Chemical composition and sensory profiling of coffees treated with asparaginase to decrease acrylamide formation during roasting.

Acrylamide is an amide formed in the Maillard reaction, with asparagine as the primary amino acid precursor. The intake of large amounts of acrylamide has induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in hormone-sensitive tissues of animals. The enzime asparaginase is one of the most effective methods for lowering the formation of acrylamide in foods such as potatoes. However, the reported sensory outcomes for coffee have been unsatisfactory so far. This study aimed to produce coffees with reduced levels of acrylamide by treating them with asparaginase while retaining their original sensory and bioactive profiles. Three raw samples of Coffea arabica, including two specialty coffees, and one of Coffea canephora were treated with 1000, 2000, and 3000 ASNU of the enzyme. Asparagine and bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acids-CGA, caffeine, and trigonelline) were quantified in raw and roasted beans by HPLC and LC-MS, while the determination of acrylamide and volatile organic compounds was performed in roasted beans by CG-MS. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH were also determined. Professional cupping by Q-graders and consumer sensory tests were also conducted. Results were analyzed by ANOVA-Fisher, MFA, PCA and Cluster analyses, with significance levels set at p ≤ 0.05. Steam treatment alone decreased acrylamide content by 18.4%, on average, and 6.1% in medium roasted arabica and canefora coffees. Average reductions of 32.5-56.0% in acrylamide formation were observed in medium roasted arabica beans when 1000-3000 ASNU were applied. In the canefora sample, 59.4-60.7% reductions were observed. However, steam treatment primarily caused 17.1-26.7% reduction of total CGA and lactones in medium roasted arabica samples and 13.9-22.0% in canefora sample, while changes in trigonelline, caffeine, and other evaluated chemical parameters, including the volatile profiles were minimal. Increasing enzyme loads slightly elevated acidity. The only sensory changes observed by Q-graders and or consumers in treated samples were a modest increase in acidity when 3000 ASNU was used in the sample with lower acidity, loss of mild off-notes in control samples, and increased perception of sensory descriptors. The former was selected given the similarity in chemical outcomes among beans treated with 2000 and 3000 ASNU loads.

In Vitro Digestion and Intestinal Absorption of Mycotoxins Due to Exposure from Breakfast Cereals: Implications for Children's Health.

Breakfast cereals play a crucial role in children's diets, providing essential nutrients that are vital for their growth and development. Children are known to be more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of food contaminants, with mycotoxins being a common concern in cereals. This study specifically investigated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), enniatin B (ENNB), and sterigmatocystin (STG), three well-characterized mycotoxins found in cereals. The research aimed to address existing knowledge gaps by comprehensively evaluating the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of these three mycotoxins, both individually and in combination, when consumed with breakfast cereals and milk. The in vitro gastrointestinal method revealed patterns in the bioaccessibility of AFB1, ENNB, and STG. Overall, bioaccessibility increased as the food progressed from the stomach to the intestinal compartment, with the exception of ENNB, whose behavior differed depending on the type of milk. The ranking of overall bioaccessibility in different matrices was as follows: digested cereal > cereal with semi-skimmed milk > cereal with lactose-free milk > cereal with soy beverage. Bioaccessibility percentages varied considerably, ranging from 3.1% to 86.2% for AFB1, 1.5% to 59.3% for STG, and 0.6% to 98.2% for ENNB. Overall, the inclusion of milk in the ingested mixture had a greater impact on bioaccessibility compared to consuming the mycotoxins as a single compound or in combination. During intestinal transport, ENNB and STG exhibited the highest absorption rates when ingested together. This study highlights the importance of investigating the combined ingestion and transport of these mycotoxins to comprehensively assess their absorption and potential toxicity in humans, considering their frequent co-occurrence and the possibility of simultaneous exposure.

