Search Results (9,478)

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline health measurements among transitional housing residents (n = 29) participating in an 8-week pilot wellness intervention. Methods: Researchers measured anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength, cardiovascular indicators, physical activity, diet quality, and health-related perceptions. Researchers analyzed data using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Results: Most participants were male, White, and food insecure. Mean BMI (31.8 ± 8.6 kg/m²), waist-to-hip ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 males, 0.9 ± 0.1 females), body fat percentage (25.8 ± 6.1% males, 40.5 ± 9.4% females), blood pressure (131.8 ± 17.9/85.2 ± 13.3 mmHg), and daily step counts exceeded recommended levels. Absolute grip strength (77.1 ± 19.4 kg males, 53.0 ± 15.7 kg females) and perceived general health were below reference standards. The Healthy Eating Index-2020 score (39.7/100) indicated low diet quality. Common barriers to healthy eating were financial constraints (29.6%) and limited cooking/storage facilities (29.6%), as well as to exercise, physical impediments (14.8%). Conclusions: Residents living in transitional housing have less favorable body composition, diet, and grip strength measures, putting them at risk for negative health outcomes. Wellness interventions aimed at promoting improved health-related outcomes while addressing common barriers to proper diet and exercise among transitional housing residents are warranted. Full article

Ruminant livestock production plays a crucial role in the agricultural systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, significantly supporting rural livelihoods through income generation, improved nutrition, and employment opportunities. Despite its importance, the sector continues to face substantial challenges, such as low feed quality, seasonal feed shortages, and climate-related stresses, all of which limit productivity and sustainability. Considering these challenges, the adoption of natural feed additives has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance animal performance, optimise nutrient utilisation, and mitigate environmental impacts, including the reduction of enteric methane emissions. This review underscores the significant potential of natural feed additives such as plant extracts, essential oils, probiotics, and mineral-based supplements such as fossil shell flour as sustainable alternatives to conventional growth promoters in ruminant production systems across the region. All available documented evidence on the topic from 2000 to 2024 was collated and synthesised through standardised methods of systematic review protocol—PRISMA. Out of 319 research papers downloaded, six were included and analysed directly or indirectly in this study. The results show that the addition of feed additives to ruminant diets in all the studies reviewed significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth parameters such as average daily growth (ADG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. However, no significant (p > 0.05) effect was found on cold carcass weight (CCW), meat percentage, fat percentage, bone percentage, or intramuscular fat (IMF%) compared to the control. The available evidence indicates that these additives can provide tangible benefits, including improved growth performance, better feed efficiency, enhanced immune responses, and superior meat quality, while also supporting environmental sustainability by reducing nitrogen excretion and decreasing dependence on antimicrobial agents. Full article

Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. The nutritional analysis confirmed moisture reduction (57.32 vs. 72.12 g/100 g)-concentrated protein/fat levels. Storage at −18 °C suppressed microbial growth (the total plate count (TPC), 3.73 vs. 4.80 log CFU/g at 28 days; p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS): 0.14 vs. 0.19 mg/kg) more effectively than storage at 4 °C. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) kinetics projected a shelf life ≥90 days (4 °C) and ≥120 days (−18 °C). Microwave reheating after frozen storage (−18 °C) maximized the yield (86.21% vs. 75.90% boiling; p < 0.05) and preserved volatile profiles closest to those in the fresh samples (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)/electronic nose). The combination of freezing storage and subsequent microwave reheating has been demonstrated to be an effective method for preserving the quality of a precooked lamb dish, thereby ensuring its nutritional value. Full article

