Pedro Costa Branco

Dr. Pedro Costa Branco

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

23Years (2004-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 March 2022 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
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PMPatricia Moreira
Patricia Moreira
FSFábio J. Sousa
Fábio J. Sousa
PMPatrícia Matos
Patrícia Matos
Gonçalo BritesGonçalo Brites
Gonçalo Brites
MGMaria José Gonçalves
Maria José Gonçalves
CPCláudia Maria F. Pereira
Cláudia Maria F. Pereira
Eucalyptus globulus is planted extensively for pulp, paper and wood production. Although bioactive compounds obtained from its biomass are used as cosmetics ingredients, the skin effects were not yet fully explored. In order to fill this gap, this work aimed to study the protective effect against skin damage provided by the essential oil (EO) obtained from the hydrodistillation of Eucalyptus globulus leaves, and by an extract obtained from the hydrodistillation residual water (HRW). The major compound identified in the EO was 1,8-Cineole, and the phenolic acids in the HRW included gallic acid as the main phenolic constituent. Moreover, non-toxic EO and HRW concentrations were shown to have anti-aging skin effects in vitro, decreasing age-related senescence markers, namely β-galactosidase and matrix metalloproteinases activation, as well as collagen type 1 upregulation. In addition, EO and HRW were found to exhibit depigmenting effects by inhibiting tyrosinase and melanin production, along with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the absence of skin irritation and sensitization in cells exposed to EO and HRW revealed the safety of both extracts for topical use. Taken together, these results highlight the beneficial effects of extracts obtained from Eucalyptus globulus biomass for skin aesthetic and health purposes, which should be explored deeply for the prediction of future pharmaceutical and dermocosmetics industrial applications.

13 March 2008 in Phytotherapy Research
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Journal Article
Closed access
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APAlexandra Paulo
Alexandra Paulo
SMSofia Martins
Sofia Martins
PBPedro Costa Branco
Pedro Costa Branco
TDTeresa Dias
Teresa Dias
CBCarlos Borges
Carlos Borges
HMHelder Mota-Filipe
Helder Mota-Filipe

1 December 2015 in Biochemical Engineering Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PBPedro Costa Branco
Pedro Costa Branco
ADA.M. Dionísio
A.M. Dionísio
ITI. Torrado
I. Torrado
Florbela CarvalheiroFlorbela Carvalheiro
Florbela Carvalheiro
PCPaula Castilho
Paula Castilho
LDLuís C. Duarte
Luís C. Duarte

16 January 2025 in Forests
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Journal Article
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JDJuliana C. Dias
Juliana C. Dias
SMSusana Marques
Susana Marques
PBPedro Costa Branco
Pedro Costa Branco
TRThomas Rodrigues
Thomas Rodrigues
Cristiana A. V. TorresCristiana A. V. Torres
Cristiana A. V. Torres
CSCarla Joana dos Santos Joana Marinho da Silva
Carla Joana dos Santos Joana Marinho da Silva
In line with environmental awareness movements and social concerns, the textile industry is prioritizing sustainability in its strategic planning, product decisions, and brand initiatives. The use of non-biodegradable materials, obtained from non-renewable sources, contributes heavily to environmental pollution throughout the textile production chain. As sustainable alternatives, considerable efforts are being made to incorporate biodegradable biopolymers derived from residual biomass, with reasonable production costs, to replace or reduce the use of synthetic petrochemical-based polymers. However, the commercial deployment of these biopolymers is dependent on high biomass availability and a cost-effective supply. Residual forest biomass, with lignocellulosic composition and seasonably available at low cost, constitutes an attractive renewable resource that might be used as raw material. Thus, this review aims at carrying out a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on the use of residual forest biomass as a source of new biomaterials for the textile industry, identifying current gaps or problems. Three specific biopolymers are considered: lignin that is recovered from forest biomass, and the bacterial biopolymers poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) and bacterial cellulose (BC), which can be produced from sugar-rich hydrolysates derived from the polysaccharide fractions of forest biomass. Lignin, PHA, and BC can find use in textile applications, for example, to develop fibers or technical textiles, thus replacing the currently used synthetic materials. This approach will considerably contribute to improving the sustainability of the textile industry by reducing the amount of non-biodegradable materials upon disposal of textiles, reducing their environmental impact. Moreover, the integration of residual forest biomass as renewable raw material to produce advanced biomaterials for the textile industry is consistent with the principles of the circular economy and the bioeconomy and offers potential for the development of innovative materials for this industry.

1 October 2004 in Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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PCPaula Castilho
Paula Castilho
Maria do Céu Gonçalves da CostaMaria do Céu Gonçalves da Costa
Maria do Céu Gonçalves da Costa
ARAna Rodrigues
Ana Rodrigues
PBPedro Costa Branco
Pedro Costa Branco
MCMafalaa Costa
Mafalaa Costa

28 November 2009 in Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Verified
Journal Article
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PBPedro Costa Branco
Pedro Costa Branco
PCPaula Castilho
Paula Castilho
MRMaria Fernanda Rosa
Maria Fernanda Rosa
JFJuan Ferreira
Juan Ferreira