FCTUC study evaluates the presence of viruses and bacteria in macroalgae and halophytes from the Portuguese mainland coast

A team of researchers from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), in association with the Faculty of Pharmacy (FFUC), evaluated the presence of viruses and bacteria in macroalgae and halophytes from the Portuguese mainland coast, given the growing association of these products to new healthy gastronomic trends.

Recognizing the interest in its inclusion in culinary recipes as unprocessed foods and to evaluate possible adverse effects due to its consumption in Portugal, a study was published in the scientific journal Food Control that assessed the presence of Norovirus and Salmonella, pathogens responsible due to severe infections and possible transmission through the ingestion of contaminated food, in around 50 samples collected from Vila do Conde to Cascais.

«This study showed the great quality of Portuguese coastal waters regarding the presence of Norovirus and Salmonella in macroalgae. However, the Salmonella bacteria was detected in a halophyte collected on one of the sampled beaches, which highlights the importance of the population not collecting specimens in the natural environment for culinary use", highlights Elsa Teresa Rodrigues, researcher at Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), and coordinator of this study.

According to this research, there is a dearth of information on potential microbiological hazards in edible macroalgae and halophytes. Furthermore, the study underscores the pressing need for the validation of standard methods for detecting Norovirus in vegetables, a crucial step in ensuring food safety, particularly for this type of food product.

Thus, the researcher explained, «the internationally standardized method NF EN ISO 15216-2 was applied to 57 samples, having been validated for 72% of the samples. The results show that the method is suitable for green and red macroalgae and halophytes, but it needs to be optimized for brown macroalgae. The presence of Salmonella was also evaluated in 46 samples using the international method ISO/FDIS 6579 and was detected in a halophyte», he concludes.

In 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognized the possible negative impact of climate change on the quality of products used for human consumption, particularly in the magnitude of some foodborne illnesses, including those caused by Norovirus and Salmonella.

The scientific article "Portuguese macroalgae and halophytes for human consumption: minimal risk of Norovirus and Salmonella infection" can be consulted here.