The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of an alternative analytical technique to the reference method for phosphorus detection in meat and meat products established by ISO 2294:1974, revised by ISO 23776:2021. When an analytical method is modified or a new one is developed and implemented, it should be validated before being accepted for routine determinations. Furthermore, it is necessary to demonstrate that the new or alternative method has good performance characteristics in comparison with the reference method. Therefore, a comparison of the performance of the alternative and the reference method should be made. In the present study, a statistical evaluation of the calibration model of the alternative method was made with data from interlaboratory studies made in five consecutive years using fifty analyses of meat and meat products. The statistical parameters evaluated over time for the calibration curve were the y-intercept and slope; correlation and linearity; analytical limits: detection and quantification; working range; and accuracy (precision and trueness). In the interlaboratory tests, the results obtained by the alternative analytical method were compared with those obtained by the reference method, and their performance in these tests was also evaluated. The results obtained by the alternative method indicated better accuracy than the reference method due to lower relative errors, more precision, and a good trueness evaluation through lower absolute values of the z-score. The study demonstrated that the phosphorus alternative method is applicable for the determination of total phosphorus in the matrix of meat and meat products.

Introduction: Pine bark is an agroindustrial residue from the timber industry and represents a source of phenolic compounds. These compounds have several beneficial properties being antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, among others. Objetives: The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition of the bark from Pinus pinaster Aiton subsp. atlantica and the phenolic profile of its aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts. Methods: The moisture content, ash, protein, crude fat and carbohydrates were analysed. The bark was extracted with water, ethanol or a mixture of both in a Soxhlet apparatus and the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and phenolic profile by RP-HPLC-UV, in the extracts with higher TPC, were determined. Results: The results obtained for chemical composition were: 63.43 of carbohydrates, 2.81 of crude fat, 1.60 of proteins and 1.75 of ash, calculated in % w/w of dry bark. The extraction yield was greater for the ethanolic and the hydroethanolic extracts (17.08 and 17.55% w/w dry bark, respectively). The TPC and antioxidant activity were higher in the hydroethanolic extract (73.48 mg GAE/g and 108.74 mg AAE/g dry bark, respectively). Regarding the phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extract, gallic acid, taxifolin, ferulic acid and quercetin were identified at 280 nm, and catechin was identified in the ethanolic extract at 320 nm. Conclusion: P. pinaster Aiton subsp. atlantica bark is mainly constituted by carbohydrates and it is rich in hydroethanolic and ethanolic extractives, being that these have high antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract presents higher catechin amount when compared to the hydroethanolic extract.

Introduction: Pine bark is an agroindustrial residue from the timber industry and represents a source of phenolic compounds. These compounds have several beneficial properties being antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, among others. Objetives: The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition of the bark from Pinus pinaster Aiton subsp. atlantica and the phenolic profile of its aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts. Methods: The moisture content, ash, protein, crude fat and carbohydrates were analysed. The bark was extracted with water, ethanol or a mixture of both in a Soxhlet apparatus and the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and phenolic profile by RP-HPLC-UV, in the extracts with higher TPC, were determined. Results: The results obtained for chemical composition were: 63.43 of carbohydrates, 2.81 of crude fat, 1.60 of proteins and 1.75 of ash, calculated in % w/w of dry bark. The extraction yield was greater for the ethanolic and the hydroethanolic extracts (17.08 and 17.55% w/w dry bark, respectively). The TPC and antioxidant activity were higher in the hydroethanolic extract (73.48 mg GAE/g and 108.74 mg AAE/g dry bark, respectively). Regarding the phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extract, gallic acid, taxifolin, ferulic acid and quercetin were identified at 280 nm, and catechin was identified in the ethanolic extract at 320 nm. Conclusion: P. pinaster Aiton subsp. atlantica bark is mainly constituted by carbohydrates and it is rich in hydroethanolic and ethanolic extractives, being that these have high antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract presents higher catechin amount when compared to the hydroethanolic extract.