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a globally important economic fruit with high nutritional value. Fruit peelability, defined as the mechanical ease of separating the peel from the fruit flesh, is a critical quality trait influencing consumer experience and market competitiveness and has emerged as a critical breeding target in fruit crop improvement programs. The present review systematically synthesized existing studies on kiwifruit peelability, and focused on its evolutionary trajectory, genotypic divergence, quantitative evaluation, possible underlying mechanisms, and artificial manipulation strategies. Kiwifruit peelability research has advanced from early exploratory studies in New Zealand (2010s) to systematic investigations in China (2020s), with milestones including the development of evaluation metrics and the identification of genetic resources. Genotypic variation exists among kiwifruit genera. Several Actinidia eriantha accessions and the novel Actinidia longicarpa cultivar ‘Guifei’ exhibit superior peelability, whereas most commercial Actinidia chinensis and Actinidia deliciosa cultivars exhibit poor peelability. Quantitative evaluation highlights the need for standardized metrics, with “skin-flesh adhesion force” and “peel toughness” proposed as robust, instrument-quantifiable indicators to minimize operational variability. Mechanistically, peelability is speculated to be governed by cell wall polysaccharide metabolism and phytohormone signaling networks. Pectin degradation and differential distribution during fruit development form critical “peeling zones”, whereas ethylene, abscisic acid, and indoleacetic acid may regulate cell wall remodeling and softening, collectively influencing skin-flesh adhesion. Owing to the scarcity of easy-to-peel kiwifruit cultivars, artificial manipulation methods, including manual peeling benchmarking, lye treatment, and thermal peeling, can be employed to further optimize kiwifruit peelability. Currently, shortcomings include incomplete genotype-phenotype characterization, limited availability of easy-peeling germplasms, and a fragmented understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Future research should focus on methodological innovation, germplasm development, and the elucidation of relevant mechanisms. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three drying methods, namely sun drying, microwave–vacuum drying, and hot-air-oven drying, on the physical and nutritional properties of cricket powder for use in poultry feed. The results showed that the drying method significantly affected color parameters (L*, a*, and b*; p < 0.05), and particle size distribution at 850 µm and 250 µm (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Microwave–vacuum drying produced the lightest powder with a higher proportion of coarse particles, while sun drying resulted in a darker color and greater particle retention at 850 µm. Hot-air-oven drying yielded the lowest moisture content (1.99%) and the highest gross energy (6126.43 kcal/kg), with no significant differences observed in crude protein (p = 0.61), ether extract (p = 0.08), crude fiber (p = 0.14), ash (p = 0.22), or amino acid profiles (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that all drying methods preserved the nutritional value of cricket powder, and based on the overall results, hot-air-oven drying is the most suitable method for producing high-quality cricket meal with optimal physical properties and feed value, while also providing a practical balance between drying efficiency and cost. Full article

Medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides (MCTs) possess antibacterial, antiviral, nutritional, and other biological activities and have demonstrated significant application potential in humans and terrestrial animals. In recent years, with the development of the green aquaculture industry, MCTs have been gradually applied to aquaculture animals, which can enhance growth performance, improve flesh quality, regulate lipid metabolism, boost immune activity, and modulate the intestinal flora, thereby improving the production efficiency of aquaculture. This paper elaborates in detail on the biological activities of MCTs and their applications in aquatic animals, providing a theoretical and practical basis for the application of MCTs in aquaculture. Full article

The windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) is common in coastal areas of the Philippines, thriving in brackish waters. Its shells underpin the local craft industries. While its meat is edible, only small amounts are consumed locally, most going to waste. Utilization of this potential nutrient source is hindered by the lack of information concerning its organic and mineral content, the possible presence of heavy metal ions, and the risk of microbial pathogens. We report extensive analysis of the meat from Placuna placenta, harvested during three different seasons to account for potential variations. This comprises proximate analysis, mineral, antioxidant, and microbial analyses. While considerable seasonal variation was observed, the windowpane oyster was found to be a rich source of protein, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates, comparing well with the meats of other shellfish and land animals. Following pre-cooking (~90 °C, 25–30 min), the standard local method for food preparation, no viable E. coli or Salmonella sp. were detected. Mineral content was broadly similar to that reported in fish, although iron, zinc, and copper were more highly represented, nevertheless, heavy metals were below internationally acceptable levels, with the exception of one of three samples, which was slightly above the only current standard, FSANZ. Whether the arsenic was in the safer organic form, which is commonly the case for shellfish, or the more toxic inorganic form remains to be established. This and the variation of arsenic over time will need to be considered when developing food products. Overall, the meat of the windowpane oyster is a valuable food resource and its current (albeit low-level) use should lower any barriers to its acceptance, making it suitable for commercialization. The present data support its development for high-value food products in urban markets. Full article