Evaluating the human neurotoxicity and toxicological interactions impact of co-occurring regulated and emerging mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins can inflict harmful effects on diverse organs, and mounting evidence indicates their potential involvement in human neurodegenerative diseases. Given the common occurrence of these toxins in food, there is an increasing demand for a comprehensive assessment of their combined toxicity to enhance our understanding of their potential hazards. This research investigates mycotoxin exposure from widely consumed cereal-based products, including enniatin B (ENNB), sterigmatocystin (STG), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), cyclopiazonic acid (CPZ), citrinin (CIT), and ochratoxin A (OTA). Employing the median-effect equation based on Chou and Talalay's mass-action law, we assessed their cytotoxicity in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Notably, ENNB displayed the highest neurotoxicity (IC50 = 3.72 µM), followed by OTA (9.10 µM) and STG (9.99 µM). The combination of OTA + STG exhibited the highest toxicity (IC50 = 3.77 µM), while CPZ + CIT showed the least detrimental effect. Approximately 70 % of tested binary combinations displayed synergistic or additive effects, except for ENNB + STG, ENNB + AFB1, and CPZ + CIT, which showed antagonistic interactions. Intriguingly, the senary combination displayed moderate antagonism at the lowest exposure and moderate synergism at higher doses. OTA exhibited predominantly synergistic interactions, comprising approximately 90 %, a noteworthy finding considering its prevalence in food. Conversely, ENNB interactions tended to be antagonistic. The most remarkable synergy occurred in the STG and CIT combination, enabling a 50-fold reduction in CIT dosage for an equivalent toxic effect. These findings highlight the biological relevance of robust synergistic interactions, emphasizing the need to assess human exposure hazards accurately, particularly considering frequent mycotoxin co-occurrence in environmental and food settings.

Investigating the individual and mixture cytotoxicity of co-occurring aflatoxin B1, enniatin B, and sterigmatocystin on gastric, intestinal, hepatic, and renal cellular models.

This study investigates the individual and combined effects of the mycotoxins, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Enniatin B (ENNB) and Sterigmatocystin (STG), on the cellular viability of gastric (NCI-N87), intestinal (Caco-2), hepatic (Hep-G2) and renal (Hek-293) cells, shedding light on synergistic or antagonistic effects using a constant ratio combination design proposed by Chou-Talalay. These toxins are prevalent in cereal-based foods, frequently consumed by children which raises concerns about their exposure to these mycotoxins. This population is particularly vulnerable to the effects of these toxins due to their underdeveloped organs and incompletely structured physiological processes. Results showed that ENB was the most toxic of the three mycotoxins across all cell lines, while STG and AFB1 showed lower toxicity. The combination of ENNB + STG was found to be the most potent in terms of binary mixtures. In regard to ternary combinations, Caco-2 cells are more sensitive to the tested mycotoxins, whereas NCI-N87 cells show lower levels of cell damage. Worrying dose reduction values (>10-fold) were found for ENNB in binary and ternary combinations at low exposure levels. These findings are significant for establishing initial reference values, which play a pivotal role in estimating reference doses that are subsequently incorporated into the broader risk assessment process.

Behavior of diclofenac from contaminated fish after cooking and in vitro digestion.

