NATURIST

 

 

Principal

Goals

Consumption of fish has been increasing worldwide due to its recognized health benefits with Portugal having the highest in the EU, which also demonstrates its high socioeconomic significance. Conversely, the high population growth worldwide leads to sustainability issues with release of pollutants that may undermine food safety. Pharmaceutical pollutants are of concern due to their rising use in aquaculture, in humans and other anthropogenic activities, inefficient treatment at disposal, and potential bioaccumulation and toxicity.

Are the most consumed fish in EU and Portugal contaminated with pharmaceutical pollutants? Do the bioaccessible levels pose health risks?

NATURIST (https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.07089.PTDC) aims to answer those questions through the development of (bio)sensing platforms to determine pharmaceutical pollutants in environmental matrices and assess food security of the most relevant aquatic species.

In a wider context, NATURIST will address United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, more specifically:

- Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture;

- Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages;

- Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

 

 

 

Institutions

 

Funding: The project NATURIST 2022.07089.PTDC (https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.07089.PTDC) is funded by the National Funds through Portuguese FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES).

 

RESULTS 

 

CONSUMER RECOMMENDATIONS 

European consumers benefit from one of the safest food safety policy systems in the world, thus generally the level of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment and food is controlled. Nevertheless, there is growing environmental and public health concern regarding the presence and persistence of these pollutants, and individual practices remain important in reducing trace exposure to these pollutants. Aquatic ecosystems are a "sink" for pharmaceutical residues, which affect aquatic life and tend to bioaccumulate, particularly in animal tissues such as fish. Several strategic choices can be done to significantly reduce our personal exposure to these pollutants:

  • Ensure responsible medication disposal, including expired, unused, and leftover medications. These should be returned to pharmacies, which then forward the waste to pharmaceutical waste sorting and treatment centres. Never flush these products down the toilet, pour them down the sink, or throw them in the trash.
  • Keep track of the medications you take and the doses you need to avoid buying too many and generate waste.
  • Vary your fish intake! Eating a variety of fish is an effective strategy for minimizing exposure to pharmaceutical contaminants, because specific species can bioaccumulate high concentrations.
  • Vary between low and high fatty fishes – fat matters! Many residues are lipophilic (stored in fat).
  • Include low-trophic fishes, as smaller fish mostly eat plankton or plants, such as sardines, anchovies, herring, and mackerel. These fishes have shorter lifespans and less time to accumulate pharmaceutical pollutant “cocktails”. On the other hand, larger, long-lived fish (e.g., tuna and salmon) are more likely to contain more concentrated residues.
  • Avoid relying solely on farmed fish, including also wild-caught options or sustainably farmed sources with strict environmental standards.
  • When opting for farmed fish, look for certifications like ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) and GlobalG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices), which ensure good practises and strictly limit medicinal use.
  • When opting for wild fish, prefer animals caught in the open ocean (pelagic) rather than near-shore or estuarine areas.
  • Avoid buying fish from unregulated markets, especially near areas that are potentially more polluted. In regulated markets in Europe, pharmaceutical pollutants are monitored and managed.
  • Wash and peel, trim the skin, belly fat, and dark muscle of the fish (especially large, fatty, or wild-caught fish).
  • Discard organs such as the liver – filtering organs are prone to harbouring pharmaceutical pollutants and other harmful substances.

 

RECOMENDAÇÕES PARA  CONSUMIDORES

Os consumidores europeus estão sob um dos sistemas alimentares mais seguros do mundo, através do quadro regulamentar europeu em matéria de segurança, pelo que, normalmente, os níveis de resíduos farmacêuticos (poluentes farmacêuticos) é controlado. Ainda assim, existe uma preocupação ambiental e de saúde pública crescentes relativa à presença e persistência destes poluentes, e as práticas individuais são muito importantes para reduzir a exposição residual a estes poluentes. Os ecossistemas aquáticos funcionam como reservatórios de resíduos farmacêuticos, os quais afetam a vida aquática e tendem a bioacumular-se, sobretudo nos tecidos animais, como nos peixes. Nesse contexto, várias medidas estratégicas podem ser implementadas para reduzir significativamente a exposição humana a estes poluentes:

