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- New contributions to deepen the quality-based safety assessment in the consumption of edible nasturtium flowers: the role of VolatilomePublication . Perestrelo, Rosa; Lopes, Maria da Graça; Silva, Alda Pereira da; Costa, Maria do Céu; Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, JoséThe garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) is increasingly consumed worldwide due to its culinary appeal and perceived health benefits. However, the chemical markers underlying its functional properties remain insufficiently characterized. Building on evidence from a recent human pilot study confirming both high acceptability and dietary safety, we conducted a comprehensive volatilomic and phytochemical analysis of T. majus flowers and their juice. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was employed to establish the volatilomic fingerprint of floral tissues and juice. Our analysis revealed a striking dominance of benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile, which together accounted for 88% of the total volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) in the juice, 67% and 21%, respectively. In the floral tissues, benzyl isothiocyanate was even more prevalent, representing 95% of the total volatile profile. Complementary in vitro assays confirmed a substantial total phenolic content and strong antioxidant activity in the flowers. These findings provide a robust chemical rationale for the potential health-promoting attributes of T. majus, while identifying key volatilomic markers that could support future functional and safety claims. In parallel, a benefit–risk assessment framework is discussed in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) of edible flowers. Given that both benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile are classified as Cramer Class III substances, a conservative intake threshold of 1.5 μg/kg body weight per day is proposed. To enable quantitative exposure modeling and support the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI), future studies should integrate organic solvent-based extraction methodologies to estimate the total volatile load per gram of floral biomass. This would align risk–benefit assessments with the EFSA’s evolving framework for novel foods and functional ingredients.
- (Dis)Connected: finding the link between problematic use of internet, parent-child communication and academic performance in emerging adultsPublication . Portugal, Alda; Almada, Carina; Sotero, Luciana; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, AldaInformation and Communication Technologies (ICT) play a central role in the lives of emerging adults, offering both opportunities and challenges. While ICT facilitates communication and access to information, its problematic use has raised concerns about its impact on family relationships and academic performance during this developmental stage. This cross-sectional study aims to describe the use of ICT in academic context and analyse differences between groups considering the problematic use of the internet, the perception of academic performance and parent-child communication in a sample of college students (N = 201, aged between 18 to 29). In addition to instruments for sociodemographic characterisation and of ICT use, Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 and Perception Scale of Parenting Communication-Emerging Adults were used. The results suggest that young people with problematic use of internet for non-academic purposes tend to report poorer communication with their parents, particularly their fathers. Additionally, half of the sample exhibited moderate problematic use of the internet. These results are relevant for professionals working with young adults, such as college professors, as well as for young adults themselves and their parents. Professors may benefit from implementing structured guidelines for ICT use in the classroom to promote academic engagement while minimizing distractions. For young adults, the findings emphasize the importance of developing self-regulation strategies to balance digital life, enhance academic performance, and maintain healthy relationships. Parents are encouraged to foster open communication and support positive family dynamics to mitigate the negative effects of problematic internet use.