Search Results (113)

Background: Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and a key structural driver includes SIDS’ heavy reliance on imported food. Yet, our knowledge about food sources in SIDS is limited. Methods: We systematically searched 14 peer-reviewed databases and 17 grey literature repositories, identifying 56 articles and 96 documents concerning food sources in SIDS. Our study aimed to map these sources while considering broader societal, cultural, and environmental aspects. Results: We found high heterogeneity of food sources beyond store-bought foods, highlighting the complexity of food landscapes in this context. To explore these food sources and their interconnections, we developed a classification including Aid, Buy, Grow, Share, State and Wild food sources, and offered contextually-sensitive insights into their variety (types), extent (relevance), nature (characteristics) and changes over time. We developed an interactive open-access evidence map that outlined the identified interconnections between food sources following our proposed classification. There are numerous interrelations between food sources, showing that pathways from food sourcing to consumption can be unexpected and complex. Conclusions: In 2014, SIDS governments collectively committed to ending malnutrition by 2030. A deeper understanding of food sourcing is essential to achieve this goal. Full article

Food irradiation is gaining popularity worldwide due to its potential to extend shelf life, improve hygienic quality, and meet trade requirements. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method is a reliable and sensitive technique for detecting untreated and irradiated foods. This study investigated the effectiveness of EPR in identifying irradiated meat and seafood containing bones. Beef, lamb, chicken, and various fish were irradiated with electron beams at different doses and analysed using an EPR spectrometer. During irradiation, the food samples were surrounded by small ice bags to prevent autodegradation of cells and nuclei. After the irradiation process, the samples were stored at −20 °C. For EPR signal recording, the flesh, connective tissues, and bone marrow were removed from the bone samples, which were then oven-dried at 50 °C. The EPR spectra were recorded using an X-band EPR analyzer. Unirradiated and irradiated samples were identified based on the nature of the EPR signals as well as the g-values of symmetric and asymmetric signals. The study found that the EPR method is effective in distinguishing between unirradiated and irradiated bone-containing foods across nearly all applied radiation doses. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the EPR signals increased with increasing radiation doses. It was observed that unirradiated bone samples showed low-intensity symmetrical signals, while irradiated samples showed typical asymmetric signals. Overall, the study demonstrated that the EPR method is a reliable and sensitive technique for identifying irradiated foods containing bones and can be used for the control, regulation, and proper surveillance of food irradiation. Full article

Effective stored-grain insect pest detection is crucial in grain storage management to prevent economic losses and ensure food security throughout production and supply chains. Existing detection methods suffer from issues such as high labor costs, environmental interference, high equipment costs, and inconsistent performance. To address these limitations, we proposed PDA-YOLO, an improved stored-grain insect pest detection algorithm based on YOLO11n which integrates three key modules: PoolFormer_C3k2 (PF_C3k2) for efficient local feature extraction, Attention-based Intra-Scale Feature Interaction (AIFI) for enhanced global context awareness, and Dynamic Multi-scale Aware Edge (DMAE) for precise boundary detection of small targets. Trained and tested on 6200 images covering five common stored-grain insect pests (Lesser Grain Borer, Red Flour Beetle, Indian Meal Moth, Maize Weevil, and Angoumois Grain Moth), PDA-YOLO achieved an mAP@0.5 of 96.6%, mAP@0.5:0.95 of 60.4%, and F1 score of 93.5%, with a computational cost of only 6.9 G and mean detection time of 9.9 ms per image. These results demonstrate the advantages over mainstream detection algorithms, balancing accuracy, computational efficiency, and real-time performance. PDA-YOLO provides a reference for pest detection in intelligent grain storage management. Full article

Stored wheat pests threaten food quality and economic returns, yet existing detection methods struggle with small-object detection, complex scenarios, and efficiency–accuracy trade-offs, largely due to the lack of high-quality datasets. To address these challenges, this study constructed MPest3 dataset for stored wheat pests and proposed an enhanced detection model, FCA-YOLO, based on YOLOv8. This multi-scale fusion architecture, combining pyramid feature extraction with adaptive spatial weighting, improves the detection of small pests through hierarchical feature integration. Experimental results demonstrate that FCA-YOLO enhances multi-scale feature extraction and spatial fusion, achieving a 2.06% increase in mAP, a 4.51% improvement in accuracy, and reducing the pre- and postprocessing time for each image. Compared to Faster-rcnn, FCA-YOLO achieves a better balance between accuracy and computational efficiency, providing a robust and efficient solution for intelligent pest monitoring in grain storage applications. Full article

