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Background Food processing is fundamental to extend the shelf-life of food products. During the processing, several parts of food are wasted. FAO indicated that about one-third of the world's food production for human consumption was lost or wasted, and food waste is an environmental, economic, and social problem. Fruits and vegetables are the food groups with the highest amount of food waste, both in food processing and in consumption stage. However, those by-products constitute a potential source of bioactive compounds, with powerful biological activities. Scope and Approach This paper carries out a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, on the main active compounds of some fruits and vegetable by-products, their biological activities, and potential uses. This study highlights the importance of food safety assessment of by-products to ensure human health. Key Findings and Conclusions The cherry, plum, date and artichoke by-products presented high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, which makes them sustainable natural high-added value compounds to be reincorporated into the food supply chain, to improve functionality as well as to extend the shelf-life of food products, within the framework of the circular economy., This work was financially supported by the research project ValICET (PRIMA/0001/2020) - Valorise foods and Improve Competitiveness through Emerging Technologies applied to food by-products within the circular economy framework (section 2 PRIMA project) funded in Portugal by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The work was supported by UIDB/00211/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. A.R.S.M. would like to thank to ValICET project her fellowship (03/2022/BI). R Sendón is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the State Research Agency (AEI) for funding the ValICET project (PCI2021-121965)., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

For the first time, this paper aimed to evaluate nine ionophore and synthetic coccidiostat residues in poultry muscle samples, obtained from different production types, by solid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The fully validated methodology was successfully applied to a total of 101 chicken and turkey samples obtained from canteens, supermarkets, and home productions in Portugal. Halofuginone, diclazuril, decoquinate, narasin, lasalocid, and salinomycin were detected in 20.8% of the samples. Home raised samples showed a greater frequency, 47.1%. The synthetic coccidiostats halofuginone, diclazuril, and decoquinate were found in averages of 0.7 μg kg-1,2.9 μg kg-1, and 3.7 μg kg-1, respectively, while averages of 1.2 μg kg-1, 1.6 μg kg-1, and 1.3 μg kg-1 were found regarding the ionophores narasin, lasalocid, and salinomycin. As for the risk assessment, values lower than 8.06% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) were observed, indicating that exposure to coccidiostats through consumption of poultry meat does not represent risk to consumers.

Carmines (E120) are used worldwide as natural food colouring agents of animal origin, with a widespread application, including yoghurts. Despite being considered safe for human health, carmines are known to cause allergic reactions. Our goal was to evaluate the presence of carmines in different yoghurts with a label declaration of E120, purchased in Portugal, and, for the first time, to assess the human risk. The analytical methodology, recommended by JECFA, was based on acid hydrolysis of the samples followed by spectrophotometric UV-Vis analysis at 494 nm. This methodology allowed for a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 39.0 mg/kg and recovery rates higher than 97.7%. All the samples had carmines at levels above the LOQ, ranging between 43.8 and 193.8 mg/kg, with an average of 125.2 ± 34.5 mg/kg. In total, 8 (26.7%) samples exceeded the European Union (EU) maximum permitted level (MPL) established for carmines in this foodstuff, 150 mg/kg. Solid yoghurts presented higher average levels, 137.2 mg/kg, when compared to liquid samples, 107.2 mg/kg, with a significant statistical difference (

Glyphosate is a systemic, broad-spectrum and post-emergent herbicide. The use of glyphosate has grown in the last decades, and it is currently the most used herbicide worldwide. The rise of glyphosate consumption over the years also brought an increased concern about its possible toxicity and consequences for human health. However, a scientific community consensus does not exist at the present time, and glyphosate’s safety and health consequences are controversial. Since glyphosate is mainly applied in fields and can persist several months in the soil, concerns have been raised about the impact that its presence in food can cause in humans. Therefore, this work aims to review the glyphosate use, toxicity and occurrence in diverse food samples, which, in certain cases, occurs at violative levels. The incidence of glyphosate at levels above those legally allowed and the suspected toxic effects of this compound raise awareness regarding public health.

