Search Results (434)

The flavor characteristics of three commercially important, cultivated mussel species (Mytilus coruscus, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Perna viridis) were investigated through analyses of free amino acids, organic acids, 5′-nucleotides, fatty acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Distinct differences among species–sex groups were observed in both volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds. M. coruscus and M. galloprovincialis showed greater umami potential than P. viridis. Female M. galloprovincialis exhibited the highest equivalent umami concentration (EUC) (2.56 ± 0.21 g MSG/100 g), whereas male M. galloprovincialis and male M. coruscus contained the highest levels of sweet-tasting amino acids (605.42 ± 28.72 mg/100 g) and umami-tasting amino acids (209.29 ± 13.31 mg/100 g), respectively. Gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis identified 67 volatile compounds, and 12 key discriminative volatiles were selected, including three aldehydes, four ketones, three alcohols, 2-ethylfuran, and acetic acid. Males generally showed higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs)and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-6 PUFAs) proportions than females, with the highest ω-3 PUFAs proportion in male M. coruscus (45.12 ± 0.22%) and the highest ω-6 PUFAs proportion in male P. viridis (8.13 ± 0.30%). Correlation analysis suggested that ω-6 PUFAs were more closely associated with aldehydes, whereas ω-3 PUFAs were more closely associated with alcohols and ketones. These associations provide preliminary evidence for understanding flavor differences among cultivated mussel groups. Full article

The sustainable valorization of marine shell waste as functional additives for geopolymer materials represents a promising strategy for developing multifunctional materials for environmental remediation. In this study, metakaolin-based geopolymers were modified with calcium-rich particles obtained by calcination of five marine shell species (Chamelea gallina, Mya arenaria, Mytilus edulis, Pecten maximus, and Rapana venosa) under identical synthesis conditions to evaluate the influence of shell mineralogy on the structural, textural, adsorption, and antibacterial properties of the resulting composites. The materials were comprehensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption (BET/BJH) analyses. Functional performance was assessed through methylene blue (MB) adsorption experiments, adsorption kinetic modeling, and antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli (E. coli). ATR-FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of a stable amorphous geopolymer network containing residual crystalline phases together with shell-derived calcium carbonate, predominantly as calcite or aragonite depending on shell origin. The incorporation of shell-derived particles modified the pore architecture of the geopolymers. GP-SJ exhibited the highest BET specific surface area (94.30 m² g⁻¹) and the most developed mesoporous structure. Among the investigated formulations, GP-RP showed the most favorable overall combination of functional properties under the investigated conditions, exhibiting the highest methylene blue removal efficiency (63.97%) and experimental adsorption capacity at 160 min (9.60 mg g⁻¹), together with a comparatively high reduction in recoverable E. coli colonies during preliminary antibacterial screening. The combined structural and functional analyses demonstrate that the environmental performance of shell-modified geopolymers cannot be predicted from a single parameter such as BET surface area or calcium content alone, but results from the synergistic interaction between mineralogical composition, particle dispersion, pore accessibility, and matrix compactness. Under the investigated conditions, these findings provide evidence for proposed structure–property correlations under the investigated conditions and suggests that shell-derived calcium particles act as microstructural regulators of geopolymer matrices, providing a basis for the further development of sustainable multifunctional materials for simultaneous dye removal and bacterial reduction in wastewater treatment. Full article

This review analyzes how in situ environmental monitoring and satellite remote sensing (RS) can be integrated to assess the production performance of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). It provides a focused synthesis of the available evidence on the integration of these complementary monitoring approaches for assessing environmental conditions and mussel production performance. A systematic literature search was performed across major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, ASFA, and IEEE Xplore, to identify studies published between 2014 and November 2025. Following the screening process, reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that most studies relied exclusively on in situ environmental data (n = 24), while only one study used RS alone and three studies combined both approaches. Temperature and salinity were the most frequently monitored variables and showed the clearest associations with growth-related indicators, such as shell length and soft tissue weight. Overall, the combination of in situ monitoring and RS remains limited, while spatial analytical methods, including GIS, are still underused in this research area. Combining local and depth-specific in situ measurements with the broader spatial coverage of RS may provide a more comprehensive assessment of environmental variability relevant to mussel production and aquaculture management. These findings highlight important methodological gaps and emphasize the need for standardized and integrated monitoring schemes to support the management of mussel farming systems. Full article

