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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.
Carla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. Deoxynivalenol exposure assessment through a modelling approach of food intake and biomonitoring data – A contribution to the risk assessment of an enteropathogenic mycotoxin. Food Research International 2020, 140, 109863 .
AMA StyleCarla Martins, Duarte Torres, Carla Lopes, Daniela Correia, Ana Goios, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Arnau Vidal, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger, Carla Nunes. Deoxynivalenol exposure assessment through a modelling approach of food intake and biomonitoring data – A contribution to the risk assessment of an enteropathogenic mycotoxin. Food Research International. 2020; 140 ():109863.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. 2020. "Deoxynivalenol exposure assessment through a modelling approach of food intake and biomonitoring data – A contribution to the risk assessment of an enteropathogenic mycotoxin." Food Research International 140, no. : 109863.
In occupational settings where exposure to organic dust occurs (e.g., intensive animal production, waste management, farming and many others) workers can also be exposed to mycotoxins. However, recognizing exposure to mycotoxins in workplace environments does not happen commonly and, consequently, remains as a not identified occupational risk factor. In the last decade, work developed in different occupational settings, using different sampling approaches reported that occupational exposure to mycotoxins occurs and it’s of upmost importance to be seen as an occupational concern that needs to be tackled. This paper intends to discuss the several possibilities available for assessing and characterizing the occupational exposure to mycotoxins through the description of the advantages and limitations of the different sampling strategies. Overviewing the approaches and the main achievements used in several field campaigns developed in Portugal, the knowledge obtained will be used to support the identification of the main aspects to consider when designing new occupational studies. The need for additional research work will also be discussed where new directions to follow will be debated.
Susana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020). Toxins 2020, 12, 513 .
AMA StyleSusana Viegas, Carla Viegas, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020). Toxins. 2020; 12 (8):513.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção. 2020. "Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020)." Toxins 12, no. 8: 513.
Several metallic nanomaterials (NMs), such as titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2), present beneficial properties with a broad range of innovative applications. The human population is exposed to TiO2, particularly by ingestion, due to its increasing use as a food additive and inclusion in dietary supplements and food packaging materials. Whether this oral exposure may lead to adverse local or systemic outcomes has been the subject of research, but studies have generated contradictory results, reflecting differences in the physicochemical properties of the TiO2 studied, effects of the surrounding matrix, and modifications during digestion. This work aimed to investigate the toxic effects of three different TiO2 NMs (NM-103, NM-103 and NM-105) on the gastrointestinal tract cells, Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12, after the use of the standardized static INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro digestion method to mimic human digestion of TiO2, contributing to hazard assessment. The results show that, for one of the digested TiO2 NMs studied (NM-105), a more pronounced toxicity occurs after exposure of HT29-MTX-E12 intestinal cells, as compared to undigested NM, concomitantly with subtle changes in characteristics of the NM. Thus, the inclusion of the digestion simulation in the safety evaluation of ingested NMs through in vitro bioassays can better integrate the modifications that NMs suffer in the organism. It is expected that such an approach will reduce uncertainties in the hazard assessment of ingested NMs for human health.
Ana Bettencourt; Lídia M. Gonçalves; Ana C. Gramacho; Adriana Vieira; Dora Rolo; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva; Henriqueta Louro. Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1516 .
AMA StyleAna Bettencourt, Lídia M. Gonçalves, Ana C. Gramacho, Adriana Vieira, Dora Rolo, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Maria João Silva, Henriqueta Louro. Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10 (8):1516.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Bettencourt; Lídia M. Gonçalves; Ana C. Gramacho; Adriana Vieira; Dora Rolo; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva; Henriqueta Louro. 2020. "Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion." Nanomaterials 10, no. 8: 1516.
