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- Exposure to mycotoxins in the Portuguese adult populationPublication . Maris, Elias; Namorado, Sónia; Chen, A.; Pero-Gason, Roger; De Boevre, Marthe; De Saeger, Sarah; Silva, Maria João; Alvito, PaulaMycotoxins are toxic fungal metabolites commonly found in food, posing health risks such as immunosuppression, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption. Despite regulatory limits, chronic low-level exposure remains a concern. Understanding real-life exposure in populations is essential for effective risk assessment. This study aims to investigate mycotoxin exposure among young adults in Portugal, contributing to evidence-based public health interventions. This study leveraged data and biospecimens from the INSEF-ExpoQuim survey, a cross-sectional study nested within thPortuguese National Health Examination Survey (INSEF). Data was collected via REDCap-assisted telephone interviews, covering sociodemographic and exposure-relevant variables. A subset of 295 first morning urine samples was collected from adults aged 28–39 years between May 2019 and March 2020. Urine samples were analyzed by a newly optimized and validated LC-MS/MS method targeting 40 mycotoxins and/or their corresponding metabolites in urine. Urinary creatinine was measured using a validated colorimetric method to allow adjustment and standardization of mycotoxin concentrations, ensuring accurate exposure assessment and comparability. This methodological approach enabled a robust characterization of mycotoxin exposure in a representative Portuguese population cohort.The study included 58% females and 42% males. Most participants had medium to high education, and urbanization was nearly evenly split between towns/suburbs (36.9%) and rural areas (35.9%), with fewer living in cities (27.1%). The majority were employed, and sampling was primarily conducted in summer and autumn. The number of mycotoxin co-exposures in the Portuguese population ranged from 0 to 5, with two simultaneous exposures being most common (n = 160). Among the 40 mycotoxins analysed, deoxynivalenol and tenuazonic acid were most frequently detected, with frequency of detection of 85% and 96%, respectively. This study offers robust biomonitoring data on mycotoxin exposure in Portuguese young adults using a validated LC-MS/MS method. The high prevalence of deoxynivalenol and tenuazonic acid suggests low level dietary contamination. These findings support the need for continued monitoring and the integration ofhuman biomonitoring into national food safety strategies. Detailed sociodemographic analyses are planned to further clarify exposure patterns and enable targeted public health interventions.
- Comparing the nutritional composition and quality of plant-based foods. A cross-market studyPublication . Brazão, Roberto; Batista, Rita; Fernandes, Paulo; Lopes, Andreia; Dias, Maria da GraçaBackground: The growing demand for healthier, sustainable, and eco-friendly foods has led to the rise of plant-based processed foods (PBF). Although plant-based diets are regarded as healthful, the prevalence of these products in processed/ultra-processed forms rises concerns about their nutritional quality and potential adverse health impacts. This study assed the nutritional composition and quality of PBF in the Portuguese market (PTm), by comparing their nutritional profiles with established reference values (RVs), as well as with animal-origin foods (AOF) from PTm, and equivalent products from the UK market (UKm). The goal is to contribute to the promotion of healthier food choices, and provide insights to inform public health policies. Methods: Collection and comparison of the nutritional data of PBF and AOF in PTm and UKm. These were compared within and between markets, as well as with the RVs of Integrated Strategy for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (EIPAS) and of Directorate-General of Health Label Decoder (DGS-LD). Results: A total of 1170 PBF and 2452 AOF were analysed. 92.9% PBF in PTm, and 95.4% in UKm exceeded EIPAS RVs for sugars and salt when jointly evaluated. PBF often had higher energy, carbohydrates, and fibre but lower levels of fat, saturates and protein than AOF. According to the DGS-LD, 17.7%, 18.1%, and 29.0% of PBF in PTm, and 18.4%, 22.6%, and 26.7% in UKm had high levels of fat, saturates, and salt, respectively. Conclusions: Nutritional variability was observed across multiples parameters within and between food categories, product types and markets. While some PBF had lower fat and saturates than AOF, many showed higher energy, carbohydrates and salt, with the majority failing to meet EIPAS RVs. These findings reinforce the need of public health policies and consumer awareness initiatives regarding PBF, including measures on food (re)formulation, labeling, taxation of unhealthy products, potential marketing restrictions, and food literacy. Main messages: PBF have highly variable nutritional composition and quality. Some offer better profiles than AOF, but many are high in fat, sugars, and salt. Consumer awareness and regulatory actions are needed to promote healthier food choices.
