Search Results (28)

The bunching onion is an important leafy vegetable, prized for its distinctive flavor and color. It is consumed year-round in Japan, where a stable supply is essential. However, in recent years, the challenges posed by climate change and global warming have resulted in adverse effects on bunching onions, including stunted growth, discoloration, and the development of leaf tipburn, threatening both crop quality and yield. Furthermore, as bunching onion belongs to the Allium genus, which includes globally significant vegetables such as onion and garlic, studying the impact of climate change on bunching onion serves as an ideal model. The insights gained can also be applied to other crops and regions. This study investigates the effects of different summer growth conditions on the metabolite profile of heat-tolerant bunching onions with dark green leaf blade coloration and examines their association with leaf tipburn. Pigment compound quantification, functional component analysis, leaf tipburn rate assessment, and widely targeted metabolome profiling were performed across two commercial ${\mathrm{F}}_1$ varieties, one purebred variety, and six Yamaguchi Prefecture-bred ${\mathrm{F}}_1$ lines under different growing conditions. The results obtained were subjected to comparative analyses based on the varieties and groups classified by high and low leaf tipburn rates. The results revealed that $\beta$-carotene accumulation peaked with May sowing and July harvest, while the highest accumulation of other pigment compounds was observed with May sowing and September harvest. Additionally, metabolome analysis related to leaf tipburn rates identified several organosulfur compounds, with gamma-glutamyl-propenyl cysteine sulfoxide emerging as one of the key compounds. Based on the intensity data, the fold change of this metabolite was calculated to be 1.66, indicating an increase in the leaf tipburn group compared to the control group. In the control groups, organosulfur compounds appeared to undergo turnover in preparation for stress response. In contrast, in the leaf tipburn groups, it is hypothesized that organosulfur compounds were converted into precursors of pungency, resulting in inadequate responses to stress. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which organosulfur compounds transition into pungent compounds and to develop varieties with improved resistance to leaf tipburn. Full article

Vitamin D is a conditionally essential fat-soluble vitamin found in foods such as fish; fish oil; egg yolks; animal fats; some mushroom varieties; and fortified foods such as cheese, margarine, milk, infant formula, and some ready-to-eat cereals. Calcium (Ca) is found in milk, cheese, canned fish, ready-to-eat cereals, milk substitutes, dark green leafy vegetables, and sports drinks. There are more than fifty metabolites of vitamin D. Vitamin D participates in immune regulation, apoptosis induction, insulin secretion, inflammation, cell differentiation, calcium balance and regulation, bone mineralization, and phosphorus homeostasis. Ca is an essential macro-mineral involved in bone and teeth matrices, strength, and hardness; muscle and cardiovascular movement; neurological messaging; and in the release of hormones. Peer-reviewed journal articles were accessed from the search engine PubMed. The authors reviewed the references in the peer-reviewed journal articles, websites, and review articles if the authors proposed a new theory or mechanism. Vitamin D and Ca have important relationships; therefore, many factors may impede or interfere with the body’s ability to absorb or utilize vitamin D and or Ca and may result in low or excessive levels of each. Additionally, genetic/medically related absorption issues and low intake may also result in deficiencies. This review discusses the introduction of each, their functions, absorption, somatic transportation, the relationship between vitamin D and Ca, and recommendations and supplementation strategies if available. Full article

Leafy vegetables, mainly lettuces, are currently the main crop cultivated in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), including vertical farming and plant factories. There is a rising demand to expand this portfolio with a wider variety of underutilized edible plants containing various bioactive compounds and sensory properties seeking to enrich human diets. However, the optimal cultivation conditions for these underutilized plants significantly differ from those optimized for lettuce, basil, and other popular CEA crops. Therefore, this study aims to explore the impacts of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting intensity (photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD) on green leaf Perilla frutescens cultivated in CEA. Plants were grown under four levels of LED lighting PPFDs from 150 to 300 µmol m⁻²s⁻¹ for 4 weeks. Plant biomass productivity, soluble sugar contents, antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging activities, FRAP antioxidant power), and total contents of phenolic compounds in leaves were evaluated at harvesting time. Further, harvested plant material was stored in the dark, at +6 °C, and the water content, water loss and transpiration rate, leaf sugar contents, and antioxidant properties were monitored 1, 3, and 5 days after harvesting. The summarized data suggest that higher cultivation lighting PPFD results in better harvest quality preservation during post-harvest storage. Full article