Human biomonitoring is an important tool to assess human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Aflatoxins are genotoxic and carcinogenic food contaminants causing hepatocellular carcinoma, the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to aflatoxins and no previous study used human biomonitoring data to comprehensively characterize the associated burden of disease. 24 h urine and first-morning urine paired samples were collected by 94 participants and were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1). Deterministic and probabilistic models were developed to assess the Portuguese exposure to aflatoxins and to estimate the health impact of this exposure, estimating the attributed Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Aflatoxins were detected in a maximum of 13% (AFB1), 16% (AFB2), 1% (AFG1), 2% (AFG2) and 19% (AFM1) of the urine samples. Data obtained through the probabilistic approach revealed an estimated mean probable daily intake of 13.43 ng/kg body weight per day resulting in 0.13 extra cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, corresponding to mean annual DALYs of 172.8 for the Portuguese population (10 291 027 inhabitants). The present study generated for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable and crucial data to characterize the burden associated to the exposure to aflatoxins of the Portuguese population. The obtained results constitute an imperative support to risk managers in the establishment of preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure public health protection.
C. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; D. Torres; A. Goios; C. Lopes; Paula Alvito; R. Assunção. Burden of disease associated with dietary exposure to carcinogenic aflatoxins in Portugal using human biomonitoring approach. Food Research International 2020, 134, 109210 .
AMA StyleC. Martins, Arnau Vidal, M. De Boevre, S. De Saeger, C. Nunes, D. Torres, A. Goios, C. Lopes, Paula Alvito, R. Assunção. Burden of disease associated with dietary exposure to carcinogenic aflatoxins in Portugal using human biomonitoring approach. Food Research International. 2020; 134 ():109210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; D. Torres; A. Goios; C. Lopes; Paula Alvito; R. Assunção. 2020. "Burden of disease associated with dietary exposure to carcinogenic aflatoxins in Portugal using human biomonitoring approach." Food Research International 134, no. : 109210.
Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and are considered endocrine disruptors. These mycotoxins are present in a variety of food commodities and the human exposure could be of concern due to the associated health effects. This article intends to gather and systematize key information regarding these mycotoxins considered EDCs.
Carla Martins; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Ricardo Assunção. Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat. Encyclopedia of Mycology 2020, 180 -192.
AMA StyleCarla Martins, Arnau Vidal, Marthe De Boevre, Ricardo Assunção. Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat. Encyclopedia of Mycology. 2020; ():180-192.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarla Martins; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Ricardo Assunção. 2020. "Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat." Encyclopedia of Mycology , no. : 180-192.
Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.
Carla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens. Toxins 2020, 12, 118 .
AMA StyleCarla Martins, Duarte Torres, Carla Lopes, Daniela Correia, Ana Goios, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Arnau Vidal, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger, Carla Nunes. Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens. Toxins. 2020; 12 (2):118.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. 2020. "Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens." Toxins 12, no. 2: 118.
Mycotoxins are natural chemical contaminants of foods, posing several health risks to humans. Biomarkers-driven research has been used as a tool for a more accurate characterization of the internal exposure. Whether certain food items are predictors of exposure to mycotoxins constitutes an important aspect for the risk assessment of mycotoxins. Comprehensive human biomonitoring studies linked with food surveys and health studies are of utmost importance, contributing to identify the determinants of exposure. Associations between mycotoxins’ urinary biomarkers and consumption of some food items were reported. This review is focused on the link between mycotoxins’ urinary biomarkers and food consumption.
C. Martins; R. Assunção; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; Paula Alvito. Are Data from Mycotoxins’ Urinary Biomarkers and Food Surveys Linked? A Review Underneath Risk Assessment. Food Reviews International 2020, 37, 373 -398.
AMA StyleC. Martins, R. Assunção, C. Nunes, Duarte Torres, Paula Alvito. Are Data from Mycotoxins’ Urinary Biomarkers and Food Surveys Linked? A Review Underneath Risk Assessment. Food Reviews International. 2020; 37 (4):373-398.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Martins; R. Assunção; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; Paula Alvito. 2020. "Are Data from Mycotoxins’ Urinary Biomarkers and Food Surveys Linked? A Review Underneath Risk Assessment." Food Reviews International 37, no. 4: 373-398.
