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The wake of the Paris Agreement set as a global imperative the pursuit of carbon neutrality. To achieve it, green hydrogen will play a central role, serving as an energy carrier generated from the abundant renewable energies, that can be converted into other sustainable energy carriers, such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrocarbon fuels. Even though renewable electricity is already very competitive and, in some cases, cheaper than its fossil-fuel counterpart, green hydrogen is presently still much more expensive than grey hydrogen, creating an economical impasse in the decarbonization pathway. During electrolysis, that is used to produce hydrogen from water and electricity, molecular oxygen, a byproduct, is also produced and often discarded. However, O 2 is a needed feedstock in several industries, already playing an important role in co-combustion, oxidation treatments and medical applications. In this work we show how the utilization of this O 2 can help green hydrogen projects to reach economic viability by proposing a new liquefaction process, simulated with the Aspen Plus® software, for high purity electrolytic O 2. Depending on the scale, for green hydrogen projects in the range of 50–500 MW, a levelized cost of liquid O 2 of 0.040–0.059 €/kg LO2 was obtained, competitive with the standard methods of O 2 production such as cryogenic air separation and pressure swing adsorption. Considering a conservative liquid O 2 selling price of 0.12 €/kg LO2 , the return on investment per year for such liquefaction unit can vary between 10% for 50 MW projects and 19–20% for 250–500 MW. The returns obtained this way can be used to self-subsidize their own H 2 production reducing the cost between 0.49 and 0.64 €/kg H2 , respectively. The economic dynamization of electrolytic O 2 through liquefaction, transforms a byproduct into a marketable commodity, which not only provides an additional revenue stream but also aligns with the broader goal of sustainable resource utilization and circular economy. • Industrial process for the liquefaction of electrolysis green oxygen. • Valorization of the byproduct oxygen produced during water electrolysis. • Levelized cost of hydrogen reduced via oxygen commercialization. • Economic evaluation of a green hydrogen plant with an oxygen liquefaction unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Patulin (PAT) and ochratoxin A (OTA) combined effects were studied in Caco-2 cells. • To ascertain putative interactive effects conceptual mathematical models were used. • Cytotoxicity data revealed a dose-ratio deviation. • Genotoxicity results showed interactive DNA damaging effects. • Gastrointestinal barrier integrity effects suggested a synergism at low levels of both mycotoxins. Humans can be exposed to a complex and variable combination of mycotoxins. After ingestion, intestinal mucosa constitutes the first biological barrier that can be exposed to high concentrations of these toxins. The present study aimed to characterize the combined cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and impact on the gastrointestinal barrier integrity of patulin (PAT, 0.7 μM to 100 μM) and ochratoxin A (OTA, 1 μM to 200 μM) mixtures in Caco-2 cells. A dose-ratio deviation was verified for cytotoxicity, implying that OTA was mainly responsible for synergism when dominant in the mixture, while this pattern was changed to antagonism for the highest PAT concentrations. Genotoxicity (comet assay) results were compatible with an interactive DNA damaging effect at the highest PAT and OTA concentrations, not clearly mediated by the formation of oxidative DNA breaks. Regarding gastrointestinal barrier integrity, a potential synergism was attained at low levels of both mycotoxins, changing to antagonism at higher doses. The present results indicate that combined mycotoxins effects may arise at the intestinal level and should not be underestimated when evaluating their risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human diet may present both risks and benefits to consumers' health. Risk-benefit assessment of foods (RBA) intends to estimate the overall health impact associated with exposure (or lack of exposure) to a particular food or food component. "RiskBenefit4EU – Partnering to strengthen the risk-benefit assessment within EU using a holistic approach" (RB4EU) is a project funded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that integrates a multidisciplinary team from Portugal, Denmark and France. This project aims to strengthen the EU capacity to assess and integrate food risks and benefits regarding toxicology, microbiology and nutrition. One of the specific objectives of RB4EU was to build capacity in RBA among the recipient partners from Portugal. In order to achieve this objective, a capacity building strategy including theoretical and hands-on training and the development of a case-study were established. This paper aims to present the strategy used in the RB4EU project to build capacity within RBA, including the main training approaches and the lessons learned. The capacity-building program included three main activities: theoretical training, focusing on RBA concepts; hands-on training, applying the acquired concepts to a concrete case-study, using the methods and tools displayed; and scientific missions, intending to provide advanced training in specific domains of RBA. The developed strategy can be used in the future to build capacity within RBA. • Risk-benefit assessment (RBA) aims to estimate health benefits