Search Results (7,827)

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

The world has already been facing food, nutrition, and security challenges for the last few decades. The coronavirus 2019, COVID-19, has a significant impact on food security and agriculture, such as affecting food demand and the food supply chain, with the greatest consequences on the most vulnerable population. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of COVID-19 on global agriculture and food security, drawing on recent scientific publications, institutional reports, and policy documents from 2020 to 2026. The review examines the impact of the pandemic on cropping patterns, fruit and vegetable harvests, availability of farm inputs, connectivity of the agricultural system, food supply chains, food demand, and labor availability. Vegetable and fruit markets were most affected due to the spread of COVID-19. Due to the closing of markets and restaurants, produce distributors and farmers were required to transfer supplies entirely from the food production to the marketplace. These effects are additionally being felt in agriculture and food security. Almost 55% of researchers indicated that COVID-19 has the most impact on agriculture and its complete harvest during the season, and an additional 45% stated that COVID-19 has adversely affected food security. However, food has slowed down well to date in numerous nations. The spread of COVID-19 is beginning to disrupt the supply of agricultural products and food to consumers and the marketplace across and within borders. The different spring crops, such as sunflower, canola, maize, barley, spring wheat, and various field vegetables, cannot be grown during COVID-19. Consequently, COVID-19 has had a binding effect on the food supply chain and agriculture due to the disruption, which the government should have addressed promptly. Full article

Soil pH constitutes a key factor in the nutrient availability and initial growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Inadequate management of soil pH can lead to problems in plant growth, which may result in reduced food production yields and agricultural investment. To evaluate the effects of pH dynamics on seedling development in soils, not only was a correlational and quantitative study conducted, which included a completely randomised laboratory experiment design with three treatments (pH < 6, pH > 7, and pH 6–7), each with five replicates, but a systemic analysis using a causal map also described the impacts of pH on plant growth. The initial pH was measured every four days, as were the germination rate, electrical conductivity, and final biomass. The results show that in alkaline soil, seedling germination is reduced by 87%, whilst in acidic soil it is reduced by 80% in comparison to the neutral scenario. pH values are therefore shown to affect early development due to reduced nutrient availability. These results reveal the need for the consideration of measures that influence management practices for the promotion of uniform and sustainable growth to favour the early establishment of crops such as native maize. Full article

Genetically modified (GM) plants have revolutionized agriculture for more than three decades. The production of a GM plants is a complex, multi-stage process. Several key methods are available for generating GM plants. The choice of transformation method depends on the type of plant (dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous), the objective (large-scale production versus studying a specific gene in particular cells or tissues), and whether stable or transient transformation is desired. Following successful transformation, the next step is the regeneration of a whole plant from a single cell in tissue culture, which is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Currently, numerous genes that confer desirable traits have been identified. These traits include stress tolerance, herbicide and pest resistance, and improved consumer qualities (such as flavor, appearance, shelf life, and nutritional value). In this review, we describe the main methods for producing GM plants and provide examples of trait genes utilized in agricultural biotechnology. Despite the fact that GM plants represent one of the most significant biotechnological advances, they also remain among the most contentious issues in contemporary food safety and agricultural policy. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using GM plants for humans. Full article

This study introduces an Electronically Controlled Root Crop Processor, a compact, Arduino-powered simulator designed to transform hands-on learning for TVET students. Built with locally available materials, it seamlessly integrates grating and juice extraction while prioritizing safety, ergonomics, and user-friendly operation. Experts rated the prototype highly for functionality and usability, with ergonomics scoring 3.96, while aesthetics and modularity scored 3.83, highlighting areas for refinement. By bridging classroom theory and practical skills, the processor offers an interactive, real-world food processing experience, empowering learners to develop technical competencies efficiently in laboratory settings. Full article

Balancing of macronutrient intake assumes that animals change their food preferences to increase consumption of the deficient nutrients and/or decrease consumption of nutrients in excess. Harvestmen are generalist predators that consume mostly soft-bodied insects, but they supplement this with plant-derived food such as berries (omnivory). In spite of this, they are often carbohydrate-limited in their natural habitats. As aphids have higher sugar content than most other insect prey, they are a potential source of sugar. We hypothesized that sugar-deficient harvestmen have increased preference for aphids relative to other insect prey (fruit flies) and consume more aphids than sugar-satiated harvestmen. Likewise, we hypothesized that protein-deficient harvestmen would show increased consumption of aphids relative to a pure sugar source (dried grape pulp). The former hypothesis was confirmed but the latter was not. Carbohydrate-deprived harvestmen (Leiobunum gracile) consumed 1.9 times more aphids than nutritionally balanced ones (p = 0.0004). Consumption of dried grape was increased in carbohydrate-deficient harvestmen, while protein deficiency did not increase consumption of aphids. These results indicate that aphids may be used as a carbohydrate source if no better alternative is available, but they are unable to relieve a deficiency in protein. We suggest that carbohydrate deprivation in predators may enhance aphid control. Full article

