Alternative Food Sources Research Articles

The role of biodiversity in food security

Currently, the world population is increasing at an alarming rate and production of food should be increased. Biological Diversity or biodiversity component particularly agro-biodiversity such as crop and horticultural biodiversity, animal biodiversity, Forest biodiversity, and microbial biodiversity are essential to world food security. Crop and horticultural biodiversity are important to food security because they are a source of food, fodder for livestocks, carry gene for desirable traits or characteristics, and also are a foundation for crop improvements. In addition, terresterial and aquatic animal biodiversity play an important role in increasing food security including as source of food, alternative source of food, and breed improvement and source of gene for desired trait. Furthermore, animal biodiversity plays indirect role in food security as the skins are sold to purchase food in return, and also as a there dung are used to increase soil fertility there by increasing crop production. Forest genetic resource are also vital for food production and security in many ways. Maintaining soil fertility, income generation and employment, as a source of food and increasing food production, source of fodder and soil erosion control are the main ways by which forest biodiversity contribute to food security. The other component of biodiversity which is microbial biodiversity contribute to food security through increasing plant growth, increasing soil fertility and nutrient cycling. Generally, collection, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity without compromising future will be necessary and and is vital to food security now and even more so in the future.

Determination of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Properties with Evaluation of Biochemicals and Phytochemicals Present in Oscillatoria limosa of District Jamshoro, Pakistan

Oscillatoria limosa is a well-known member of blue-green algae, usually found in open water reservoirs. Ecologically it plays very important roles, like releasing Oxygen and being a supportive alternative source of food for aqua fauna. In research, it is being investigated as a medicinal organism for cancer and infectious diseases. In the current study, we have determined the medicinal and ecological importance of Oscillatoria limosa particularly found in the vicinity of district Jamshoro 76080, Sindh, Pakistan. For this purpose, four different solvent extracts of 20% (w/v) dried powder of organism were used to determine the presence of bioactive compounds, phytochemicals, antimicrobial activities, and antioxidant properties through previously well-reported methods. The obtained results of this study prove the presence of phenolic acid, flavonoids, total proteins, total sugar, reducing sugar and one free amino acid, and phytochemicals like alkaloids, phytosterol, tannin, terpenoids, glycosides, and saponin in samples. In this study, remarkable antioxidant properties ranging from 0.248 to 1.080 mg ml-1 were observed in all the samples. The antibacterial activities against S. aureus, A. tumefaciens, K. aureus, E.coli, and P.aeruginosa, and antifungal activities against A. niger, P. notatum, and Rhizopus were observed, which proves it a good antimicrobial organism. It may be concluded from this study that Oscillatoria limosa of local vicinity is a potential organism of interest for biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries as an antitumor, antimutagen, free radical scavenger, and possess antimicrobial properties against various kind of bacteria and fungi.

Structuring the Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Mangrove Area for Food Security in Paciran Village, Paciran District and Labuhan Village, Brondong District, Lamongan Regency, East Java

The results of the GSCA show that the Bruguieragymnorhiza mangrove forest is an alternative source offood for local people that can be mixed with rice, and madevarious kinds of food diversification. The NDVIresults show that the mangrove density with the dominanceof Bruguiera gymnorhiza species needs to berehabilitated and restored to increase its density anddensity. Considering that the location of the mangroveforests in the two research villages is in water areas, it isnecessary to have a policy to convert rice fieldsback to the growth of mangrove land. The policy of theLamongan district government which is containedin the strategic plan policy to optimize coastal land into thedevelopment of residential areas, industrialareas need to be updated and revised into protected areas. Mangrove forest areas are managed for the useof mangrove forests as an alternative to food by dividingthe area into a no-take zone and a limited economicarea that can only be used as a food source area for thecommunity.

