Browsing by Author "Costa, Cristina Amaro da"
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- Analysis of Governance models for sustainable and healthy food systemsPublication . Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Amaral, Ana Luísa; Costa, Filipa; Guiné, Raquel; Costa, Cristina Amaro daSustainable food systems are systems that safeguard economic, social and environmental sustainability by fomenting social progress, promoting efficient management of natural resources, providing nutritious food and ensuring fair compensation for all actors in the food chain. In recent years, several initiatives worldwide have been created to ensure and promote the sustainability of the current food systems. These initiatives aim to enable people to have access to quality, nutritious and sustainable foods, combat social and economic inequalities and promote synergies between consumers and producers. To promote these initiatives is crucial in order to contribute to improved food consumption and production patterns towards more nutritive and sustainable foods. The objective of this research was to identify and characterize sustainable food initiatives in order to understand their structure, model of governance, motivations, typology of actors involved and future prospects. This investigation was based on an interview guide that was applied to the managers or those responsible for the sustainable initiatives related with the food system. Seven initiatives were included, and the semi- structured interviews were carried out online during the summer of 2024. The recorded interviews were transcribed, and the content analysed. The results obtained by the interviews showed that the principal motivators are related to food and sustainability, in all three, economic, environmental and social, dimensions. It was further identified that the most important cause of success was the availability and commitment of the people involved in the initiative. The seven initiatives analysed were implemented to meet local needs, both of producers and consumers, while promoting sustainability. Furthermore, they aimed at encouraging economic circularity, transference and sharing of knowledge, valorisation of local and rural resources, and management of food waste. These aspects contribute to more efficient and eco-friendly local food supply chains, providing the consumers with fresher and heathier food products. The existence of local or nationwide initiatives related with the sustainability of food system contribute to a more efficient use of natural resources in order to obtain healthy, sustainable and fair food products, that the modern consumers tend to value in search for a more friendly co-existence between the necessity to produce food and the recognized need to preserve the natural ecosystems.
- Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity Characteristics of Seven Biopreparations Used in Organic FarmingPublication . Simões, Joana; Peleja, Ana; Neves, Cláudia; de Vasconcelos Teixeira Aguiar da Costa, Daniela; de Paiva Martins Esteves Correia, Helena Maria; Pinto, António; Ferreira Wessel, Dulcineia; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; Delgado, Fernanda; Carneiro, João Paulo; Horta, Carmo; Bahcevandziev, Kiril; Vidal, Maria; Filipe, OlgaAgroecological transition is a major societal challenge and it is urgent to support technical solutions to answer farmers demand towards the necessary changes. The project RESTORE - biopReparados Em SisTemas prOdução agRoEcológicos aimed to study and validate the production, conservation, and use of seven biopreparations by characterizing and testing them in lettuce nurseries. The biopreparations used include prickly pear vinegar, purslane vinegar, fermented orange juice, garlic extract, nettle infusion, horsetail decoction and a biopreparation of garlic and chilli. The in vitro microbiological characterization and chemical analysis of the biopreparations, which included phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity, allowed us to understand their properties and to propose the most appropriate conservation strategy. The tests were conducted in four different moments: during the biopreparations’ manufacturing, after six months of frozen storage, and after three and six months of fresh storage. One-Way ANOVA in SPSS 29.0 and PCA comparison tests were used to analyze the results. Fermented orange juice and vinegars were the biopreparations that showed the greatest outcomes in terms of antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition. Purslane vinegar had the highest average inhibition against germs. The concentration of phenolic compounds, the antioxidant capacity, and the antibacterial activity of the biopreparations varied with time and type of conservation. It is crucial to conduct more trials, using different species and recipes, to support farmers’ decision making and adoption of agroecological solutions.