- Assessing Hidden Trans Fat Sources in Refined Vegetable Oils: A Multi- Country Analysis to Inform Global TFA Policy ImplementationPublication . Drummond, L.; Kouwe, R.; Motta, C.; Costa, H.S.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Cobb, L.K.Background: World Health Organization (WHO) has been working toward the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat (iTFA) through the REPLACE initiative since 2018. The initiative has successfully introduced mandatory, best practice regulations in more than 45 countries since 2018. WHO recommends one of two policy options: 1) limit iTFA to 2% of total fat in all fats, oils and foods, or 2) ban the production and use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO). It is established that the application of high temperatures during the deodorization stage of oil refining can lead to the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids to TFA. Typically, the trans isomers created through this process are quite low ranging, from 0.5-2% percent of total fat. However, evidence from Bangladesh and China has shown that some vegetable oils exceed the WHO recommended limit, and have a higher than expected trans fat content, likely due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This unexpected source of TFA could mean that the impact of TFA intake on heart disease is underestimated; that relying on PHO bans may have limited efficacy, and that TFA monitoring and surveillance activities may be overlooking an important source of trans fat in the diet. Resolve to Save Lives in collaboration with partners from the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and several collaborators in low and middle-income countries, is conducting a multi-country assessment to determine the prevalence of high TFA in refined vegetable oils. The study aims to 1) measure the levels of iTFA in commonly used cooking oils in study countries, 2) compare the prevalence of iTFA in commonly used cooking oils across study countries, and 3) establish whether price, type of oil and ingredients, or brand influences iTFA content in cooking oils. Methods: Our methodology will map the available vegetable oils from common vendors in 8 countries. In each country, up to 20 oils will be collected, key nutrient information will be recorded, and a label analysis conducted. Oils will be analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection at INSA’s lab. Data will be collected and analyzed between January and June 2025. Results: Samples from 10 countries will be analyzed according to the WHO Laboratory Protocol on Measuring TFA and reporting as a percentage of TFA of the total fatty acids in oils. Results will be compared across oil types and countries, as well as with other relevant data from the literature and from previous studies. Conclusions: This study will reveal important information about sources of trans fat in the diets of many low and middle-income countries and potentially lead to significant changes in plans for TFA policy adoption and implementation.
- Monitoring trans fats in edible oils from Morocco: a preliminary assessmentPublication . Silva, M.A.; Costa, H.S.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Kouwe, R.; Drummond, L.; Benajiba, N.; Samra, C.A.; Motta, C.Trans fatty acids (TFAs) can be classified according to their two main sources: industrial (iTFAs) and natural (nTFAs). iTFAs are generated during partial hydrogenation or through heat treatments in the refining of vegetable oils and during the frying process. However, they pose some health risks as they raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. To support a healthy diet, the recommended intake of TFAs is less than 1% of total energy intake [1]. In this context, a collaboration between Resolve to Save Lives, the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and partners from 10 African and Asian countries was established to assess the prevalence of elevated TFA levels in refined vegetable oils and olive oil through a multi-country assessment. This abstract focused on evaluating the fatty acids composition in commonly consumed edible oils from Morocco, one of the ten participating countries. In 2025, from a survey presenting 86 individual oils available in the country, identified from 6 different types of vendors, we selected eight types of edible oils was collected from local vendors. Most samples are single oils, while four were blends of two or more oils. Specifically, the collected samples included: Soybean, Sunflower and Rapeseed oil (A and B); Soybean and Sunflower oil (C); Soybean and Corn oil (D); Soybean oil (E and F); Sunflower oil (G and H); Rapeseed oil (I); Olive pomace oil (J), Olive oil (K and L). In total, 12 samples were analyzed, including 11 commercially branded samples and 1 unbranded sample (olive oil, L). Preparation of FAMEs was performed in accordance with the WHO Simplified protocol for measuring trans-fatty acid content as a percentage of total fatty acids in food products [2]. Fatty acids determination was performed using Gas Chromatography with flame ionization detector. The fatty acid composition of the analyzed samples showed that eight of the samples were predominantly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas four samples were mainly composed of monounsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acid levels were relatively low across all samples, indicating a favorable lipid profile. TFA content varied between 0.0193 and 0.746 g/100 g of total fatty acids. These values are comparatively low and suggest good quality with respect to industrially produced trans fats. The findings provide critical insights into the dietary sources of trans fat, aiming to support regulatory changes in the countries. Overall, fatty acid profiles observed are consistent with what is expected for commercial edible oils, where a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids is desirable for nutritional and health considerations. The low TFA levels further highlight the positive quality attributes of the analyzed oils.
