Search Results (28,519)

Dried banana slices can be nutritious snacks that meet consumers’ needs. However, preserving their color, texture, and antioxidant properties is challenging during convective drying. The new approach aimed to produce high-quality dried banana slices with higher antioxidant activity and lower browning. In this paper, the simultaneous application of ultrasound (at three levels: 0 W, 500 W, and 1000 W) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coating (the ratio of banana slice mass to the coating solution mass (BS:CS) at three levels: 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4) pretreatments, and their combined effects on various characteristics of the finally obtained dried banana slices were examined. The convective drying of banana slices was carried out at 80 °C and 3 m/s air velocity to achieve a consistent moisture content of roughly 10% (kg water/kg dry matter). As the power of ultrasound was increased from 0 W to 1000 W and with changing the BS:CS ratio from 1:2 to 1:4, the results demonstrated that the effective water diffusion coefficient (D_eff), water absorption capacity (WAC), and antioxidant activity (AA) of the dried banana slices were enhanced; however, their browning index (BI) decreased. Consequently, prior to convective drying, CMC coating using an ultrasonic system can be used as a practical strategy to produce fruit chips with desirable qualitative and nutritional properties. Full article

In the Mediterranean region, the persimmon cultivar ‘Rojo Brillante’ may experience up to four waves of fruit drop. The first is a physiological event during fruit set that is common in woody species, while the subsequent waves are induced by rising temperatures and prolonged summer water stress. These summer drops represent the main limiting factor, leading to yield losses of up to 90%. Organ abscission is a complex process regulated by genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors. We hypothesise that calcium (Ca) plays a protective role in the abscission zone (AZ) by inhibiting cell wall-degrading enzymes such as polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methylesterases (PMEs). Calcium applications every 15 days from anthesis onwards significantly reduced fruit drop. Treatments preserved polar auxin transport—through DkPIN1 expression—and inhibited stage C of the abscission process, decreasing the relative expression of the DkIDL6 gene in the AZ. Moreover, PME and PG activities were significantly lower in Ca-treated fruits, confirming the stabilising effect of calcium on AZ integrity. In summary, pre-anthesis calcium sprays reduced premature fruit drop by about 30% under heat–drought stress by down-regulating key abscission genes (DkIDL6, DkPG20, DkPME41) and preserving cell wall integrity and fruit firmness, supporting the use of Ca treatments as a climate-smart approach to stabilise persimmon yield. Full article

The search for high-quality gluten-free products remains challenging, as they often exhibit poor texture and nutritional deficiencies. The potential of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) flour combined with fruit by-products such as pear pomace (DP) to improve these characteristics remains largely unexplored. It was hypothesized that substituting taro flour with DP would enhance the nutritional profile and sensory quality of gluten-free muffins. Muffins were formulated with taro flour and DP at 0–20% substitution levels. Analyses included flour physicochemical characterization, image-based evaluation of crumb structure, multivariate sensory profiling, and assessment of antioxidant and nutritional properties. Taro flour showed high water-binding capacity, supporting product moisture. At 5% DP, total phenolics and dietary fiber increased by 55% and 32%, respectively, while maintaining control-like texture and porosity. A 10% DP substitution enhanced aroma attributes. Although 20% DP yielded the highest fiber (68%) and phenolics (155%) contents compared to the control, it increased hardness and reduced porosity. Substitution with up to 10% DP effectively balanced nutritional improvement and desirable sensory attributes, demonstrating the valorization potential of pear pomace in taro-based gluten-free muffins. Full article

The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of reducing Fe chelate fertilization (50% and 25% reduction) on soil nutrient content and on different physiological and biochemical parameters in mandarin leaves. The reduction in Fe fertilization efficiently decreased soil Fe content, even in the short-term, without affecting leaf Fe or chlorophyll contents. Reduced iron fertilization increased the accumulation of certain heavy metals in mandarin roots, indicating potential implications for phytoremediation. It is well-established that disturbances of foliar Fe homeostasis can impair the photosynthetic process. Nevertheless, reduction in Fe supply did not negatively affect photosynthetic performance (based on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters), nor did it influence the stress levels of the trees, as indicated by lipid peroxidation. In addition, reduced iron fertilization did not alter peroxidase activity, which is considered a biochemical marker of Fe nutrition in plants. Finally, mandarin production was evaluated over two consecutive years, with no significant variations among the different iron treatments, whereas only minor differences were observed in fruit quality. Overall, these results indicate that reducing Fe fertilization is a feasible strategy, as it does not adversely affect the physiological processes or yield of mandarin trees. Furthermore, this agricultural practice can enhance nutrient use efficiency, thereby contributing to the reduction in soil and aquifer contamination while providing economic benefits to farmers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Biofilm-associated infections pose a major clinical challenge since bacteria within biofilms exhibit highly antibiotic tolerance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms persistent biofilms that cause chronic infections in vulnerable patients, including those with cystic fibrosis, burns, or medical implants. Such biofilm-associated chronic infections require prolonged treatments that promote antimicrobial resistance. To address this, recent strategies focus on enhancing biofilm dispersion. Methods: Thirty-six N-arylimino-1,2,3-dithiazoles were screened for their biofilm dispersal activity using a crystal violet assay. Their cytotoxicity was assessed on A549 and HaCat eukaryotic cells. Moreover, their influence on bacterial growth and virulence was investigated. Lastly, fluorescence anisotropy was used to measure membrane fluidity to obtain the first insights on the mechanism of action of these chemicals. Results: Our results showed that quinazoline-derivatives of imino-1,2,3-dithiazoles display biofilm dispersion activity. These compounds do not increase virulence through pyocyanin production, do not modify the growth kinetics of P. aeruginosa, and do not show cytotoxicity towards eucaryotic cells. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential use of N-arylimino-1,2,3-dithiazole-derived compounds as safe and effective dispersal agents of P. aeruginosa biofilms. Full article

