Multidrug-resistant epi-endophytic bacterial community in Posidonia oceanica of Mahdia coast as biomonitoring factor for antibiotic contamination.

Faced with the significant disturbances, mainly of anthropogenic origin, which affect the Mediterranean coastal ecosystem, Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile has often been used to assess the state of health of this environment. The present study aims to determine the multidrug resistance patterns among isolated and identified epi-endophytic bacterial strains in P. oceanica seagrass collected from Mahdia coastal seawater (Tunisia). To investigate the bacterial community structure and diversity from coastal seawater samples from Mahdia, total DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene amplification were performed and analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed that some bands were specific to a given site, while other bands were found to be common to more than one sample. In the other hand, bacterial strains were isolated from 1 mL of leaves and epiphytes suspension of P. oceanica seagrass in marine agar. Forty-three isolates were obtained, seven of them were selected and identified on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus, exhibiting 98-100% of identity with known sequences. Susceptibility patterns of these strains were studied toward commonly used antibiotics in Tunisia. All identified isolates were resistant to Aztreonam (72.1%), Ceftazidime (60.5%), Amoxicillin (56%) and Rifampicin (51.2%). S5-L13 strain had presented the highest multidrug resistance with a MAR index of 0.67.

Estrogenic hazards of short chain phthalates and bisphenols found in cosmetic products.

For several years, environmental exogenous agents, called endocrine disruptors, are suspected to interfere with the essential functions of reproduction and development in many living organisms. In this study, endocrine disruptors including five phthalates and two bisphenols contents in finished products were assayed and their estrogenic activity were measured by using the Yeast Estrogen Screen system with respect to human and trout estrogen receptors hERα and rtERS. Independently of the estrogen receptor, only short-chain phthalates (DBP and BBP) and the two bisphenols exhibited an estrogenic activity. Besides, the risk of three end-products (agro-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical) was evaluated before and after forced aging. Only two cosmetics the face cream and the perfume presented a hazard which increases with aging. These results are consistent with the compounds identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These findings confirmed that the YES system can be routinely used to evaluate the estrogenic hazards within finished products.

Human urine contamination with environmental pollutants: simultaneous determination using UPLC-MS/MS.

Paraben derivatives are widely used as an antifungal, antimicrobial preservative in cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals, and food. These molecules are called endocrine disruptors (EDCs). The exposure of the human body to paraben derivatives needs further study and for this purpose 200 urine samples were collected from Tunisian men and women aged between 5 and 90 years to determine three paraben derivatives: methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP) and propylparaben (PP) using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). The three major parabens were found in 95 urine samples. The obtained results indicate that MP, EP, and PP were detected in 57%, 46%, and 40% of all samples, respectively. Urinary concentration for the three parabens was in the range of 0.88-84.46 ng/mL, 0.52-29.2 ng/mL, and 0.51-28.17 ng/mL of PP, MP, and EP, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of the paraben derivatives in women were higher than those of men. These findings indicate that the exposure occurs from common products (foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals). The Tunisian authorities should control the composition of packaging of these common products in order to protect humans against EDCs.

Organic contamination of Italian and Tunisian culinary herbs and spices.

Contaminants belonging to various classes, as polychlorobiphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorous pesticides, pyrethroid insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, synergists, carbamates, acaricides and insect growth regulators were simultaneously analysed by GC-MS/MS in 118 Italian and Tunisian culinary herbs and spices. The results obtained in Italian samples shown that laurel samples were the most contaminated with the presence of 15 residues on 140, whereas in rosemary (max value of 35 ng/g for cis-chlorfenyvinphos) and oregano (max value of 118.16 ng/g for ethion) some occasional residues can be observed, but always lower than the maximum residue levels; all the others samples shown no contamination. Among Tunisian samples, only rosemary contains a notably high content of pollutants exceeded the EU maximum residue limits (i.e., alachlor and phosalone with level of 359.2 and 43.3 ng/g, respectively), while oregano was determined to be free of contaminant residues. Considering the comparison among the different organic pollutants in Italian and Tunisian spices and herbs evaluated and the differences observed in this study a harmonization of regulation on contaminant residues in herbs and spices for human consumption should be needed, considering their increased use in diet and cooking.

