Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Extracts From Sea Cucumbers and Tunicates Induce a Pro-osteogenic Effect in Zebrafish Larvae.

Bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis are characterized by the loss of mineral from the bone tissue leading to its structural weakening and increased susceptibility to fractures. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiological processes involved in the rise of these conditions. As the currently available therapeutic strategies are often characterized by toxic effects associated with their long-term use, natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as polyphenols promise to be a valuable alternative for the prevention and treatment of these disorders.

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.

Quantitation Overcoming Matrix Effects of Lipophilic Toxins in by Liquid Chromatography-Full Scan High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis (LC-HR-MS).

The analysis of marine lipophilic toxins in shellfish products still represents a challenging task due to the complexity and diversity of the sample matrix. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the technique of choice for accurate quantitative measurements in complex samples. By combining unambiguous identification with the high selectivity of tandem MS, it provides the required high sensitivity and specificity.

Quantitative risk-benefit assessment of Portuguese fish and other seafood species consumption scenarios.

Portugal has high fish/seafood consumption, which may have both risks and benefits. This study aims to quantify the net health impact of hypothetical scenarios of fish/seafood consumption in the Portuguese population using a risk-benefit assessment methodology. Consumption data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016 ( 5811) were used to estimate the mean exposure to methylmercury and EPA + DHA in the current and the alternative scenarios considered.

Study of the Seasonal Variations of the Fatty Acid Profiles of Selected Macroalgae.

Due to the high consumption of fat-rich processed foods, efforts are being done to reduce their saturated fat (SFA) contents and replace it with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), creating a necessity to find alternative PUFA sources. Macroalgae, being a promising natural source of healthy food, may be such an alternative. The fatty acid (FA) profile of , , , and were determined through direct transesterification and their seasonal variation was studied.

Are non-indigenous species hitchhiking offshore farmed mussels? A biogeographic and functional approach.

The epifauna associated to farmed mussels in southern Portugal coast was analysed, aiming at identifying the species with spreading potential through commercial transport. The presence of a relevant number of the species here found is not reported to at least one of the common mussel export/transposition countries. Indeed, important species biogeographic dissimilarities between the mussel farm area and the Greater North Sea and Western Mediterranean Sea sub-regions were detected, suggesting the potential transport of non-indigenous species (NIS) into other countries.

Determination of intestinal absorption of the paralytic shellfish toxin GTX-5 using the Caco-2 human cell model.

Contributing to the human health risk assessment, the present study aims to evaluate the ability of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) to cross the human intestinal epithelium by using the Caco-2 permeability assay. A crude extract prepared from the PST producer dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum strain, GCAT1_L2_16, and the PST analogue gonyautoxin-5 (GTX-5) prepared from a certified reference material (CRM) were tested. In the conditions of the assay, none of the compounds altered Caco-2 viability, or the integrity of cell monolayers.

Yogurt Enriched with : An Innovative Functional Food.

Microalgae are a valuable and innovative emerging source of natural nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be used as functional ingredients in order to increase the nutritional value of foods to improve human health and to prevent disease. The marine microalga has great potential for the food industry as a functional ingredient, given its richness in ω3 long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), with high contents of oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), stearidonic, and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. This study focuses on the formulation of a functional food by the incorporation of 2% (/) of freeze-dried biomass and 2% (/) of ethyl acetate lipidic extract in solid natural yogurts preparation.

Characterization of Protein Hydrolysates from Fish Discards and By-Products from the North-West Spain Fishing Fleet as Potential Sources of Bioactive Peptides.

Fish discards and by-products can be transformed into high value-added products such as fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) containing bioactive peptides. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from different parts (whole fish, skin and head) of several discarded species of the North-West Spain fishing fleet using Alcalase. All hydrolysates had moisture and ash contents lower than 10% and 15%, respectively.

Assessing consumers' attitudes, expectations and intentions towards health and sustainability regarding seafood consumption in Italy.

The EU and its Member States have articulated a sustainability vision 'to live well within the limits of our planet' by 2050. In this context, consumers play a key role, being able to drive seafood production sustainability and responsibility according to their behaviour, also in relation to their attitudes towards health, nutrition and well-being. On the basis of these premises, this research explores Italian consumers' attitudes towards health and sustainability in relation to seafood, in order to segment different target of consumers.

Dietary exposure to potentially toxic elements through sushi consumption in Catalonia, Spain.

Although sushi is considered as a healthy food, it can also be a route of exposure to chemical contaminants such as potentially toxic trace elements. In this study, we analysed the concentration of Cd, I, Ni, Pb and total Hg, as well as iAs and MeHg in sushi samples. Iodine levels were higher in samples containing seaweed, while iAs concentrations were greater in rice-containing sushi.

Human health risk-benefit assessment of fish and other seafood: a scoping review.