In contemporary construction practice, concrete surfaces are commonly coated; however, this factor is often disregarded in durability assessments, particularly with respect to carbonation. Such omission may lead to overly conservative designs and unnecessary material consumption. This study evaluates the actual performance of traditional coatings applied to concrete, considering three types of concrete: ordinary Portland cement (OPC), high-volume fly ash (FA), and high-volume FA with a low water-to-binder ratio. The coatings investigated were mainly based on cement and hydrated lime, with the inclusion of a FA-based alternative. Accelerated carbonation tests were performed on coated and uncoated concretes, as well as on coating mortars, while a sensitivity analysis was undertaken using an empirical and semi-probabilistic model across different exposure classes to simulate real service conditions. The results demonstrate excellent performance, with coated concretes achieving on average more than 52% higher resistance compared with uncoated counterparts. These findings indicate that properly designed coatings can enable reductions in cement content while still satisfying durability requirements, thereby contributing to more sustainable reinforced concrete structures.

This study investigates the potential of Pinus pinaster subsp. atlantica bark, a forestry byproduct fromnorthernPortugal, as a source of phenolic compoundswithstrongantioxidant properties. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was used to optimize recovery, assessing the effects of solvent composition (water, ethanol, and 50:50 water–ethanol), extraction time (15 or 30 min), and temperature (90, 110, or 130 ◦C) using a one-variable-at-a-time approach. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) profiling characterized the polyphenol composition. The results showed that solvent choice strongly influenced extract composition and bioactivity, with hydroethanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibiting the highest antioxidant activities in DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC assays. Optimal conditions—50:50 water–ethanol, 130 ◦C, 15 min—yielded 11.13% (w/w) extract, 3.10 mg GAE/mL total phenolics, and 2.01 mg CE/mL condensed tannins, comparable to commercial extracts such as Pycnogenol®. MAEprovedeffective, rapid, and solvent-efficient, enhancing phenolic recovery without degrading extract quality. These findings highlight the potential of P. pinaster bark extracts for biomedical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications, supporting the sustainable valorization of forestry residues and aligning with circular economy principles.

This study explores the antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytocompatibility properties of aqueous Pinus pinaster bark extract (PBE). PBE was prepared using two solvent systems—100% distilled water and 1% DMSO in aqueous solution—at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20 (w/v), following ISO guidelines. Extract characterization included yield determination, FTIR analysis, quantification of total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents, and assessment of antioxidant activity using four complementary methods: free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), metal ion reduction (FRAP), and a competitive reaction assay (ORAC). The phenolic compound profile was further examined by HPLC-DAD. The results indicated that the two extracts exhibited comparable values across all evaluated parameters when expressed per gram of PBE. The TPC and TFC were approximately 400 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g PBE and 92 mg CE (catechin equivalents)/g PBE, respectively. Antioxidant capacity values were about 880, 1030, 3210, and 585 mg TE (Trolox equivalents)/g PBE for the DPPH, ABTS, ORAC, and FRAP assays, respectively. Furthermore, in both extracts, the phenolic and flavonoid contents exhibited strong positive correlations with antioxidant activity across all four chemical assays. The 100% aqueous extract was additionally evaluated for antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility with eukaryotic cells. Compared to the control, the extract demonstrated IC50 values of 0.304, 0.678, and 0.845 mg/mL PBE for the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and fibroblast cells, respectively. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities showed a positive association within concentration ranges that remained non-cytotoxic to fibroblasts. Overall, these findings indicate that the aqueous PBE retains cytocompatibility across a wide concentration range while maintaining both antioxidant and antibacterial activities, underscoring its potential for biological applications involving direct contact with eukaryotic cells.

