Alternative Foodstuffs Research Articles

Impacts of climate-resilient push–pull technology on farmers’ income in selected counties in Kenya and Tanzania: propensity score matching approach

BackgroundAgricultural research and technology adoption play a key role in improving productivity and therefore generate impact on household livelihoods. The push–pull technology developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology and collaborators/partners has been recognized for its multiple roles in productivity improvement and income generation. However, the subsequent impacts after its adaptation to drier agro-ecologies have not been ascertained. An ex-post study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the climate-resilient push–pull technology on farmers’ income.MethodologyThis study was conducted in eight counties in Kenya and Mara region in Tanzania, involving 486 farmers; half were climate-resilient push–pull technology adopters. The study adopted the propensity score matching (PSM) technique in order to correct the self-selection bias in adoption.ResultsFrom the results, education of the farmer, household size, Tropical Livestock Unit and group membership positively and significantly influenced adoption. The average treatment effect on the treated was positive for all the matching methods; USD 455.8 for Nearest Neighbor Matching, USD 474.2 for the Kernel Matching and USD 439.1 for the Radius/Caliper Matching. The balancing test for self-selection bias showed that none of the observed covariates was significant after matching. The results demonstrate that adopting climate-resilient push–pull technology has a positive impact on the adopter farmers’ income. Adopter farmers were able to earn much more in terms of gross margin.ConclusionThe positive change in income for adopters was attributable to the technology. With increased incomes, farmers were able to access alternative foodstuff, hence had more food security and diversity than those without. Efforts to expand dissemination and adoption of climate-resilient push–pull technology will have positive impacts on adopting families and hence to the economy.

The changes of physicochemical properties, antioxidants, organic, and key volatile compounds associated with the flavor of peach (Prunus cerasus L. Batsch) vinegar during the fermentation process.

Peach is a delicious food preferred by consumers and widely used in the manufacture of peach juice, peach juice concentrate, peach jam, dried fruit, puree, etc. Alternatively, peach can be used in the production of vinegar. In this study, peach vinegar was produced as an alternative to other industrial products produced from peach. In this study, it was determined that the TPC content and ORAC value of peach vinegar were higher than those of peach juice and peach wine. In addition, the major contributor compounds to the aroma profiles of the samples were the γ-decalactone, linalool, and geraniol compounds for the peach juice; the ethanol, ɣ-decalactone, phenylacetic acid, acetic acid, 2-phenylethanol, ethyl decanoate, the linalool, and the decanoic-acid for the peach wine; and the ɣ-decalactone, phenylacetic acid, acetic-acid, phenethyl-acetate, and isovaleric acid for the peach vinegar. It is thought that the results of this study will pave the way for the widespread production of vinegar from peach, which has positive effects on health, is rich in volatile aroma components, and has a high potential to be preferred. Furthermore, this study is the first detailed study so far on peach vinegar. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, it was aimed to produce vinegar as a new and alternative foodstuff product from peach fruit which was normally processed as fresh or/ dried fruit, fruit juice, puree, and canned fruit by the industry. An alternative idea was created for the use of peach fruit, which has a short shelf life. In the study, the antioxidant capacity, organic compounds, and volatile compounds associated with aroma profile of peach vinegar during the fermentation process were determined. Moreover, the changes of these compounds were monitored during the fermentation process. The results of the study are a guide for the usability of peach fruit as a raw material in the production of peach vinegar, which has potentially positive effects on health, is rich in volatile aroma components, and has a high potential to be preferred. Furthermore, this study is the first detailed study on peach vinegar.

