Maria Carmo Barreto

Polyphenols are structurally diverse plant secondary metabolites with broad biological activities and growing applications across the food, health, and materials sectors. Conventional extraction based on organic solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol) is often energy-intensive, inefficient, and environmentally burdensome. Ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have therefore emerged as greener alternatives for polyphenol extraction. This review evaluates recent advances in solvent design, extraction performance, and process sustainability. Imidazolium-based ILs frequently achieve high yields and selectivity, particularly when coupled with ultrasound or microwave-assisted extraction, but high cost, synthetic complexity, viscosity-related constraints, and potential toxicity hinder scaleup. By contrast, DESs—especially those derived from choline chloride or lactic acid—are easier to prepare, less costly, and more compatible with industrial implementation, with efficiency enhanced by tailoring hydrogen bond networks, water content, and process intensification. Critical downstream challenges persist for both solvent classes, notably in extract purification and solvent recovery due to low volatility; approaches such as resin adsorption, antisolvent precipitation, and direct formulation have been explored. Overall, ILs and DESs represent compelling alternatives to conventional solvents, and future progress will depend on integrated extraction–recovery strategies, systematic solvent selection, and validation under scalable, sustainable processing conditions.

Essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of Origanum vulgare subsp. virens (Hoffmanns. & Link) Bonnier & Layens, representing three chemotypes—thymol-rich, carvacrol-rich, and a mixed thymol–carvacrol type—were chemically characterized and comparatively assessed for their antifungal, insecticidal, and enzyme-inhibitory activities. This integrated approach provides a comparative assessment of all three chemotypes across multiple biological models, including phytopathogenic fungi, insect bioassays, and key enzyme targets. All EOs displayed antifungal activity for the tested phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium oxysporum) at concentrations above 0.5 mg/mL, with the thymol-rich chemotype showing the highest activity. The minimum inhibition concentration for Oidium farinosum conidial growth was determined and found to be similar for thymol and carvacrol chemotypes and lower for the terpene mixture. Insect control activity was evaluated by an antifeeding assay, where carvacrol and especially thymol chemotypes can be classified as feeding deterrents. EOs and standards revealed a weak toxicity against Ceratitis capitata, with less than 20% mortality at a concentration of 50 mg/mL, and both chemotypes were found to be ineffective in preventing egg deposition. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay revealed that carvacrol had the greatest inhibitory effect on AChE, followed by EOs, and, finally, thymol. Regarding the α- and β-glucosidase (α- and β-GLU) inhibitory assays, thymol had the strongest inhibitory effect on α-GLU, while plant β-GLU was not inhibited by the standards or OEs.

The cosmeceutical industry has increasingly turned its attention to marine macroalgae, recognizing their significant bioactive potential as sources of natural compounds for skincare applications. A growing number of products now incorporate extracts or isolated compounds from various macroalgae species. However, many species remain underexplored, highlighting a valuable opportunity for further research. Among these, Caulerpa prolifera (Forsskål) J.V. Lamouroux has emerged as a promising candidate for cosmeceutical applications. This study provides the most comprehensive phytochemical assessment of C. prolifera to date, revealing its potential as a source of bioactive extracts and compounds. The analysis identified key components of its lipophilic profile, predominantly saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, alongside di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate—an endocrine disruptor potentially biosynthesized or bioaccumulated by the algae. While the crude extract exhibited moderate tyrosinase inhibitory activity, its overall antioxidant capacity was limited. Fractionation of the extract, however, yielded subfractions with distinct bioactivities linked to changes in chemical composition. Notably, enhanced inhibitory activities against elastase and collagenase were observed in subfractions enriched with 1-octadecanol and only traces of phthalate. Conversely, antioxidant activity diminished with the loss of specific compounds such as β-sitosterol, erucic acid, nervonic acid, and lignoceric acid. This work advances the understanding of the relationship between the chemical composition of C. prolifera and its bioactivities, emphasizing its potential as a source of cosmeceutical ingredients, leading to a more comprehensive valorization of this macroalga.

