Search Results (5,123)

This study assesses improved maize variety (IMV) adoption, as well as yield effects among smallholder farmers in Benue State, Nigeria, having implications for sustainable crop management and resource-use efficiency. Benue state is commonly known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” but the average maize yield remains less than 2 t/ha, compared to 7–10 t/ha when achieved under improved technologies, and it shows a key sustainability challenge for food security and land-use efficiency. With primary cross-sectional survey data from 205 smallholder farmers with 107 adopters and 98 non-adopters, selected across Local Government Area (LGAs) in Benue State, this study adopts Propensity Score Matching (PSM) for controlling selection bias and estimating the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATET). Nearest Neighbour Matching acts as a primary estimator through robustness checks while using Radius and Kernel Matching. However, the logit model shows that IMV is greatly determined by gender, use of fertilizer, formal education, cooperative membership, access to irrigation, and extension contact, highlighting the crucial parts of human capital, complementary inputs, and institutional support in promoting sustainable adoption of technology. Following the control for observable differences across matching, a 0.399 log-unit yield gain was achieved by adopters, which is equivalent to approximately 49% higher output per hectare compared to non-adopters, an effect that is robust throughout alternative matching algorithms, and it surpasses the 38.7% national-level yield increase, indicating a regional sustainability premium in Benue State. The gains in productivity can promote land-use efficiency, decrease pressure for agricultural intensification on vulnerable lands, and enhance the case for integrated crop management. But adoption remains limited by access to quality seeds, complementary inputs, credit, and sustained gender barriers. Improving input supply chains, extension services, and institutional support is therefore crucial for developing productivity, resource-use efficiency, and food security across smallholder farming systems. Full article

Fungi of the genus Pleurotus are increasingly studied not only for their ecological versatility and saprotrophic capabilities but also for their potential in biotechnological applications such as nutrient bioaccumulation. As sustainable alternatives to animal protein sources, Pleurotus species combine high nutritional value with the ability to grow on agro-industrial residues. This review explores the bioaccumulation potential of Pleurotus species of essential compounds of biotechnological interest, particularly selenium and iron, focusing on applications in sustainable nutrition and functional ingredient development. Notably, the substrate composition can nearly double protein content, and selenium-enriched mushrooms can reach up to 858 µg/g without compromising biological efficiency, depending on the dose and chemical form. Similarly, iron biofortification achieved up to 4176 µg/g in P. pulmonarius with minimal productivity loss. Among the species analysed, P. ostreatus and P. eryngii stood out for their productivity and nutritional quality, while P. citrinopileatus recorded the highest protein content at 34.7% dry weight. Overall, mineral biofortification of Pleurotus spp. emerges as a promising strategy to support sustainable food systems, address global micronutrient deficiencies, and expand the biotechnological use of edible fungi. Full article

Agrivoltaics is a promising technique, especially in view of the rapid population growth associated with the expansion of cultivated areas to satisfy the food demands of the population, and the increase in solar power plants, which require considerable space to supply the population with energy. Thus, the transition from agricultural to agrivoltaics systems and the transition from PV power plants to agrivoltaics systems can enable more efficient use of land for energy and agricultural production. However, the configuration of agrivoltaics systems, namely panel elevation, spacing between panels and between rows of panels, and panel size, defines the amount of material used. As a result, configuration can have a major impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to highlight the environmental impact from converting 1 ha of land used entirely for agricultural production to 1 ha of an agrivoltaic system, and from converting 1 ha of land used entirely for solar photovoltaic energy production to 1 ha of an agrivoltaic system through a life cycle assessment. Three different configurations of agrivoltaics systems are considered to assess the environmental potential of agrivoltaics configurations. This analysis is performed with SimaPro 9.4 software, using the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) method and the Eco-invent database. The study determined impacts on global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, ionizing radiation, ozone formation, mineral resource scarcity, fossil resource scarcity, water consumption, and land use through the determination of the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results show that impacts are highest for PV power plants, followed by the agrivoltaic system with the largest PV panels for all indicators, except for stratospheric ozone depletion, where impacts are highest for agrivoltaics and agricultural use systems. The results of the land evaluation showed that the agrivoltaic system Case 3 gave the best performance, with a Land Equivalent Ratio of 148.7%. Full article

