Mackerel and Seaweed Burger as a Functional Product for Brain and Cognitive Aging Prevention.

Most world countries are experiencing a remarkable aging process. Meanwhile, 50 million people are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia and there is an increasing trend in the incidence of these major health problems. In order to address these, the increasing evidence suggesting the protective effect of dietary interventions against cognitive decline during aging may suggest a response to this challenge. There are nutrients with a neuroprotective effect. However, Western diets are poor in healthy n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), iodine (I), and other nutrients that may protect against cognitive aging. Given DHA richness in chub mackerel (Scomber colias), high vitamin B9 levels in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and I abundance in the seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides, a functional hamburger rich in these nutrients by using these ingredients was developed and its formulation was optimized in preliminary testing. The effects of culinary treatment (steaming, roasting, and grilling vs. raw) and digestion on bioaccessibility were evaluated. The hamburgers had high levels of n-3 PUFAs in the range of 42.0-46.4% and low levels of n-6 PUFAs (6.6-6.9%), resulting in high n-3/n-6 ratios (>6). Bioaccessibility studies showed that the hamburgers could provide the daily requirements of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + DHA with 19.6 g raw, 18.6 g steamed, 18.9 g roasted, or 15.1 g grilled hamburgers. Polyphenol enrichment by the seaweed and antioxidant activity were limited. The hamburgers contained high levels of Se and I at 48-61 µg/100 g ww and 221-255 µg/100 g ww, respectively. Selenium (Se) and I bioaccessibility levels were 70-85% and 57-70%, respectively, which can be considered high levels. Nonetheless, for reaching dietary requirements, considering the influence of culinary treatment and bioaccessibility, 152.2-184.2 g would be necessary to ensure daily Se requirements and 92.0-118.1 g for I needs.

The Impact of Various Types of Cooking on the Fate of Hg and Se in Predatory Fish Species.

This study addresses the effect of various cooking approaches on total Hg (HgT) and total Se (SeT) contents in three predatory fish species. For this purpose, samples of swordfish, dogfish, and tuna from regular French (fish) markets were cooked by boiling, steaming, grilling, and frying, respectively. The levels of HgT and SeT in raw and cooked samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The data showed a significant increase in HgT and SeT levels between raw and cooked samples (33% of the samples for SeT and 67% for HgT) due to the water loss during the cooking. High intra-species variation related to HgT and SeT levels was found. Considering the level of exposure to HgT through fish consumption and taking also into account the possible protective effect of Se (expressed here via the Se/Hg molar ratio), the safest cooking approach corresponds to grilled swordfish, fried tuna, and steamed dogfish, which show Se/Hg molar ratios of (1.0 ± 0.5), (4.3 ± 4.2), and (1.0 ± 0.6), respectively.

Fatty acids, selenium, and vitamin B12 in chub mackerel (Scomber colias) as nourishment considering seasonality and bioaccessibility as factors.

Chub mackerel (Scomber colias) is an underutilised fish abundant in the North Atlantic and a nutritious food with high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), selenium (Se), and vitamin B12 contents, affected by seasonality. Hence, the bioaccessibility of fatty acid (FA), Se, and vitamin B12 in chub mackerel was studied. Daily consumptions of 51 g, 35 g, and 14 g of March, June, and October chub mackerel, respectively, would ensure EPA + DHA requirements. Vitamin B12 requirements would be met by daily consumptions of 15-18 g of chub mackerel. For Se, larger amounts would be needed, 126-133 g/day. For FA, bioaccessibility often exceeded 80 %. Additionally, Se and vitamin B12 bioaccessibilities were 91-95 % and 77-83 %, respectively. Thus, bioaccessibility-based consumption frequencies for meeting dietary requirements are similar to those above, being the highest consumption frequencies associated to Se requirements, 137-146 g/day. Chub mackerel proved to be an excellent source of bioaccessible essential nutrients.

Commercial Baby Foods Aimed at Children up to 36 Months: Are They a Matter of Concern?