In contemporary construction practice, concrete surfaces are commonly coated; however, this factor is often disregarded in durability assessments, particularly with respect to carbonation. Such omission may lead to overly conservative designs and unnecessary material consumption. This study evaluates the actual performance of traditional coatings applied to concrete, considering three types of concrete: ordinary Portland cement (OPC), high-volume fly ash (FA), and high-volume FA with a low water-to-binder ratio. The coatings investigated were mainly based on cement and hydrated lime, with the inclusion of a FA-based alternative. Accelerated carbonation tests were performed on coated and uncoated concretes, as well as on coating mortars, while a sensitivity analysis was undertaken using an empirical and semi-probabilistic model across different exposure classes to simulate real service conditions. The results demonstrate excellent performance, with coated concretes achieving on average more than 52% higher resistance compared with uncoated counterparts. These findings indicate that properly designed coatings can enable reductions in cement content while still satisfying durability requirements, thereby contributing to more sustainable reinforced concrete structures.

Maritime pine, scientifically known as Pinus pinaster, holds a vital role in Iberian Peninsula forests, primarily as a source of wood for panels, paper, and cellulose production. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilising agroforestry by-products to yield valuable chemicals for applications in various sectors, including the food, pharmaceutical, and bioenergy industries. This study aimed to assess the value of the primary by-product of Pinus pinaster from the Minho region of northwestern Portugal, i.e., the bark. The research extensively examined the bark’s chemical and thermal characteristics, including ash content, extractives, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, fatty acids, and mineral composition. Additionally, various analytical techniques like FTIR, SEM, DSC, DTG, and XRD were used to observe chemical structure differences. The results reveal that the Pinus pinaster bark primarily consists of lignin (51.15%) and holocellulose (46.09%), with extractives mainly soluble in toluene–ethanol, followed by water, and a small amount of them are soluble in ethanol. The bark contained around 0.44% ash, and heavy metals such as Cd and Pb were not found. During degradation, Pinus pinaster experienced a 10% mass loss at 140 °C. In terms of crystallinity, holocellulose and cellulose showed similar percentages at approximately 25.5%, while α-cellulose displayed the highest crystallinity index at 41%.

Maritime pine, scientifically known as Pinus pinaster, holds a vital role in Iberian Peninsula forests, primarily as a source of wood for panels, paper, and cellulose production. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilising agroforestry by-products to yield valuable chemicals for applications in various sectors, including the food, pharmaceutical, and bioenergy industries. This study aimed to assess the value of the primary by-product of Pinus pinaster from the Minho region of northwestern Portugal, i.e., the bark. The research extensively examined the bark’s chemical and thermal characteristics, including ash content, extractives, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, fatty acids, and mineral composition. Additionally, various analytical techniques like FTIR, SEM, DSC, DTG, and XRD were used to observe chemical structure differences. The results reveal that the Pinus pinaster bark primarily consists of lignin (51.15%) and holocellulose (46.09%), with extractives mainly soluble in toluene–ethanol, followed by water, and a small amount of them are soluble in ethanol. The bark contained around 0.44% ash, and heavy metals such as Cd and Pb were not found. During degradation, Pinus pinaster experienced a 10% mass loss at 140 °C. In terms of crystallinity, holocellulose and cellulose showed similar percentages at approximately 25.5%, while α-cellulose displayed the highest crystallinity index at 41%.

Milk from two different cow breeds, Barrosã and Frísia, was studied. Within the same breed five and four milk samples were taken respectively for chemical and microbiological analysis. The following chemical parameters were analysed in triplicate: Total Fat, Fatty Acids Identification and Quantification, Protein, Casein, Albumin, Non-protein Nitrogen, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Ash, Total solids, Lactic acid and Acidity. In general terms milk from Barrosã breed showed higher values for all analysed parameters except for Total Fat, Total Solids and Vitamin D. Statistical analysis, by testing the chemical parameters all together using the Hotelling T2 test showed that milk samples from the two cow breeds were significantly different (α=0,05). Microbiological analysis (Total Viable Counts (30ºC), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus coagulase + and Listeria monocytogenes) was also performed. Staphylococcus coagulase + was found in one milk sample from Barrosã breed. Listeria monocytogenes was found in two milk samples from Frísia breed.