Agro-industrial wastes are abundant, low-cost feedstocks used for the sustainable production of prebiotic oligosaccharides via enzymatic methods. This review summarizes recent advances, with particular emphasis on studies published after 2020, in the enzymatic valorization of these by-products, highlighting pretreatment strategies, enzyme classifications, and reaction conditions for converting complex substrates into functional prebiotic ingredients. In parallel, pioneering studies are recognized as foundational work, as they offer key mechanistic insights and continue to play a key role in supporting the interpretation of recent advances in the field. The functionality of the resulting prebiotic oligosaccharides, assessed through various in vitro models, is discussed, with emphasis on their impact on the technological performance of different food matrices. Evidence from in vitro and human studies further illustrates the biological activity and added value of waste-derived prebiotic oligosaccharides. While enzymatic technologies demonstrate high efficiency and selectivity, the full potential of many agro-industrial wastes for bioconversion remains underexplored. Optimizing enzymatic processes and systematically assessing functionality are essential in order to fully harness these resources, supporting the development of innovative, value-added food products within a circular bioeconomy. This review provides an integrated platform linking prebiotic oligosaccharide production, functionality, and food applications, promoting the valorization of agro-industrial waste into high-value prebiotic ingredients. Full article

Agri-food by-products such as sweet potato peel (SP) represent a sustainable and valuable source of bioactive compounds for improving gluten-free (GF) foods. This study evaluated the nutritional and functional impact of incorporating SP at 8% and 16%, either untreated or ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)-treated, into GF brownies. An untargeted metabolomics approach combined with chemometrics was applied to characterize phytochemical modulation after in vitro digestion of the brownies, while antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were assessed using RAW264.7 macrophages. SP incorporation increased the dietary fiber (reaching a content of 7.86%) and glycosylated flavonoid content in reformulated brownies, leading to a reduction of inflammatory markers in the cellular model. Sensory evaluation showed that SP addition did not significantly affect texture-related attributes or extract-related perception. In contrast, UAE acted as an efficient extraction strategy, enhancing terpenoid-like compounds and total phenolic content (TPC), reaching values of 401.97 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ after 16% incorporation. Overall, combining SP valorization with UAE represents a promising strategy to develop nutritionally enhanced GF products, providing a foodomics-based framework for next-generation functional bakery products. Full article

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are generated in millions of tonnes annually due to rising global coffee consumption, posing significant challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, waste-disposal problems, and the loss of valuable compounds like caffeine, dietary fibre, phenolics, antioxidants, proteins, and lipids, offering prospects for potential valorization. Its composition is influenced by several factors. This review focuses on recent advancements in the valorization of SCG across sectors such as food, nutraceuticals, bioenergy, and packaging. The emphasis is on pretreatment, extraction, and bioconversion methods, as well as current research gaps, limitations, and future directions. SCG valorization is oriented toward integrated, multi-product biorefinery systems based on green extraction and bioconversion technologies to recover high-value compounds in both the food and non-food sectors. Nonetheless, industrial scalability is limited by composition variability, energy-intensive processing, techno-economic constraints, and safety and regulatory issues that remain unresolved. The shortcomings, such as inadequate standardized characterization, toxicological validation, and pilot-scale studies, are critical gaps. Scalable, energy-efficient processes, AI-assisted optimization, and regulatory alignment development should be a priority in future research, so that sustainable and commercial deployment is possible. Full article