BACKGROUND: Seafood consumers are widely exposed to diclofenac due to the high contamination levels often present in aquatic organisms. It is a potential risk to public health due its endocrine disruptor properties. Limited information is available about diclofenac behavior after food digestion to enable a more realistic scenario of consumer exposure. This study aimed to evaluate cooking effects on diclofenac levels, and determine diclofenac bioaccessibility by an in vitro digestion assay, using commercial fish species (seabass and white mullet) as models. The production of the main metabolite 4'-hydroxydiclofenac was also investigated. Fish hamburgers were spiked at two levels (150 and 1000 ng g-1 ) and submitted to three culinary treatments (roasting, steaming and grilling). RESULTS: The loss of water seems to increase the diclofenac levels after cooking, except in seabass with higher levels. The high bioaccessibility of diclofenac (59.1-98.3%) observed in both fish species indicates that consumers' intestines are more susceptible to absorption, which can be worrisome depending on the level of contamination. Contamination levels did not affect the diclofenac bioaccessibility in both species. Seabass, the fattest species, exhibited a higher bioaccessibility of diclofenac compared to white mullet. Overall, cooking decreased diclofenac bioaccessibility by up to 40% in seabass and 25% in white mullet. The main metabolite 4'-hydroxydiclofenac was not detected after cooking or digestion. CONCLUSION: Thus, consumption of cooked fish, preferentially grilled seabass and steamed or baked white mullet are more advisable. This study highlights the importance to consider bioaccessibility and cooking in hazard characterization studies. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Dynamics and effects of plastic contaminants' assimilation in gulls.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are persistent disrupters assimilated by organisms, yet little is known about their link to plastic ingestion and health effects. In an experiment, two groups of yellow-legged/lesser black-backed gulls (Larus michahellis/Larus fuscus) were fed plastics with BDE99 to assess leaching into brain, preen oil, liver and fat tissues and evaluate effects on health and stress parameters. Although most plastic was regurgitated, we observed a clear relation between plastic ingestion and chemical leaching. BDE99 exhibited higher levels in brain tissue of gulls from the plastic groups. Also, only values of cholinesterases measured in plasma were significantly reduced in the 'plastic' groups. Cholinesterase activity in the brain also tended to decrease, suggesting a negative effect in gulls' neurofunction. Results indicate that chemical leaching occurs, even when plastics stay in the stomach for a short period of time and showed that this can affect gulls' health.

Ecotoxicological responses of juvenile Sparus aurata to BDE-99 and BPA exposure: A multi-biomarker approach integrating immune, endocrine and oxidative endpoints.

Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) and bisphenol A (BPA) are synthetic organic compounds present in several daily use products. Due to their physicochemical properties, they are ubiquitously present in aquatic ecosystems and considered highly persistent. Recent evidence has confirmed that both emerging compounds are toxic to humans and terrestrial mammals eliciting a wide range of detrimental effects at endocrine and immune levels. However, the ecotoxicological responses that they can trigger in vertebrate marine species have not yet been established. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the ecotoxicological responses of juvenile Sparus aurata upon chronic (28 days) dietary exposure to BDE-99 and BPA (alone and combined) following an integrated multi-biomarker approach that combined fitness indicators (Fulton's K and splenosomatic indexes) with endocrine [cortisol, 17ß-estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) concentrations] and immune (peroxidase and antiprotease activities) endpoints in fish plasma, and oxidative stress [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and lipid peroxidation (LPO)] endpoints in the fish spleen. The mixture of BDE-99 and BPA yielded the highest IBR index value in both plasma and spleen biomarkers, therefore, suggesting that the effects of these compounds are more severe when they act together. Endocrine biomarkers were the most responsive in the three contaminated treatments. Fitness indicators were not affected by the individual nor the interactive effects of BDE-99 and BPA. These findings highlight the relevance of accounting for the interactive effects of emerging chemical contaminants and integrating responses associated with distinct biological pathways when investigating their impacts on marine life, as such a multi-biomarker approach provides a broader, more realistic and adequate perspective of challenges faced by fish in a contaminated environment.

Microplastics in marine mussels, biological effects and human risk of intake: A case study in a multi-stressor environment.

This study documented seasonal levels of microplastics (MPs) and biomarkers (condition index, neurotoxicity, energy, oxidative stress) in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), and water physico-chemical parameters in the Douro estuary (NE Atlantic coast), and estimated the human risk of MP intake (HRI) through mussels. Mussel stress was determined through the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR). HRI was estimated from mussel MP concentrations and consumer habits. MPs were mainly micro-fibres (72 %) with varied chemical composition. Seasonal MP means (±SEM) in mussels ranged from 0.111 ± 0.044 (spring) to 0.312 ± 0.092 MPs/g (summer). Seasonal variations of mussel stress (IBR: 1.4 spring to 9.7 summer) and MP concentrations were not related. MeO-BDEs, PBDEs, temperature, salinity and other factors likely contributed to mussel stress variation. HRI ranged from 2438 to 2650 MPs/year. Compared to the literature, MP contamination in mussels is low, as well as the human risk of MP intake through their consumption.