- Functional foods enriched with melon by products: A sustainable strategy to improve amino acid profilePublication . Silva, M.A.; Costa, H.S.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Félix, N.; Albuquerque, T.G.The global population is projected to grow rapidly, posing a significant challenge in ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and healthy food for everyone. Often discarded, fruit by-products are a valuable source of fiber, protein, and bioactive compounds. Incorporating these by-products into new or enhanced food products could play a crucial role in addressing hunger and malnutrition, which remain major public health challenges. This approach also promotes the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources. This study aimed to develop four innovative types of bread enriched with melon by-products: bread with blanched melon peel flour (BBMPF), bread with blanched melon seed flour (BBMSF), bread with roasted melon peel flour (BRMPF) and bread with roasted melon seed flour (BRMSF). Additionally, a control bread was developed. The protein content and amino acid profile of these breads were evaluated. In 2022, by-products from melon production and distribution companies were recovered. The melon peels were dehydrated, and the seeds were oven-dried. Both by-products were ground to produce melon peel flour and melon seed flour. These flours were then subjected to either blanching or roasting, and used to develop the innovative types of bread. The total protein content was evaluated by Kjeldhal method, and the amino acid profile was determined using UHPLC with diode array detection. Protein content ranged from 6.3 g/100 g (BBMPF) to 8.8 g/100 g (BRMSF). The most abundant essential amino acids found in the breads were leucine, phenylalanine and valine. Breads with melon seed flours have a higher increase in amino acid content than those with melon peel flours. BRMPF (1959 mg/100 g), BBMSF (2219 mg/100 g) and BRMSF (2341 mg/100 g) had higher essential amino acid levels than the control bread (1849 mg/100 g). These results suggest that using melon flour, especially seeds flour, may be an effective strategy to improve the amino acid profile in functional foods. Furthermore, these findings not only contribute to improving public health, but also promote the valorisation of melon by-products, reducing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of these currently discarded by-products, meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
- Valorisation of melon peel and seed flours in bakery products: a sustainable approach to food waste reductionPublication . Silva, M.A.; Costa, H.S.; Oliveira, M.P.P.; Félix, N.; Albuquerque, T.G.Food waste is widely recognised as a major global problem with direct consequences for the economy, society and environment. The valorisation of fruit by-products offers a promising strategy to face the growing challenge of food waste, which can compromise the implementation of the concept of food sustainability. Additionally, this approach allows for the development of new food products with potential health benefits for consumers. This study aimed to develop two innovative food products based on melon by-products and to evaluate their nutritional composition, total phenolic content, and antioxidant potential. In 2022, melon producers and distributors provided the samples used in this study. The peels were dehydrated and the seeds were oven-dried. Both were then ground into flour and roasted. Using these flours, two cakes were developed: one topped with peel flour (cake A) and the other topped with seed flour (cake B). A control cake was also developed. Nutritional composition was determined analytically, while energy value and available carbohydrates were calculated. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were determined using spectrophotometry. Consumer acceptability was also evaluated. The cakes produced contained levels of 6.42 ± 0.2 (control cake), 7.58 ± 0.3 (cake B) and 9.20 ± 0.0 g/100 g (cake A) of total protein. Dietary fibre levels ranged from 1.19 ± 0.1 g/100 g (control cake) to 6.94 ± 0.0 g/100 g (cake B). According to Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 on nutrition claims, cake A can be considered a source of fibre (≥ 3 g/100 g) and cake B can be considered rich in fibre (> 6 g/100 g). The incorporation of melon by-products also enhanced both the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of the cakes. Both products presented satisfactory results in terms of consumer acceptability. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of incorporating melon by-products into nutritionally improved and appealing foods. Simultaneously, by-products are valued, reducing their environmental impact while increasing their economic and social impacts, aligned with the principles of sustainable production and consumption.
