ResearcherID: K-1828-2012

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9430-4640

ResearchGate:Filomena_Freitas

Lab. 407 – Chemistry Department,

Ph: +351 212 948 300, ext. 10947

Email: filofreitas0@gmail.com

Education:                 

(2004) PhD in Biological Engineering, specialization in Microbial Technology, by FCT/UNL

(1995) Degree in Applied Chemistry, specialization in Biotechnology (BSc and MSc – 5 years Portuguese “Licenciatura”), by FCT/UNL

Research interests:

• Biological Processes

• Waste Valorization

• Microbial Biopolymers Production

• Biopolymers Characterization

• Extraction of Biopolymers from Biomass

• Biological Nutrient Removal from Wastewaters

• Intellectual Property Development

Relevant publications:

Papers:

• Rebocho AT, Pereira JR, Neves LA, Alves VD, Sevrin C, Grandfils C, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2020). Preparation and characterization of films based on a natural p(3hb)/mcl-pha blend obtained through the co-culture of cupriavidus necator and pseudomonas citronellolis in apple pulp waste. Bioengineering, 7(2), 34. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering7020034
• Araújo D, Alves VD, Marques AC, Fortunato E, Reis MAM, Freitas F (2020) Low temperature dissolution of yeast Chitin-Glucan complex and characterization of the regenerated polymer. Bioengineering 7(1), 28 (DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7010028)
• ChagasCastro-Mayorga JL, Freitas F, Reis MAM, Prieto A, Lagaron JL (2018) Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and polyhydroxybutyrate nanocomposites of interest in antimicrobial applications. Int J Biol Macromol 108, 426–435  (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.12.007) (IF-3.909, Q1, CN-0)
• Lourenço SC, Torres CAV, Nunes D, Duarte P, Freitas F, Reis MAM, Fortunato E, Martins MM, da Costa LB, Alves VD (2017) Using a bacterial fucose-rich polysaccharide as encapsulation material of bioactive compounds. Int J Biol Macromol 104, 1099-1106 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.07.023) (IF-3.909, Q1, CN-1)
• Freitas F, Torres CAV, Reis MAM (2017) Engineering aspects of microbial exopolysaccharide production. Biores Technol 245, 1674-1683 (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.05.092) (IF-5.807, Q1, CN-3)

• Araújo D, Freitas F, Sevrin C, Grandfils C, Reis MAM (2017) Co-production of chitin-glucan complex and xylitol by Komagataella pastoris using glucose and xylose mixtures as carbon source. Carbohydr Pol 166, 24–30 (DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.02.088) (IF-5.158, Q1, CN-2)

• Antunes S, Freitas F, Sevrin C, Grandfils C, Reis MAM (2017) Production of FucoPol by Enterobacter A47 using waste tomato paste by-product as sole carbon source. Biores Technol 227, 66–73 (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.12.018) (IF-5.807, Q1, CN-1)
• Farinha I, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2017) Implementation of a repeated fed-batch process for the production of chitin-glucan complex by Komagataella pastoris. New Biotechnol 37, 123–128 (DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.06.1460) (IF-3.733, Q1, CN-3)
• Araújo D, Alves VD, Campos J, Coelhoso I, Sevrin C, Grandfils C, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2016) Assessment of the adhesive properties of the bacterial polysaccharide FucoPol. Int J Biol Macromol 92, 383-389 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.07.035) (IF-3.909, Q1, CN-2)
  
• Roca C, Lehmann M, Baptista S, Torres CAV, Gaudêncio SP, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2016) Exopolysaccharide production by a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain isolated from Madeira Archipelago ocean sediments. New Biotechnol 33(4), 460-466 (DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.02.005) (IF-3.733, Q1, CN-4)
• Pais J, Serafim LS, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2016) Conversion of cheese whey into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by Haloferax mediterranei. New Biotechnol 33(1), 224–230 (DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2015.06.001) (IF-3.733, Q1, CN-10)
• Palma SICJ, Rodrigues CAV, Freitas F, Carvalho A, Fernandes AR, Morales MP, Cabral JMS, Roque ACA (2015) A value-added exopolysaccharide as a coating agent for MRI nanoprobes. Nanoscale 7, 14272–14283 (DOI: 10.1039/C5NR01979F) (IF-7.233, Q1, CN-4)
• Dhadge VL, Morgado PI, Freitas F, Reis MA, Azevedo A, Aires-Barros R, Roque ACA (2014) An extracellular polymer at the interface of magnetic bioseparations. J Royal Soc -  Interface 11, 20140743 (DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0743) (IF-3.355, Q1, CN-8)
• Cruz MV, Paiva A, Lisboa P, Freitas F, Alves VD, Simões P, Barreiros S, Reis MAM (2014) Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates from spent coffee grounds oil obtained by supercritical fluid extraction technology. Biores Technol 157, 360-363 (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.02.013) (IF-5.807, Q1, CN-20)
• Chagas B, Farinha I, Galinha CF, Freitas F, Reis MAM (2014) Chitin–glucan complex production by Komagataella (Pichia) pastoris: impact of cultivation pH and temperature on polymer content and composition. New Biotechnol 31(5), 468-474 (DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2014.06.005)
  