Commercial beers: A source of phthalates and di-ethylhexyl adipate.

Beer is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide. Different materials used along its production and packaging can result in human exposure to phthalates and adipates. The aim of this study was to assess simultaneously the levels of phthalates and di-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) in commercial beer samples (n = 66) with a method based on DLLME and detection with GC-MS/MS, and further evaluate human exposure. Six out of seven compounds studied were found in the beers analysed, with levels ranging from 1.77 to 205.40 µg/L. The most prevalent was DEHA at 205.40 µg/L, while dimethyl phthalate (DMP) was not present in any sample. Samples with 5-6 % alcohol, packed in aluminium cans and produced in an industrial environment presented the highest level of these contaminants. Despite low-risk exposure to phthalates and adipate with beer, it is important to remember the ubiquitous nature of these compounds, which can lead to cumulative exposure.

Can plastic pollution contaminate loggerhead turtle nests? Evaluation of flame retardants (PBDEs) levels in the sand.

Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue affecting multiple ecosystems, namely sea turtle nesting grounds. We analysed the potential chemical contamination caused by plastic debris in loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nests, focusing on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, a class of flame retardants). For that, we conducted a field experiment in a turtle hatchery (Cabo Verde) by placing plastic fragments in the nests at two depths: surface and ~20 cm. We evaluated the nests' success and quantified the levels of PBDEs in the sand using GC-MS/MS. Our results suggest that plastics on the nests' surface can leak contaminants, infiltrating the sand up to 20 cm. Buried plastics showed no relevant leakage of chemicals. While hatching and emergence success was unaffected, we found a relationship between leucistic embryos and contamination levels. Our study highlights the threats of plastic accumulation on beaches, which can potentially leak chemicals and contaminate turtle nests.

Algerian Workers' Exposure to Mycotoxins-A Biomonitoring Study.

Mycotoxins, produced by fungi as secondary metabolites, have the potential to induce both short-term and long-term toxic consequences in animals and humans. The present study aimed to determine multi-mycotoxin levels in Algerian workers using urine as the target. A method based on a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was optimized and validated for the determination of eleven mycotoxins in 96 urine samples. Different sorbents were tested to be used in the dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup step of QuEChERS. The final method was fit-for-purpose and showed good analytical performance in terms of specificity, linearity, and precision. All samples contained at least two mycotoxins, and toxin-2 (T-2) was the most common, being found in 92.7% of the samples, followed by zearalenone (ZEN) in 90.6% of positive samples, and ochratoxin A (OTA) in 86.4%. T-2 levels ranged from 0.3 µg/L to 36.3 µg/L, while OTA ranged from 0.3 µg/L to 3.5 µg/L, and ZEN ranged from 7.6 µg/L to 126.8 µg/L. This was the first mycotoxin biomonitoring study carried out in the Algerian population. The findings highlight the need for accurate data for better risk assessment and for the development of better regulation to manage mycotoxin contamination in this country.

Volatile, Microbial, and Sensory Profiles and Consumer Acceptance of Coffee Cascara Kombuchas.