Mycotoxins constitute a relevant group of food contaminants with several associated health outcomes such as estrogenic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects. Although scarce data are available in Portugal, human biomonitoring studies have been globally developed to assess the exposure to mycotoxins at individual level. The present study concerned the analysis of mycotoxins in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples from 94 participants enrolled within the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016). Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 37 urinary mycotoxins’ biomarkers and data obtained used to estimate the probable daily intake as well as the risk characterization applying the Hazard Quotient approach. Results revealed the exposure of Portuguese population to zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, alternariol, citrinin and fumonisin B1 through the quantification in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples. Risk characterization data revealed a potential concern to some reported mycotoxins since the reference intake values were exceeded by some of the considered participants. Alternariol was identified for the first time in urine samples from a European country; however, risk characterization was not performed due to lack of reference intake value. The present study contributed with reliable and evidence-based results, and confirmed that mycotoxins represent a burden and are part of the human exposome of the Portuguese population. Further studies are needed to shed a light on the determinants of exposure in order to contribute for the promotion of public health measures to reduce the mycotoxins’ exposure in Portugal. Key messages Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, chemical food contaminants that may be harmful (carcinogenic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic) for human health. Human biomonitoring studies provide realistic data on internal exposure at individual level, allowing a more accurate knowledge of the determinants of exposure to these contaminants.
C Martins; A Vidal; S De Saeger; C Nunes; Duarte Torres; A Goios; C Lopes; R Assunção; P Alvito; M De Boevre. Risk assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: the human biomonitoring approach. European Journal of Public Health 2019, 29, 1 .
AMA StyleC Martins, A Vidal, S De Saeger, C Nunes, Duarte Torres, A Goios, C Lopes, R Assunção, P Alvito, M De Boevre. Risk assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: the human biomonitoring approach. European Journal of Public Health. 2019; 29 (Supplement):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC Martins; A Vidal; S De Saeger; C Nunes; Duarte Torres; A Goios; C Lopes; R Assunção; P Alvito; M De Boevre. 2019. "Risk assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: the human biomonitoring approach." European Journal of Public Health 29, no. Supplement: 1.
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is recognized as an important tool to assess the Human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends and patterns of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Natural chemicals as mycotoxins, fungi metabolites that produce toxic effects in humans, are important compounds that could be found in foods usually consumed worldwide in a daily basis. Mycotoxins as aflatoxins (AFTs) are genotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compounds. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of their main health toxic effects and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to AFTs and none previous study used HBM data to characterize comprehensively the burden associated to this exposure. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), 24h-urine samples from 94 participants were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of AFTs (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1). A model was developed to estimate the health impact of the exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins, estimating the number of cases of HCC and DALYs attributed to AFTs exposure. AFTs were detected in 12.8% (AFB1), 16.0% (AFB2) and 19.1% (AFM1) of the 24h-urine samples. The estimated number of extra cases of HCC attributed to this exposure ranged from 17 to 65 cases/year; the associated DALYs for the Portuguese population ranged from 284 to 1802 years. The present study generated, for the first time and within a HBM study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to AFTs. These data were crucial to characterize the health impact associated to AFTs exposure and to support risk managers to establish preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure the public health protection. Key messages Portuguese population is exposed to aflatoxins, chemical food contaminants that may be harmful (carcinogenic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic) to humans. Human biomonitoring studies provide realistic data on internal exposure at individual level, contributing to a more accurate estimation of the burden derived from this exposure.
C Martins; A Vidal; M De Boevre; S De Saeger; C Nunes; Duarte Torres; A Goios; C Lopes; P Alvito; R Assunção. Burden of disease attributable to exposure to aflatoxins in Portugal using Human biomonitoring data. European Journal of Public Health 2019, 29, 1 .
AMA StyleC Martins, A Vidal, M De Boevre, S De Saeger, C Nunes, Duarte Torres, A Goios, C Lopes, P Alvito, R Assunção. Burden of disease attributable to exposure to aflatoxins in Portugal using Human biomonitoring data. European Journal of Public Health. 2019; 29 (Supplement):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC Martins; A Vidal; M De Boevre; S De Saeger; C Nunes; Duarte Torres; A Goios; C Lopes; P Alvito; R Assunção. 2019. "Burden of disease attributable to exposure to aflatoxins in Portugal using Human biomonitoring data." European Journal of Public Health 29, no. Supplement: 1.