Background and objectives: Lutein and zeaxanthin (L+Z) are carotenoids highly concentrated in the macula to maintain macular pigment optical density (MPOD) throughout the lifespan. Studies have shown that an intake of 6–20 mg or higher of L+Z would be beneficial for visual function and cognition. The human body cannot synthesize L+Z and must obtain them from other sources. Objective: To determine the nutrient intake status of L+Z in US children (6–18 years) and adults (19–64 years), and how dietary supplements contribute to the total intake level of L+Z. Methods: Data from NHANES 2003-08 cycles were used to estimate the mean intakes of L+Z from food and food + supplements (F+S). Children and adults were analyzed according to age groups: 6–8 years, 9–13 years, and 14–18 years for children, and 19–30 years, 31–50 years, and 51–64 years for adults. Results: In adults (n = 8252), the mean (SE) dietary intake of L+Z from food was 1.322 mg (0.040), which was similar to the intake from F+S: 1.396 mg (0.041). For both adult men and women, the mean intake increased by age, with the lowest intake of 1.047 mg (0.039) from food in adult women aged 19–30 years, and the highest intake of 1.700 mg (0.069) from F+S in adult men aged 51–64 years. In children (n = 7429), the mean (SE) intake of L+Z was 0.743 mg (0.026) from food, and 0.748 mg (0.026) from F+S. The intake levels among all age groups in children were similar, with the lowest intake of 0.686 mg (0.028) from food in girls 14–18 years, and the highest intake of 0.801 mg (0.038) from F+S in boys 9–13 years. Discussion: We found that the dietary intake levels of L+Z in US were much lower than levels recognized to support brain and eye health. Supplementation only marginally increased the total intake, which may indicate a lack of consumer awareness. Efforts are needed to raise public awareness of the health benefits of L+Z and encourage more consumption of L+Z-containing food (dark leafy greens and yellow or orange fruits/vegetables) and supplements by establishing dietary guidance for L+Z. This research was funded by Pharmavite LLC. Full article

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (cabbage) is an essential green leafy vegetable, and bolting and flowering are necessary for reproduction. However, further research is needed to study the effect of photoperiod on the bolting and flowering of cabbage, particularly on the development of the stem. In this study, we performed phenotypic analysis and measured endogenous gibberellin levels in the cabbage. We carried out these experiments under four different photoperiodic treatments, 12 h (light)/12 h (dark), 14 h (light)/10 h (dark), 16 h (light)/8 h (dark), and 18 h (light)/6 h (dark). The results showed that the time of bolting and flowering gradually decreased with increasing light duration. The development of stems was optimal under the 16 h (light)/8 h (dark) photoperiod treatment, and the same result was obtained via cytological observation. In addition, the changes in the endogenous gibberellin3 (GA₃) content under different photoperiodic treatments were consistent with the development of stems and peaked at 16 h (light)/8 h (dark). At the same time, qRT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expression of the key gibberellin synthase genes, BcGA3ox2 and BcGA20ox2, exhibited upregulation. When treated with exogenous GA₃ and its synthesis inhibitor, paclobutrazol (PAC), exogenous gibberellins significantly promoted bolting; conversely, gibberellin inhibitors suppressed the bolting, flowering, and stem elongation of cabbage. Therefore, the photoperiod may regulate cabbage bolting by regulating endogenous GA₃. Full article