Pandemic Effects and Gluten-Free Diet: An Adherence and Mental Health Problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been present for many months, influencing diets such as the gluten-free diet (GFD), which implies daily challenges even in non-pandemic conditions. Persons following the GFD were invited to answer online ad hoc and validated questionnaires characterizing self-perceptions of the pandemic, current clinical condition, dietary characteristics, adherence to GFD, anxiety, and depression. Of 331 participants, 87% experienced shortage and higher cost of food and 14.8% lost their jobs. Symptoms increased in 29% and 36.6% failed to obtain medical help. Although 52.3% increased food preparation at home and purchased alternative foodstuffs, 53.8% had consumed gluten-containing foods. The Health Eating Index was intermediate/“needs improvement” (mean 65.6 ± 13.3 points); in 49.9% (perception) and 44.4% (questionnaire), adherence was “bad”. Anxiety and depression scores were above the cutoff in 28% and 40.4%, respectively. Adherence and mental health were strongly related. The likelihood of poor adherence was 2.3 times higher (p < 0.004) in participants declaring that pandemic altered GFD. Those suffering depressive symptoms were 1.3 times more likely to have poor adherence (p < 0.000). Depression and faulty GFD (mandatory for treatment) appear, affecting a high proportion of participants, suggesting that support measures aimed at these aspects would help improve the health condition of people that maintain GFD. Comparisons of data currently appearing in the literature available should be cautious because not only cultural aspects but conditions and timing of data collection are most variable.

Productivity of Arrowroots and Taro Grown Under Superior Teak Clones with Several Levels of Stand Density

Perum Perhutani has an important role in providing food and wood for people. Diversity and diversification of food will reduce the need for one type of food, namely rice as a staple food. Some tuber and rhizome are source of alternative foodstuffs, such as taro and arrowroot. This study aimed to determine the suitability and productivity of arrowroot and taro planted under old superior teak clones with several levels of stand density. Arrowroot and taro were planted under 14-year-old teak stands with 4 levels of density. Both plants were planted in the form of an array, measuring of 3m x 15m, with a spacing of 75cm x 75cm between plants. They were arranged in Randomized Completely with Block Design (RCBD) placed in 4 blocks of observation as replications. The results showed that under superior teak clone had the potential to be planted with arrowroot and taro. Teak stand density influenced significantly some characteristics of arrowroot (leaves number, leaves area, stem height, stem diameter, root length) and taro (stem diameter, tuber diameter). Arrowroot productivity per hectare increased with low density of teak stands, accounted for 55, 59, 80, and 88 kg respectively. Meanwhile, taro productivity from very high to low teak density were 365, 301, 523, and 426 kg/ha. The novelty of this study is that there is no record of intercropping studies on old superior teak clones, so this is among the first studies. The benefit of from this research result, it could be employed by Perhutani to support the Indonesian government in the national food security program

Analysis of Influencing Factors and Volatility of Broiler Meat Prices in Pasuruan Regency, East Java Province

The research was aimed to analyze of broiler meat price fluctuation, identify the factors competitor foodstuffs price that influence of broiler meat price, and identify alternative foodstuffs of broiler meat at consumer level in Pasuruan. The determination of location was did deliberately with consideration that in 2013, the production of broiler meat in Pasuruan was fourth highest production after Malang, Sidoarjo and Jombang , it was 8,842 million kg. This research was used secondary data from January 2010 until November 2015. The analytical method used is the price volatilitass analysis and multiple linear regression. The results showed that the value of broiler meat price volatility in Pasuruan tend to be small (low volatility) and happen quickly. Factors competitor foodstuffs price that influence the price of broiler meat in Pasuruan simultaneously influenced by the price of local chicken meat, beef prices, the price of eggs, and prices of salted anchovies fish. While partially, broiler meat prices at the consumer level in Pasuruan influenced by the price of beef and the price of eggs. The relation between the both showed that: broiler meat is alternative foodstuffs for beef, eggs are alternative foodstuffs for meat broiler, salted anchovies fish is complements for broiler meat.

