Departamento de Alimentação e Nutrição
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- 17.ª Reunião Anual PortFIR - Segurança dos Alimentos: Governança, Ciência e Novos Modelos de Produção Face aos Desafios Globais: Resumo da reuniãoPublication . Brazão, Roberto; Fernandes, Paulo; Dias, Maria da GraçaResumo da 17.ª Reunião Anual PortFIR subordinada ao tema "Segurança dos Alimentos: Governança, Ciência e Novos Modelos de Produção Face aos Desafios Globais". A publicação apresenta as comunicações e abstracts/posters submetidos, bem como os resultados da avaliação ao grau de satisfação dos participantes no evento e algumas fotos do evento.
- 6th International Conference on Food Contaminants: Challenges on Emerging Contaminants and Planetary Health: Book of AbstractsPublication . Vasco, Elsa; Alvito, PaulaThe 6th International Conference on Food Contaminants (ICFC2025), focused on Challenges in Emerging Contaminants and Planetary Health, was held in person from 25–26 September 2025 at the auditorium of the Museu de Eletricidade, Casa da Luz, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The conference addressed the growing challenge posed by emerging contaminants (ECs) in food and the environment, emphasising how their spread through the food chain threatens food safety and public health. Discussions explored policies to reduce exposure to food contaminants, examined the health impacts of chemical and biological contaminants—including occurrence, exposure assessment, and biomonitoring—highlighted advances in analytical methods for detecting emerging contaminants, and considered the full spectrum of their toxicity. These interconnected themes framed a comprehensive dialogue on safeguarding both human health and the wider ecosystem. This multidisciplinary meeting provided a dynamic forum for established experts and early-career researchers to exchange the latest knowledge on food contaminants and their implications for human and planetary health. The scientific programme featured one keynote lecture, five invited lectures, 14 oral presentations, 43 poster presentations, and two round-table discussions. A Best Poster Award was also presented.
- Abordagem da obesidade infantil através do Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 3 – Saúde e Bem-Estar : a contribuição do Centro Colaborativo da OMS para Nutrição e Obesidade InfantilPublication . Rito, Ana; Gaspar, Marta; Alvito, Paula; Bento, Alexandra; Santos, Cristina AbreuA obesidade infantil constitui um dos maiores desafios de saúde pública do século XXI e representa uma ameaça significativa para o cumprimento do Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 3 (ODS 3) – Saúde e Bem-Estar, definido pela Agenda 2030 das Nações Unidas. Este artigo analisa criticamente a relação entre a obesidade infantil e o ODS3, com especial enfoque no papel desempenhado pelo Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), enquanto Centro Colaborativo da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) para Nutrição e Obesidade Infantil (CCOMS). Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura científica publicada entre 2020 e 2025, tendo sido identificadas 379 publicações das quais 19 artigos científicos sujeitos a arbitragem por pares foram incluídos na análise final. Seis estudos forneceram evidência direta sobre a relação entre obesidade infantil e o ODS 3, com particular ênfase na meta 3.4, evidenciando a obesidade infantil como fator determinante nas doenças não transmissíveis sublinhando a relevância de dados epidemiológicos e reforçando a necessidade de estratégias intersetoriais e prevenção e promoção da saúde. Os resultados destacaram ainda a escassez de literatura abrangente que articule soluções sustentáveis para a obesidade infantil em consonância com as metas do ODS 3. O CCOMS enquanto centro de vigilância nutricional infantil (com destaque para o estudo “Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative” (COSI) da OMS Europa), pelo seu apoio técnico e ação multissetorial e participação ativa na investigação e inovação científica, tem vindo a reforçar substancialmente o progresso em direção às metas do ODS 3. Em Portugal, os dados recentes do COSI revelam prevalências preocupantes de excesso de peso (31,9%) e obesidade (13,5%) em crianças, confirmando a urgência de medidas eficazes. Conclui-se que enfrentar a obesidade infantil é crucial para reduzir desigualdades em saúde e avançar no cumprimento do ODS 3, exigindo colaboração internacional e nacional, políticas públicas integradas e intervenções baseadas em evidência científica.