- 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.
- Innovative algae-based meatballs: nutritional profiling and food safety as pillars of sustainable product developmentPublication . Rodrigues, Ana Sofia; Morgado, Cátia; Silva, Mafalda A.; Costa, Gilberto; Brandão, Carlos; Costa, Helena Soares; Albuquerque, Tânia G.Seaweed have gained increasing attention in the context of sustainable and health-promoting food innovation, particularly due to their rich micronutrient profile, including iodine, a nutrient of public health concern in many populations. This study aimed to develop and characterize innovative meatballs enriched with two edible seaweeds (Undaria pinnatifida and Himanthalia elongata), improving their nutritional profile while responding to consumer demand for functional and environmentally responsible food options. The formulations were designed to be commercialized raw and ready-to-cook. Therefore, a nutritional characterization of the raw products was conducted, while microbiological safety and sensory acceptability were assessed after preparation using two common culinary methods, roasting and sautéing, as proposed usage suggestions. Proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and dietary fibre) and other components (fatty acids and salt) were determined through standard chemical analysis, while iodine content was estimated based on ingredient composition. The energy value and available carbohydrates were calculated. Both seaweed-based formulations presented low energy (111 kcal/100 g), low fat (≈2.6 g/100 g), and high protein content (≈19 g/100 g), with unsaturated fatty acids predominating. Dietary fibre values ranged from 1.65 g to 1.92 g/100 g, and salt levels remained under 0.3 g/100 g. Notably, the wakame-based version provided substantially higher iodine levels (103.3 μg/100 g) compared to the sea spaghetti version (25.1 μg/100 g), enhancing its nutritional relevance. Microbiological analysis of the cooked samples showed compliance with food safety standards, with pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens all below detection limits (<10 CFU/g). Total aerobic mesophilic counts ranged from 7.0×10 to 8.9×10⁴ CFU/g; one sample with sautéed Himanthalia elongata showed elevated counts, highlighting the importance of handling and storage practices. Yeasts and molds were within acceptable thresholds across all samples. In sensory trials, the sautéed sea spaghetti and roasted wakame variants were the most appreciated by consumers, while the sautéed wakame and roasted sea spaghetti were less well received. These results underline the importance of preparation methods in shaping sensory perception and consumer acceptance. This study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating edible seaweed into meatballs, offering nutritionally rich, safe, and sensory-pleasing products. The use of seaweed, particularly wakame, presents a promising opportunity for iodine fortification, aligning food innovation with both public health goals and sustainability priorities.
- Nutritional valorization of fermented melon by-products: novel sustainable ingredients?Publication . Domingues, Mariana S.; Silva, M.A.; Pestana, José M.; Costa, Helena Soares; Albuquerque, T.G.Although often disregarded as by-products of melon processing, both the peel and seeds contain valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds, making them promising candidates for fermentation studies. To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of lactic and alcoholic fermentation applied to melon peel, seeds, and by-products, with the goal of evaluating their potential for developing valueadded products and promoting sustainability in melon processing. During 2023, melon by-products, seeds and peels were collected in a hotel in the Lisbon region. After adding 2% salt (lactic fermentation) or 2% sucrose (alcoholic fermentation) of the total weight of melon by-products/seeds or peels, bags were sealed under vacuum and maintained for 7 days at 27 °C ± 1 °C. Samples were homogenized in a blender, 3dehydrated (55 °C; 12h), homogenized and sieved to obtain flour. The energy and carbohydrates content were calculated after the determination of the nutritional composition (moisture, ash, total protein and fat, dietary fibre and s alt) of the fermented products. Six products were obtained: lactic/alcoholic fermented melon by-products flour, lactic/alcoholic fermented melon peel flour, and lactic/alcoholic fermented melon seed flour. According to Regulation (EU) No. 1924/2006, all products (100%) are rich in dietary fiber (>6 g/100 g), and 83% are high in protein (>20% of energy value). Additionally, lactic/alcoholic fermented melon peel flour has a low-fat content. This study emphasizes that cost-effective processes, such as fermentation, can simultaneously reduce waste and generate value-added products, promoting sustainability in melon processing and the development of innovative functional food ingredients.
- 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.