Browsing by Author "Catarino, Luís"
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- Agro-Economic Transitions in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa): Historical Trends and Current InsightsPublication . Havik, Philip; Monteiro, Filipa; Catarino, Silvia; Correia, A.; Catarino, Luís; Romeiras, Maria M.The present study provides a critical analysis of the introduction of exotic food crop species and their impact on agricultural transformations in Guinea-Bissau, based on survey data and a review of the literature from the 1800s to the present. It applies a multidisciplinary analysis to map historical and contemporary agrarian knowledge in Guinea-Bissau, presenting the first list of exotic cultivated species introduced in the country. Our results show that many introduced crops have gained widespread acceptance among local producers, with 63 exotic cultivated species native to America and Asia. The most representative families are Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Anacardiaceae, including the country’s main former and current cash crops. First driven by peanuts in colonial times and by cashew after independence from 1980s onwards, Guinea-Bissau rapidly became one of Africa’s major exporters. The current cashew monoculture—like peanuts before it—relies almost exclusively on smallholder agriculture, raising concerns with regard to biodiversity, sustainability, and food security. The paper analyses historical trends in agro-economic transformations taking into account policies, programs, performance, and scientific research. Despite the existence of a long-standing single crop economy, further research is needed in this largely understudied country to assess the impact of long-term agrarian change.
- An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of Quiçama National Park, AngolaPublication . Monteiro, Francisca; Costa, Esperança; Kissanga, Raquel; Costa, José Carlos; Catarino, LuísThe Quiçama National Park (PNQ), located in Luanda Province, Angola, is one of the oldest protected areas in the country. Although some work has been done on the flora of the Park, up to now a comprehensive record of the vascular plant species has been lacking. The objective of the present study was to produce an inventory of the vascular plant diversity of PNQ, as well as to record the types of vegetation in which each species occurs, their habits, uses by local communities, common names, and conservation status. A total of 452 species were recorded, from 285 genera and 85 families. Two species are Pteridophytes, 99 are Monocotyledons, and 351 are Dicotyledons. The two largest families of the PNQ flora are the Fabaceae and the Poaceae. The Park hosts 14 species endemic to Angola, and one of them is restricted to this protected area. Of the 128 species with data on conservation status, 109 are considered of least concern, 13 are vulnerable, and six are endangered. Regarding useful plants, 237 species from 67 families were recorded. Of these, 196 are Dicotyledons and 41 are Monocotyledons. Most of them are used for medicinal purposes, the manufacturing of artefacts, and as sources of food
- An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of Quiçama National Park, AngolaPublication . MONTEIRO, FRANCISCA; DA COSTA, ESPERANÇA; KISSANGA, RAQUEL; COSTA, JOSÉ CARLOS; Catarino, LuísThe Quiçama National Park (PNQ), located in Luanda Province, Angola, is one of the oldest protected areas in the country. Although some work has been done on the flora of the Park, up to now a comprehensive record of the vascular plant species has been lacking. The objective of the present study was to produce an inventory of the vascular plant diversity of PNQ, as well as to record the types of vegetation in which each species occurs, their habits, uses by local communities, common names, and conservation status. A total of 452 species were recorded, from 285 genera and 85 families. Two species are Pteridophytes, 99 are Monocotyledons, and 351 are Dicotyledons. The two largest families of the PNQ flora are the Fabaceae and the Poaceae. The Park hosts 14 species endemic to Angola, and one of them is restricted to this protected area. Of the 128 species with data on conservation status, 109 are considered of least concern, 13 are vulnerable, and six are endangered. Regarding useful plants, 237 species from 67 families were recorded. Of these, 196 are Dicotyledons and 41 are Monocotyledons. Most of them are used for medicinal purposes, the manufacturing of artefacts, and as sources of food.
- Anacardium occidentale Bark as an Antidiabetic AgentPublication . Encarnação, Sofia; De Mello-Sampayo, Cristina; Carrapiço, Belmira; São Braz, Berta; Jordão, Ana; Peleteiro, Conceição; Catarino, Luís; Silva, Isabel; Gouveia, Luís; Lima, Beatriz; Silva, OlgaAnacardium occidentale L. is used throughout the world to treat type 2 diabetes. In Portugal, a traditional herbal preparation made with stem bark of this species (AoBTHP) has been used for more than 30 years to treat this pathology. The AoBTHP was standardized on total phenolic content, and its hypoglycemic activity was assessed using db/db mice (n = 26) for 92 days. Three doses (40.2, 71.5, and 127.0 mg/kg/day, per os) were tested, and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) was used as positive control. During the study, glycemia was measured under non-fasting or fasting states. In sequence, thin-layer chromatography bioautographic assays were used for the detection of possible alpha- and beta-glucosidase inhibitors. A significant hypoglycemic effect in fasting glycemia in days 31 and 57 was observed with the three tested doses. The 71.5 mg/kg and 127.0 mg/kg AoBTHPs significantly reduced non-fasting glycemia on day 24. The highest dose showed the most significant hypoglycemic effect. Gallic acid was identified as the major alpha- and beta-glucosidase inhibitor. The 127 mg/kg/day AoBTHP dose showed a greater glucose-lowering effect than glibenclamide. For the first time, a standardized AoBTHP was tested using an in vivo diabetes model, and its usage was preclinically validated for type 2 diabetes treatment. The hypoglycemic activity of an AoBTHP can be related to the presence of alpha- and beta-glucosidase inhibitors, such as gallic acid, but other mechanisms can also be involved.
