RCIPL
Repositório Institucional do Politécnico de Lisboa
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Valorising food waste using black soldier fly larvae: a One Health assessment of mycotoxin bioaccumulation and mycotoxigenic fungi under industrial-scale conditions
Publication . Oliveira, Joana; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Gomes, Bianca; Kosicki, Robert; Trindade, Alexandre; Murta, Daniel; Viegas, Carla; Twarużek, Magdalena; Assunção, Ricardo
Food waste is a major challenge for environmental sustainability and food security. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) offer a sustainable solution by converting food waste into high-quality protein, aligned with One Health principles. However, concerns over bioaccumulation of contaminants, including fungi and mycotoxins, have limited the use of food waste as insect substrate. This study evaluated whether BSFL bioaccumulate mycotoxins under industrial-scale rearing conditions, using bioaccumulation factors, while also assessing contamination with fungi of mycotoxin-producing potential. To do that, approximately two tonnes of food waste were collected from restaurants in Santarém, Portugal, processed into a test substrate, along with the cereal-based Gainesville diet as a control. Larvae were reared for 14 days, and samples of substrates, larvae, frass, and BSF meal were analysed for fungal contamination and mycotoxin concentration using culture-based methods and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Mycotoxigenic fungi belonging to Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were predominantly below the limit of detection in larvae. Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and HT-2 toxin were detected in the substrates, but none of these mycotoxins were detected or quantified in larvae, with bioaccumulation factors consistently below one, indicating no significant accumulation. DON and ZEN were also detected in frass, in some cases at higher concentrations than in the corresponding initial substrates. These findings demonstrate that, under the conditions tested, BSFL did not bioaccumulate the mycotoxins detected in the rearing substrates, while their occurrence in frass highlights the importance of considering contaminant distribution across outputs of the bioconversion process. Overall, this study supports the safe use of BSFL for industrial-scale food waste valorisation and highlights their contribution to improving public health.
A sustainable approach to carbon–neutral fish cold storage using solar thermal, photovoltaic, wind, and tidal energy
Publication . Semedo, Arian; Garcia, João Nuno Pinto Miranda; Springer Nature
The preservation of perishable foods, particularly fish, requires careful management at every stage of the supply chain, from capture to consumption. Cold storage facilities are essential for maintaining optimal conditions, including precise control of temperature and humidity. However, these facilities often face significant challenges due to their high energy consumption, leading to increased operational costs. To address this issue, adopting energy-efficient strategies, such as advanced refrigeration technologies and real-time monitoring through automation, is crucial. This study examines an innovative cold storage system in Tarrafal, Santiago, Cape Verde, that integrates wind, solar, and tidal energy sources. The key objectives are to evaluate energy efficiency, financial viability, and environmental impact under four solutions. In solution 1, two R134a refrigeration units operate on conventional grid power. Solution 2 utilizes a transcritical CO2 system, also powered by the grid. Solution 3 combines CO2 refrigeration with independent renewable energy, and Solution 4 uses CO2 refrigeration alongside seawater heat exchange and autonomous renewable energy. The results strongly favor Solution 4, showing emissions of 15,880 kg CO2eq and a return on investment within five years. This solution reduces emissions by over 90% through autonomous energy generation. Although requiring higher upfront investment, Solution 3 also proves financially viable, significantly contributing to long-term energy sustainability. The renewable energy production in this solution cuts emissions by over 600,000 kg CO2 compared to traditional systems, underscoring the environmental benefits of integrating local renewable energy sources.
Tradução e validação de um instrumento para avaliar a perceção dos Técnicos de Radiologia sobre o processo de acreditação num Hospital Público da região de Lisboa
Publication . Neto, Bruna; Eiras , Margarida; Silva, Carina; Carvalho, Ana Sofia
As instituições de saúde atuam num mundo focado na competência e qualidade. Os padrões de acreditação são elaborados para estimular a melhoria contínua da qualidade dos cuidados prestados pelas instituições acreditadas. Deste modo, um programa de acreditação é importante para garantir consistência na prática clínica da radiologia, aderindo aos padrões e diretrizes estabelecidos. A cultura de um determinado hospital/serviço pode influenciar a forma como os profissionais percebem o papel de um programa de acreditação. Este estudo teve como objetivo traduzir e validar um instrumento e avaliar a perceção dos técnicos de radiologia de um hospital público da cidade de Lisboa sobre o processo de acreditação. Foi desenvolvido um estudo descritivo, correlacional e transversal através da utilização de um questionário de autopreenchimento. Foi utilizada uma técnica de amostragem não probabilística. Na validação do instrumento avaliaram-se a fiabilidade do questionário, a validade teórica do questionário e a validação do ajustamento do modelo teórico do questionário. As propriedades psicométricas mostraram-se satisfatórias exceto na validação do ajustamento do modelo teórico do questionário em que se observou fragilidade no modelo proposto. Uma atitude positiva global em relação à acreditação foi demonstrada pelos participantes com concordância no impacto positivo do processo na melhoria dos cuidados de saúde ao utente. Resultados menos positivos foram obtidos no domínio relacionado com a utilização de recursos humanos. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de reconhecer o desempenho da equipa demonstrado neste processo pela gestão do serviço para que os objetivos da instituição possam ser atingidos.
Association between high myopia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents
Publication . Guo, Ting-Han; Dong, Xing-Xuan; Li, Dan-Lin; Grzybowski, Andrzej; Lança, Carla; Qin, Yu; Zheng, Ya-Jie; Liang, Gang; Pan, Chen-Wei
Purpose: To investigate the association between high myopia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents and to explore potential metabolic mechanisms. Methods: A total of 550 freshmen from Dali University were included. Data on refractive status, questionnaires, and serum metabolomics were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent association between high myopia and NAFLD. Mediation analysis was performed to explore potential mediating metabolites, and enrichment analysis was utilized to explore key metabolic pathways. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD in the study population was 11.3%. High myopia was associated with higher odds of NAFLD (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.34-5.86). Mediation analysis suggested 15 metabolites as potential mediators, with L-phenylalanine (mediating effect: 23.0%) and L-leucine (mediating effect: 16.7%) showing the largest effects. Enrichment analysis revealed that these key metabolites were primarily enriched in pathways such as aromatic and branched-chain amino acid metabolism, lysine degradation, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis. Conclusion: High myopia was associated with increased odds of NAFLD in adolescents, and this relationship may be partially mediated by abnormalities in amino acid and energy metabolism, suggesting potential metabolic links between ocular and hepatic conditions.
Da imaginação à voz: interioridade afetiva e corporeidade no trabalho da direção vocal com o ator
Publication . Henriques, João
O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o modo como os mecanismos da corporeidade e interioridade afetiva, imagens mentais e emoção, simulação e memória, encontro e empatia, estabelecem um circuito de contaminações sucessivas para a ativação eficaz e expressiva da voz e da palavra no trabalho sobre o texto dramático, na relação entre a direção vocal e o ator. Partindo dos princípios da embodied cognition, propõe-se defender o contributo colaborativo que esta relação pode acrescentar aos processos de criação cénica, ao promover a relação entre a palavra e a força da sensação do seu imaginário mental partilhado, fazendo emergir insights a que o corpo do ator dá voz.