- Bee Brood as a Food for Human Consumption: An Integrative Review of Phytochemical and Nutritional CompositionPublication . Guiné, Raquel; Florença, Sofia G.; Barroca, Maria João; Costa, Cristina Amaro daThe utilisation of edible insects for human nutrition is a long-standing practice in many parts of the globe, and is being gradually introduced into countries without an entomophagic tradition as well. These unconventional sources of protein of animal origin have arisen as a sustainable alternative to other animal protein sources, such as meat. This review intends to present the compilation of data in the scientific literature on the chemical composition and nutritional value of the bee brood of A. mellifera species and subspecies as edible foods. For this, a comprehensive search of the scientific literature was carried out using the databases ScienceDirect, Scopus, Pub-Med, BOn, and SciELO. Appropriate keywords were used for the search to reach the research works that addressed the topics of the review. The results showed that bee brood has considerable quantities of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The most abundant amino acids are leucine and lysine (these two being essential amino acids) and aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and proline (these three being non-essential amino acids). As for the fatty acids, bee broods contain approximately equal fractions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, while the polyunsaturated fatty acids are negligible. The dietary minerals present in higher quantities are potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and the most abundant vitamins are vitamin C and niacin; choline is also present, although it is not a true vitamin. Although bee brood from A. mellifera has potential for human consumption as a nutrient-rich food, there are still many aspects that need to be further studied in the future, such as safety and hazards linked to possible regular consumption.
- Bio-Regions as An Innovative Model of Sustainable Rural Development: An Integrative Literature ReviewPublication . Lagoa, Rui; Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Tibério, Manuel; Gonçalves, Ramiro; Costa, Cristina Amaro daThe Bio-Regions, whose origin dates back to Italy, constitute an innovative model of rural development anchored in endogenous dynamics, valuing territorial specificities, local social capital and participatory governance mechanisms. Its integrated approach seeks to articulate organic farming, environmental sustainability, community cohesion and proximity circuits. This study aims to contribute to the scientific and political debate around Bio-Regions, exploring their transformative potential in the context of territorial public policies. Through an integrative literature review, we sought to understand not only the conceptual and practical evolution of the Bio-Regions, but also the implications of their consolidation in different territorial contexts. The analysis focused on indexed scientific publications and non conventional specialized literature, collected through professional and academic networks. The selection of contributions was guided by thematic criteria, favoring studies that addressed institutional factors, the mobiliza tion of local actors and the role of public policies in the operationalization of this development model. The results highlight the decisive role of the institutional dimension in the consolidation of Bio-Regions, underlining the importance of integrated and participatory political strategies. At the same time, significant gaps in sci entific production are identified, particularly with regard to the systematic assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts associated with the implementation of the Bio-Regions.
- Biopreparados agroecológicos como solução biológicaPublication . Simões, Joana; de Vasconcelos Teixeira Aguiar da Costa, Daniela; Costa, Cristina Amaro daNa sociedade atual, a sustentabilidade ambiental e social é uma preocupação crescente, em particular na produção de alimentos que se traduz na crescente procura por produtos seguros para os ecossistemas e para o consumidor final. A utilização de biopreparados, com base na (re)utilização de recursos naturais existentes na exploração, é uma parte integrante de sistemas produção agroecológicos. Estudaram se sete biopreparados agroecológicos no projeto RESTORE - biopReparados Em SisTemas prOdução agRoEcológicos [projeto UIDB/00681/2020] – vinagre de figo-da-índia, vinagre de beldroega, sumo fermentado de laranja, extrato de alho, infusão de urtiga, decocção de cavalinha e biopreparado de alho e malagueta. O trabalho consistiu em: aplicação de inquérito aos agricultores sobre biopreparados utilizados; seleção e produção, análise físico-química e microbiológica e avaliação de efeitos in vivo de biopreparados. Foram realizados 17 inquéritos a produtores, na região Centro. Os biopreparados foram selecionados a partir da informação dos agricultores. Em laboratório, procedeu-se à quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais, análise da capacidade antioxidante e a da inibição de atividade microbiana, em bactérias e fungos, em três momentos temporais diferentes e com base no tipo de conservação estabelecida: logo após a preparação do biopreparado; três e seis meses após a conservação em fresco e seis meses após conservação por congelação. Os ensaios de campo foram realizados em viveiros de alface, em estufa, desde a sementeira até à transplantação. O sumo fermentado de laranja e os vinagres apresentam os melhores resultados em composição fenólica e capacidade antioxidante. Em termos de inibição de atividade microbiológica, o biopreparado de alho e malagueta é o que demonstra uma inibição mais consistente. A decocção de cavalinha demonstra apresentar melhores resultados enquanto bioestimulante no cultivo de alface. É essencial dar continuidade a estudos de avaliação dos efeitos dos biopreparados para melhorar o conhecimento sobre os mesmos e os seus efeitos, bem como para fundamentar uma tomada de decisão mais adequada.
