The influence of metal ions on the photochemical, photophysical, and antibacterial properties of three cationic porphyrin-triphenylphosphonium conjugates was investigated for the first time. Coordination with Zn(II), Pd(II) and Co(II) enabled fine-tuning of these conjugates properties, with Zn(II) complexes demonstrating particular promise. While Pd(II) and Co(II) complexes failed to generate singlet oxygen (1O...
The transition from the linear economy paradigm to the circular economy in industrial wastewater treatment is on the global agenda. The search for new simple, eco-innovative and low-cost processes for treating industrial wastewater, which can also be used by small- and medium-sized industries, has been a constant challenge to ensure environmental sustainability in all types of industries. The present work aimed...
Antibacterial resistance causes around 1.27 million deaths annually around the globe and has been recognized as a top 3 priority health threat. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is considered a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments. Algal lipid extracts have shown antibacterial effects when used as photosensitizers (PSs) in aPDT. In this work we assessed the photodynamic efficiency...
Research has demonstrated the presence of viruses in wastewater (WW), which can remain viable for a long period, posing potential health risks. Conventional WW treatment methods involving UV light, chlorine and ozone efficiently reduce microbial concentrations, however, they produce hazardous byproducts and microbial resistance that are detrimental to human health and the ecosystem. Hence, there is a need for n...
O Projeto ALOP teve início formal a 25 de Maio de 2016 e terminou a 31 de dezembro de 2019. Neste relatório final procuramos dar conta das atividades efetuadas e principalmente dos resultados obtidos. A tarefa está facilitada pois o projeto, em conjunto com as sinergias geradas com outros projetos e as colaborações nacionais e internacionais dos vários membros da equipa permitiram a publicação de um invejável n...
Antibacterial resistance causes around 1.27 million deaths annually around the globe and has been recognized as a top 3 priority health threat. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is considered a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments. Algal lipid extracts have shown antibacterial effects when used as photosensitizers (PSs) in aPDT. In this work we assessed the photodynamic efficiency...
The rise of antibiotic resistant strains, as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), challenges the current treatment of infections. In the case of ocular infections, antibiotic eye drops are commonly prescribed. However, their efficacy is usually compromised by the low viscosity of these formulations and the eye drainage. To overcome these drawbacks, deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based microemulsions...
In a zero-waste approach for the agro-industrial sector, this study aimed to evaluate the reuse of cheese whey wastewater (chemical oxygen demand = 2.1 g L−1) pretreated by immediate one-step lime precipitation followed by natural carbonation as a nutritive solution for tomato production in hydroponic systems. Pretreated effluent, diluted with groundwater (1:6) and supplemented with nutrients, was utilized to i...
The utilization of agro-industrial wastewaters (AIWWs), pretreated by immediate one-step lime precipitation + natural carbonation, as a nutritive solution for the hydroponic production of lettuce was evaluated. The AIWWs studied were olive mill wastewater (OMW), winery wastewater (WW), and cheese whey wastewater (CWW). Lettuces (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa) were grown in a closed nutrient film technique hydro...
Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of death all around the world. Over the last three decades, the alarming and escalating emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has caused some concern among the scientific community [1,2]. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) emerges as an alternative for inactivating microorganisms, including bacteria [1–3]. The use of phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives as photos...