ObjectivesThere is an epidemic of Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN) in Central America, where sugarcane production is prominent. Numerous causes are proposed, but to date limited evidence supports any one hypothesis. A nested case–control study using biosamples from a rural, community-based follow-up study of 350 young adults from Northwest Nicaragua at risk of MeN was conducted with the aim of characterising the associations between urinary concentrations of metals, pesticides and mycotoxins from samples collected in the first 6 months and decline in kidney function over 2 years.MethodsUrine samples collected at baseline (pre-sugarcane harvest) and the first 6 month follow-up (post-sugarcane harvest) visit were tested. Twelve metals and metalloids (aluminium, total arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, silicon and strontium) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Twelve pesticides or their metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid, chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propen-1-yl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, cis/trans 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, ethylenethiourea, glyphosate, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid, 3-hydroxy-pyrimetanil, 5-hydroxytiabendazole, hydroxy-tebuconazole and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) and two mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT)) were analysed by liquid chromatography coupled-mass spectrometry. Differences in the creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations of the measured exposures between outcome groups (participants with stable vs declining kidney function) were examined.ResultsElevated levels of aluminium and total arsenic as well as metabolites of several pesticides were detected across the population. No differences were identified between the declining and stable groups in the levels of metals or pesticides tested. OTA and CIT were below the limit of detection.ConclusionsThe tested metals, metalloids, pesticides and mycotoxins were not associated with loss of kidney function in participants at-risk of MeN.
Evangelia-Theano Smpokou; Marvin González-Quiroz; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Jennifer Le Blond; Jason Glaser; Aurora Aragón; Catharina Wesseling; Dorothea Nitsch; Neil Pearce; Jill Norman; Christian Lindh; Jackie Morton; Ben Caplin. Environmental exposures in young adults with declining kidney function in a population at risk of Mesoamerican nephropathy. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2019, 76, 920 -926.
AMA StyleEvangelia-Theano Smpokou, Marvin González-Quiroz, Carla Martins, Paula Alvito, Jennifer Le Blond, Jason Glaser, Aurora Aragón, Catharina Wesseling, Dorothea Nitsch, Neil Pearce, Jill Norman, Christian Lindh, Jackie Morton, Ben Caplin. Environmental exposures in young adults with declining kidney function in a population at risk of Mesoamerican nephropathy. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2019; 76 (12):920-926.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvangelia-Theano Smpokou; Marvin González-Quiroz; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Jennifer Le Blond; Jason Glaser; Aurora Aragón; Catharina Wesseling; Dorothea Nitsch; Neil Pearce; Jill Norman; Christian Lindh; Jackie Morton; Ben Caplin. 2019. "Environmental exposures in young adults with declining kidney function in a population at risk of Mesoamerican nephropathy." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 76, no. 12: 920-926.
Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Roberto Brazão; Paulo Carmona; Paulo Fernandes; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Carla Lopes; Carla Martins; Jeanne-Marie Membré; Sarogini Monteiro; Pedro Nabais; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Duarte Torres; Sílvia Viegas; Sara Monteiro Pires; Géraldine Boué. Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019, 91, 541 -548.
AMA StyleRicardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Roberto Brazão, Paulo Carmona, Paulo Fernandes, Lea Sletting Jakobsen, Carla Lopes, Carla Martins, Jeanne-Marie Membré, Sarogini Monteiro, Pedro Nabais, Sofie Theresa Thomsen, Duarte Torres, Sílvia Viegas, Sara Monteiro Pires, Géraldine Boué. Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2019; 91 ():541-548.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRicardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Roberto Brazão; Paulo Carmona; Paulo Fernandes; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Carla Lopes; Carla Martins; Jeanne-Marie Membré; Sarogini Monteiro; Pedro Nabais; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Duarte Torres; Sílvia Viegas; Sara Monteiro Pires; Géraldine Boué. 2019. "Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project." Trends in Food Science & Technology 91, no. : 541-548.
