Search Results (15)

Amphimerus, a liver fluke, is the causative agent of amphimeriasis, a foodborne disease acquired thought the consumption of infected raw or undercooked river fish—a practice embedded in traditional culinary customs. Amphimeriasis represents a significant public health issue and has been endemic in Ecuador since 2011, particularly among the Chachi Amerindians and Montubios populations residing in tropical ecoregions. By employing a mixed-methods research design, we conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study. A survey comprising of 63 questions on KAP was administrated in person to community members, health personnel, and academic staff in the two populations. Additionally, 67 semi-structured interviews were performed. Microscopy was achieved on 273 human and 80 dog fecal samples to detect Amphimerus eggs. A total of 86 questionnaires (54 Chachi) and 67 interviews (44 Chachi), out of 300 residents, were completed. Among the respondents, 31.4% were aware of Amphimerus, locally referred to as “liver worm”. Although 79.1% reported not consuming raw fish, most admitted eating raw fish with lime juice and salt, a preparation known as “curtido”, and 59.3% reported consuming smoked fish. Here, 86.1% of participants considered “liver worm” a serious disease, and 55.8% recognized raw or marinated fish as a potential transmission route. The Chachi showed a preference for smoked fish, whereas the Montubios favoured “curtido”. The prevalence of Amphimerus infection was 23% in humans and 16.2% in dogs. Differences in KAP were observed between infected and non-infected individuals. Local health and academic personnel demonstrated insufficient knowledge about amphimeriasis. Some religious individuals refrained from participating, stating that they were “with God”. Despite the high prevalence of Amphimerus infection in both humans and dogs, knowledge about the parasite, the disease, and its transmission routes remains limited. Health education initiatives should be designed to modify the population’s KAP. It is crucial for national and local health authorities, as well as religious leaders, to be informed and actively involved in the prevention and control of amphimeriasis. Full article

This study evaluates the effect of different diets supplemented with vitamin solutions on Pangasius catfish broodstock reproduction, growth performances, and the survival rates of fish larvae and fingerling. The growth and reproductive performances of breeders fed with different test diets showed significant differences among the six tested diets (p < 0.05). The highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR) of broodstock, and survival rate of Pangasius fingerlings were found in Treatment 5, which contained 0.6% H-OVN mixed with 12.6% algal oil, and Treatment 3, which contained 0.6% vitamin premix H-OVN. The average gonadosomatic index (GSI), relative fecundity index (RFI), fertilized eggs, hatching rates of eggs, and survival rate of fingerlings was 9.1 ± 2.8 (6.7–12.8%), 133,224 ± 39,090 (104,267–199,512 eggs/kg), 77.9 ± 22.2 (62.2–93.6%), and 45.3 ± 17.4 (22.0–66.3%), respectively. The findings of this study showed that the diet containing 35% CP contents supplemented with 0.6% vitamin premix H-OVN mixed with algal oils showed the highest results in terms of growth, reproductive performance indices, and survival rates of Pangasius catfish fingerlings. Full article

The ham mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae and the red-legged ham beetle Necrobia rufipes are harmful pests to several high-valued stored products. The regulatory phase-out of the fumigant methyl bromide necessitates the search for alternative fumigants. Propylene oxide (PPO) and ethyl formate (EF) were therefore evaluated in the laboratory for controlling these pests of dry-cured hams. Concentration–mortality studies at 25 °C of PPO and EF found that the mobile stages of the mites were very susceptible to low concentrations of 10 mg/L and less of each gas, while mite eggs were very tolerant and required 20 mg/L for PPO and 80 mg/L of EF for 100% mortality. Mixed life stage cultures of mites and beetles were treated for 24 h with either PPO or EF at 1× and 2× the estimated 99% lethal doses and confirmed effectiveness for controlling simulated pest populations. The sorptive properties of each gas in chambers with ham pieces, dog food kibbles, or fish meal were minimal for a reduction in mite toxicity when compared to treatments in empty chambers. There was no evidence that any desorbed gas occurred at a level toxic to mite eggs in any of the fumigated commodities. These fumigation studies with ham pests support further work with PPO and EF on any changes in the sensory quality of dry-cured hams for human taste and for commercial-scale fumigations toward regulatory approval. Full article