Application of micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) to study buckwheat grain structure and composition

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is a gluten-free pseudo-cereal crop with a grain nutrient profile that makes it an excellent alternative foodstuff. The distribution of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) was investigated by micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) to resolve allocation and concentration of the elements in nine distinct grain tissues. Magnesium, P and S were preferentially allocated to the cotyledons and the embryonic axis (both inner and outer tissues), and Ca was predominant in the pericarp where two Ca-rich layers were observed. Allocation of P and S to aleurone suggests that this layer of cells, although not as prominent as in cereal grain, is rich in phytate and proteins. Quantitative information on spatial distribution of mineral elements in the edible grain may be useful in the technological processing of the grain and particularly in reducing the amount of mineral-element loss during milling.

Akuntansi Sederhana Bagi Usaha Rumah Tangga Pengolahan Buah Mangrove di Kabupaten Mempawah

Mangrove fruits can be used as an alternative food stuffs. Household businesses in Mempawah Regency processed mangrove fruits into products in the form of dodol, syrup, and flour. Nevertheless, the processing done by the community was very simple and required a long time. One disadvantage of household businesses in managing their businesses was the poor financial management, specifically related to the accounting bookkeeping process. This service activity aimed to provide accounting training for household businesses so that they can have better financial management knowledge and procedures. The method used was the accounting training practice. This training activity was participated in by the mangrove fruit processing household business operators which was carried out in Sungai Bakau Besar Laut Village, Siliki Pinyuh Sub-district, Mempawah District. The results of the training showed an increase in the knowledge and abilities of the participants in accounting bookeeping and the participants practiced themselves in their respective businesses. To support the sustainability of this training program, a mentoring program from the government and academia are needed.

RANCANG BANGUN MESIN PASCA PANEN HANJELI

Kebutuhan pangan akan terus meningat seiring dengan laju pertumbuhan jumlah penduduk yang terus naik, sehingga perlu dikembangkan bahan pangan alternatif, salah satunya hanjeli. Sebelum diolah hanjeli mengalami beberapa proses, yaitupengeringan, pemecahan kulit luar, penyosohan lapisan aleuron, pemisahan beras hanjeli dari dedak, dan penepungan.Pemanfaatan hanjeli sebagai bahan pangan masih terkendala dalam pemecahan kulit luar karena kulitnya sangat keras, sehingga dibutuhkan rancang bangun mesin pengupas untuk mempermudah dalam pengupasan kulit hanjeli sebelum penyosohan. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Juli – November 2018 di Laboratorium Bengkel Logam Kayu dan Rotan, Fakultas Teknologi Industri Pertanian, Univesitas Padjadjaran. Metode yang digunakan yaitu metode rekayasa (Engineering) dengan melakukan suatu kegiatan perancangan. Hasilnya adalah sebuah unit mesin pasca panen hanjeli yang terdiri dari unit pengupas, unit pemilah, dan unit penyosoh dengan komponen utama terdiri dari rangka, sistem transmisi, hopper, silinder pengupas, dan saluran pengeluaran biji. Mesin dapat digunakan untuk mengupas hanjeli varietas batu dengan besarnya hanjeli yang belum terkupas &lt;35%.&#x0D;

Microbiological safety and quality of Italian donkey milk

AbstractConsidering that few data are currently available about donkey milk microbiological quality and given the spread of food‐borne outbreaks strongly linked with the consumption of raw milk, the aim of the present study was to investigate the microbiological quality and the food safety of Italian donkey milk. Total viable count (TVC) and coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus were evaluated to verify the process hygiene criteria for donkey's milk. The presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter sakazakii, E. coli O157, and Campylobacter spp. were evaluated to estimate its food safety criteria. The study revealed that the TVC values were compliant with European legislation. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus and Cronobacter sakazakii were not detected. However, the presence of E. coli O157 and Campylobacter coli was observed, highlighting an important health‐related issue, underlining the need to implement an adequate control plan by performing intensive and continuous monitoring in order to guarantee human health.Practical applicationsDonkey's milk is considered a “pharmafood” due to its nutritional, nutraceutical, and functional properties. Indeed, it has been configured as a valid alternative foodstuff for children affected by cow's milk protein allergy, atopic, and inflammatory diseases due to its distinct chemical composition and consequently particular nutritional properties. However, undesirable pathogens responsible for food‐borne diseases harmful to humans have been detected. High hygiene standards should be followed along raw milk chain to avoid potential hazardous pathogenic bacteria spreading to consumers and microbiological parameters and criteria need to be established in raw donkey milk for human consumption. Specific sanitary control plans are required for authorized dairy donkey farms.

