António Raposo

Influence of Different Cooking Methods on the Concentration of Glucosinolates and Vitamin C in Broccoli

Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae family and the Brassica genus, also designated crucifers, which has been linked to reduced risk of certain diseases for their content of compounds like glucosinolates (GLS) and vitamin C. Isothiocyanates, nitriles, and thiocyanates are degradation products of glucosinolates, are substances that protect cells against oxidative stress, and present many other health benefits. Vitamin C also contains antioxidant properties that contribute to the beneficial effects that broccoli have for health. The present paper is an overview of the reduction of secondary plant products, such as GLS and vitamin C, by cooking. Nonetheless, these concentrations can be modified if the cell structure of the plant is disrupted, e.g., while cutting, chewing, or cooking. Myrosinase can come into contact with GLS and hydrolyze it to isothiocyanate sulforaphane or sulforaphane nitrile, depending on the environmental conditions, which produces changes in the composition and concentration of GLS. Thus, cooking induces many chemical and physical modifications in food, among which GLS and vitamin C content in broccoli can change. Vitamin C and GLS are water-soluble, which makes them more susceptible to loss during the cooking process. Despite some controversy, most reviewed studies show that conventional cooking methods (boiling, steaming, and frying) and nonconventional ones (microwaving) significantly lead to the degradation of vitamin C and GLS. Nonetheless, steaming is the conventional method that obtains the best result to better preserve these two compounds.

Microbial Growth Models in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus Aurata) Stored in Ice

ABSTRACT This study analyzes microbiological changes in whole, ungutted farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) stored for an 18-day period in ice using traditional methods for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophic, Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Shewanella putrefaciens, Enterobacteriaceae, sulphide-reducing Clostridium (Clostridia), and Photobacterium phosphoreum in muscle, skin, and gills, evaluating their seasonal differentiation. Two different statistical models were used to analyze microbiological growth. Simultaneously, physicochemical parameters such as the temperature, pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids, salinity, ammonia nitrogen, and total phosphorus content of growing waters were analyzed. The results showed that by the end of the storage time, specific spoilage bacteria (SSB) such as Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., and S. putrefaciens as H2S-producing bacteria were dominant in sea bream harvested in temperate water in the Canary Islands. Muscle tissue had the least contamination, followed by skin and gills. The values of the analyzed seawater parameters were constant during the four seasons, except that the temperature showed a small difference between winter and summer. Seasonal effects were observed among the fish analyzed, suggesting that the lower levels of contamination detected in winter may have been due to the slight difference observed in water temperature in that season.

Puffer fish and its consumption: To eat or not to eat?

ABSTRACT This systematic review was done to examine the substantial increase in the number of intoxication cases in puffer fish associated with tetrodotoxin. In the past 5 years, 430 cases of intoxication and 52 deaths associated with puffer fish have been reported worldwide. It has also been verified that puffer fish have migrated to different regions, which has led to a negative environmental impact. Based on the information obtained herein, consumption of puffer fish should be legally limited, although it still remains very popular in several regions with negative social and economic impacts.

Eating jellyfish: safety, chemical and sensory properties: Eating jellyfish

BACKGROUND Peoples preference for fish with a high trophic level, like Atlantic cod and tuna, leads to a large food footprint. Responsible seafood consumption should include underutilised local products; hence the culinary use of edible jellyfish can be an effective contribution. The present work focused on Catostylus tagi to contribute to the consumption of edible jellyfish in the West. RESULTS A questionnaire conducted with 192 young people showed an interest in tasting jellyfish-based food (64.6%). The resulting product, obtained by an alternative cooking process to traditional Asian ones, was chemically characterised and underwent microbiological and heavy metals control. The results indicated its non-toxicity. Patients who were allergic to seafood as well as non-allergic volunteers revealed no allergic reaction to the jellyfish umbrella product (intakes up to 5 mg/kg body weight and 8 mg/kg, respectively). Seafood-trained panellists defined the products main impact on the mouth as freshness (72 mg/kg body weight). The preliminary snack, a pâté, was positively accepted by allergic (7 in 9; n = 20) and non-allergic volunteers (6 in 7; n = 21). CONCLUSION The present study confirmed that jellyfish intake is safe, even for allergic individuals, and its organoleptic properties were accepted by the study population.

Bisphenol A: Food Exposure and Impact on Human Health: Bisphenol A and human health effect…

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial compound used extensively to produce synthetic polymers, such as epoxy resins, which are incorporated into the inner coating of metal cans, and also to manufacture polycarbonates with applications in bottles, including bottles of water. Several studies have reported on the transfer of this compound to food. Regarding human exposure to BPA, food intake can be considered the most serious among all the routes, not only because it potentially reaches more people in different age groups (including infants, an especially vulnerable group), but also because it inadvertently occurs over long time periods. BPA is considered an endocrine disruptor and several studies have proposed a relationship between exposure to BPA and the appearance of adverse health effects, such as cancer, infertility, diabetes, and obesity, among others. In 2015 however, the European Food Safety Authority concluded in its last scientific opinion that this compound does not pose any risk to the exposed populations health. Therefore, the EU regards BPA as an authorized product to be used as food contact material. Although BPA intake through food is apparently below the set limits, research into BPA and its potential negative effects is still ongoing. This review contains the most recent in vitro and in vivo studies on BPA toxicity and its harmful effects on health, and it intends to address human exposure to BPA, namely through dietary exposure and its impact on human health.

Small Food Businesses: Trying to Improve Taking Records with a Mobile Device Application

PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant) and mobile phones have become multitasking devices that provide an enormous potential in various fields, including HACCP. We have designed a record taking software in order to be used in small food catering establishments, like canteens or restaurants. It’s developed for Windows Mobile(R) for use in mobile devices such as PDA’s and Smartphone’s. It enables the creation of four types of records: -Reception; -Temperature; -Cleaning; -Chlorine level in water. It’s possible to export data to common file formats like .pdf or .word. An Android OS version is currently under development.