- Aligning Present and Future Agrifood Systems: Integrating Sustainability and Health for Better ChoicesPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Bento, AlexandraThe transition to sustainable food systems is essential to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and public health crises. Current food production and consumption patterns contribute to environmental degradation, while dietary choices strongly influence health outcomes and planetary sustainability. Supporting dietary decisions with robust scientific evidence is therefore essential for meaningful and informed change. This work aims to discuss the intersection of food system transitions, dietary health impacts and sustainability, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive evidence-based approach to guide decisions at individual and systemic levels. By integrating methodologies such as Risk-Benefit Assessment (RBA) and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), this study provides an approach to evaluating foods, dietary patterns and food choices. RBA considers risks (e.g. food contaminants) and benefits (e.g. beneficial nutrients), while LCSA assesses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of food production and consumption. Inspired by the ALTERNATIVA project , the integration of these two perspectives, complemented by additional tools such as Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), will be explored and synthesised. The combination of these methodologies enables a dual-angle approach that quantifies health outcomes alongside sustainability metrics, providing a framework for balancing dietary health benefits with sustainable food systems. This approach not only informs recommendations for healthier and more sustainable diets but also supports policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies for food system transformation. By bridging gaps between food system actors and aligning public health goals with environmental sustainability, this evidence-based framework promotes a holistic vision for the agri-food sector and empowers consumers and stakeholders to make better choices that benefit both humans and the planet.
- Alimentação e Saúde: Mitos, Realidades e Boas PráticasPublication . Albuquerque, T.G.Focado em desmistificar mitos sobre nutrição e promover hábitos saudáveis baseados em evidências científicas.
- Aquaponics as a Novel and Alternative Food Production System: Integrating Health and Environmental Sustainability PerspectivesPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Motta, Carla; Santos, Mariana; Batista, Rita; Albuquerque, Tânia; Bento, AlexandraAim: In an era marked by climate change, environmental resource depletion, and growing global population, the need for sustainable and resilient food systems has become increasingly urgent. Conventional food production systems contribute significantly to environmental degradation and inefficient resource use. In response, key international strategies emphasize the development of innovative solutions that foster circular economies and ensure access to nutritious and sustainable diets. Aquaponics, a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, has emerged as a promising alternative, known for its efficient resource use and potential to produce nutrient-dense foods. This study aims to explore and critically assess the health and environmental sustainability impacts of aquaponically produced foods compared to conventional food systems. Method: A structured literature review and critical evaluation of peer-reviewed studies were conducted to identify key health and environmental sustainability indicators associated with aquaponic food production. Health-related factors included the presence of nutrients and potential contaminants (chemical and microbiological), while environmental assessment focused on Life Cycle indicators such as global warming potential, eutrophication, water footprint, land use, acidification, and ecotoxicological impact. Studies were selected based on comparability to conventional food production systems. Results: The obtained results indicated that aquaponic systems can produce foods with comparable or enhanced nutritional profiles relative to conventional systems. On the environmental side, aquaponics demonstrated reduced water use, land requirements, and nutrient discharge, though energy use and system complexity vary depending on design and operational parameters. Life Cycle indicators highlighted significant reductions in eutrophication and land use impacts, particularly when fish and plants are optimally integrated. Conclusion: Aquaponics presents a viable and innovative approach to future food production, offering measurable health and environmental benefits compared to traditional systems. However, broader adoption will require further research to provide evidence-based integration into food policy frameworks. These findings support the potential of aquaponics as a sustainable alternative aligned with the food system transformation goals.
