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[ES] En los últimos años la investigación en acuicultura se ha enfocado en la diversificación de especies, así como en la búsqueda de ingredientes alternativos para abaratar los piensos y hacerlos más sostenibles. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo la evaluación de subproductos de cereales como fuentes alternativas y más sostenibles a los ingredientes convencionales de origen marino. Para ello juveniles de seriola (Seriola dumerili) fueron alimentados con diferentes dietas formuladas con subproductos del trigo y el maíz. Se analizaron los metabolitos en plasma y biomarcadores del estrés oxidativo en hígado. No se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en las variables analizadas, por lo que los resultados sugieren que los ingredientes alternativos testados son buenos sustitutos en la formulación de piensos en acuicultura., [EN] In the last years, aquaculture’s research is focused on species diversification and the search for alternative ingredients to make feed more sustainable and cheaper. The aim of this study was the evaluation of cereal by-products as a more sustainable alternative to conventional marine ingredients. For that, greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles were fed with different diets containing corn and wheat by- products. Intermediate metabolism and oxidative status were analyzed in plasma and liver, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatments in growth performance and physiological biomarkers. Therefore, the cereal by-products tested in the present study seem to be good sustainable alternatives for aquafeeds.

The use of peat in traditional cultivation systems and in commercial nurseries is an environmental problem. In this work, we evaluated the partial replacement of peat with different amounts of biochar sourced from vineyard pruning as plant growing substrates. We studied its effect on the growth of lettuce plants under greenhouse and semi-hydroponic conditions. Substrate mixtures contained 30% (v/v) of vermiculite and 70% (v/v) of different biochar:peat treatments as follows: 0:70 (B0), 15:55 (B15), 30:40 (B30), 50:20 (B50), and 70:0 (B70). Higher biochar treatments increased the pH and electrical conductivity of the substrate, negatively affecting plant growth and germination (especially in B70). The partial substitution of peat by 30% biochar (B30) delayed seed germination but improved plant growth and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), with shoots containing higher levels of organic nitrogen and nitrate. Moreover, it increased the water holding capacity (WHC) and led to an efficient use of nutrients. Our study demonstrates that biochar can successfully replace and reduce peat and N fertilizer consumption. This has the potential to promote more sustainable farming with positive impacts on both plant growth and the environment.

The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic constitutes a concerning global threat to public health and economy. In the midst of this pandemic scenario, the role of environment-to-human COVID-19 spread is still a matter of debate because mixed results have been reported concerning SARS-CoV-2 stability on high-touch surfaces in real-life scenarios. Up to now, no alternative and accessible procedures for cell culture have been applied to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 infectivity on fomites. Several strategies based on viral capsid integrity have latterly been developed using viability markers to selectively remove false-positive qPCR signals resulting from free nucleic acids and damaged viruses. These have finally allowed an estimation of viral infectivity. The present study aims to provide a rapid molecular-based protocol for detection and quantification of viable SARS-CoV-2 from fomites based on the discrimination of non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles by platinum chloride (IV) (PtCl4) viability RT-qPCR. An initial assessment compared two different swabbing procedures to recover inactivated SARS-CoV-2 particles from fomites coupled with two RNA extraction methods. Procedures were validated with human (E229) and porcine (PEDV) coronavirus surrogates, and compared with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 suspensions on glass, steel and plastic surfaces. The viability RT-qPCR efficiently removed the PCR amplification signals from heat and gamma-irradiated inactivated SARS-CoV-2 suspensions that had been collected from specified surfaces. This study proposes a rapid viability RT-qPCR that discriminates non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles on surfaces thus helping researchers to better understand the risk of contracting COVID-19 through contact with fomites and to develop more efficient epidemiological measures.

