Search Results (206)

Goat milk has lower allergenicity and high commercial value but faces storage limitations, often leading to waste. Converting it into powder increases costs, making blending with non-dairy ingredients, such as rice flour, a viable alternative to reduce costs and potentially improve nutrition. In this this study, we developed five dairy compounds by replacing 10–49% of goat milk powder with rice flour. We evaluated their nutritional and physical properties compared to pure goat milk powder and rice flour. Analyses included water activity, total solids, protein, lipids, energy value, color, flowability, wettability, polyphenol content, mineral profile, and morphology. Higher rice flour content increased water activity and improved wettability but reduced flowability, classifying most compounds as reasonable to fair in flow, except for the 10% rice flour sample. All samples met Brazilian standards, which require ≥13 g/100 g of protein. The dairy compounds showed a yellow-greenish color, with significant color differences compared to goat milk powder, particularly at 49% rice flour. Goat milk powder had higher mineral contents (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Zn). Total polyphenol content was highest in the 10% rice flour compound, while individual polyphenols were undetectable. Overall, the formulation proved viable for cost reduction while maintaining nutritional quality. Full article

Almond bagasse, a by-product of almond milk production, is rich in fibre, protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and bioactive compounds. Its incorporation into food products provides a sustainable approach to reducing food waste while improving nutritional quality. This study explored the impact of enriching rice flour with almond bagasse powders—either hot air-dried (HAD60) or lyophilised (LYO)—at substitution levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% (w/w), to assess effects on gluten-free bread quality. The resulting flour blends were analysed for their physicochemical, techno-functional, rheological, and antioxidant properties. Gluten-free breads were then prepared using these blends and evaluated fresh and after seven days of refrigerated storage. The addition of almond bagasse powders reduced moisture and water absorption capacities, while also darkening the bread colour, particularly in HAD60, due to browning from thermal drying. The LYO powder led to softer bread by disrupting the starch structure more than HAD60. All breads hardened after storage due to starch retrogradation. The incorporation of almond bagasse powder reduced the pasting behaviour—particularly at substitution levels of ≥ 25%—as well as the viscoelastic moduli of the flour blends, due to fibre competing for water and thereby limiting starch gelatinisation. Antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced in HAD60 breads, particularly in the crust and at higher substitution levels, due to Maillard reactions. Furthermore, antioxidant degradation over time was less pronounced in formulations with higher substitution levels, with HAD60 proving more stable than LYO. Overall, almond bagasse powder improves the antioxidant profile and shelf-life of gluten-free bread, highlighting its value as a functional and sustainable ingredient. Full article

Returning straw and green manure to the field is a vital agronomic practice for improving crop yields and ensuring food security. However, the existing research primarily focuses on drylands and low-fertility paddy fields. A systematic discussion of the yield-increasing mechanisms and soil response patterns of medium- and long-term organic fertilization in subtropical, high-organic-matter paddy fields is lacking. This study conducted a six-year field experiment (2019–2024) in a typical high-fertility rice production area, where the initial organic matter content of the 0–20 cm topsoil layer was 44.56 g kg⁻¹. Four treatments were established: PK (no nitrogen, only phosphorus and potassium fertilizer), NPK (conventional nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer), NPKM (NPK + full-amount winter milk vetch return), and NPKS (NPK + full-amount rice straw return). We collected 0–20 cm topsoil samples during key rice growth stages to monitor the dynamic changes in nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. The rice SPAD, LAI, plant height, and tiller number were also measured during the growth period. After the six-year rice harvest, we determined the properties of the topsoil, including its organic matter, pH, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, available phosphorus and potassium, and alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen. The results showed that, compared to NPK, the organic matter content of the topsoil (0–20 cm) increased by 6.36% and 5.16% (annual average increase of 1.06% and 0.86%, lower than in low-fertility areas) in the NPKS and NPKM treatments, respectively; the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content increased by 16.59%, 8.81%, and 10.37% (NPKS) and 6.70%, 5.12%, and 11.62% (NPKM), respectively; the available phosphorus content increased by 21.87% and 8.42%, respectively; the available potassium content increased by 47.38% and 11.56%, respectively; and the alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen content increased by 3.24% and 2.34%, respectively. However, the pH decreased by 0.07 in the NPKS treatment while it increased by 0.17 in the NPKM treatment, respectively, compared to the PK treatment. NPKS and NPKM improved key rice growth indicators such as the SPAD, LAI, plant height, and tillering. In particular, the tillering of the NPKS treatment showed a sustained advantage at maturity, increasing by up to 13.64% compared to NPK, which also led to an increase in the effective panicle number. Compared to NPK, NPKS and NPKM increased the average yield by 9.52% and 8.83% over the six years, respectively, with NPKM having the highest yield in the first three years (2019–2021) and NPKS having the highest yield from the fourth year (2022–2024) onwards. These results confirm that inputting organic materials such as straw and green manure can improve soil fertility and rice productivity, even in rice systems with high organic matter levels. Future research should prioritize the long-term monitoring of carbon and nitrogen cycle dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions to comprehensively assess these practices’ sustainability. Full article