Given the substantial world coffee production, tons of coffee fruit cascara rich in bioactive compounds are discarded annually. Using this by-product to produce potentially healthy and acceptable foods is a sustainable practice that aggregates value to coffee production and may help improve people's lives. This study aimed to elaborate kombuchas from coffee cascara tea, evaluate their microbial profile, and monitor the changes in the volatile profile during fermentation, together with sensory attributes and acceptance by consumers from Rio de Janeiro (n = 113). Arabica coffee cascaras from Brazil and Nicaragua were used to make infusions, to which black tea kombucha, a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts (SCOBY), and sucrose were added. Fermentation of plain black tea kombucha was also monitored for comparison. The volatile profile was analyzed after 0, 3, 6, and 9 days of fermentation via headspace solid phase microextraction GC-MS. A total of 81 compounds were identified considering all beverages, 59 in coffee cascara kombuchas and 59 in the black tea kombucha, with 37 common compounds for both. An increase mainly in acids and esters occurred during fermentation. Despite the similarity to black tea kombucha, some aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and ketones in coffee cascara kombucha were not identified in black tea kombucha. Potential impact compounds in CC were linalool, decanal, nonanal, octanal, dodecanal, ethanol, 2-ethylhexanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate, ß-damascenone, γ-nonalactone, linalool oxide, phenylethyl alcohol, geranyl acetone, phenylacetaldehyde, isoamyl alcohol, acetic acid, octanoic acid, isovaleric acid, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl hexanoate, and limonene. The mean acceptance scores for cascara kombuchas varied between 5.7 ± 0.53 and 7.4 ± 0.53 on a nine-point hedonic scale, with coffee cascara from three-day Nicaragua kombucha showing the highest score, associated with sweetness and berry, honey, woody, and herbal aromas and flavors. The present results indicate that coffee cascara is a promising by-product for elaboration of fermented beverages, exhibiting exotic and singular fingerprinting that can be explored for applications in the food industry.

Are microplastics contributing to pollution-induced neurotoxicity? A pilot study with wild fish in a real scenario.

Pollution-induced neurotoxicity is of high concern. This pilot study investigated the potential relationship between the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the brain of 180 wild fish (Dicentrarchus labrax, Platichthys flesus, Mugil cephalus) from a contaminated estuary and the activity of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. MPs were found in 9 samples (5% of the total), all of them from D. labrax collected in the summer, which represents 45% of the samples of this species collected in that season (20). Seventeen MPs were recovered from brain samples, with sizes ranging from 8 to 96 µm. Polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid and one biopolymer (zein) were identified by Micro-Raman spectroscopy. Fish with MPs showed lower (p ≤ 0.05) AChE activity than those where MPs were not found. These findings point to the contribution of MPs to the neurotoxicity induced by long-term exposure to pollution, stressing the need of further studies on the topic to increase 'One Health' protection.

Emerging mycotoxins in infant and children foods: A review.

A proper nutrition is crucial for children's healthy development. Regardless of the usual recommendations to follow a varied diet, some foods can be a source of toxic natural contaminants such as mycotoxins, potent secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. In addition to the most well-known mycotoxins, many of which are subject to tight regulation regarding the maximum levels allowed in different types of food, there is a large group of mycotoxins, the so-called emerging mycotoxins, about which less knowledge has already been acquired, which have gradually been the target of interest from the scientific community due to their prevalence in most foodstuffs, particularly in cereals and cereal-based products. Alternariol and his metabolite alternariol mono-methyl ether, beauvericin, citrinin, culmorin, enniatins, ergot alkaloids, fusaproliferin, kojic acid, moniliformin, sterigmatocystin, tentoxin and tenuazonic acid are the most representative of them. The current review gathered the information of the last ten years that have been published on the levels of emerging mycotoxins in food products dedicated for infants and children. European Union countries are responsible for most of the reported studies, which showed levels that can reach hundreds of mg/kg.

Seasonal occurrence and risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting compounds in Tagus estuary biota (NE Atlantic Ocean coast).

