Search Results (5,528)

This study aims to investigate the differences in the effects of spraying and immersing methods on edible coatings for halved and pitted plums. Earlier studies have shown that these biodegradable packaging materials can preserve the quality and safety of fruits for an extended shelf life. Halved and pitted plums (variety Stanley) were treated with chitosan and rosehip oil edible coating emulsions by spraying and immersing methods. The treated series were analyzed by physical, physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial methods during refrigerated storage for nine days, until the onset of microbiological spoilage. At the beginning of the storage, there was a visible difference between the differently treated samples. The untreated series showed the fastest browning. The emulsion-sprayed samples presented the least changes in color, shape, and volume. A weaker effect of the immersion technique can be explained by a deep standing of the fruits in a treating solution or emulsion. Some of the immersed samples have an aqueous texture and received a smaller sensory rating. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods need further investigation, but on a production scale, spraying can guarantee uniform batches. In laboratory circumstances, immersion is an easier method that does not need expensive and difficult-to-use equipment and gives good results. Full article

Hydrogen offers an effective pathway for the large-scale storage of renewable energy. For a tourist city located in a plateau region rich in renewable energy, hydrogen shows great potential for reducing carbon emissions and utilizing uncertain renewable energy. Herein, the wind–solar–hydrogen stand-alone and grid-connected systems in the plateau tourist city of Lijiang City in Yunnan Province are modeled and techno-economically evaluated by using the HOMER Pro software (version 3.14.2) with the multi-criteria decision analysis models. The system is composed of 5588 kW solar photovoltaic panels, an 800 kW wind turbine, a 1600 kW electrolyzer, a 421 kWh battery, and a 50 kW fuel cell. In addition to meeting the power requirements for system operation, the system has the capacity to provide daily electricity for 200 households in a neighborhood and supply 240 kg of hydrogen per day to local hydrogen-fueled buses. The stand-alone system can produce 10.15 × 10⁶ kWh of electricity and 93.44 t of hydrogen per year, with an NPC of USD 8.15 million, an LCOE of USD 0.43/kWh, and an LCOH of USD 5.26/kg. The grid-connected system can generate 10.10 × 10⁶ kWh of electricity and 103.01 ton of hydrogen annually. Its NPC is USD 7.34 million, its LCOE is USD 0.11/kWh, and its LCOH is USD 3.42/kg. This study provides a new solution for optimizing the configuration of hybrid renewable energy systems, which will develop the hydrogen economy and create low-carbon-emission energy systems. Full article

In this study, the impact of moderate and high CO₂ and O₂ levels was compared to low and moderate gas combinations during prolonged storage on the quality of Regina sweet cherries harvested in different maturity stages, particularly in terms of decreasing internal browning. Fruits were harvested in two different maturity stages (Light and Dark Mahogany skin color) and stored in CA of 15% CO₂ + 10% O₂; 10% CO₂ + 10% O₂; 10% CO₂ + 5% O₂; 5% CO₂ + 5% O₂ and MA of 4 to 5% CO₂ + 16 to 17% O₂ for 30 and 40 days at 0 °C and 90% RH, followed by a marketing period. After the storage, both maturity stages significantly reduced internal browning, decay, and visual quality losses in CA with 10–15% CO₂ and 10% O₂. In addition, it preserved luminosity, total soluble solids (TSSs), titratable acidity (TA), and bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and phenols. This treatment also maintained the visual appearance of the sweet cherries, favoring their market acceptance. At the same time, the light red fruits showed a better general quality compared to darker color after the storage. In conclusion, a controlled atmosphere with optimized CO₂ and O₂ concentrations, together with harvesting with a Light Mahogany external color, represents an effective strategy to extend the shelf life of Regina sweet cherries up to 40 days plus the marketing period, maintaining their physical and sensory quality for export markets. 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

Astragalus sinicus, a key leguminous green manure widely cultivated in Southern China’s rice-based cropping systems, plays a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil organic matter sequestration, improving rice yield, and elevating grain quality. The symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association between A. sinicus and its matching rhizobia is fundamental to its agronomic value; however, suboptimal inoculant efficiency and field application methodologies constrain its full potential. To address these limitations, we conducted a multi-phase study involving (1) rhizobial strain screening under controlled greenhouse conditions, (2) an optimized lyophilization protocol evaluating cryoprotectant (trehalose, skimmed milk powder and others), and (3) seed pelleting trails with rhizobial viability and nodulation assessments over different storage periods. Our results demonstrate that Mesorhizobium huakuii CCBAU 33470 exhibits a superior nitrogen-fixing efficacy, significantly enhancing key traits in A. sinicus, including leaf chlorophyll content, tiller number, and aboveground biomass. Lyophilized inoculants prepared with cryoprotectants (20% trehalose or 20% skimmed milk powder) maintained >90% bacterial viability for 60 days and markedly improved nodulation capacity relative to unprotected formulations. The optimized seed pellets sustained high rhizobial loads (5.5 × 10³ cells/seed) with an undiminished viability after 15 days of storage and nodulation ability after 40 days of storage. This integrated approach of rhizobial selection, inoculant formulation, and seed coating overcomes cultivation bottlenecks, boosting symbiotic nitrogen fixation for A. sinicus cultivation. Full article