Gene expression, oocyte quality and embryo production by cloning in goats supplemented with different diets

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of using native food sources (cashew apple bagasse (Anacardium occidentale), cassava root scrapings (Manihot esculenta), and wax palm fruit (Copernicia prunifera)) as corn replacement in the balanced feed of goats as oocyte donors for cloning procedures. After four weeks of feeding, we evaluated follicular development and fluid composition, in vivo maturation rate and oocyte competence assessed by in vitro embryo production by cloning, and the expression pattern of GDF9, BMP15, BAX, and BCL2 gene products in oocytes. Type of feed had no effect on the live weight and sternal subcutaneous fat thickness in goats, measured prior to oocyte harvesting. Inclusion of wax palm fruit in the foodstuff significantly increased the number of aspirated follicles, number of recovered oocytes, and glucose concentrations in the follicular fluid. However, maturation rates and in vitro embryo yield were not affected by the type of foodstuff. Our results also showed that the test diets induced underexpression of GDF9 and did not affect oocyte developmental capacity or the efficiency of the cloning process under our experimental conditions. In general, inclusion of alternative foodstuff in the diet of adult oocyte donor goats as replacement for corn was effective in maintaining oocyte developmental capacity, being as successful in supporting in vitro embryo production by cloning procedures in goats. The alternative food ingredients used for a period of four weeks can effectively replace corn in the diet without appearing to compromise animal health and fertility, which is an economic and viable alternative for goat production in tropical regions, contributing to the current trend in global sustainability.

Establishing the Effect of Brushing and a Day's Diet on Tooth Tissue Loss in Vitro.

To develop an in vitro model to mimic the effects of meals equivalent to a day’s diet on tooth tissue loss (TTL). To identify how diet effects tooth wear and to test the efficacy of dental products designed to reduce tooth wear in a more realistic environment. A typical Friday diet was devised comprising: Breakfast then brushing, lunch, dinner then brushing. Groups of enamel samples were exposed to one meal, or all three in series, a control group was exposed to water and brushed. The daily cycle was repeated to represent two days’ consumption; TTL was quantified by non-contact profilometry. This pilot study highlighted adaptions that could be made to the model such as human enamel and saliva to further replicate natural eating habits. The sum of the TTL measured after Breakfast, lunch and dinner (bovine enamel specimens exposed to single meals) was less than that exhibited by the group of samples exposed to the series of meals but this difference was not significant (p = 0.09).In the absence and presence of brushing, TTL caused by breakfast and dinner was similar, but significantly greater than that caused by lunch (p < 0.05). While brushing increased TTL, this increase was not significant. It is possible to model a daily diet in vitro, and the data obtained confirms that the combination of food and drink affects the degree of TTL. This supports the further development of an in vitro model that includes alternative foodstuffs. This would aid understanding of the effects different diets have on TTL and could test new products designed to prevent TTL.

Harvesting of salep orchids in north-western Greece continues to threaten natural populations

AbstractIn several eastern Mediterranean countries orchids are collected from the wild for the production of salep, a beverage made of dried orchid tubers. The drivers of this collection and trade have changed over time. We investigated which genera and species are harvested for salep production, whether any cultivation takes place, the chain of commercialization, and the economic value of tuber collection. Fieldwork and interviews in north-western Greece included 25 collectors and street vendors, the owners of two companies, and one herbal shop. The results show that several orchid species are traded for the production of salep, and none are cultivated. Tubers collected in Greece, Albania and Turkey are sold in northern Greece for EUR 55–150 per kg on average. Recent catalysts such as the increasing demand for traditional, organic and alternative foodstuffs, and the 2009 economic downturn, have led to a revival of salep consumption, with an increasing number of salep harvesters from Greece and Albania scouring the mountains for harvestable tubers, using unsustainable harvesting practices.