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 M1 (AFM1) 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 AFM1 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.
Carolina Cebin Coppa; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Ismail Es; Bruna Leonel Gonçalves; Diane Valganon de Neeff; Anderson S. Sant'Ana; Carlos Humberto Corassin; Carlos Oliveira. The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019, 92, 81 -93.
AMA StyleCarolina Cebin Coppa, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção, Carla Martins, Ismail Es, Bruna Leonel Gonçalves, Diane Valganon de Neeff, Anderson S. Sant'Ana, Carlos Humberto Corassin, Carlos Oliveira. The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2019; 92 ():81-93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarolina Cebin Coppa; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Ismail Es; Bruna Leonel Gonçalves; Diane Valganon de Neeff; Anderson S. Sant'Ana; Carlos Humberto Corassin; Carlos Oliveira. 2019. "The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review." Trends in Food Science & Technology 92, no. : 81-93.
Mycotoxins constitute a relevant group of food contaminants with several associated health outcomes such as estrogenic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects. Although scarce data are available in Portugal, human biomonitoring studies have been globally developed to assess the exposure to mycotoxins at individual level. In order to overcome this lack of data, the present study concerned the analysis of mycotoxins in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples from 94 participants enrolled within the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015–2016). Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 37 urinary mycotoxins’ biomarkers and data obtained used to estimate the probable daily intake as well as the risk characterization applying the Hazard Quotient approach. Results revealed the exposure of Portuguese population to zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, alternariol, citrinin and fumonisin B1 through the quantification in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples. Risk characterization data revealed a potential concern to some reported mycotoxins since the reference intake values were exceeded by some of the considered participants. Alternariol was identified for the first time in urine samples from a European country; however, risk characterization was not performed due to lack of reference intake value. These results confirmed mycotoxins as part of the human exposome of the Portuguese population reinforcing the need for further studies regarding the determinants of exposure.
C. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; A. Goios; Carla Lopes; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito. Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2019, 222, 913 -925.
AMA StyleC. Martins, Arnau Vidal, M. De Boevre, S. De Saeger, C. Nunes, Duarte Torres, A. Goios, Carla Lopes, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito. Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2019; 222 (6):913-925.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; A. Goios; Carla Lopes; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito. 2019. "Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 222, no. 6: 913-925.
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).
Henriqueta Louro; Milla Heinälä; Jos Bessems; Jurgen Buekers; Theo Vermeire; Marjolijn Woutersen; Jacqueline van Engelen; Teresa Borges; Christophe Rousselle; Eva Ougier; Paula Alvito; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Maria Joao Silva; Anjoeka Pronk; Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten; Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez; Mercedes de Alba; Argelia Castaño; Susana Viegas; Tatjana Humar-Juric; Lijana Kononenko; Alfonso Lampen; Anne Marie Vinggaard; Greta Schoeters; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Tiina Santonen. Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2019, 222, 727 -737.
AMA StyleHenriqueta Louro, Milla Heinälä, Jos Bessems, Jurgen Buekers, Theo Vermeire, Marjolijn Woutersen, Jacqueline van Engelen, Teresa Borges, Christophe Rousselle, Eva Ougier, Paula Alvito, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção, Maria Joao Silva, Anjoeka Pronk, Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten, Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez, Mercedes de Alba, Argelia Castaño, Susana Viegas, Tatjana Humar-Juric, Lijana Kononenko, Alfonso Lampen, Anne Marie Vinggaard, Greta Schoeters, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Tiina Santonen. Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2019; 222 (5):727-737.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHenriqueta Louro; Milla Heinälä; Jos Bessems; Jurgen Buekers; Theo Vermeire; Marjolijn Woutersen; Jacqueline van Engelen; Teresa Borges; Christophe Rousselle; Eva Ougier; Paula Alvito; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Maria Joao Silva; Anjoeka Pronk; Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten; Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez; Mercedes de Alba; Argelia Castaño; Susana Viegas; Tatjana Humar-Juric; Lijana Kononenko; Alfonso Lampen; Anne Marie Vinggaard; Greta Schoeters; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Tiina Santonen. 2019. "Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 222, no. 5: 727-737.