Filter-feeding bivalves can accumulate fecal bacteria and antimicrobial resistance determinants, yet routine regulatory monitoring relies mainly on quantitative Escherichia coli criteria. This study provides a whole-genome characterization of an ExPEC-like E. coli ST536 (O21) isolate recovered from commercially depurated retail mussels originating from a Class B harvesting area in Portugal. The isolate was phenotypically identified by MicroScan WalkAway Plus and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, followed by genome assembly, annotation, antimicrobial resistance and virulence screening, plasmid and prophage detection, and phylogenomic analysis. Phenotypically, only resistance to tobramycin was detected using the MicroScan WalkAway system. Genomic analysis revealed a complex mobile element-rich architecture, including multiple resistance-associated determinants, 116 virulence-associated loci, prophage regions, and a mobilizable IncY plasmid carrying CTX-like class A β-lactamase-associated hits detected by ABRicate. Despite its ST536 assignment and ExPEC-associated traits, phylogenomic analysis placed the isolate within a phylogroup A/commensal-like background rather than among classical B2 ExPEC lineages, suggesting acquisition of pathoadaptive modules by an atypical environmental lineage. These findings highlight the potential utility of WGS as a complementary tool and suggest that depurated bivalves may serve as sentinels, warranting further investigation. Full article

The concentrations of 18 metal(loid)s were measured in five marine invertebrate species (Oxystele tigrine and sinensis, Marthasterias glacialis, Cymbula oculus and granatina, Parechinus angulosus, and Mytilus galloprovincialis) and five macroalgae/seaweed species (Aeodes orbitosa, Gelidium pristoides, Caulerpa filiformis, Ulva sp., and Bifurcaria brassicac formis) collected from eight sites within the marine environment of False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. To assess the potential human health hazards associated with consumption, samples were acid digestion and analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analysed elements included trace metals (Fe, Mn, Zn) toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As), transition metals (Ta, Ti), alkali metals (Li), and metalloid (Se, As). Metal concentration varied widely among species and locations, with values ranging from Zn: not detected (nd)—3836.04 mg/kg dry weight (dw); As: nd—77.98 mg/kg dw; Pb: nd—301.15 mg/kg dw; Li: nd—97.28 mg/kg dw, indicating diverse metal accumulation patterns. Human health risk was evaluated using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). Arsenic consistently exceeded the THQ threshold of one across all sites, and all the HI values were greater than one for all edible species, suggesting potential non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption, except for M. glacialis, which is not commonly consumed. The HI metrics demonstrate the adverse impacts of metal concentration in marine biota. The observed spatial and biological variability in metal accumulation highlights the limitations of relying solely on metal concentrations for assessing health risks, food safety or anthropogenic contamination, and therefore more frequent and comprehensive monitoring is recommended. Full article

