Basic Food Research Articles

The impact of forage condition on household food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia

We studied the causal link between forage condition and food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia and probed the mechanisms through which the effects occur. The study utilized weekly panel survey data collected over a period of 94 weeks (March 2021–December 2022) from drought-prone pastoral regions and estimated two-stage least squares instrumental variables regression to assess causal impacts. We found that an increase in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) – our proxy for forage condition – by 10% significantly reduced the likelihood of a household experiencing food insecurity by 12 percentage points. The main mechanisms through which improved forage condition increased food security were livestock productivity enhancement, reduced prices of basic food commodities (cereals, legumes, and vegetables), and utilization of better coping strategies by households. These findings suggest the need for interventions and initiatives aimed at boosting livestock productivity and reducing vulnerability to drought-induced poor forage conditions. Efforts focused on the monitoring of forage conditions and supporting market development for livestock feed are important for addressing the adverse impacts of drought and deteriorating forage conditions in the horn of Africa. Furthermore, the monitoring of drought conditions and shocks using high-frequency data has the potential for providing early warning and informing anticipatory action.

Association of breakfast skipping on nutrient intake and adiposity in Malaysian children: Findings from SEANUTS II

Malaysian children often skip breakfast, an important meal providing essential nutrients for optimal growth and maintaining proper nutritional status. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the associations between breakfast skipping with dietary intake, diet quality, and adiposity indicators among primary schoolchildren aged 6.0–12.9 years. This study involved 1383 children from the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS II) Malaysia. Information collected through questionnaires included sociodemography and breakfast consumption, defined as the first meal before noon. Breakfast skipping was identified as skipping breakfast at least once a week. Anthropometric measures, including height, body weight, and waist circumference, as well as percentage of body fat, were collected. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio were calculated, and BMI-for-age-z-scores was determined using WHO (2007) growth reference. A one-day 24-hour dietary recall was employed to assess dietary intake, and diet quality was analyzed using Malaysian Healthy Eating Index. Binary logistic regression was applied to examine relationship between breakfast skipping on diet quality and adiposity indicators. Over one-third (36.0%) of children skipped breakfast at least once a week, resulting in lower intakes of energy, nutrients, cereals/grains, vegetables, and milk/dairy products, though not affecting total diet quality score. Breakfast skipping was associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity (aOR 2.04, 95%CI: 1.52–2.76) and central obesity (aOR 1.87, 95%CI 1.34–2.61). In conclusion, primary schoolchildren in Peninsular Malaysia who skipped breakfast tended to have lower consumption of nutrients and specific basic food groups, as well as increased body fat. This study highlights the importance of continuing to educate parents and children about healthy eating habits, especially the need to adhere to dietary recommendations, with an emphasis on breakfast consumption.

Analysis of Policy Implementation of the Food Program in Rural Areas

In order to reduce poverty rates, the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Basic Food Program aims to reduce the burden on KPM expenditures by fulfilling part of their food needs as well as reducing poverty. Implementation of this policy was also held in Purisemanding Village, Jombang Regency. However, it is not yet known how far the Basic Food Program has been implemented in these rural areas. The aim of this research is to analyze the implementation of the Basic Food Program in rural areas, especially in Purisemanding Village. This research uses research methods descriptive with a qualitative approach. By using data analysis techniques developed by Miles & Huberman. The research focus refers to Matland's (1995) theory, namelyPolicy Accuracy, Implementation Accuracy, Target Accuracy, and Environmental Accuracy. The results of the research conclude that the accuracy of the Basic Food Program policy has been implemented well but has not been able to reduce the poverty rate, the accuracy of implementation has been carried out well by the policy implementing agency, however the accuracy of the target has been good but has not been implemented optimally, especially in terms of infrastructure, and environmental accuracy is also lacking. carried out optimally, especially for the external environment.