In the Italian intra-day electricity market (MI-XBID), where energy positions can be adjusted up to one hour before delivery, imbalance charges due to forecast errors from non-programmable renewable sources represent a critical issue. This work focuses on photovoltaic (PV) systems, whose production variability makes them particularly sensitive to forecast accuracy. To address these challenges, a comprehensive methodology for assessing and mitigating imbalance penalties by integrating a short-term PV forecasting model with a battery energy storage system is proposed. Unlike conventional approaches that focus exclusively on improving statistical accuracy, this study emphasizes the economic and regulatory impact of forecast errors under the current Italian imbalance settlement framework. A hybrid physical-artificial neural network is developed to forecast PV power one hour in advance, combining historical production data and clear-sky irradiance estimates. The resulting imbalances are analyzed using regulatory tolerance thresholds. Simulation results show that, by adopting a control strategy aimed at maintaining the battery’s state of charge around 50%, imbalance penalties can be completely eliminated using a storage system sized for just over 2 equivalent hours of storage capacity. The methodology provides a practical tool for market participants to quantify the benefits of storage integration and can be generalized to other electricity markets where tolerance bands for imbalances are applied. 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

This study explores the development of a topical film-forming spray infused with phytobiotic herbs to extend egg shelf life and maintain its quality. Unlike traditional surface treatments, film-forming sprays provide uniform drug distribution, better bioavailability, effective CO₂ retention by sealing pores, and antibacterial effects. The spray includes a polymer to encapsulate phytoconstituents and form the film. The resulting film is highly water-resistant, glossy, transparent, and dries within two minutes. SEM analysis showed a fine, uniform morphology, while zeta analysis revealed a negative potential of −0.342 mV and conductivity of 0.390 mS/cm, indicating stable dispersion. The spray’s effectiveness was tested on 640 chicken eggs stored at varying temperatures. Eggs treated and kept at 2–8 °C showed the best results, with smaller air cells, higher specific gravity, and superior quality indicators such as pH, albumen weight, albumen height and index, Haugh unit, yolk weight, and yolk index. Additionally, the spray significantly reduced microbial load, including total plate count and E. coli. Eggs stored at 28 °C remained safe for 24–30 days, while those at 2–8 °C lasted over 42 days. This innovative film-forming spray offers a promising approach for preserving internal and external egg quality during storage. Full article

In this study, we investigated the effects of air packaging, vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (CO₂/N₂: 80/20) on the purine metabolism and enzyme activities of refrigerated large yellow croakers. The results showed that modified atmosphere packaging significantly inhibited microbial growth, delayed adenosine triphosphate degradation and maintained higher IMP content (1.93 μmol/g on day 21) compared to the air packaging group (2.82 μmol/g on day 12). The total purine content increased with storage time, with hypoxanthine content increasing significantly and occupying most of the total content, which was the key factor for the elevation of purine, followed by adenine content showing a significant decreasing trend. Hypoxanthine accumulation was significantly suppressed in the modified atmosphere packaging group (2.31 μmol/g on day 18), which was much lower than that in the air packaging group (5.64 μmol/g), whereas xanthine and guanine did not show significant differences among the groups. The key enzymes xanthine oxidase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase were much less active in modified atmosphere packaging, effectively delaying the cascade reaction of inosine monophosphate → hypoxanthine → xanthine. The study confirmed that modified atmosphere packaging intervenes in purine metabolism through enzyme activity regulation, providing a theoretical basis for the preservation of low purine aquatic products. Full article

The aim of this study was to prevent the development of microorganisms in the refrigerated storage of tench by releasing allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) produced by black mustard seeds. Tench reared in an aquaculture centre were sacrificed and the fillets were separated. Different amounts of defatted mustard seed (300, 400 and 500 mg) were added to hermetic polypropylene trays. Microbiological, sensory, and gas chromatography with MS detection analysis were done. AITC release increased progressively until the third day of storage, significantly delaying the development of microorganisms in samples with higher mustard seed content. The tasting panel detected positive aromas at the beginning of the study, but these decreased and negative aromas appeared. The mustard seed treatment resulted in a higher positive aroma at the end of the storage, reducing rotting and ammonia odours. A total of 31 volatile compounds were detected and grouped into hydrocarbon, alcohol, benzenoid, isothiocyanate, ketone, acetate, aldehyde, and others. Butylated hydroxytoluene, an indicator of bacterial contamination, was the major aromatic compound found during storage. The release of AITC resulted in fewer organic compounds with negative aromas appearing during storage. PCA analysis allowed us to classify the assays during storage according to their volatile profiles, confirming the differences observed between treatments. Thus, adding mustard seed to fish packaging could be a viable alternative to extending the product’s shelf life and ensuring food safety. 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