Nuclear receptors (NRs) of the NR1J1 group have been described in aquatic invertebrates and proposed as the evolutionary counterparts of vertebrate NR1I receptors, known for their role in xenobiotic-sensing and detoxification. In bivalves, previous studies have shown that NR1J1 activity and gene expression are modulated by pharmaceuticals, toxins, natural compounds, and algal extracts. However, their functional properties and diversification remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the function and evolution of NR1J1 receptors in the bivalves Mytilus galloprovincialis and Ruditapes decussatus. We first identified four nr1j1 paralogs in R. decussatus and then integrated phylogenetic analysis, domain identity comparisons, tissue distribution profiling, and luciferase-based transactivation assays to characterize NR1J1 paralogs from both species. The receptors displayed distinct but partially overlapping transactivation profiles in response to confirmed ligands of NR1I and NR1H receptors, natural compounds, plant extracts, and fish bile, indicating paralog- and species-specific differences in ligand responsiveness. Allocholic acid emerged as the most consistent agonist across paralogs, whereas curcumin, carnosic acid, and Ptychopetalum olacoides extract showed more selective response patterns. Tissue profiling revealed broad but non-uniform expression of nr1j1 paralogs across bivalve tissues. Together, these findings underscore that bivalve NR1J1 receptors constitute a functionally diversified chemical-sensing system and provide a framework for future studies addressing ligand-dependent regulation and detoxification pathways. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable protein sources is driving the development of marine by-product utilization. Mussel byssus, which is currently discarded during mussel processing, could be used to produce collagen-derived biomaterials. This study tested the hypothesis that ultrasound-assisted extraction could improve collagen recovery by comparing its efficiency with that of conventional pepsin-assisted extraction. The latter is time-consuming and inefficient. While conventional pepsin-assisted extraction achieved a higher collagen-derived material recovery yield (10.7%) than ultrasound-assisted extraction (5.1%), ultrasound reduced the extraction time from 72 h to just two hours. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the characteristic amide bands were preserved in the collagen-derived material extracted using both methods. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed thermal transitions at 59 °C for pepsin-assisted extracts and 57 °C for ultrasound-assisted extracts, indicating comparable thermal stability. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed predominantly low-molecular-weight protein fragments (<20 kDa), suggesting the presence of collagen-derived peptides rather than intact native collagen. Overall, ultrasound-assisted extraction preserved the structural and thermal characteristics of the extracted material while drastically reducing processing time. This highlights its potential as a rapid, environmentally friendly and sustainable technology for the valorization of mussel byssus within a circular bioeconomy. Full article

Carbon-based materials like activated carbon (AC) are frequently applied for water treatments and remediation. The increasing use and functionalization of AC, especially with the recent mandate to implement quaternary treatments to remove organic micropollutants (Directive 2024/3019), may inadvertently introduce AC or leachate products to aquatic bodies. Such occurrences pose potential risks to inhabiting organisms, which have been understudied. This study assessed the environmental safety of an AC obtained from spent brewery grains (SBG)—a lignocellulosic biomass—through microwave pyrolysis with potassium carbonate activation. The resulting AC (SBG-AC) was washed, sieved (powder, particle size ≤ 180 µm), and tested for its ecotoxicological effects on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis at doses of 5, 25, and 50 mg/L. After 28 days of exposure (with weekly water renewal), biochemical parameters related to the mussels’ metabolic capacity and oxidative status were evaluated. Exposure to SBG-AC stimulated the energy metabolism in M. galloprovincialis, at the expense of internal energy reserves (such as glycogen). Although SBG-AC exposure induced antioxidant responses, the significant increase in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation at the higher doses (particularly 50 mg/L) suggests that these protective mechanisms were insufficient to prevent oxidative damage. Overall, while SBG-AC offers an effective alternative for water treatment, its ecotoxicity at higher doses raises concerns, emphasizing the need for careful risk assessment and containment measures. Full article

Marine bivalves represent promising experimental models for the development of in vitro approaches in environmental biology, ecotoxicology, and bioactive compound screening. However, their application remains limited compared with that of more established vertebrate and mammalian cell systems, mainly due to the lack of standardized and reproducible protocols for maintaining primary cell cultures. This study aimed to establish and optimize a short-term primary cell culture protocol using gill and digestive gland tissues from the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Primary cultures were prepared at four initial cell densities, ranging from 2.5 to 10 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹, and monitored over 72 h through cell density evaluation and metabolic activity assessment. Cells from both tissues were successfully maintained in short-term culture, predominantly showed rounded to spheroidal morphologies. Nevertheless, tissue-specific responses were observed. Gill-derived cultures displayed greater morphological homogeneity and stability across the tested densities, whereas digestive gland cultures showed greater cellular heterogeneity, aggregation, and stronger density-dependent responses. Metabolic activity remained stable during the first 24 h, while more evident differences among cell densities emerged after 48 and 72 h. Overall, intermediate cell densities, particularly 5 × 10⁶ and 7.5 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹, provided the most suitable balance between cell maintenance and metabolic performance. This optimized methodological framework supports the further development of mussel primary cell cultures as reproducible and ecologically relevant in vitro models for studying early cellular responses and for preliminary environmental safety assessment. Full article