Food industry by-products represent an abundant and underexploited source of bioactive compounds, dietary fibers and proteins with significant potential for functional food development. Recent studies estimate that up to 30 to 50% of processed raw materials are discarded as by-products, while food waste contributes approximately 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to nearly 3.3 billion tons of CO₂ annually. This review critically evaluates advances (2015–2026) in the valorization of food industry by-products, with a focus on technological efficiency, health-related evidence, and environmental impact. Specifically, it addresses the following research question: to what extent do current valorization strategies provide measurable technological, nutritional, and environmental advantages over conventional food production systems? Emerging extraction technologies including ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction (20–40 kHz, 30–60 °C), supercritical fluid extraction (200–350 bar, 35–60 °C), enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation demonstrated improvements in extraction yields (up to 20–50% increases compared to conventional methods) and higher purity in the recovered compounds. These approaches enable the isolation of compounds such as pectins from citrus peels, polyphenols from grape pomace, galacto-oligosaccharides from dairy whey, and collagen from fish by-products. From an environmental perspective, valorization strategies can reduce waste disposal and associated emissions by up to 30%, depending on the scale and type of by-product processing. Furthermore, these approaches contribute directly to circular economy models and support multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action). However, challenges remain, including variability in raw material composition, scalability limitations, and the limited availability of high-quality clinical evidence supporting health benefits. By integrating nutritional potential, technological feasibility, and sustainability indicators, this review provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of the current state of by-product valorization and identifies key gaps for future research. Full article

Global food production must reduce environmental impact while meeting rising demand for dietary protein. Plant-based meats aim to preserve the sensory and cultural role of animal meat while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and health risks. Advances in protein structure and flavor chemistry have improved product quality, yet consumers continue to prioritize taste and texture over sustainability, and systematic large-scale consumer surveys are scarce. It remains unclear how plant-based products rank against animal benchmarks and which product attributes most strongly influence overall liking. Here we show, in a large-scale blinded in-person sensory evaluation across 14 product categories, 2684 consumers, more than 11,000 product evaluations and 800,000 data points, that plant-based products still trail animal benchmarks at the category average level but approach parity in selected formats. Plant-based unbreaded chicken filets, chicken nuggets, and burgers achieved mean overall liking scores of 5.1, 4.9, and 5.2, differing from the animal benchmarks by only $\Delta$ = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 points on a seven-point scale. For unbreaded chicken filets and burgers, 48% and 47% of the participants rated the plant-based product the same as or better than the animal benchmark. Categories with higher sensory parity captured 5–14% market share compared with less than 1% for low-parity categories. Penalty analysis identified savoriness, aftertaste, juiciness, and tenderness as the strongest determinants of liking. These findings show that sensory parity is technically achievable but not yet consistent across product types. By publicly sharing all the sensory, preference, and market-linked data, we establish an open benchmark for alternative protein performance to democratize research and accelerate principled data-driven innovation. All the data are freely available at https://www.nectar.org/sensory-research/2025-taste-of-the-industry. Full article