  • Gestão adequada de medicamentos fora de prazo, fora de uso, sobras de tratamentos e respetivas embalagens. Estes devem ser devolvidos às farmácias, que os encaminham para centros de triagem e tratamento de resíduos farmacêuticos. Nunca deitar estes produtos na sanita, pia ou lixo.
  • Fazer uma gestão dos medicamentos que toma e as doses necessárias, de modo a comprar apenas medicamentos de que precisa e na quantidade necessária, para evitar/reduzir desperdício.
  • Varie a ingestão de peixe! A ingestão diversificada de peixes é uma estratégia eficaz para minimizar a exposição a poluentes farmacêuticos que podem apresentar concentrações elevadas em espécies específicas, ou em determinadas zonas de captura.
  • Varie entre peixes com diferentes teores de gordura, uma vez que diferentes contaminantes são lipofílicos (acumulam-se preferencialmente na gordura).
  • Inclua peixes de baixo nível trófico (por exemplo, sardinhas, anchovas, arenques e cavalas), já que peixes menores ingerem maioritariamente plâncton ou plantas e tendem a apresentar concentrações mais baixas de resíduos farmacêuticos acumulados. Por outro lado, peixes de maior porte e com vida mais longa (por exemplo, atum e salmão) são mais suscetíveis de apresentar níveis mais concentrados de resíduos farmacêuticos.
  • Evite ingerir exclusivamente peixe de aquacultura, incluindo também peixe selvagem ou proveniente de viveiros sustentáveis com normas ambientais rigorosas.
  • Ao optar por peixe de aquacultura, procure certificações tais como ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) e GlobalG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices), que garantem a implementação de boas práticas e limitam o uso de medicamentos.
  • Ao optar por peixe selvagem, prefira animais capturados em mar aberto (pelágicos) em vez de peixes costeiros ou de estuário.
  • Evite a compra de pescado em mercados não regulados e/ou adquiridos através de pesca própria, especialmente junto de zonas potencialmente mais poluídas. Em mercados regulados na Europa, os resíduos farmacêuticos são monitorizados e geridos.
  • Lave e remova a pele do peixe, retire a gordura da barriga e a carne escura (especialmente no caso de peixes grandes, gordos ou capturados em estado selvagem).
  • Deite fora os órgãos como o fígado; órgãos que filtram são mais propensos a acumular resíduos farmacêuticos e outras substâncias nocivas.

 

Journal Articles (indexed in Web of Science)

  1. M. Tavares, L. L. Bezerra, C. Delerue-Matos, A. N. Correia, N. de K. V. Monteiro, Á. Torrinha, S. Morais, Carbon paper/copper metal-organic framework sensor for detection of the European Union watch list substance metformin: electroanalysis and computational mechanistic insights, Sensors and Actuators Reports 11 (2026) 100426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snr.2025.100426

  2. M. Tavares, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, Metal-organic frameworks based electrochemical sensors for emerging pharmaceutical contaminants in the aquatic environment, Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry 47 (2025) e00271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2025.e00271

  3. M. Freitas, V. Dibo, R.  Ribeiro, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, Development of a carbon paper-based electrochemical immunosensor for trimethoprim detection in fishery species: monitoring antibiotic contaminants, ADMET and DMPK 13(6) (2025) 2962. https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.2962

  4. V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, Bisphenol A sensing using carbon fibre transducers with and without metal-organic frameworks modification: towards greener tools for fish safety and surveil ecosystems, Talanta 295 (2025) 128434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128434

  5. H.R.A. Costa, A.O. Santos, Y.N. Teixeira, M.A.S. Silva, V.A. Feitosa, S. Morais, T.M.B.F. Oliveira, Exploring the Thermal-Oxidative Stability of Azithromycin Using a Thermoactivated Sensor Based on Cerium Molybdate and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Nanomaterials 14 (11) (2024) 899. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110899