Microplastics pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems as they can accumulate in aquatic organisms, interfering with essential physiological processes including reproduction. This study analyzed the effects of short-term exposure (48 h) to two concentrations (0.5 and 1 µg/mL) of 5 µm diameter polystyrene microplastic bead particles in female Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels, a bioindicator species of the Mediterranean Sea. Histological analyses revealed progressive oocyte degeneration and the development of hypertrophic PAS-positive mucous cells, indicative of a stress response, in a dose-dependent manner. Changes in hemocyte classes, which are major effectors of bivalve immunity, were evidenced by the May–Grünwald Giemsa reaction. Biochemical data showed that microplastics increased levels of stress proteins, such as HSP70 and p53, and altered the composition of ovarian glycoproteins. Metabolomic analysis based on ¹H NMR spectrometry revealed significant alterations in metabolites involved in energy (glucose, glycogen, and malonate) and amino acid (branched-chain amino acids arginine, glycine, glutamate, histidine, betaine, and choline) metabolism, suggesting impairment to bioenergetic and antioxidant pathways. Overall, these results suggest that even short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads can alter the ovarian function and metabolism of female M. galloprovincialis, highlighting their vulnerability. Full article

The seasonal distribution of microplastics, as a representative case, was examined in Mytilus galloprovincialis from a pilot farm in the Gulf of Naples (Italy). The influence of marine parameters on microplastic uptake rate was assessed. A destructive patented method was used, and two microplastic size classes (<10 µm; >10 µm) were defined. Estimated Daily Intakes were calculated for different age groups. Results showed a significant abundance of small microplastics (9683.92 ± 6911 vs. 41.85 ± 13.98). In mussels, the highest levels (19,738.13 ± 3406.04) were detected in summer, and the lowest in autumn (4145.56 ± 2364.93). Summer variations in seawater temperature, oxygen, and pH were significantly different from those in winter and spring. High exposure levels, mainly of microplastics < 10 µm, were observed in the elderly (318.08 ± 227.00), followed by adults (225.29 ± 160.78) and children (212.29 ± 151.50), with the lowest in teenagers (127.51 ± 91.00). Despite the high variability of factors influencing mussel filtration and microplastic uptake, the study provided data on the seasonal microplastic distribution pattern and a size-based screening exposure level. Results highlight the importance of geographic and seasonal conditions, and particle size in assessing microplastic exposure through farmed mussel consumption. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water are readily adsorbed onto microplastics, posing a combined threat to aquatic ecosystem safety. However, the role of microplastics in altering the toxicity of PAH derivatives remains largely unexplored. This study was conducted to investigate the individual and combined toxic effects of polystyrene (PS, 2 µm) microplastics with pyrene (Pyr) and its four derivatives, including 1-methylpyrene (Pyr–CH₃), 1-hydroxypyrene (Pyr–OH), 1-aminopyrene (Pyr–NH₂), and 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid (Pyr–COOH), on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). After a seven-day exposure experiment, the variations in five biomarkers—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)—were measured in the hemolymph. Our results indicated a com-pound-specific toxicological profile: all derivatives exhibited higher toxicity than the parent Pyr. Specifically, Pyr–CH₃ primarily induced oxidative stress, whereas Pyr–OH, Pyr–NH₂, and Pyr–COOH mainly affected neuroregulatory function. More importantly, PS microplastics acted as a differential modulator under the mixture conditions: they exacerbated the neuroregulatory dis-turbance caused by parent Pyr but conversely alleviated the oxidative damage induced by all four derivatives. Notably, PS exacerbated the neuroregulatory disturbance induced by Pyr–CH₃. These compound-specific interactions highlight that microplastics alter the toxic effects of organic pollutants, thereby modifying environmental risk profiles. Our findings provide new insights for the ecological risk assessment of PAHs in aquatic environments. Full article

