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- Bioremediation of Bacteria, Histamine and Animal DNA by Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Safe Food Waste ValorisationPublication . Oliveira, Joana; Ligeiro, Carolina; Carvalho, Carina; Souza, Clarice; Grilo, Miguel L.; Fantatto, Rafaela; Trindade, Alexandre; Murta, Daniel; Assunção, RicardoBy 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion, increasing pressure on agri-food systems and worsening food waste. In the European Union (EU), around 59 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, enough to feed 1.26 hungry billion people per year. This waste has major public health impacts. Tackling it through safe, sustainable strategies is, therefore, essential. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) offer a promising solution by converting food waste into high-value products like protein, fat, and organic fertiliser. However, EU legislation currently prohibits using food waste as insect feed due to possible contamination with prions, and other foodborne hazards such as bacteria and histamine. This study evaluates the food safety potential of BSFL by assessing their ability to reduce pathogenic bacteria and histamine, and to determine whether they bioaccumulate animal DNA (pork, beef, chicken). To test this, 2 tonnes of heterogeneous food waste were transformed into BSFL substrate and used in a bioconversion assay. Larvae in the test group showed improved performance, with higher bioconversion and growth rates and a lower feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Analyses were conducted on food waste substrate, larvae, BSFL meal, and frass, including controls. Bacterial enumeration followed ISO protocols; histamine was quantified using an ELISA kit; DNA was extracted and then analysed via PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis.BSFL significantly reduced Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. in the test group (p = 0.002), and Bacillus cereus and Vibrio spp. in the control (p = 0.015). Histamine levels decreased significantly (p = 0.029). No animal DNA was detected in larvae (p = 0.029), though traces persisted in frass, indicating excretion rather than bioaccumulation. These findings support the safe use of BSFL in food waste valorisation and their integration into circular, One Health food systems focused on safety and sustainability.
- Cereal bars in Portugal: Alignment with nutrient profile models and school snacks guidelinesPublication . Barriga, Marta; Silva, Mafalda Alexandra; Ramalho, Renata; Costa, Helena Soares; Albuquerque, Tânia GonçalvesThe growing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Portugal, rising from 29.7% to 31.9% for overweight and from 11.9% to 13.5% for obesity between 2019 and 2022, has raised concerns about the nutritional quality of foods frequently consumed by children. Snacking habits, particularly those involving packaged and processed products such as cereal bars, play a significant role in children's overall dietary patterns. Although often marketed as healthy options, many cereal bars may not comply with public health recommendations. This study assessed the nutritional composition of cereal bars available on the Portuguese market, evaluating their alignment with the Portuguese Nutrient Profile Model and the National Guidelines for Healthy School Snacks. A total of 135 cereal bar products were analysed based on their labelled nutritional information, focusing on energy, total fat, saturated fat, sugars, fibre, and salt. The results showed that all bars exceeded the recommended energy threshold (40 kcal per serving). Only 23% met the total fat limit (≤8 g/100 g), and 36.3% complied with the saturated fat limit (≤3 g/100 g). The average sugar content was 23.5 g/100 g, well above recommended levels. Regarding salt, 28% of the bars met the recommended limit (0.3 g/100 g). These findings highlight a significant gap between product formulations and national nutrition policies targeting school-aged populations. This study underscores the need for product reformulation, clearer front-of-pack labelling, and improved nutritional education to promote healthier snack choices for children and support obesity-prevention strategies.
- Microbiological evaluation of seaweed-enriched meatballs as a strategy to enhance iodine intakePublication . Rodrigues, Ana Gomes; Morgado, Cátia; Silva, Mafalda A.; Costa, Gilberto; Brandão, Carlos; Costa, Helena Soares; Albuquerque, Tânia G.Introduction: Iodine deficiency continues to affect populations globally, and seaweeds have emerged as natural, sustainable sources of this essential micronutrient. Their incorporation into conventional food products, such as meatballs, represents a promising strategy to develop functional foods with enhanced nutritional profiles. Objectives: To develop a functional food product, meatballs were enriched with edible seaweeds (Undaria pinnatifida and Himanthalia elongata), aimed at improving iodine intake and to assess their microbiological quality according to current food safety standards. Methodology: Six meatball samples were prepared: two control samples without seaweed (sautéed and oven-baked) and four seaweed-enriched samples using both preparation methods. Microbiological analysis was conducted following the guidelines from the Portuguese National Institute of Health (INSA, 2019) and Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. The parameters evaluated included Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, moulds, yeasts, Enterobacteriaceae, total viable counts, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. Results: Most samples were microbiologically satisfactory. However, all tested samples showed unsatisfactory results for Listeria monocytogenes, which may indicate environmental or crosscontamination, inadequate surface sanitation, or handling deficiencies. Additionally, the sautéed Himanthalia elongata sample presented an unsatisfactory total viable count (8.9×10⁴ cfu/g), potentially due to poor raw material quality, thermal processing failure, or cold chain disruption. Conclusions: Although seaweed incorporation can enhance the nutritional profile of meat-based products, these findings highlight the need for strict hygienic measures during formulation and processing. Corrective actions are essential to mitigate microbial risks and ensure product safety without compromising functional benefits.
