CERNAS - Artigo em revista científica, indexada ao WoS/Scopus
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- Knowledge about consumption of fruits and vegetables: comparison between Portuguese and French consumersPublication . Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Gonçalves, João Carlos; Teixeira-Lemos, Edite; Cunha Silva Reis Lima, Maria Joao; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel
- 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.
- Environmental and Economic Assessment of Desktop vs. Laptop Computers: A Life Cycle ApproachPublication . Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; Domingos, idalina; Leite dos Santos, Lenise Maria; Barreto Ana; Ferreira, JoséThis study evaluates and compares the environmental and economic implications of desktop and laptop computer systems throughout their life cycles using screening life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The functional unit was defined as the use of one computer system for fundamental home and small-business productivity tasks for over four years. The analysis considered the production, use, and end-of-life phases. The results showed the desktop system had a higher overall carbon footprint (679.1 kg CO2eq) compared to the laptop (286.1 kg CO2eq). For both systems, manufacturing contributed the largest share of the emissions, followed by use. Desktops exhibited significantly higher use phase emissions, due to greater energy consumption. Life cycle cost analysis revealed that laptops had slightly lower total costs (EUR 593.88) than desktops (EUR 608.40) over the 4-year period, despite higher initial investment costs. Sensitivity analysis examining different geographical scenarios highlighted the importance of considering regional factors in the LCA. Manufacturer-provided data generally showed lower carbon footprint values than the modeled scenarios. This study emphasizes the need for updated life cycle inventory data and energy efficiency improvements to reduce the environmental impacts of computer systems. Overall, laptops demonstrated environmental and economic advantages over desktops in the defined usage cases.
- Olive Tree (Olea europaea) Pruning: Chemical Composition and Valorization of Wastes Through LiquefactionPublication . Domingos, idalina; Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; Ferreira, José; Esteves, Bruno; MDPIOlive tree branches (OB) and leaves (OL) from the Viseu region (Portugal) were studied for their chemical composition and liquefaction behavior using polyalcohols. Chemical analysis revealed that OL contained higher ash content (4.08%) and extractives, indicating more bioactive compounds, while OB had greater α-cellulose (30.47%) and hemicellulose (27.88%). Lignin content was higher in OL (21.64%) than OB (16.40%). Liquefaction experiments showed that increasing the temperature from 140 ◦C to 180 ◦C improved conversion, with OB showing a larger increase (52.5% to 80.9%) compared to OL (66% to 72%). OB reached peak conversion faster, and the optimal particle size for OB was 40–60 mesh, while OL performed better at finer sizes. OL benefited more from higher solvent ratios, whereas OB achieved high conversion with less solvent. FTIR analysis confirmed that acid-catalyzed liquefaction breaks down lignocellulosic structures, depolymerizes cellulose and hemicellulose, and modifies lignin, forming hydroxyl, aliphatic, and carbonyl groups. These changes reflect progressive biomass degradation and the incorporation of polyalcohol components, converting solid biomass into a reactive, polyol-rich liquid. The study highlights the distinct chemical and processing characteristics of olive branches and leaves, informing their potential industrial applications.
- Life Cycle Assessment of Pig Production in Central Portugal: Environmental Impacts and Sustainability ChallengesPublication . Leite dos Santos, Lenise Maria; Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; Domingos, idalina; Oliveira Verónica; Rodrigues Carla; Ferreira António; Ferreira, José; MDPIPig farming plays a crucial socioeconomic role in the European Union, which is one of the largest pork exporters in the world. In Portugal, pig farming plays a key role in regional development and the national economy. To ensure future sustainability and minimize environmental impacts, it is essential to identify the most deleterious pig production activities. This study carried out a life cycle assessment (LCA) of pig production using a conventional system in central Portugal to identify the unitary processes with the greatest environmental impact problems. LCA followed the ISO 14040/14044 standards, covering the entire production cycle, from feed manufacturing to waste management, using 1 kg of live pig weight as the functional unit. The slurry produced is used as fertilizer in agriculture, replacing synthetic chemical fertilizers. Results show that feed production, raising piglets, and fattening pigs are the most impactful phases of the pig production cycle. Fodder production is the stage with the greatest impact, accounting for approximately 60% to 70% of the impact in the categories analyzed in most cases. The environmental categories with the highest impacts were freshwater ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic toxicity, and marine ecotoxicity; the most significant impacts were observed for human health, with an estimated effect of around 0.00045 habitants equivalent (Hab.eq) after normalization. The use of more sustainable ingredients and the optimization of feed efficiency are effective strategies for promoting sustainability in the pig farming sector.
- A cross-cultural study of unwillingness to consume insects in Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, and MexicoPublication . Rosa María Mariscal-Moreno; Anayansi Escalante-Aburto; César Ozuna; Guiné, Raquel; Cristina Chuck-Hernández; Marijana Matek Sarić; Elena Bartkiene; Monica Tarcea; Lucio Rodríguez-SifuentesIntroduction Insects are a nutritious and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional animal proteins. Because of this, their use as human food is being implemented in Europe, although this practice is not well-received in the countries of that continent. On the other hand, there are countries like Mexico, with a long tradition of insect consumption, which can serve as a model for increasing insect consumption in European countries. Methods A survey on insect consumption was conducted in Mexico, Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal, and Romania, and focused on people who had never consumed insects. The Chi-square test was performed for demographic variables; multinomial logistic regressions were used to establish relations between sociodemographic variables and respondents who had not consumed insects. Data from surveyed individuals from Mexico who have not included insects in their diet were analyzed to propose strategies to boost insect consumption in European countries. Results and discussion The percentage of respondents who had not consumed insects in Mexico was 29.7%, whereas in European countries, it ranged from 70.5 to 89.3%. The Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference for all analyzed sociodemographic factors. Gender, age, educational level, geographical area, and income all influenced a person to be a non-consumer of insects. We suggest using isolated insect protein or insect flour to formulate/develop food products, inform about the nutritional and health benefits of insects, integrate insects into the countries’ traditional cuisine, and reduce the costs of insects to increase their consumption in European countries.
- 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.
- Recognizing diversity to enable an agroecological transition: understanding the potential of family farmers in PortugalPublication . Costa-Pereira, Inês; Aguiar, Ana A. R. M.; Delgado, Fernanda; Costa, Cristina Amaro daThe agroecological transition of family farms in Portugal poses a significant challenge within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European Green Deal. Despite their multifunctional contributions to rural territories, family farms—particularly smallholders—remain structurally disadvantaged by policy frameworks that continue to favor large-scale, high-input agricultural models. This study demonstrates that aligning family farming with agroecological principles yields tangible benefits and requires support through differentiated, typology-sensitive public policies. Using a tailored methodology, data were collected from 40 farms initially classified as conventional or agroecological. Ward’s hierarchical clustering, supported by complementary significance tests, identified three distinct farmer typologies: conventional, proto-agroecological, and agroecological. These typologies reflect meaningful differences in ecological integration, systemic thinking, and social engagement. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy frameworks that recognize farm diversity and promote multiple pathways toward agroecology. This typology-based approach provides an empirically grounded foundation for designing more inclusive and context-responsive institutional support for family farmers in Portugal
- 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
- 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.