Percorrer por autor "Murta, Daniel"
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- Black soldier fly - an invaluable weapon in the war for the sustainability of the agrarian economy and defense of the environmentPublication . Menino, Regina; Murta, DanielThe growing demographic pressure, worldwide, has been alerting our planet, in an increasingly alarming way, to a progressive food deficit and a growing degradation of the quality of the environment; thus, the urgent need for new alternatives for agricultural production (among others) has been revealing the potential of insects in the two aspects mentioned above. In this context, the black soldier fly has revealed an invaluable potential for the biological composting of the remnants of agricultural production, with the triple objective of eliminating potentially polluting products, producing food for livestock farming and producing organic fertilizers capable of competing with chemical fertilizers, without the harmful effects of the latter, and with a high potential for the sustainability of the productivity of agricultural soils. The present communication, based on the advances that scientific experimentation has shown in this area, intends to highlight the high potential of this dipteran in the desideratum in question, particularly in the context of a circular economy.
- BSF - time to change the fliesPublication . Menino, Regina; Murta, Daniel
- Cattle effluents, either composted or bio-digested by Black Soldier Fly larvae, in the fertilization of ryegrass in sandy soilsPublication . Menino, Regina; Lopes, Ivã; Semedo, José N.; Scotti-Campos, Paula; Murta, Daniel; Castelo-Branco, Amélia; Nestler, Cecília; Moreira, OlgaThe relative agronomic performance of two organic fertilizers - effluents from intensive cattle farming, after composting either by traditional aerobic methods (compost) or by bio-digestion by larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) (frass) - in the growth of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) on a sandy soil was evaluated. For this purpose, a pot trial was conducted in a semi-controlled greenhouse. Eight treatments were defined, with four treatments using the compost and four treatments using frass (with a 10% nitroamoniacal nitrogen supplementation in all treatments), in addition to a negative control without fertilization, and a positive control with exclusively chemical nitroamoniacal fertilization. Regarding the biomass production, the BSF frass displayed a higher potential than the compost, with a significantly higher production from an N endowment equivalent to 280 kg ha-1 (252 kg organic N + 28 kg mineral N). While the yields obtained with compost were stable when 350 kg ha-1 (315 kg organic N + 35 kg mineral N) were provided, the yields obtained with BSF frass revealed a tendency to continue to progress with higher doses. This could be justified by the fact that the P2O5 and K2O content of BSF frass is significantly higher than that of the compost, and these nutrients continued to be mineralized over time. Furthermore, the obtained results confirm the potentiating effect of mineral fertilizers in the maximization of biomass production, when associated with organic fertilizers in adequate proportions. In addition, it was verified that the addition of frass enhanced the water use by plants, which was significantly higher than the treatments with compost, regardless of the N endowment. It was concluded that mixing chemical and organic fertilizers positively impacts soil fertility and the sustainability of the production as a whole, by increasing productivities in a sustainable way.
- Characterization of lipid extracts from the Hermetia illucens larvae and their bioactivities for potential use as pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredientsPublication . Almeida, Cíntia; Murta, Daniel; Nunes, Rui; Baby, André Rolim; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; Rijo, Patricia; Rosado, CatarinaThere is an increasingly growing demand for the use of natural and sustainable bioactives in the field of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The biomass from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) can be viewed as an innovative source of compounds with high aggregate value and marketing potential due to the sustainable organic matter bioconversion process used as substrate for its development. This insect can be a source of lipid compounds with high added value, mainly due to its high content in fatty acids (FA) with potential applicability in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this context, in this work different extraction methods were tested (decoction, microwaves, maceration and ultrasound), using water, acetone, n-hexane as extraction solvents, to evaluate yields of the BSF larvae lipid extracts, as well as their lipid profile, and a preliminary safety screening was conducted. Results show that despite using different extraction techniques and solvents, similar FA composition profiles were obtained. The lauric acid content (C12: 0) is elevated in all the extracts in relation to the other FA, ranging 37%–62%. The contents in palmitic (C16: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n-9) acids, were also high in all applied extraction methods. The omega-6 FA (ω-6 PUFAs), mainly linoleic acid (C18: 2n6c), were also identified in the lipid fraction of BSF larvae biomass, with a content variation between 4.5% and 17.7%, while the omega-3 group, namely α-Linolenic acid (C18: 3n3), presented values between 0.66% and 1.95%. None of the extracts presented toxicity in preliminary tests with the Artemia salina model. Through this study, it was possible to confirm that BSF larvae oil can be obtained by sustainable methods, containing a broad mixture of FA and being highly rich in lauric acid, with a promising skin care applicability.