Micronutrients play a prominent role in plant growth and development, and their bioavailability is a growing global concern. Zinc is one of the most important micronutrients in the plant life cycle, acting as a metallic cofactor for numerous biochemical reactions within plant cells. Zinc deficiency in plants leads to various physiological abnormalities, ultimately affecting nutritional quality and posing challenges to food security. Biofortification methods have been adopted by agronomists to increase Zn concentrations in crops through optimal foliar and soil applications. Changing climatic conditions and conventional agricultural practices alter edaphic factors, reducing zinc bioavailability in soils due to abrupt weather changes. Precision agriculture emphasizes need-based and site-specific technologies to address these nutritional deficiencies. Nanoscience, a multidimensional approach, reduces particle size to the nanometer (nm) scale to enhance their efficiency in precise amounts. Nanoscale forms of Zn⁺² and their broad applications across crops are gaining attention in agriculture under varied application methods. This review focuses on the significance of Zn oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and their extensive application in crop production. We also discuss optimum dosage levels, ZnONPs synthesis, application methods, toxicity, and promising future strategies in this field. Full article

Pistachio nuts are among the 50 best foods with the highest antioxidant potential. They have a balanced content of mono- (~70%) and polyunsaturated (~20%) fatty acids, minerals, and bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds, which have shown rapid accessibility in the stomach. Pistachio consumption provides several health benefits, primarily due to its antioxidant properties and high content of essential nutrients. In this study, we analyzed the mineral composition, total phenolic content (TP), antioxidant activity (AA), and UHPLC/MS-MS polyphenolic profile of three Argentinian pistachio crops. Additionally, the physicochemical parameters and the elemental profiles of the growing soils were determined, as they influence mineral uptake and the synthesis of bioactive compounds in pistachio kernels. The TP was not significantly modified by the growing soils, with Crop3 presenting the highest TP content (276 ± 14 mg GA/100 g DW). Crop3 exhibited 18% higher TP content compared to Crop2. Similarly, FRAP values ranged from 28.0 to 36.5 mmol TE/100 g DW, with Crop1 showing a 30% increase compared to Crop2. DPPH values varied from 19.0 to 24.3 mmol TE/100 g DW, with Crop1 displaying 28% higher activity than Crop2. However, the polyphenolic profile was similar for all crops analyzed. Thirty compounds were identified; only Crop 1 contained the flavanone eriodyctiol and the isoflavone genistein, while the flavanone naringenin and the flavone luteolin were identified in Crop1 and Crop3. Regarding mineral content, the pistachio kernels mainly contained K, Ca, and Mg. Multivariate analyses revealed distinct elemental and antioxidant profiles among crops. LDA achieved classification accuracies of 77.7% for soils and 74.4% for kernels, with Pb, Zn, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Mn as key discriminants. CCA confirmed strong soil–kernel mineral correlations (r = 1), while GPA showed higher congruence between antioxidant traits and kernel composition than with soil geochemistry. These findings underscore the importance of soil composition in determining the nutritional quality of pistachio kernels, thereby supporting the beneficial health effects associated with pistachio consumption. Full article