This study proposed a methodology for obtaining a valid database of food retail establishments and characterized the community food environment, understood as the distribution and type of food outlets, in a Brazilian medium-sized municipality after the collapse of a mining tailings dam. An ecological study was conducted with establishments selling food for home consumption (butcher shops, fish markets; fruit and vegetable specialty markets; large- and small-chain supermarkets; bakeries and local markets) and immediate consumption (bars, snack bars, and restaurants). For home-consumption establishments, data were requested from governments and completed with website/app searches, virtual audits (Google Street View), and on-site audits. For immediate-consumption establishments, only on-site audit was used due to the low quality of the secondary databases. Agreement between databases was assessed with the Kappa statistic. Density (d) was calculated by the area (in km²) of the sampling stratum. Public databases presented low validity (23.0%; Kappa −0.388; p = 1.000), even after virtual auditing (31.4%; Kappa 0.37; p < 0.001). 96 establishments for home consumption and 261 for immediate consumption were identified, with predominance of local markets (35.4%), bars (35.2%), and snack bars (29.1%). The region with the highest density of establishments was the “Other Areas” stratum (d = 4.7 for home-consumption establishments and d = 13.2 for immediate-consumption establishments). Audit proved most effective, especially for small establishments. The lack of governmental databases and the identified food environment should inform municipal policies to promote food and nutrition security and reduce inequalities after the disaster. Full article

Poland, as a leading apple producer in the EU, must maintain high fruit quality during prolonged storage and distribution, which is crucial for exports to distant markets. Therefore, it is essential to clearly identify which factors most strongly affect quality and the magnitude of their effects in order to make informed choices about pre- and postharvest practices, storage technology, and logistics. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of selected factors on the quality of apples of the ‘Gala Schniga^® SchniCo Red(s)’ cultivar after long-term storage. The study analyzed the effects of harvest date (optimal and delayed), three variants of 1-methylcyclopropene application (control-0 µL·L⁻¹ 1-MCP, Harvista™, SmartFresh™, and Harvista™ + SmartFresh™), storage period (5, 7, and 9 months), simulated trading period (0 or 7 days at 20 °C) and storage technology (ULO: 1.2% CO₂: 1.2% O₂; DCA: 0.6% CO₂: 0.6% O₂) in two consecutive seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Five quality parameters were evaluated: flesh firmness (F), soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, and the concentration of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). Backward-elimination stepwise regression and partial eta squared (η²) calculations were used to analyze the data to determine the factors with the greatest impact. The post-harvest application of 1-MCP had the strongest effect in terms of maintaining firmness (η² = 70.4%) and acidity (η² = 38.0%) and reducing ACC content (η² = 21.3%). Harvista™ preparation had a weaker or negligible effect on ACC content, but reduced SSC (η² = 22.7%). Harvest date, storage duration, and shelf life significantly influenced all traits, with controlled-atmosphere regime further modulating outcomes. By integrating preharvest maturity with treatment timing and CA storage, we disentangled the relative contributions of harvest timing, treatment, and storage. The results provide actionable inputs for a decision-support tool to help producers maintain target quality—firmness, SSC, TA, SSC/TA, and ACC—through optimized practice, storage technology choice, and logistics. Full article

These days, the prices of fruits and vegetables fluctuate significantly, causing issues in the supply chain and for perishable products. This study aimed to use hybrid machine learning methods to cluster regional Chilean produce from 2015 to 2023 based on market analysis and address fluctuations in price and demand for agricultural products. The hybrid model employed in this research included substantial noise reduction with interquartile range (IQR), Z-score, and Hampel filters; temporal-spectral feature extraction through additive decomposition and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); principal component analysis (PCA) for reducing dimensions; Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) for probabilistic clustering; and regime-shift detection using cumulative sum (CUSUM) and Bayesian online change-point detection (BOCPD). Finally, a sensitivity analysis demonstrated the approach’s reliability and robustness. The novelty of this research lies in the introduction of a hybrid model for forecasting agricultural product prices across Chile’s various regions. Full article