Proper nutrition in infancy and early childhood is crucial to ensuring optimal child development, growth, and better health outcomes later in life. The nutrient profile model proposed by WHO/Europe aims to assess the nutritional quality and promotional/marketing aspects of commercial baby foods aimed at children up to 36 months. We used commercial data from 191 baby foods collected between March 2021 and July 2021, from eight supermarket chains in the Lisbon Metropolitan area. According to the model specifications and the NOVA classification system, we assessed the nutritional quality and promotion aspects and the degree of processing, respectively. The presence of at least one sugar-contributing ingredient was found in 34.0% of the products; 13.9% of products listed sugars and 15.0% listed fruit juices or concentrates as an ingredient. The claim "No added sugar" was present in 69.6% of products. Only 35.1% of products comply with all the nutritional requirements of the model. Concerning processing classification, 61.8% of products were ultra-processed, and about 57.0% were indicated for children < 12 months. These findings reinforce the importance of implementing measures to ensure that commercial foods for infants are marketed appropriately and to promote foods with a lower degree of processing.

Breakfast Cereals Intended for Children: Opportunities for Reformulation and Potential Impact on Nutrient Intake.

Ready-to-eat cereals (RTECs) have become a popular breakfast option claiming to provide important nutrients to children's diets, despite being a source of excess sugar and, therefore, a health concern. Thus, food reformulation constitutes an important public health strategy that could benefit from inputs provided by nutrient profiling. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of the RTECs for children available in Portuguese supermarkets, applying three nutrient profile models (NPMs)-the nutrient profile model of the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe (WHO-EURO), the profile of the private-sector EU Pledge (EU-Pledge), and the national model developed by the Directorate-General of Health (NPM-PT)-in order to explore the potential for reformulation of the RTECs identified as not adequate and evaluate the impact of RTECs' reformulation on the nutritional quality of Portuguese children's diets. In total, 78 RTECs intended for children were assessed and two scenarios-current (not considering reformulation) and alternative (considering reformulation to accomplish the nutrient profile requirements)-were considered to assess the impact of reformulation on nutritional quality. Across all RTECs, only 5.1% could be promoted to children according to the considered NPMs. The most common nutrients requiring reformulation were sugar, saturated fatty acids (SFA), salt, and dietary fiber. The scenarios of reformulation considered could reduce the RTECs average content of total sugars, SFA, and salt by 43%, 8.7%, and 1.1%, respectively, and dietary fiber intake could be increased by 34%. Thus, these results support policies to implement reformulation strategies for developing healthier food products to be promoted to children.

Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates of Salmonella enterica Serovars Heidelberg and Minnesota from Fresh Poultry Meat Imported to Portugal.

Salmonella enterica serovars Heidelberg and Minnesota frequently display several genetic mobile elements making them potential spreaders of resistance genes. Here, we phenotypically determined the antibiotic resistance profile and subsequently performed whole-genome sequencing on 36 isolates recovered from samples of fresh poultry meat, within the Portuguese Official Inspection Plan for Imported Foodstuffs. Several isolates of both serovars showed high genetic relatedness either with isolates from raw poultry meat imported to the Netherlands from Brazil or with isolates from samples from the broiler production chain in Brazil. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) character was common to the vast majority (94.4%) of isolates from both serovars, and several isolates carried the plasmid IncA/C2 containing the ß-lactamase gene blaCMY-2 and IncX1 containing a type IV secretion system. These results somehow mirror the scenario observed in the Netherlands, showing the introduction, through fresh imported poultry meat in compliance with European legislation, of MDR Salmonella enterica serovars Heidelberg and Minnesota in Europe, with the potential spread of resistance markers. These data suggest the need to revise the hygiene criteria for foodstuffs monitoring before its placement on the market, with the determination of the resistome being an invaluable contribute to limit the dissemination of resistance markers.