Maize, as a major cereal crop in China, is vital for national food security, and appropriate nitrogen fertilization is essential for its growth and yield. Avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizer application while maintaining productivity remains a critical challenge for sustainable agriculture. Although straw returning is widely adopted to reduce chemical fertilizer inputs, its effectiveness is often regionally constrained. In the West Liaohe Plain, low temperature and spring drought limit straw decomposition and nutrient release, making it difficult to reduce nitrogen fertilizer input and improve fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore, this study examined the effects of different nitrogen management modes on straw decomposition, nutrient release, mineral fertilizer substitution potential, soil available nutrients, and maize yield under shallow buried drip irrigation with integrated water and fertilizer management. A field experiment was conducted with five nitrogen (N) fertilizer management treatments: a conventional fertilization treatment (CK), in which 15% of total N was applied as starter fertilizer; two increased starter N treatments, in which 30% (30%N) and 45% (45%N) of total N were applied as starter fertilizer; and two organic substitution treatments, in which 30% (30%ON) and 45% (45%ON) of mineral N fertilizer were substituted with decomposed sheep manure based on equivalent total N input. Straw decomposition and nutrient release were measured using the nylon mesh bag method and fitted with an exponential decay model. The mineral fertilizer substitution potential was estimated based on straw nutrient release, while soil available nutrient dynamics in the 0–40 cm soil layer were analyzed, and the Mantel test and PCA were used to assess their relationships. Organic substitution promoted straw decomposition. The 30%ON treatment showed the highest rate at 70.91%, which was 19.2% higher than that of CK, and it exhibited a higher theoretical maximum decomposition rate (a), higher decomposition rate constant (k), and a shorter half-life. All treatments increased nutrient release and soil available nutrients, and organic substitution demonstrated stronger temporal persistence and more uniform vertical distribution among soil layers. The 30%ON treatment increased straw nutrient release by 4.8% to 18.2% and enhanced mineral fertilizer substitution potential. Although the 30%ON treatment did not increase yield in the first experimental year, it showed a significant yield advantage in the second year, which coincided with greater straw nutrient release and higher soil available nutrient levels under this treatment. Substituting 30% of mineral N fertilizer with organic fertilizer under shallow buried drip irrigation (300 kg N ha⁻¹) optimized the C/N balance of the input system and facilitated straw decomposition and nutrient release. The continuous accumulation of soil available nutrients under this treatment, together with sustained straw nutrient release, was associated with a significant yield advantage in the second experimental year. Therefore, the 30%ON treatment may represent an appropriate management strategy for coordinating straw resource utilization, soil fertility maintenance, and stable maize production in the West Liaohe Plain. Full article

Egg production in Gallus gallus domesticus represents a complex, economically critical trait shaped by multiple interrelated phenotypes, including age at first egg, total egg number, egg weight, and clutch characteristics. These traits are governed by polygenic inheritance and modulated by environmental factors, making the dissection of their genetic architecture essential for improving breeding efficiency, particularly under the emerging “long-life layers” production model. This systematic review aimed to integrate current knowledge on the genetic and molecular basis of egg production traits through analysis of genome-wide association studies and related genomic approaches. A structured literature search identified 27 eligible studies, which were evaluated following PRISMA guidelines. Data extraction and meta-analysis were conducted using standardized genome annotations and computational pipelines. The synthesis of available evidence demonstrates moderate to high heritability for key reproductive traits and highlights consistent genomic signals across multiple chromosomes. Importantly, the findings reveal a shift toward a systems-level understanding of egg production, involving conserved biological pathways related to neuroendocrine regulation, folliculogenesis, and energy metabolism. The integration of diverse genomic approaches enables the development of more precise, breed-specific selection strategies. Overall, these advances support a transition from traditional selection toward molecularly informed breeding frameworks, with significant implications for productivity, sustainability, and global food security. Full article

Dietary emulsifiers, common in processed and ultra-processed foods, improve food texture and shelf life but may affect gut health by interacting with the microbiota and intestinal barrier. While emulsifiers have long been considered safe, growing evidence links their presence in ultra-processed foods to chronic disease risk. This review aims to evaluate the current understanding of the factors and mechanisms underlying individual differences in intestinal mucosal susceptibility to dietary emulsifiers. A search of PubMed and Embase through February 2026 identified eight relevant studies. Overall, the available evidence indicates a heterogeneous and highly individualized host response to dietary emulsifiers. These differences appear to be strongly influenced by the gut microbiota and its functional properties, while animal studies further suggest that host factors such as sex-related differences in microbial composition may also contribute to variability in response. Importantly, not all emulsifiers have the same effects, underscoring compound-specific impacts on gut physiology. The findings demonstrate that sensitivity to dietary emulsifiers varies substantially between individuals, challenging the long-standing assumption that these additives are universally safe. Given the multifactorial nature of this susceptibility, particularly the role of the gut microbiota, future research should adopt an integrative approach that combines microbial profiling with host genetics, immune responses, and early-life exposures. Such efforts will be essential to identify at-risk individuals and to inform more personalized dietary recommendations aimed at preserving intestinal health and reducing disease risk. Importantly, there is a clear need for larger, well-powered studies that can validate and expand upon these initial observations. Full article