4-Ethylguaiacol (4-EG) is a volatile phenolic compound associated with smoky, woody, and spicy aroma notes in fermented foods and beverages, including Baijiu. In this study, a 4-EG-producing strain, designated JN11, was obtained by screening isolates from Baijiu pit mud and identified as Bacillus coagulans based on morphological, physiological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA analyses. In sorghum juice medium, strain JN11 produced 271.6 ± 2.7 μg/L 4-EG. To investigate the upstream decarboxylation step involved in volatile phenol formation, the phenolic acid decarboxylase gene, BcPAD, was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The BcPAD gene comprises 504 bp and encodes a 167-amino-acid protein. Recombinant BcPAD exhibited maximal activity at pH 6.0 and 50 °C and retained more than 60% residual activity after 5 h at 30–40 °C. Fe³⁺ increased enzyme activity to 115.36% of the control, whereas Zn²⁺ markedly inhibited enzyme activity and SDS completely inactivated the enzyme. BcPAD showed the highest activity toward p-coumaric acid, with a specific activity of 460.6 ± 18.3 U/mg and a catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km) of 12.1 ± 1.4 mM⁻¹·s⁻¹, while lower activities were observed toward caffeic acid and ferulic acid, and no activity was detected toward sinapic acid. Homology modeling and molecular docking suggested that the superior catalytic performance toward p-coumaric acid may be related to favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions and substrate orientation within the active site. Although 4-EG production was observed during fermentation by strain JN11, BcPAD was biochemically characterized as a phenolic acid decarboxylase likely responsible for the upstream formation of vinyl derivatives in the proposed pathway. These findings improve our understanding of phenolic acid decarboxylases from B. coagulans and provide a basis for further investigation of the roles of strain JN11 and BcPAD in volatile phenol formation during Baijiu production. Full article

Global food production systems are increasingly challenged by population growth, climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation, necessitating the adoption of sustainable, resource-efficient food production strategies. Aquaponic systems integrate recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic crop cultivation, enabling nutrient recycling and improved water-use efficiency. Simultaneously, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology has emerged as a powerful tool for precise genetic improvement of economically important aquaculture traits. This review critically evaluates current progress in CRISPR/Cas9 applications in aquaculture, with emphasis on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Evidence from peer-reviewed studies indicates that targeted modification of genes associated with growth regulation, disease resistance, nutrient metabolism, feed efficiency, and stress tolerance can significantly enhance fish productivity and physiological resilience. Genes involved in hypoxia adaptation and nitrogen metabolism may further improve environmental performance in intensive recirculating systems by reducing ammonia accumulation and enhancing nutrient utilization. However, most genome-editing studies have been conducted under laboratory or conventional aquaculture conditions, with limited information available regarding the long-term performance, ecological interactions, microbial dynamics, and biosafety of genome-edited fish in aquaponic environments. Technical limitations including off-target effects, mosaicism, delivery efficiency, regulatory uncertainty, and public acceptance continue to constrain large-scale implementation. In the short term, CRISPR/Cas9 applications are likely to focus on practical trait enhancement under controlled aquaculture systems, whereas longer-term research may explore fish lines specifically optimized for nutrient cycling, environmental resilience, and integrated aquaponic sustainability. Overall, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing represents a promising but still emerging strategy for improving sustainable aquaculture and aquaponic food production systems. Full article

Almonds (Prunus dulcis; family Rosaceae) contain 18–25% protein (dry weight). They are an important plant-based protein source in dairy alternatives and other functional foods. The hard and dense nature of almond kernels and the localization of proteins with lipid bodies in the cotyledons of almond seeds make it challenging to recover protein from the seed efficiently and preserve its function. Therefore, this review evaluates the influence of pretreatments, including blanching, grinding, and defatting, on almond protein recovery and functionality, and compares conventional and emerging technologies for almond protein. Traditional protein extraction techniques such as alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation (AE–IEP), aqueous extraction, and salt extraction provide moderate-to-high protein yields, but harsh processing conditions denature the proteins, decrease solubility, and cause functional properties to be lost. On the other hand, emerging protein extraction technologies (including enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction (EAE) ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), high-pressure processing (HPP), and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment) improve protein recovery, resulting in protein extract with superior functional properties and reduced allergenicity. However, their application in industry remain challenging. This review reveals that pretreatment approaches and conditions/parameters significantly influence protein extraction efficiency and the functional and structural properties of almonds, and that no single method is universally optimal. This review concludes that controlled enzymatic hydrolysis combined with physical pretreatment may be the best approach for producing high-value-added almond protein ingredients with specific techno-functional properties for use in plant-based beverages, hypoallergenic products, or nutraceuticals. More research is needed to develop an efficient, applicable, sustainable and eco-friendly almond protein extraction process, optimizing processing conditions to achieve high protein recovery while retaining desirable functional properties, and reduce operating costs. Full article