The chemical composition and lipid profile of the chub mackerel (Scomber colias) show a strong seasonal dependence: Contribution to a nutritional evaluation.

The seasonal variation in chemical and lipid composition of chub mackerel (Scomber colias) was evaluated monthly over one year (proximate chemical composition and lipid profile: fatty acid (FA) and lipid classes distribution). Significant seasonal changes regarding fat content were noticed (1.3-10.3 g/100 g), with the lowest fat content obtained in February (during spawning period), and the highest in September. Regarding the FA profile, the main fluctuations were recorded in saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The highest SFA content was registered between March and August (25.3-32.3%). PUFA (the most abundant group) reached its maximum percentual content between December and February (60.9 and 66.9%, respectively). In absolute terms, PUFA attained 5352.6 mg/100 g edible part in September, where 2473.8 mg/100 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), representing 46.2% of total PUFA. DHA lowest level was 519.8 mg/100 g, registered in low-fat chub mackerel. Together DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5n-3) represented 75% of the total PUFA and 84% of n-3 PUFA. Triacylglycerols (TAG) with 82.2-92.1% of total lipid content) and phospholipids (4.4-8.4%) were the main lipid classes. Polar lipid fraction (phospholipids), was predominantly constituted by PUFA (68.6-74.5%), mainly DHA (45.2-55.1%), with the highest percentage recorded in low-fat chub mackerel. High relative contents of PUFA (36.6-49.1%) were also found in TAG. Having into account the data obtained, chub mackerel is a privileged source of DHA even in a lean species whereby its consumption should be recommended as part a healthy dietary regime.

Salt Reduction Strategies in Portuguese School Meals, from Pre-School to Secondary Education-The Eat Mediterranean Program.

High sodium (salt) consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases. However, in most European countries, Portugal included, sodium intake is still high. This study aimed to assess the sodium content of school meals before and after the Eat Mediterranean (EM) intervention-a community-based program to identify and correct nutritional deviations through the implementation of new school menus and through schools' food handlers training. EM (2015-2017) was developed in 25 schools (pre to secondary education) of two Portuguese Municipalities, reaching students aged 3-21 years old. Samples of the complete meals (soup + main course + bread) from all schools were collected, and nutritional quality and laboratory analysis were performed to determine their nutritional composition, including sodium content. Overall, there was a significant decrease (-23%) in the mean sodium content of the complete school meals, which was mainly achieved by the significant reduction of 34% of sodium content per serving portion of soup. In conclusion, EM had a positive effect on the improvement of the school meals' sodium content, among the participant schools. Furthermore, school setting might be ideal for nutrition literacy interventions among children, for flavors shaping, and for educating towards less salty food acceptance.

A New Insight on Cardoon: Exploring New Uses besides Cheese Making with a View to Zero Waste.

Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus L., is a perennial plant whose flowers are used as vegetal rennet in cheese making. Cardoon is native from the Mediterranean area and is commonly used in the preparation of salads and soup dishes. Nowadays, cardoon is also being exploited for the production of energy, generating large amount of wastes, mainly leaves. These wastes are rich in bioactive compounds with important health benefits. The aim of this review is to highlight the main properties of cardoon leaves according to the current research and to explore its potential uses in different sectors, namely the food industry. Cardoon leaves are recognized to have potential health benefits. In fact, some studies indicated that cardoon leaves could have diuretic, hepato-protective, choleretic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-carcinogenic, and antibacterial properties. Most of these properties are due to excellent polyphenol profiles, with interesting antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These findings indicate that cardoon leaves can have new potential uses in different sectors, such as cosmetics and the food industry; in particular, they can be used for the preparation of extracts to incorporate into active food packaging. In the future, these new uses of cardoon leaves will allow for zero waste of this crop.

Effects of Industrial Boiling on the Nutritional Profile of Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris).

