Mariana Lamas
@laqv.requimte.pt
REQUIMTE/LAQV
Scopus Publications
- Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation
Mariana Lamas, Ana Margarida Silva, Manuela M. Moreira, Maria Luz Maia, Valentina F. Domingues, et al.
Antioxidants, 2024
Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients’ origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora diversity. Among them, beeswax and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) have attracted the cosmetic researchers’ interest due to their bioactive compounds’ richness, particularly fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The main goal of this study was to develop an innovative cosmetic product with antioxidant properties composed by both matrices. Briefly, samples were obtained in the Natural Park of Montesinho in October 2022. Beeswax was analysed for lipid profile and contaminants, while extracts were obtained from fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using water as a solvent. The effect of extraction time (15–90 min) was studied on the total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant/antiradical activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. The beeswax lipid profile presented a high incidence of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. The extract obtained at 60 min presented the highest TPC (30.27 mg GAE/g dw) and antioxidant/antiradical activities (ABTS = 30.36 mg AAE/g dw; DPPH = 43.83 mg TE/g dw; FRAP = 415.61 µmol FSE/g dw). An IC50 of 19.78 µg/mL was achieved for the hypochlorous acid, while for superoxide radical and peroxyl radical the IC50 were, respectively, 90.51 µg/mL and 0.19 µmol TE/mg dw. The phytochemical profile revealed a high content of gallic acid, and catechin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic cream developed revealed ideal technological parameters, particularly its stability. - Contaminant Cocktails of High Concern in Honey: Challenges, QuEChERS Extraction and Levels
Mariana Lamas, Francisca Rodrigues, Maria Helena Amaral, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Virgínia Cruz Fernandes
Separations, 2023
Environmental pollution is a crucial problem in our society, having nowadays a better understanding of its consequences, which include the increase of contaminant cocktails present in the environment. The contamination of honeybees can occur through their interaction with the nearby environment. Therefore, if honeybees are previously contaminated, there is a possibility of contamination of their products, such as honey as natural, or minimally processed, product, resulting from the honeybees’ activity. Considering that honey is a highly consumed product, it is extremely necessary to control its quality and safety, including evaluating the presence and quantification of contaminants, which should follow monitoring studies and the legislation established by the European Union. This work aims to review the literature of different contaminants reported on honey, including pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals, focusing on the reports using the QuEChERS technique for the extraction. Furthermore, reports of microplastics on honey samples were also discussed. Despite the existence of several methods that identify and quantify these contaminants, few methods have been reported to operate with different groups of contaminants simultaneously. The development of methods with this characteristic (while being fast, low cost, and with a lower impact on the environment), monitoring studies to identify the risks, and an update on legislation are priority actions and future perspectives to follow.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Physicochemical Alterations of LDPE Microplastics During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion
M Lamas, F Rodrigues, M Oliveira, PC Costa, VC Fernandes
MDPI , 2025
2025 - The antioxidant potential of Arbutus unedo tree berries from the Natural Park of Montesinho
M Lamas, AM Silva, MM Moreira, C Delerue-Matos, MH Amaral, ...
MDPI , 2025
2025 - Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation
M Lamas, AM Silva, MM Moreira, ML Maia, VF Domingues, ...
Antioxidants 13 (10), 1152 , 2024
2024 - Valorization of autochthonous products from Natural Park of Montesinho for application in cosmetic industry
MA Lamas
2023 - Contaminant cocktails of high concern in honey: Challenges, QuEChERS extraction and levels
M Lamas, F Rodrigues, MH Amaral, C Delerue-Matos, VC Fernandes
Separations 10 (2), 142 , 2023
2023
Citations: 12
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Contaminant cocktails of high concern in honey: Challenges, QuEChERS extraction and levels
M Lamas, F Rodrigues, MH Amaral, C Delerue-Matos, VC Fernandes
Separations 10 (2), 142 , 2023
2023
Citations: 12 - Physicochemical Alterations of LDPE Microplastics During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion
M Lamas, F Rodrigues, M Oliveira, PC Costa, VC Fernandes
MDPI , 2025
2025 - The antioxidant potential of Arbutus unedo tree berries from the Natural Park of Montesinho
M Lamas, AM Silva, MM Moreira, C Delerue-Matos, MH Amaral, ...
MDPI , 2025
2025 - Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation
M Lamas, AM Silva, MM Moreira, ML Maia, VF Domingues, ...
Antioxidants 13 (10), 1152 , 2024
2024 - Valorization of autochthonous products from Natural Park of Montesinho for application in cosmetic industry
MA Lamas
2023
