Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
María Emilia Brassesco is an Assistant Researcher at CBQF and Invited Professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, with a Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences. Her work focuses on sustainable protein extraction and valorisation from agri-food and fishery by-products, integrating green bioprocessing and food innovation. She develops bioactive protein ingredients and alternative protein-enriched food prototypes, validated through advanced analytical and in vitro models. She has published 30 peer-reviewed articles, co-invented a patent, and led/participated in multiple European and international projects, including H2020 STARGATE. She has recently been appointed to a Tenure Track position in collaboration with SONAE, strengthening the translation of sustainable protein research into healthier and market-oriented food solutions. Her profile combines scientific excellence, industrial collaboration, international networking, and active supervision and science communication.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Characterization of new materials for its application in the isolation and purification of macromolecules, Universidad Nacional de Rosario
1 Feb 2015 → 11 Mar 2019
Bachelor, Development of a bioseparative strategy for the production and purification of fungal catalase, Universidad Nacional de Rosario
1 Mar 2005 → 22 Aug 2014
Keywords
- S Agriculture (General)
- Functional ingredient
- By-product valorization
- QD Chemistry
- Bioactive compounds
- Enzyme isolation and purification
- Biopolymers
- Adsorption
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 14 Life Below Water
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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IngredYeast: Novos ingredientes multifuncionais e sustentáveis derivados de subprodutos de levedura de cerveja para aplicação na alimentação
Pintado, M. M. (PI) & Brassesco, M. E. (Researcher)
25/06/25 → 23/06/28
Project: Innovation
File -
TransCoLab PLUS: Laboratorio Colaborativo Transfronterizo para la transición verde del sector Agroalimentario y Agroindustrial
Pintado, M. M. (PI), Brassesco, M. E. (Researcher) & Coscueta, E. (Researcher)
1/10/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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VIIAFOOD: Plataforma de Valorização, Industrialização e Inovação comercial para o AgroAlimentar
Pintado, M. M. (PI), Monteiro, M. J. (Researcher), Martins, A. P. (Researcher), Correia, M. (Researcher), Gomes, A. M. (Researcher), Teixeira, P. (Researcher), Hogg, C. (Researcher), Silva, C. L. M. (Researcher), Pinto, E. (Researcher), Vasconcelos, M. (Researcher), Ferreira, J. (Researcher), Oliveira-Silva, P. (Researcher), Melo, A. (Researcher), Brassesco, M. E. (Researcher), Barbosa, J. (Researcher), Albuquerque, J. (Researcher), Nunes, M. J. M. (Researcher), Silva, B. N. (Researcher), Carvalho, T. B. D. (Researcher), Sousa, P. (Researcher), Tomé, E. (Researcher), Ventura, R. (Researcher) & Sousa, C. (Researcher)
1/10/21 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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FISHMUC: Bioactive properties of external mucus isolated from coastal fish of Macao and Portugal
Pintado, M. M. (PI), Coscueta, E. (CoPI), Brassesco, M. E. (Researcher) & Cunha, M. F. (Scholarship holder)
1/06/21 → 30/11/24
Project: Research
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STARGATE: Sensors and daTA tRaininG towards high-performance Agri-food sysTEms
Pintado, M. M. (PI), Vasconcelos, M. (CoPI), Cortez, J. (CoPI) & Brassesco, M. E. (Researcher)
1/01/21 → 31/12/23
Project: Research
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Comprehensive characterization of walnut oil processing by-products: biochemical composition, bioactive properties, and polyphenol in vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability
Spréa, R. M., Rodrigues, D. B., Pires, T. C. S., Calhelha, R. C., Brassesco, M. E., Pintado, M., Santoyo, S., Arranz, E., Prieto, M. A., Barros, L. & Amaral, J. S., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Food Chemistry . 149641.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads -
Enhancing carob flour (Ceratonia siliqua L.) for by-product utilization in food industries: carob syrup production, functional profiling and application
Vilas-Boas, A. M., Brassesco, M. E., Quintino, A. C., Medronho, B., Vieira, M. C., Brandão, T. R. S., Silva, C. L. M., Silva, B., Azevedo, M. & Pintado, M., Feb 2026, In: Journal of Food Engineering. 404, 11 p., 112767.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)128 Downloads -
Influence of harvesting and seasonal variability on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of native bee (tetragonisca fiebrigi) honey from bolivia’s tropical dry forests
Romero-Padilla, A., Castro, L. M. G., Pintado, M. & Brassesco, M. E., 1 Jun 2026, In: Molecules. 31, 11, 20 p., 1819.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Downloads -
Processing and valorization of wheat bran, germ and their fractions: an evidence-graded review of composition, technologies and applications
Ferreira, D. M., Coscueta, E. R., Brassesco, M. E. & Pintado, M., 21 Apr 2026, In: Foods. 15, 8, 25 p., 1455.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)50 Downloads -
A full insight into the valorization of wheat by-products
Ferreira, D. M., Coscueta, E., Brassesco, M. E. & Pintado, M., 2 Apr 2025, p. 1-1. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Downloads
Prizes
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Editor's Choice Article "Bioprospecting Bioactive Peptides in Halobatrachus didactylus Body Mucus: From In Silico Insights to Essential In Vitro Validation" for Issue Cover, by Marine Drugs Journal
Cunha, M. F. (Recipient), Coscueta, E. (Recipient), Brassesco, M. E. (Recipient), Almada, F. (Recipient), Gonçalves, D. (Recipient) & Pintado, M. M. (Recipient), Feb 2025
Prize: Honorary award
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UNESCO-TWAS Visiting Expert Programme
Brassesco, M. E. (Recipient), 17 Jun 2024
Prize: Other distinction
Activities
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Pectin-based hydrogels as microbiological functional matrices for gut-related applications
Brassesco, M. E. (Supervisor), Melo, A. (Supervisor) & Tsvetkova, N. (Student)
Feb 2026 → Jun 2026Activity: Supervision
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Sustainable valorization of bioactive compounds from brewer’s spent yeast for food and industrial applications
Pintado, M. M. (Supervisor), Brassesco, M. E. (Co-supervisor) & Belkahla, M. (Student)
1 Feb 2026 → 2029Activity: Supervision
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TenebrioPLUS - Ingredientes de Tenebrio molitor para Nutrição Avançada e Cosmética Sustentável (External organisation)
Brassesco, M. E. (Member), Borges, S. (Member) & Pintado, M. M. (Member)
Jan 2026Activity: Membership › Evaluation committee
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Extracción de proteínas y compuestos bioactivos enfocado en péptidos a partir de fuentes Naturales
Brassesco, M. E. (Organiser)
24 Mar 2025 → 28 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Organisational unit)
Brassesco, M. E. (Member), Machado, A. (Member) & Pintado, M. M. (Member)
Jun 2025Activity: Membership › Evaluation committee
Press/Media
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CBQF research featured on the cover of Marine Drugs
Cunha, M., Coscueta, E., Brassesco, M. E. & Pintado, M.
25/02/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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A Católica no Porto e a Ciência: o universo da investigação
Vieira, E., Coscueta, E., Pintado, M., Brassesco, M. E., Cunha, M., Cunha, C., Lourenço, A., Gonçalves, R., Rodrigues, V., Mota, F., Cunha, M., Dias, R., Coelho, S., Oliveira-Silva, P., Alves, P. & Manaia, C.
24/11/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media