and risks of foods. • Capacity building actions contribute to acquire scientific foundation on RBA. • RiskBenefit4EU project aims to strengthen the EU capacity to perform RBA. • A capacity building strategy was developed and implemented under RiskBenefit4EU. • Lessons learned through this capacity building process were reviewed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on binding and rearrangement of pivotal water molecules could support understanding of light-driven water oxidation at the catalytic Mn 4 CaO 5 cluster of photosystem II (PSII). To address this point, the binding of ammonia (NH 3)—a possible substrate-water analogue—has been investigated and discussed in the context of putative reaction mechanisms. By time-resolved detection of O 2 formation after light-flash excitation, we discriminate three NH 3 /NH 4 + binding sites jointly characterized by a K m value around 25 mM (of NH 4 +), but differing in their influence on the O 2 -formation step. At 100 mM NH 4 Cl (pH 7.5), we observe (1) a PSII fraction with complete inhibition of O 2 -formation, (2) fast O 2 -formation with a time constant of 1.7 ms at 20 °C (Fast-PSII), and (3) slow O 2 -formation with a time constant of 36 ms at 20 °C (Slow-PSII). For the Fast-PSII, we determine an activation enthalpy of 223 ± 11 meV. Activation enthalpy and entropy of the Fast-PSII are essentially identical to the corresponding figures in the absence NH 3 /NH 4 + binding. For the Slow-PSII, the activation enthalpy is 323 ± 11 meV and thus significantly increased, whereas the activation entropy remains essentially unchanged. We conclude: (1) The fully-inhibitory binding site could relate to bound NH 3 replacing one of the two substrate-water molecules. (2) The Fast-PSII may relate to NH 3 /NH 4 + binding in the S 2 -state of PSII followed by unbinding before onset of the O O bond formation step, but also more intricate mechanisms are not excluded. (3) In the Slow-PSII, NH 3 /NH 4 + binding increases the energetic barrier of the O O bond formation step significantly. • At 0 °C to 35 °C, ammonium/ammonia binding at 3 distinct sites • Fully inhibitory ammonia binding site could correspond to substrate-water site. • Non-inhibitory binding with unmodified rate and activation energy of O 2 -formation • Possibly, non-inhibitory site because of unbinding before O 2 -formation step • Enigmatic third binding site with increased energetic barrier for O 2 -formation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are secondary fungi metabolites that induce acute and chronic toxic effects in humans and animals. Simultaneous contamination of cereal-based products by multiple mycotoxins has been increasingly reported, including in food products usually consumed by children. Although some previous authors assessed the health risk of children exposed to multiple mycotoxins, scarce data are available on the risk associated with the ingestion of multiple mycotoxins through different food products. MYCOMIX, a national funded project, intended to contribute to fill this gap. The present study aimed to overview the risk assessment of multiple mycotoxins performed under MYCOMIX, assessing for the first time, the risk associated with the exposure to 13 mycotoxins in breakfast cereals, infant cereals and biscuits consumed by children from Lisbon region, Portugal. Results on mycotoxins occurrence showed that 94% of samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, although at levels below the legislated limits. Co-contamination was observed in 75% of the analysed samples. Estimated aflatoxins exposure suggested a potential adverse health effect for percentiles of intake above or equal to P50. The obtained results suggested that future research actions should be set in motion in order to protect children health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that cause toxic and carcinogenic effects. Human exposure to multiple mycotoxins constitutes an increasing health concern due to potential mycotoxins combined effects. The presence of mycotoxins mixtures in foodstuffs as cereals has been reported over the last years, but few studies are available concerning its occurrence in cereals primarily marketed for children, a particular vulnerable population group. The present study aims to assess the co-occurrence of twenty-one mycotoxins and metabolites present in breakfast cereals primarily marketed for children in Portugal. Results showed that 96% of the analysed breakfast cereal samples were contaminated with several mycotoxins. Twenty-two combinations were identified including two to seven different mycotoxins. Conclusions pointed out an urgent need to review legislative limits in food matrices consumed by children and to perform a more accurate risk assessment of children’s exposure to mycotoxins mixtures in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin (PAT) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are well known enteropathogenic mycotoxins that are present in several foodstuffs. Processed cereal-based foods are among the first solid foods eaten by children, a particularly vulnerable population group. There is a lack of knowledge related to the co-occurrence of PAT and OTA in food intended for children consumption and their potential interactions during the digestion process. The present study aims to evaluate, for the first time, the co-occurrence of PAT and OTA in processed cereal-based foods for children consumption, the bioaccessibility of these two mycotoxins, and the contribution of the bioaccessibility data for human health risk assessment. PAT and OTA