Search Results (592)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oil type, fat level, storage time, and storage temperature on the microbiological, physicochemical, sensory, microstructural, and oxidative stability properties of vegan mayonnaise. For this purpose, a 70% oil formulation was used as the full-fat reference system, whereas a 50% oil formulation was evaluated as a lower-fat experimental system. These formulations were prepared using palm, soybean, cottonseed, and canola oils and stored at 25 °C for 120 days, 37 °C for 60 days, and 55 °C for 30 days. The quality attributes of the samples were systematically monitored under these storage conditions. The results showed that canola- and soybean oil-based formulations exhibited superior emulsion stability and sensory acceptability in both systems. In contrast, palm oil-based samples, particularly the 50% oil formulations, showed pronounced phase separation and markedly lower emulsion stability, indicating limited structural compatibility under lower-fat conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrated that oil type and fat level strongly influenced the quality characteristics of vegan mayonnaise, while storage time and temperature were important in determining the evolution and preservation of these properties under the tested conditions. These results provide useful guidance for the development of stable and acceptable plant-based mayonnaise products. Full article

Canola meal, with environmentally friendly attributes, lower cost, and previous studies, is an interesting proteic source to partially replace the soybean meal for poultry nutrition. For that, in this work we aimed to investigate canola meal as a partial replacement of soybean meal in finishing poultry diets (21 to 49 days) on the productive performance, also including the impact on the quality, nutritional attributes and antioxidative status of valuable cuts of meat. Ninety-six 21-day-old chickens were assigned to four experimental diets (24/diet), with increasing doses of canola meal (CM 0, 2.5, 5 and 10%). Daily consumption, weekly live weight and post mortem carcass weight and yield were determined. At 24 h post mortem, pH, color (CIE L, a*, b*) and drip loss were measured in the breast, drumstick and thigh cuts. Fatty acid composition and health lipid indexes were also determined in the fresh cuts. The oxidative status of lipids and proteins, polyphenol and flavonoids content in fresh and in stored (7 days-display at 4–6 °C) in vacuum packaged cuts were determined. Including CM, up to 10%, the feed intake and growth of birds was not affected (p = 0.74 and p = 0.87 respectively). In meat, CM significantly decreased the drip loss (p < 0.05), the pH in breast and thigh (p = 0.01 and p = 0.05 respectively), a lower L and b in thigh and increased PUFAs in more oxidative cuts, with a strong interaction between dose and muscle type. There was no effect on lipid oxidation while carbonyls decrease at a 2.5% dose in fresh and stored cuts but there is an increase with higher ones. Flavonoids raise the maximum deposition in meat at 5% CM. In conclusion, CM can be included in finishing poultry diets, but high doses must to be adequately managed if performance and quality of meat criteria are considered together. Full article

Understanding how oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars differ in canopy development and competitive ability is essential for improving yield stability under increasing weed pressure. This study used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imaging to characterize the temporal spectral and structural traits of sixteen oat cultivars grown under weed-free and weedy conditions across two locations for two years. Weedy conditions involved natural weed populations and pseudo-weeds where canola (Brassica napus) seeded as a weed. Weekly drone imaging was carried out using a multispectral sensor, which provided vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, ExG) and canopy metrics (ground cover, height, volume). Logistic and Gompertz models were fitted to cultivar traits to describe growth trajectories and obtain dynamic growth parameters. Cultivars showed clear differences in early canopy expansion, maximum NDVI, and canopy volume, with forage types expressing aggressive growth and several grain types combining high early growth rate with high yield potential. Machine-learning models integrating static and dynamic UAV-derived plant traits identified early ground cover and NDRE at three weeks after planting as the strongest predictors of grain yield. Models accurately predicted both weed-free (MAE = 262, R² = 0.90) and weedy yield (MAE = 258, R² = 0.90), demonstrating that early-season UAV traits capture the physiological and structural characteristics associated with competitive ability and grain yield. These findings show that high-throughput UAV phenotyping can reliably identify traits linked to yield formation and weed tolerance, providing a scalable approach for selecting competitive oat cultivars without relying solely on labor-intensive weedy field trials. Full article