Thermoelectric module (TEM)-based coolers are gaining traction as compact, portable refrigeration solutions for storing medicine, beverages, and food. However, their adoption has been limited by relatively low cooling power and efficiency. This study demonstrates the importance of heat transfer in enhancing the coefficient of performance (COP) of TEMs through optimizing their boundary conditions. Among the three boundary conditions evaluated, the most effective involved integrating heat pipes (HPs) with a cooling fan on both sides of the TEM. This configuration significantly improved thermal management, enabling the system to achieve a COP of 0.53, with a cooling rate of 26.26 W and a cold-side temperature of 278.5 K. The enhanced heat extraction from the hot side, reaching 61.94 W, reduced the hot-side temperature to 305.6 K and decreased the overall thermal resistance, confirming the critical role of active heat dissipation. Moreover, placing a cooling fan on the HPs is crucial for facilitating efficient heat transfer from the hot side with a lower thermal resistance, as confirmed via thermal resistance analysis. Furthermore, a prototype refrigerator based on the TEM with HPs was built and tested indoors and outdoors with a COP of 0.45, a cooling rate of 21.97 W, and a cold-side temperature of 271.0 K. This study shows that the COP of TEMs can be increased by applying HPs to reduce the total thermal resistance of the TEM sides. Further optimization of TEM-based refrigerators holds promise for improving their performance in sustainable, small-scale cooling applications. Full article

In the practice of wastewater treatment system design, process selection is often constrained by factors such as operational costs, performance, and physical footprint. Processes employing colloidal gaseous aphron (CGA) technology have proven to be highly effective for the clarification and thickening of activated sludge mixed liquor, waste-activated sludge (WAS), and anaerobically digested sludge within a small footprint. Technically, an aphron is defined as a gas or liquid phase encapsulated by a surfactant film. Since their initial identification and formulation, aphrons have been used extensively in a number of chemical processes, including gas and oil drilling and food processing waste-treatment applications. The generation and use of CGAs for thickening of WAS and other wastewater applications has been commercialized with the development of the Suspended Air^® flotation (SAF^®) process. The purpose of this paper is to (1) provide background on CGAs flotation technology, (2) identify applications of CGA in wastewater treatment, (3) discuss thickening of WAS with CGA, and (4) present findings from three case studies where WAS thickening with a legacy dissolved air flotation (DAF) process was replaced with a CGA process to increase capacity or address operational challenges, typically within the same flotation tank footprint. The case studies demonstrate the versatility of the SAF^® CGA process for (a) its ability to process the most challenging feedstock, including stored WAS; (b) enhancement of the digestion process and elimination of digester foaming; and (c) high capacity and ease of operation, reducing operation needs. Full article

Food and food safety, as one of the basic issues of human life, has made it necessary to store foods for a long time with the increasing population. One of the oldest and most common methods of extending the shelf life of food products is the drying process. The drying process contributes to the higher quality of foods in terms of physical, chemical, and microbial properties by ensuring that beneficial contents such as vitamins, minerals, and aroma compounds are better preserved. The aroma values of foods, which consist of taste and smell components, gain importance. In foods, the taste is determined by permanent components, while smell is determined by volatile components. The loss of volatile aroma compounds in the strawberry drying process negatively affects product quality. Small changes in aroma compounds can lead to significant differences in product taste. Therefore, strawberry aroma is a critical factor for consumer appeal and commercial success. In this study, the effects of drying methods on the aroma compounds of strawberry fruit were compared with Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques. In this study, PSI-based MCDM techniques were used to make the most appropriate choice among strawberry drying methods. The values of 23 distinct aroma compounds obtained with different drying methods applied to strawberry fruit were analyzed with 7 different MCDM techniques. The calculations gave similar results and these results were combined with the Borda rule. Accordingly, the drying methods with the highest scores were determined as freeze drying. Full article

According to the concept of smart postharvest management, an information and communication technology sensor–based monitoring system is required in the juicing process to reduce losses and improve process efficiency. Such technologies are considered economically burdensome and technically challenging for small-scale enterprises to adopt. From this perspective, this study aimed to develop a smart monitoring system for the juicing processes in small-scale enterprises and to identify the optimal operating conditions based on the monitoring data. The system developed is equipped with two weight sensors attached to the twin-screw juice extractor, allowing for the automatic measurement of the weight of the raw material and the resulting juice product. The measured data are automatically transmitted and stored on a computer. Additionally, the system was designed to remotely control the speeds of the juicing and feeding screws, which are the primary controlling factors of the twin-screw juicer. Juice yield and processing time were optimized using carrots and pears. The optimal juicing and feeding speeds for pear yield were found to be 167.4 rpm and 1557 rpm, respectively; carrots achieved an optimal yield at a juicing speed of 502.2 rpm and feeding speed of 1211 rpm. In contrast, the processing time was minimized at juicing–feeding speeds of 6–6 and 7–5 for pears and carrots, respectively. Consequently, it was challenging to determine the optimal conditions for simultaneously optimizing the yield and processing time. This also suggests that the juicing process is affected by the properties of the fruits and vegetables being processed. By developing a system capable of accumulating the data necessary for the digitization of postharvest management and food processing, this research offers a valuable platform for the smart monitoring and optimization of the juicing process. Full article