Spatiotemporal Responses of Wintering Bald Eagles to Changes in Salmon Carcass Availability in the Pacific Northwest

Each winter, thousands of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from across western North America migrate to Pacific Northwest rivers to feed on the carcasses of post-spawning chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). However, declining salmon populations and impacts of climate change are reducing the availability of salmon carcasses as a wintering food source for eagles. The ability of eagles to adjust to these impacts is crucial to their survival, and their responses are currently unknown. I hypothesized that eagles are responding by redistributing to non-river habitat in search of alternative food sources. Specifically, I examined the redistribution of over-wintering eagles from river habitat to nearby agricultural areas in response to seasonal declines in carcass availability. Over two consecutive winters, I conducted weekly eagle surveys on a 30-km stretch of the Nooksack River and a 22.5-km stretch of farmland northwest of the river. I examined the association between salmon carcass distribution and eagle abundance on the Nooksack River, and evaluated the temporal relationship between eagle abundance on the Nooksack River versus neighboring farmland. I found a strong negative association between eagle abundance on the river versus adjacent farmland, and observed eagles primarily concentrated near dairy farms and waterfowl rafts. My results suggest that eagles are responding to declining carcass availability by redistributing to non-river habitat in search of alternative food sources, and that a substantial fraction may migrate to agricultural areas.

The Farming Productivity and Marketing System of Taka (Tacca leontopetaloides) in Garut Regency

Taka tuber is a coastal plant type that can be an alternative food source, but its use is still limited until now. This study aims to determine the productivity and marketing system of taka farming on farmer scale. Respondents were chosen deliberately, namely farmers who had or are currently cultivating taka of 16 respondents. Data were analyzed descriptively by calculating farm revenue, cost and income, farm, labour, and capital productivity. The results showed that taka farming in Cikelet District was not yet efficient. Taka farming, which is sold in the form of tuber is not less profitable then selling flour. Sales in the form of flour produce and cultivate without fertilizer has a ratio of income and costs (R/C) of 1.05 (feasible), work productivity (IDR65,217/HOK) is higher than the standard wages of farm labourers in that area (IDR60,000/HOK). It has capital productivity is 5.04% higher than interest on deposits in banks 0.25-4.45% per year. The taka marketing has been running locally with a fairly short marketing channel from farmers directly to flour makers (tubber) or consumers (flour).

Omega-3 fatty acid and B12 vitamin content in Baltic algae

Seaweeds have been gaining popularity in the Western world due to increased interest in alternative food sources and improving the nutritional profile and functionality of food products. This paper analyzed the omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and α-linoleic acid (ALA) and B12 vitamin content in the most common Baltic seaweeds. These nutrients have an important part in the human diet. Five seaweeds species (Fucus vesiculosus, Furcellaria lumbricalis, Cladophora glomerata, Pilayella littoralis and Ulva intestinalis) were sampled during April–May, June–July, and August–September. The fatty acids were determined by GC–MS whereas B12 content was analyzed by HPLC-UV. 16S rRNA amplification from community DNA and sequencing was carried out to evaluate B12 synthesizing microorganisms associated with the studied seaweeds. The results showed that F. vesiculosus (5.19 ± 0.32 mg/gDW) was the best source of EPA, followed by F. lumbricalis, C. glomerata, P. littoralis and U. intestinalis irresponsibly of sampling time. The ALA content had little variability between species (1.07–2.45 mg/ g DW). The B12 concentration varied across seasons, being generally lowest during the June–July period. The highest concentration of B12 across all three seasons was in C. glomerata samples (53.55 ± 9.69 μg/100gDW). The lowest B12 vitamin concentration was in F. vesiculosus (4.14 ± 0.36 μg/100gDW). 16S RNA amplicon analysis revealed a correlation between Cyanobacteria and EPA, while no correlation could be found between B12 neither on phyla nor family levels. B12 content in the samples was in correlation with 5 potentially B12 synthesizing bacteria species (Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Pseudomonas putida, Xanthomonas oligotrophicus and Aeromonas hydrophila) although the abundance of corresponding OTUs did not exceed 1 %.

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Effect of eco-friendly probiotics-supplemented rapeseed meal-based diet on the performance of Catla catla fingerlings.