Genetically modified (GM) plants have been commercially grown for 30 years, and their acceptance depends on a thorough risk assessment. Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) evaluates potential impacts of releasing GM plants into the environment, whether through cultivation or import for food, feed, and processing. A key component is assessing potential gene flow to crop wild relatives or non-GM crops. For gene flow to significantly affect the environment, transferred genes must provide a selective advantage. Since most GM plants are engineered for herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, or stacked traits, evaluating such advantages is relatively straightforward. New genomic techniques (NGTs) can generate plants with a wider range of traits, including tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Although still considered GM in the EU, their genomic changes can complicate detection, identification, and ERA, especially when such traits may offer advantages under stress conditions. This scoping review focuses on gene flow in two crops: oilseed rape (canola) (Brassica napus L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). In canola, transgene movement can increase weediness, fitness, herbicide resistance, or genetic diversity in feral or related populations. Gene flow in potato is less studied, with concerns centered on contamination risks in the Andean diversity center. Limited data exist for NGT plants, though many are expected to resemble conventionally bred varieties, suggesting comparable environmental impacts. Full article

Climate change has adversely affected grain production and quality of canola, the second-largest oilseed crop, which contributes 13–16% of total vegetable oil. Multiple biotic and abiotic stresses significantly limit canola production due to rapid climate change, and conventional breeding alone is insufficient to meet global demand. Therefore, several advanced biotechnologies have been developed to cope with this change. Among these, genetic modification, gene editing, and RNA interference are particularly significant for rapid cultivar development in a cost-effective, efficient, and convenient way. Recent findings in gene editing applications have revealed “prospective sites”, highlighting regions amenable to precise editing without compromising canola plant growth or development. Pan-genome analyses have further guided gene editing target selection, enabling the validation of key stress-resilience genes across diverse canola cultivars, while the CRISPR-epigenetic regulatory connection enables targeted control of gene expression and trait modulation. A hypothetical application of genomic selection is also suggested, which could complement gene editing to accelerate the development of superior cultivars. Accordingly, this review focuses on the latest studies of genetic modification, gene editing, and RNA interference to strengthen canola resilience under rapid climate change and discusses the major concerns. Taken together, these genome-editing strategies offer precise approaches for improving biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, although careful consideration of both off-target effects and regulatory compliance remains essential for their practical implementation in canola improvement. Full article

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key regulator of plant immunity and contributes to defence against Plasmodiophora brassicae, the causal agent of clubroot disease in canola (Brassica napus) and other crucifers. Exogenous SA applications have reduced clubroot severity in some Brassica pathosystems, yet the effectiveness of foliar SA treatment against the predominant resistance-breaking pathotype 3A in western Canada remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of weekly foliar applications of 0, 1, 5, or 10 mM SA on clubroot development in two B. napus var. napobrassica cultivars under greenhouse and growth chamber conditions. Plants inoculated with pathotype 3A were assessed for disease severity, pathogen resting spore load, plant height, and transcript accumulation of SA-responsive genes. Overall, SA treatments resulted in modest reductions in disease severity and resting spore concentrations; however, treatment effects did not reach statistical significance in most cases. Collectively, foliar SA applications provided limited suppression of clubroot caused by pathotype 3A. Further optimization of SA concentration, timing, and delivery, particularly when targeting the root zone, may be required before SA can be considered a complementary tool in integrated clubroot management. Full article