Healthier meat products have a major economic potential and are attracting considerable research and media attention to meet the growing and complex consumer demand. Whether this potential will be realized and at what speed is contingent on consumers’ acceptance of these novel foods. This study uses a cross-cultural context to co-create new healthier meat products, while mapping the conditions leading to consumers’ product acceptance (vs. rejection). Results from online focus groups conducted in Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom show that consumers generally have a negative attitude toward healthier meat products due to unfamiliarity and perception of over-processing. Nevertheless, partial meat-substitution with plant-based ingredients together with fat and salt reduction show specific conditions under which consumers’ acceptance would be possible. This is further related to product-specific factors: ingredients and base meat, and marketing-related factors: labelling and packaging. Finally, implications and recommendations for the manufacturing and marketing of new healthier meat products are provided.

The nutritional characteristics of chocolate products may be associated with very different, and even opposite, health effects. In the present study, we collected information on chocolate products on the Polish market to assess: (i) nutritional characteristics; (ii) ingredient order; (iii) the presence of nutritional claims on the label; (iv) packaging characteristics; and (v) any association between price and cocoa contents. A total of 220 bars of solid chocolate (90 % with at least 5 ingredients) and 147 chocolate bar sweets (90 % with at least 6 ingredients) were evaluated. Mean values for calorie, total lipid, saturated fatty acid, carbohydrate, protein, sugar and salt contents were significantly different between the bars of solid chocolate and chocolate bar sweets, although the values were widely dispersed in both categories. Some aspects of food labelling may result in confusion for the consumer (such as “vegan” claims). A weak (r = 0.459), although significant (p < 0.05), association was found between cocoa content and price (€/kg) in bars of solid chocolate, although no association was found in chocolate bar sweets. Thus, depending on chocolate product selection, nutritional benefits may be rather different: an aspect not evident to most consumers based on current chocolate bar labelling.

[ES] ANTECEDENTES E IMPORTANCIA DE LOS MICROPLÁSTICOS Durante décadas el uso de plásticos se ha extendido tanto a nivel industrial como doméstico, por ello, en la actualidad, los plásticos y su posible impacto medioambiental despiertan gran interés y preocupación. La contaminación del entorno con residuos plásticos, especialmente del medio marino, es uno de los principales problemas que afecta a la sociedad. Pero además, cada vez existe más evidencia de que algunos plásticos de pequeño tamaño, denominados microplásticos, alcanzan la cadena alimentaria, pudiendo ejercer también efectos sobre nuestra salud, aunque éstos hoy en día son desconocidos. Por ello, uno de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de las Naciones Unidas y la OMS es el reto de impulsar la investigación sobre el impacto de los plásticos y microplásticos en el medio ambiente y en la salud. De hecho, varias organizaciones internacionales y nacionales han expuesto recientemente la necesidad de una evaluación exhaustiva de la presencia de microplásticos en el medio ambiente, de la exposición humana por vía alimentaria y de sus posibles efectos en la salud. Diversos estudios han demostrado la presencia de microplásticos en alimentos y bebidas de consumo humano, lo que evidencia que estamos expuestos a estas partículas vía ingestión. Sin embargo, hoy en día se desconoce la exposición real, la cantidad, y los posibles efectos en nuestra salud. Así, son necesarios más estudios para poder establecer el nivel de riesgo, exposición y de posible toxicidad, tanto a las partículas por sí mismas como a otros contaminantes y patógenos que podrían llevar asociados. Con el fin de presentar a la sociedad el problema actual de la contaminación medioambiental por plásticos y microplásticos, hemos creado este cómic para niños y adultos que explica de forma fácil y sencilla cómo llegan a nosotros, sus posibles riesgos, así como algunos consejos para ayudar a solucionar este problema que nos afecta a todos, como la impor, [EN] BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE OF MICROPLASTICS For decades, the use of plastics has been widespread at both industrial and domestic levels, so plastics and their potential environmental impact are currently of great interest and concern. The contamination of the environment with plastic waste, especially in the marine environment, is one of the main problems affecting society. In addition, there is increasing evidence that some small plastics, called microplastics, reach the food chain and can also have effects on our health, although these are currently unknown. Therefore, one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and the WHO is the challenge of promoting research on the impact of plastics and microplastics on the environment and on health. In fact, a number of international and national organizations have recently stated the need for a comprehensive assessment of the presence of microplastics in the environment, of human exposure via food and of their potential health effects. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of microplastics in food and beverages for human consumption, which shows that we are exposed to these particles via ingestion. However, the actual exposure, the amount, and the possible effects on our health are currently unknown. Thus, more studies are needed to establish the level of risk, exposure and possible toxicity, both to the particles themselves and to other pollutants and pathogens that may be associated with them. In order to present to society the current problem of environmental pollution by plastics and microplastics, we have created this comic for children and adults that explains in an easy and simple way how they reach us, their possible risks, as well as some tips to help solve this problem that affects us all, such as the importance of reducing their excessive use and recycling.