Inured to Empire: Wild Rice and Climate Change

Wild rice might have become the consummate alternative foodstuff of the British Empire. This edible native North American plant was the subject of significant, if subsequently forgotten, investigation between the Seven Years’ War and the Napoleonic Wars. During this period of ongoing military conflict, imperial expansion, and subsistence crises, colonists, naturalists, and officials also grappled with the possibility that climates were undergoing continuous, perhaps permanent, transformation. They envisioned wild rice as the pioneer plant of a responsive imperial ecology, uniquely suited to weathering all political seasons and untold natural upheavals. Neglecting Native American horticultural practice, they wrote about exploiting wild rice on a larger scale as the realization of a biblical and imperial dream of guaranteed abundance: a self-reproducing, prodigious staple impervious to unexpected developments, including “inexplicable” changes in the climate.

CONTRIBUTION OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE TO PROBABILISTIC PREDICTION OF FAMINE

The contribution of prior knowledge in prediction of change in food crop prices using ordinary linear regression (OLR) and Gaussian process (GP) based on a probabilistic approach in famine predictions was established in this study. Prior information was obtained from previous results and incorporated into a new dataset. For GP, both approaches incorporating weight-space view and function-space view were applied and results compared. The function-space view produced a more suitable model than the weight-space view and OLR. Probabilistic inference showed better famine prediction accuracy than the conventional inference approach. Addition of prior information into the prediction framework improved prediction. It is recommended that in addition to the developed model, further modeling should be carried out to include the effects of variables such as bumper harvest, availability of inexpensive alternative foodstuffs for consumption, imported foodstuffs to remedy famine, effect of neighborhood price, and cross-border trade.

Spatially resolved distributions of the mineral elements in the grain of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)

The different buckwheat species are gluten-free pseudocereals, and they are amongst the most important alternative foodstuffs as they have an excellent nutrient profile. The grain of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is known to be rich in antioxidants (especially rutin) and mineral elements. In addition to the spatial distributions of Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn at the tissue level that have been determined using micro-proton-induced X-ray emission, we have also assessed the distributions of C, O, Mg, P, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn at the cellular and sub-cellular levels using synchrotron radiation-based low-energy X-ray fluorescence. The highest concentrations of all of the studied mineral elements were in the cotyledons, except for Ca, which dominated in the pericarp. The relative mineral-element distributions calculated on dry weight basis confirm the observed mineral distribution profiles. In the cotyledons, P clearly partitions to the mesophyll and is mainly ascribed to phytate. In the mesophyll, the P spatial distribution strongly correlates with Mg and, in decreasing order, with Cu>Fe>Mn>Zn. These spatial distributions of the mineral elements, their concentrations and their co-localisation are discussed in relation to other pseudocereal and cereal grain.

Technology for Extraction of Bee-bread from the Honeycomb

Abstract Different methods of extraction of perga from a honeycomb are observed. A number of extraction technologies which allow obtaining a high nutritional quality product with preserved vitamins for further production of medicines or alternative foodstuffs which are based on bee-keeping products are studied. A detailed analysis of the technologies and main technical characteristics of various units is given. It is concluded, that the highest productivity is reached by the technologies which are based on convective method and modern non-destructing methods, such as acoustic drying.