Preliminary evaluation of plasticizer and BPA in Tunisian cosmetics and investigation of hazards on human skin cells.

In this study, 18 plasticizer (phthalates, adipates, sebacates, and others) and BPA residues in some cosmetic samples collected from Tunisian market are evaluated by micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion combined with GC-MS. In parallel, the impact of these molecules and the cosmetics in the human epithelial cell lines is investigated. The cytotoxic activity of cosmetic extracts is evaluated in vitro against B16 and Hep-2 human skin cell lines using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. This study shows that the tested cosmetic products could constitute a hazard to the consumer health and wellness and that strict safety analysis on cosmetic products needs to be carried out before they are marketed.

POP levels in beans from Mediterranean and tropical areas.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of beans as food, few studies are conducted to control their contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), compounds of great importance because of their toxicity and tendency to accumulate in food chains. In order to evaluate the human exposure to POPs by the consumption of beans a monitoring programme was conducted on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in samples coming from Italy, Mexico, India, Japan, Ghana and Ivory Coast. All beans were extracted with an accelerated solvents extractor in triplicate; the clean-up step was done with a Florisil column; identification and quantification was carried out using a TSQ Quantum XLS Ultra GC-MS/MS in selected reaction monitoring mode. RESULTS: Results revealed concentrations of ∑PAHs ranged from 7.31 µg kg-1 to 686 µg kg-1 , ∑PCBs between 1.85 µg kg-1 and 43.1 µg kg-1 and ∑OCPs ranged from 1.37 µg kg-1 to 71.8 µg kg-1 . CONCLUSION: Our results showed that beans coming from Ivory Coast are the most exposed to the risk of contamination by all the pollutants investigated. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mapping toxic mineral contamination: the southern oyster drill, S. haemastoma (L., 1767), as evaluable sentinel species.

The nickel, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, and lead content have been evaluated, by ICP-MS, in digestive gland of the amphiatlantic gastropod Stramonita haemastoma, sampled along the highly anthropized Gulf of Milazzo (Central Mediterranean). Concentrations notably higher than those reported in literature for other Mediterranean Muricidae have been recorded. The results also indicated a different impact in different sites, according to distribution and typology of human activities, whilst recorded seasonal variations might relate with rapid metabolic response. Such preliminary results suggest S. haemastoma may be considered a promising sentinel species for inorganic contamination in marine environment, especially in terms of short-medium-term exposure.

Mineral composition of some varieties of beans from Mediterranean and Tropical areas.

In this study has been evaluated the mineral composition (Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Ba, Cr, Co, Ni, Se, Sb, V, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mo, Na, K, Ca, Mg) of some varieties of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata and V. angularis) from Mediterranean and Tropical areas of the world (Italy, Mexico, India, Japan, Ghana and Ivory Coast); the correlation between beans mineral composition in micro and macroelements and botanical and/or geographical origin; trace elements dietary intake by beans consumption. The results showed a correlation between beans mineral composition and their geographical origin, with higher values in Ivory Coast samples. Moreover, minerals content found confirmed the importance of these legumes in the diet for the significant content of essential micro and macroelements and a safe consumption of beans for the low residual levels of toxic metals.

Total Polyphenol Contents and Mineral Profiles in Commercial Wellness Herbal Infusions: Evaluation of the Differences between Two Preparation Methods.