Fish and other seafood are important sources of nutrients, but they are also sources of chemical contaminants that may cause adverse health effects. This article aimed to identify existing risk-benefit assessments (RBA) of fish, shellfish, and other seafood, compare methodologies, discuss differences and commonalities in findings, and identify limitations and ways forward for future studies. We conducted a scoping review of the scientific literature of studies in all languages published from 2000 through April 2019.

Quality of Frozen Hake Fillets in the Portuguese Retail Market: A Case Study of Inadequate Practices in the European Frozen White Fish Market.

The overall quality of frozen hake fillets in the Portuguese market was evaluated. Physical, biochemical, microbiological, and sensory analysis in 20 brands revealed several non-conformities. Hake was identified in 19 brands, although two mislabeled the species.

Nutritional value and sensory properties of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fillets enriched with sustainable and natural feed ingredients.

Declines across global fishery stocks forced aquaculture feed manufacturers to search for new and sustainable components. Therefore, the aim of study was assessing nutritional value and sensory properties of meat of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fed for 116 days with two blends.

Microalgal solutions in the cultivation of rotifers and artemia: scope for the modulation of the fatty acid profile.

The microalgae sp. (AUR), sp. (ISO), and sp (NAN) were studied as possible alternative feeds to well established commercial compound feeds for both rotifers () and .

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.

Green tea infusion reduces mercury bioaccessibility and dietary exposure from raw and cooked fish.

Human exposure to mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) through the ingestion of seafood raises human health-related concerns. In contrast, green tea has health benefits and its consumption potentially reduces bioaccessibility of dietary Hg. The present study aimed to assess the effect of green tea in total mercury (THg) and MeHg bioaccessibility in raw and cooked marine fish species commonly having high Hg levels.

Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Susceptibility of from Aquaculture.

In a world where the population continues to increase and the volume of fishing catches stagnates or even falls, the aquaculture sector has great growth potential. This study aimed to contribute to the depth of knowledge of the diversity of bacterial species found in collected from a fish farm and to understand which profiles of diminished susceptibility to antibiotics would be found in these bacteria that might be disseminated in the environment. One hundred thirty-six bacterial strains were recovered from the samples.

High sensitivity of rat cardiomyoblast H9c2(2-1) cells to Gambierdiscus toxic compounds.

Ciguatera fish poisoning is a frequently reported non-bacterial food-borne illness related to the consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins, and possibly maitotoxins. These toxins are synthesized by marine dinoflagellate species of Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa genera, and their abundance is a matter of great concern due to their adverse effects to aquatic life and human health. The present study aims to assess the sensitivity of rat cardiomyoblast H9c2(2-1) cells to Gambierdiscus toxic compounds using concentration- and time-dependent sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assays.

Isolation and Characterization of Strains from Finished Drinking Water.

In the summer of 2015, an intense cyanobacterial bloom producing geosmin/2-methylisoborneol (MIB) occurred in the Roxo freshwater reservoir in Alentejo, Portugal. The drinking water supplied from the Roxo water treatment plant (WTP) exhibited an unpleasant odor/taste and a significant cyanobacteria density was detected in the finished water at the exit of the WTP. Cyanobacteria were not evaluated downstream of the WTP, namely, at the city reservoir.

Bioprospection of Isochrysis galbana and its potential as a nutraceutical.

Microalgae have strong potential as novel sources of nutraceuticals, as they contain significant amounts of highly valuable bioactive compounds. This study focuses on the bioprospection of biomass of the microalga Isochrysis galbana and its extracts (aqueous and ethanolic), determining total polyphenols, laminarin, fucoxanthin, coenzyme Q10, and β-carotene contents, and also assessing several biological activities (antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and hypocholesterolemic). I.

A multimetric approach to evaluate offshore mussel aquaculture effects on the taxonomical and functional diversity of macrobenthic communities.

A multimetric approach was used to detect structural, compositional, and functional shifts in the underlying macrobenthic communities of an offshore mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) farm in a Portuguese Aquaculture Production Area. Sampling stations distributed inside and outside this area were used to evaluate sediment descriptors and macrobenthic samples collected before (April and September 2010) and after (June and September 2014) the initiation of mussel farming. Sediment fine fraction, organic matter content, and trace element concentrations were found to increase with depth, independently from the mussel farm.

Environmental risks associated with contaminants of legacy and emerging concern at European aquaculture areas.

The contamination of marine ecosystems by contaminants of emerging concern such as personal care products or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances is of increasing concern. This work assessed the concentrations of selected contaminants of emerging concern in water and sediment of European aquaculture areas, to evaluate their co-variation with legacy contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and faecal biomarkers, and estimate the risks associated with their occurrence. The 9 study sites were selected in 7 European countries to be representative of the aquaculture activities of their region: 4 sites in the Atlantic Ocean and 5 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Comparison of fish and oil supplements for a better understanding of the role of fat level and other food constituents in determining bioaccessibility.

In order to investigate the effects of fat level and protein and other components on lipid bioaccessibility, the bioaccessibility of total lipids and particular fatty acids (FAs) of fish samples with different fat levels (5.4% w/w, 10.2% w/w, and 16.