incidence were 75% and 50%, respectively. These mycotoxins co-occurred in 40% of analysed samples. Bioaccessibility assays revealed mean values of 52% and 56% for PAT, alone and combined with OTA; and 100% and 106% for OTA, alone and combined with PAT. Considering the human health risk assessment, and taking into account the co-occurrence and the bioaccessibility results, this study indicates a tolerable exposure to these mycotoxins representing a low risk for Portuguese children. The present work reinforces the importance of a holistic approach for risk assessment which gathers data from occurrence, exposure and bioaccessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans can be exposed to multiple chemicals, but current risk assessment is usually carried out on one chemical at a time. Mycotoxins are commonly found in a variety of foods including those intended to consumption by children namely breakfast cereals. The present study aims to perform, the risk assessment of single and multiple mycotoxins present in breakfast cereals consumed by children (1–3 years old) from Lisbon region, Portugal. Daily exposure of children to ochratoxin A, fumonisins and trichothecenes showed no health risks to the children population considering individual mycotoxins, while exposure to aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) suggested a potential health concern for the high percentiles of intake (P90, P95 and P99). The combined exposure to fumonisins and trichothecenes are not expected to be of health concern. The combined margin of exposure (MoET) for the aflatoxins group could constitute a potential health concern and AFB 1 was the main contributor for MoET. Legal limits and control strategies regarding the presence of multiple mycotoxins in foodstuffs is an urgent need. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a cumulative risk assessment was performed on multiple mycotoxins present in breakfast cereals consumed by children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energetic green transition is increasing the demand for lithium (Li) exploitation. However, the Li supply faces challenges like limited reserves and environmental concerns. This pioneer study aims to characterize the Li concentrations in the region around the Barroso mine, in Portugal, by collecting and analyzing samples of cabbage, potato, drinking and irrigation water and soil from two nearby sites, and performing a preliminary exposure and risk assessment of local populations. Li levels ranged between 20 and 589 μg/kg in cabbages (n = 23), 2.3–21 μg/kg in potatoes (n = 21), 1.1–5.9 μg/L in drinking water (n = 10), 1.1–15 μg/L in irrigation water (n = 23) and 35–121 mg/kg in soils (n = 23). Significant differences in Li content between sampling sites were observed only for cabbage samples. The risk assessment revealed that none of the participants exceeded the provisional reference dose (p-RfD) (2 μg/kg bw/day), with a hazard quotient (HQ) < 1, suggesting no health concerns for the population. It is expected that the studied area will be affected by the future expansion of the mine concession, thus this pioneer study is crucial for future research as it establishes a initial database for evaluating the potential impact of mining activity on the environment and the population's exposure to Li. [Display omitted] • New database of Li levels in the Barroso mine area. • Evaluation of cabbage, potato, water (drinking and irrigation), and soil samples. • Significant differences observed in cabbage samples between sampling sites. • Risk assessment indicated acceptable human exposure levels to Li (THQ<1). • Baseline for Li studies following the mining expansion in the Barroso mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Risk-benefit assessment goes hand-in-hand with RB-management and RB-communication. • Holistic approach in food safety and nutrition, comparing health risks and benefits. • Risk-benefit assessment estimates the overall impact of food on health. • Risk-benefit characteristics: problem formulation, tiered approach, common currency. Risk-benefit assessment is the comparison of the risk of a situation to its related benefits, i.e. a comparison of scenarios estimating the overall health impact. The risk–benefit analysis paradigm mirrors the classical risk analysis one: risk–benefit assessment goes hand-in-hand with risk–benefit management and risk–benefit communication. The various health effects associated with food consumption, together with the increasing demand for advice on healthy and safe diets, have led to the development of different research disciplines in food safety and nutrition. In this sense, there is a clear need for a holistic approach, including and comparing all of the relevant health risks and benefits. The risk–benefit assessment of foods is a valuable approach to estimate the overall impact of food on health. It aims to assess together the negative and positive health effects associated with food intake by integrating chemical and microbiological risk assessment with risk and benefit assessment in food safety and nutrition. The 2019 Parma Summer School on risk–benefit in food safety and nutrition had the objective was to provide an opportunity to learn from experts in the field of risk–benefit approach in food safety and nutrition, including theory, case studies, and communication of risk–benefit assessments plus identify challenges for the future. It was evident that whereas tools and approaches have been developed, more and more case studies have been performed which can form an inherent validation