Industrial cooking of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) under well-established procedures is advantageous for current consumers, which demand healthy and convenient food. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of industrial water boiling, without the addition of salt, on the nutritional profile of common octopus. True retentions (TRs) were calculated for essential nutrients and toxic elements. After boiling, the moisture content decreased, resulting in a concentration of other constituents (protein, fat, fatty acids, majority of amino acids, phosphorus, zinc, and iodine). High TRs were obtained for some essential nutrients: 90.2% (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), 89.1% (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), ≥74.6% (indispensable amino acids, IAA), and 86.8% (iodine). In both raw and boiled octopus, polyunsaturated fatty acids (252.2 and 425.1 mg/100 g), leucine (940.1 and 1613.4 mg/100 g), glutamate (1971.5 and 3257.1 mg/100 g), sodium (393.3 and 332.5 mg/100 g), and zinc (12.6 and 16.6 mg/kg) were, respectively, the most abundant fatty acids, IAA, dispensable amino acids, macro, and micro elements. Cadmium, lead, and mercury levels found in boiled octopus were 0.02, 0.10, and 0.08 mg/kg, respectively. The consumption of 150 g (usual portion) of boiled octopus is advisable because it contributes to significant daily intakes of EPA+DHA (>100%), selenium (75.6%), and iodine (12.4%), and 25% of the daily adequate intake of sodium for adults.

Elemental composition and bioaccessibility of farmed oysters (Crassostrea gigas) fed different ratios of dietary seaweed and microalgae during broodstock conditioning.

The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) culture has been expanding, thereby leading to a greater importance of hatcheries. Broodstock conditioning is very important in the hatchery process, in which diet composition may have a strong influence on the offspring production and quality. Therefore, the current study evaluated elemental composition and bioaccessibility of oysters fed different ratios of dietary seaweed (SW) and microalgae. The dietary conditioning consisted of direct replacement of microalgae by SW at four substitution levels (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100% diet). It was observed that oysters fed 100% SW had the highest levels of Be, Cu, Zn, Sr, and Cd. The most important trend was a concentration decline of most elements with progressively lower levels of SW substitution for microalgae in the feeds. No Cd or Pb hazard (contents below 1.0 mg/kg for Cd and 1.5 mg/kg for Pb) was found in oyster meat. Regarding elemental bioaccessibility, values were similar, near 100% in the cases of Cu, Br, and I. Only for Mn and Pb, bioaccessibility percentages deviated more from 100%. Indeed, the value for Pb was 50% ± 7% (initial group), and for Mn, all values were equal or lower than 29% ± 2% (final group of oysters fed microalgae). It was observed that Mn, Cd, and Pb bioaccessibility increased with a growing share of microalgal biomass in the feed. Therefore, this study showed that SW incorporation into the feed influences elemental composition and bioaccessibility of the oysters.

Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value, and Safety of Cooked Female Chaceon Maritae from Namibe (Angola).

Despite being highly appreciated and consumed, the nutritional value of Chaceon maritae from Namibe (Angola) had never been studied. In the present work, edible tissues (muscle, ovaries, and hepatopancreas) of boiled female C. maritae caught off Namibe coast in two distinct seasons were analyzed in terms of proximate chemical composition (fat, ash, protein, and moisture), fatty acid and amino acid profiles, cholesterol, essential minerals (macro and trace) and toxic elements. Results showed that, in both seasons, C. maritae muscle was a valuable source of protein, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential elements, especially zinc, selenium, iodine, and copper. Ovaries and hepatopancreas are also good sources of protein, but were richer in fat, particularly when caught in October. Ovarian fat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and that of hepatopancreas has higher values of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Hepatopancreas and ovaries are also good sources of copper and, especially ovaries, of zinc. Moreover, in both seasons, all the edible tissues of C. maritae analyzed presented very low contents of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic).

Lead, cadmium and arsenic exposure of schoolchildren of northwest Argentina from a risk assessment study.