Nutritional composition, protein digestibility and consumer acceptability of sorghum‐based mahewu enriched with Moringa oleifera leaf powder

SummaryIn this study, the effect of different levels (1%–5%) of whole and defatted Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on the nutritional composition, physicochemical properties, protein digestibility and consumer acceptability of sorghum mahewu was investigated. The MOLP was boiled and added to the fermented sorghum mahewu. The results demonstrated that sorghum mahewu enriched with whole and defatted MOLP had higher amounts (P < 0.05) of protein, ash and fibre content compared to the control sample. Moreover, minerals, amino acid contents and protein digestibility of the enriched sorghum mahewu samples were significantly improved compared to the control sample. The pH decreased with an increasing proportion of MOLP ranging from 4.36 to 4.09 (mahewu enriched with whole MOLP) and from 4.36 to 4.17 (mahewu enriched with defatted MOLP). Sorghum mahewu samples enriched with whole and defatted MOLP had higher contents of total titratable acid compared to the control sample, while the total soluble solids and viscosity decreased. In terms of colour profile, the b*, and chroma values of sorghum mahewu increased with an increasing percentage of whole and defatted MOLP while L* and a* values decreased. Regarding overall liking, sorghum mahewu enriched with 1% whole and defatted MOLP did not differ (P > 0.05) from the control sample. Therefore, sorghum mahewu must be enriched with low percentages of MOLP to improve its acceptance among consumers. These findings suggest that incorporating medicinal plants such as boiled MOLP to basic foods produced from sorghum flour could improve their nutritional profile and protein digestibility.

Determination of the general toxicity of the enriching compositions of bakeries using Stylonychia mytilus cultures

In order to improve public health, it is necessary to adhere to the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle, which include maintaining physical activity, a balanced diet, giving up tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as a number of other measures aimed at improving the quality and extending life expectancy. In particular, a regular imbalance of consumed vital nutrients contributes to the development of diseases such as vitamin deficiency and microelementosis. The most common causes of microelementosis include the quality of drinking water, the impact of anthropogenic factors on the environment and population, soil characteristics in the food production region, and others. One of the mechanisms for regulating violations of the elemental status of the population in regions with a recorded imbalance of essential elements is diet correction, which also includes the use of fortified food products. In order to optimize the technology for the production of functional products within small food enterprises and ensure the development of the market for functional bakery products, it is advisable to search for new methods for enriching basic food products with vital microelements. The purpose of the research was to assess the general toxicity of the formed enriching composition based on chitosan and zinc. To achieve this, an express method to determine the general toxicity on ciliates of the Stylonychia mytilus genus was used. The research allows us to conclude that it is safe to use a composition of chitosan and zinc in the recipes of bread made from premium wheat flour and whole grain wheat flour. The results are aimed at optimizing the technology of bread fortification by immobilizing the necessary essential microelement on the surface of a biopolymer carrier.

Effect of recycled polypropylene on migration of six processing aids in polypropylene film to milk

Mechanically recycled plastics used in food packaging are consistent with the current circular economy concept. In this study, the effects of recycled polypropylene (rPP) content on film properties and the migration of processing aids in the film to food simulant and milk were studied by self-made rPP films. The results showed that the rPP and processing aids increased the transparency of the films. However, the presence of tiny particles in the rPP film reduced its elongation at break. Furthermore, rPP and processing aids decreased the thermal stability of the film. At 70 °C for 2 h, the total migration order of the processing aids to food simulant and milk was 50 % ethanol (55.78–64.17 mg/kg) > whole milk (10.32–10.66 mg/kg) > low-fat milk (6.39–7.04 mg/kg) > skim milk (4.88–5.47 mg/kg). The migration of processing aids into milk in films containing 50 % and 100 % rPP was similar to that of virgin polypropylene (vPP) films, which indicates that rPP does not promote processing aid migration. Moreover the overall migration order of processing aids to 2 % (w/v) food ingredient aqueous solution was lecithin (3.05 mg/kg) > glyceryl trilaurate (2.68 mg/kg) > cholesterol (1.33 mg/kg) > NaCl (0.33 mg/kg) > casein (0.32 mg/kg) > lactose (0.29 mg/kg) > water (0.16 mg/kg). This confirmed that milk fat was the primary cause of processing aids migration from the film, and the kind of milk fat also had an effect on processing aids migration. Therefore, as long as the basic performance and food safety of packaging are met, a certain proportion of rPP can be added to vPP to achieve sustainable development of packaging.