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Reis MAM, Crespo JG, Coelhoso IM (2014) Microbial polysaccharide-based membranes: Current and future applications. J Appl Pol Sci 131(6), 40047 (DOI: 10.1002/app.40047)
  
• Pais J, Farinha I, Freitas F, Serafim LS, Martínez V, Martínez JC, Arévalo-Rodríguez M, Prieto MA, Reis MAM (2014) Improvement on the yield of polyhydroxyalkanotes production from cheese whey by a recombinant Escherichia coli strain using the proton suicide methodology. Enz Microbial Technol 55, 151-158 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2013.11.004)
  
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Gouveia AR, Pinheiro C, Torres CAV, Grandfils C, Reis MAM (2014) Controlled production of exopolysaccharides from Enterobacter A47 as a function of carbon source with demonstration of their film and emulsifying abilities. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 172, 641–657 (DOI: 10.1007/s12010-013-0560-0)
  
• Torres C.A.V., Antunes S., Ricardo A.R., Grandfils C., Alves V.D., Freitas F., Reis M.A.M. (2012) Study of the interactive effect of temperature and pH on exopolysaccharide production by Enterobacter A47 using Multivariate Statistical Analysis. Biores Technol 119, 148–156 (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.106)
  
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Torres CAV, Cruz M, Sousa I, Melo MJ, Ramos AM, Reis MAM (2011) Fucose-containing exopolysaccharide produced by the newly isolated Enterobacter strain A47 DSM 23139. Carbohydr Pol 83, 159-165 (DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.07.034)
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Reis MAM (2011) Advances in bacterial exopolysaccharides: from production to biotechnological applications. Trends Biotechnol 29(8), 388-398 (DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2011.03.008) (IF-13.578, Q1, CN-181)
• Alves VD, Freitas F, Torres CAV, Cruz M, Marques R, Grandfils C, Gonçalves MP, Oliveira R, Reis MAM (2010) Rheological and morphological characterization of the culture broth during exopolysaccharide production by Enterobacter sp. Carbohydr Pol 81, 758-764 (DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.03.048)
  
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Pais J, Costa N, Oliveira C, Mafra L, Hilliou L, Oliveira R, Reis MAM (2009) Characterization of an extracellular polysaccharide produced by a Pseudomonas strain grown on glycerol. Biores Technol 100, 859-865 (DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.002)
  
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Carvalheira M, Costa N, Oliveira R, Reis MAM (2009) Emulsifying behaviour and rheological properties of the extracellular polysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas oleovorans grown on glycerol byproduct. Carbohydr Pol 78, 549-556 (DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.05.016)
  

Book chapters:  

• Kourmentza CC, Freitas F, Alves VD, Reis MAM (2017) Microbial conversion of waste and surplus materials into high added-value products: The case of biosurfactants. In: Microbial Applications Vol.1, Bioremediation and Bioenergy, Chapter: 2, Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG, Editors: V. C. Kalia, Prasun Kumar (DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52666-9_2)
• Freitas F, Roca C, Reis MAM (2015) Fungi as sources of polysaccharides for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. In: Handbook of Polymers for Pharmaceutical Technologies, Volume 3, Biodegradable Polymers. Editors: Vijay Kumar and Manju K. Thakur, Wiley-SCRIVENER, US, pages 61-104 (DOI: 10.1002/9781119041450.ch3) (ISBN: 978-1-119-04142-9)
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Reis MAM (2014) Bacterial Polysaccharides: Production and Cosmetic Applications. In: Polysaccharides - Bioactivity and Biotechnology. Part III. Bioactive Polysaccharides. Editors: Jean-Michel Merillon and Kishan G. Ramawat, Springer-Verlag GmbH, Germany, pages 1-24 (DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-03751-6_63-1) (ISBN 978-3-319-03751-6)
• Freitas F, Alves VD, Coelhoso I, Reis MAM (2013) Production and food applications of microbial biopolymers. In: Engineering Aspects of Food Biotechnology. Part I: Use of biotechnology in the development of food processes and products. Editors: José A. Teixeira and António A. Vicente, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, US (ISBN 9781439895450)

Patents:          

• Freitas F, Roca C, Cruz F, Reis MAM, Farinha I, Chagas B, Oliveira R. Chitin-glucan complex, its preparation and uses. International Patent WO2015177622.
• Freitas F, Reis MAM, Roca C, Oliveira R, Farinha I, Chagas B, Cruz F. Natural biocomposite powder prepared from Pichia pastoris biomass, method of preparation and its use as excipient. International Patent WO2013140222.
• Reis MAM, Oliveira R, Freitas F, Alves VD. Fucose-containing bacterial biopolymer. International Patent WO2011073874.
• Reis MAM, Oliveira R, Freitas F, Chagas B, Cruz L. Process for the co-production of chitin, its derivatives and polymers containing glucose, mannose and/or galactose, by the fermentation of the yeast Pichia pastoris. International Patent WO2010013174.
  
• Reis MAM, Oliveira R, Freitas F, Alves VD, Pais J, Oliveira C. Galactose-rich polymer, process for the production of the polymer and its applications. International Patent WO2008127134.