Mixed sowing of green manure in winter is a unique farming mode in southern China, which has the potential to replace or partially replace nitrogen fertilizer. To investigate how mixed sowing of green manure combined with nitrogen reduction regulates soil organic carbon and its fractions, this study was conducted in the 3/4 Chinese milk vetch × 1/4 rapeseed farming mode, without nitrogen fertilizer (CK), 100% N fertilizer (150 kg ha⁻¹, N1MR), 20% N fertilizer reduction (120 kg ha⁻¹, N2MR), 40% N fertilizer reduction (90 kg ha⁻¹, N3MR), and 60% N fertilizer reduction (60 kg ha⁻¹, N4MR). The main results were the N2MR treatment could guarantee stable and increased rice yield. The N1MR and N2MR treatments were more conducive to the accumulation of TOC. The N4MR and N2MR treatments were more conducive to the increase and accumulation of AOC and DOC. The effective spikes were positively correlated with TOC and ROC. The grain number per panicle was positively correlated with DOC. The seed-setting rate was positively correlated with ROC. Overall, mixed sowing of Chinese milk vetch and rapeseed combined with 20% nitrogen reduction ensures a stable yield and increase in rice. Nitrogen reduction by 60% and 20% is beneficial to the increase and accumulation of TOC, AOC, and DOC in soil. Full article

The co-incorporation of green manure and rice straw is commonly used to increase rice yield and improve soil fertility in paddy fields. However, the effects on nutrient uptake and utilization of rice under the synergistic interaction mechanism in the Taihu Plain of the Yangtze River Delta remain unclear. Based on field experiments, this study investigated the effects of green manure with rice straw return (GMS) under different nitrogen (N) fertilization rates on rice yield, nutrient use efficiency, and soil fertility. The results revealed that green manuring significantly increased rice yield while improving the uptakes and use efficiencies of N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Green manure (GM) with 40% N fertilizer reduction (GM_N60) maintained the grain and straw yields and nutrient uptakes compared to winter fallow with 100% conventional N application (WF_N100). The N recovery efficiency in GM_N60 reached 45.52%, increasing by 41.26% compared to WF_N100. Rice yield and K uptake in the GMS with 40% N fertilizer reduction treatment (GMS_N60) was 10,058 and 15.41 kg/hm², increasing by 14.43% and 9.43% compared to winter fallow with rice straw return and 100% conventional N (WFS_N100). The N, P and K agronomic efficiencies in GMS_N60 increased by 77.04%, 50.22%, and 50.22% compared to WFS_N100, respectively. These findings indicate that rice straw return enhances the fertilizer-saving and yield-increasing effects of GM, promotes rice K uptake and improves P and K use efficiencies. The GM treatment increased the soil organic matter (SOM), total potassium (TK), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) contents. Among the soil fertility indicators, TK and SOM were the most important factors influencing rice yield and N uptake. In conclusion, GMS can maintain or increase rice yield with 40% N fertilizer reduction, improve nutrient use efficiencies, and increase the reuse of rice straw, thereby supporting green and efficient rice production in the southern Jiangsu paddy area. Full article

Okara, the soybean residue from soy milk and tofu production, offers significant potential as a sustainable, fiber-rich ingredient for starch-based and gluten-free food systems. This study investigates the comparative effects of whole okara and its extracted dietary fiber (DF) on the retrogradation, rheological properties, and nanostructural organization of rice starch (RS) gels. Rice starch suspensions were blended with 5–20% (dry basis) of either whole okara or DF, thermally gelatinized, and analyzed using dynamic rheology, synchrotron-based Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. DF markedly reduced the gelation temperature and enhanced storage modulus (G′), indicating earlier and stronger gel network formation. WAXS analysis showed that DF more effectively disrupted long-range molecular ordering, as evidenced by suppressed crystallinity development and disrupted molecular ordering within the A-type lattice. FTIR spectra revealed intensified O–H stretching and new ester carbonyl bands, with progressively higher short-range molecular order (R_1047/1022) in DF-modified gels. While whole okara provided moderate retrogradation resistance and contributed to network cohesiveness via its matrix of fiber, protein, and lipid, DF exhibited superior retrogradation inhibition and gel stiffness due to its purity and stronger fiber–starch interactions. These results highlight the functional divergence of okara-derived ingredients and support their targeted use in formulating stable, fiber-enriched, starch-based foods. Full article

