Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences

Why Millet, Quinoa, and Amaranth Should Be Considered the Grains of the Future?

Paloma De Souza Silva — 2024-08-23

The consequences of climate change on the performance of grain and cereal crops are profound and multifaceted, affecting crop yields, nutritional quality, and food security. The impacts are particularly severe for vulnerable populations, exacerbating hunger, malnutrition, and socio-economic challenges. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including investment in climate-resilient agricultural practices, improved infrastructure, and effective policies to support food security and sustainable development. By understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change on agriculture, we can work towards a more secure and sustainable future for global food systems. The increasing demand for sustainable, nutritious, and resilient food sources is steering global attention towards ancient grains. Millet (Pennisetum glaucum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and amaranth (Amaranthus spp), often termed "super grains," offer unique advantages that make them prime candidates for addressing future food security. This dissertation explores the nutritional, agricultural, environmental, and economic aspects of millet, quinoa, and amaranth, highlighting why they should be considered the grains of the future.

Yield Estimation and Factors Influencing Acceptance of Sweet potato Vines of Virus Free Varieties in Selected Agro-ecological Zones in Tanzania

Castory Kibiki — 2024-07-13

The effort of initiating the production and vine multiplication of sweetpotato using certified virus free vines focuses on promoting high yields towards enhancing food security and income generation among smallholder farmers. This study examines yield of sweetpotato tubers and vine multiplication per hectare using certified virus free vines in the Lake Victoria and Coastal Zones in Tanzania. Primary data were collected using questionnaire tool from 362 farmers who are sweetpotato tubers producers and 133 farmers who are producers of virus free vines. The sample was chosen from each selected agro-ecological zone by simple random sampling technique. The yield estimation was calculated using Microsoft Excel 2007 and the factors influencing uptake of variety was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS ver. 20, IBM, USA). The study findings showed that, mean production of virus free sweetpotato tubers was relatively higher in the Lake Zone (1309.44kg) compare to Coastal Zone (1249.75kg). On the other hand, mean of vine multiplication was relatively higher in Coastal Zone (276.65kg) compared to Lake Zones (133.34kg). These results highlight that, the level of sweet potato yield depends on the amount of land used in production, as the farmers expand the cultivated area the amount of yield increases significantly. Gender, occupation, training and distance were some of the factors that influenced the acceptance of sweetpotato tubers and vine multiplication significantly at 10%. Therefore investing in the production of sweetpotato tubers and vine multiplication using quality variety which is free from virus is highly worth undertaking as the variety generates high quantity of yields per hectare.

Macro- and Micro-Climatic Influence on Maize Quality and Insect Pest Management Strategies in Small Market Storehouses in Nigeria

Mobolaji Oluyimika Omobowale — 2024-07-07

Weather plays a major role in the microclimate of grain storage facilities and could impact the quality of stored grain, most especially in the humid tropics where weather conditions are favorable to insect and mold formation. This study compared the influence of macro and microclimates — temperature and relative humidity (RH) in six storehouses located in three grain markets in Ibadan, Oyo, and Ilorin, Nigeria. The study was conducted from February–December 2016. Traditional Storage Practice (TSP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were used in each of the markets. The average size of each storehouse was 4 m × 2.5 m × 2.5 m and each had twenty-five 100-kg polypropylene bags of maize stacked singly (not nested) in five columns. 15 bags were randomly sampled monthly for moisture content (MC) and insect counts using standard methods. Temperature and RH of the ambient and in-between grain stack were recorded using data loggers. Mean temperatures and RH for ambient, stack, and grain ranged from 29.3–30.80C and 53.9–59.4% for the storage period. Mean insect count for the six storehouses with IPM and TSP were 1.4 and 7.6 in 700 g per bag, respectively. Ambient conditions correlated with grain stack temperature in all storehouses. MC of stored maize was not significantly affected by the location of storehouses and storage practices. However, insect population was significantly affected by storage practices. Proper grain storage management play a major role in maintaining grain quality during the storage. Commercial grain aggregators are advised to adopt the IPM strategies and ensure regular monitoring of the microclimates of bagged grain to reduce storage losses.

Effects of Foam Mat Drying on the Nutritional, Functional, Antioxidant, and Sensory Properties of Soursop-Based Crisps

Saha Foudjo Brice Ulrich — 2024-07-17

This study investigates how foaming agents affect the nutritional, antioxidant, physicochemical, and sensory qualities of soursop-based crisps, which are crucial for meeting year-round market demand due to fruit cultivation limitations. Soursop pulp was whipped with varying concentrations of soy proteins (SP6% and SP8%), egg proteins (EP6% and EP8%), and whey proteins (WP6% and WP8%) to create seven treatments, including a control without foaming agents. The samples were then dried at 70°C, and their proximate and phytochemical composition, functional properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory attributes were assessed. Compared to the control, soursop-based crisps made with foaming agents contained higher fat content (1.87–4.15%), with EP10% and WP8% showing high ash content (5.82–6.60%), and WP10% and EP8% having elevated carbohydrate (85.92–87.66%) and protein (2.75–3.88%) levels. EP10% had the highest swelling index (3.03%) and oil absorption capacity (25.33%), while SP8% and SP10% exhibited greater water absorption (61.33–63.67%). Traces of oxalates, phytates, and tannins were found in all samples (<0.6 mg/ml). WP8% and WP10% had the highest flavonoid content (10.16–10.71 mgQE/ml), while SP10%, EP10%, WP8%, and WP10% showed the highest ferric-reducing activity (IC50:0.02–0.03 mg/ml). Most panelists (74% to 100%) favored soursop-based crisps from foam mat drying. In conclusion, foam mat drying affected the nutritional, physicochemical, and sensory properties of soursop-based crisps differently based on the type and concentration of foaming agents used, suggesting the method's potential for long-term fruit preservation.