The oceanic lightfish Vinciguerria nimbaria is a mesopelagic species found in tropical and subtropical waters. In this study, we collected a total of 266 mixed fish egg samples from 78 stations in Korean waters of the Northwest Pacific Ocean from January to November 2021, and analysed these samples for V. nimbaria using cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) metabarcoding. We detected V. nimbaria eggs five times in May and once in August, with 20 V. nimbaria eggs to be estimated among the 266 mixed samples, which consisted of 68,844 eggs. To verify the accuracy of the metabarcoding results, two samples consisting of 1 and 6 eggs (diameter, 0.82 ± 0.07 mm; n = 5), respectively, that were identified as V. nimbaria were reanalysed using partial COI regions with the Sanger sequencing method. COI sequences obtained using both sequencing methods showed 100% identity in the overlapping regions. The mixed eggs formed one clade with V. nimbaria (average pairwise genetic distance, 0.002 ± 0.003; n = 7) in a phylogenetic ML tree based on the mitogenome (2 rRNAs and 13 protein-coding genes) of order Stomiiformes, including partial COIs from the mixed egg samples. The pairwise genetic distances in this clade were smaller than that of Stomiiformes (0.468 ± 0.081), except for V. nimbaria. These eggs represent direct evidence of the intrusion or distribution of adult V. nimbaria, an unrecorded species, in Korean waters. Full article

Studies of dietary preferences of migratory species are of great importance as these species connect food webs of habitats across the migration route and thus represent trophic relationships between the spatially disjointed communities. Here we described the dietary preferences of threespine stickleback G. aculeatus in the White Sea during the spawning season using stable isotope and stomach content analyses. The two analyses suggested that during the spawning season, when sticklebacks spend the majority of their time inshore, their diet consists mostly of benthic species, while at the beginning of the spawning season when fish migrating from the offshore were feeding on plankton. Additionally, we demonstrated that stickleback eggs contributed greatly to the diet of both male and female fish. Using Bayesian mixing modeling, we showed that dietary preferences in females were broader than in males, and more variable during the spawning season. While guarding their nests, males fed almost exclusively on eggs. Both stomach contents and isotope signatures demonstrate that by the end of the spawning season sticklebacks again increase the consumption of plankton. Isotope analysis proved to be a more reliable tool to trace this change than stomach content analysis. Our results show that stable isotope and stomach content analyses are complementary in understanding seasonal changes in the dietary composition of stickleback. Full article

A new protein foaming–consolidation method for preparing porous zinc was developed using three proteins (egg white protein (EWP), bovine bone collagen protein (BBCP), and fish bone collagen protein (FBCP)) as both consolidating and foaming agents. The preparation route utilized powder mixing and sintering processing, which could be divided into three steps: slurry preparation, low-temperature foaming, and high-temperature sintering. The morphological characteristics of the pore structures revealed that the porous zinc had an interconnected open-cell structure. Compared to the porous zinc prepared with EWP or BBCP, the porous zinc prepared with FBCP possessed the largest average pore size and the highest compressive properties. The porosity of the porous zinc increased with the stirring time, the content of protein and sucrose, and higher sintering temperatures. Moreover, a compression test and immersion test were performed to investigate the stress–strain behavior and corrosion properties of the resulting porous zinc. A fluctuated stress plateau could be found due to the brittle fracture of the porous cells. The porous zinc prepared with FBCP showed the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus. The corrosion rate of the porous zinc obtained through an immersion test in vitro using simulated bodily fluids on the thirty-second day was close to 0.02 mm/year. The corresponding corrosion mechanism of porous zinc was also discussed. Full article

The research and development of alternatives to meat (including fish) and dairy products for human consumption have been increasing in recent years. In the context of these alternatives, there is a diversity of products such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, pulses, algae, seeds, nuts and insects. Apart from these, some products require new technical processes such as needed by milk drink alternatives, mycoprotein and meat, cheese and fish analogues. The aim of these analogues is to mimic the physical and organoleptic properties of animal origin products through fibrous composition and mix of ingredients from vegetable sources using adequate technology, which allow providing similar texture and flavor. Using a narrative approach to review literature, the objectives of this paper are to systematize the arguments supporting the adoption of meat, eggs and dairy alternatives, to identify the diversity of alternatives to these products on the market, including the related technological processes, and to project the challenges that the food industry may face soon. From a total of 302 scientific papers identified in databases, 186 papers were considered. More research papers on products associated with alternatives to milk were found. Nevertheless, there are products that need more research as analogues to meat and dairy products. A general scheme that brings together the main reasons, resources and challenges that the food industry faces in this promising area of alternatives to meat and dairy products is presented. Full article