The popularity of the consumption of wellness herbal teas is due to the many health-promoting properties they seem to possess. Modern preparation methods using coffee machines are also popular today. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate differences in infusions obtained by the traditional method using filters and by espresso coffee machines using pods. In this regard, different herbal materials were selected and purchased in two different types of herbal containers, and the corresponding infusions were analyzed for the contents of total polyphenols and mineral elements. Results showed that filter infusions had higher polyphenol and mineral contents than pod infusions, excluding Cd and Pb. For each of the plant materials used, differences due to the method of infusion preparation are highlighted. From a qualitative point of view, both methods of infusion preparation are valid, but the filter infusion method allows a higher transfer of minerals and polyphenols into the infusion, improving quality. The analyzed infusions can be safely consumed with respect to As, Cd, Pb, and Hg contents. Good amounts of polyphenols and Mn can be obtained by drinking a cup of any of the infusions analyzed, especially the mate infusion obtained by the filter technique, with amounts of 429 mg for polyphenols and 69.27% of the RDA for manganese.

Development of a Chitosan-Based Film from Shellfish Waste for the Preservation of Various Cheese Types during Storage.

The global concern about the use of disposable plastics has fed the research on sustainable packaging for food products. Among the virtuous materials, chitosan emerges as a valid alternative to conventional polyethylene films because of its abundance in nature. In this work, a novel film for food wrapping was developed by exploiting shellfish waste according to a vision of circular economy. Compared to previous studies, here, novel ingredients, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), fibroin, and essential oils, were used in a synergistic combination to functionally postpone cheese deterioration. The fermentative procedure applied for the obtainment of chitin contributes to filling the existing gap in the literature, since the majority of studies are based on the chemical pathways that dramatically impact the environment. After pretreatment, the shrimp shell waste (SSW) was fermented through two bacterial strains, namely Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus subtilis. A deacetylation step in an alkaline environment transformed chitin into chitosan, yielding 78.88 g/kg SWW. Four different film formulations were prepared, all containing chitosan with other ingredients added in order of decreasing complexity from the A to D groups. The novel films were tested with regard to their physico-mechanical and antioxidant properties, including the tensile strength (12.10-23.25 MPa), the elongation at break (27.91-46.12%), the hardness (52-71 Shore A), the film thickness (308-309 µm), and the radical scavenging activity (16.11-76.56%). The performance as a cling film was tested on two groups of cheese samples: the control (CTR), wrapped in conventional polyethylene (PE) film; treated (TRT), wrapped in the chitofilm formulation deemed best for its mechanical properties. The volatiles entrapped into the headspace were investigated by means of the SPME-GC technique. The results varied across soft, Camembert, and semi-hard cheeses, indicating a growing abundance of volatiles during the conservation of cheese. The bacterial growth trends for mesophilic, enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria were expressed as the mean colony forming units (CFU)/mL for each type of cheese at different sampling times (day 2, day 8, and day 22): the highest load was quantified as 8.2 × 106 CFU/mL at day 22 in the CTR Camembert cheese. The TRT samples generally exhibited inhibitory activity comparable to or lower than that observed in the CTR samples. The sensory analysis revealed distinctions in cheese taste between the TRT and CTR groups.

Study of Physicochemical Quality and Organic Contamination in Algerian Honey.

Honey is a natural product extensively consumed in the world for its nutritional and healthy properties. However, residues of pesticides and environmental contaminants can compromise its quality. For this reason, the physicochemical parameters, and the organic contamination of monofloral and multifloral honey from three regions of Algeria (Tiaret, Laghouat, and Tindouf) were monitored to evaluate the quality of the honey and its safety for consumers. In general, the results obtained from the physicochemical analyses were in line with the EU standards. In terms of contamination, pesticides authorised and used in Algerian agriculture (metalaxyl-M and cyromazine), as well as a banned pesticide (carbaryl), were found in almost all the samples. However, only the concentration of cyromazine was higher than the relative EU maximum residue levels. PCB 180, PCB 189, anthracene, fluorene, and phenanthrene were mainly detected. All the honey shows traces of DiBP, DBP, DEHP, and DEHT, but no traces of bisphenols were found. Moreover, according to the dietary exposure assessment, a small amount of Algerian honey can be safely consumed. Overall, the data from this study should motivate the Algerian government to enhance their monitoring activities in beekeeping and to find solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices harmonising with international legislation.