Although soybean meal (SBM) is generally used as the main protein source in livestock diets, canola meal (CM) appears as a sustainable alternative, since it lowers diet cost, especially when regionally produced, while still meeting animal nutritional needs. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the effects of dietary protein source (SBM vs. CM) on carcass traits and meat quality characteristics of feedlot-fattened dairy lambs. A total of 193 weaned lambs, approximately 3 months of age, from two indigenous Greek dairy breeds (75 Chios and 118 Serres), were used. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of two isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments: a control ration containing SBM as the primary protein source, and an alternative ration in which SBM was completely replaced by CM. After a fattening period of 13 weeks for Chios lambs and 15 weeks for Serres lambs, animals were slaughtered upon reaching a live weight of 35–40 kg, and hot and cold carcass weights were recorded. After 24 h of carcass storage at 4 °C, Longissimus lumborum muscle was sampled and used for the measurement of pH, colour attributes, cooking loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat content. Lipid oxidation was evaluated on days 1, 3, 6, and 9 of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. The substitution of SBM by CM as the main dietary protein source did not affect carcass traits in Serres lambs, whereas CM- treated Chios lambs showed an increased hot and cold carcass weight (p < 0.05). Meat quality characteristics were not affected by the dietary treatment in either Chios or Serres lambs, with the exception of meat oxidative stability that was deteriorated in CM compared to SBM Serres lambs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the utilization of canola instead of soybean meal did not negatively influence carcass traits or meat quality characteristics in either Chios or Serres lambs, with the exception of lipid oxidation which was significantly higher in CM supplemented Serres lambs. Full article

Chronic crop diseases caused by uncultured, obligate, or host-dependent pathogens challenge traditional pathogen-centric paradigms that often interpret symptoms as direct outcomes of pathogen toxins, effectors, or tissue colonization. Here, we advance a host-centric immune framework that reframes disease as an emergent consequence of dysregulated host immune network activity, including prolonged activation, signaling miscoordination, and systemic physiological disruption. Using citrus huanglongbing (HLB) as a primary exemplar and canola clubroot as a parallel system, we synthesize evidence that persistent immune stimulation can drive self-damaging outputs, including sustained reactive oxygen species accumulation, chronic vascular and transport dysfunction, hormone imbalance, and growth–defense trade-offs. While many observations derive from transcriptomic, physiological, and genetic studies conducted under controlled experimental conditions, the available evidence collectively suggests that persistent immune activation may contribute substantially to disease-associated decline in these systems. We argue that pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) operate as an integrated immune network whose feedback structure can become destabilized under chronic infection, generating immune states that are simultaneously harmful and often ineffective at pathogen clearance. We further discuss how panomic profiling, spatially resolved analyses, and network inference can diagnose host immune states at tissue and cell-type resolution, and how genome editing enables causal tests and rational immune tuning strategies that optimize defense amplitude, timing, and localization rather than indiscriminately amplifying resistance. By centering the host immune system as both a source of protection and pathology, this framework provides a conceptual and practical roadmap for understanding and engineering resilience in HLB, clubroot, and other chronic crop diseases in which pathogen biology remains experimentally opaque. Full article

Straw compost products are considered an excellent organic amendment for acidic soils, yet their effectiveness and microbial associations remain poorly understood. This study employed a pot experiment to evaluate the effects of straw compost products from six crops (corn, soybean, wheat, rice, peanut, and canola) on corn growth and nutrient uptake, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial community in an acidic red soil and examined how microbial community changes relate to plant performance. The results showed that straw compost products significantly enhanced corn growth and contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the aboveground tissues, except for wheat and canola straw. Compost products also improved availability of soil nutrients to varying degrees and affected the bacterial community structures in bulk and rhizosphere soils. There were significant differences in the improvement effects among straw types, with leguminous crops being better than cereal crops. Corn growth was closely correlated with increased soil organic carbon. The influence of the rhizosphere on bacterial communities was stronger than that of straw compost type. The dominant phyla Actinobacteriota and Patescibacteria were key bacterial groups positively associated with corn nutrient uptake in the rhizosphere. Compared to the bulk network, the rhizosphere microbial co-occurrence network exhibited higher modularity and a greater proportion of positive edges, suggesting a more cooperative interaction pattern. The influence of compost products might be associated with distinct nitrogen and phosphorus transformation pathways. Overall, this study clarifies the differential effects of straw compost products on acidic soil improvement and reveals strong associations between rhizosphere microorganisms and crop nutrient uptake. Full article

