Ricardo M. Ferreira is a Postdoctoral Researcher at LSRE-LCM, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Portugal. He holds a degree in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto and an MSc in Biotechnology, specializing in Food Technology, from the University of Aveiro. In 2018, he began a research scholarship under the HEPA project while starting his PhD in Biotechnology at the University of Aveiro, where he focused on the development of food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products from Opuntia ficus-indica. In June 2023, he joined the GIATEX Project, dedicated to intelligent water management in the textile industry, with emphasis on circular economy and environmental sustainability. After completing his PhD, he worked on the development of smart packaging solutions for poultry meat and seafood applications before returning to the GIATEX project in October 2024. He is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher under the project “CAMP&Valor – Integrated Optimisation of Industrial Processes for Waste Recovery”.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Food Technology
Environmental Engineering
Waste Management

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

R. M. Ferreira, D. F. Wessel, A. M. S. Silva, J. A. Saraiva, S. M. Cardoso. Production of Opuntia ficus-indica fortified breads: A comparative analysis of wheat and gluten-free varieties and the impact on phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 147, 251-263, 2024 R. M. Ferreira, J. Queffelec, N. Flórez-Fernández, J. A. Saraiva, M. D. Torres, S. M. Cardoso, H. Domínguez. Infusion from Opuntia ficus-indica Peels: The Effects of Drying and Steeping Conditions. Beverages, 9, 97, 2023 R. M. Ferreira, N. Flórez-Fernández, A. S. Silva, J. A. Saraiva, F. L. Figueroa, J. Veiga, M. D. Torres, S. M. Cardoso, H. Domínguez. Opuntia ficus-indica seed pomace extracts with high UV-screening ability in a circular economy approach for body lotions with solar protection. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 130, 456-467, 2023 R. M. Ferreira, J. Queffelec, N. Flórez-Fernández, J. A. Saraiva, M. D. Torres, S. M. Cardoso, H. Domínguez. Production of betalain-rich Opuntia ficus-indica peel flour microparticles using spray-dryer: A holist approach. LWT, 186, 115241, 2023

SELECTED PROJECTS

CAMP&Valor - Integrated Optimisation of Industrial Processes for Waste Valorisation. Reference: COMPETE2030-FEDER-01418000. Funded by: ANI – Agência Nacional de Investigação, COMPETE2030 - Compete2030 - Programa temático Inovação e Transição Digital. Starting Date: 2025/05/01. Duration: 36 months.
Ricardo Ferreira
Investigador Doutorado
rmmferreira@fe.up.pt