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic disorders comprising dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and abdominal obesity, is a silent epidemic that may lead to outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Due to the increase in the prevalence of these pathologies, the search for better treatments and more efficient drugs is imperative. Species of Artemisia and Salvia genera are excellent examples of noteworthy sources of bioactive products with health applications, their therapeutic properties being well known both in popular medicine and in the scientific community. There are reports of plant extracts or compounds from species belonging to either of these genera, which were able to combat cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular pathologies. For instance, dihydroartemisinin (analog of artemisin extracted from Artemisia annua L.) can reduce tumor markers p53 and Ki-67 expression levels, leading to a reduction in tumor proliferation. Salvia officinalis L. has antihyperglycemic and lipid profile-improving effects since it decreases total cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Clinical trials using mixtures (dried powdered plants or extracts) of known medicinal plants are recurrent in published works, in contrast with the scarce clinical trial studies with isolated compounds. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. was by far the most targeted plant in the clinical trials analyzed here. Regarding clinical trials concerning Artemisia, there are more studies aiming to see its effect on diabetes, but the studies about cancer are more advanced. This review aims to give a critical summary of the most interesting and promising results from clinical trials. The abundance of studies with limited statistically significant clinical evidence hinders progress in clinical therapy. This situation demands far greater rigor from the scientific community, researchers, regulatory agencies, editors, and reviewers in conducting and publishing clinical studies.

Feeding marine larvae commonly relies on live prey, which must be enriched with lipid emulsions and/or microalgae rich in long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) before being added to larval tanks. This enrichment enhances the nutritional value of live feed and supports larval health and growth. Microalgae are also used in aquaculture as a primary feed source for larvae and for maintaining water quality. However, in‐house microalgal cultures are costly, prone to contamination, and require complex harvesting. Sourcing live microalgae from external specialized facilities is also expensive and complicated, as it involves transporting highly diluted biomass, creating a major bottleneck in hatcheries. Consequently, alternative formats of microalgal biomass, including fresh or dried forms, are gaining attention for their ease of use, nutritional stability, and antioxidant potential. To evaluate some of these concentrated biomass substitutes, different formats of Isochrysis galbana (spray‐dried [ISD], fresh [IFRE], and frozen [IFRO]) were tested on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia . Prior to the assay, the total antioxidant capacity and lipid composition of the microalgal products were evaluated. Subsequently, live prey were fed the different I. galbana formats for 24 h, after which prey survival, lipid composition, and oxidative status were assessed. Our results showed that fresh/frozen I. galbana exhibited the highest in vitro antioxidant activity, particularly in the ethyl acetate fraction. However, rotifer survival was compromised when using the IFRE format. The spray‐dried microalgae was the best format to enhance phospholipid retention in both zooplankton species, also increasing DHA/EPA (22:6n–3/20:5n–3) ratio and n–3 LC‐PUFA content in rotifers. ISD also reduced lipid peroxidation in Artemia without negatively affecting the live prey culture. In conclusion, based on lipid composition and antioxidant potential, ISD was the most effective format for feeding rotifers and Artemia .

Natural compounds are widely incorporated into cosmetic products for many purposes. Diterpenes often function as fragrances, enhancing the sensory experience of these formulations. However, current trends in cosmetic science aim to develop multifunctional products, where compounds traditionally used for texture or fragrance also possess biological activities that contribute to the product’s efficacy. In this context, this study focuses on synthesizing derivatives of phytol—a compound already presents in cosmetic formulations—to enhance its anti-aging properties. The derivatives were synthesized through esterification with substituted benzoic and cinnamic acids, known for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties. Reaction yields ranged from 91.0% to 5.2%, depending on the substituents in acid derivatives. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed through NMR and MS techniques. Both the natural and newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their cosmeceutical potential using antioxidant assays and inhibition assays for tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase. This work presents the first report of the synthesis and cosmetic evaluation of several of these derivatives. Comparing with phytol (1), which presented an IC₅₀ of 77.47 µM, four of the derivatives presented improved tyrosinase inhibitory activity, with phytyl 4-methoxybenzoate being the most active (IC₅₀ = 27.9 µM), followed by phytyl benzoate with an IC₅₀ of 34.73 µM. Substitutions at other positions on the aromatic ring were less effective. Molecular docking studies confirmed that the modifications potentiated a stronger interaction between the synthesized compounds and tyrosinase.

Depigmenting products are increasingly used to counteract skin hyperpigmentation and related psychosocial issues. This study aimed to compare different depigmenting agents—4-butylresorcinol; bakuchiol; tranexamic acid; ascorbyl glucoside; α-arbutin; and ascorbic acid—for photoreactivity; tyrosinase inhibition; and safety. Photoreactivity was assessed using the Reactive Oxygen Species assay. In vitro tyrosinase inhibition was compared, and cell viability was assessed in B-16V melanocytes to evaluate safety. Results showed 4-butylresorcinol, ascorbyl glucoside, and α-arbutin are non-photoreactive, while for ascorbic acid and bakuchiol it was not possible to reach conclusive results due to the lack of specificity of the ROS assay. 4-Butylresorcinol, acting as a competitive inhibitor, displayed potent tyrosinase inhibition, followed by ascorbic acid and bakuchiol. Both 4-butylresorcinol and bakuchiol reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The insights obtained in this work support the development of depigmenting products by providing useful scientific guidance on the photostability, tyrosinase inhibitory efficacy, and skin safety of depigmenting agents.