Disruption of apoptosis leads to cancer cell progression; thus, anticancer agents target apoptosis of cancer cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce apoptosis by activating caspases and caspase-dependent DNase, leading to DNA fragmentation. ROS increase the expression of apoptotic protein Bax, which is mediated by activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF--κB). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is an important source of endogenous ROS, and its activation is involved in apoptosis. Lutein, an oxygenated carotenoid and known antioxidant, is abundant in leafy dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, and in yellow-colored foods, such as corn and egg yolk. High amounts of lutein increase ROS levels and exhibit anticancer activity. However, its anticancer mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether lutein activates NADPH oxidase to produce ROS and induce apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Lutein increased ROS levels and promoted the activation of NADPH oxidase by increasing the translocation of NADPH oxidase subunit p47 ^phox to the cell membrane. It increased NF-κB activation and apoptotic indices, such as Bax, caspase-3 cleavage, and DNA fragmentation, and decreased Bcl-2, cell viability, and colony formation in AGS cells. The specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor ML171, and the known antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine reversed lutein-induced cell death, DNA fragmentation, and NF-κB DNA-binding activity in AGS cells. These results suggest that lutein-induced ROS production is dependent on NADPH oxidase, which mediates NF-κB activation and apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Therefore, lutein supplementation may be beneficial for increasing ROS-mediated apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Full article

Despite continuous growth in dietary pattern research, the relative importance of each dietary component in the overall pattern and their joint effects on mortality risk have not been examined adequately. We explored the individual and joint associations of multiple food groups with all-cause and cause-specific mortality (cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer), by analyzing data from a cohort of 3995 Hong Kong Chinese older adults in the Mr. Osteoporosis (OS) and Ms. OS Study. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations of food groups with mortality risk. The individual and joint contribution of food groups to mortality risk has been quantified by a machine learning approach, i.e., the Quantile G-Computation. When comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of intake, dark green and leafy vegetables (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70 to 0.96, P_trend = 0.049), fruit (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.93, P_trend = 0.006), legumes (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.63 to 0.87, P_trend = 0.052), mushroom and fungi (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65 to 0.88, P_trend = 0.023), soy and soy products (HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66 to 0.90, P_trend = 0.143), and whole grains (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65 to 0.89, P_trend = 0.008) were inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Legume intake was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality, while fruit, nuts, soy and soy products were associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality. From the Quantile G-Computation, whole grains, legumes, fruits, mushroom and fungi, soy and soy products had a higher relative weighting on mortality risk, and the joint effect of food groups was inversely associated with the mortality risk due to all-causes (HR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.27 to 0.55), CVD (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67 to 0.91), and cancer (HR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.65). From a sex-stratified analysis, most associations between food groups (whole grains, legumes, fruits, mushroom and fungi, soy and soy products) and mortality risk remained significant among men. In conclusion, whole grains, legumes, fruits, mushroom and fungi, soy and soy products were the main contributors to a reduction in mortality risk, and their joint effects were stronger than individual food groups. Moreover, the sex-specific association of sweets and desserts with cancer mortality may be worth further investigation. Full article

Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa. Full article

Over the most recent couple of years, the Internet of Things and other empowering innovations have been logically utilized for digitizing the vegetable supply chain (VSC). Background: The unpredictable examples and complexity inserted in enormous data dimensions present a test for an orderly human master examination. Hence in an information-driven setting, soft computing (SC) has accomplished critical energy to investigate, mine, and concentrate confidential information data, or tackle complex improvement issues, finding some harmony between good productivity and maintainability of vegetable supply frameworks. Methods: This paper presents a new and diverse scientific classification of VSC issues from the SC methodology. It characterizes VSC issues and sorts them in light of how they be demonstrated according to the SC perspective. Moreover, we examine the SC methodologies commonly utilized in each phase of the VSC and their related classes of issues. Accordingly, there is an issue in distinguishing and characterizing VSC issues according to a more extensive point of view, enveloping the different SC strategies that can apply in various phases (from creation to retailing), and recognizing the issues that emerge in these phases according to the SC viewpoint. Results: We likewise acquaint some rules with the assistance of VSC analysts and specialists to settle on appropriate strategies while resolving specific issues they could experience. Even though a few latest examinations have arranged the SC writing in this field, they are situated towards a solitary group of SC strategies (a gathering of techniques that share standard qualities) and survey their application in VSC phases. Conclusions: We have suggested a novel approach and complete scientific classification of vegetable supply chain concerns about soft computing. We present a view of three delegate supply chains: cruciferous vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, and tomatoes. We assembled the scientific type in light of different parts to arrange vegetable supply chain issues as per how they can be demonstrated utilizing soft computing methodologies. Full article