Foodborne illness caused by bacterial pathogens is a global health concern and results in millions of infections annually. Therefore, food products typically undergo several processing stages, including sanitation steps, before being distributed in an attempt to remove pathogens. However, many sanitation methods have compounding effects on the color, texture, flavor, and nutritional quality of the product or do not effectively reduce the pathogens that food can be exposed to. Some bacterial pathogens particularly possess traits and tactics that make them even more difficult to mitigate such as biofilm formation. Non-thermal plasma sanitation techniques, including plasma-treated water (PTW), have proven to be promising methods that significantly reduce pathogenic bacteria that food is exposed to. Published work reveals that PTW can effectively mitigate both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial biofilms. This study presents a novel analysis of the differences in antimicrobial effects of PTW treatment between biofilm-forming gram-positive bacteria, commonly associated with foodborne illness, that are sporulating (Bacillus cereus) and non-sporulating (Listeria monocytogenes). After treatment with PTW, the results suggest the following hypotheses: (1) that the non-sporulating species experiences less membrane damage but a greater reduction in metabolic activity, leading to a possible viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, and (2) that the sporulating species undergoes spore formation, which may subsequently convert into vegetative cells over time. PTW treatment on gram-positive bacterial biofilms that persist in food processing environments proves to be effective in reducing the proliferating abilities of the bacteria. However, the variance in PTW’s effects on metabolic activity and cell vitality between sporulating and non-sporulating species suggest that other survival tactics might be induced. This analysis further informs the application of PTW in food processing as an effective sanitation method. Full article

To enhance the effectiveness of sustainable preservation of modified corn wet distillers’ grains plus solubles (mcWDGS), various additives were tested under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In Experiment I, the mcWDGS was stored under aerobic conditions for 5 days at 25 °C. Treatments included different organic acids applied at 0.3% or 0.6% of fresh matter (FM). In Experiment II, the mcWDGS was ensiled anaerobically for 8 weeks at 25 °C using organic acids, a commercial acid mixture, or a microbial inoculant at 0.2% FM. In aerobic conditions, the best preservability was achieved with propionic and formic acids at 0.6% FM, as indicated by the lowest temperature, pH, and microbial counts on days 3 and 5 (p ≤ 0.01). Under anaerobic storage, the highest lactic acid concentrations were recorded in the control, citric acid, and commercial acid mixture variants (p ≤ 0.01). Acetic acid levels were highest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). The highest NH3-N content was found in the formic acid variant and the lowest in the inoculant variant (p ≤ 0.01). Aerobic stability after ensiling was greatest in the control and propionic acid groups (p ≤ 0.01). Nutritional analysis showed that the citric acid group had the highest dry matter content (p ≤ 0.01), while the control group contained the most crude protein (p ≤ 0.01) and saturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). The propionic acid and commercial acid mixture variants had the highest unsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant capacity was also greatest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, mcWDGS can be effectively preserved aerobically with 0.6% FM of propionic or formic acid, and anaerobically via ensiling, even without additives. These findings support its potential as a stable and nutritious feed ingredient. Full article

Although the strawberry tree (A. unedo L.) has been long considered a neglected species of the Mediterranean maquis, the valorization of its fruit production may enhance its socioeconomic value, especially in rural areas. In this study, strawberry trees from different Sicilian sites were investigated in terms of macronutrients, fatty acid (FA) composition, tocopherols, total phenols, carotenoids, and minerals. Sicilian berries were a good source of carbohydrates (mainly fructose, glucose and sucrose) and dietary fiber. They were low in fat; however, the FA composition revealed the abundance of unsaturated FAs over saturated FAs and an advantageous n-6/n-3 ratio. Additionally, Sicilian berries showed an inversed linoleic/α-linolenic acid ratio with respect to berries from other Mediterranean regions, that had previously investigated in literature. This evidence suggests that this ratio may have a chemotaxonomic relevance. Considering antioxidants, the fruits had levels of tocopherols, particularly α-tocopherol, total phenols and carotenoids similar to those of certain commercial fruits. Precious amounts of minerals, such as Ca, K, Zn and Fe were also determined. Interestingly, berries harvested near a Sicilian volcanic area had higher levels of minerals, as well as tocopherols, phenols and carotenoids, than fruits from other Sicilian sites, thereby advancing the hypothesis that fruits from volcanic areas may have a superior nutritional value. Overall, data from this study elaborated by a proper statistical analysis revealed that the geographical origin was a relevant variable to consider in the reliable study of this fruit species. Full article