of the risk–benefit approach. Executed risk–benefit assessment case studies apply the steps and characteristics developed: a problem formulation (with at least 2 scenarios), a tiered approach until a decision can be made, one common currency to describe both beneficial and adverse effects (DALYs in most instances). It was concluded that risk–benefit assessment in food safety and nutrition is gaining more and more momentum, while also many challenges remain for the future. Risk-benefit is on the verge of really enrolling into the risk assessment and risk analysis paradigm. The interaction between risk–benefit assessors and risk–benefit managers is pivotal in this, as is the interaction with risk–benefit communicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "nutrient profile" (NP) has been associated with several concepts arising from the need to regulate the choice of food products, and to allow consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. The use of NP models as a policy tool to improve public health nutrition and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, is receiving increasing attention. To clarifying the importance of NP models as tools to establish public health interventions concerning consumers' food choices, a literature review of the guiding principles to implement NP models was conducted. The covered topics include main characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and associated gaps of the considered NP models. From the selected studies, a total of 85 documents were included. Nutrient profiling has a wide range of applications including front-of-pack (FoP) food labelling, regulation of food marketing to children, regulation of health and nutrition claims and school food standards. Sodium, saturated fatty acids (SFA), and total sugars were the nutrients most frequently to limit; on the contrary fibre was the most used qualifying nutrient. This review gathers, through a holistic approach, the scientific basis behind the development of the NP model, reinforcing the importance of these tools, and enabling regulators with information to establish an appropriate model. • A 'healthy' diet requires informed and healthy food choices by the consumers. • Nutrient Profile (NP) models result from the need to promote healthier food choices. • NP models can be a useful tool to help consumers choose healthier food. • Different nutrient profile models are needed for different purposes. • Key points should be considered in the development and sustainable application of NP models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast milk is considered an essential food segment for children up to 6 months; however, it can be contaminated with some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) as a consequence of ingestion of dietary mycotoxins by lactating mothers. Moreover, the health of infants can be threatened due to simultaneous exposure to a mixture of mycotoxins mainly due to their potential synergistic effects. An overview of the prevalence of mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula, fruit- and cereal-based products as routine diets of infants during the last 10 years, besides the associated health risks, were presented. In this regard, the relevant citations published in international databases such as PubMed, Science direct from 2008 to 2019 were screened by the aid of a systematic review approach. The high prevalence of AFM 1 and OTA in breast milk reported in several countries highlighted the extent of mycotoxin occurrence in the diet of lactating mothers. Furthermore, the exposure rates of infants to mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula while generated a margin of exposure values lower than 10,000, indicating a huge public health concern. Thus, reducing the dietary exposure of mycotoxins for lactating mothers and approaching the required controlling steps during the processing and distribution of infant formulas are crucial. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the health risks to infants due to dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins in infant foods. Image 1 • Assessment of 73 studies on mycotoxin occurrence in breast milk and infant foods during 2008–2019. • AFM 1 and OTA were the main occurring mycotoxins in breast milk and infant foods. • High health risks associated with the exposure of children to dietary aflatoxins. • Co-occurrence of mycotoxins in fruit products and cereal-based infant formula should be a concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an important tool to survey the internal exposure of humans which represents the real life chemical body burden to chemicals and/or their metabolites. It results from total exposure to chemical substances from different sources and via different routes. These substances may be regulated under different legislative frameworks on chemicals (e.g., environmental, occupational, food safety etc). In occupational health, HBM has long traditions to control the exposures at workplaces. By providing accurate data on internal exposure, HBM data can improve human health risk assessment (RA) for both the general population and workers. Although the past few years have shown good examples on the use of HBM in the RA of chemicals, there is still quite some work to be done to improve its use in a regulatory RA. Under the scope of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (project HBM4EU, 2017-2021), the current study reviews the state-of-the-art of HBM use in chemicals RA with a special focus in Europe, and attempts to identify hurdles