The consumption of pistachios (Pistacia vera L.) has been increasing, given their important benefit to human health. In addition to being an excellent nutritional source, they have been associated with chemical hazards, such as mycotoxins, resulting in fungal contamination and its secondary metabolism. Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most common mycotoxins in pistachio and the most toxic to humans, with hepatotoxic effects. More mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEA) and trichothecenes (T2, HT2 and DON) and emerging mycotoxins have been involved in nuts. Because of the low levels of concentration and the complexity of the matrix, the determination techniques must be very sensitive. The present paper carries out an extensive review of the state of the art of the determination of mycotoxins in pistachios, concerning the trends in analytical methodologies for their determination and the levels detected as a result of its contamination. Screening methods based on immunoassays are useful due to their simplicity and rapid response. Liquid chromatography (LC) is the gold standard with new improvements to enhance accuracy, precision and sensitivity and a lower detection limit. The reduction of Aspergillus’ and aflatoxins’ contamination is important to minimize the public health risks. While prevention, mostly in pre-harvest, is the most effective and preferable measure to avoid mycotoxin contamination, there is an increased number of decontamination processes which will also be addressed in this review.

The use of glyphosate has been increasing over the years, making it one of the most consumed herbicides in the world. Although children are considered a vulnerable population, only four previous published studies determined glyphosate in the urine of non-occupationally exposed children. The paucity of epidemiological data and biomonitoring surveys are considered major gaps, that hinder the implementation of science driven policies in the protection of public health. The aim of the present study was to determine glyphosate in the urine of 41 Portuguese children (2-13 years old) and identify potential determinants of exposure. Glyphosate was detected in 95.1% of the samples (1.77 ± 0.86 μg/L), up to a maximum value of 4.35 μg/L. Glyphosate concentrations were higher in the urine of children aged 7-9 years, living near agricultural areas (1 km), with a higher percentage of consumption of home-produced foods, and whose parents applied herbicides in the backyard. Risk assessment revealed an exposure representing 1-5.58% of the established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of glyphosate (0.5 mg/kg bw/day). The results should be further analyzed considering the age of the participants, for which no adjusted ADI exists. This was the first published report of glyphosate exposure in the urine of Portuguese children.

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in water catchments and drinking waters raises potential risks to public health. Therefore, after addressing the major aquatic contamination pathway, the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and, subsequently, surface waters, 18 human pharmaceuticals from 6 therapeutic groups (antibiotics, lipid regulators, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormones) were analyzed in drinking water catchments, tap and drinking fountain waters. This was performed by solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass detection (LC-MS/MS). The 97 samples analyzed were collected from 31 different sites in the center of Portugal. All samples presented concentrations below the method detection limits (MDLs) that ranged between 1.13 to 5.45 ng L−1. The achieved results contributed to a better knowledge on the Portuguese and European context of drinking water, since there is a knowledge gap regarding this matrix. Comparing our data with other studies, published worldwide, we can observe that median concentrations of pharmaceuticals were reported in the low ng L−1 levels, values close to our MDLs. Consequently, it is unlikely that, in light of the current knowledge, the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water presents a threat to human health.

Artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame-potassium (ACE-K). saccharin (SAC), and aspartame (ASP), play a vital role in the food industry. Despite apparent benefits, several studies report adverse reactions on consumers. EFSA is currently re-evaluating several individual sweeteners, including ASP, Ace-K and SAC that shall be completed by 31 December 2020. Our goal was to evaluate, by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV), their levels in non-alcoholic beverages from the Portuguese market (soft drinks, sport drinks, energy drinks, and nectars), and estimate the exposure of the Portuguese adolescent/adult population. ACE-K was found in 85.7% of the samples, in mean levels of 97.4 mg/L. ASP and SAC, detected in 37.5% and 33.9% of the samples, were found in averages of 161.5 and 55.0 mg/L, respectively. The maximum limits set for ASP were exceeded in one energy drink. SAC exceeded the maximum permitted level (MPL) level in 3 soft drinks based on tea extracts. In 4 samples SAC was found but not mentioned in the label, and in one of these samples exceeded the MPL. The estimated daily intake (EDI), calculated in mg per kilogram of body weight per day, of ACE-K, SAC and ASP was found to be below the acceptable daily intake (ADI), both for Portuguese adolescents and adult population. Traditional soft drinks accounted for the highest EDIs representing 1.8%, 2.3% and 0.6% for ACE-K, SAC and ASP, respectively, of the ADI. Considering the previous report in Portugal it is observed that the population is currently exposed to a greater amount of artificial sweeteners, which may indicate a trend for more artificial sweeteners' usage in order to reduce sugar intake.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is produced by fungi present in several agricultural products with much relevance to food safety. Since this mycotoxin is widely found in cereals, beer has a potential contamination risk. Therefore, it was deemed essential to quantify, for the first time, the levels of OTA in beer, a cereal-based product that is marketed in Portugal, as well as to calculate the human estimated weekly intake (EWI) and risk assessment. A total of 85 samples were analyzed through immunoaffinity clean-up, followed by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (LC-FD). This analytical methodology allowed a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.43 &micro, g/L. The results showed that 10.6% were contaminated at levels ranging between &lt, LOQ and 11.25 &micro, g/L, with an average of 3.14 &plusmn, 4.09 &micro, g/L. Samples of industrial production presented lower incidence and contamination levels than homemade and craft beers. On what concerns human risk, the calculated EWI was significantly lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). However, in the worst case scenario, based on a high concentration, the rate EWI/TWI was 138.01%.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that have toxic effects on both humans and animals. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) which can be transmitted to newborns via breast milk, is a hydrolyzed metabolite of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that is ingested along with contaminated food. AFM1 is classified as “possibly carcinogenic agent for Human” (group 2B IARC). Despite the potential hazard of AFM1 to breastfed babies, there is a lack of studies of exposure evaluation in Europe and a complete absence of reports in Portugal. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of AFM1 in maternal milk and the degree of exposure of infants to this toxin. The correlation between the concentration of AFM1 and basic socio-demographic factors and the consumption of certain categories of food was also aimed. Thus 67 milk samples from nursing mothers living in Portugal were collected, between 2015 and 2016, and analyzed using a competitive commercial ELISA kit, in order to determine the presence of AFM1. Twenty-two samples (32.8%) contained levels of AFM1 above the detection limit (5 ng/L), ranging between 5.1 and 10.6 ng/L (7.4 ± 1.9 ng/L). In the observed exposure pattern, AFM1-positive milk samples were associated with summer collection, lower mother's educational level, early lactation phase and the maternal consumption of rice and chocolate. No other studied determinants, whether socio-demographic (age, weight, height, number of children, characteristics of breastfeeding, the infants' weight) or dietary (frequency of food consumption) showed a significant statistical influence. Assessment of AFM1 estimated daily intake (EDI) revealed a higher exposure of younger babies ( Thus the results of this study suggest the need to reinforce surveillance of AFB1 occurrence in food, as a protective and control measure, not only for adults, but ultimately for lactating infants exposed through maternal breast milk. Although AFM1 presents an inferior carcinogenic potency, it is noteworthy that when compared with adults, infants feature a lower capacity of carcinogen biotransformation, a fairly restricted diet and a higher consumption in relation to body weight.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most prescribed antidepressants nation and worldwide. Their presence in the aquatic environment is known, causing growing pressures in heavily populated coastal areas. For instance, disruption of invertebrate endocrine systems has been described. Since discrete seawater sampling may not be suitable to evaluate such environmental risk, we aimed to assess SSRIs and metabolites in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis, and assess risk to human health. A total of 1225 mussels were sampled during one year along the Portuguese Atlantic coast. Each freeze-dried pool of 25 specimens was analyzed, in duplicate, by solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn). Approximately 70% of the samples were contaminated with at least one, and up to 4 from the 7 targeted compounds. The cumulative SSRIs and metabolites content in mussels ranged between 3.17 and 33.93ngg-1 dry weight, in a mean level of 14.68±9.69ngg-1. Norfluoxetine was the most recurring SSRI and the one with the highest mean concentration, 13.52ngg-1. Although some differences were found between different sampling periods and locations, those were not statistically significant (p>0.05) and no correlation was found between wet weight and mean contamination levels. Regarding risk to human health following consumption of these filter-feeders, when considering the average sample contamination of positive samples and the average Portuguese and European consumption, the ratio between the estimated daily intake (EDI) and the acceptable daily intake (ADI) ranged from 0.45 to 5.50%, and from 1.60 to 19.41%, respectively. Therefore, although the resultant risk is lower for the Portuguese consumer than for the average EU consumer, apparently, no appreciable risk to human health is expected.

