Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Extraction from Bivalve Meat for Analysis Using Potentiometric Chemical Sensors.

A simple and reliable methodology for the detection of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in bivalve tissues using potentiometric chemical sensors was developed. Five methods of PST extraction from mussel and oyster tissues were evaluated, including the AOAC-recommended method, which served as the reference. The main objective was to minimize the matrix effect of the extracts on the sensors' responses and ensure efficient toxin recovery.

Carbamoylase-based impedimetric electronic tongue for rapid detection of paralytic shellfish toxins.

Phytotoxins produced by marine microalgae, such as paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), can accumulate in bivalve molluscs, representing a human health concern due to the life-threatening symptoms they cause. To avoid the commercialization of contaminated bivalves, monitoring programs were established in the EU. The purpose of this work is the implementation of a PST transforming enzyme-carbamoylase-in an impedimetric test for rapid simultaneous detection of several carbamate and N-sulfocarbamoyl PSTs.

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.

Volatile Composition of Fortification Grape Spirit and Port Wine: Where Do We Stand?

Port wine's prominence worldwide is unequivocal and the grape spirit, which comprises roughly one fifth of the total volume of this fortified wine, is also a contributor to the recognized quality of this beverage. Nonetheless, information about the influence of the grape spirit on the final aroma of Port wine, as well as its volatile composition, is extremely limited. Moreover, the aroma characteristics of Port wines are modulated mainly by their volatile profiles.

One-year variation in quantity and properties of microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) from Aveiro lagoon.

As filter feeders, marine bivalves inhabiting estuarine and coastal areas are directly exposed to microplastics (MPs) in water. To assess whether MPs number, and their shape, size, colour, and polymer type present in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) varied over one year, bivalves were collected over the year of 2019 in the lower part of the coastal Aveiro lagoon, Portugal. After extraction from the bivalve's whole-body soft tissues, a subset of the visually inspected particles was randomly separated for identification using the Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy.

Sustainable Valorization of L. Berries: From Crop Biodiversity to Nutritional Value of Juice and Pomace.

Improvement of dietary and ecological biodiversity, namely by exploring autochthonous varieties, is a key point to the construction of a more sustainable food system and planetary health. However, the environmental sustainability continues to face huge challenges, reflecting the importance of achieving a better understanding about the functional role of biodiversity in ecosystems. Thus, the main objective of this research is to contribute to the sustainable valorization of L.

Lignosulfonate-Based Conducting Flexible Polymeric Membranes for Liquid Sensing Applications.

In this study, lignosulfonate (LS) from the acid sulfite pulping of eucalypt wood was used to synthesize LS-based polyurethanes (PUs) doped with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within the range of 0.1-1.4% /, yielding a unique conducting copolymer composite, which was employed as a sensitive material for all-solid-state potentiometric chemical sensors.

HS-SPME Gas Chromatography Approach for Underivatized Acrylamide Determination in Biscuits.

Acrylamide (AA) is a food contaminant in thermally processed products that is object of tight control. A simple and easy-to-apply methodology for routine monitoring of AA levels in food products could allow producers to be players in the control of their own products. In this work, a simple methodology for AA quantification without derivatization was developed for biscuits, for which the benchmark levels recommended by EFSA are 350 µg/kg, and 150 µg/kg for biscuits for infants and young children.

Major characteristics of microplastics in mussels from the Portuguese coast.

The present study reports the quantity, shape, colour and chemical properties of microplastics (MP) and MP-like in whole soft tissues of the mussel Mytilus spp. collected in January and February 2019 from four natural banks in the Portuguese coast. Three sites are located in estuarine areas influenced by anthropogenic pressures and freshwater discharges, and one in the coast far from urbanised areas.

Sorption of okadaic acid lipophilic toxin onto plastics in seawater.

The present study tested under laboratorial conditions the sorption of okadaic acid (OA), a lipophilic toxin produced by marine phytoplankton, onto 6-mm plastic circular fragments. Fragments (4 g L) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and non-expanded polystyrene (PS) were exposed for 96 h to seawater spiked with 10 ng mL of OA. Results of the experiments showed a broad percentage of OA removed from the water by plastics after 48 h of exposure: 30 ± 5.

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST)-Transforming Enzymes: A Review.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are a group of toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning through blockage of voltage-gated sodium channels. PSTs are produced by prokaryotic freshwater cyanobacteria and eukaryotic marine dinoflagellates. Proliferation of toxic algae species can lead to harmful algal blooms, during which seafood accumulate high levels of PSTs, posing a health threat to consumers.

Nanocomposite Polymeric Materials Based on Eucalyptus Lignoboost Kraft Lignin for Liquid Sensing Applications.

This study reports the synthesis of polyurethane-lignin copolymer blended with carbon multilayer nanotubes to be used in all-solid-state potentiometric chemical sensors. Known applicability of lignin-based polyurethanes doped with carbon nanotubes for chemical sensing was extended to eucalyptus LignoBoost kraft lignin containing increased amounts of polyphenolic groups from concomitant tannins that were expected to impart specificity and sensitivity to the sensing material. Synthesized polymers were characterized using FT-MIR spectroscopy, electrical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry and are used for manufacturing of all solid-state potentiometric sensors.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Thin-Film Electrochemical Sensors.