Chlorpromazine's impact on Mytilus galloprovincialis: a multi-faceted investigation.

The antipsychotic chlorpromazine (Cpz) has raised concern as a pharmaceutical effluent due to its wide medical applications. Moreover, its potent pro-oxidant properties and impact on the cell viability of the marine mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis, even at low concentrations (ng/L), have been noted. Based on this evidence, in this study, we investigated the physiological effects of Cpz on M. galloprovincialis, to elucidate its fate within the organism, in terms of bioaccumulation, biotransformation, byssus changes and stress responses of the cellular thiolome. Histological and indicators of vitality analyses were also performed to better evaluate the influence of the drug on the morphology and cell viability of the digestive gland. To this end, two different concentrations of Cpz (Cpz I (12 ng/L or 37 pM) and Cpz II (12 µg/L or 37 nM)) were administered to mussels over 14 days. Cpz accumulation in the digestive gland significantly increased with water concentration (BCF of Cpz I and Cpz II). Biochemical analyses indicated lysosomal dysfunction, reflected in elevated total Cathepsin D activity and compromised lysosomal membrane stability. Stress-related and metal-buffering proteins (GST and metallothionein) responded to both Cpz concentrations. Cpz I induced phase I biotransformation activity (CYP450-dependent EROD), while Cpz II triggered caspase-3 activation, indicative of detoxification overload. Histological analysis revealed digestive gland atrophy, epithelial thinning, haemocyte infiltration, and brown cell presence. Byssus analysis showed significant alterations. In conclusion, our study underscores Cpz-induced physiological and histological changes in M. galloprovincialis, posing potential implications for mussel health and confirming the utilisation of this mussel as an indication of Cpz ecotoxicity.

Statistical analysis of heavy metals in Cerastoderma edule glaucum and Venerupis aurea laeta from Ganzirri Lake, Messina (Italy).

Our study was carried out on two species of clams, Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum, from Ganzirri Lake considered as "environmental biomarkers" for their changes in physiology, morphology or distribution under the influence of substances in the environment. The aim of the present study was to conduct a statistical analysis on Venerupis and Cerastoderma to investigate the difference between the two autochthonous clams according to the presence of metals, and to link metal concentrations to the reproductive cycle of clam during 2009-2010. Metal analysis was carried out with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were assessed by analyzing the certified standard matrix: mussel tissue NIST SRM 2976. The multivariate analysis was made using the SPSS 13.0 software package for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). In this study, the concentrations of some metals found in clam tissues showed seasonal cycles with higher values in summer than in winter. The significances of metal concentrations differences between Venerupis and Cerastoderma samples were estimated with Mann-Whitney U-test. The concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Mn, Se and Zn show a significant p-level that suggests a difference between the two group samples. Statistical analysis showed that the link of metal concentrations to the reproductive cycles of Venerupis and Cerastoderma was not evident.

Occurrence and seasonal variation of plasticizers in sediments and biota from the coast of Mahdia, Tunisia.

Plasticizers are compounds often involved in the manufacturing of plastic products. Nevertheless, the ageing of the latter generates plasticizers that generally end up in the marine environment. In fact, marine pollution by phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and their alternatives has become an environmental and health issue of serious concern, as they are largely and ubiquitously present in the environment and aquatic organisms. In the present study, four PAEs, such as diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and one non-phthalate plasticizer (NPP), namely di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), are wanted in different marine compartments from the coast of Mahdia in Tunisia such as sediment, seagrass, and mussel. The most abundant and frequently detected congener was DEHT at the concentrations reached 1.181 mg/kg in the sediment, 1.121 mg/kg in the seagrass, and 1.86 mg/kg in the mussel. This result indicates that the DEHT could emerge through the food chain and therefore bioaccumulate in marine compartments. In addition, we noticed that the seasonal variations of plasticizers were seriously affected by environmental factors including industrial and urban discharges.