‘Saviours’, ‘Business Partners’, or ‘Snobs’? How Jewish Inmates Perceived and Interacted with British Prisoners of War in the Nazi Camp Complex Blechhammer (Upper Silesia)

Between 1942 and 1945, Jewish inmates of a forced labour camp and later Auschwitz subcamp at Blechhammer (Blachownia Slaska, Upper Silesia) worked alongside British prisoners of war on the construction site of a giant synthetic fuel facility, the Oberschlesische Hydrierwerke. This paper examines the multifaceted forms of interaction between these two groups, who were situated at the opposite ends of a spectrum ranging from high survival rates to certain death. By reframing the Jewish inmates’ perceptions of the POWs, it seeks to shed new light on a controversial debate on the nature of the relationship between them and the British prisoners. The paper argues that important aspects have been missing from this debate, as the Jewish inmates were not sufficiently represented and not viewed as active protagonists. The relations between Jews and British POWs were not one-sided, but rather interdependent in complex ways. Both groups used these contacts to gain strategic information on the war and jointly contributed to the Allied resistance effort. The barter with British POWs played a crucial role in the collective and individual survival strategies of Jewish inmates, whereas the British increasingly depended on the Jewish inmates to procure basic foods, when German rations ceased to be allocated. An analysis of the effects of British aid-giving showed that the actual impact on the physical survival of the emaciated inmates was negligible. However, these gifts were commonly interpreted as humanitarian gestures by both sides. Altogether, the British were encouraging symbols of resistance against the Nazi regime in the eyes of the inmates. Negative experiences were rarely corroborated and were often linked to poor English language skills, or a stronger identification with other nationalities.

Pengabdian Masyarakat Melalui Kegiatan Bakti Sosial Di Kelurahan Kepuh Ciwandan

Social service is a form of Community Service, aimed at helping others in a cooperative manner without expecting any reward. This social service was carried out by KKM 46 students in Kepuh Village, Ciwandan District, Cilegon City. The method of implementation in community service in the form of social service is by carrying out mutual cooperation activities, namely; environmental and worship facility cleaning activities, helping to implement the grand tabligh activity and helping to implement the election of the RT head. 05/01 Kepuh. The implementation of the basic food distribution activity was carried out in two activities, namely; distribution of basic food during the commemoration of the Islamic New Year 1446 H. and distribution of basic food in Kepuh Village in the form of distribution of Social Assistance basic food for the poor in the Kepuh Village environment. This social service was carried out by students going directly to the field to help the community in these activities. The conclusion is that the social service that has been carried out can help and its benefits can be felt by the community around Kepuh Village, Ciwandan.

PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF MALNUTRITION AMONG UNDER- FIVE CHILDREN OF HOUSEHOLD IN SLUM AREAS OF DISTRICT FAISALABAD

Malnutrition refers to a pathological condition characterized by a lack of nutrients necessary for healthy body function. Malnutrition is one of the most common causes of death and disease among children under the age of five. About 96% percent of children in Pakistan do not receive adequate nutrition during childhood, such as soft food, milk, fruit, and vegetables. Food insecurity is a serious problem in Pakistan as a significant portion of the rural population is food insecure. A staggering 36.9% of households in the country are 'food insecure' and 18.3% are 'severely' food insecure. Pakistan is self-sufficient in basic food items, but only 63.1% of households have food security. Food insecurity is common, leaving women and children at greater risk of malnutrition. Drought-affected communities have exceptionally high rates of malnutrition. According to statistics in Pakistan, about 40, 29%, and 18% of children under the age of five are a stunt, underweight, and wasted, respectively. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition status in children under 5 years of age in the slums of Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan. The data is based on household demographic and socioeconomic factors, including anthropometric information on children under the age of five living in a slum in Faisalabad. Anthropometric data were obtained from 150 randomly selected children from three slum areas of Faisalabad. Socioeconomic and behavioural data were collected from each mother. Three indicators were used to measure the nutritional status of children: (i) stunting, height–for– age, (ii) wasting weight–for–height, and (iii) under-weight¸ weight–for–age. These values ​​were transformed into z-scores to classify the child's nutritional status. Descriptive and logistic regression techniques were used to identify factors associated with children's nutritional status. According to this study, the prevalence of stunting, being underweight, and wasting among children under five years of age in Faisalabad District, Pakistan were 28%, 22.6%, and 18% respectively. Testing with logistic regression techniques revealed that demographic, socio-economic, and behavioural factors were significant predictors of all three indicators of child nutritional status. These main factors were household calorie intake and maternal education, father education, access to clean water, and maternal access to health facilities.