Detoxification of Aflatoxin in Artificially Contaminated Maize Crop by Ammoniation Procedures

Aflatoxin contamination is a common occurrence in corn-based agricultural commodities such as grains andoilseed crops that are normally stored in warm moist places. Since aflatoxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic, thisstudy was undertaken to determine the use of ammoniation procedures to destroy aflatoxin in contaminated maizesamples. Strains of Aspergillus parasiticus were used to contaminate maize samples collected from market centersin Eldoret Municipality. They were then decontaminated by ammoniation procedure under normal temperatureand pressure. High performance liquid chromatography was used for analysis of aflatoxin content in maize cropsamples. The results revealed that ammoniation procedure can destroy over 90% of the aflatoxin in maize and maybe considered economically viable especially where alternative foodstuffs are not available or affordable.

EVALUATION OF THE NEW SOFTWARE PROGRAM DEGIFXL4 IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE GLYCAEMIC INDICES OF FOODSTUFFS

There is no standardized protocol for measuring glycemic index (GI) that takes time-of-day effects into account. The software DegifXL2 and Medtronic-Minimed's CGMS and Solutions, makes the GI calculation at breakfast and dinner time possible. The aim of this study was to assess the enhanced data processing software (DegifXL4) enabling the GI calculation at breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner times. The glucose levels of 20 healthy volunteers were monitored after they consumed either 50 g of glucose or one of ten alternative foodstuffs either for breakfast and dinner or for lunch or snack. Within the 9-day test period, 10 such meals were monitored in 3 replicates for each volunteer. Specifically, CGMS was used to monitor plasma glucose levels at 5-minute intervals for a period of 120 min following the foodstuff ingestion. Using the enhanced spreadsheed DegifXL 4, a total of 640 profiles were obtained and 491 (77 %) accomplished the criteria for further processing. The percentage of successful tests in each foodstuff varied from 57 to 87 %. The use of the new software DegifXL4 offers accurate GI estimates for foodstuffs eaten for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinners in three replicates. In combination with the CGMS Solutions Software is DegifXL4 an enhanced efficient and comfortable way to routinely measure GI values.

Automated computation of glycemic index for foodstuffs using continuous glucose monitoring.

The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the ability of a food to raise glucose levels after it is eaten. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to give identical values of GI when compared to traditional methods. However, there has been no standardized protocol for measuring GI that takes into account interindividual variability and chronophysiological glycemic response to food. Our aim was (1) to create and describe software based on a Microsoft Excel 2000 spreadsheet to facilitate rapid, automated, accurate, and standardized processing of data obtained using recent CGM methodology to measure GI and its variability and (2) to assess the benefits of this new approach. Twenty healthy subjects consumed 50 grams of glucose or four alternative foodstuffs (chocolate, apple baby food, rice squares, or yogurt) at breakfast and dinner during 1 week, resulting in 300 CGMS glucose profiles; 92% of meal tests were satisfactory for evaluation. Application and functions of the software DegifXL are described. Using the new spreadsheet software DegifXL, time required for data processing for the 15 data sets for each subject was reduced from 2000 to 160 minutes relative to previously used manual methods. We characterized the GI for four foodstuffs with three replicate measurements in each of 20 subjects and evaluated between person, between time period, and between replicate GI variabilities. DegifXL, combined with CGM, was an efficient and effective tool for routine measurement of group- and subject-related GI.

Bioproduction of a novel sugar 1-deoxy- l-fructose by Enterobacter aerogenes IK7; isomerization of a 6-deoxyhexose to a 1-deoxyhexose

1-Deoxy- l-fructose, a very rare monosaccharide, was produced by hydrogenation of 6-deoxy- l-mannose ( l-rhamnose)—the only cheaply available deoxy sugar—to 1-deoxy- l-mannitol ( l-rhamnitol) followed by oxidation with Enterobacter aerogenes IK7. The entire procedure was conducted in water and shows the power of green environmentally friendly chemistry combined with biotechnology in the preparation of new monosaccharides with potential for novel bioactive properties or alternative foodstuffs; the reactions here are reported on a multigram scale but would be reproducible on a very large scale.