The COVID-19 pandemic and especially the lockdowns coming with it have been a disruptive event also for food consumption. In order to study the impact of the pandemic on eating habits, self-reported changes in food-related behaviours were investigated in ten European countries by means of an online survey. A latent class cluster analysis distinguished five clusters and showed that different types of consumers can be distinguished based on how they react to the pandemic as regards their eating habits. While food-related behaviours were resilient for 60% of the sample, another 35% reported more enjoyment in cooking and eating, more time in the kitchen and more family meals. Among those, a slight majority also showed signs of more mindful eating, as indicated by more deliberate choices and increased consumption of healthy food, whereas a slight minority reported more consumption of indulgence food. Only 5% indicated less involvement with food. As the COVID-19 pandemic is a disruptive event, some of these changes may have habit-breaking properties and open up new opportunities and challenges for food policy and food industry.

[Background]: Oak trees (Quercus spp.) constitute a relevant source of fractions and ingredients that have been tested regarding their biological activities. The high number of species, varieties and materials that can be found through this genus has led to a great diversity of extracts that can be investigated regarding their potential to improve human health status., [Scope and approach]: In this review, several biological activities were revised through the scientific literature (antioxidant, immune-modulatory, antiproliferative, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, etc.) paying attention to bioactive extracts obtained from different oak trees and parts, describing the selected extraction technology, the utilised experimental model, the published results and their potential impact on human health. Moreover, the related strengths and weaknesses were listed to elucidate the current state of the related scientific evidence., [Key findings and conclusions]: In vitro and in vivo analyses confirmed the potential of oak extracts particularly for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral and antimicrobial effects. However, some points must be further investigated: additional bioactive molecules and abilities testing, advanced extraction techniques evaluation and more animal studies and clinical trials to validate the mentioned activities when the extracts are included in food matrices.

The increasing public concern about food security and the stricter rules applied worldwide concerning herbicide use in the agri-food chain, reduce consumer acceptance of chemical plant protection. Site-Specific Weed Management can be achieved by applying a treatment only on the weed patches. Crop plants and weeds identification is a necessary component for various aspects of precision farming in order to perform on the spot herbicide spraying or robotic weeding and precision mechanical weed control. During the last years, a lot of different methods have been proposed, yet more improvements need to be made on this problem, concerning speed, robustness, and accuracy of the algorithms and the recognition systems. Digital cameras and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been rapidly developed in the past few years, providing new methods and tools also in agriculture and weed management. In the current work, images gathered by an RGB camera of Zea mays, Helianthus annuus, Solanum tuberosum, Alopecurus myosuroides, Amaranthus retroflexus, Avena fatua, Chenopodium album, Lamium purpureum, Matricaria chamomila, Setaria spp., Solanum nigrum and Stellaria media were provided to train Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Three different CNNs, namely VGG16, ResNet–50, and Xception, were adapted and trained on a pool of 93,000 images. The training images consisted of images with plant material with only one species per image. A Top-1 accuracy between 77% and 98% was obtained in plant detection and weed species discrimination, on the testing of the images.