Determination of Fatty Acid Profile in Processed Fish and Shellfish Foods.

Seafood products are a crucial dietary source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), which are essential for human health. However, the presence of these n-3 PUFA may be subject to changes related to different processing methods. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition, focusing on n-3 PUFA, in different processed fish and shellfish products of both EU and non-EU origin. The products were purchased from supermarkets and ethnic food shops in Messina (Italy). Gas chromatography with a flame-ionization detector (GC-FID) was used for analysis. Based on the fatty acid profile, the atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI), and flesh lipid quality index (FLQ) were determined: 0.13-1.04 (AI), 0.19-0.89 (TI), and 0.41-29.90 (FLQ). The percentages of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids fell within the following ranges: 13.55-50.48%, 18.91-65.58%, and 13.84-52.73%, respectively. Considering that all samples showed low AI and TI indices and that all processed fish products proved to be a good source of beneficial PUFAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), their consumption is recommended for humans.

Assessment of the effects of non-phthalate plasticizer DEHT on the bivalve molluscs Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Due to their uncontrolled use, plastics has become an environmental concern, not only for their varying dimension but also for the potential release of substances such as phthalates (PAEs) and non-phthalates (NPPs) into the water. Phthalates are the most common plasticizers of concern, but non-phthalate plasticizers such as di (2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) have also been lately found in the marine environment. Mytilus galloprovincialis is a well-known bioindicator of aquatic environments due to its ability to accumulate a wide variety of xenobiotics, including plasticizers. Hence, aim of this study was to evaluate the potential bioaccumulation and effects of the NPP DEHT on M. galloprovincialis. To this purpose, following exposure to DEHT at 1 mg/l (DEHT1) and 100 mg/l (DEHT100), its accumulation in tissues and its effects on total lipids and fatty acid (FA) composition, protein content, cell viability, ability to recover volume and changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed. Mussels were able to bioaccumulate DEHT in their tissues, with a statistically significant increase compared to the control organisms. Differences in FA composition were observed after exposure, since C16:0, C18:0, C20:5ω-3 and C22:6ω-3 were significantly decreased from control to exposed groups. As a result, total SFA, MUFA and PUFA were affected in DEHT-exposed groups. Also, total protein varied following DEHT exposure, and significantly decreased in the DEHT100-group. Considering the physiological responses, both DEHT-exposed groups lost their ability to return to the original volume of digestive gland (DG) cells. On the other hand, oxidative biomarkers in the gills and DG were not significantly affected by the DEHT exposure. Overall, this study showed for the first time that DEHT exposure differentially affect mussels, in their lipid and protein metabolism, as well as cellular parameters.

Screening of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers and bisphenols in Sicilian women's blood.

The plastic accumulation and its degradation into microplastics is an environmental issue not only for their ubiquity, but also for the release of intrinsic chemicals, such as phthalates (PAEs), non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs), and bisphenols (BPs), which may reach body organs and tissues, and act as endocrine disruptors. Monitoring plastic additives in biological matrices, such as blood, may help in deriving relationships between human exposure and health outcomes. In this work, the profile of PAEs, NPPs and BPs was determined in Sicilian women's blood with different ages (20-60 years) and interpreted by chemometrics. PAEs (DiBP and DEPH), NPPs (DEHT and DEHA), BPA and BPS were at higher frequencies and greater levels in women's blood and varied in relation to age. According to statistical analysis, younger females' blood had higher contents of plasticizers than older women, probably due to a more frequent use of higher quantities of plastic products in daily life.

Effect of Filtration Process on Oxidative Stability and Minor Compounds of the Cold-Pressed Hempseed Oil during Storage.

