The market of functional foods has experienced a huge growth in the last decades due to the increased consumers’ awareness in a healthy lifestyle. Dried fruits constitute good snacks, in alternative to salty or sweet ones, and food ingredients due to their taste and nutritional/health benefits. Bioactive molecules are interesting sources to develop functional foods, as they play a major role in improving the health status and minimizing disease risks. The bioactive compounds most widely discussed in literature are presented in this review, for example, polyphenols, phytosterols, and prebiotics. Different technologies to dry bioproducts for producing functional foods or ingredients are presented. New drying techniques for the preservation of bioactive compounds are proposed, focusing more specifically on dielectric drying. A discussion on the techniques that can be used to optimize drying processes is performed. An overview on dehydrated plant based foods with probiotics is provided. The microorganisms used, impregnation procedures, drying methods, and evaluated parameters are presented and discussed. The principal bioactive compounds responsible for nutritional and health benefits of plant derived dried food products—fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables by-products, grains, nuts, and algae—are presented. Phytochemical losses occurring during pretreatments and/or drying processes are also discussed.

This study aimed to determine the water demand of a municipal swimming pool complex to propose water use efficiency measures. Concomitantly, the possibility of recycling and reusing the water from filter backwashing was evaluated. The pools consumed 25.6% of water, the filter backwashing 24.5%, and the showers 34.7%. Despite the current impossibility of reducing water consumption in pools and filter backwashing, it is feasible to promote more efficient use of water through reducing water consumption by adopting simple water-saving initiatives for showers, taps, and flushing cisterns. These were organized into three distinct scenarios: (a) flushing cistern volume adjustment and the replacement of washbasin and kitchen taps; (b) flushing cistern volume adjustment and shower replacement and (c) flushing cistern volume adjustment, shower, washbasin, and kitchen taps replacement. Under scenarios 1, 2, and 3, the water consumption reduction was 8.0, 13.2, and 20.4%, respectively. The initial investment for scenario 1 was €2290.5, €859.0 for scenario 2 and €3149.5 for scenario 3; the annual water bill reduction was €7115.4, €11,518.1, and €17,655.9, respectively. Therefore, the turnover of the investment was four (scenario 1), one (scenario 2), and three months (scenario 3). The filter washings attained the required standard for irrigation after being subjected to 15 h of sedimentation.

This study aimed to determine the water demand of a Municipal Market building to propose water use efficiency measures. The flushing cisterns have the highest water consumption (63.15%), followed by washbasins, restaurant and coffee shop taps, and hairdresser’s showerhead (31.64%). Therefore, the implementation of two main categories of solutions: reducing water consumption through the adoption of efficient devices and installing a rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) when drinking water quality is not required, was evaluated. These solutions were organized in four distinct scenarios: (1) Flushing cistern replacement by dual-flush ones; (2) washbasins, restaurant, coffee shop taps, and hairdresser showerhead replacement; (3) scenario 1 combined to a RWHS for recharging the replaced flushing cisterns and (4) combining scenarios 3 and 4. Under scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4, the expected water consumption reduction was 28.36%, 17.06%, 57.36%, and 74.41%, respectively. As a result, the annual water bill reduction was €3835.81 (scenario 1), €2307.07 (scenario 2), €7757.65 (scenario 3), and €10,064.73 (scenario 4). Furthermore, to ensure the harvested rainwater attains the required standard for recharge flushing cisterns, it is advisable to dispose of the first-flush rainwater collected after a long dry period.

Introduction: The increasing burden of diabetes poses a great challenge to healthcare systems and economy worldwide. Although modern therapeutic strategies for diabetes are widely available, most patients still fail to achieve optimal clinical targets and well-being. The primary objective of this study was to assess and explore potential drivers and successful management of diabetes among people with diabetes, family members and healthcare professionals in Portugal, by applying the protocol of the multinational study “Diabetes, Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2)”.Material and Methods: A total of 767 adults, including 417 people with diabetes, 123 family members and 227 healthcare professionals, participated in the study. Surveys assessed health-related quality of life, self-management, attitudes/beliefs, social support and priorities for improvement areas in diabetes care.Results: Diabetes has a negative impact on the physical health and emotional well-being of patients in Portugal and is also a psychological burden for family members. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetes were mentioned as a major area of improvement. Healthcare professionals indicated the need for diabetes self-management education.Conclusion: We have used for the first time in Portugal the DAWN2 protocol to address the wishes, needs, and attitudes of Portuguese diabetes patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals regarding the disease.