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Papers
96 resultsShowing papers from Universidade Nova de Lisboa
ClearAssessing the Impact of Nanoplastics in Biological Systems: Systematic Review of In Vitro Animal Studies
This systematic review of lab studies found that nanoplastics can damage cells in the gut, lungs, liver, brain, and reproductive organs of animals. These ultra-small plastic particles appear capable of crossing biological barriers and causing inflammation and oxidative stress, raising concerns about similar effects in humans.
Actinomycete-Derived Pigments: A Path Toward Sustainable Industrial Colorants
This review explores how pigments made from soil bacteria called actinomycetes could replace synthetic dyes derived from petroleum. Synthetic pigments resist breakdown and accumulate in water systems, contributing to microplastic-like pollution. Bio-based pigments offer a more sustainable alternative, though scaling up production remains a challenge.
Nanotechnology in Packaging for Food Industry: Past, Present, and Future
This review covers how nanotechnology is being used in food packaging to extend shelf life, detect spoilage, and improve food safety. While nanomaterials offer benefits like antimicrobial properties and better barrier protection, there are concerns about nanoparticles migrating into food and their potential effects on human health. The authors note that regulations for nanotechnology in food packaging are still developing and need to keep pace with the rapid adoption of these materials.
Impact of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on the marine environment: Raising awareness, challenges, legislation, and mitigation approaches under the One Health concept
This review examines how PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), often called 'forever chemicals,' are contaminating marine environments and interacting with other pollutants including microplastics. PFAS accumulate in marine food chains and can combine with microplastics to amplify toxic effects on ocean wildlife and ultimately human health through seafood consumption. The authors call for stronger regulations and cleanup strategies under a One Health approach that connects ocean, animal, and human well-being.
Uncovering layer by layer the risk of nanoplastics to the environment and human health
This review examines how nanoplastics, plastic particles smaller than 100 nanometers, can cross biological barriers like the gut lining and accumulate in vital organs. Once inside the body, nanoplastics can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, genetic damage, hormone disruption, and immune problems. The authors stress the need for standardized detection methods and long-term studies to fully understand the health risks these tiny particles pose to humans.
Lignocellulose-Based Biosorbents for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) from Water: A Review
This review examines how biosorbents made from plant-based lignocellulose materials can remove emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and microplastics from water. These natural materials are abundant, low-cost, and can be modified to improve their pollutant-trapping ability. The approach offers a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive water treatment methods for tackling the growing problem of emerging pollutants in wastewater.
Ecotoxicity effect factors for plastic additives on the aquatic environment: a new approach for life cycle impact assessment
Researchers calculated toxicity effect factors for 75 plastic additives — chemicals mixed into plastics to improve flexibility, durability, and color — gathering 461 data points across 75 aquatic species to assess how much these chemicals harm marine and freshwater life. The resulting factors can be used in life cycle assessments to quantify the environmental damage caused by plastic additives leaching into water, helping guide greener plastic design and policy.
Nanoplastics activate a TLR4/p38-mediated pro-inflammatory response in human intestinal and mouse microglia cells
Researchers exposed human intestinal cells and mouse brain immune cells to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles activated inflammatory pathways through a specific receptor called TLR4. The nanoplastics increased production of the inflammatory signal IL-1 beta in gut cells and triggered inflammation-promoting enzymes in brain immune cells. This study provides a mechanism by which nanoplastics swallowed in food or water could trigger inflammation in both the gut and the brain.
Physical properties of microplastics affecting the aquatic biota: A review
This review found a significant mismatch between the types of microplastics tested in lab toxicity studies and what aquatic animals actually eat in the wild. Most lab studies use uniform round beads, but animals in nature mainly ingest irregular fibers and fragments, which may be more harmful. This gap means current safety assessments may underestimate the real-world health risks of microplastics moving through the food chain to humans.
The Essentials of Marine Biotechnology
This comprehensive article reviews the field of marine biotechnology, which harnesses ocean organisms for applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, agriculture, and energy. Researchers describe the enormous diversity of marine life, from microorganisms to deep-sea species, and the promising biomolecules they produce. The study outlines both the opportunities and the environmental responsibilities involved in developing products inspired by or derived from marine resources.
Community composition and seasonal dynamics of microplastic biota in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Scientists studied the microbial communities living on microplastics in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea across all four seasons over two years. They found that microplastics host a distinct and relatively stable community of bacteria and other organisms that differs from the surrounding seawater. This "plastisphere" ecosystem could serve as a vehicle for transporting potentially harmful microorganisms across ocean environments.
Microplastics in beach sediments of the Azores archipelago, NE Atlantic
Researchers surveyed 19 beaches across eight islands of the Azores archipelago for microplastic contamination. Fibers, mostly polyester, made up over 80% of the particles found, with the highest concentrations on Terceira Island, showing that even remote oceanic islands in the Atlantic are not spared from widespread microplastic pollution.