Cold-pressed hempseed oil (HO) has been increasingly exploited in the human diet for its excellent nutritional and healthy properties. However, it has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and chlorophylls, which inevitably accelerate its oxidative deterioration, especially in the presence of light. In this scenario, the filtration technology may ameliorate the oxidative stability of the oil, with positive effects on its nutritional quality and shelf life. Therefore, in this study, the oxidative stability and minor compounds of non-filtered and filtered HO (NF-HO and F-HO) were monitored over 12 weeks of storage in transparent glass bottles. F-HO showed a better hydrolytic and oxidative status than NF-HO during storage. As a result, F-HO also displayed better preservation of total MUFAs and PUFAs in the autoxidation process. Filtration consistently reduced chlorophylls, thus causing a variation in the natural color of HO. Accordingly, F-HO not only revealed an increased resistance to photooxidation but it was also suitable for storage in clear bottles within 12 weeks. F-HO predictably showed lower carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene compared to NF-HO. However, filtration appeared to play a "protective role" toward these antioxidants, which had lower degradation rates in F-HO than NF-HO for 12 weeks. Interestingly, the element profile of HO was not affected by filtration and remained stable during the study period. Overall, this study may be of practical use to both producers and marketers of cold-pressed HO.

Monitoring Moroccan Honeys: Physicochemical Properties and Contamination Pattern.

The physicochemical traits and an array of organic and inorganic contaminants were monitored in monofloral honeys (i.e., jujube [Ziziphus lotus], sweet orange [Citrus sinensis], PGI Euphorbia [Euphorbia resinifera] and Globularia alyphum) from the Moroccan Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (i.e., Khénifra, Beni Méllal, Azlal and Fquih Ben Salah provinces). Moroccan honeys were in line with the physicochemical standards set by the European Union. However, a critical contamination pattern has been outlined. In fact, jujube, sweet orange, and PGI Euphorbia honeys contained pesticides, such as acephate, dimethoate, diazinon, alachlor, carbofuran and fenthion sulfoxide, higher than the relative EU Maximum Residue Levels. The banned 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB180) were detected in all samples and quantified in jujube, sweet orange and PGI Euphorbia honeys; while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as chrysene and fluorene, stood out for their higher contents in jujube and sweet orange honeys. Considering plasticizers, all honeys showed an excessive amount of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), when (improperly) considering the relative EU Specific Migration Limit. Furthermore, sweet orange, PGI Euphorbia and G. alypum honeys were characterized by Pb exceeding the EU Maximum Level. Overall, data from this study may encourage Moroccan governmental bodies to strengthen their monitoring activity in beekeeping and to find suitable solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices.

Assessment of the Accuracy of Nutrition Label and Chemical Composition of Plant-Based Milks Available on the Italian Market.

Growing health, environmental, and ethical concerns have encouraged interest in plant-based milks (PBMs), but it remains questionable whether the nutrition labeling of these products is adequately reliable for consumers, and whether nutritional standards can be defined for a given PBM type. On this basis, cereal, pseudocereal, nut, and legume PBMs available on the Italian market were analyzed in order to check the accuracy of nutritional labels on packages and generate new or updated compositional data. Most labels provided inaccurate information, especially with respect to the declared energy, fat, and saturated fat. Cereal- and pseudocereal-based PBMs were generally characterized by high MUFA (34.04-59.35%) and PUFA (21.61-52.27%). Almond, soy, rice, and hazelnut beverages displayed the highest levels of total tocopherols (11.29-13.68 mg/L), while buckwheat and spelt PBMs had the highest total polyphenol content (34.25-52.27 mg GAE/100 mL). Major and trace elements greatly varied among samples, being more abundant in buckwheat and coconut-based drinks. A PCA confirmed that nutritional standards cannot be unequivocally established for a given PBM, and indicated that, among the investigated variables, inorganic elements had more weight in the sample differentiation. Overall, to reliably guide consumers in their dietary choices, there is a need for greater accuracy in the development of nutrition labels for PBMs, as well as greater effort in assessing the nutritional quality of the ever-increasing variety of products available on the market.