Pharmaceuticals occurrence and environmental risk assessment were assessed in Portuguese surface waters, evaluating the impact of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and river flow rates. Twenty three pharmaceuticals from 6 therapeutic groups, including metabolites and 1 transformation product, were analysed in 72 samples collected from 20 different sites, upstream and downstream the selected WWTPs, in two different seasons. Analysis was performed by solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectroscopy. Pharmaceuticals were detected in 27.8% of the samples. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-inflammatories and antibiotics presented the highest detection frequencies (27.8, 23.6 and 23.6%, respectively) and average concentrations (37.9, 36.1 and 33.5 ng L − 1 , respectively). When assessing the impact of WWTPs, an increase of 21.4% in the average concentrations was observed in the samples located downstream these facilities, when compared with the upstream samples. Increased detection frequencies and concentrations were observed at lower flow rates, both when comparing summer and winter campaigns and by evaluating the different rivers. Risk quotients (RQs) higher than one were found for two pharmaceuticals, concerning two trophic levels. However, since Iberian rivers are highly influenced by water scarcity, in drought periods, the flow rates in these rivers can decrease at least ten times from the lowest value observed in the sampling campaigns. In these conditions, RQs higher than 1 would be observed for 5 pharmaceuticals, additionally, all the detected pharmaceuticals (11) would present RQs higher than 0.1. These results emphasize that the river flow rate represents an important parameter influencing pharmaceuticals concentrations, highlighting the ecotoxicological pressure, especially due to water scarcity in drought periods. This should be a priority issue in the environmental policies for minimizing its impact in the aquatic environment.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is mainly found in cereals and cereal-based foodstuffs, but also in wine. Being one of the most consumed alcoholic drinks in Portugal and one of the main sources of human exposure to OTA, wine monitoring and exposure studies are essential. The analytical methodology consisted of the direct injection of the filtered samples into the liquid chromatograph, equipped with fluorescent detection (LC-FLD). Linearity was adequate, both in mobile phase and in matrix-matched solutions, with R

In line with the Directive 2013/39/EU the most representative surface waters, regarding pharmaceuticals contamination, were selected based on a Portuguese nationwide monitoring exercise. To meet this purpose, and given that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are regarded as the major point sources of pharmaceuticals environmental contamination, the occurrence, fate and environmental risk assessment (ERA) of eleven of the most consumed pharmaceuticals, belonging to several therapeutic classes were assessed in 15 WWTPs (influents (WWIs) and effluents (WWEs)), from five different regions during one year (4 sampling campaigns). Results showed that all samples were contaminated with at least 1, and up to 8 from the 11 targeted pharmaceuticals. The highest concentrations observed were 150 and 33 μg L(-1) for WWI and WWE, respectively. Regarding temporal and spacial influence, winter, Alentejo, Algarve and Center regions presented higher mass loads. The ERA posed by 7 of the selected pharmaceuticals presented a risk quotient higher than 1 to the three trophic levels. Our findings highlighted that the rivers Mondego, Tagus, Ave, Trancão, Fervença and Xarrama should be selected as surface water monitoring stations. This study gives a good overview on pharmaceuticals contamination in WWTPs and its impact on surface waters in Portugal. Thus, a more integrative approach to rank and prioritize pharmaceuticals, based on an integrated assessment of ERA and exposure of surface water, was provided to support the future selection of the 6 most representative monitoring stations in Portugal, as required by the above mentioned directive.

