Edible Varieties Research Articles

GROUNDNUT PRICE FORECASTING AND SUPPLY RESPONSE MARKET INTEGRATION IN INDIA

The oilseed industry plays a significant role in India's agricultural economy, and the nation is the world's biggest producer of oilseeds. These crops are second only to food grains in terms of total acreage, total output, and total economic worth. The nine oilseeds—including the seven edible varieties of groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, sunflower, soybean, and sesame—can be successfully cultivated in India. Outside of Rajasthan, groundnut expansion patterns generally declined. The output of groundnuts in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has been declining recently. The state of Tamil Nadu had the fastest increase in groundnut production. Groundnut output fluctuations were found to be greater in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, as measured by the instability index. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka all had relatively stable groundnut crop areas. The market had the largest monthly rise in wholesale groundnut prices compared to other markets.

Edible mushrooms as potential functional foods in amelioration of hypertension.

Edible mushrooms are popular functional foods attributed to their rich nutritional bioactive constituent profile influencing cardiovascular function. Edible mushrooms are omnipresent in various prescribed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, Mediterranean diet, and fortified meal plans as they are rich in amino acids, dietary fiber, proteins, sterols, vitamins, and minerals. However, without an understanding of the influence of mushroom bioactive constituents, mechanism of action on heart and allergenicity, it is difficult to fully comprehend the role of mushrooms as dietary interventions in alleviating hypertension and other cardiovascular malfunctions. To accomplish this endeavor, we chose to review edible mushrooms and their bioactive constituents in ameliorating hypertension. Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are interrelated and if the former is managed by dietary changes, it is postulated that overall heart health could also be improved. With a concise note on different edible varieties of mushrooms, a particular focus is presented on the antihypertensive potential of mushroom bioactive constituents, mode of action, absorption kinetics and bioavailability. Ergosterol, lovastatin, cordycepin, tocopherols, chitosan, ergothioneine, γ-aminobutyric acid, quercetin, and eritadenine are described as essential bioactives with hypotensive effects. Finally, safety concerns on allergens and limitations of consuming edible mushrooms with special reference to chemical toxins and their postulated metabolites are highlighted. It is opined that the present review will redirect toxicologists to further investigate mushroom bioactives and allergens, thereby influencing dietary interventions for heart health.

Chemical composition of bunya nuts (Araucaria bidwillii) compared to Araucaria angustifolia and Araucaria araucana species

Three of nineteen Araucaria tree species from around the world produce large edible seeds. While composition is established for edible pinhão and piñones nuts from Brazil and Chile, respectively, the first detailed characterisation for the composition of edible Araucaria bidwillii (bunya nut) from Australia is provided. Almost half of the kernel weight is moisture and the main component in the dried kernel is starch. Whilst low in protein and fat, it contains all essential amino acids and half the fatty acids are polyunsaturated (Omega-3 and 6). Bunya nuts are a source of dietary fibre, folate and minerals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Mg), while the nut husks and inner coating are high in phenolics, mainly catechin. The composition supports the Traditional Knowledge of Aboriginal Australians that the bunya nut is an energy dense and nutrient rich food. Similarities in the composition among the three different edible varieties were found, which should assist in developing sustainable value chain propositions via shared knowledge on processing and utilisation.

Dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum var. nana), characteristics, generalities and preclinical studies of an ornamental plant with potential health benefits.

Punica granatum has been extensively studied in recent years in different fields of science, especially in health, where we can find thousands of studies on its beneficial effects; however, most of these studies have been carried out on commercial varieties, leaving aside exotic varieties such as dwarf pomegranate (P. granatum var. nana), which is a variety known throughout the world for its ornamental use. This peculiarity has reduced the possibility of being studied, especially in health. The objective of this narrative review focuses on showing the characteristics, generalities and preclinical studies that have been found on this inedible ornamental pomegranate. The characteristics, uses of the pomegranate in traditional medicine, and in vivo and in vitro studies of biological anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and anti-inflammatory activities were found in various parts of this fruit, as well as important phytochemical components that support these biological activities. The information obtained indicates that it is necessary to deepen the study of this variety because the studies that have been carried out are still scarce despite being an easy plant to grow. It is still unknown if the biological activities that they possess have an effect on human health, since there are no clinical studies in this regard, and it is also unknown if these are of lesser or greater magnitude compared to edible varieties.