The growing demand for clean-label, plant-based foods is accelerating the development of vegan emulsified products that avoid synthetic additives while delivering appealing sensory and health-related attributes. We formulated naturally colored, mayonnaise-like oil-in-water emulsions using 55% canola oil and yeast protein extracts (YPEs) as emulsifiers and polyphenol-rich ingredients derived from red cabbage and butterfly pea flower. The resulting systems were characterized for rheological behavior, texture, droplet-size distribution, lipid oxidation (peroxide value) and microbiological stability. Two distinct YPEs produced emulsions with different microstructural and mechanical properties, highlighting the role of protein composition on emulsion architecture. Incorporation of anthocyanin-rich polyphenol matrices (red cabbage extracts characterized by predominantly simple acylations and butterfly pea flower extracts containing complex acylations, both at similar purities) modulated emulsion structuring and stability during storage, beyond color delivery. Overall, polyphenol addition strengthened emulsion structure, as evidenced by a significant increase in plateau modulus from 621 Pa to 1428 Pa in emulsions with complete YPE and butterfly pea extract and mitigated lipid oxidation, supporting their use as partial replacement options for additives such as EDTA in clean-label formulations. These findings provide a practical basis for designing functional, and visually attractive vegan emulsions that align with consumer demand for additive-reduced products. Full article

Oilseed production in the Canadian Prairies is highly sensitive to interacting climatic, soil, and landscape constraints, which has important implications for long-term agricultural sustainability under climate change. Canola and flax are economically significant Prairie oilseeds with distinct sensitivities to temperature and moisture variability; however, region-wide, crop-specific suitability assessments remain limited. In this study, we developed a machine-learning-enhanced Land Suitability Rating System (LSRS) framework to evaluate both historical and projected suitability for canola and flax across the Prairie agricultural region. Random Forest regression models were trained using spatial crop-density data in combination with observed climate normals and updated soil and terrain variables. Variable-importance scores were used to derive empirical climate–soil weighting, resulting in climate contributions of 70% for canola and 75% for flax. Model performance demonstrated strong internal agreement with observed spatial patterns (R² ≈ 0.99). Canola suitability was primarily associated with mid- to late-season precipitation and maximum temperatures, whereas flax suitability was more strongly influenced by growing-season minimum temperatures. Future suitability was simulated using CanDCS-M6 downscaled CMIP6 projections under SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5. Projected warming and regionally variable precipitation changes produced spatially heterogeneous shifts in suitability, including localized gains in northern areas and increased climatic risk across parts of the southern Prairies under higher-emission scenarios. The proposed framework integrates empirical machine-learning insights with an interpretable suitability rating system, providing a scalable and policy-relevant tool to support climate-informed adaptation and sustainable oilseed production planning. Full article

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for canola production in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly during seed germination, seedling and flowering stages. In this study, we evaluated drought responses of doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from interspecific hybrids of B. napus × B. rapa and their parental cultivars under simulated (PEG-6000) and soil-based drought conditions. Drought stress significantly reduced germination, growth, and physiological performance in all genotypes; however, DH lines consistently exhibited superior tolerance. Under PEG-induced osmotic stress, DH lines maintained higher germination rates, root elongation, and relative water content compared with parental genotypes. During seedling and flowering stages drought, DH lines showed lower accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, alongside markedly higher antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and POD) and improved photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). Gene expression analysis revealed strong induction of drought-responsive genes, including WRKY28, MYB, LTP, WSP, metallothionein, and protein kinase family genes, particularly in DH lines at prolonged stress exposure. Multivariate analyses (PCA and correlation) confirmed a close association between enhanced antioxidant capacity, transcriptional activation, and drought tolerance traits. Overall, our results demonstrate that homozygous doubled haploid lines derived from distant hybridization between B. napus and B. rapa exhibit enhanced drought tolerance at both early and reproductive stages. These genotypes represent valuable genetic resources for breeding drought-tolerance canola cultivars. Full article