  6. Torrinha, Álvaro; Freitas, Maria; Dibo, Vitória; Morais, Simone. Electrochemical immunosensors: Application to surveillance of contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic ecosystems. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 178 (2024) 117844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.117844
  7. S. Morais, Advances and Applications of Carbon Nanotubes, Nanomaterials 13 (2023) 2674. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13192674
  8. A.O. Santos, V.E. Abrantes-Coutinho, S. Morais, T.M.B.F. Oliveira, Agaricus bisporus wild mushroom extract as lectin source for engineering a lactose photoelectrochemical biosensor, Biosensors 13 (2023) 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020224
  9. Torrinha, Álvaro; Tavares, Miguel; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, Simone. Microenergy generation and dioxygen sensing by bilirubin oxidase immobilized on a nanostructured carbon paper transducer. Electrochimica Acta 445 (2023) 142061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142061
  10. Elena Surra; Álvaro Torrinha; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Simone Morais. Analysis of ketoprofen in fish: Life cycle assessment using sensors vs. conventional methodology. Sustainability 15 (8) (2023) 6775. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086775
  11. Torrinha, Álvaro; Tavares, Miguel; Dibo, Vitória; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, Simone. Carbon fiber paper sensor for determination of trimethoprim antibiotic in fish samples. Sensors 23 (2023) 3560. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073560

 

Book Chapters 

Á. Torrinha, T.M.B.F. Oliveira, S. ul-Islam, S. Morais. Green Carbon (Nano)Materials-based Sensors for Analysis of Hazardous Metal Ions. in Green Carbon Materials for Environmental Analysis: Emerging Research and Future Opportunies (Eds. S. ul-Islam, C.M. Hussain), ISBN: 978-0-84-129714-2, American Chemical Society Books, Estados Unidos, 2023, pp. 91-138.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2023-1441.ch005

 

Proceedings in International Conferences

Miguel Tavares; Álvaro Torrinha; Raquel Queirós; João Piteira; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Simone Morais. Development of a portable electrochemical platform with chip-integrated gold electrodes for detection of pharmaceutical pollutants. Engineering Proceedings 4 (2023). Published: 25 September 2023 by MDPI in the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Chemical Sensors and Analytical Chemistry, session Electrochemical Devices and Sensors.

 