Estuaries are continually threatened by anthropogenic pressures, consequently, a large group of contaminants harmful to human health affects the aquatic biota; therefore, it is necessary to monitor their quality. This study deals with the determination of a large group of compounds representing different endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) classes [21 pesticides, 4 polycyclic musk fragrances, 4 UV-filters, 7 bisphenols, 6 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 8 of their methoxylated (MeO-BDEs)] in several estuarine species (fish, bivalves, crustaceans, earthworm, and macroalgae) collected seasonally along one year in two distinct areas of Tagus River estuary ("contaminated" vs. "clean" areas). The most abundant compounds found were galaxolide (HHCB) (81% positive samples; 0.04-74 ng/g ww), isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate (IMC) (64%; 1.13-251 ng/g ww), alachlor (44%; 0.08-16 ng/g ww), and BDE-47 (36%; 0.06-2.26 ng/g ww). Polycyclic musks were the most frequent contaminants in fish (seabass, barbus, mullet, and sole) and macroalgae samples, while UV-filters were predominant in bivalves and crustaceans, and bisphenols in earthworms. Seasonal variation was verified for Σpesticides and Σmusks, with significantly higher levels in summer and autumn, whereas ΣUV-filters highest levels were found in spring and summer, and for ΣPBDEs statistically higher levels were registered in cold seasons (autumn and winter). Σbisphenols were significantly lower in spring than in the other seasons. In general, considering all species analysed in both areas, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were verified between the two collection areas. Based on the estimated daily intake data, consumption of fish from this estuary is unlikely to be a human health concern, since the levels of contamination were below the toxicological threshold values. Overall, the data obtained in this study will allow regulatory authorities to identify and prioritize contaminants monitoring programs in estuaries, such as the case of bisphenol A, which was found, for the first time, in earthworm and clam species.

Effects of Green Tea Marinade in the Bioaccessibility of Tonalide and Benzophenone 3 in Cooked European Seabass.

Fish consumption is an indicator of human exposure to personal care products (PCP) such as tonalide (AHTN) and benzophenone 3 (BP3). Although most fish consumed is cooked, the impact of cooking procedures on PCP levels is difficult to evaluate. Hence, the aim of this work was to provide thorough information on the stability and bioaccessibility of AHTN and BP3 upon cooking and in vitro digestion. A green tea (Camellia sinensis) marinade, rich in polyphenol, was used as mitigating strategy to reduce these contaminants. Roasting and frying reduced AHTN and BP3 levels in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) spiked samples. Additionally, the green tea marinade promoted a reduction of up to 47% AHTN and 35% BP3. Bioaccessibility of AHTN was higher (up to 45%), and increased with the use of green tea marinades. BP3 showed a bioaccessibility below 19% in all cooked samples. Overall, a decrease in PCP levels was observed after cooking; this decrease was even more pronounced when marination was previously used. However, this decrease is cancelled out by the fact that the bioaccessible fraction of the contaminants increases in an inverse way; therefore, none of these processes can be considered a mitigating alternative.

Mycotoxins of Concern in Children and Infant Cereal Food at European Level: Incidence and Bioaccessibility.

Cereals are of utmost importance for the nutrition of infants and children, as they provide important nutrients for their growth and development and, in addition, they are easily digestible, being the best choice for the transition from breast milk/infant formula to solid foods. It is well known that children are more susceptible than adults to toxic food contaminants, such as mycotoxins, common contaminants in cereals. Many mycotoxins are already regulated and controlled according to strict quality control standards in Europe and around the world. There are, however, some mycotoxins about which the level of knowledge is lower: the so-called emerging mycotoxins, which are not yet regulated. The current review summarizes the recent information (since 2014) published in the scientific literature on the amounts of mycotoxins in infants' and children's cereal-based food in Europe, as well as their behaviour during digestion (bioaccessibility). Additionally, analytical methods used for mycotoxin determination and in vitro methods used to evaluate bioaccessibility are also reported. Some studies demonstrated the co-occurrence of regulated and emerging mycotoxins in cereal products used in children's food, which highlights the need to adopt guidelines on the simultaneous presence of more than one mycotoxin. Although very little research has been done on the bioaccessibility of mycotoxins in these food products, very interesting results correlating the fiber and lipid contents of such products with a higher or lower bioaccessibility of mycotoxins were reported. LC-MS/MS is the method of choice for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins due to its high sensibility and accuracy. In vitro static digestion models are the preferred ones for bioaccessibility evaluation due to their simplicity and accuracy.