Grocery shopping is an integral part of everyday life in every household. Due to the increasing decline in the number of grocery stores, it is difficult to find grocery shops close to home, especially in rural areas. For certain population groups, such as older people and/or people with limited mobility, people living alone and single parents, as well as households without a car, it is difficult to get groceries within walking distance. In addition, the gaps in local supply also mean a decline in the quality of life of the affected population. This study addresses the question of what role small rural grocery stores play in the shopping behavior of residents of rural areas and how they rate them. Using a quantitative consumer survey (n = 238), the shopping behavior and relationship to five sites in the Main-Spessart region of Bavaria, Germany were analyzed. The surveyed customers visit the rural stores several times a week (57.1%), especially for necessities (62.2%) and weekly shopping (13.1%). The product range (including fresh products), proximity to the place of residence, as well as the social function are most valued. Four different customer types were identified: the Uninvolved (35.6%), the Supporters (15.5%), the Motivated (25.8%) and the Socials (23.2%). The study shows that small rural grocery stores can contribute significantly to the food supply in poorly supplied areas. The degree of use varies depending on the individual life circumstances and needs. Using the location as a place for social exchange is a very relevant factor (60.5%). The targeted use of the store as a social meeting place is highly dependent on the additional infrastructure provided (e.g., a café corner). These results can help decision-makers to gain a better understanding of the users and consequently to better assess potentials of small rural grocery stores. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional iron-binding protein, has considerable potential for use as an active ingredient in food supplements due to its numerous positive effects on health. As Lf is prone to degradation, we aimed to develop a formulation that would ensure sufficient stability of Lf in the gastrointestinal tract and during product storage. Methods: A simple, efficient, and well-established technology that has potential for industrial production was used for the double-coating of neutral pellet cores with an Lf layer and a protective enteric coating. Results: The encapsulation efficiency was 85%, which is among the highest compared to other reported Lf formulations. The results of the dissolution tests performed indicated effective protection of Lf from gastric digestion. A comprehensive stability study showed that the stability was similar regardless of the neutral pellet core used, while a significant influence of temperature, moisture, product composition, and packaging on the stability of Lf were observed, and were therefore considered in the development of the final product. The experimentally determined shelf life is extended from 15 to almost 30 months if the product is stored in a refrigerator instead of at room temperature, which ensures the commercial applicability of the product. Conclusion: We successfully transferred a technology commonly used for small molecules to a protein-containing product, effectively protected it from the destructive effects of gastric juice, and achieved an acceptable shelf life. Full article

The global food security crisis is emphasized by the alarming amount of food waste, where about one-third of the world’s food production, roughly 1.3 billion metric tons, is lost annually. Pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, contribute significantly to this loss by attacking stored agricultural produce. These attacks typically start when pathogens infiltrate small fruit wounds, remain dormant, and then switch to an aggressive necrotrophic stage upon ripening, causing significant postharvest food losses. In response to this challenge, this study presents an innovative application of Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP). This method is increasingly recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness, distinguishing itself from more complex molecular diagnostic techniques. This study focuses on developing a heat-dry RT-LAMP desiccation method designed to be simple, robust, rapid, sensitive, and specific in detecting Botrytis cinerea. This method lies in its utilization of a desiccation process, where heat is utilized to preserve crucial components such as primers and enzymes in the presence of trehalose. A 5% trehalose with an amplification time of 1 h and 40 min was optimal for the assay detection of latent Botrytis cinerea. This method exhibited a sensitivity of 10 femtograms and was tailored specifically to the Botrytis cinerea PLF marker. Validation was performed using RNA extracted from an infected tomato, establishing a detection threshold of 1 ng/µL, approximately 500 pg of synthesized DNA target marker. This discovery holds significant implications, suggesting the potential for developing dry RT-LAMP kits that are adaptable for both laboratory and field usage. Furthermore, this method shows promise as a diagnostic tool for other neglected pathogenic diseases, representing a substantial advancement in agricultural pathology and supporting endeavors to enhance food security. Full article