Ever-increasing human population compels the researchers to search for alternative food sources such as fish meat. For increase of fish growth and proper feed utilization, probiotics were added in rapeseed meal-based diet in current trial for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients in fish and ultimately higher growth with lower aquatic pollution. Fish gut microbiota is important for the feed utilization and absorption in body for higher growth. A 70-day study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotics-supplemented rapeseed meal-based diet on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, and absorption of minerals in Catla catla fingerlings with lowering water pollution level. Six test diets were prepared by using different levels of multi-strain probiotics i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5g/kg (0.0-0.5%) in rapeseed meal-based diet. At the rate of 4% of live wet weight, Catla fingerlings were fed two times a day and faeces samples from each tank were collected. According to the results, it was observed that probiotics supplementation (@2g/kg) in rapeseed meal-based diet resulted with improvement in nutrient digestibility (CP, 72%; fat, 75% and GE, 70%), mineral absorption (Ca, 72%; Na, 76%; K, 70% and P, 70%), specific growth rate (SGR, 1.55), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.22) and weight gain percentage (WG%, 303%) of fingerlings. It was also noticed that probiotics supplementation decreased the discharge of minerals and nutrient through faeces, as compared to control diet; hence, it plays a significant role in reducing water pollution. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that probiotics inclusion at level of 2g/kg was useful to formulate the cost effective and eco-friendly fish feed with the maximum improvement in growth and fish health by using rapeseed meal-based diet, as compared to control and other test diets.

A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Food Choices and Food Sources Among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected food availability and accessibility for many older adults, especially those experiencing food insecurity. Food citizenship is a theoretical framework that encourages the use of alternate over industrial food sources and can characterize where foods are acquired and how food choices are made.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to explore how Iowans aged 50 years and older made choices about what foods to acquire and where to acquire foods during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic using food citizenship as a theoretical framework.DesignWe used in-depth interviews with Iowans aged 50 years and older (N = 60).ParticipantsWe recruited respondents through Area Agencies on Aging, food banks, and food pantries. Individuals who contacted the research team, were aged 50 years and older, and spoke English were eligible. Half of the sample screened as food insecure.Statistical analysisWe conducted a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes.ResultsFood costs, personal preferences, and the healthfulness of food were cited as the most influential factors. Respondents said that the pandemic had not changed how they make choices, but increased prices had made costs more salient. Respondents primarily got their food from industrial food retailers, government programs, or food pantries. More than half of the respondents also acquired food from an alternate food source, such as a farmers’ market. Reasons for not using alternate food sources included cost and transportation barriers.ConclusionsIt is essential to ensure that older adults have access to affordable, healthy foods, especially during crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Alternate food sources provided supplementary, healthy food for many respondents, but there are opportunities to expand the use of these food sources. Incentivizing the use of alternate food sources through government programs and connecting the emergency food system to local producers could increase the consumption of healthy food.

Evaluation of the food of red-billed quelea (Quelea. quelea) during off-cropping season in Gyawana ecosystem Adamawa State

The evaluation of the food items of red-billed quelea during off-cropping season in Gyawana ecosystem was carried out, to ascertain the wild food of Quelea quelea foraged on during off- cropping season. Red-billed quelea (Q, quelea) devastation of crops continues to be a problem that militates against food security in Adamawa State and other arid regions of Nigeria. The bird appears to have alternative food sources which ensure its survival and breeding during off- cropping seasons. The crop contents of Q, quelea were analysed. Nine (9) different food items were identified including seeds of different grasses, insect remains and Grits from the crops of one hundred and fifty (150) Q, quelea sampled for this study. Echinochloa colonum has the highest frequency and magnitude of occurrence in the food items foraged on by the Q, quelea with a mean value of 40.20±0.72, followed by Digitaria ciliaris (35.33±1.03), Digitaria iburua (29.96±1.12), Setaria pallidofusca (29.33±0.41), Roetboellia exaltata (21.67±0.25), Brachiaria mutica (1.71±0.16) and the least seed consumed is Cenchrus biflorus with a mean of 1.15±0.02. Grits was consumed in small quantity (0.15±0.36) by both sexes, while insects remained was observed only in female’s crop of the Quelea birds. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean number of various seeds consumed by the Q, quelea during the period of the study. The result shows no significant difference in the food items consumed by Red-billed Quelea during off-cropping season at P &gt;0.05. Based on the findings of this research work, the researchers therefore, recommend that further study should be carryout on the food items of Q, quelea during cropping season and also biological control of this Quelea birds (Q, quelea).

