Berta Estevinho

Junior Researcher

Research group: Supramolecular Assemblies

Background: PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering – Faculty of Engineering of Porto, Portugal

Major research topics

• Microencapsulation of active and natural compounds such as: vitamins, enzymes, cells, flavours, polyphenols, essential oils, and natural antioxidants
• Microencapsulation by a spray drying process
• Controlled release studies
• Use of biopolymers as encapsulating agents
• Characterization of microparticles
• Development of controlled delivery functional systems of active and natural compounds with therapeutic, nutritional and technological interest

Selected Publications

A. Gonçalves, B. N. Estevinho, F. Rocha “Characterization of biopolymer-based systems obtained by spray-drying for retinoic acid controlled delivery” Powder Technology, 345, 758-765, 2019.

A. Bucurescu, A.C. Blaga, B.N. Estevinho, F. Rocha, “Microencapsulation of Curcumin by a Spray-Drying Technique Using Gum Arabic as Encapsulating Agent and Release Studies,

Food and Bioprocess Technology, 11, 10, 1795-1806, 2018.

B. N. Estevinho, A. R. Lopes, V. Sousa, F. Rocha, O. C. Nunes, “Microencapsulation of Gulosibacter molinativorax ON4T cells by a spray-drying process using different biopolymers” Journal of Hazardous Materials, 338, 85-92, 2017.

B. N. Estevinho, I. Carlan, A. Blaga, F. Rocha, "Soluble vitamins (vitamin B12 and vitamin C) microencapsulated with different biopolymers by a spray drying process" Powder Technology, 289, 71-78, 2016.

B. N. Estevinho, A. M. Damas, P. M. Martins, F. A. Rocha, “Microencapsulation of β-galactosidase with different biopolymers by a spray-drying process.” Food Research International, 64, 134–140, 2014.

Selected Projects

POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028715 – Development of controlled delivery functional systems by microencapsulation of natural and active compounds with therapeutic, nutritional and technological interest – Microdelivery, founded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Role: Principal researcher. Beginning 2018. Duration 36 months.

PTDC/AAG-TEC/3909/2012 - Characterization and application of the novel molinate hydrolase (MolA) in bioremediation processes, founded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Role: Researcher - 30%. Beginning 2013. Duration: 24 months.