Why Food Technology by Extrusion-Cooking?

José Luis Ramírez Ascheri — 2024-08-25

Thermoplastic extrusion technology has become a cornerstone in the food processing industry, offering a versatile and efficient method for producing a wide range of food products. This technology is especially significant due to its status as a "clean technology," characterized by minimal environmental impact, efficient energy use, and the ability to produce food with consistent quality and safety. The process involves the continuous cooking, mixing, and shaping of raw materials, allowing for the creation of a diverse array of products that cater to both human consumption and animal feed. One of the key advantages of thermoplastic extrusion is its ability to produce pre-cooked and instant flours, which are highly popular in consumer markets. These flours are not only convenient but also enable the production of other products, such as snacks, breakfast cereals, and even infant formulas. The abundance of extruded products on supermarket shelves, ranging from instant noodles to textured vegetable proteins, is a testament to the versatility and consumer appeal of this technology. Moreover, thermoplastic extrusion is particularly beneficial for small, medium, and large enterprises alike. The technology is adaptable, with a variety of equipment available to suit different scales of production. This flexibility, combined with the relatively low labor requirements, makes it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. The process also allows for the use of diverse raw materials, including cereals, legumes, and even by-products from other industries, which can be efficiently transformed into high-value products. In the realm of animal feed, extruded products are equally important. The technology allows for the precise control of nutritional content and physical properties, resulting in feed that meets the specific needs of different animals. This has led to the widespread adoption of extrusion technology in the production of pet foods, aquafeeds, and livestock feed. In conclusion, thermoplastic extrusion technology is a pivotal innovation in food processing, offering numerous benefits across various sectors. Its clean technology status, ease of use, and adaptability make it a vital tool in modern food production, enabling the creation of a vast array of products that meet the demands of today's consumers. Whether for human consumption or animal feed, extruded products are a staple in the food industry, with their presence only expected to grow as technology advances.

The Impact of Livelihood Capital on the Poverty Escaping of Poor and Near-Poor Households in Ninh Binh Province

Nguyen Van Song — 2024-08-03

Efficient in vitro Planting Materiel Production of Ginger (Zingiber officinale roscoe)

Gilles Habib Todjro Cacaï — 2024-07-13

Conventional seed production techniques in Zingiber officinale roscoe are not appropriate to solve problems relative to the anthropogenic pressure, the biotic constraints, and low-rate multiplication by asexual mode. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro culture conditions for explants disinfection, plantlets proliferation/rooting, and plant acclimatization of ginger. Buds, after treatment following various concentrations of mercuric chloride and immersion durations are cultured on the basic medium of Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with NAA and Cytokinins (BAP / Kinetin / Zeatin) for six weeks of culture. The results indicated a highly significant (P ˂ 0.001) and very highly significant (P ˂ 0.0001) difference between disinfection treatments, proliferation, rooting, and organogenesis culture media. Treatments with HgCl₂ (0.05%) for 5 min and 10 min on the one hand and with HgCl₂ (0.1%) for 10 min of immersion on the other hand were indicated for the survival explants. The culture medium with plant growth regulator combination 0.5mg/l (NAA) + 4mg/l(BAP) was more favorable for shoots proliferation (6.27±0.4), leaves number (9.53±1.3) while the medium at 0.5 mg/l of NAA + 4 mg/l of Kinetin (7.5 cm) better influenced the growth of the shoots. As for rhizogenesis, 0.5 mg/l of NAA was more favorable for the length of the roots (7cm), and the number of roots formed (20.2). Acclimatization was more successful by weaning in growing room conditions with a survival rate of 70% after 4 weeks. This study will better impact the large-scale production of ginger plantlets and guide research on the production of its secondary metabolites.

Productive Growing System of Andrographis paniculata and Inhibitions of Reverse Transcriptase and 3CLpro Enzymes by The Isolated Andrographolide

Jasadee Kaewsrichan — 2024-07-13

Molecular interactions between andrographolide (ADP) and proteins/enzymes of different pathogenic viruses were computationally predicted by using docking method. Binding energy corresponded to a protein-ADP pairing was theoretically accounted in comparison with other current antiviral drugs as positive ligands. In silico, interactions between ADP and PLpro (PDB, 6WX4), ADP and 3CLpro (PDB, 7LMD), ADP and ACE-2 receptor-spike protein complex (PDB, 6M0J), as well as ADP and M2 protein (PDB, 6BKK) were stronger than those of between rimantadine, remdesivir, lopinavir, or ritonavir and the described proteins. The inhibitions of ADP against reverse transcriptase and 3CLpro activities were greater than those of lopinavir, ritonavir, and oseltamivir, according to in vitro assays. ADP was isolated as a major active compound from Andrographis paniculata grown outdoor in newly established, cost-effective, hydroponic system. An average fresh mass per plant was as high as 170 g from a 35x35 cm² spacing hole. Simple and productive procedures were recently suggested for ADP extraction. These acquired data would be applied for pharmaceutical manufacturing.