Ceratitis capitata is responsible for significant economic losses in the fruit production industry, and the market lacks biopesticides that are effective but also cheaper and less contaminating, with fewer negative impacts on the environment. In this regard, the present study suggests as potential options ethanolic extracts from several Macaronesian plants, which inhibit the oviposition and are toxic to C. capitata, and whose preparation involve a non-toxic solvent (i.e., ethanol), low energy expenditure and cheap apparatus (i.e., maceration at room temperature). Among the evaluated species, the extracts of Hedychium gardnerianum, Cistus symphytifolius and Salvia canariensis are the most active (50 mg/mL), revealing an increase in C. capitata adults’ mortality from 21.15% to 27.41% after 72 h, a value statistically identical to azadirachtin (25.93%) at the recommended concentration (0.88 mg/mL). Considering the quantity and biomass available to prepare a biopesticide in the future, and the level of activity, the ethanolic extract of H. gardnerianum was fractionated and each fraction tested. The water fraction at 50 mg/mL proved to be more effective than the original extract, both in terms of mortality (57.69%), with LT₅₀ = 72.5 h, and oviposition deterrence (83.43%), values statistically higher than those obtained by azadirachtin at 0.88 mg/mL. Analysis of this fraction by HPLC-MS/MS showed that it is mainly composed of glycosylated derivatives of quercetin and myricetin in addition to some triterpenes. These findings highlight some Macaronesian species, and in particular, the more polar fraction of H. gardnerianum ethanolic extract, as promising and ecological alternatives to conventional insecticides, for use in the integrated management of the C. capitata pest.

Cystoseira abies-marina (reclassified as Gongolaria abies-marina) is a brown seaweed species rich in meroterpenoids, presenting interesting antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there is still a lot to uncover regarding the bioactive potential of this species, as evidenced by the lack of records of antiaging activities from Cystoseira abies-marina, making this macroalga an excellent candidate for studies of its cosmeceutical potential. Ultrasound-(UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) are advanced sustainable technologies that are very efficient in enhancing bioactive compound extraction. Applying these extraction techniques to a new biological matrix often calls for optimizing the parameters toward the best extraction yield. Since Cystoseira abies-marina is a new matrix for both UAE and MAE techniques, the present work proposes the optimization of the extraction process, using a novel approach: instead of only focusing on increasing the yield, the goal of this work is to determine the parameters for UAE and MAE that lead to extracts with better antiaging activities. For this bio-guided approach, several Cystoseira abies-marina extracts were prepared by UAE and MAE under varying conditions of solvent, time, and algae/solvent ratios. Their antiaging activities were then determined, and all the results combined to unveil the conditions yielding extracts with higher cosmeceutical potential. Using statistical tools, it was found that, for UAE, the best conditions were ethyl acetate, 15 min, and a ratio of 1:4, which led to an extract with high yield, and causing the strong inhibition of tyrosinase and elastase. In turn, ethanol, 10 min, and a ratio of 1:4 were the best conditions for MAE, leading to the extract with the best antioxidant activity. The results show that the proposed bio-guided approach was effective in obtaining extracts with high cosmeceutical potential, unveiling the possibility of modulating an extract’s activity by changing the extraction method.

Macroalgae have been recently described as a potential ingredient for aquafeeds, exerting several physiological benefits. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a freshwater species, which has been the major fish species produced in the world in the last years. In order to determine the potential use of macroalgal wracks in fish feeding, C. idella juveniles were fed with an extruded commercial diet (CD) or the CD supplemented with 7 of a wind dried-powder (1mm) from either a multispecific macroalgal wrack (CD+MU7) or a monospecific macroalgal wrack (CD+MO7) obtained from Gran Canaria island (Spain) coasts. After 100 days of feeding, survival, fish weight, and body indexes were determined, and muscle, liver, and digestive tract samples were collected. The total antioxidant capacity of macroalgal wracks was analyzed by assesing the antioxidant defense response and digestive enzymes activity in fish. Finally, muscle proximate composition, lipid classes (LC), and fatty acid (FA) profiles were also studied. Our results suggest that dietary inclusion of macroalgal wracks does not have negative effects on growth, proximate, and lipid composition, antioxidative status, or digestive capacity of C. idella. In fact, both macroalgal wracks caused a general lower fat deposition, and the multispecific wrack enhanced catalase activity in the liver.