Food insecurity (FI) is a persistent issue in Brazil, with significant disparities existing across the country’s macroregions. This study investigated the food acquisition locations and types of foods purchased at different levels of FI, utilizing data from 57,920 households in the 2017–2018 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. Food acquisition locations were grouped into supermarkets, small markets, street fairs/fruit and vegetable stores/public markets, and others. Foods were categorized into 12 groups: rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, red meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, bread, cookies, and sugary drinks. Supermarkets are the primary source of food in Brazil. However, in the North and Northeast regions, small markets are more frequently used across all levels of FI. Nationally, most food groups are predominantly purchased at supermarkets. Nevertheless, households experiencing moderate or severe FI rely more on small markets for essential items such as rice, beans, and proteins, as well as ultraprocessed foods. These findings highlight the need for public policies that improve food access for vulnerable populations and address regional inequalities. Enhancing access and ensuring food security across different regions is essential to promoting equitable and healthy diets throughout the country. Full article

The independent innovation of agricultural enterprises ensures national food security through enhancing food production efficiency and optimizing food nutritional quality. Independent innovation is an important way for the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises. However, in this process, there are issues such as long cycles and high risks. Based on this, using the panel data of China’s listed agricultural enterprises from 2007 to 2021, this study empirically examined the impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises, as well as the moderating effects of internal drivers (digital transformation) and external pull factors (government subsidies) through a two-way fixed effects model. The findings are the following: (1) The impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises exhibits an “inverted U-pattern”. When the R&D investment of agricultural enterprises accounts for 77.85% of operating income, the sustainable growth ability of agricultural enterprises is the highest. (2) Compared with large agricultural enterprises, small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises reach the threshold of independent innovation ability later, and the incentive effect range of independent innovation is longer. (3) Independent innovation exerts a more significant “inverted U” effect on the sustainable growth of non-state-owned agricultural enterprises and agricultural enterprises in the mature stage, while its impact on the sustainable growth of state-owned agricultural enterprises and agricultural enterprises in the growth and decline stages is not significant. (4) Government subsidies can help enhance the positive impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises when it does not exceed the threshold but cannot alleviate the negative impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises when it exceeds the threshold; investment in digital transformation not only helps to enhance the positive impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises when it does not exceed the threshold but also helps to alleviate the negative impact of independent innovation on the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises when it exceeds the threshold. The research results provide data support for agricultural enterprises to carry out innovation activities under internal drive and external pull. At the same time, it is of great significance for the national implementation of the strategy of storing food in technology and food security strategy. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) from various medicinal and aromatic plants are known for their diverse biological activities, including their antimicrobial effects. Citrus aurantium EO is traditionally used for therapeutic benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study focuses on its potential use as a food preservative by investigating the combined antibacterial properties of EOs from leaves (EO1), flowers (EO2), and small branches (EO3) of Citrus aurantium against six bacterial strains by the agar disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and revealed the presence of numerous compounds responsible for their antimicrobial properties. The MIC values for the EOs were 3.12 mg/mL, 4.23 mg/mL, and 1.89 mg/mL, for EO1, EO2 and EO3, respectively, while the MBC values were 12.5 mg/mL, 6.25 mg/mL, and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. A simplex centroid design was created to analyse the effect of the individual and combined EOs against E. coli. The combined EOs showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the individual oils, suggesting a synergistic effect (e.g., trial 9 with an MIC of 0.21 mg/mL), allowing the use of lower EO concentrations and reducing potential negative effects on food flavour and aroma. Additionally, the practical application of investigated EOs (at concentrations twice the MIC) was investigated in raw chicken meat stored at 4 °C for 21 days. The EOs, individually and in combination, effectively extended the shelf life of the meat by inhibiting bacterial growth (total bacterial count of less than 1 × 10⁴ CFU/g in the treated samples compared to 7 × 10⁷ CFU/g in the control on day 21 of storage). The study underlines the potential of C. aurantium EOs as natural preservatives that represent a sustainable and effective alternative to synthetic chemicals in food preservation. Full article

Soilless vegetable production in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile is spreading since it is perceived as an alternative that requires much less water than open field soil production. However, strong competition between mining and urban use for human population consumption exists, forcing growers to use alternative water sources. Fog is commonly present in the coastal areas of Northern Chile; however, little information exists with regards to its chemical composition and the effect on nutrient quality of the produce. To address this knowledge gap, a set of experiments was carried out in Chañaral, a small town located in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. There, a 200 m² greenhouse equipped with twenty deep flow pools was used in two consecutive growing cycles. Water for the mixing of the nutrient solution was collected from the fog using fog-catchers and later stored in 2000-L tanks. Fog water quality (electrical conductivity, pH and mineral content) was monitored directly from the storage tanks. Two types of lettuce, green butterhead and red oak leaf, were compared on their yield and accumulation of nutrients and heavy metals. The results indicate that fog water is of good quality for soilless production, with an electrical conductivity value of 0.65 ± 0.18 and low content of heavy metals. Plants’ heavy metal accumulation is below the recommendation of Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. Fog water presents as a viable water source for soilless production in Northern Chile. Full article