- Biodegradable whey protein films with cardoon extract as natural alternatives to natamycin in cheese preservationPublication . Barbosa, Cássia H.; Andrade, Mariana A.; Vilarinho, Fernanda; Sanches Silva, Ana; Fernando, Ana LuísaNowadays, consumers demand more natural foods with fewer synthetic additives, which drives research into biodegradable active packaging enriched with plant extracts, essential oils, or agro-industrial by-products rich in bioactive compounds. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a multipurpose crop whose flower is traditionally used in cheesemaking, while its leaves, a major by-product, are rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. Whey, another by-product of the cheese industry, can be used to produce biodegradable films and coatings, whose functionality can be enhanced by incorporating natural extracts. In cheesemaking, natamycin is widely applied to prevent fungal growth, but concerns over its excessive use highlight the need for safer, natural alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of whey protein-based films incorporated with cardoon leaf extract (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 % w/v) to extend the shelf life of cheese in order to understand if it can be a substitute to natamycin. Cheeses were wrapped in the active films and stored at 5 ± 2 °C for 30 days. Samples were analysed for microbial growth, physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, titratable acidity), and lipid oxidation. Results indicate that active films, particularly the whey protein film with 2.0 % cardoon extract, were effective in delaying microbial development in both rind and interior, presenting the lowest counts of total viable microorganisms (6.77 ± 0.52 Log CFU/g), moulds and yeasts (5.38 ± 0.12 Log CFU/g), and Enterobacteriaceae (4.26 ± 0.10 Log CFU/g) compared to control samples (untreated and without extract). The films also helped retain rind moisture and limited titratable acidity increases, indicating delayed microbial metabolism. Lipid oxidation remained at low levels, with films containing 2.0 % cardoon extract showing the strongest antioxidant effect. Overall, the incorporation of cardoon-based extracts into whey protein films demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, contributing to improved cheese preservation during refrigerated storage. This sustainable approach reduces reliance on synthetic preservatives while valorising agro-industrial by-products.
- 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.
- Cardoon leaves as a nutrient food source: promoting sustainability and circular economyPublication . Barbosa, Cássia H.; Andrade, Mariana A.; Tomé, Sidney; Vilarinho, Fernanda; Fernando, Ana Luísa; Sanches Silva, AnaAgro-industrial by-products are a substantial source of bioactive compounds and nutrients. The valorisation of these by-products has the potential to promote environmental sustainability and a circular economy. This practice can lead to a significant advancement in sustainable food production. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a multipurpose crop, and its flowers are used as a natural coagulant in the cheesemaking process in countries such as Portugal and Spain. Cardoon leaves are rich in bioactive compounds, yet they are still often discarded as waste. These leaves can be directly consumed or used as an active ingredient in food packaging, thereby promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction. This study aims to evaluate the nutritional composition of cardoon leaves and their potential as a food ingredient. Fresh cardoon leaves were analyzed according to their content of moisture, ash, total protein, total fat, total dietary fiber, and total sugars, as well as their fatty acid profile. The results, expressed based on the weight of the fresh product, show that cardoon leaves contain 2.4 g/100 g, indicating a rich mineral composition. The total fat content is low, at 0.2 g/100 g, with only 0.05 g/100 g of saturated fat. The protein content (4.2 g/100 g) is considered adequate, highlighting its potential as a plant-based protein source. Additionally, the high fiber content (7.9 g/100 g) supports digestive health, while the low sugar content (0.9 g/100 g) further enhances its nutritional profile. Although cardoon leaves are often considered waste products, they offer substantial nutritional value, boasting high levels of protein, fiber, and minerals, as well as low levels of sugar and fat. Their effective valorisation can create a more sustainable system of food production. By incorporating cardoon leaves into the human diet and food packaging, their full potential can be achieved while minimizing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
- Ciguatera toxins, a potential health risk emerging in Europe: overview of progress and challengesPublication . Alvito, Paula; Gago-Martínez, Ana; AlvitoCiguatera Poisoning (CP) is considered an emerging risk of concern in several places worldwide. The risk of CP in Europe is currently being investigated, and important advantages have been achieved under two EuroCigua projects, which allowed the characterization of Caribbean Ciguatoxins as the main responsible for the contamination in the European Coastal areas investigated. Important challenges and limitations, particularly the ones related to the lack of reference materials and of relevant samples that enable to associate the contaminated fish consumption with human intoxication, are the most critical aspects hindering the progress from both analytical and toxicological perspectives. This review aims to provide an update on the most recent advances in CP in Europe on the source of the toxins involved in contamination, their toxicology and pharmacology, and their detection and characterization in order to contribute to envisioning the toxic mechanism of CP in humans.