and challenges faced by regulators. To gather information on the use of HBM, including the availability of guidance on how to use it in RA, the RA schemes applied by different European or international organizations were analysed. Examples of such use were identified for a few selected groups of chemicals of concern for human health. In addition, we present the results of a survey, aimed at collecting information from national regulatory risk assessors on their day-to-day RA practices, the use of HBM data, and the obstacles and challenges related to their use. The results evidenced and explained some of the current obstacles of using HBM data in RA. These included the lack of HBM guidance values or biomonitoring equivalents (BEs), limited toxicokinetic information to support the interpretation of HBM data and, in the occupational health and safety (OSH) field, the lack of legal enforcement. Therefore, to support the integration of HBM in regulatory RA, we recommend, on one hand, the elaboration of a EU level guidance on the use of HBM in RA and, on the other hand, the continuation of research efforts to integrate HBM with new RA approaches using in vitro/in silico data and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the exposure of Brazilian residents (N = 86) from rural areas to multiple mycotoxins and characterize the associated risk in two sampling periods (SP) (April–May and December/2016). Mycotoxins in food and urine samples were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Mean probable daily intake (PDI) values based on occurrence data in foods in both SP varied from 0.007 to 0.013, 0.069 to 1.002, 0.119 to 0.321 and 0.013–0.156 μg kg−1 body weight (bw) day−1 for aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FBs) and zearalenone (ZEN), respectively. Mean PDI values based on urinary biomarkers were 0.001, 84.914, 0.031, 0.377 and 0.002 μg kg−1 bw day−1 for AFB 1 , DON, ochratoxin A (OTA), FB 1 and ZEN, respectively. Hazard quotient (HQ) calculated using food data revealed a potential health concern for ZEN in 2nd SP. HQ > 1 based on urinary biomarkers were observed for DON in the two SP. Although OTA was not detected in any food sample, the HQ based on urinary OTA levels was >1 in the 1st SP. Margin of exposure values for AF from food and urine data in the 1st SP were below 10,000, indicating potential health risks. Image 1 • Mycotoxin exposure evaluation and risk assessment in rural areas from Brazil. • 53% of food samples analyzed (N = 203) presented at least one type of mycotoxin. • Urinary biomarkers of mycotoxins found at levels of 0.02–12.0 ng mg−1 creatinine. • PDI based on biomarkers in urine exceed recommended TDI values for DON and OTA. • Margin of exposure values indicated health risks associated with dietary aflatoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many food innovations rely on the introduction and use of new or modified proteins. New or modified food proteins may lead to major health risks due to their inherent potential to cause food allergy. Currently, the pre-market allergenicity assessment for new or modified food proteins and protein sources relies on methods for identifying allergenic hazards based on characteristics of known allergens. However, there is no general consensus on the allergenicity parameters to use and the criteria that should apply for the evaluation and decisions to be made. In this paper, we propose that the strategy for allergenicity risk assessment of new or modified food proteins and the methodologies applied should be governed by the risk management questions to be answered, reflected in the information needed by risk managers to enable their informed decision making. We generated an inventory of health outcome-related assessment parameters and criteria potentially important for risk management decision-making and we discuss the implications of selecting different optional criteria (e.g. cut-off values) for what could be accepted as safe with regards to the health outcomes in the (at risk) population. The impact of these various options on both method development and risk management practices was investigated. • New or modified food proteins may lead to food allergy and require risk assessment. • There is no guidance on allergenicity parameters and evaluation criteria to use. • Allergenicity risk assessment should be governed by the risk management questions. • Methodologies should be governed by the information needed by the risk manager. • We present an inventory of optional assessment parameters and evaluation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seafood is a major source of vital nutrients for optimal fetal growth, but at the same time is the main source of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an established neurodevelopmental toxicant. Pregnant women must be provided with dietary advice so as to include safely fish in their diet for nutrition and mercury control. The aim of this work is to present the design of a multicentre randomized control trial (RCT), which combines human biomonitoring (HBM) with dietary interventions using seafood consumption advice to pregnant women for MeHg control, and to collect information about other possible sources of exposure to mercury. It also presents the materials developed for the implementation of the study and the characteristics of the study participants, which were self-reported in the first trimester of pregnancy. The "HBM4EU-MOM" RCT was performed in the frame of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) in five coastal, high fish-consuming European countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Iceland). According to the study design, pregnant women (≥120/country, ≤20 weeks gestational age) provided a hair sample for total mercury assessment (THg) and personal information relevant to the study (e.g., lifestyle, pregnancy status, diet before and during the pregnancy, information on seafood and factors related to possible non-dietary exposures to mercury) during the first trimester of pregnancy. After sampling, participants were randomly assigned to "control" (habitual practices) or "intervention" (received the harmonized HBM4EU-MOM dietary advice for fish consumption during the pregnancy and were encouraged to follow it). Around child delivery, participants provided a second hair sample and completed another tailored questionnaire. A total of 654 women aged 18–45 years were recruited in 2021 in the five countries, primarily through their health-care providers. The pre-pregnancy BMI of the participants ranged from underweight to obese, but was on average within the healthy range. For 73% of the women, the pregnancy was planned. 26% of the women were active smokers before the pregnancy and 8% continued to smoke during the pregnancy, while 33% were passive smokers before pregnancy and 23% remained passively exposed during the pregnancy. 53% of the women self-reported making dietary changes for their pregnancy, with 74% of these women reporting making the changes upon learning of their pregnancy. Of the 43% who did not change their diet for the pregnancy, 74% reported that their diet was already balanced, 6% found it difficult to make changes and 2% were unsure of what changes to make. Seafood consumption did not change significantly before and during the first trimester of pregnancy (overall average ∼8 times per month), with the highest frequency reported in Portugal (≥15 times per month), followed by Spain (≥7 times per month). During the first-trimester of pregnancy, 89% of the Portuguese women, 85% of the Spanish women and <50% of Greek, Cypriot and Icelandic women reported that they had consumed big oily fish. Relevant to non-dietary exposure sources, most participants (>90%) were unaware of safe procedures for handling spillage from broken thermometers and energy-saving lamps, though >22% experienced such an incident (>1 year ago). 26% of the women had dental amalgams. ∼1% had amalgams placed and ∼2% had amalgams removed during peri-pregnancy. 28% had their hair dyed in the past 3 months and 40% had body tattoos. 8% engaged with gardening involving fertilizers/pesticides and 19% with hobbies involving paints/pigments/dyes. The study design materials were fit for the purposes of harmonization and quality-assurance. The harmonized information collected from pregnant women suggests that it is important to raise the awareness of women of reproductive age and pregnant women about how to safely include fish in their diet and to empower them to make proper decisions for nutrition and control of MeHg, as well as other chemical exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In vitro digestion models show great promise in facilitating the rationale design of foods. This paper provides a look into the current state of the art and outlines possible future paths for developments of digestion models recreating the diverse physiological conditions of specific groups of the human population. Scope and approach Based on a collective effort of experts, this paper outlines considerations and parameters needed for development of new in vitro digestion models, e.g. gastric pH, enzymatic activities, gastric emptying rate and more. These and other parameters are detrimental to the adequate development of in vitro models that enable deeper insight into matters of food luminal breakdown as well as nutrient and nutraceutical bioaccessibility. Subsequently, we present an overview of some new and emerging in vitro digestion models mirroring the gastro-intestinal conditions of infants, the elderly and patients of cystic fibrosis or gastric bypass surgery. Key findings and conclusions This paper calls for synchronization, harmonization and validation of potential developments in in vitro digestion models that would greatly facilitate manufacturing of foods tailored or even personalized, to a certain extent, to various strata of the human population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi occurring in food that are toxic to animals and humans. Early-life mycotoxins exposure has been linked to diverse pathologies. However, how maternal exposure to mycotoxins impacts on the intestinal barrier function of progeny has not been explored. Here, exposure of pregnant and lactating C57Bl/6J female mice to aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ; 400 μg/kg body weight/day; 3 times a week) in gelatine pellets, from embryonic day (E)11.5 until weaning (postnatal day 21), led to gut immunological changes in progeny. The results showed an overall increase of lymphocyte number in intestine, a reduction of expression of epithelial genes related to microbial defence, as well as a decrease in cytokine production by intestinal type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). While susceptibility to chemically induced colitis was not worsened, immune alterations were associated with changes in gut microbiota and with a higher vulnerability to infection by the protozoan Eimeria vermiformis at early-life. Together these results show that maternal dietary exposure to AFB 1 can dampen intestinal barrier homeostasis in offspring decreasing their capability to tackle