Polysaccharide-based edible coatings are increasingly explored as sustainable strategies for maintaining quality of fresh produce, acting as barriers to gas exchange while improving mechanical and optical properties. However, their effectiveness depends not only on the intrinsic features but also on the structural and physiological diversity of fruits and vegetables, which vary in peel composition, hydrophobicity, and texture. This study investigated plant-derived polysaccharide films (cassava starch, potato starch, corn starch, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and pectin) characterized for moisture resistance, solubility, permeability, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, opacity, gloss, and mechanical strength. Concurrently, different fruits and vegetables (fruit, root, and tubers) were analyzed for their surface hydrophilicity to establish correlations between film properties and peel characteristics. The findings emphasize that no single polymer can be universally applied. In addition, the choice of matrix must be guided by both film functionality and produce surface traits. Starch-based films presented high hydrophilicity, suggesting better wettability, while pectin and cellulose derivatives presented distinct advantages for less hydrophilic peels. This work highlights the importance of tailoring edible coatings according to the physicochemical compatibility between films and fresh produce surfaces, providing insights for improving post-harvest preservation strategies and guiding the development of effective, sustainable coatings for diverse horticultural commodities. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change highlight the complex health and environmental challenges faced by young adults. These challenges may intensify during the transition to university. As a matter of fact, limited budgets, time constraints, and insufficient culinary skills often lead to unbalanced diets and increased risk of obesity. University cafeterias, serving large numbers of students, represent an ideal setting to promote healthier and more sustainable eating behaviors. The FOOD-HACK Project aimed to design and implement a cafeteria-based intervention using nudging strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable lunch choices among university students. Methods: This pilot study employed a pre–post design with two independent phases in the Polo Cravino cafeteria at the University of Pavia. Food consumption was assessed over 12 non-consecutive days across four weeks. During the intervention, three nudging strategies were implemented: (1) choice architecture, (2) salient labeling, highlighting healthy and sustainable options, and (3) educational prompts. Results: Across both phases, 2400 tray photographs were collected. Post-intervention, the proportion of trays aligned with the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and EAT-Lancet Planetary Diet models increased, reflecting higher consumption of vegetables and fruit. Legume-based first courses increased; however, legumes did not substantially replace animal proteins as the main protein source, and meat remained predominant in second courses. Reductions in trays containing multiple carbohydrate sources were also observed. Conclusions: The nudging intervention improved overall meal quality, demonstrating that subtle environmental modifications can guide students toward healthier dietary choices, particularly by increasing fruit and vegetable intake. However, the persistent preference for animal proteins highlights the challenge of shifting protein consumption toward more sustainable sources. These findings suggest that nudging can be an effective tool to promote healthier and more balanced eating behaviors in university settings, though complementary strategies may be needed to foster substantial changes in protein choices. Full article

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play pivotal roles in plant secondary metabolism, influencing the production of bioactive compounds that determine the medicinal value of plants. Despite their significance, a comprehensive genomic overview of bZIPs in non-model medicinal species remains limited. Here, we present the first genome-wide identification and characterization of the bZIP family in Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (black wolfberry), revealing 63 members grouped into 13 subfamilies. These genes showed conserved bZIP domains, distinct exon–intron architectures, and promoter cis-elements related to light, hormones and stress responses. Family expansion occurred through tandem (LrbZIP6-LrbZIP9 cluster) and segmental duplications under purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1). Collinearity analysis revealed closer relationships with Solanaceae species than Arabidopsis thaliana, with LrbZIP10 and LrbZIP11 as conserved orthologs. Expression profiling identified tissue-specific patterns: LrbZIP17 showed broad expression while LrbZIP14 was fruit-specific. qRT-PCR confirmed floral-preferential (LrbZIP1, LrbZIP10, LrbZIP15, LrbZIP17, LrbZIP50) and root-specific (LrbZIP54, LrbZIP55) expression. The co-occurrence of light/hormone-responsive elements and high LrbZIP expression in anthocyanin-rich tissues suggests their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis. This study provides foundational genomic resources for understanding L. ruthenicum bZIP evolution and identifies candidate genes for molecular breeding to enhance medicinal compound production. Full article