Communications in (Inter)National Conferences

  1. Luis C. Branco, “Development task specific ionic systems for sustainability”, XXIII Congreso Argentino de Fisicoquímica y Química Inorgánica, 11-14 April 2023, El Calafate, Argentina.
  2. Luis C. Branco, “Functional Ionic Liquids and Organic Salts for Pharmaceutical Applications”, 9th Congress of Ionic Liquids (COIL9), 24-28th April 2023, Lyon, France.
  3. M. João Nunes, J. P. Noronha, Luis C. Branco, “Pharmaceuticals detection by LC-MS/MS to test materials for (bio)sensors” – OC 27 XXVIII Encontro Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa de Química - ENSPQ 2023 Aveiro, Portugal, 24-26 July 2023.
  4. V. Dibo, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Metal organic framework based electrochemical sensor for determination of the organic contaminant bisphenol A”, XXV Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Coimbra, Portugal, pp. 111, 30th August – 01st September 2023.
  5. M. Tavares, Á. Torrinha, R. Queirós, J. Piteira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Development of a portable electrochemical platform with chip-integrated gold electrodes for detection of pharmaceutical pollutants”, 2nd International Electronic Conference on Chemical Sensors and Analytical Chemistry, 16th – 30th September 2023.
  6. V. Dibo, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Carbon paper functionalized with metal-organic frameworks as sensor for bisphenol A”, II Webinar Luso-Brasileiro, Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, 3 November 2023.
  7. M. Freitas, Á. Torrinha, V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “A paper-based electrochemical immunosensor approach for the detection of pharmaceutical pollutants in fish”, II Webinar Luso-Brasileiro, Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, 3 November 2023.
  8. F. Martins, Á, Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Life cycle tools applied to an innovative carbon paper sensor – a comparative analysis”, II Webinar Luso-Brasileiro, Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, 3 November 2023.
  9. V. Dibo, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Carbon paper based electrochemical sensor functionalized with metal-organic frameworks for seafood safety”, XXVII Encontro Luso Galego de Química, Porto, Portugal, pp. 193, 22  – 24 November 2023.
  10. Á. Torrinha, M. Tavares, V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Simple electrochemical sensor for determination of trimethoprim antibiotic”, XXVII Encontro Luso Galego de Química, Porto, Portugal, pp. 191, 22  – 24 November 2023.
  11. E. Surra, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Life Cycle Assessment and Economic Analysis of Portable Sensors for Ketoprofen Detection in Fish”, XXVII Encontro Luso Galego de Química, Porto, Portugal, pp. 183, 22  – 24 November 2023.
  12. M. Freitas, Á. Torrinha, V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “A paper-based electrochemical immunosensor approach for the detection of pharmaceutical pollutants in fish”, II Webinar Luso-Brasileiro, Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, online, 3 November 2023.
  13. F. Martins, Á, Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Life cycle tools applied to an innovative carbon paper sensor – a comparative analysis”, II Webinar Luso-Brasileiro, Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, online, 3 November 2023.
  14. M. João Nunes, J. P. Noronha, Luis C. Branco, “Enhancing the methodology for diclofenac detection using tandem mass spectrometry” – OC 11, 13th National Chromatography Meeting - 13ENC 2023 Lisbon, Portugal, 17-19 December 2023.
  15. M.T. Donato, R. Colaço, L.C. Branco, B. Saramago, “Ionic Systems as Greener Lubricant Alternatives for Metallic Surfaces”, 9th EuChemS Chemistry Congress - ECC9 – Dublin, Ireland, 7-11 July 2024.
  16. Á. Torrinha, “Conceito, desenvolvimento e aplicação de biocélulas de combustível enzimáticas”, II Curso da REDE CYTED – GENOPSYSENS – Plataforms de Bioinformática e de (Bio)Sensors: Da Teoria à Prática, Porto, Portugal, 4-5 November 2024.
  17. T.M.B.F. Oliveira, T.L. Freire, H.R.A. Costa, A.S. Almeida, A.O. Santos, S. Morais, A.N. Correia, P. de Lima-Neto, “Fotoeletrodo desenvolvido com tungstato de lantânio (III) e nanocelulose para a produção de hidrogênio em células de fotossíntese artificial”, XXVI Congresso SIBAE, Lisbon, Portugal, 19-23 May 2024.
  18. T.M.B.F. Oliveira, A.O. Santos, S. Morais, “Biossensor fotoeletroquímico para lactose desenvolvido com a lectina do macrofungo Agaricus bisporus”, XXVI Congresso SIBAE, Lisbon, Portugal, 19-23 May 2024.
  19. M. Tavares, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Electrochemical Characterization and Optimization of a Metformin Sensor”, 6th Congress in Engineering, Porto, Portugal, 30 June-1 July 2025.
  20. V. Dibo, P. Albuquerque, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, "Simple and Non- Conventional Carbon-based Transducer for the Detection of Venlafaxine in Waters", 6th Doctoral Congress in Engineering 2025 in the Symposium on Chemical and Biological Engineering, Porto, Portugal, 30th June - 01st July 2025.
  21. M. Tavares, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, “Electrochemical sensor based on a copper metal organic framework for detection of metformin in environmental samples”, 76th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Mainz, Germany, 7-12 September 2025.
  22. M. Tavares, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “Gemfibrozil Sensing through a highly effective Fe-BTC Metal-Organic Framework Sensor”, 76th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Mainz, Germany, 7-12 September 2025.
  23. V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, "Development of a Zeolitic-Imidazole Framework Carbon Sensor for Detection of Bisphenol A in the Environment", 76th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Mainz, Germany, 7-12 September 2025.
  24. V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, "Carbon Fibre Transducer for the Determination of Venlafaxine in Environmental Water", 76th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Mainz, Germany, 7-12 September 2025.
  25. S. Morais, “(Bios)sensores voltamétricos: estratégias de desenvolvimento e aplicações”, (keynote), XXV Brazilian Symposium on Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Chemistry (SIBEE), Águas de Lindóia, Brazil, 20-23 October(2025).
  26. M. Tavares, Á. Torrinha, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “An electrochemical sensor for gemfibrozil based on electrodeposited iron metal-organic framework”, XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  27. Á. Torrinha, I. Seguro, J.G. Pacheco, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, “A paper-like self-powered biosensor for detection of lactate”, XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  28. P. Albuquerque, M. Tavares, V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, “Electrochemical detection of venlafaxine in fish”, XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  29. M. Tavares, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, “A copper-based metal-organic framework sensor for rapid and reliable detection of the diabetes drug metformin”, XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  30. V. Dibo, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, "Carbon fibre paper sensor with and without functionalization with Zeolitic-Imidazole Framework for detection of Bisphenol A in fish sample", XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  31. V. Dibo, S. Freitas, I. Seguro, J. Pacheco, C. Delerue-Matos, L. Branco, M. J. Nunes, Á. Torrinha, S. Morais, "Inkjet-printed paper electrode modified with a covalent organic framework for the detection of pharmaceutical pollutants", XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 19-21 November 2025.
  32. S. Morais, “Aplicação de sensores e biossensores para a avaliação da segurança e qualidade dos alimentos”, (keynote), IX EDEPA – Encontro de Desenvolvimento de Processos Agroindustriais, online, 28-29 November (2025).
  33. P. Albuquerque, M. Tavares, V. Dibo, C.Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha, “Carbon-Paper Transducer for Detection of Venlafaxine”, The 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, online, 9-11 December 2025.