Food waste is a readily digestible and fermentable feedstock for waste to energy bioprocesses. Approximately one third of food is wasted, thus making improvements in food waste valorization is essential for a circular economy. Laboratory results must be reproducible and as representative of scaled performance as possible to facilitate knowledge sharing between research groups. Food waste used in laboratory studies is often collected in situ or overly simplistic synthetic mixtures are used. Food waste collected in situ from any one local source at a single time point (e.g., grab samples from a cafeteria or restaurant) are not reproducible or nationally representative; additionally, overly simple synthetic mixtures are reproducible, but lack the complexity of real food waste and are not nationally representative. Thus, an adequately complex, reproducible, and nationally representative food waste recipe is needed to standardize the feedstocks used in laboratory scale food waste digestion and fermentation studies. In this work, we developed a food waste recipe made from widely and commercially available ingredients which is based on national-scale food wastage data in the United States. The nationally representative food waste mixture was 45.4% carbohydrates, 32.5% lipids, and 13.4% proteins. The biomethane potential was 495 ± 44 mL CH₄/g VS and the food waste mixture was suitable for use in low-pH bench-scale arrested anaerobic digesters. This design approach can be adapted for other regions and countries where food loss data are available. Full article

Chromium is an environmental pollutant with high toxicity and carcinogenicity. It can induce severe oxidative stress and DNA damage after entering the human body through the food chain. As a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) with both heavy metal tolerance and plant growth-promoting properties, Klebsiella variicola has considerable potential for the remediation of chromium contamination. In this study, chicory served as the experimental plant to explore the mitigating impacts of K. variicola on stress induced by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) at a concentration of 400 mg/kg. The results showed that chromium severely inhibited the growth of chicory. In contrast, K. variicola significantly reduced the soil chromium content. As the chromium content decreased, the activities of soil urease, sucrase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase were restored, increasing by 32.60–53.69%. Accordingly, the contents of total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and available potassium also increased by 34.71–51.81%. In addition, K. variicola reversed the decline in microbial diversity induced by chromium stress, promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexota, and enhanced the stability of soil ecosystem functions. Ultimately, the growth inhibition of chicory caused by chromium stress was alleviated, with fresh weight, root length, maximum leaf width, maximum leaf length, plant height, and stem diameter significantly increasing by 21.89–61.60%. This study enhances our comprehension of the various functions of PGPR when exposed to heavy metal stress, and provides support for the development of microbe–plant combined strategies in the remediation of chromium-contaminated soils. Full article

Microplastics constitute an emerging contaminant of major concern in Latin America, where human exposure predominantly occurs through ingestion of drinking water and marine/estuarine food chains. This review synthesises available evidence on occurrence, exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and regional public health risks, while examining regulatory and monitoring limitations that constrain effective risk management. Reported concentrations in drinking water show a wide range (1–1194 particles/L), dominated by PET, PP, and PS, with fibres and fragments as the main morphotypes. In commercial marine species, prevalence reaches 70–100%, with burdens up to 44 particles/g in oysters and ~90 particles/250 g in mussels. Estimated Daily Intake is 2–5 times higher in children (e.g., Chile: 13.03 vs. 5.59 particles/day in adults). Toxicological mechanisms include oxidative stress, chronic inflammation (NF-κB pathway), endocrine disruption, intestinal dysbiosis, systemic translocation, and placental transfer, exacerbated by vectorization of local co-contaminants (Hg from mining, Cd/Pb from agriculture). Risk indices indicate extreme danger in Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador, where data are available. Significant geographic and methodological gaps persist, with Brazil dominating research (~50–60%). Multicenter biomonitoring, harmonised surveillance networks, and SDG-aligned policies are urgently needed to reduce exposure burdens, protect vulnerable populations, and advance toward comprehensive regional risk assessment. Full article

Food-derived bioactive peptides have become a research hotspot in diabetes nutritional intervention due to their high safety, wide availability, and multi-target activities. This review addresses this by proposing a systems biology integration framework that defines these peptides as pleiotropic regulators of the gut microbiota-immune inflammation-metabolic signaling network, offering a novel systems-level perspective beyond previous reviews focused on single enzymes or pathways. The framework consists of three synergistic tiers. Tier 1 inhibits α-amylase, α-glucosidase or dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) to control postprandial blood glucose. Tier 2 corrects insulin resistance by modulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and suppressing nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). Tier 3 uses the gut as a hub to remotely coordinate metabolism via the gut–liver and gut–pancreas axes. The review also systematically summarizes the major sources and preparation methods of food-derived antidiabetic peptides, analyzes their advantages including multi-target network regulation, safety, and sustainability, as well as challenges such as oral bioavailability, insufficient clinical evidence, processing stability, and regulatory hurdles. Finally, it outlines future directions focusing on three actionable priorities: AI-assisted design, oral delivery systems, and high-quality clinical studies. This framework offers a new perspective for applying food-derived peptides in precision nutrition intervention for diabetes. Full article