In this study, biomonitoring of nursing Portuguese mothers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and assessment of potential health risks of their infants were performed through determination of 18 PAHs and 6 major metabolites (OH-PAHs) in breast milk. Concentrations of total PAHs ranged between 55.2 and 1119 ng/g fat, being naphthalene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and phenanthrene the most abundant compounds (68.4% of ∑PAHs). Benzo(a)pyrene, known carcinogenic, was not detected. Total levels of OH-PAHs ranged from 6.66 to 455 ng/g fat with 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene as major compounds (96% of ∑OH-PAHs). Concentrations of ∑PAHs and ∑OH-PAHs were strongly correlated between each other (r = 0.692; p ≤ 0.001) and moderately-to-strongly associated with individual compounds (0.203 r 0.841; p ≤ 0.001). The attained data suggest increased levels of PAHs in older nursing mothers (30 years) and in those whose child had lower weight (up to 3.0 kg). Breast-fed infant presented a median PAHs daily intake of 1.41 μg/kg body weight (total benzo(a)pyrene equivalents of 0.0679 μg/kg) and were exposed to 0.024 μg/kg body weight of ∑PAH4 [benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, and chrysene]. Although breast milk is a secure food for newborns, un-metabolized and metabolized PAHs should be included in biomonitoring surveillance studies during breastfeeding to prevent potential health risks for infants.

Consumption of tea and medicinal plant infusions in general has been increasing. The worldwide growing consumption rate of tea and infusions is associated to the health promoting properties and a healthy lifestyle trend, and also to the assumption of minimal or no toxic side effects when consumed in large quantities compared with synthetic drugs. However, tea and the herbs used in the preparation of infusions can be contaminated with mycotoxins, for which no maximum levels are currently established. In this context this study aimed to analyze commercially available teas and medicinal plants destined to be consumed as infusions and assess the resulting exposure to the mycotoxins AFs and ZEA. With such purpose, 37 (convenience) samples of tea and medicinal plants destined to be consumed as infusions were analyzed through a SPE-ELISA analytical set-up. Nearly 84% of the analyzed samples were positive for at least one of the mycotoxins and 43.24% were positive for both AFs and ZEA. None of the samples negative for both AFs and ZEA were tea (i.e. derived from Camellia sinensis). Approximately 65% of the analyzed samples were positive for AF (14.74 ± 7.18 μg/kg). In general, teas featured the highest AFs contamination levels versus medicinal plants. Is it also noteworthy that all analyzed tea samples were AF-positive. Sixty two percent of the samples were contaminated with a ZEA (8.87 ± 5.31 μg/kg). Statistically significantly higher levels of ZEA in organically produced samples were observed. Samples sold in bulk (i.e. not packed) were those with the highest ZEA levels. The highest maximum levels of AFs and ZEA were detected in chamomile flowers (28.15 μg/kg), the second most consumed medicinal plant in Portugal. The degree of exposure of the Portuguese to these mycotoxins through consumption of tea and medicinal plants destined to prepare infusions, was assessed through the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI). For AFs the EDI was 0.13 ng/kg bw/day, which represents 64.12% of the proposed TDI. In the risk assessment, the worst scenario corresponded to conventional produced medicinal plants (122.45%). Conversely, tea and medicinal plants contribute little to the exposure of the Portuguese population to ZEA (EDI = 0.08 ng/kg bw/day). The obtained results proved the need for further studies to evaluate the occurrence of these mycotoxins in these food commodities of increasing consumption, in order to monitor the exposure of the population and, if justified, to serve as the basis for establishing maximum limits for the control of exposure.