 

Organization/promotion of scientific events

  1. Webinar Portuguese Brazilian: II WEBINAR LUSO-BRASILEIRO: Sustainable nanomaterials and electrochemical tools to surveil ecosystems, 3 November 2023. Registrations: 49 participants.
  2. Trail da Ciência - investigAÇÃO — Science and Technology Week, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal, 20 a 26 November 2023.
  3. 9ª Edition of the Symposium of the Department of Chemical Engineering, ISEP, Portugal, 20 March 2024.
  4. Participation in the National Science Exhibition, Porto, Portugal, 23-25 May 2024.
  5. Open Campus 2024, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal, 15-17 February 2024.
  6. European Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), Poland, Katowice, 9th-14th September 2024.
  7. Trail da Ciência - investig-AÇÃO Science and Technology Week, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal, 18 a 23 November 2024.
  8. 10ª Edition of the Symposium of the Department of Chemical Engineering, ISEP, Portugal, 26 March 2025.
  9. Trail da Ciência - investig-AÇÃO Science and Technology Week, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal, 24 a 28 November 2025.
  10. Hands-on-worshop on Metal-organic framework based electrochemical sensor for the analysis of a pharmaceutical pollutant, XXVI Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society, Porto, Portugal, 21 November 2025. 

 

Mass media news:

Portuguese newspaper Semanário Sol, monthly supplement, Perspectiva Atual, 41st Edition “Investigação em Portugal”, "NATURIST - Sensores baseados em papel e tecido de fibra de carbono para poluentes farmacêuticos: novas plataformas sustentáveis para garantir a segurança alimentar do peixe e vigiar ecossistemas", p. 46, October, 2025.

 

Prizes:

4º Prize in the National Contest for Young Scientists, 25th May 2024.

Best Poster Communication Award for: V. Dibo, P. Albuquerque, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, Á. Torrinha,"Simple and Non- Conventional Carbon-based Transducer for the Detection of Venlafaxine in Waters" at the 6th Doctoral Congress in Engineering 2025 in the Symposium on Chemical and Biological Engineering, Porto, Portugal, 30th June - 01st July 2025.

 

 

Contact INFO

Principal Investigator:

Simone Morais  – sbm@isep.ipp.pt

 

Co-Principal Investigator

Maria João Nunes – mjm.nunes@fct.unl.pt



 

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