Occurrence and seasonal variation of several endocrine disruptor compounds (pesticides, bisphenols, musks and UV-filters) in water and sediments from the estuaries of Tagus and Douro Rivers (NE Atlantic Ocean coast).

Exposure of aquatic environments to emerging contaminants is a global issue, special relevant in many estuaries due to impacts from anthropogenic activity. The aim of this work was to evaluate thirty-seven endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) from four different classes (pesticides, bisphenols, polycyclic musks and UV-filters) in water and sediment samples collected during one-year in the estuaries of Tagus and Douro Rivers located into the NE Atlantic Ocean coast. EDCs analysis was achieved afterward validation of a gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) as extraction procedure for water samples, and Quick, Easy, Cheap, Efficient, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) combined with DLLME for sediments. Tagus estuary presented higher levels of contamination with pesticide residues and bisphenols (BPs) than the Douro estuary in both water and sediment samples. Contrariwise, levels and frequency of polycyclic musks (PCMs) and UV-filters (UVF) were slightly higher in Douro estuary. Levels of pesticide residues in both sediment and water samples, and levels of PCMs and UVF in water samples were higher in warmer seasons (summer and spring) than in colder ones (winter and autumn). The opposite was found in what respect levels of BPs in water and sediment samples, and PCMs and UVF levels in sediment samples. Although the levels found for each contaminant are low, usually in the order of a few ng/mL(g), the presence of a high number of toxic compounds is a source of concern and requires constant monitoring.

Survey on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in seafood: Occurrence and distribution.

Currently, the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the marine environment pose а potential risk to both wildlife and human health. The occurrence of EDCs in seafood depends of several factors such as source and amounts of EDCs that reach the aquatic environment, physicochemical features of EDCs, and its accumulation in trophic chain. This review highlights the occurrence and distribution of EDCs along the seafood in the last 6 years. The following EDCs were included in this review: brominated flame retardants (PBDEs, PBBs, HBCDDs, TBBPA, and novel flame retardants); pharmaceuticals (paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, carbamazepine), bisphenols, hormones, personal care products (Musk and UV Filters), and pesticides (organochlorides, organophosphates, and pyrethroids). Some of them were found above the threshold that may cause negative effects on human, animal, and environmental health. More control in some countries, as well as new legislation and inspection over the purchase, sale, use, and production of these compounds, are urgently needed. This review provides data to support risk assessment and raises critical gaps to stimulate and improve future research.

Multi-analyte gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to monitor bisphenols, musk fragrances, ultraviolet filters, and pesticide residues in seafood.

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the analysis of thirty-six anthropogenic contaminants in the edible portion of four distinct seafood items is reported. Considering the heterogeneous composition of algae, mussels, and lean/fatty fish muscles, a generic sample preparation based on the QuEChERS procedure combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) with in situ acetylation was successfully applied for quantification of pesticide residues, bisphenols, musk fragrances and UV-filters. Matrix effects were influenced by the type of seafood, with the lowest effects being observed with EMR-lipid and graphitized carbon black sorbents in dispersive solid-phase extraction cleanup step. Method performance features were successful evaluated in the different seafood samples - algae, mussel, lean and fatty fish muscles, following the criteria established by SANTE/12682/2019 for analytical methods for pesticide residues analysis. The detection and quantification of bisphenol F, musk fragrances (galaxolide and tonalide), UV-filters (2-ethylhexyl salicylate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, and isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate), and residues of permethrin in commercial samples of algae, mussel and fish collected in a Portuguese estuary support the suitability of the proposed method for future seafood monitoring by food safety authorities.