-friendlier route using apple peel wastes. This work aimed to develop bionanocomposites based on chitosan and incorporated with ZnO NPs to characterize its bioactivity via in vitro and in situ studies, using fresh poultry meat as the food matrix. Overall, bio-based biodegradable films presented good antimicrobial activity, being the intrinsic antimicrobial properties of chitosan enhanced by the ZnO NPs added on the system. When used as primary packaging of the meat, the samples protected with the films presented a decrease on the deterioration speed, which was represented by the preservation of the initial reddish color of the meat and reduction on the oxidation process and microbiological growth. The nanoparticles enhanced especially the antioxidant properties of the films and proved to be potential food preservatives agents to be used in active food packaging.

There is controversy concerning the diabetes impact on bone quality, notorious in type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women. One pointed cause might be uncontrolled glycemia. In this study, the effect of chronic hyperglycemia in bone turnover, morphology, and biomechanics was evaluated in female Wistar rats in the presence/absence of estrogens (ovariectomy). Animals (n=28) were divided into sham, ovariectomized (OVX), hyperglycemic (streptozotocin 40 mg/kg, single-dose i.p.-STZ), and hyperglycemic-ovariectomized (STZ + OVX) animals. Blood biomarkers were estimated 60 days postovariectomy. Body weight, vertebral microarchitecture (L4-histomorphometry), femur biomechanical properties (bending tests), tibia ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy), and femur and urinary calcium (atomic absorption) were also evaluated. The increased PINP/CTX ratio of hyperglycemic animals and the similar ratio between STZ + OVX and healthy animals contrasting with the lower ratio of OVX (in line with its histomorphometric data) suggest a tendency for improved bone formation in hyperglycemic-ovariectomized animals. The increased tibia medullar canal, which contrasts with the unaffected cortical thickness of both hyperglycemic groups while that of OVX decreased, was associated to the increased stiffness and strength of STZ + OVX bones compared to those of OVX, in line with the observed ultrastructure. Concluding, chronic hyperglycemia in ovariectomized female rats causes bone morphological changes that translate positively in the ultrastructure and mechanical properties of cortical bones.

The main objective of the Portuguese project “CONVERTE-Biomass Potential for Energy” is to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, identifying biomass typologies in mainland Portugal, namely agri-forest waste, energy crops and microalgae. Therefore, the aim was to design and construct a georeferenced (mapping) database for mainland Portugal, to identify land availability for the implementation of energy crops and microalgae cultures, and to locate agricultural and forestry production areas (including their residues) with potential for sustainable exploitation for energy. The ArcGIS software was used as a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, introducing the data corresponding to the type of soil, water needs and edaphoclimatic conditions in shapefile and raster data type, to assess the areas for the implantation of the biomass of interest. After analysing the data of interest in each map in ArcGIS, the intersection of all maps is presented, suggesting adequate areas and predicting biomass productions for the implementation of each culture in mainland Portugal. Under the conditions of the study, cardoon (72 kha, 1085 kt), paulownia (81 kha, 26 kt) and microalgae (29 kha, 1616 kt) presented the greater viability to be exploited as biomass to energy in degraded and marginal soils.

CardAPium project, funded by Portuguese national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Educação, Ciência e Inovação) through the grant 2023.15813.PEX (https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.15813.PEX); FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/MECI through the MEtRICs research unit (UID/04077/2020): Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center). Ph.D. Grant 2021.08154.BD (https://doi.org/10.54499/2021.08154.BD).

Algae and seaweeds are used in cookery since the beginnings of human civilization, particularly in several Asian cultures. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by aquatic and terrestrial plants for their natural defense against external stimuli, which possess powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can be very important for the food industry. The main objective of this study was to develop a whey protein concentrate active coating, incorporated with a Fucus vesiculosus extract in order to delay the lipid oxidation of chicken breasts. Ten hydroethanolic extracts from F. vesiculosus were obtained and their antioxidant capacity was evaluated through two antioxidant activity assays: the DPPH radical scavenging activity and -carotene leaching assay. The total content in phenolics compounds was also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The chosen extract was the one obtained from the freeze-dried F. vesiculosus using 75% (v/v) ethanol as extraction solvent. The extract was successfully incorporated into a whey protein film and successfully strengthened the thickness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. The active film also was able to inhibit the chicken breasts lipid oxidation for 25 days of storage.

Traditional food packaging systems help reduce food wastage, but they also produce environmental impacts when not properly disposed of. Bio-based polymers are a promising solution to overcome these impacts, but they have poor barrier and mechanical properties. This work evaluates two strategies to improve these properties in pectin films: the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or sodium montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles, and an additional layer of chitosan (i.e., a bilayer film). The bionanocomposites and bilayer films were characterized in terms of optical, morphological, hygroscopic, mechanical and barrier properties. The inclusion of the nanofillers in the polymer reduced the water vapor permeability and the hydrophilicity of the films without compromising their visual properties (i.e., their transparency). However, the nanoparticles did not substantially improve the mechanical properties of the bionanocomposites. Regarding the bilayer films, FTIR and contact angle studies revealed no surface and/or chemical modifications, confirming only physical coating/lamination between the two polymers. These bilayer films exhibited a dense homogenous structure, with intermediate optical and hygroscopic properties. An additional layer of chitosan did not improve the mechanical, water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of the pectin films. However, this additional layer made the material more hydrophobic, which may play an important role in the application of pectin as a food packaging material.