This study proposes the SMR Smart Net-Zero City (SSNC) framework—a scalable model for achieving carbon neutrality by integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), renewable energy sources, and sector coupling within a microgrid architecture. As deploying renewables alone would require economically and technically impractical energy storage systems, SMRs provide a reliable and flexible baseload power source. Sector coupling systems—such as hydrogen production and heat generation—enhance grid stability by absorbing surplus energy and supporting the decarbonization of non-electric sectors. The core contribution of this study lies in its real-time data emulation framework, which overcomes a critical limitation in the current energy landscape: the absence of operational data for future technologies such as SMRs and their coupled hydrogen production systems. As these technologies are still in the pre-commercial stage, direct physical integration and validation are not yet feasible. To address this, the researchers leveraged real-time data from an existing commercial microgrid, specifically focusing on the import of grid electricity during energy shortfalls and export during solar surpluses. These patterns were repurposed to simulate the real-time operational behavior of future SMRs (ProxySMR) and sector coupling loads. This physically grounded simulation approach enables high-fidelity approximation of unavailable technologies and introduces a novel methodology to characterize their dynamic response within operational contexts. A key element of the SSNC control logic is a day–night strategy: maximum SMR output and minimal hydrogen production at night, and minimal SMR output with maximum hydrogen production during the day—balancing supply and demand while maintaining high SMR utilization for economic efficiency. The SSNC testbed was validated through a seven-day continuous operation in Busan, demonstrating stable performance and approximately 75% SMR utilization, thereby supporting the feasibility of this proxy-based method. Importantly, to the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first publicly reported attempt to emulate the real-time dynamics of a net-zero city concept based on not-yet-commercial SMRs and sector coupling systems using live operational data. This simulation-based framework offers a forward-looking, data-driven pathway to inform the development and control of next-generation carbon-neutral energy systems. Full article

This study investigates Bimi^® (Brassica oleracea Italica × Alboglabra), a hybrid between kailan and conventional broccoli, to evaluate its compositional, functional, and sensory properties in relation to industrial sous-vide processing and refrigerated storage. Proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and mineral content were determined in raw samples. Color, chlorophyll content, total polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ABTS, DPPH) were analyzed before and after sous-vide treatment and following 60 days of storage. Microbiological and physicochemical stability was monitored over 90 days under standard (4 °C) and mildly abusive (6–10 °C) storage conditions. Sensory profiling of Bimi^® and conventional broccoli was performed on sous-vide samples. The results showed an increase in total polyphenols and antioxidant activity after processing, while chlorophylls decreased. Microbiological safety was maintained under all conditions, with stable water activity and only moderate acidification. Bimi^® provided a valuable source of protein (4.32 g/100 g FW, 8.63% RDA), appreciable amounts of dietary fiber (2.96 g/100 g FW, 11.85% RDA), and essential minerals such as potassium (15.59% RDA), phosphorus (14.05% RDA), and calcium (8.09% RDA). Sensory evaluation revealed a milder flavor profile than that of conventional broccoli, accompanied by an asparagus-like aroma. These findings support the suitability of Bimi^® for industrial sous-vide processing and its potential as a nutritious convenience food. Full article

This study investigated the effect of an apple pectin coating enriched with gamma-decalactone (GDL) on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of strawberries over 9 days of refrigerated storage. Strawberries were coated with pectin solutions containing a plasticizer and emulsifier, with or without GDL, and compared to uncoated controls. The coatings were evaluated for their effects on fruit mass loss, pH, extract content (°Brix), firmness, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, ΔE), and microbial spoilage. The pectin coating limited changes in extract, pH, and color and slowed firmness loss. Notably, GDL-enriched coatings significantly reduced spoilage (14.29% after 9 days vs. 57.14% in the control) despite accelerating pulp softening. Extract content increased the most in the GDL group (from 9.92 to 12.00 °Brix), while mass loss reached up to 22.8%. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed coating type as a major factor differentiating sample quality over time. These findings demonstrate the potential of bioactive pectin-based coatings to enhance fruit preservation and support the development of active packaging strategies. Further studies should optimize coating composition and control the release kinetics of functional compounds. Full article

Flexible energy sources such as electric vehicles and the battery energy storage systems of intelligent distribution systems can provide system-wide auxiliary services such as frequency regulation for power systems. This paper proposes an optimal method for operating the local energy community that is based on two-stage scheduling. Firstly, the basic concepts of the local energy community and flexible service are introduced in detail. Taking LEC as the reserve unit of artificial frequency recovery, an energy information interaction model among LEC, balance service providers, and the power grid is established. Then, a two-stage scheduling framework is proposed to ensure the rationality and economy of community energy scheduling. In the first stage, day-ahead scheduling uses the energy community management center to predict the up/down flexibility capacity that LEC can provide by adjusting the BESS control parameters. In the second stage, real-time scheduling aims at maximizing community profits and scheduling LEC based on the allocation and activation of standby flexibility determined in real time. Finally, the correctness of the two-stage scheduling framework is verified through a case study. The results show that the control parameters used in the day-ahead stage can significantly affect the real-time profitability of LEC, and that LEC benefits more in the case of low BESS utilization than in the case of high BESS utilization and non-participation in frequency recovery reserve. Full article