Background: Dietary acid load (DAL) influences acid–base balance and has been implicated in chronic metabolic disorders. However, its association with excess weight (EW; overweight/obesity) remains insufficiently studied, particularly in Chinese populations with unique dietary patterns. Clarifying this relationship is crucial for guiding targeted nutritional strategies aimed at reducing obesity and associated metabolic risks in China. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 7758 adults in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), a multistage, stratified cluster survey. Dietary intake was evaluated using three consecutive 24 h recalls, and DAL was calculated using potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). The relationship between DAL and EW was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, with additional insights gained from subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline (RCS) methods. Results: The final analysis encompassed 7758 individuals, among whom 3072 (39.6%) were diagnosed with EW. After adjusting for all relevant factors, a higher DAL was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of EW. Individuals in the highest tertile experienced a 27% increased risk associated with PRAL (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09–1.48, p = 0.002) and a 14% increased risk associated with NEAP (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.29, p = 0.029), demonstrating a consistent linear trend (p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that the positive association between DAL and EW was particularly evident in men (PRAL: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.76; NEAP: OR = 1.46, 95%: 1.14–1.85) and in participants younger than 60 years (PRAL: OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.11–1.58). Importantly, the association remained significant among individuals without diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease (PRAL: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08–1.47). RCS analysis further confirmed a linear dose–response relationship between DAL and EW risk. Conclusions: This study establishes a significant dose–response relationship between higher DAL and increased risk of EW in Chinese adults. These findings underscore the potential of diets with lower acid load, particularly those rich in fruits and vegetables, as a strategic approach to mitigating the obesity epidemic. Full article

Cherry tomato is a notable dietary source of metabolites associated with antioxidant functions. However, how ripening reshapes primary, specialized, and volatile metabolites remains incompletely resolved. Green-ripe and red-ripe fruits were comparatively analyzed using targeted HPLC assays for quality indices and vitamins, UPLC–MS/MS for non-volatile metabolites, and HS-SPME–GC–MS for volatiles. Ripening was accompanied by a pronounced accumulation of lycopene and an increase in soluble solids, reflecting a shift of sugars toward glucose and fructose while sucrose remained low. Organic acids declined overall, with citric acid remaining predominant. The free-amino-acid pool expanded, with redistribution from GABA toward glutamate and aspartate. Vitamins exhibited stage-dependent patterns; antioxidant-related vitamins (A, E, and C) were higher at the red-ripe stage, indicating a compositional enhancement relevant to nutritional quality. Non-volatile metabolomics revealed 618 differentially accumulated metabolites, with phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, and lipids as major classes. Phenolic acids and flavonols, dominated by hydroxycinnamoyl-quinic acids and quercetin/kaempferol glycosides, accumulated at the red-ripe stage, whereas steroidal glycoalkaloids decreased, suggesting conversion away from bitter or anti-nutritional constituents. GC–MS profiling identified 788 volatiles, with esters, terpenoids, and ketones contributing more than half of the volatilome. Ripening favored fruity–floral odorants such as β-ionone and (5Z)-octa-1,5-dien-3-one, while reducing green-leaf aldehydes. These stage-specific shifts in metabolite composition jointly define the sensory and nutritional maturation of cherry tomato. The identified metabolite markers provide a foundation for evaluating fruit maturity and guiding breeding toward improved quality attributes. Full article

Traditional soaking plum wine production is time-consuming and often results in high levels of bitter amygdalin and toxic cyanide, posing health risks. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize pulsed electric field (PEF) parameters, developing a novel process integrating kernel detoxification and PEF pretreatment to mitigate these hazards, enhance the characteristic aroma (benzaldehyde), and shorten the maceration cycle. The experimental results showed that the contents of bitter amygdalin and cyanide in plum kernels after detoxification and PEF pretreatment were reduced by 62.34% and 59.62%, respectively, compared with the control group, and the contents of both were further reduced with the addition of plum flesh for further soaking in the new process. In addition, the PEF pretreatment also increased the amount of benzaldehyde extracted by 4.63% compared to the control group and resulted in a 10.53% reduction in equilibration time. Moreover, compared to the previous whole-fruit maceration process, the new process resulted in a 37.5% reduction in the final plum wine production cycle. This study provides a practical solution for improving the safety and efficiency of plum wine production and supports the industrial application of PEF technology. Full article

The increasing production of fruit and vegetable by-products from the food processing industry presents both environmental challenges and opportunities for valorisation as sources of bioactive compounds. These by-products, including peels, seeds, pomace, and leaves, are rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, dietary fibres, glucosinolates, phytosterols, and essential oils, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and prebiotic activities. Recent advances in green extraction technologies, including ultrasound-, microwave-, supercritical fluid-, and cold plasma-assisted extraction, allow for an efficient and sustainable recovery of these compounds, while preserving their bioactivity. Incorporation of by-product-derived extracts into functional foods and nutraceuticals offers health-promoting benefits and supports circular bioeconomy strategies. However, challenges remain in standardisation, safety assessment, and regulatory approval, among others. This review summarises current progress and outlines future directions for the sustainable utilisation of fruit and vegetable by-products in health-oriented applications. Full article