Spatial and temporal variability of macrozoobenthic communities were investigated around three offshore gas structures with different architecture (a subsea well-site, a four-leg platform, and a one-leg platform) in the NW Adriatic Sea. Four post-installation surveys (two per year over two years) were conducted by sampling sediments at increasing distances from each structure (approximately 0, 30, 60, 120 and 1000 m from the structure edge). A total of 233, 271 and 260 taxa were recorded around Structures A, B and C, respectively, with polychaetes representing the dominant taxonomic group at all sites. Across all structures, community composition showed significant variability both among surveys and along the distance gradient. Near-structure stations (0–60 m) most frequently accounted for spatial dissimilarities, whereas communities at 120 and 1000 m were generally more similar. Early surveys around the well-site and the four-leg platform were characterised by low diversity and high dominance of the opportunistic polychaete Ditrupa arietina, suggesting a short-term disturbance related to installation. Post-installation trajectories differed among structures: community descriptors stabilized faster around the subsea well-site, while changes near the platforms extended for at least two years. At the one-leg and four-leg platforms, the progressive development of a bivalve mound (specimens of Mytilus galloprovincialis and/or Neopycnodonte cochlear fell from the submerged parts of the platforms) coincided with increased abundance, species richness and occurrence of hard-bottom associated taxa at 0 m stations. Overall, the results indicate that offshore gas structures can locally influence macrozoobenthic assemblages by modifying habitat heterogeneity and promoting site-specific community responses. Although based on post-installation observations only, this study provides site-specific evidence useful for future decommissioning planning in soft-bottom shelf areas. Full article

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activities, highlighting the need for sensitive tools to assess environmental risk. An active biomonitoring approach, using the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), was employed to evaluate anthropogenic chemical contamination in the North Ionian Sea, a still poorly studied area, by comparing mussel health status before (PrePT) and after (PostPT) the peak tourist season. Bioaccumulation of metal(loid)s was quantified in whole organisms. Oxidative stress was assessed in the gills and digestive gland through catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and oxidized carbonyl proteins (OMP). Neurotoxicity was evaluated via acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, while gene expression of stress-related biomarkers was analysed for metallothioneins (mt10, mt20), sod, cat, Glutathione S-transferase (gst), and Heat Shock Protein 70 (hsp70). Results suggest a progressive contaminant accumulation likely associated with intensified summer anthropogenic activity. Biomarker responses revealed clear activation of oxidative stress, with tissue-specific patterns. The findings confirm the effectiveness of active biomonitoring and multibiomarker approach in assessing coastal water quality and provide valuable baseline data for the management of marine ecosystems. Full article

Glitter is a distinctive and largely overlooked form of primary microplastic. Unlike more commonly studied microplastics, glitter particles are typically flat, highly reflective, multi-layered, and are composed of polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride with metallic coatings and a wide range of additives. In response to regulatory restrictions on intentionally added microplastics and increasing consumer demand, “eco-friendly” alternatives based on modified regenerated cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals, or mica have been introduced, although their environmental safety remains insufficiently characterized. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological effects of both conventional and biodegradable glitters. A systematic literature search in Scopus identified 15 peer-reviewed experimental studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. Evidence spans a wide range of taxa, including bacteria (i.e., Aliivibrio fischeri), microalgae and cyanobacteria (i.e., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Microcystis aeruginosa), aquatic plants (i.e., Lemna minor, Egeria densa), marine and freshwater invertebrates as crustaceans (i.e., Daphnia magna), bivalves (i.e., Mytilus galloprovincialis), sea urchins (i.e., Paracentrotus lividus), brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and terrestrial soil fauna (Eisenia fetida, Folsomia candida). Results indicate that glitter cannot be treated as a uniform stressor: biological responses vary markedly with particle size, shape, colour, polymer type, additive composition, and weathering time, and leachates often exert stronger effects than intact particles. Reported impacts include impaired photosynthesis and growth, oxidative stress, developmental abnormalities, altered energy metabolism, and reduced reproduction. Substantial gaps remain regarding environmental concentrations, ageing processes, mixture effects, and long-term ecological consequences, particularly for biodegradable glitters. Addressing these gaps will require realistic exposure scenarios, mesocosm and field studies, and integrated chemical–biological approaches to support robust risk assessment and safer material design. Full article