A study was performed to evaluate the risk regarding the presence of nickel in commercial premade baby foods: 26 ready meals, 31 fruits, 8 deserts and 20 paps. The analytical methodology used for the determination of nickel was dry ashing followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Method detection limit (12.5 μg kg−1) was obtained through a matrix matched calibration curve, using a nickel free commercial ready meal (meat). The results showed that 78 (91.8 %) samples contained nickel, with values up to 225.7 μg kg−1. The group with the highest average concentration was the fruits (50.1 μg kg−1) followed by the ready meals (40.2 μg kg−1). Samples from organic farming presented higher detection frequency and average concentration (54.7 μg kg−1) than the others. Using the average results, the tolerable daily intake proposed by EFSA (2.8 μg kg−1 b.w.) was surpassed for the 2 year old age group, with daily ingestions up to 3.1 μg kg−1 b.w.. This results highlight the risk promoted by the nickel present in commercial premade baby food.

Until now, the available data regarding citrinin (CIT) levels in food and the consumption of contaminated foods are insufficient to allow a reliable estimate of intake. Therefore, biomonitoring configuring analysis of parent compound and/or metabolites in biological fluids, such as urine or blood, is being increasingly applied in the assessment of human exposure to CIT and its metabolite, dihydrocitrinone (DH-CIT). Most studies report urinary levels lower for the parent compound when compared with DH-CIT. A high variability either in the mean levels or in the inter-individual ratios of CIT/DH-CIT between the reported studies has been found. Levels of DH-CIT in urine were reported as being comprised between three to seventeen times higher than the parent mycotoxin. In order to comply with this objective, sensitive analytical methodologies for determining biomarkers of exposure are required. Recent development of powerful analytical techniques, namely liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-MS/MS) have facilitated biomonitoring studies, mainly in urine samples. In the present work, evidence on human exposure to CIT through its occurrence and its metabolite, in biological fluids, urine and blood/plasma, in different countries, is reviewed. The analytical methodologies usually employed to evaluate trace quantities of these two molecules, are also presented. In this sense, relevant data on sampling (size and pre-treatment), extraction, cleanup and detection and quantification techniques and respective chromatographic conditions, as well as the analytical performance, are evidenced.

Potential risks associated with releases of human pharmaceuticals into the environment have become an increasingly important issue in environmental health. This concern has been driven by the widespread detection of pharmaceuticals in all aquatic compartments. Therefore, 22 pharmaceuticals, 6 metabolites and transformation products, belonging to 7 therapeutic groups, were selected to perform a review on their toxicity and environmental risk assessment (ERA) in different aquatic compartments, important issues to tackle the water framework directive (WFD). The toxicity data collected reported, with the exception of anxiolytics, at least one toxicity value for concentrations below 1 µg L−1. The results obtained for the ERA revealed risk quotients (RQs) higher than 1 in all the aquatic bodies and for the three trophic levels, algae, invertebrates and fish, posing ecotoxicological pressure in all of these compartments. The therapeutic groups with higher RQs were hormones, antiepileptics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Unsurprisingly, RQs values were highest in wastewaters, however, less contaminated water bodies such as groundwaters still presented maximum values up to 91,150 regarding 17α-ethinylestradiol in fish. Overall, these results present an important input for setting prioritizing measures and sustainable strategies, minimizing their impact in the aquatic environment.