Small-holder farm households in developing countries mainly depend on rain-fed agriculture activities, thus seasonality affects eating habits and contributes to micronutrient deficiencies. This study assessed women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS) across three agricultural seasons in the Kapchorwa District, Uganda. In each season, 445 women with under five-year-old children from small-holder farm households were interviewed on socio-demographic characteristics as well as dietary practices between May 2016 and January 2017. Linear regression models estimated differences in WDDS across seasons. The mean WDDS at the lean, harvest and post-harvest seasons was 4.33 ± 1.21, 4.63 ± 1.30 and 4.36 ± 1.21, respectively. Mean WDDS was higher in urban regions across all seasons. Women in urban regions generated more income through off-farm activities, had better access to markets and consumed significantly more ‘meat, poultry and fish’ (p < 0.001), dairy products (p < 0.05), ‘vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables’ (p < 0.001) and ‘other vegetables’ (p < 0.001) during the lean season, whilst rural women ate more dark green leafy vegetables (p < 0.001) during the same period. Poorer households in the rural setting were more likely to be affected by seasonally limited food availability and accessibility. Hence, strengthening the linkages between market participation, agricultural activities, improved food storage and preservation techniques and dietary intake is recommended. Full article

New Zealand (NZ), a food-producing, geographically isolated nation has set a domestic dietary guideline of 5 servings a day/person of vegetables. The question “does New Zealand produce enough servings and diversity of vegetables to meet dietary recommendations of 5 diverse servings/day?” was explored. Publicly available data for weight of vegetables produced and hectares of land used in relation to five vegetable diversity groups of white roots-and-tubers, vitamin-A-vegetables, other vegetables, dark-green-leafy vegetables, and legumes were examined. Overall, the equivalent of 11.7 servings of vegetables/day/NZperson was produced. Potatoes, onions, carrots, and squash were produced in the largest quantities (total 7.7 servings/day/NZperson) but most onions, squash, and some potatoes were exported (2.5 servings/day/NZperson). There was inadequate production of legumes, 0.6 servings/day/NZ person (peas and beans) and dark-green-leafy vegetables, 0.03 servings/day/NZ person (silverbeet and spinach). Only 0.2% of the total land area of NZ is used for growing vegetables. Expansion of the area used for vegetables should be considered in the context of sustainable production and irreversible pressures confronting the unique land and soils the land use requires, as well as current environmental impacts of intensive conventional outdoor vegetable production. An environmentally sustainable and diverse supply of vegetables for domestic use needs to be strategically and actively protected. Full article

Food composition databases (FCDBs) provide the nutritional content of foods and are essential for developing nutrition guidance and effective intervention programs to improve nutrition of a population. In public and nutritional health research studies, FCDBs are used in the estimation of nutrient intake profiles at the population levels. However, such studies investigating nutrient co-occurrence and profile patterns within the African context are very rare. This study aimed to identify nutrient co-occurrence patterns within the South African FCDB (SAFCDB). A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to 28 nutrients and 971 foods in the South African FCDB to determine compositionally similar food items. A second principal component analysis was applied to the food items for validation. Eight nutrient patterns (NPs) explaining 73.4% of the nutrient variation among foods were identified: (1) high magnesium and manganese; (2) high copper and vitamin B₁₂; (3) high animal protein, niacin, and vitamin B₆; (4) high fatty acids and vitamin E; (5) high calcium, phosphorous and sodium; (6) low moisture and high available carbohydrate; (7) high cholesterol and vitamin D; and (8) low zinc and high vitamin C. Similar food patterns (FPs) were identified from a PCA on food items, yielding subgroups such as dark-green, leafy vegetables and, orange-coloured fruit and vegetables. One food pattern was associated with high sodium levels and contained bread, processed meat and seafood, canned vegetables, and sauces. The data-driven nutrient and food patterns found in this study were consistent with and support the South African food-based dietary guidelines and the national salt regulations. Full article