- Árvores florestais da Guiné-BissauPublication . Catarino, Luís; Indjai, Bucar
- Assessing the Impact of Charcoal Production on Southern Angolan Miombo and Mopane WoodlandsPublication . Kissanga, Raquel; Catarino, Luís; Máguas, C.; Cabral, Ana I. R.; Chozas, SergioAbout 80% of Angola’s forest surface is covered by Miombo and Mopane woodlands, which are explored for diverse activities such as fuelwood and food. This study aimed to assess the recovery dynamics of Miombo and Mopane woodlands after the selective cutting of tree species for charcoal production. For that, the structure and composition of plant communities in 37 plots, located in southwestern Angola, were characterized in fallows of different ages. Results showed that the diameter at breast height, basal area, biomass, and biovolume of trees all rose as the age of the fallow increased, and there were no significant differences in richness, diversity, or dominance of trees between adult–young classes or recent–older fallows. In Mopane, fallows took longer to regenerate, were more affected by environmental and anthropogenic factors, and also presented a higher species adaptation to disturbance. There were more sprouter and seeder trees in Miombo, and new kilns were more distant from roads and villages. Moreover, the selective removal of species deeply altered the community structure and dynamics, despite not directly affecting tree diversity. Thus, new management strategies are needed to ensure the survival of these woodlands such as expanding protected areas and increasing systematic research.
- At the tipping point: Can biodiversity and rural livelihoods endure uncontrolled cashew expansion in West Africa?Publication . Guedes, Patrícia; Palmeirim, Ana Filipa; Monteiro, Filipa; Catarino, Luís; Palma, Luís; Temudo, Marina P.; Henriques, Mohamed; Beja, Pedro; Lopes, Ricardo Jorge; Ladle, Richard J.; Powell, Luke L.Our commentary explores the increase in cashew cultivation across West Africa, drawing attention to its impacts on biodiversity and livelihoods. We summarize the issue regionally, then showcase Guinea-Bissau, where we unravel the dynamics between cashew expansion, habitat and biodiversity loss, and livelihoods. Finally, we propose concrete policy measures encompassing strengthened conservation, sustainable land-use planning, enhanced farming practices, community engagement, and international market reforms. Our recommendations extend beyond both a recent review (Rege et al. 2023) and a concise policy commentary on EU deforestation law (Powell et al. 2023) in offering a roadmap for sustainable cashew cultivation.
- Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, AngolaPublication . Kissanga, Raquel; Liberal, Ângela; Diniz, Inês; Rodrigues, Ana S. B.; Baptista-Ferreira, João L.; Batista, Dora; Ivanov, Marija; Soković, Marina; Ferreira, Isabel C. F. R.; Fernandes, Ângela; Barros, Lillian; Catarino, LuísThe harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations.
- Biodiversity of Vegetation and Flora in Tropical AfricaPublication . Catarino, Luís; Romeiras, Maria M.African ecosystems comprise a wealthy repository of biodiversity with a high proportion of native and endemic plant species, which makes them biologically unique and providers of a wide range of ecosystem services. A large part of African populations, in both rural and urban areas, depends on plants for their survival and welfare, but many ecosystems are being degraded, mostly due to the growing impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic actions and environmental problems. Loss of habitat and biodiversity affects livelihoods, water supply and food security, and reduces the resilience of ecosystems in the African continent. Knowledge of the huge African plant and ecosystem diversity, and on the structure, composition and processes involved in vegetation dynamics, is crucial to promote their sustainable use and to preserve one of the most understudied regions in the world. This Special Issue aimed to gather contributions that update and improve such knowledge.
- Biodiversity of vegetation and flora in Tropical AfricaPublication . Catarino, Luís; Romeiras, MariaAfrican ecosystems comprise a wealthy repository of biodiversity with a high proportion of native and endemic plant species, which makes them biologically unique and providers of a wide range of ecosystem services. A large part of African populations, in both rural and urban areas, depends on plants for their survival and welfare, but many ecosystems are being degraded, mostly due to the growing impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic actions and environmental problems. Loss of habitat and biodiversity a ects livelihoods, water supply and food security, and reduces the resilience of ecosystems in the African continent. Knowledge of the huge African plant and ecosystem diversity, and on the structure, composition and processes involved in vegetation dynamics, is crucial to promote their sustainable use and to preserve one of the most understudied regions in the world. This Special Issue aimed to gather contributions that update and improve such knowledge