Developing a mechanistic understanding of the impact of food structure and composition on human health has increasingly involved simulating digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These simulations have used a wide range of different conditions that often have very little physiological relevance, and this impedes the meaningful comparison of results. The standardized protocol presented here is based on an international consensus developed by the COST INFOGEST network. The method is designed to be used with standard laboratory equipment and requires limited experience to encourage a wide range of researchers to adopt it. It is a static digestion method that uses constant ratios of meal to digestive fluids and a constant pH for each step of digestion. This makes the method simple to use but not suitable for simulating digestion kinetics. Using this method, food samples are subjected to sequential oral, gastric and intestinal digestion while parameters such as electrolytes, enzymes, bile, dilution, pH and time of digestion are based on available physiological data. This amended and improved digestion method (INFOGEST 2.0) avoids challenges associated with the original method, such as the inclusion of the oral phase and the use of gastric lipase. The method can be used to assess the endpoints resulting from digestion of foods by analyzing the digestion products (e.g., peptides/amino acids, fatty acids, simple sugars) and evaluating the release of micronutrients from the food matrix. The whole protocol can be completed in ~7 d, including ~5 d required for the determination of enzyme activities.
André Brodkorb; Charlotte Egger; Marie Alminger; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Simon Ballance; Torsten Bohn; Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal; Rachel Boutrou; Frédéric Carrière; Alfonso Clemente; Milena Corredig; Didier Dupont; Claire Dufour; Cathrina Edwards; Matt Golding; Sibel Karakaya; Bente Kirkhus; Steven Le Feunteun; Uri Lesmes; Adam Macierzanka; Alan R. Mackie; Carla Martins; Sébastien Marze; David Julian McClements; Olivia Ménard; Mans Minekus; Reto Portmann; Claudia Nunes dos Santos; Isabelle Souchon; R. Paul Singh; Gerd E. Vegarud; Martin S. J. Wickham; Werner Weitschies; Isidra Recio. INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion. Nature Protocols 2019, 14, 991 -1014.
AMA StyleAndré Brodkorb, Charlotte Egger, Marie Alminger, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção, Simon Ballance, Torsten Bohn, Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal, Rachel Boutrou, Frédéric Carrière, Alfonso Clemente, Milena Corredig, Didier Dupont, Claire Dufour, Cathrina Edwards, Matt Golding, Sibel Karakaya, Bente Kirkhus, Steven Le Feunteun, Uri Lesmes, Adam Macierzanka, Alan R. Mackie, Carla Martins, Sébastien Marze, David Julian McClements, Olivia Ménard, Mans Minekus, Reto Portmann, Claudia Nunes dos Santos, Isabelle Souchon, R. Paul Singh, Gerd E. Vegarud, Martin S. J. Wickham, Werner Weitschies, Isidra Recio. INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion. Nature Protocols. 2019; 14 (4):991-1014.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndré Brodkorb; Charlotte Egger; Marie Alminger; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Simon Ballance; Torsten Bohn; Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal; Rachel Boutrou; Frédéric Carrière; Alfonso Clemente; Milena Corredig; Didier Dupont; Claire Dufour; Cathrina Edwards; Matt Golding; Sibel Karakaya; Bente Kirkhus; Steven Le Feunteun; Uri Lesmes; Adam Macierzanka; Alan R. Mackie; Carla Martins; Sébastien Marze; David Julian McClements; Olivia Ménard; Mans Minekus; Reto Portmann; Claudia Nunes dos Santos; Isabelle Souchon; R. Paul Singh; Gerd E. Vegarud; Martin S. J. Wickham; Werner Weitschies; Isidra Recio. 2019. "INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion." Nature Protocols 14, no. 4: 991-1014.