Effects of Exposure to Urban Atmospheric Particulate Matter Suspended in Seawater on the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
This study exposed mussels to urban atmospheric particulate matter suspended in seawater to assess its toxicity to marine life. Researchers found that exposure triggered stress responses in the mussels' gills and digestive glands, including increased antioxidant enzyme activity and signs of cellular damage. The findings suggest that airborne pollution transferred to ocean water can harm marine organisms, with gills being particularly vulnerable.
The Effects of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) on the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: A Multi-Biomarker Approach
Scientists exposed Mediterranean mussels to the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) for 28 days to assess its toxic effects using multiple biological markers. Researchers found that TBBPA caused measurable changes in the mussels' antioxidant defenses, immune responses, and cellular health. The study suggests that this widely used industrial chemical poses a meaningful risk to marine bivalves and the coastal ecosystems they inhabit.
Low prevalence of microplastic contamination in planktivorous fish species from the southeast Pacific Ocean
Researchers examined the gut contents of 292 planktivorous fish from seven species along the southeast Pacific coast and found a very low prevalence of microplastic contamination, with only 2.1% of fish containing plastic particles. The microplastics found were degraded fragments and threads of various colors, suggesting the fish were not selectively targeting them. The study indicates that microplastic ingestion risk for planktivorous species in this region may currently be limited compared to other ocean areas.
Cytotoxicity Assessment of Nanoplastics and Plasticizers Exposure in In Vitro Lung Cell Culture Systems—A Systematic Review
This systematic review evaluates how nanoplastics and plasticizers affect lung cells in laboratory studies. The research found that these tiny plastic particles and their chemical additives can damage respiratory tissue at the cellular level, triggering inflammation and cell death. These findings suggest that breathing in nanoplastics could pose real risks to lung health, though more research is needed to confirm effects in living humans.
Microplastics in Marine and Estuarine Species From the Coast of Portugal
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in five marine and estuarine species collected from the coast of Portugal, including mussels, clams, and polychaetes. They found microplastics in all species examined, with fibers being the most common type, and noted differences in contamination levels between sampling sites. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic pollution in commercially relevant Portuguese seafood species.
Implication of microplastic toxicity on functioning of microalgae in aquatic system
This review examined how microplastics interact with and affect microalgae, which serve as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Researchers analyzed the toxic effects of both single and mixed plastic particles on microalgae cells, including impacts on photosynthesis, growth, and cellular function. The study highlights that microplastic toxicity to microalgae could have cascading effects throughout aquatic food webs.
From Fields to Films: Exploring Starch from Agriculture Raw Materials for Biopolymers in Sustainable Food Packaging
This review explored how starch extracted from agricultural crops can be used to create biodegradable packaging films as alternatives to conventional plastics. The study surveys different starch sources and processing methods, highlighting the potential for plant-based biopolymers to reduce the food-packaging industry's heavy reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics.
Marine Environmental Plastic Pollution: Mitigation by Microorganism Degradation and Recycling Valorization
This review examines how microorganisms can degrade marine plastic pollution through enzymatic processes and how recycling technologies can recover value from plastic waste. Researchers surveyed various microbial species capable of breaking down common plastics and assessed the effectiveness of different recycling approaches. The study suggests that combining biological degradation with improved recycling infrastructure could help address the growing crisis of ocean plastic pollution.
New Forms of Neuroactive Phospholipids for DHA Enrichment in Brain
Researchers developed methods to produce DHA-enriched lysophosphatidylcholine extracts from squid, a form that may be more effectively transported into the brain than standard DHA supplements. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain health, and low brain levels have been associated with neurological conditions. The study suggests these specialized lipid extracts could serve as a more targeted approach for enriching brain DHA levels through diet or supplementation.
Development of a New Aggregation Method to Remove Nanoplastics from the Ocean: Proof of Concept Using Mussel Exposure Tests
Researchers developed a new chemical method to aggregate and remove nanoplastics from seawater, then tested whether the treatment was safe for marine organisms using mussels. The aggregation approach successfully clumped tiny plastic particles together for easier removal, and mussels exposed to the treated water showed no significant negative effects compared to controls. The proof-of-concept study offers a potential strategy for cleaning nanoplastic contamination from marine environments without harming sea life.
The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society
This paper argues that society urgently needs better microbiology literacy to make informed decisions about issues ranging from public health to environmental management. Researchers highlight that microbes underpin critical functions in ecosystems, human health, and the biosphere, yet public understanding of microbiology remains extremely limited. The study calls for integrating microbiology education into broader scientific literacy efforts to help individuals and policymakers make better evidence-based decisions.
Plastic marine debris on the Portuguese coastline: A matter of size?
Researchers analyzed stranded plastic debris on the Portuguese coastline and found that microplastics smaller than 5 mm made up 72% of all plastic items collected. The predominance of smaller size classes suggests extended residence time in the sea and enhanced degradation, which increases surface area and the potential for adsorbing persistent organic pollutants.