Lutein is a xanthophyll carotenoid obtained from various foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolk. Lutein has antioxidant activity and scavenges reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen and lipid peroxy radicals. Oxidative stress activates inflammatory mediators, leading to the development of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Thus, recent basic and clinical studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of lutein based on its antioxidant activity and modulation of oxidant-sensitive inflammatory signaling pathways. Lutein suppresses activation of nuclear factor-kB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and induction of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattratant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α) and inflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase). It also maintains the content of endogenous antioxidant (glutathione) and activates nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Nrf2 signaling-related antioxidant enzymes (hemeoxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase). In this review, we have discussed the current knowledge regarding the anti-inflammatory function of lutein against inflammatory diseases in various organs, including neurodegenerative disorders, eye diseases, diabetic retinopathy, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, liver injury, obesity, and colon diseases. Full article

Inadequate macro- and micronutrient nutrition and its consequences, such as anaemia, iron and vitamin deficiency, and growth retardation, could particularly affect children of small-scale farmers. In the present cross-sectional study, 666 school children aged 5–10 years from villages of Chamwino and Kilosa districts were studied for associations between nutritional and micronutrient status and dietary intake. The overall prevalence of stunting, underweight, and overweight was 28.1, 14.4, and 5%, while that of anaemia and deficiency of iron (ID), vitamin A (VAD), and zinc (ZnD) was 42.9, 29.3, 24.9, and 26.4%, respectively. Dietary recalls (24h) revealed that, except of iron (74%), only small proportions of children reached the recommended daily micronutrient intakes: 4% for zinc, 19% for vitamin A, and 14–46% for B vitamins. Stunting was highly associated with wasting in both districts and with VAD in Chamwino. Anaemia was predicted by ID, VAD, and ZnD in Chamwino and by elevated infection markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1 glycoprotein (AGP), in Kilosa. Overall, elevated CRP and/or AGP increased the risk while higher serum carotenoids indicating a diet of more fruit and vegetables reduced the risk of VAD. The significantly lower prevalence of anaemia and ID in Chamwino was related to higher iron and vitamin A intake and the consumption of mainly bulrush millet with dark green leafy vegetables compared to maize or rice with legumes in Kilosa. Nutrition and hygiene education integrated with home and school garden programmes could reduce the multiple burdens of anaemia; micronutrient deficiencies and infections; and, in the long term, the prevalence of stunting. Full article

The photon flux density (PFD) and spectrum regulate the growth, quality attributes, and postharvest physiology of leafy vegetables grown indoors. However, limited information is available on how a photon spectrum enriched with a broad range of different wavebands regulates these factors. To determine this, we grew baby-leaf lettuce ‘Rouxai’ under a PFD of 200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ provided by warm-white (WW; control) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) supplemented with either 30 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ of ultraviolet-A (+UV30) or 50 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ of blue (+B50), green (+G50), red (+R50), or WW (+WW50) light. We then quantified growth attributes and accumulated secondary metabolites at harvest and during storage in darkness at 5 °C. Additional +G50 light increased shoot fresh and dry weight by 53% and 59% compared to the control. Relative chlorophyll concentration increased under +UV30, +G50, and especially +B50. At harvest, +B50 increased total phenolic content (TPC) by 25% and anthocyanin content (TAC) by 2.0-fold. Additionally, +G50 increased antiradical activity (DPPH) by 29%. After each day of storage, TPC decreased by 2.9 to 7.1% and DPPH by 3.0 to 6.2%, while TAC degradation was less pronounced. Principal component analysis indicated a distinct effect of +G50 on the lettuce at harvest. However, concentrations of metabolites before and during storage were usually greatest under the +B50 and +R50 treatments. Full article