- Characterization of lipid extracts from the Hermetia illucens larvae and their bioactivities for potential use as pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredientsPublication . Almeida, Cíntia; Murta, Daniel; Nunes, Rui; Baby, André Rolim; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; Rijo, Patricia; Rosado, CatarinaThere is an increasingly growing demand for the use of natural and sustainable bioactives in the field of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The biomass from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) can be viewed as an innovative source of compounds with high aggregate value and marketing potential due to the sustainable organic matter bioconversion process used as substrate for its development. This insect can be a source of lipid compounds with high added value, mainly due to its high content in fatty acids (FA) with potential applicability in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this context, in this work different extraction methods were tested (decoction, microwaves, maceration and ultrasound), using water, acetone, n-hexane as extraction solvents, to evaluate yields of the BSF larvae lipid extracts, as well as their lipid profile, and a preliminary safety screening was conducted. Results show that despite using different extraction techniques and solvents, similar FA composition profiles were obtained. The lauric acid content (C12: 0) is elevated in all the extracts in relation to the other FA, ranging 37%–62%. The contents in palmitic (C16: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n-9) acids, were also high in all applied extraction methods. The omega-6 FA (ω-6 PUFAs), mainly linoleic acid (C18: 2n6c), were also identified in the lipid fraction of BSF larvae biomass, with a content variation between 4.5% and 17.7%, while the omega-3 group, namely α-Linolenic acid (C18: 3n3), presented values between 0.66% and 1.95%. None of the extracts presented toxicity in preliminary tests with the Artemia salina model. Through this study, it was possible to confirm that BSF larvae oil can be obtained by sustainable methods, containing a broad mixture of FA and being highly rich in lauric acid, with a promising skin care applicability.
- Exploring sustainable alternatives in aquaculture feeding : the role of insectsPublication . Fantatto, Rafaela Regina; Mota, Joana; Ligeiro, Carolina; Vieira, Inês; Guilgur, Leonardo Gaston; Santos, Marisa; Murta, DanielThe aquaculture sector faces uncertainty due to environmental changes, economic factors, and availability of food resources. Conventional aquatic feeds heavily depend on fishmeal. This results in sustainability challenges due to overexploitation of wild fish stocks, rising costs, and environmental impacts, which has driven the search for innovative and sustainable alternatives, such as insects. European Union legislation has evolved to allow the use of certain insect species in aquafeeds, favoring the market access and approval of additional species. However, regulations still need to be standardized across countries and the substrates approved for insect feed clearly defined, since the nutritional composition of insects depend on species and diet. These ingredients have high potential to replace fishmeal in aquatic feeds, although, present challenges regarding optimal growth and digestibility, specially due to the chitin in composition, that need to be overcome. However, chitin and its derivatives may also have positive effects in fish feeds as prebiotic and immunomodulator. These insect-based protein sources have several benefits, such as efficient nutrient utilization, short maturation periods, and profitability, addressing the economic and environmental challenges associated with conventional aquafeed ingredients. Scientific studies indicate that insects have the potential to improve flesh quality, strengthen the immune system, and reduce disease susceptibility in farmed fish, promoting sustainable and productive aquaculture systems. The integration of insects as alternative protein sources in aquatic feeds can offer a promising path towards sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture systems. Based on the research available for this topic, this review aimed to evaluate the real potential of using insect-based raw-materials in feeds for aquaculture and their effects on growth, feed utilization, immunological response, disease resistance, quality, and safety of fish.
- Exploring the potential of Hermetia illucens larvae extracts : a promising approach for dermocosmetic formulationsPublication . Filipe, Márcia Santos; Cardoso, Rossana V.C.; Ayuso, Manuel; Murta, Daniel; Díaz-Lanza, Ana María; Rosado, Catarina; Pires, Tânia C.S.P; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Rijo, PatriciaGlobally, the yearly disposal of 1.3 billion tonnes of food raises environmental and public health concerns. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae present a sustainable solution, converting organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass. The extracted oil from BSF larvae, rich in fatty acids (FA), offers an eco-friendly alternative for the cosmetic industry. In this study, larvae sourced from a Portuguese company were fed olive pomace, a by-product of olive oil production. The lipidic sample extracted revealed a composition high in oleic acid, valuable for cosmetics. Investigating the biological activity of lipid extractions from larvae fed with olive pomace is a novel approach. Notably, the n-hexane ultrasound-assisted extraction method demonstrated potent antioxidant properties, and some extracts displayed antimicrobial activity. Five non-cytotoxic extracts; three with no relevant activity (IC50 from 236 to >400 μg/mL). These findings highlight BSF larvae as an environmentally friendly source of fatty acids, offering promising alternatives for diverse applications.