intestinal pathogens. These data provide insights to understand AFB 1 potential harmfulness in early-life health in the context of intestinal infections. [Display omitted] • Effect of maternal AFB 1 dietary exposure was studied in intestinal mucosa of offspring mice. • Maternal AFB 1 exposure leads to lymphocyte expansion and alters cytokine expression. • Maternal AFB 1 exposure reduces microbial-related epithelial gene expression in offspring. • Maternal AFB 1 exposure modifies offspring gut microbiota. • Maternal AFB 1 -exposed offspring are more vulnerable to intestinal parasite infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the active field of in vitro digestion in food research, the COST Action INFOGEST aimed to harmonize in vitro protocols simulating human digestion on the basis of physiologically inferred conditions. A harmonized static in vitro digestion (IVD) method was recently published as a primary output from this network. To validate this protocol, inter-laboratory trials were conducted within the INFOGEST network. A first study was performed using skim milk powder (SMP) as a model food and served to compare the different in-house digestion protocols used among the INFOGEST members. In a second inter-laboratory study applying the harmonized protocol, the degree of consistency in protein hydrolysis was investigated. Analysis of the hydrolyzed proteins, after the gastric and intestinal phases, showed that caseins were mainly hydrolyzed during the gastric phase, whereas β-lactoglobulin was, as previously shown, resistant to pepsin. Moreover, generation of free amino acids occurred mainly during the intestinal phase. The study also showed that a few critical steps were responsible for the remaining inter-laboratory variability. The largest deviations arose from the determination of pepsin activity. Therefore, this step was further clarified, harmonized, and implemented in a third inter-laboratory study. The present work gives an overview of all three inter-laboratory studies, showing that the IVD INFOGEST method has led to an increased consistency that enables a better comparability of in vitro digestion studies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal widespread in the environment leading to human exposure in particular through diet (when smoking is excluded), as documented by recent human biomonitoring (HBM) surveys. Exposure to Cd at environmental low-exposure levels has been associated with adverse effects such as renal toxicity and more recently bone effects. The implication, even if limited, of Cd in the etiology of osteoporosis can be of high importance at the population level given the significant prevalence of osteoporosis and the ubiquitous and life-long exposure to Cd. Therefore, the osteoporosis cases attributable to Cd exposure was estimated in three European countries (Belgium, France and Spain), based on measured urinary Cd levels from HBM studies conducted in these countries. The targeted population was women over 55 years old, for which risk levels associated with environmental Cd exposure were available. Around 23% of the cases were attributed to Cd exposure. Moreover, in a prospective simulation approach of lifelong urinary Cd concentrations assuming different intakes scenarios, future osteoporosis attributable cases were calculated, based on urinary Cd levels measured in women aged under 55. Between 6 and 34% of the considered populations under 55 years were at risk for osteoporosis. Finally, the costs associated to the burden of osteoporosis-related fractures attributable to Cd for each country targeted in this paper were assessed, standing for a major contributing role of Cd exposure in the overall social costs related to osteoporosis. Absolute costs ranged between 0.12 (low estimate in Belgium) and 2.6 billion Euros (high estimate in France) in women currently over 55 years old and at risk for fractures. Our results support the importance of reducing exposure of the general population to Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A mathematical modelling was performed to estimate exposure to deoxynivalenol (DON). • The exposure of Portuguese population to DON was estimated for all age groups. • Children (3.2%) and adolescents (6.0%) exceeded the Tolerable Daily Intake for DON. • Cereal-based products were confirmed as contributors for exposure to DON. Deoxynivalenol (DON), an enteropathogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, is usually associated with adverse health outcomes such as gastrointestinal diseases and immunotoxicity. To estimate DON exposure of the Portuguese population at national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering the inputs of the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey and the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to DON. Ten models of association between DON urinary biomarkers and food items (pasta, cookies, biscuits, sweets, bread, rusks, nuts, oilseeds, beer, meat, milk) were established. Applying the most adequate model to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the exposure estimates of the Probable Daily Intake revealed that a fraction (0.1%) of the Portuguese population might exceed the Tolerable Daily Intake defined for DON. The analysis stratified by age revealed children (3.2%) and adolescents (6.0%) are more likely to exceed the Tolerable Daily Intake for DON. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to this mycotoxin in Portugal, to assess the associated risk and the potential public health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]