Looking at the Chemocratic World: A Dystopian Reading of “The Futurological Congress” by Stanislaw Lem

The concept of dystopia anti-utopia or is beyond what is imagined as an ideal world; it is used to describe works that contain the chaos, political problems, despair, and impossibility to which humanity is dragged. Stanislaw Lem, influenced by the changing life patterns after the Ukrainian occupation and the Nazi occupation, discussed the concept of dystopia together with the drug theme in his work The Futurological Congress (1971). The novel begins with a reference to Ijon Tichy's space travels in Lem's earlier work, The Star Diaries (1957). Tichy, who set out to attend a futurology congress in future, is not content with this situation. The story begins to change when he reaches the Hilton Hotel. Talking about the population explosion and various robots built to serve humanity, Tichy awaits surprise coupons on hotel floors and difficulties in purchasing the most basic food he will consume. It is planned to discuss issues such as hunger, uncontrolled population growth, and lack of resources at the congress. However, the congress is interrupted due to attacks. Tichy, who hallucinates due to the gases used, and those in the sewer where he hides find themselves in a grotesque adventure. The Futurological Congress, decorated with the weather determined by voting, books in edible form, and parasites jumping out of the television, has details that make the author question what future we want and how we want it. This article discusses how Lem conveys his chemocratic universe, which seems like a paradise, where the so-called peace is provided by drugs, and how he handles social life through his characters.

Food price inflation nowcasting and monitoring1

Rising food prices may rapidly push vulnerable populations into food insecurity, especially in developing economies and in low-income countries, where a substantial share of the financial resources available to the poorest households is spent on food. To capture soaring food prices and help in designing mitigating measures, we developed two complementary products: a nowcasting model that estimates official food consumer price inflation up to the current month and a daily food price monitor that checks whether the growth rate of a few basic food commodities exceeds a statistical threshold. Both products were designed with the consideration that the rapid acquisition of data and the automated extraction of insights are indispensable tools for policymakers, particularly in times of crisis. Our framework is characterized by three key aspects. Firstly, we leverage two non-traditional data sources to emphasize the importance of real-time information: a crowdsourced repository of daily food prices and textual insights obtained from newspapers articles. Secondly, our framework offers a global perspective, encompassing 225 countries and territories, which enables the monitoring of food prices dynamics on a global scale. Thirdly, results are made accessible daily via an intuitive and user-friendly interactive dashboard.

Characterization of hair cortisol concentration pre-conception and during pregnancy