The growing popularity of a diverse range of plant-based beverages is entrenched in promoting health functionality and addressing ethical and environmental concerns. These beverages offer similar physico-chemical attributes to animal milk and are prepared using plant-based ingredients, such as soy, oats, almonds, rice, chickpeas, sesame seeds, and coconut. These beverages have many nutritional benefits but are deficient in certain nutrients such as essential amino acids, minerals, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. Fortifying these beverages with deficient nutrients could effectively provide comprehensive and nutritionally balanced product options. This approach could be useful in improving the nutritional profile of plant-based beverages to meet the expectations of health-conscious consumers. However, fortifying these products poses challenges related to taste, stability, and ingredient sourcing. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for human health and provide numerous health benefits, such as improved heart and vascular health, reduced inflammation, and the prevention of various health conditions. As plant-based diets gain popularity, the demand for nutritionally balanced products is growing, making omega-3 fortification a strategic approach for businesses to tap into an expanding market of health-conscious consumers. However, it is important to consider individual needs about health and ensure regulatory oversight to ensure the safety and effectiveness of fortified plant-based products. This article provides an overview of emerging plant-based beverages, their comparative nutritional profiles, the need to improve the nutritional value using omega-3 fatty acids as an example, and challenges in omega-3 fatty acid fortification. Full article

To explore the characteristics of soil microbial community structure diversity for different planting patterns in paddy fields, and to screen out the planting patterns suitable for the promotion of double-cropping rice areas in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, five typical planting patterns were set up in this study. The five patterns are Chinese milk vetch–early rice–late rice (CRR, CK), Chinese milk vetch–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (CRI), rapeseed–early rice–late rice (RRR), rapeseed–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (RRI) and potato–early rice–late rice (PRR). The variation characteristics of soil microbial community structure diversity and the correlation between soil environmental factors and soil microbial community structure diversity under the triple-cropping system in the double-cropping rice area of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River were studied by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that after two years of experiment, the pH values of each treatment increased, and the rapeseed–early rice–late rice (RRR) model performed better. The soil organic matter and total nitrogen content of the milk vetch–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (CRI) model was the highest, which increased by 7.89~35.02% and 6.59~26.80% compared with other treatments. The content of soil available phosphorus and available potassium in the potato–early rice–late rice (PRR) model was higher than that in other treatments, which was increased by 29.48% and 126.49% compared with the control. The Chinese milk vetch–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (CRI) and rapeseed–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (RRI) models were beneficial to increasing soil nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen content. Chinese milk vetch–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (CRI) and rapeseed–early rice–late rice (RRR) patterns were beneficial for improving the microbial diversity index. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteria are the top three dominant phyla in terms of the relative abundance of soil bacteria, and the top three dominant fungi are Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucor. The Chinese milk vetch–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (CRI) and rapeseed–early rice–sweet potato || late soybean (RRI) patterns increased the relative abundance of soil Actinobacteria and Ascomycota. The contents of ammonium nitrogen, total organic carbon, nitrate nitrogen, and available phosphorus were the main environmental factors affecting soil microbial community structure. The findings can provide references for screening out the planting patterns suitable for the promotion of double-cropping rice areas in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Full article

Plant milks are considered to be nutritious, sustainable, and vegetarian food products, and they have been the fastest growing beverages in the past decade in China. However, few studies have investigated consumers’ demands and purchase behaviors with respect to plant milks. Through an online questionnaire (n = 1052 valid responses), this study identified the factors that influenced individuals’ purchase intentions, purchase behaviors, attitudes, and demands with respect to current and future plant milk products. Through descriptive analysis and PCA, this study revealed that nutritional value (63.6%), taste (56.3%), and calories (42.8%) were the top three factors that Chinese consumers most cared about regarding plant milks. In the current Chinese market, coconut milk is the most popular plant milk with the highest purchase rate (61.2%), followed by soymilk (53.9%). Male consumers preferred plant milk with higher protein content and fortified with antioxidants, while female consumers preferred plant milk low in calories and enriched with collagen, dietary fiber, and probiotics. Chinese consumers are willing to pay higher prices for plant milks with enhanced nutritional value, improved product quality, and strengthened safety assurances. Innovative forms of plant milk, such as bean milk, rice milk, and quinoa milk, may be developed to satisfy the diversified needs of consumers. Full article

Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) plays a critical role in soil nitrogen cycling, yet the effects of Chinese milk vetch (CMV) application on the composition of SON within paddy soil profiles remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying CMV application rates on the composition and vertical distribution of SON in paddy soils, evaluating its potential implications for soil fertility and nitrogen leaching. A three-year field experiment was conducted in a subtropical rice cultivation system, employing four CMV application rates (0, 15,000, 30,000, and 45,000 kg ha⁻¹). Soil samples were collected from three depth layers (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) at the rice maturity stage, and SON components, including free amino acid nitrogen (FAA-N), amide nitrogen (A-N), and soluble protein nitrogen (SP-N), were analyzed. The results demonstrated that CMV application significantly enhanced SON content, particularly in the topsoil (0–20 cm), with a 49.87% increase under the 45,000 kg ha⁻¹ treatment. SON constituted over 50% of the total soluble nitrogen in the 0–60 cm layer, with FAA-N, A-N, and SP-N identified as the predominant components. CMV facilitated the accumulation of small-molecular SON (e.g., FAA-N and A-N) in deeper soil layers, with FAA-N content increasing by 79.13% in the 20–40 cm layer and A-N content increasing by 64.85% in the 40–60 cm layer under the 45,000 kg ha⁻¹ treatment. In contrast, high-molecular-weight SON (e.g., SP-N) primarily accumulated in the topsoil due to stronger adsorption, while small-molecular-weight SON exhibited greater mobility, thereby elevating the risk of nitrogen leaching. These findings highlight the need for optimized CMV application rates to balance soil fertility and environmental sustainability in rice cropping systems. Full article

Production of plant-based products is still on the rise. There is a need for new plant-based dairy alternatives in the food market due to lactose intolerance, allergens to dairy and nuts and a rise in gluten-free products. Rice is a key source for these types of products because it is hypoallergenic. This study focused on the comparison storage stability and in vitro digestion of milk-based yogurt (MY) to yogurt alternatives (YA) made with four different rice flours. YAs and MY were prepared using L. delbrueckii and S. thermophilus for fermentation and L. rhamnosus (LGG) as a probiotic. Samples were stored refrigerated for up to 28 days and analyzed for titratable acidity, pH, color, syneresis, viscosity and bacterial counts every seven days. Probiotic survivability was tested under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. YAs had lower syneresis than MY. There were few changes in color over time. Titratable acidity was lower in YAs (0.1 to 0.5%) than in MY (1%) while pH decreased in all samples during storage. Bacteria counts were stable throughout storage in all samples. MY had higher counts of LGG at the beginning of storage which significantly decreased during exposure to in vitro gastric conditions. Under in vitro intestinal conditions, both the white rice flour YAs and the MY retained the highest levels of LGG. This study indicated that it is possible for YAs made with rice flour to be stable overtime and with survivability of probiotic bacteria under gastric conditions. Full article

The cultivation of Chinese milk vetch (CMV) during the winter fallow season and the return of rice straw are important practices for increasing the soil fertility of paddy fields in southern China. In order to provide data-based evidence for the scientific strategy of nitrogen (N) fertilizer reduction through the incorporation of rice straw and CMV, a three-year field trial was conducted. The treatments included the three N application rates of 0%, 60%, and 100% of the local conventional rate (165 kg ha⁻¹), with the incorporation of CMV alone (MN0, MN60, and MN100) or with both CMV and rice straw (SMN60 and SMN100). The rice grain yield, N uptake, and dynamic changes in inorganic N in the soil and surface water were determined for the period from 2019 to 2021. The results show that both the rice grain yield and plant N uptake of the MN60 and SMN60 treatments were not significantly different from those of the treatment with only conventional N application (N100). Although the SMN100 treatment significantly increased the uptakes of N in the aboveground part in the tillering and shooting stages compared with SMN60, no significant differences were found between the grain yields in 2021. Meanwhile, the SMN60 treatment significantly increased the soil microbial biomass N and NH₄⁺-N contents during the maturity stage in 2020 and 2021, respectively, compared with MN60. Furthermore, the SMN100 treatment resulted in higher NO₃⁻-N concentrations in the surface water at days 3 and 6 after transplantation in 2020 than those under SMN60. In conclusion, the incorporation of CMV and rice straw with an application rate of 60% of conventional N fertilizer is an essential approach to reducing the risk of N loss while maintaining rice grain yields in the Jianghan Plain of China. Full article

