Biological Activities and Valuable Bioactive Compounds from Portuguese Medicinal Plants | Chapter 4 | Cutting-edge Research in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 9

 There are currently over 85,000 plant species that have been documented for medical use around the world. As a result, plant-derived natural products hold great promise for the discovery and development of new pharmaceuticals in a variety of human ailments. The lack of effective pharmaceutical formulations, as well as the resistance created by current antibiotic pathogens, as well as oxidative stress, necessitate the development of new therapeutic agents derived from plants. Several studies have shown that medicinal plants have antioxidant properties, which are largely due to their phytochemical profile. Endangered plants can provide a source of new bioactive compounds capable of preventing cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease by combating oxidative stress and its associated pathologies The goal of this study was to determine the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and caffeine in six medicinal plants that have traditionally been used in phytotherapy and are typically consumed as tea or infusions: Camellia sinensis, Melissa officinalis, Lippia citriodora, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla. as well as Tilia cordata Significant differences in total phenolics and flavonoids content were discovered among the plants studied and depending on the nature of the extract. Caffeine concentrations were also very different, following the sequence M. officinalis T. cordata C. citratus M. chamomilla L. citriodora C. sinensis. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of each plant varied according to C. citratus (90.9 percent ) > C. sinensis (87.8 percent ) > M. officinalis (50.7 percent ) > M. chamomilla (45.3 percent ) > T. cordata (32.2 percent ) > L. citriodora (32.2 percent ). (28.0 percent ).

Author (s) Details

Ana F. Vinha
FCS/UFP-Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal and LAQV/REQUIMTE/Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Bromatologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Carla Sousa
FCS/UFP-Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

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Avocado and Its By-products: Natural Sources of Nutrients, Phytochemical Compounds and Functional Properties | Chapter 9 | Current Research in Agricultural and Food Science Vol.1

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a tropical and subtropical fruit that is native to Mexico and
Central America. This fruit is gaining increasing worldwide acceptance and has received extensive
marketing and a wide distribution due to its relevant nutritional benefits for human health. This work
presents relevant information on the production, composition and application of avocado, with an
emphasis on its by-products, focusing on the proper use of waste and the possibility of monetizing
waste for nutritional and environmental purposes. The entire avocado is rich in bioactive compounds
(pulp, peel and seed) and presents several health benefits, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant
and anticancer activities, as well as dermatological uses and others. Therefore, several food grade
ingredients can be obtained from avocado wastes, particularly premium-grade fats or extracts with a
high functional power. Studies should continue to identify the profiles and phytochemicals available to
the business sector, which can also be implemented to valorize the nutritional and functional potential
of avocado seeds and peels.

Author (s) Details

Ana F. Vinha
FP-ENAS (Unidade de Investigação UFP em Energia, Ambiente e Saúde), CEBIMED (Centro de Estudos em Biomedicina), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal and REQUIMTE/LAQV, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Carla Sousa
FP-ENAS (Unidade de Investigação UFP em Energia, Ambiente e Saúde), CEBIMED (Centro de Estudos em Biomedicina), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

Marta O. Soares

INNFACTS, CESPU - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário, Gandra, Portugal.

Sérgio V. P. Barreira
FP-ENAS (Unidade de Investigação UFP em Energia, Ambiente e Saúde), CEBIMED (Centro de Estudos em Biomedicina), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/221