This study was designed to estimate the dietary intake of lead, arsenic and cadmium by schoolchildren population (aged 6 to 12) of northwest Argentina. Calculations were based on a 24-h dietary recall survey. A total of 1027 completed surveys were analyzed in both provinces. From the observed consumption, 22 composite samples were prepared from individual food items and water samples. For lead, 30% of the food samples were found below the LOD and 40% below the LOQ. For cadmium, 76% of the samples were below the LOD and 16% below the LOQ. For arsenic, only one sample showed values higher than LOD and LOQ. The exposure was similar to that observed in other studies, with mean results of 0.6 µg/kg bw/day for lead, 0.002 µg/kg bw/day for cadmium and 1.7 µg/kg bw/day for arsenic in the locality with this pollutant present in water. Although exposure levels do not exceed the limits established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, the presence of these contaminants in food should be monitored, taking into account that children are more susceptible to their neurotoxic effects.

Bioclimatic modeling in the Last Glacial Maximum, Mid-Holocene and facing future climatic changes in the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.).

Increasing forest wildfires in Portugal remain a growing concern since forests in the Mediterranean region are vulnerable to recent global warming and reduction of precipitation. Therefore, a long-term negative effect is expected on the vegetation, with increasing drought and areas burnt by fires. The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is particularly used in Portugal to produce a spirit by processing its fruits and is the main income for forestry owners. Other applications are possible due to the fruit and leaves' anti-oxidant properties and bioactive compounds production, with a potential for clinical and food uses. It is a sclerophyllous plant, dry-adapted and fire resistant, enduring the Mediterranean climate, and recently considered as a possibility for afforestation, to intensify forest discontinuity where pines and eucalypts monoculture dominate the region. To improve our knowledge about the species' spatial distribution we used 318 plots (the centroid of a 1 km2 square grid) measuring the species presence and nine environmental attributes. The seven bioclimatic variables most impacting on the species distribution and two topographic features, slope and altitude, were used. The past, current and future climate data were obtained through WorldClim. Finally, the vulnerability of the strawberry tree to the effects of global climate change was examined in the face of two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5), to predict distribution changes in the years 2050 and 2070, using a species distribution models (MaxEnt). The reduction of suitable habitat for this species is significant in the southern regions, considering the future scenarios of global warming. Central and northern mountainous regions are putative predicted refuges for this species. Forest policy and management should reflect the impact of climate change on the usable areas for forestry, particularly considering species adapted to the Mediterranean regions and wildfires, such as the strawberry tree. The distribution of the species in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Mid-Holocene (MH) agrees with previous genetic and paleontological studies in the region, which support putative refuges for the species. Two in the southern and coastal-central regions, since the LGM, and one in the east-central mountainous region, considered as cryptic refugia.

Ensuring Food Integrity by Metrology and FAIR Data Principles.

Food integrity is a general term for sound, nutritive, healthy, tasty, safe, authentic, traceable, as well as ethically, safely, environment-friendly, and sustainably produced foods. In order to verify these properties, analytical methods with a higher degree of accuracy, sensitivity, standardization and harmonization and a harmonized system for their application in analytical laboratories are required. In this view, metrology offers the opportunity to achieve these goals. In this perspective article the current global challenges in food analysis and the principles of metrology to fill these gaps are presented. Therefore, the pan-European project METROFOOD-RI within the framework of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) was developed to establish a strategy to allow reliable and comparable analytical measurements in foods along the whole process line starting from primary producers until consumers and to make all data findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable according to the FAIR data principles. The initiative currently consists of 48 partners from 18 European Countries and concluded its "Early Phase" as research infrastructure by organizing its future structure and presenting a proof of concept by preparing, distributing and comprehensively analyzing three candidate Reference Materials (rice grain, rice flour, and oyster tissue) and establishing a system how to compile, process, and store the generated data and how to exchange, compare them and make them accessible in data bases.

Quality Management Framework for Total Diet Study centres in Europe.