Wellington, New Zealand, is highly vulnerable to disaster-induced food security crises due to its geography and geological characteristics, which can disrupt transportation and isolate the city following disasters. Urban agriculture (UA) has been proposed as a potential alternative food source for post-disaster scenarios. This study examined the potential of urban agriculture for enhancing post-disaster food security by calculating vegetable self-sufficiency rates. Specifically, it evaluated the capacity of current Wellington’s community gardens to meet post-disaster vegetable demand in terms of both weight and nutrient content. Data collection employed mixed methods with questionnaires, on-site observations and mapping, and collecting high-resolution aerial imagery. Garden yields were estimated using self-reported data supported by literature benchmarks, while cultivated areas were quantified through on-site mapping and aerial imagery analysis. Six post-disaster food demand scenarios were used based on different target populations to develop an understanding of the range of potential produce yields. Weight-based results show that community gardens currently supply only 0.42% of the vegetable demand for residents living within a five-minute walk. This rate increased to 2.07% when specifically targeting only vulnerable populations, and up to 10.41% when focusing on gardeners’ own households. However, at the city-wide level, the current capacity of community gardens to provide enough produce to feed people remained limited. Nutrient-based self-sufficiency was lower than weight-based results; however, nutrient intake is particularly critical for vulnerable populations after disasters, underscoring the greater challenge of ensuring adequate nutrition through current urban food production. Beyond self-sufficiency, this study also addressed the role of UA in promoting food diversity and acceptability, as well as its social and psychological benefits based on the questionnaires and on-site observations. The findings indicate that community gardens contribute meaningfully to post-disaster food security for gardeners and nearby residents, particularly for vulnerable groups with elevated nutritional needs. Despite the current limited capacity of community gardens to provide enough produce to feed residents, findings suggest that Wellington could enhance post-disaster food self-reliance by diversifying UA types and optimizing land-use to increase food production during and after a disaster. Realizing this potential will require strategic interventions, including supportive policies, a conducive social environment, and diversification—such as the including private yards—all aimed at improving food access, availability, and nutritional quality during crises. The primary limitation of this study is the lack of comprehensive data on urban agriculture in Wellington and the wider New Zealand context. Addressing this data gap should be a key focus for future research to enable more robust assessments and evidence-based planning. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional education on nutritional knowledge, nutritional status, and quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Thirty patients participated. At baseline, assessments were conducted to collect data on demographics, physical activity, anthropometric and biochemical measures, dietary habits, 24 h food intake, nutritional status, quality of life, and nutritional knowledge. Participants received a 30 min face-to-face nutritional education session by a registered dietitian, repeated after one month. A follow-up phone call was conducted one month later to reinforce the education. Final evaluations were completed one month after the call. Results: A significant upward trend was detected in nutritional knowledge scores after the intervention period (from 7.4 ± 2.76 to 9.2 ± 3.45). The physical component of quality of life improved, while the mental component showed a slight decline. Dietary changes included reduced energy and protein intake among females and increased protein intake in males. In both genders, fat intake increased and carbohydrate intake decreased. Biochemical improvements were observed, including significant reductions in gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglycerides in females and alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in males. Conclusions: Structured nutritional education may improve nutritional knowledge, dietary behavior, and biochemical markers in cirrhosis patients. Longer follow-up durations may further enhance these improvements. Full article

Modern meat processing faces several challenges, including high resource consumption, environmental impact, and the need to enhance the nutritional and biological value of finished products. In this context, interest is growing in functional plant-based ingredients capable of improving the quality of meat products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding 0.01% hemp protein powder and 0.01% sea buckthorn extract (based on the weight of unsalted raw material) on the nutritional, technological, and microbiological characteristics of cooked-smoked sausages. The results demonstrated an increase in total protein content, a 2.5-fold rise in tocopherol levels, as well as a 17.9% improvement in the Amino Acid Score of threonine and a 2.48% increase in the biological value of protein. Samples enriched with plant-based components exhibited enhanced organoleptic properties and greater storage stability over 36 days. In addition, extrusion parameters for the production of the protein additive were optimized, resulting in a stable functional ingredient. Full article