BackgroundThe hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is a system involved in stress and pregnancy regulation, and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a promising biomarker of its activity. Assessing factors that influence HCC in the prenatal period is critical to understand whether and how HPA axis (dys-)regulation influences maternal health and child development, particularly in high-risk populations from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). AimsThis study aimed at characterizing preconception and pregnancy HCC with respect to multiple sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and hair-related factors. MethodsIn a sample of N = 2581 pregnant women in Perú, participants from two cohort studies provided a 6 cm scalp hair sample at three prenatal timepoints. Each hair sample was cut into two segments of 3 cm that represent cortisol secretion at four times: preconception, first-, second- and third trimester of pregnancy. Hair cortisol was extracted using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Spearman correlations, paired t-tests, and ANOVA were used to assess differences in log-transformed values of HCC (logHCC) across maternal sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and hair-related factors. Multivariable linear regressions were used to examine independent associations of HCCs with selected correlates. ResultsMean logHCC values showed an increase across the four prenatal periods. Preconception BMI was consistently associated with HCC in all three trimesters, while difficulty accessing basic foods, education, hair dyeing, and infant sex showed time-specific associations with HCCs. In sensitivity analyses, we detected no substantial segment effects in the associations of HCCs with maternal characteristics. ConclusionThis study is the largest to characterize HCC in pregnant women from a LMIC. Our findings provide a foundation for the use of HCC as a biomarker of prenatal HPA axis activity for future studies. This foundation may contribute to finding valid biomarkers of stress-response systems to promote maternal and child health.

Analisis Studi Kelayakan Bisnis pada Pengembangan UMKM Sembako di Desa Keramean dari Aspek Hukum, Aspek Pemasaran dan Aspek Keuangan

This study discusses the business feasibility analysis of MSMEs in basic food businesses in Keramean Village by considering legal, marketing, and financial aspects. Researchers use a quantitative approach with the least square method. Collection of data on the sale of basic food prices through interviews with business owners. This study aims to identify the potential success of basic food businesses and provide input for business owners in understanding the challenges and opportunities faced. The evaluation results show that April sales are more relevant than the previous month, this can happen because there is an increase in profit every month. This basic food business has great profit potential if managed properly, so it can be considered a promising business opportunity for MSMEs.

Does fuel price volatility induce price instability in the agricultural commodity supply chain? Empirical evidence from Ghana

Food price volatility has become a hot topic after the global food crisis of 2007/2008 and 2010/2011 due to the livelihood threat it poses, particularly to poor households. The purpose of this paper is threefold: to determine the possible volatility spillover effect from fuel to food prices, assess the perception of actors along the food supply chain on the effects of price volatility, and investigate the indigenous management methods used by the identified actors. We discovered evidence of volatility transmission from fuel to food markets in southern Ghana. However, in northern Ghana, where agricultural commodities are primarily brought to market on motorcycles and tricycles, the spillover effect of fuel is negligible. The supply chain participants believe that price volatility is having a detrimental impact on their decision-making or planning, supplies/production, and finances. Wholesalers and retailers handle price volatility by diversifying their sources, storing products for better pricing, and implementing volume controls. Farmers' primary price volatility control strategies include crop diversification, market information collection, staggered sales, and produce storage for better prices. Policy ideas have been developed to assist reduce price uncertainty in the basic food supply chain.

Analysis and Design of a Sales Application System for Micro-Scale Grocery Stalls

Investments in information technology often require relatively large capital allocations, but a wise strategy can optimize the use of these funds, such as through developing desktop-based sales applications according to more specific needs and scope. The grocery stall 'CV Warung Berkah' will apply this strategy to manage inventory in sales transactions. The method in designing this sales system uses the waterfall method approach, while finding out the percentage of benefits of the system built with the investment costs incurred using the return-on-investment method approach. Based on the results of the analysis and discussion in the research conducted, the sales system application for micro-scale basic food stalls is feasible to be implemented or developed with an investment feasibility test value or what is usually called ROI of 62.0%. This application system, all sales transactions are recorded accurately as material for the shop owner's analysis in deciding to purchase and inventory goods.

College Students’ Domestic Kitchen Food Safety Perceptions and Knowledge

This study investigates college students’ current food safety knowledge and food-handling perceptions and utilized an online survey which designed based on previous studies as method. The questionnaire measured respondents’ food safety knowledge and perception, and were divided into knowledge, attitudes and perception categories. The results show that college students significantly lacked in basic food safety knowledge as well as food handling skills and implies a high need to develop enhanced food safety resources for college students, especially on topics related to cross-contamination prevention, correct food preparation procedures, time and temperature control, and awareness of pathogens that cause foodborne illness.