A Quality Management Framework to improve quality and harmonization of Total Diet Study practices in Europe was developed within the TDS-Exposure Project. Seventeen processes were identified and hazards, Critical Control Points and associated preventive and corrective measures described. The Total Diet Study process was summarized in a flowchart divided into planning and practical (sample collection, preparation and analysis; risk assessment analysis and publication) phases. Standard Operating Procedures were developed and implemented in pilot studies in five organizations. The flowchart was used to develop a quality framework for Total Diet Studies that could be included in formal quality management systems. Pilot studies operated by four project partners were visited by project assessors who reviewed implementation of the proposed framework and identified areas that could be improved. The quality framework developed can be the starting point for any Total Diet Study centre and can be used within existing formal quality management approaches.

Protein content and amino acids profile of pseudocereals.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) represent the main protein source in several diets, although these pseudocereals are not currently present in the FCDB nutrient profile information. The aim of this work is to characterise the AA profile of these pseudocereals and compare them with rice. Total protein content revealed to vary from 16.3g/100g (quinoa Salta) to 13.1g/100g (buckwheat) and lower values were found in rice samples (6.7g/100g). For pseudocereals the most abundant essential AA was leucine. Quinoa-Salta evidences the highest leucine content (1013mg/100g) and the minor methionine content (199mg/100g). Buckwheat was the cereal with the highest phenylalanine content (862mg/100g). Rice (Oryza sativa) presents the lowest content for all AA. Results showed pseudocereals as the best source of AA. EuroFIR guidelines where strictly followed and proved to be a crucial tool to guarantee data interchangeability and comparability.

EuroFIR quality approach for managing food composition data; where are we in 2014?

A EuroFIR quality management framework was developed to assure data quality of food composition data, incorporating several recommendations developed or improved during the EuroFIR projects. A flow chart of the compilation process with standard operating procedures to assure critical steps was the starting point. Recommendations for food description, component identification, value documentation, recipe calculation, quality evaluation of values, guidelines to assess analytical methods, document and data repositories and training opportunities were harmonized as elements of the quality framework. European food composition database organizations reached consensus on the EuroFIR quality framework and started implementation. Peer reviews of the European compiler organizations were organized to evaluate the quality framework, focusing on what was achieved and on improvements needed. The reviews demonstrated that European food database compilers have made good use of standards and guidelines produced by EuroFIR, as well as a common understanding that a quality framework is essential to assure food composition data quality.

EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis: GAMA.

Analytical methodology is a key factor in food composition databases and specific criteria, at the component level, is needed for comparison of analytical data from different sources. The aim of this work is to describe how EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis are created and made available to users. Comprehensive information for macronutrients, vitamins, minerals and trace elements addressing all aspects of analytical procedures was obtained from international standards, and scientific literature. Documentation was compiled in a confluence wiki format provided for each component: background information, description of reference methods of analysis and critical steps, available reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, other analytical methods and relevant references. The information for each nutrient was collated, edited and presented with hypertext links to additional pages where more detailed information can be accessed using full text searches. The wiki format is a useful tool for preparing information and disseminating to users.

Probiotic-loaded microcapsule system for human in situ folate production: Encapsulation and system validation.

This study focused on the use of a new system, an alginate|Ɛ-poly-l-lysine|alginate|chitosan microcapsule (APACM), able to immobilize a folate-producing probiotic, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (LLC), which provides a new approach to the utilization of capsules and probiotics for in situ production of vitamins. LLC is able to produce 95.25±26µg·L-1 of folate, during 10h, and was encapsulated in the APACM. APACM proved its capacity to protect LLC against the harsh conditions of a simulated digestion maintaining a viable concentration of 6logCFU·mL-1of LLC. A nutrients exchange capacity test, was performed using Lactobacillus plantarum UM7, a high lactic acid producer was used here to avoid false negative results. The production and release of 2g·L-1 of lactic acid was achieved through encapsulation of L. plantarum, after 20h. The adhesion of APACM to epithelial cells was also quantified, yielding 38% and 33% of capsules adhered to HT-29 cells and Caco-2 cells, respectively.