Addressing the pressing issue of global warming, sustainable rice cultivation strategies are crucial. Milk vetch (MV), a common green manure in paddies, has been shown to increase CH₄ emissions, necessitating effective mitigation. This two-year field experiment assessed the impact of applying calcium peroxide (CaO₂), widely used in wastewater treatment and soil remediation due to its oxygen-releasing properties, on CH₄ emissions in conventional paddy fields (chemical fertilizer-only) and MV-incorporated fields. The results revealed that in conventional paddy fields, CaO₂ application significantly reduced the average CH₄ emissions by 19% without affecting rice yield. Compared with chemical fertilizer alone, MV incorporation increased the average rice yield by 12% but significantly elevated CH₄ emissions. However, in paddy fields with MV incorporation, CaO₂ application significantly reduced CH₄ emissions by 19% while preserving the yield benefits of MV. Soil analyses indicated that MV incorporation led to increased soil carbon content and increased mcrA and pmoA gene copy numbers, with elevated mcrA gene copy numbers being primarily responsible for the promoted CH₄ emissions. CaO₂ application improved the soil redox potential, reducing mcrA gene copies and consequently mitigating CH₄ emissions. Overall, CaO₂ application can contribute to global efforts to reduce CH₄ emissions while supporting rice productivity. Full article

The objective was to determine the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) of food sources using the pig model and in vitro procedures. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in white rice, wheat, pea protein concentrate (PPC), soy protein isolate (SPI), and skim milk powder (SMP) were determined in pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 28.4 kg (standard deviation = 4.0) equipped with a T-cannula at the distal ileum were allotted to a replicated 6 × 5 incomplete Latin square design with six diets and five periods. Five experimental diets contained each ingredient as the only source of AA. Additionally, a nitrogen-free diet was prepared to measure the basal endogenous losses of AA for the calculation of the SID of AA. The in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of crude protein (CP) in the five food sources was also determined using the conventional flask procedure and the multi-sample simultaneous in vitro procedure employing the Daisy^II incubator. The DIAAS values for white rice were 42, 50, and 60 for infants, children, and adults, respectively. For wheat, the DIAAS values were 46, 56, and 66, respectively. The DIAAS values for PPC were 47, 58, and 69 for infants, children, and adults, respectively. For SPI, the values were 61, 74, and 87, respectively. The DIAAS for SMP were 82, 112, and 131 for infants, children, and adults respectively. The IVID of CP in SMP was greater (p < 0.05) than that in other sources. The DIAAS calculated based on IVID of CP were similar to those determined based on the SID of AA in pigs. In conclusion, white rice, wheat, pea protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate were observed to have DIAAS values less than 100, indicating that these ingredients need to be combined with other protein sources to meet the indispensable AA requirements. Skim milk powder had a DIAAS greater than 100 for children and adults. Full article

Chinese milk vetch (CMV), as a typical green manure in southern China, plays an important role in improving soil quality and partially substituting nitrogen chemical fertilizers for rice production. Accurately estimating the aboveground biomass (AGB) of CMV is crucial for quantifying the biological nitrogen fixation amount (BNFA) and assessing its viability as a nitrogen fertilizer alternative. However, the traditional estimation methods have low efficiency in field-scale evaluations. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology has been widely adopted for AGB estimation. This study utilized UAV-based multispectral and RGB imagery to extract spectral (Sp), textural (Tex), and structural features (Str), comparing various feature combinations in AGB estimation for CMV. The results indicated that the fusion of spectral, textural, and structural features indicated optimal estimation performance across all feature combinations, resulting in R² values of 0.89 and 0.83 for model cross-validation and spatial transferability validation, respectively. The inclusion of textural and spectral features notably improved AGB estimation, indicated an increase of 0.15 and 0.14 in R² values for model cross-validation and spatial transferability validation, respectively, compared with relying on spectral features only. Estimation based exclusively on structural features resulted in R² values of 0.65 and 0.52 for model cross-validation and spatial transferability validation, respectively. The present study establishes a rapid and extensive approach to evaluate the BNFA of CMV at the full blooming stage utilizing the optimal AGB estimation model, which will provide an effective calculation method for chemical fertilizer reduction. Full article