Pengaruh Pemahaman Pencatatan Akuntansi Dan Kesiapan Modal Terhadap Efesiensi Pendapatan Usaha Sembako

To determine the influence of understanding accounting and capital readiness on the efficiency of basic food business income. Quantitative is a research method that uses data in the form of numbers and the collected data is analyzed using statistical formulas. The population that will be used in this research is MSME actors, especially basic food businesses registered with the Bayung Lencir District Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Service, totaling 100 MSME business actors. The classical assumption test is a prerequisite for multiple regression analysis, this test must be influenced so that the estimates of parameters and regression coefficients are not biased. In testing this class of assumptions, namely the normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, autocorrelation test. Partially, accounting records have a more dominant influence than capital readiness in increasing income efficiency. This shows that understanding accounting records is very influential in increasing revenue efficiency and business sustainability, because by understanding accounting records, business actors can manage business finances and make decisions about managing their business easily.

Food-web construction and ecological effects of implementing non-traditional biomanipulation in eutrophic reservoirs in North-central China

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to elucidate the food web structure and interspecific interactions in the lakes and reservoirs undergoing eutrophication and to assess the efficacy of lake-wide non-traditional biomanipulation (direct predation of cyanobacteria by proliferating planktivorous fish) for bloom management. Analyses of aquatic organisms and stable isotopes of basic food sources and consumers were performed for Zhangze Reservoir in North-central China. Additionally, an improved scheme based on plankton changes and interspecific interactions is proposed on this basis. Compared with other widely-studied eutrophic reservoirs, the δ 15N value of each component of the food web in Zhangze Reservoir was higher, the food chain was relatively long and the δ 13C range of fish consumers was narrower. Planktivorous fish consumed phytoplankton as their primary food source. However, the phytoplankton biomass and the percentage of cyanobacteria increased, and eutrophication did not improve. The findings concerning the composition of consumers and their food sources in Zhangze Reservoir indicate the urgent need to change the fish structure to optimise the structure of plankton community and mitigate phytoplankton overgrowth. The study findings provide a basis for the implementation of effective eutrophication management strategies in lakes and reservoirs where planktivorous fish are prevalent.

PENGARUH FLUKTUASI HARGA TERHADAP DAYA BELI PEDAGANG SEMBAKO MUSLIM DI PASAR PALAKKA KAB. BONE

This research discusses the effect of price fluctuations on purchasing power, or the purchasing power of traders, this study aims to determine whether fluctuations can affect the purchasing power of traders, the population in this study was 100 people and samples were taken based on the slovin formula as many as 80 respondents, this research was an ex post facto research the type of research used was quantitative using data collection techniques in the form of questionnaires, while the data analysis technique used was descriptive statistical analysis. The results showed that partially the variable price fluctuations had a positive and significant effect on the purchasing power of Muslim groceries traders with the result t count 6.111 t table = 2.000, with a significance level of 0.000 0.05. The magnitude of the effect of price fluctuations on the purchasing power of Muslim basic food traders is 32.4%, while the rest is influenced by other factors not included in this study.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL BAGI PEMANGKU SEPUH DI KECAMATAN KLATEN UTARA, KLATEN, JAWA TENGAH

Social welfare is a condition that must be realized for all citizens in fulfilling their material, spiritual and social needs so that they can live properly and be able to develop themselves, so that they can carry out their social functions. Community service activities in an effort to increase social welfare for elderly stakeholders have the aim of being a form of devotion to stakeholders (Rsi Yadnya) and fostering a sense of social care as well as increasing and strengthening kinship ties. This activity is carried out through several stages, namely observation, preparation, distribution and activity reports. The target of this activity is the elders in Klaten. The result of this activity was that there were five (5) elderly stakeholders who received basic food packages, the elderly stakeholders felt happy and thanked them very much. the team has cared about and has seen firsthand how the condition of the stakeholders who need a helping hand so the team is also happy because the distribution of these basic food packages can help relieve basic daily needs a little.