The nutrition and health of middle-aged and elderly people is crucial to the long-term development of a country. The present study aimed to analyze the dietary consumption status in Chinese adults by using baseline and follow-up data from the community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Diseases between 2018–2020 and selecting those aged 55 and older (n = 23,296). Dividing 65 food items into 17 subgroups on the basis of a valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, we analyze the consumption amount and consumption rate of foods in relation to wave and sociodemographic factors by employing the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal–Wallis analysis, the Chi-squared test, and the Cochran–Armitage trend test and evaluate food intake status using the Chinese Dietary Guidelines Recommendations (2022). Compared to 2018, the median daily intake of livestock meat, poultry, and eggs increased in 2020 (p < 0.05), while the median daily intake of wheat, other cereals, tubers, legumes, fruits, and fish and seafood decreased (p < 0.05). The proportion of subjects with excessive intake of grain, livestock and poultry, and eggs was 46.3%, 36.6%, and 26.6%, respectively, while the proportion of subjects with insufficient intake of whole grains and mixed beans, tubers, legumes, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and fish and seafood were 98.4%, 80.3%, 74.0%, 94.6%, 94.3%, 75.8%, and 86.5%, respectively, and more than 50% of subjects were non-consumers of dairy products, nuts, and whole grains and mixed beans. In conclusion, the problem of unhealthy dietary structure is prominent among adults aged 55 and older in China; insufficient or excessive intakes of various types of foods are common; and excessive consumption of edible oil and salt remains a serious problem. Full article

An increasing number of reef fish species have been shown to form spawning aggregations. These aggregations occur at predictable times and places, with participants utilizing single or mixed mating systems. In a lek-like mating system, males establish temporary courtship territories that they defend against rival males while attracting females to spawn. The location of these territories often contributes to differential mating success. The males holding territories deemed “desirable” by females because of the physical attributes of their location attract more females and secure greater mating opportunities compared to those males that defend territories elsewhere within the spawning aggregation site. Presumably, females favor locations where newly spawned eggs may be carried away from potential predators more effectively. Thus, males holding territories located at the outer edge of the site in an area exposed to water currents running parallel to the reef face have far greater mating success than those males that hold territories found on inner or middle sections of the site where currents are less pronounced. This pattern is consistent across a range of taxa within the family Labridae, co-occurring at a multispecies spawning aggregation site on a coral reef in Guam, Western Pacific. Full article

Moving towards healthy sustainable diets which replace a proportion of animal with plant-based protein requires effective population-based strategies. A variety of strategies in food service settings can support this. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to decrease animal protein and/or increase plant protein in foodservice settings. Outcomes included uptake (primary outcome), satisfaction, financial, environmental, and dietary intake (secondary outcomes). Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes were included. Seven databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies conducted in commercial and institutional foodservices using any strategy to decrease beef, lamb, pork, poultry, eggs, fish or seafood and/or increase legumes/pulses, legume/pulse-based meat substitutes or nuts. Titles/abstracts then full texts were screened independently by two authors. Quality appraisal was completed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. From 20,002 records identified, 38 studies from 29 manuscripts met the eligibility criteria, of which 16% were high quality. Almost half the manuscripts were published in the last two years. Most took place in institutional settings (n = 30) and all were in Europe or the United States. Strategies included forced restriction (n = 4), menu re-design (n = 6), recipe re-design (n = 6), service re-design (n = 4), menu labelling (n = 7), prompt at point of sale (n = 7) and multi-pronged strategies (n = 4). Menu labelling and re-designing menus, recipes, and service increased uptake of target foods in most studies with the largest consistent changes with menu re-design. Most recipe and service re-design strategies had a positive or neutral effect on satisfaction. Few studies explored financial, dietary or environmental outcomes. Future meat reduction initiatives should focus on menu and recipe re-design as these do not appear to negatively impact consumer satisfaction. More studies are needed to evaluate financial, environmental, and dietary outcomes. Full article

We investigated changes in the assemblages of summer mesopelagic fish larvae between El Niño events and regular years in 2014–2018 and evaluated their relationships with the hydrographic conditions of the Gaoping waters off southwestern Taiwan. Seventy-five taxa or morphotypes were identified, with five types of Benthosema pterotum (31.2%), Diaphus slender type (19.9%), Cyclothone alba (7.2%), Diaphus stubby type (5.9%), and Vinciguerria nimbaria (4.4%) being most common during the study period. The hydrographic conditions of the Gaoping waters were likely influenced by large-scale climate change via oceanic physical processes. Apparently higher seawater temperature, mixed layer depth, and lower salinity in the upper 100 m were observed at the end of the strong El Niño events (summer 2016). In addition, the certain dominant taxa exhibited contrasting patterns between El Niño events and regular years. In this study, although the abundance and composition of mesopelagic fish larvae assemblage were not influenced directly by changes in large-scale climatic conditions, the occurrence of mesopelagic fish larvae was related to seawater temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll a concentration. We speculated that despite the abundant food availability and the more mesopelagic fish larvae onto the Gaoping waters transported by the increased inflow of the South China Sea Surface Current during El Niño events, the higher temperature and lower salinity at the inshore upper waters might be unsuitable for mesopelagic fish larvae, possibly resulting in low egg and larval survival. Full article