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are widely recognized for their health-promoting effects. However, the use of live microorganisms may pose safety concerns and stability limitations. Consequently, postbiotics, defined as inactivated microbial cells and/or their components, have emerged as a promising alternative. This study integrates genome-guided evaluation of probiotic potential, experimental validation of in silico predictions and process optimization for the production of inactivated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DM1 and KK1 cells as postbiotics. Genome mining identified genes and gene clusters associated with metabolic versatility, antimicrobial activity, gastrointestinal stress tolerance, adhesion and prebiotic substrate utilization. Building on these findings, to generate postbiotics, the efficiency of thermal, enzymatic, mechanical and radiation-based inactivation methods was evaluated in bacterial suspensions prepared in three dairy by-product matrices: milk permeate, sweet whey and sour whey. Complete inactivation of both strain cells was achieved by thermal treatment (3 min pasteurization), γ-irradiation (3 kGy), and combined lysozyme–pasteurization treatment, whereas other treatments showed partial and matrix-dependent effects. Matrix composition significantly influenced treatment efficacy, suggesting a protective role of food components used. These findings highlight the importance of combining genome mining for potential probiotic strain characterization with robust, matrix-adapted inactivation strategies for the development of stable postbiotic formulations. Full article

This study presents a gate-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of an industrial sweet cherry sorting and packing facility in Greece, directly addressing environmental sustainability in agri-food supply chains through data-driven impact quantification and improvement pathways in post-harvest operations. The assessment focuses on a gate-to-gate system boundary encompassing all processes inside the cherry sorting and packing facility, while upstream cherry production and downstream waste management are modeled and reported separately to provide system-level context. Core-stage hotspots are then analyzed in detail in the Results section, highlighting the dominant role of electricity use compared with packaging materials. The functional unit is defined as 1 kg of packed, market-ready cherries at the factory gate. Primary data are obtained from high-resolution, batch-level measurements of mass flows, energy use, water consumption, packaging materials and waste streams over a full processing season, structured as virtual sensor outputs. These sensor-informed operational data are combined with secondary life cycle inventory information from established databases to quantify climate change impacts and identify environmental hotspots across materials, energy, water, and waste, thereby delivering a quantified picture of environmental performance in the post-harvest stage. The results show that corrugated cardboard and associated packaging components are among the main contributors within the facility-level, gate-to-gate system, while the Core stage accounts for 28.43% of total GWP100. Upstream cherry production dominates the overall Upstream–Core–Downstream climate footprint with 70.61% of total impacts. Moreover, practical mitigation scenarios are modeled, including packaging optimization, partial substitution of grid electricity with photovoltaic generation, and increased water recirculation. Ιn the combined mitigation scenario, where packaging optimization, low-carbon electricity and improved water management are implemented simultaneously, total GWP100 decreases from 114,207.32 to 92,500.27 kg CO₂-eq (−19.0%) relative to the baseline, providing actionable sustainability improvements for industry stakeholders and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action and resource efficiency. In addition, the proposed virtual sensor architecture and data workflow support continuous monitoring, eco-efficiency management and near-real-time LCA implementation in post-harvest agri-food systems, enabling operational sustainability. Full article