Cowpea Immature Pods and Grains Evaluation: An Opportunity for Different Food Sources.

Currently, the sustainability of agro-food systems is one of the major challenges for agriculture and the introduction of new pulse-based products can be a good opportunity to face this challenge. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is a nutritionally important crop and has the particularity that the aerial section of the plant is entirely edible. The current research determines the nutritional composition of the alternative cowpea food sources immature pods and grains comparatively to dry grains through the evaluation of protein, minerals and different polyphenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity. Ten cowpea genotypes were analyzed during two harvest seasons. Cowpea immature pods and grains revealed high levels of total protein and K, Ca, Zn and Fe contents. In general, most of the genotypes produced cowpea of high nutritional value, with a high variation observed between them. Our results showed the potential of the introduction of new cowpea new products in the market allowing a healthy and variable diet and at the same time a better use of the crop under the scenario of climate change.

Edible insects: environmentally friendly sustainable future food source

SummaryMeeting the increasing consumer demand for affordable, sustainable and nutritious food is a great challenge. The rapidly growing population will have unprecedented demand for meat and meat‐based products. The livestock sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a major user of land and water resources. Excessive animal farming adversely affects the environment, accelerating climate change. This review article emphasises on edible insects as an alternative and sustainable food source. Edible insects can transform a wide variety of organic products, including agricultural and food wastes, into high‐quality proteins with essential amino acids. Edible insect oil contains healthy fatty acids such as lauric acid, oleic acid and omega‐3 and 6 commonly found in coconut oil, olive oil and fish oil with health benefits. Substitution of edible insects in some food products with low nutritional value can increase protein content up to 100%. Farming edible insects can be an effective solution to food waste management which is a global problem.

Determinants of acceptability of cricket consumption and adoption for improved food security among riparian communities of the Victoria basin, Kenya

The dynamics of weather variation have overstretched animal protein from already overburdened environment; malnutrition is likely to be on the rise with human population growth projected at 9.7 billion by 2050. This has seen cricket consumption for household food security increasing in the past decade. Cricket (acheta domesticus) farming can contribute positively to solving malnutrition problems being experienced among the riparian communities in the Kenyan Lake Victoria Basin. Cricket farming presents a livelihood diversification strategy that can help buffer rural households against food insecurity and provide an alternative source of income. However, its adoption as an alternative source of protein for improved household food security has remained low among smallholder farmers. The study investigated determinants of acceptability of cricket consumption and its influence on adoption for farming as an alternative source of food. The study employed a mixed methods research approach to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 120 trained cricket farmers from selected riparian counties including Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay in Kenyan Victoria basin. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to summarize quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data by thematic arrangements and similarities across different investigation areas. Based on data analyzed, the results indicated that cultural beliefs, perception and attitude such as cultural value attached to cricket consumption (p = 0.021), crickets are sweet and tender than poultry (p = 0.037) as well as age with a p&lt;0.028, had statistical significance on acceptability to cricket consumption. On the other hand, regression β coefficient of awareness, access and availability were found to have no association with the adoption of cricket farming. The study recommended that: first, the government formulates a policy on farming edible insects as mini-livestock and improved food security. Secondly, further study is needed to determine possible strategies for changing attitude towards cricket consumption for increased adoption by smallholder farmers. Key words: Food security, malnutrition, cricket, acceptability, consumption, culture, attitude, communities, adoption