North of Italy was severely hit by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 19) pandemic. This induced the government to adopt severely restrictive measures to reduce the contagion risk, forcing most of the population to stop working and from leisure activities, and to remain at home for several weeks. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-related quarantine on smoking and dietary habits of a well-characterized northern Italian rural population. For this purpose, while lockdown restrictions were in place (February–April 2020), 359 subjects from the Brisighella Heart Study cohort underwent a phone interview about their lifestyle habit changes during COVID-19-related quarantine. Quarantine did not significantly modify smoking habit nor body mass index. Subjects significantly increased daily carbohydrates consumption, all fresh vegetables, healthy vegetable oils, milk and yogurt, alcoholic drinks, sugars and sweets, and coffee. The weekly consumption of low-fat meat, cured meat other than ham, cheeses, eggs, nuts and mixed seed oils significantly increased, while the weekly intake of fish, mussels, and legumes significantly decreased during lockdown. The Dietary Quality Index was reduced from 42.4 ± 4.1 to 37.8 ± 4.7 (p < 0.03). In accordance with our findings, COVID-19-related quarantine might worsen the quality of diet, also leading to an increased intake of almost all food categories. Full article

A well-nourished and healthy population is a central tenet of sustainable development. In South Africa, cultural beliefs and food taboos followed by some pregnant women influence their food consumption, which impacts the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and immediately afterwards. We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant isiXhosa women from five communities in the Kat River Valley, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 224 women and nine focus group discussions with 94 participants. Overall, 37% of the women reported one or more food practices shaped by local cultural taboos or beliefs. The most commonly avoided foods were meat products, fish, potatoes, fruits, beans, eggs, butternut and pumpkin, which are rich in essential micronutrients, protein and carbohydrates. Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy outcome, labour and to avoid an undesirable body form for the baby. Some pregnant women consumed herbal decoctions for strengthening pregnancy, facilitating labour and overall health of both themselves and the foetus. Most learnt of the taboos and practices from their own mother or grandmother, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups. Some pregnant women in the study may be considered nutritionally vulnerable due to the likelihood of decreased intake of nutrient-rich foods resulting from cultural beliefs and food taboos against some nutritious foods. Encouraging such women to adopt a healthy diet with more protein-rich foods, vegetables and fruits would significantly improve maternal nutrition and children’s nutrition. Adhering to culturally appropriate nutrition education may be an important care practice for many pregnant women in the Kat River Valley. Full article

Adequate nutrition during complementary feeding is important for the growth, development and well-being of children. We aim to examine the energy and macronutrient intake composition and their main food sources in a mother–offspring cohort study in Singapore. The diets of infants were assessed by 24 h dietary recalls or food diaries collected from mothers when their offspring were 6 (n = 760), 9 (n = 893) and 12 (n = 907) months of age. Food sources of energy and macronutrients were determined using the population proportion methodology. Energy intakes per day (kcal; mean (standard deviation, SD)) of these infants were 640 (158) at 6 months, 675 (173) at 9 months, and 761 (208) at 12 months. Infant formula, breastmilk and infant cereals were the top three food sources of energy and macronutrient intakes in infants through the period 6 to 12 months. Other main energy and carbohydrate sources at 9 and 12 months of age were rice porridge, infant biscuits and fresh fruits, while fish, red meat and eggs were the other main protein and total fat sources. Breast-fed and mixed-fed infants had a more varied diet as compared to formula-fed infants. Formula-fed infants had consistently higher protein and lower total fat consumption compared to those who were breastfed. An understanding of these main food sources during complementary feeding can inform local dietary recommendations and policies. Full article

Dietary changes needed to achieve nutritional adequacy for 33 nutrients were determined for 1719 adults from a representative French national dietary survey. For each individual, an iso-energy nutritionally adequate diet was generated using diet modeling, staying as close as possible to the observed diet. The French food composition table was completed with free sugar (FS) content. Results were analyzed separately for individuals with FS intakes in their observed diets ≤10% or >10% of their energy intake (named below FS-ACCEPTABLE and FS-EXCESS, respectively). The FS-EXCESS group represented 41% of the total population (average energy intake of 14.2% from FS). Compared with FS-ACCEPTABLE individuals, FS-EXCESS individuals had diets of lower nutritional quality and consumed more energy (2192 vs. 2123 kcal/day), particularly during snacking occasions (258 vs. 131 kcal/day) (all p-values < 0.01). In order to meet nutritional targets, for both FS-ACCEPTABLE and FS-EXCESS individuals, the main dietary changes in optimized diets were significant increases in fresh fruits, starchy foods, water, hot beverages and plain yogurts; and significant decreases in mixed dishes/sandwiches, meat/eggs/fish and cheese. For FS-EXCESS individuals only, the optimization process significantly increased vegetables and significantly decreased sugar-sweetened beverages, sweet products and fruit juices. The diets of French adults with excessive intakes of FS are of lower nutritional quality, but can be optimized via specific dietary changes. Full article