Swine production workers are exposed simultaneously to multiple contaminants. Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Portuguese swine production farms has already been reported. However, besides AFB1, data regarding fungal contamination showed that exposure to other mycotoxins could be expected in this setting. The present study aimed to characterize the occupational exposure to multiple mycotoxins of swine production workers. To provide a broad view on the burden of contamination by mycotoxins and the workers’ exposure, biological (urine) samples from workers (n = 25) and 38 environmental samples (air samples, n = 23; litter samples, n = 5; feed samples, n = 10) were collected. The mycotoxins biomarkers detected in the urine samples of the workers group were the deoxynivalenol-glucuronic acid conjugate (60%), aflatoxin M1 (16%), enniatin B (4%), citrinin (8%), dihydrocitrinone (12%) and ochratoxin A (80%). Results of the control group followed the same pattern, but in general with a lower number of quantifiable results (
Susana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Carla Nunes; Bernd Osteresch; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Edna Ribeiro; Carla Viegas. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins in Swine Production: Environmental and Biological Monitoring Approaches. Toxins 2019, 11, 78 .
AMA StyleSusana Viegas, Ricardo Assunção, Carla Martins, Carla Nunes, Bernd Osteresch, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Jan Grajewski, Edna Ribeiro, Carla Viegas. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins in Swine Production: Environmental and Biological Monitoring Approaches. Toxins. 2019; 11 (2):78.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Carla Nunes; Bernd Osteresch; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Edna Ribeiro; Carla Viegas. 2019. "Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins in Swine Production: Environmental and Biological Monitoring Approaches." Toxins 11, no. 2: 78.
Mycotoxins are toxic mold metabolites that can persist in environment long after the fungi species responsible for their production disappear. Critical workplace for mycotoxins presence has already been studied and nowadays it is possible to recognize that exposure to mycotoxins through inhalation occurs due to their presence in dust. This study aimed to assess occupational co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins in a fresh bread dough company, an occupational setting not studied until now. Occupational exposure assessment to mycotoxins was done using a LC-MS/MS urinary multi-biomarker approach. Twenty-one workers and nineteen individuals that were used as controls participated in the study. Workers/controls (spot-urine) and environment (settled dust) samples were collected and analyzed. Concerning workers group, DON-GlcA, and OTA were the most prevalent biomarkers (>LOD), 66% and 90.5%, respectively. In the control group, OTA was also one of the most detected (68%) followed by CIT (58%) and DON-GlcA (58%). DON was the mycotoxin measured in high amounts in the settled dust sample (58.2 ng/g). Both workers and controls are exposed to several mycotoxins simultaneously. The workers group, due to their high contact with flour dust, revealed a higher exposure to DON. Considering these results, risk management measures must be applied including specific and adequate health surveillance programs in order to avoid exposure and consequently the associated health consequences.
Susana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Nunes; Bernd Osteresch; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Ana Almeida; Carla Viegas. Exposure Assessment to Mycotoxins in a Portuguese Fresh Bread Dough Company by Using a Multi-Biomarker Approach. Toxins 2018, 10, 342 .
AMA StyleSusana Viegas, Ricardo Assunção, Carla Nunes, Bernd Osteresch, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Jan Grajewski, Carla Martins, Paula Alvito, Ana Almeida, Carla Viegas. Exposure Assessment to Mycotoxins in a Portuguese Fresh Bread Dough Company by Using a Multi-Biomarker Approach. Toxins. 2018; 10 (9):342.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Nunes; Bernd Osteresch; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Ana Almeida; Carla Viegas. 2018. "Exposure Assessment to Mycotoxins in a Portuguese Fresh Bread Dough Company by Using a Multi-Biomarker Approach." Toxins 10, no. 9: 342.
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.
Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Elsa Vasco; Alessandra Vincenzi Jager; Carlos Oliveira; Sara C. Cunha; José Fernandes; Baltazar Nunes; Susana Loureiro; Paula Alvito. Portuguese children dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins – An overview of risk assessment under MYCOMIX project. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2018, 118, 399 -408.
AMA StyleRicardo Assunção, Carla Martins, Elsa Vasco, Alessandra Vincenzi Jager, Carlos Oliveira, Sara C. Cunha, José Fernandes, Baltazar Nunes, Susana Loureiro, Paula Alvito. Portuguese children dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins – An overview of risk assessment under MYCOMIX project. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018; 118 ():399-408.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRicardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Elsa Vasco; Alessandra Vincenzi Jager; Carlos Oliveira; Sara C. Cunha; José Fernandes; Baltazar Nunes; Susana Loureiro; Paula Alvito. 2018. "Portuguese children dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins – An overview of risk assessment under MYCOMIX project." Food and Chemical Toxicology 118, no. : 399-408.