Potential risks associated with releases of human pharmaceuticals into the environment have become an increasingly important issue in environmental health. This concern has been driven by the widespread detection of pharmaceuticals in all aquatic compartments. Therefore, 22 pharmaceuticals, 6 metabolites and transformation products, belonging to 7 therapeutic groups, were selected to perform a systematic review on their source, fate and occurrence in different aquatic compartments, important issues to tackle the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The results obtained evidence that concentrations of pharmaceuticals are present, in decreasing order, in wastewater influents (WWIs), wastewater effluents (WWEs) and surface waters, with values up to 14 mg L−1 for ibuprofen in WWIs. The therapeutic groups which presented higher detection frequencies and concentrations were anti-inflammatories, antiepileptics, antibiotics and lipid regulators. These results present a broad and specialized background, enabling a complete overview on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic compartments.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin detected worldwide. Urine biomonitoring is a more realistic and non-invasive way to assess exposure when compared to traditional methods based on food occurrence and consumption data. Few studies have investigated children's exposure to OTA, although it is a more susceptible population. Our main goal was the OTA biomonitoring in urine of Portuguese children to better characterize the health risk of this population. The validated analytical methodology was based on an immunoaffinity clean-up, followed by LC-FD. First morning samples were collected, between 2018 and 2019, from 85 healthy children, 41 boys and 44 girls, aging between 2 and 13 years old. Overall, from the 85 analysed samples 79 (92.94%) were found positive. The average OTA concentration level was of 0.020 ng/mL (29.41 ng/g of creatinine), with a maximum value of 0.052 ng/mL (114.45 ng/g of creatinine). No statistical differences were found between the OTA contamination levels, the anthropometric data and dietary habits considered. Depending on the excretion rate considered for the PDI calculation, the risk assessed for the average OTA contamination varied from 10% to 194%, indicating a potential concern. This is the first study regarding OTA exposure in Portuguese children, showing their clear exposure.

The increasing production and consumption of Personal Care Products (PCPs), containing UV-filters and musk fragrances, has led to its widespread presence in the aquatic environment which can cause harmful effects to the aquatic organisms due to its intrinsic toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the degree of contamination of wild mussels along the entire Portuguese coastline, continually exposed in their habitat to different contaminants. For this purpose, approximately 1000 mussel specimens were sampled during one year in seven different locations, along the Portuguese coastline. Simultaneous quantification of five UV-filters and seven musks in mussels was achieved by a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Ten out of the twelve target analytes were found in the analysed samples, highlighting the presence of AHTN (tonalide), EHS (2-ethylhexylsalicylate) and EHMC (2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate) in all positive samples (93%). Overall, the results obtained indicate a widespread contamination of wild mussels along Portuguese coastline, all over the year. UV-filters were more frequently detected (90%) than musk fragrances (70%) and also quantified at higher levels, with average total concentrations reaching 1155.8 ng/g (dw) against 397.7 ng/g (dw) respectively. A high correlation was observed between the most densely populated and industrialized locations and the higher levels of musks and UV-filters found. In other hand, lower levels of PCPs were found in protected areas. As expected, an increase in UV-filters levels was observed after the summer, likely due to the intense period of recreational activities.

Antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones (FQs), have been largely used in animal husbandry namely poultry production. Therefore, this study aimed to identify, quantify and estimate the daily intake for adult and 3-year-old populations of the FQs norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and enrofloxacin (ENR) through poultry muscle consumption. The results showed detection frequencies of 78% and 62% in supermarket and school canteen samples, respectively. Of the 182 analysed samples, 4 did not comply with ENR maximum residue level (MRL), and 9 were contaminated with NOR, not allowed as a veterinary medicine of food-producing animals. The highest estimated daily intake value was obtained for the 3-year-old population regarding the sum of ENR and CIP (0.46 μg kg−1 day−1); value substantially lower than the established acceptable daily intake (2.0 μg kg−1 day−1). Although the low risk found, the high detection frequencies support the apprehension of the different international organizations, towards the emergence of human bacterial resistances to FQs originated from poultry production.