Prey–predator dynamics with adaptive protection mutualism

Prey can ease the burden of exploitation by attracting a third party that interferes with their predators. Such is the case for plant-ant or aphid-ant mutualisms, where the victim supplies food to the ants, while the ants attack or drive away the offenders. Since ants are adaptive foragers, defense services can be altered by alternative food sources (e.g., other plants, or human-supplied resource). This article explores the prey-predator-ant system, using a model that combines predator-prey population dynamics with ant optimal foraging, where ants consume prey-supplied resources or alternative resources. Feedbacks between prey-predator dynamics and adaptive ant foraging leads to complex dynamics. For a given ant colony size and supply rate of alternative resources, prey can coexist with predators at alternative stable states, or along alternative limit cycles. Limit cycles extend the scope of defensive mutualism beyond the point where ants would abandon prey in favor of alternative resources under equilibrium conditions. These results highlight the importance of trait-mediated indirect interactions for natural mutualistic–antagonistic systems, and potential outcomes of manipulating ant defense services using baits in the case of agriculture.

Hydrogen sulphide treatment improves the inhibition byvps4 gene knockdown in silkworm (Bombyx mori)

Bombyx mori is considered an alternative source of protein food due to its rich nutritional value. There has been a new upsurge of interest in the utilisation of insects as food during the last few years. Vacuolar protein sorting 4 (vps4) is known for its multifaceted role in biological processes such as lysosomal degradation, intracellular protein transport, and vesicle formation. It is known that H2S can promote the growth and development of silkworms. Here, we used body cavity injection of siRNA to interfere withvps4 genes in H2S-treated silkworms. The interference via injection ofvps4 siRNA significantly decreased the body weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, egg laying and production in silkworms, without much effect on the cocoon shell ratio. H2S treatment could significantly improve the inhibition of body weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight and cocoon shell ratio by knocking down thevps4 gene in silkworms, without significant effects on egg laying and production. The interference of siRNA significantly decreased the expression of targetedvps4 gene and was concentrated in 24 h followed by gradual recovery. Three interference fragments also showed different interference effects, and siRNA ofvps4-2 exerted the highest interference effect to the target gene expression. Fat body had the highest mRNA expression ofvps4 gene, and the best interference effect was observed after siRNA injection. Our results suggest that there are significant phenotypic and genotypic effects ofvps4 gene knockdown in silkworms, which is of great significance for future research on silkworms.

The effects of a naturalized weed, Lepidium virginicum, on the development and behaviors of the diamondback moth and its natural enemies in Hawaii

Weeds can play numerous important roles in pest suppression in agroecosystems. These include influencing the host searching behaviors of herbivorous pests and their natural enemies and providing shelter and alternative food sources for predators and parasitoids. Virginia pepperweed, Lepidium virginicum, is a widespread naturalized weed in Hawaii and can often be found in and around agricultural fields. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is a known host plant of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella. In this study, we found that DBM preferentially oviposit on L. virginicum (vegetative stage) when presented with a choice of cabbage. Using laboratory and semi-field trials, we investigated the responses of the natural enemies of DBM to the vegetative stage of L. virginicum and cabbage infested with DBM larvae. When DBM-infested plants were placed in the field for 48 h, more spiders and parasitized DBM larvae were recovered from the L. virginicum than from cabbage. In laboratory choice experiments, we demonstrated that the dominant DBM parasitoid species in Hawaii (Cotesia vestalis) oviposited in more host larvae on L. virginicum compared to cabbage, though this had no particular benefit for parasitoid development (adult size and sex ratio). Our findings suggest that the presence of L. virginicum in cabbage agroecosystems could be beneficial by serving to divert DBM oviposition away from cabbage and promoting predator and parasitoid populations.