Deep-fat frying is widely used, but high temperatures and complex food matrices promote oil deterioration and harmful substance formation, posing risks to food safety and oil quality. This study evaluated five vegetable oils—sunflower oil (SFO), canola oil (CNO), palm oil (PO), cottonseed oil (CSO), and soybean oil (SBO)—during deep-fat frying of crispy meat to elucidate oil deterioration and contaminant formation patterns. After 32 h of frying, total polar compounds (TPCs) of PO and CNO were 29.8% and 32.6%, significantly lower than the other oils. Similar trends were observed for total oxidation value (TOTOX), carbonyl value (CV), and polar polymers, suggesting higher oxidative stability of PO and CNO, as confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). Initial monochloro-1,2-propanediol esters (MCPDEs) and glycidyl ester (GE) in PO were relatively high (e.g., 3-MCPDE: 3630 μg/kg) but decreased over time during frying, whereas levels in SFO, CSO, and SBO remained low. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated diacylglycerols (DAG) and monoacylglycerols (MAG) were positively correlated with MCPDEs and GE (p < 0.05). L* and b* values were positively correlated with polar polymers and contaminants, indicating that color parameters may serve as rapid, non-invasive auxiliary indicators of oil quality but should be combined with other indices for accurate evaluation. Full article

Background: Adipose tissue is a crucial endocrine organ, and obesity, due to its associated chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, disrupts adipokine secretion. These adipokines can be detected not only in blood but also in saliva. Dietary changes are a crucial part of managing obesity, encompassing a balanced diet, increased physical activity, and lifestyle modifications. Moreover, adding functional foods like amaranth and canola oils, recognized for their health benefits, may further improve metabolic and inflammatory health. These products have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce the pro-inflammatory activity of adipose tissue, thereby improving systemic and oral health. The study aimed to assess the impact of a 3-week calorie-restricted diet, supplemented with canola or amaranth oil on salivary adipokines, i.e., serpin A12, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNF-R1), pH, and salivary flow in obese patients. Methods: A total of 115 adults with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) were enrolled and placed on a 3-week calorie-restricted diet. The study group (n = 44) received additional supplementation: 21 participants received 20 mL of canola oil daily, and 23 received 20 mL of amaranth oil. The control group (n = 71) followed the same calorie-restricted diet without oil supplementation. Non-stimulated saliva was collected twice, for 20 min each time, before and after the intervention, to evaluate flow rate, pH, and concentrations of serpin A12, PAI-1, and TNF-R1. Concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: An increase in saliva flow rate was observed in patients supplemented with amaranth oil (p = 0.0367). Both the amaranth oil and canola oil groups showed a significant rise in salivary pH (p = 0.0425). Across all participants, the 3-week calorie-restricted diet resulted in a reduction in salivary PAI-1 (p = 0.0339), serpin A12 (p = 0.0001), and TNF-R1 (p = 0.0058). Conclusions: The 3-week calorie-restricted diet contributed to a decrease in the concentration of adipokines in saliva. The low-calorie diet, combined with supplementation of amaranth and canola oils, increased salivary flow and resulted in higher pH values, indicating greater alkalinity. Full article

Mineral oils are increasingly being replaced by plant-based insulating liquids, known as natural esters, because of their biodegradability and high fire safety characteristic. However, their wider use in high-voltage and unsealed transformer applications is still limited due to concerns about thermo-oxidative stability and the relatively limited long-term performance data available compared to mineral oils. This study investigates improving the oxidation stability of natural esters through nanotechnology. A canola-based insulating liquid was used as the base fluid and modified with TiO₂ and SiO₂ nanoparticles of different sizes. Nanoparticle concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.25 wt.%, while Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate, non-ionic surfactant) served as a surfactant to ensure uniform dispersion and long-term colloidal stability. The nanofluids were subjected to accelerated aging to evaluate oxidation resistance, and key properties such as acidity, viscosity, and dissipation factor were monitored throughout the process. Dielectric performance was assessed using AC breakdown voltage testing, with results interpreted through two-parameter Weibull statistics. The TiO₂-based nanofluids demonstrated superior thermo-oxidative stability compared to both the base oil and the SiO₂-modified samples. Formulations containing smaller TiO₂ nanoparticles (5 nm) exhibited the lowest increases in viscosity, acid value, and dissipation factor, indicating strong resistance to degradation under thermal stress. In dielectric performance, SiO₂ nanofluids reached 65.8 kV, while TiO₂ nanofluids achieved a higher value of 72.4 kV, confirming their greater effectiveness. Although the nanoparticles are not biodegradable, their use at low concentrations significantly enhances the oxidative and dielectric stability of natural esters, helping extend fluid life and reduce dependence on petroleum-based insulating liquids. Full article