Preparation of potentiometric and amperometric sensors with thin-film membranes based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) is described. Spherical MIP microparticles with diameter below 1 μm are suitable for incorporation into the sensing membrane by the deposition of a conducting polymer on the electrode surface. This is achieved through electropolymerization from the suspension of MIP particles in monomer solution.

Data on yields, sugars and glycosidic-linkage analyses of coffee arabinogalactan and galactomannan mixtures and optimization of their microwave assisted extraction from spent coffee grounds.

The data presented here are related to the research paper entitled "Structural features of spent coffee grounds water-soluble polysaccharides: towards tailor-made microwave assisted extractions" [1]. Microwave assisted extraction conditions were applied to spent coffee grounds for recovery of polysaccharides, namely arabinogalactans and galactomannans. Following an experimental design testing temperature, time, and alkali conditions as influence factors during microwave assisted extraction, this article reports the response data for the total extracted mass, sugars yield (including arabinogalactans and galactomannans total content, and mass ratio), and structural features (including degree of polymerization and degree of branching) for each set of operating conditions.

D-Shaped POF Sensors for Refractive Index Sensing-The Importance of Surface Roughness.

In this study the influence of the surface roughness on the transmission capacities of D-shaped plastic optical fibers (POFs) and sensors performance was investigated. Five D-shaped POF sensors were produced and characterized for refractive index sensing between 1.33 and 1.

Structural features of spent coffee grounds water-soluble polysaccharides: Towards tailor-made microwave assisted extractions.

This work studies the microwave-assisted extraction conditions for recovery of polysaccharides from spent coffee grounds, including their effect on arabinogalactans and galactomannans polymerization and branching structural features. Temperature (140, 170, and 200 °C) has the most significant impact on total extracted mass (η) and sugars yield (η), arabinogalactans (η) and galactomannans (η), and polysaccharide mass ratio (η/η). Time (2, 5, and 10 min) and alkali (diluted 0.

Calibration Update and Drift Correction for Electronic Noses and Tongues.

One of the obstacles to the wider practical use of the multisensor systems for gas and liquid analysis-electronic noses and tongues, is the limited temporal validity of the multivariate calibration models. Frequent recalibration of multisensor systems is often excessively costly and time consuming due to the large number of necessary reference sample and their limited availability. There are several circumstances that can invalidate multivariate calibration model.

Cheeses Made from Raw and Pasteurized Cow's Milk Analysed by an Electronic Nose and an Electronic Tongue.

Cheese prepared from whole milk, raw and pasteurized, were analysed by an electronic nose based on piezoelectric quartz crystals and an electronic tongue based on potentiometric sensors, immediately after their preparation and along ripening (after 7 and 21 days). Whey was also analysed by the potentiometric electronic tongue. Results obtained by the electronic nose and tongue were found to be complementary, with the electronic nose being more sensitive to differences in the milk and the electronic tongue being more sensitive to milk pasteurization.

The impact of exercise training on the lipid peroxidation metabolomic profile and respiratory infection risk in older adults.

Unlabelled: Aging is associated with oxidative stress that may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections (RIs). We aimed to assess the impact of exercise training on the risk of RIs in older adults and on a targeted metabolomic profile of stress oxidative lipid peroxidation-related metabolites.

Methods: In an 8-month clinical trial, 38 participants over 60 years of age were allocated to an exercise group (EG), in which participants underwent 90-min training sessions three times/week(n = 20), or a control group (CG), in which participants maintained daily physical activities(n = 18).

Discovery of novel N-hydroxy-2-arylisoindoline-4-carboxamides as potent and selective inhibitors of HDAC11.

N-Hydroxy-2-arylisoindoline-4-carboxamides are potent and selective inhibitors of HDAC11. The discovery, synthesis, and structure activity relationships of this novel series of inhibitors are reported. An advanced analog (FT895) displays promising cellular activity and pharmacokinetic properties that make it a useful tool to study the biology of HDAC11 and its potential use as a therapeutic target for oncology and inflammation indications.

Potentiometric chemical sensors for the detection of paralytic shellfish toxins.

Potentiometric chemical sensors for the detection of paralytic shellfish toxins have been developed. Four toxins typically encountered in Portuguese waters, namely saxitoxin, decarbamoyl saxitoxin, gonyautoxin GTX5 and C1&C2, were selected for the study. A series of miniaturized sensors with solid inner contact and plasticized polyvinylchloride membranes containing ionophores, nine compositions in total, were prepared and their characteristics evaluated.

Oxidative stress in asthmatic and non-asthmatic adolescent swimmers-A breathomics approach.

Unlabelled: We hypothesize that oxidative stress induced by trichloramine exposure during swimming could be related to etiopathogenesis of asthma among elite swimmers.

Aim: To investigate the effect of a swimming training session on oxidative stress markers of asthmatic compared to non-asthmatic elite swimmers using exhaled breath (EB) metabolomics.

Methods: Elite swimmers annually screened in our department (n=27) were invited and those who agreed to participate (n=20, of which 9 with asthma) had EB collected (Tedlar bags) before and after a swimming training session.