Climate change has been indicated as a driver for food safety issues worldwide, mainly due to the impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards at various stages of food chain. Mycotoxins, natural contaminants produced by fungi, are among the most important of such hazards. Aflatoxins, which have the highest acute and chronic toxicity of all mycotoxins, assume particular importance. A recent study predicted aflatoxin contamination in maize and wheat crops in Europe within the next 100 years and aflatoxin B1 is predicted to become a food safety issue in Europe, especially in the most probable scenario of climate change (+2 °C). This review discusses the potential influence of climate change on the health risk associated to aflatoxins dietary exposure of Portuguese population. We estimated the burden of disease associated to the current aflatoxin exposure for Portuguese population in terms of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). It is expected that in the future the number of DALYs and the associated cases of hepatocellular carcinoma due to aflatoxins exposure will increase due to climate change. The topics highlighted through this review, including the potential impact on health of the Portuguese population through the dietary exposure to aflatoxins, should represent an alert for the potential consequences of an incompletely explored perspective of climate change. Politics and decision-makers should be involved and committed to implement effective measures to deal with climate change issues and to reduce its possible consequences. This review constitutes a contribution for the prioritisation of strategies to face the unequal burden of effects of weather-related hazards in Portugal and across Europe.
Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Susana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Sara Monteiro Pires; Paula Alvito. Climate change and the health impact of aflatoxins exposure in Portugal – an overview. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2018, 35, 1610 -1621.
AMA StyleRicardo Assunção, Carla Martins, Susana Viegas, Carla Viegas, Lea Sletting Jakobsen, Sara Monteiro Pires, Paula Alvito. Climate change and the health impact of aflatoxins exposure in Portugal – an overview. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 2018; 35 (8):1610-1621.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRicardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Susana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Sara Monteiro Pires; Paula Alvito. 2018. "Climate change and the health impact of aflatoxins exposure in Portugal – an overview." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 35, no. 8: 1610-1621.
This paper reports the first study of patulin occurrence in fruit juices and risk assessment related to patulin intake by children, adolescents and adults in Serbia. During 3 consecutive years (2013–2015), 142 fruit (apple or multi-fruit) juices were collected from the market and analysed using HPLC-UV. Patulin was found in 51.4% of juices with 0.7% of the samples in excess of the legal limit of 50 μg kg−1 (mean 4.3 μg kg−1). Apple juices showed significantly higher percentage of contaminated samples (74.0% vs 27.5%), as well as higher mean patulin content (6.4 vs 2.1 μg kg−1) when compared with the multi-fruit ones. Bioaccessibility of patulin in fruit juices was studied using the standardised in vitro digestion method. A mean of 21.6% of the initial patulin amount reached the end of the intestinal phase showing a significant reduction of this toxin during the human digestion process. Risk assessment of patulin intake by Serbian children, adolescents and adults, conducted by deterministic and probabilistic approaches and including the bioaccessibility results, revealed no health concern. Although patulin alone does not represent risk, further research should consider its co-occurrence with other toxic substances in food and potential adverse effects of their mixtures.
Ljilja Torović; Nina Dimitrov; André Lopes; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção. Patulin in fruit juices: occurrence, bioaccessibility, and risk assessment for Serbian population. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2018, 35, 985 -995.
AMA StyleLjilja Torović, Nina Dimitrov, André Lopes, Carla Martins, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção. Patulin in fruit juices: occurrence, bioaccessibility, and risk assessment for Serbian population. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 2018; 35 (5):985-995.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLjilja Torović; Nina Dimitrov; André Lopes; Carla Martins; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção. 2018. "Patulin in fruit juices: occurrence, bioaccessibility, and risk assessment for Serbian population." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 35, no. 5: 985-995.