- Improving product safety for edible insects : toxicokinetics of Hg in Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucensPublication . Cardoso, Diogo N.; Silva, Ana Rita R.; Morgado, Rui G.; Mostafaie, Amid; Pereira, Andreia; Pinto, José; Lopes, Ivã G.; Murta, Daniel; Soares, Amadeu M. V. M.; Brooks, Bryan W.; Loureiro, SusanaSustainability, circularity, and Zero Waste policies are timely concepts for policy development and strategies in the European Union (EU) and other global regions. Insects can likely become key players in the bioconversion of waste to valuable material and promise one solution to achieve diverse societal goals. Insects further present strategic opportunities as food products; however, it is necessary to understand how insects accumulate and eliminate priority contaminants from different substrates where they can be reared. In the present study, we expanded beyond previous work with mercury (Hg) to examine bioaccumulation kinetics in Tenebrio molitor (YMW) and Hermetia illucens (BSF). Two-phase bioaccumulation assays, with an uptake (contaminated Hg substrate) and elimination phase (clean substrate), followed by toxicokinetic modeling, showed that both insects have a high capacity to regulate Hg, often reaching an internal steady-state concentration at level responding on the substrate concentration of Hg. Of importance for product safety, both insects quickly eliminated Hg after being transferred to clean substrate. Specifically, BSF eliminated half of the accumulated Hg in approximately 1 day (after 5 days of Hg exposure) and YMW in 4–5 days (after 21 days of Hg exposure). These results provide crucial product safety information for insect producers using possibly contaminated substrates, specifically informing the amount of time for Hg depuration prior to processing and commercialization for food and feed.
- Leptin signaling in the ovary of diet-induced obese mice regulates activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasomePublication . Adamowski, Marek; Wołodko, Karolina; Oliveira, Joana; Castillo-Fernandez, Juan; Murta, Daniel; Kelsey, Gavin; Galvão, António M.Obesity leads to ovarian dysfunction and the establishment of local leptin resistance. The aim of our study was to characterize the levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in ovaries and liver of mice during obesity progression. Furthermore, we tested the putative role of leptin on NLRP3 regulation in those organs. C57BL/6J female mice were treated with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for estrous cycle synchronization and ovary collection. In diet-induced obesity (DIO) protocol, mice were fed chow diet (CD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 or 16 weeks, whereas in the hyperleptinemic model (LEPT), mice were injected with leptin for 16 days (16 L) or saline (16 C). Finally, the genetic obese leptin-deficient ob/ob (+/? and −/−) mice were fed CD for 4 week. Either ovaries and liver were collected, as well as cumulus cells (CCs) after superovulation from DIO and LEPT. The estrus cycle synchronization protocol showed increased protein levels of NLRP3 and interleukin (IL)-18 in diestrus, with this stage used for further sample collections. In DIO, protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components was increased in 4 week HFD, but decreased in 16 week HFD. Moreover, NLRP3 and IL-1β were upregulated in 16 L and downregulated in ob/ob. Transcriptome analysis of CC showed common genes between LEPT and 4 week HFD modulating NLRP3 inflammasome. Liver analysis showed NLRP3 protein upregulation after 16 week HFD in DIO, but also its downregulation in ob/ob−/−. We showed the link between leptin signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the ovary throughout obesity progression in mice, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning ovarian failure in maternal obesity.
- Physiological response of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles to an acute stress challenge : the Impact of partial and total dietary fishmeal replacement by an insect mealPublication . Basto, Ana; Peixoto, Diogo; Machado, Marina; Costas, Benjamin; Murta, Daniel; Valente, Luísa M. P.This study aimed to explore the effect of FM substitution by defatted Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (dTM) on the response of European seabass to an acute stress challenge. An FM-based diet was used as a control and two other isoproteic/isoenergetic diets were formulated to replace 50 and 100% of FM by dTM. Each diet was tested in quadruplicate groups of 15 fish (69 ± 5 g) fed until visual satiety for 16 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were subjected to 1 min air exposure followed by 1 h of recovery before sampling. The haematological profile, plasma metabolites, and humoral immunity biomarkers, as well as hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity, were analysed. A clear response to acute stress was observed by a significant increase in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, and almost all evaluated plasma metabolites and humoral parameters, regardless of dietary treatment. The obtained results demonstrated that partial substitution of FM by IM did not affect the stress response of seabass. However, total FM replacement increased the hepatic activity of total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in fish fed TM100.