Tourism destinations consume vast quantities of energy, water, food, and materials, yet these resource flows remain largely invisible in destination planning practice. The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that reconceptualises tourism destinations as industrial ecosystems and makes their material and energy flows visible, quantifiable, and amenable to destination-scale planning. Existing frameworks prioritise governance and demand management, leaving the material dimension of sustainability unaddressed. To this end, the paper proposes a multi-scale resource-flow framework grounded in industrial ecology. This is a conceptual framework paper: it develops analytical architecture for destination-scale resource accounting rather than reporting empirical measurements. The framework organises four analytical components—actors, flows, structural configurations, and feedback mechanisms—across macro, meso, and micro scales. Three planning capabilities are advanced: supply-chain-complete environmental accounting, resource hotspot detection, and policy design along the full causal chain from structural arrangement to environmental outcome. Material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, and industrial symbiosis mapping are presented as operational tools, illustrated through reference to high-intensity coastal tourism systems. Industrial symbiosis is positioned as a structural mechanism through which by-product valorisation reduces destination-level resource throughput. The study contributes a bridging framework between governance-oriented tourism planning and the material accounting rigour of industrial ecology, distinguishing it from circular economy models that supply a design principle but no material accounting, from urban metabolism approaches that assume temporally stable flows, and from regenerative development that is values-based rather than quantitative. The framework offers a foundation for more integrated and resource-efficient destination sustainability planning. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of matrix type and dose of polyphenolic core from rose petals on the physicochemical and functional properties of microcapsules. Microcapsules were obtained by ionotropic gelation using four carrier systems: sodium alginate (SA), sodium alginate with added starch (SA + S), protein isolate (SA + P), and vegetable gum (SA + G). Polyphenolic compounds isolated from rose petals (E) were used as the core at six concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5%). Differences between microcapsules were assessed based on physicochemical properties, polyphenol and anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity, swelling index, and biocompatibility. The results showed that both the extract dose and the matrix system significantly affected the analyzed parameters. The highest encapsulation efficiency was demonstrated for the lowest dose (0.25%), regardless of the matrix used. Total polyphenol and anthocyanin content significantly increased for all microcapsule versions with increasing extract dose, with the highest concentrations obtained for the SA + G system. These results strongly correlated with antioxidant activity and biocompatibility with human colonocyte membranes. In turn, the swelling index decreased with extract dose, showing the highest values in small intestinal fluid and the lowest in gastric fluid. These findings may have significant implications for the design of functional carriers for use in food and dietary supplement production. Full article

Plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and saponins, possess significant pharmacological value. However, conventional extraction methods often suffer from low efficiency, poor bioavailability, and environmental burdens. Aspergillus-based biotransformation has emerged as a superior platform for overcoming these limitations due to their robust secretomes, versatile metabolic networks, and the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status of specific industrially relevant species (e.g., A. oryzae and A. niger). Existing literature frequently focuses on isolated compounds or general fungal processes. To fill this gap, this review systematically links specific Aspergillus enzymatic systems to an “enzymatic hydrolysis–transformation–synthesis” closed-loop framework, which is essential for industrial-scale valorization. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the biotransformation of phytochemicals by A. niger, A. oryzae, and A. nidulans. These fungi utilize specialized enzymes—including β-glucosidases, cellulases, and glycosidases—to enable precise hydrolysis, deglycosylation, and detoxification under mild conditions. We highlight representative transformations that demonstrate markedly enhanced bioactivity and solubility. Key examples include the conversion of polydatin to resveratrol (>90% yield) and ginsenoside Rb1 to ginsenoside compound K (94.4% conversion rate). Although industrial applications span the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors, significant challenges persist in solid-state fermentation (SSF) scale-up, strain stability, target compound over-degradation, and downstream purification. Genetic engineering, process optimization and hybrid bioprocessing are highlighted as promising strategies to overcome these limitations and realize sustainable, high-value production of natural bioactive metabolites. Full article

Trimethylamine (TMA), a characteristic volatile biogenic amine generated during aquatic product spoilage, has a concentration that quantitatively reflects product freshness. Therefore, developing a rapid and accurate method for TMA detection is important for food safety control. Herein, this study synthesized high-performance hollow SnO₂ nanospheres via a hydrothermal method, aiming to develop a rapid, non-destructive gas sensor for TMA detection and evaluate its feasibility for assessing aquatic product freshness. The material exhibited a high response (Ra/Rg = 10.5@100 ppm), rapid response-recovery kinetics (10 s/20 s), and good selectivity. These properties were attributed to the high specific surface area, efficient gas diffusion channels, and abundant active sites provided by the hollow structure, which enhances the sensor’s response rate. Ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy further showed that the hollow structure narrows the bandgap of SnO₂, which may facilitate electron transfer and contribute to the enhanced response to TMA. In practical applications, a MEMS sensor based on SnO₂ hollow nanospheres successfully detected TMA concentration changes from sea bass during 0–8 days of refrigerated storage, demonstrating its potential reliability for rapid freshness assessment of aquatic products and providing a technological route for quality evaluation. Full article