- Desempenho dos participantes no programa PNAEQ/Labquality VIH POCT em 2024 e primeiro semestre de 2025Publication . Mendes, Inês; Correia, Helena; Cardoso, Ana; Faria, Ana PaulaIntrodução: Para o rastreio da infeção pelo Vírus de Imunodeficiência Humana (VIH) podem ser utilizados testes rápidos, Point-of-care test (POCT) que permitem o encaminhamento precoce de casos positivos. Estes testes podem ser realizados por profissionais de saúde qualificados (laboratórios ou farmácias) ou por profissionais sem formação laboratorial específica, como agentes comunitários de organizações não governamentais (ONGs). A participação em programas de avaliação externa da qualidade (AEQ) permite avaliar a fiabilidade dos resultados obtidos e identificar oportunidades de melhoria. Este estudo analisa os resultados dos participantes nos ensaios de AEQ VIH POCT, realizados em 2024 e primeiro semestre de 2025, pelo Programa Nacional de Avaliação Externa da Qualidade (PNAEQ). Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho dos participantes do PNAEQ, nos ensaios AEQ VIH POCT, comparando os resultados obtidos com os valores de referência. Metodologia: O programa do PNAEQ VIH POCT é organizado pela entidade congénere Labquality EQAS by Aurevia e contempla 4 ensaios por ano, sendo cada ensaio constituído por 3 amostras controlo de plasma ou soro humano, de um dador único. Foram avaliadas 4 amostras VIH-1 anticorpo (Ac) positivo e antigénio (Ag) positivo fraco, 7 VIH-1 Ac positivo e Ag negativo, 6 VIH-1 Ac e Ag negativo e 1 VIH-2 Ac positivo e Ag negativo, utilizando os testes POCT VIHAc (1/2) e VIHAcAg (combo). Os resultados foram submetidos pelos participantes na plataforma online da Labquality (Labscala). A avaliação foi realizada com base nos resultados pré-testes e comentários de peritos. Resultados: Em 2024, participaram 18 ONGs, 11 farmácias, 5 instituições hospitalares e 3 unidades de ambulatório. Em 2025, participaram 20 ONGs, 1 unidade de ambulatório e 2 instituições hospitalares, não havendo registo de farmácias. O desempenho global das farmácias foi de 100%, nas instituições hospitalares foi de 96,2%, nas unidades de ambulatório 66,7%, nas ONGs foi de 90,2%. A taxa de desempenho global foi superior em 2025 (97,5%) face a 2024 (88,1%). Vinte e nove participantes utilizaram POCT VIHAc (1/2), e destes apenas um participante utilizou um POCT que permite distinguir entre VIH-1 e VIH-2. Dois participantes utilizaram testes combo e três participantes recorreram simultaneamente a testes de anticorpos e testes combo. Nos Ensaios 2 de 2024 e 2025, com maior número de participantes, 47 (27 e 20 respetivamente) obteve-se as seguintes taxas de acerto: nas duas amostras negativas-92,9%, na amostra VIH-1 positiva com antigénio p24 fraco-93,8% e nas três amostras VIH-1 positivas com antigénio negativo-91,3%. Conclusões: Os resultados evidenciam um bom desempenho global dos POCT VIH no programa de AEQ, com melhor desempenho em 2025 face a 2024. As ONGs foram os participantes maioritários em ambos os anos, e as farmácias, com desempenho de 100% em 2024 não participaram em 2025. A maioria dos testes utilizados não distingue entre VIH-1 e VIH-2. Estes resultados reforçam a importância da participação regular em programas de AEQ permitindo avaliar a execução do procedimento e desempenho dos testes VIH POCT, contribuindo para uma resposta segura no rastreio da infeção VIH.