Nutritional prospective of Sesbania species: an underutilized wild legume from Northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

Nutrition plays very important role in longevity of life. Processed food has created various health disorders at a very alarming rate. Wild genotypes have potent nutritive characteristics which are relatively less explored. In the current investigation, two species of Sesbania were evaluated for their potent nutritional value. Sesbania grandiflora and Sesbania bispinosa seeds contained 37.78% and 30.2% crude proteins, 4.24% and 2.06% albumins, 7.20% and 5.16% globulins, 1.75% and 8.34% free amino acids, 34.91% and 59.08% total carbohydrates and 5.2% and 5.02% total lipids respectively. DPPH Radical scavenging assay revealed notable antioxidant potential with 62.27% and 65.45% inhibition respectively. Antinutrient analysis indicated the presence of total free phenols (0.29% and 0.63%), tannins (0.28% and 0.34%), phytic acid (1.70% and 1.59%) and trypsin inhibitor activity (41.8 and 54.4 TIU/mg) respectively. Both Sesbania species had excellent nutritional potential as well as antioxidant activity and a low antinutrient profile. Based on the findings, Sesbania species may be investigated further as a potential alternative food source in the near future, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas, and may pave the way toward the wider aim of food security.

Approaches to conservation of Nesidiocoris tenuis for biological control of pests in field-grown tomato in Senegal

Conservation biological control is a promising approach to natural pest control in both open field and protected crops. In sub-Saharan Africa, tomato crops are commonly damaged by several arthropod pests but can also host the predatory mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis. Unfortunately, farmers do not currently take full advantage of this zoophytophagous and generalist biocontrol agent. We conducted field investigations in the Niayes area of Senegal, combined with laboratory experiments, to determine how to enhance natural regulation services provided by this natural enemy. We found that strong full-plant watering and insecticidal sprays, both conventionally applied in the Niayes area, had a detrimental effect on N. tenuis. We identified Sesamum radiatum (false or black sesame) as a promising insectarium plant that could also serve as a leaf vegetable and medicinal plant. This plant supports good N. tenuis development and reproduction, even without alternative food sources. Y-tube olfactometry indicated no attraction to odors of Sesamum radiatum, suggesting that N. tenuis would not abandon tomato plants for this insectarium plants when present in tomato fields. Our results suggest potential approaches to improve conservation of N. tenuis for biological control of Tuta absoluta and other tomato pests in Africa.

A temporal refuge from predation can change the outcome of prey species competition

Generalist predators whose primary prey undergoes cyclic fluctuations, will predate on alternate food sources when the abundance of their primary prey is low. In this paper we have developed a general model of a predator that switches predation between its primary prey and two alternative, competing, prey species. When the predators primary prey is at high abundance, predation of the alternate, competing, prey species is low, which provides periods of temporal refuge for the alternate prey from predation. When the inter‐specific interactions between the competing prey species lead to different dynamical outcomes in the presence and absence of predation, increasing the duration of the temporal refuge promotes dominance of a competitively superior species that is vulnerable to predation. The general theoretical framework was extended to consider a key case study system of pine marten predation on red and grey squirrels. In the absence of predation, grey squirrels out‐compete red squirrels but preferential predation by pine marten on grey squirrels can suppress grey squirrel density and allow red squirrel recovery. A temporal refuge for both squirrel species can arise due to prey switching by pine marten in years when field voles, their primary prey in the UK, are abundant. The duration of the temporal refuge, quantified as the relative length of the multi‐annual vole population cycle where vole density is above a population threshold, is a critical factor determining the persistence of red and grey squirrels. Our findings therefore provide insights for the conservation of the endangered red squirrel in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and more generally on the influence of the population dynamics of primary prey species in determining community composition.

Análisis cualitativo y simulaciones de un modelo depredador-presa tipo May-Holling-Tanner razón-dependiente con una fuente alternativa de alimento para el depredador

In this work, a May-Holling-Tanner ratio-dependent predator-prey model is studied with an alternative food source for the predator, described by a two-dimensional system of ordinary differential equations. We study the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the mentioned above system. In addition, the boundedness and positivity of these solutions are analyzed and we establish conditions for the local stability of a simplified model, through a differentiable equivalence. Likewise, the Python programming language is used to perform the simulations using the Runge-Kutta numerical method of order four with the aim of showing the different cases of qualitative analysis.