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Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a freshwater fish originating from the United States of America (USA). This specie was introduced in Portugal (Azores) in the end of the XIX Century. Like in the USA, largemouth bass is one of the most popular freshwater sports fish in Portugal and it is very important in regional cuisine, especially in the countryside. However, there’s a lack of information about the chemical composition of largemouth bass fillet. All eaten largemouth bass in Portugal are caught in large dams and small irrigation dams because there’s no largemouth bass aquaculture industry. The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition of largemouth bass fillet collected in an irrigation reservoir (39º49’27.89’’ N; 07º26’57.92’’ W) located in the Central region of Portugal. Thirteen largemouth bass were collected (average weight 349.85g ±74.23; average length 27.22cm ±1.43; average K condition factor 1.71 ±0.14) and were frozen during seven days. The cutting carcasses and the filet chemical analyses (moisture, protein, fat and ash) took place in the laboratory. In the carcass, the average amounts of viscera, spine, head, skin and filet were, respectively, 8.52% (±1.41), 17.24% (±1.29), 23.06% (±1.85), 7.58% (±0.60) and 43.59% (±1.91). In the filet, the average amounts of moisture, protein, fat and ash were, respectively, 77.67% (±1.07), 18.46% (±0.83), 0.90% (±0.31) and 1.20% (±0.05). We concluded that largemouth bass has a good filet yield with very low fat and high level of protein contents. In fact, as far as we know, these are the first results of carcass and filet characterization of largemouth bass collected in Portugal.

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Pollen collected by honey bees (bee pollen) is promoted as a health food supplement with a wide range of nutritional and health beneficial properties. While honey is an important source of proteins for the bee colony, pollen is the bees' main source for other important nutrients, such as minerals, fats, fibers, carbohydrates, and other substances. The composition of pollen is rather variable and depends on the botanical origin of the pollen. In this work we studied the mineral content of bee pollen of three botanical origins (Cistus ladanifer L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott, and Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) and two geographic sites in the central Portugal (Caniçal and Vale Grande). Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the determination of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc. Prior to ICP-AES measurement, the samples were mineralized by treatment with HNO3 and H2O2 at 100 °C until complete digestion. The analyzed elements presented levels corresponding to the usual reference range [1]. The concentrations of micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) presented characteristic profiles which differed between the three plant species, but where similar in the two geographic areas. The main minerals observed for R. ulmifolius and C. vulgaris were Fe and Mn, and Zn for C. ladanifer. Heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) were present at low concentrations (Table 1), indicating that there were no sources of contamination. In conclusion, the determination of micronutrients in pollen could be suitable for the identification of botanical species. The investigation of element profile, in combination with modern statistical data evaluation techniques, can be a promising approach to identify the botanical source of pollen.

There are some investigations regarding the physical and chemical properties of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits, mostly their antioxidant capacity, phenol, ascorbic acid, as well as anthocyanin contents. Only little is known about the mineral content of sweet cherries. In this work we studied the 'Sweetheart' cultivar from Cova da Beira (Portugal), as this fruit is a rich source of nutritional components. Therefore, the mineral content of 'Sweetheart' cherry was studied. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the determination of minor and major elements. Prior to ICP-AES measurement, the samples were mineralized with a mixture of HNO3 and H2O2. Based on obtained results the content of minor elements was (Cu) 0.107, (Fe) 0.325, (Mn) 0.204 and (Zn) 0.090 mg 100 g-1. The concentrations of major elements were (Na) 0.629, (Ca) 16.0, (Mg) 24.0, (P) 23.6 and (K) 523 mg 100 g-1. For Mg and K, 'Sweetheart' cherry presented higher concentrations than literature: (Mg) 11.0 and (K) 222 mg 100 g-1. And similar concentrations were assessed for Cu, Fe, Zn, P and Ca: (Cu) 0.060, (Fe) 0.36, (Zn) 0.070, (P) 21.0 and (Ca) 13 mg 100 g-1. The results suggested that 'Sweetheart' cherries are rich in various essential elements, with main emphasis for K and Mg, and might be considered as an important dietary mineral enrichment for individuals deficient in mineral elements.

Nowadays customers demand objective and trustworthy information about the geographical origin of agricultural products. The mineral composition of agricultural products and its relation with their terroir has been shown to be a useful tool in differentiating commodities produced in a limited region and subjected to certain quality requirements. Cereja da Cova da Beira is the legal term used to denominate cherries produced in the Cova da Beira region (PGI - protected geographical indication) at central eastern part of Portugal, since 1996. In order to establish a methodology to certify its origin, the mineral profile of 'Sweetheart' cherry stone from Cereja da Cova da Beira , was studied. Quantification of major (Ca, Mg, K, P and Na) and minor elements (Cu, Fe Mn and Zn) of stones was carried out by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showed that, among major elements, Ca was the predominant mineral (1424.62 mg kg-1, dry weight), followed by K and Mg, presenting similar concentrations (1092.17 and 987.55 mg kg-1, respectively), P (271.10 mg kg-1), and Na (24.71 mg kg-1). Regarding micro elements, Mn showed the highest mean value (19.71 mg kg-1), followed by Fe (17.59 mg kg-1), and Cu and Zn with similar levels (7.61 and 6.73 mg kg-1, respectively). On the basis of chemometric pattern recognition procedures, the mineral content of agricultural products and its relation with their area of production can be a useful tool in differentiating commodities produced in a limited region and subjected to certain quality requirements.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a very important fresh water fish in the Portuguese regional cuisine mainly in the countryside (Central region and north Alentejo). Because there’s no aquaculture industry, all eaten largemouth bass in Portugal are collected in large dams (Basins of Tejo and Guadiana rivers) and small irrigation dams. For decades, the Tejo River received environmental pollutants from non-point and point sources that included intensive agriculture, industrial entities, municipalities and nuclear power plant. The aim of this work was to evaluate some metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn) present on largemouth bass muscle tissue collected in the section of Tejo River that makes border between Portugal and Spain (TR) (N=9) and collected in three irrigation reservoirs (IR) located near Castelo Branco – Portugal (N=11). Individual were weighted and measured. Age was determined by examining fish scales, and sex determined by gonads observation. Samples for liver, dorsolateral muscle and tail muscle were collected from the right side of the fish. TR average weight 435.14g (±109.15), average length 278.33mm (±23.28), average K condition factor 1.98 (±0.09) and average age 3.11 years (±0,78) were similar (P>0.05) to IR average weight 410.84g (±137.71), average length 278.36mm (±31.13), average K condition factor 1.86 (±0.17) and average age 3.18 years (±0,60). Total mercury was determined in freeze-dried samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with thermal decomposition and gold amalgamation. For the other metal analysis, freeze-dried powders were mineralized with a mixture of HNO3 and H2O2, followed by ICP-OES quantification. Cd and Pb presented concentrations below LOQ (0.025 and 0.15mg.kg-1wet.weight, respectively) for all muscle samples. These values are below legal limits in EU (0.05 and 0.3mg.kg-1wet.weight, respectively). Average Hg levels are below legal limits (0.5mg.kg-1wet.weight) and muscle presented higher levels than liver. These contaminant levels indicate that are no contamination sources in the sampling sites. Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn are essential micronutrients. Their concentrations were not significantly different between dorsal and tail muscle and were higher in liver (P>0.05), with mean concentrations on muscle being, respectively: TR 0.16 (±0.07),