- Citizen Science and the Food System—A Focus Group Pilot StudyPublication . Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Amaral, Ana Luísa; Costa, Filipa; Costa, Cristina Amaro da
- Development of a Mediterranean Diet Recipe Index (MedRI)Publication . Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Filipa P. Costa; de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel; Cunha Silva Reis Lima, Maria Joao; Teixeira-Lemos, Edite; Costa, Cristina Amaro daBackground/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is globally recognized for its nutritional, environmental, and cultural value. Although several indices assess adherence to the MD and its food environments, none evaluate the alignment of individual recipes with MD principles. This study aimed to develop and validate the Mediterranean Diet Recipe Index (MedRI), a novel scoring tool designed to quantify the concordance of recipes with MD guidelines. Methods: The MedRI was conceptualized through a comprehensive literature review and expert panel assessment, integrating two main dimensions: consumption context and recipe composition. The index evaluates ingredient selection, preparation methods, and food group inclusion, with criteria adapted to specific recipe categories. Validation was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 244 adults living in Portugal. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), Cohen’s kappa, Chi-square tests, Cramer’s V, and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: Validation results demonstrated strong internal consistency and construct validity, confirming the reliability and applicability of the MedRI in assessing recipe alignment with MD principles. Conclusions: The MedRI thus represents a reliable and innovative tool to assess and promote culinary practices consistent with the MD. It holds potential applications in nutrition education, public health policymaking, and gastronomic research, supporting the advancement of sustainable and health-promoting dietary models.
- Edible Insects – Exotic Food or Gastronomic Innovation? Study Involving 14 CountriesPublication . de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel; Elena Bartkiene; Monica Tarcea; Cristina Chuck-Hernández; Ilija Djekic; Marijana Matek Sarić; Nada M. Boustani; Malgorzata Korzeniowska; Dace Klava; Maria Papageorgiou; José Maria Fresno Baro; Maša Cernelic Bizjak; Emel Damarli; Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; Correia, Paula; Ferreira, Manuela; Cardoso, Ana Paula; Margarida Campos, Sofia; Anjos, Ofélia; Ferreira, VanessaThis study explores the perceptions about edible insects and their usage in modern gastronomy. Data were collected through questionnaire survey in 14 countries, and 7222 responses were obtained. ANOVA and factor analysis were used, respectively to evaluate differences between groups and to analyze the scale items. The results showed that participants showed higher agreement toward insects being considered exotic foods and being associated with taboos and neophobia. Some sociodemographic factors (country, age class, education level and income) were proven to significantly influence with the perceptions. while sex and living environment did not. Factor analysis extracted three factors, one associated with the uses of insects in gastronomy, another associated with insects as foods and a third about insects not being proper for human consumption. In conclusion, the work revealed differences between countries in the perceptions about edible insects, and that these perceptions were also significantly influenced according to other sociodemographic variables.
- From Household to Public Sphere: Women Farmers, Gender Inequality, and Collective Mobilisation.Publication . Gomes, Diana; Bandeira, Cristina; Costa, Cristina Amaro daThe MAIs Project – Women Farmers in Inland Territories – aimed to empower and promote the civic and associative participation of women farmers in S. Pedro do Sul and Sabugal, contributing to the advancement of gender equality in these regions. Using a participatory approach grounded in the principles of community development, activities were structured along three axes of intervention: personal/social, technical, and collective. This article analyses gender inequality in civic participation and highlights popular education as a key tool for strengthening collective action. When considering community mobilisation in rural contexts, it is essential to recognise the role of trust-based networks and the coordination between public policies and local actors. Women farmers face structural barriers that limit their engagement in the public sphere, including the burden of domestic and agricultural labour and persistent patriarchal norms. Thus, the centrality of labour and the gendered division of responsibilities emerged as key factors in understanding patterns of political participation and the development of collective action.
- Honey RecipesPublication . Correia, Paula; de Vasconcelos Teixeira Aguiar da Costa, Daniela; de Paiva Martins Esteves Correia, Helena Maria; Coelho, Catarina; Oliveira, Jorge; de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel; Oddie, M.; Dhale, B.; Basile, S.; Alvarez, A.; Karise, R.; Raimets, R.; Lederer, V.; Costa, Cristina Amaro da