Ecological adaptability of edible pea varieties under the conditions of the Middle Urals

Ecological adaptability of edible pea varieties under the conditions of the Middle Urals

Safety of hydrothermally treated kernels from edible Jatropha curcas L. (Chuta) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on hydrothermally treated kernels from edible Jatropha curcas (Chuta) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Although Jatropha curcas is generally considered a toxic plant due to the presence of phorbol esters (PEs), edible varieties exist in Central America. The applicant has developed a breeding programme for an edible cultivar and proposes the kernels from this cultivar as an NF as whole kernels or fragments thereof to be used as a snack or as a food ingredient. Procedures are in place to avoid commingling with non‐edible kernels, with the last steps being the analytical control of PEs concentrations in all produced batches. The Panel considers that the production process of the NF is sufficiently described and that the information provided on the composition of the NF is sufficient for its characterisation. Components of the NF were tested for genotoxicity applying the standard in vitro test battery and no genotoxic concerns have been identified. In a conservative scenario for exposure to PEs from the NF, it was assumed that all kernels contain PEs at the level of detection of the analytical method. When comparing the estimated maximum exposure to PEs with a reference point from a subchronic study in pigs, a margin of exposure ≥ 900 is obtained, which is considered sufficiently large. The presence of anti‐nutritional factors does not pose safety concerns as they are within the ranges found in vegetables. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed conditions of use.

Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox\u2019s Bazar and surrounding areas

Although coastal water marine algae have been popularly used by others as indicators of heavy metal pollution, data within the Bay of Bengal for the estuarine Cox’s Bazar region and Saint Martin’s Island has remained scarce. Using marine algae, the study herein forms an effort in biomonitoring of metal contamination in the aforementioned Bangladesh areas. A total of 10 seaweed species were collected, including edible varieties, analyzed for metal levels through the use of the technique of EDXRF. From greatest to least, measured mean metal concentrations in descending order have been found to be K > Fe > Zr > Br > Sr > Zn > Mn > Rb > Cu > As > Pb > Cr > Co. Potential toxic heavy metals such as Pb, As, and Cr appear at lower concentration values compared to that found for essential mineral elements. However, the presence of Pb in Sargassum oligocystum species has been observed to exceed the maximum international guidance level. Given that some of the algae species are cultivated for human consumption, the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic indices were calculated, shown to be slightly lower than the maxima recommended by the international organizations. Overall, the present results are consistent with literature data suggesting that heavy metal macroalgae biomonitoring may be species-specific. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive macroalgae biomonitoring study of metal contamination from the coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and beyond.

Economic effectiveness of using fungicides in the protection of potato against Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria spp.

The aim of the research carried out in 2014–2016 at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Jadwisin was to assess the economic effectiveness of the use of fungicides in combating the causative agents of potato blight and alternaria on plants of four edible potato varieties with different resistance to Phytophthora infestans. The experiment included two objects: control – without chemical protection and protection – in which from 3 to 5 chemical treatments were performed. In the protected object obtained increase of yield of tubers was 20.4%. The value of saved production amounted to an average of 4.181.8 zł/ha. In the years of research in which meteorological conditions favored the development of late blight and alternaria, high profitability of using fungicides was found. Orientation index of profitability (E2) was in the range of 2.5–4.0, which means that the performed plant protection treatment constituted from 2.5 to 4.0% of the value of the obtained tuber yield per 1 hectare.

Tribological evaluation of vegetable oil-based lubricant blends

Increasing environmental pollution concerns and diminishing petroleum reserves has brought in attention towards the use of edible and non-edible vegetable oils as an alternative to petroleum oil based lubricants. Most of the vegetable oil plant contains high amount of oil in its seeds which can be converted into bio lubricant. Bio lubricant is a renewable lubricant that is environmental friendly, easily degradable and nontoxic in nature. There is a need to explore the possibility of using non edible varieties and their blends as bio-lubricant in order to achieve the twin objectives of reducing environmental and energy security of the country. Bio-lubricant have come a long way in recent years, and they are now capable of providing extremely low friction and wear coefficients under certain or highly controlled test conditions. Bio-lubricant from non-edible vegetable oils have received considerable research attention in the last decades owing to their remarkable improved tribological characteristics. Yet full potential has not been explored for the bio-lubricant production. This paper is an investigation of vegetable oils viz. Castor, Mahua and Sunflower oils using pin on disc tribotester which can prove to be premium source of biolubricants emphasizing the benefits on the rural and urban economy.

Carotenoid composition and antioxidant potential of Eucheuma denticulatum, Sargassum polycystum and Caulerpa lentillifera

Three species of Malaysian edible seaweed (Eucheuma denticulatum, Sargassum polycystum and Caulerpa lentillifera) were analyzed for their carotenoid composition using a combination of high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS), while the antioxidant capacities were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. The HPTLC analysis exhibited a distinct carotenoid pattern among the three seaweed groups. The UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed fucoxanthin as the major carotenoid present in S. polycystum while lutein and zeaxanthin in E. denticulatum. For C. lentillifera, β-carotene and canthaxanthin were the major carotenoids. Some of the carotenoids, such as rubixanthin, dinoxanthin, diatoxanthin and antheraxanthin, were also tentatively detected in E. denticulatum and S. polycystum. For antioxidant activity, S. polycystum (20 %) and E. denticulatum (1128 μmol TE/g) showed the highest activity in the DPPH and ORAC assays, respectively. The findings suggest the three edible varieties of seaweeds may provide a good dietary source with a potential to reduce antioxidative stress.

Potassium-mediated regulation of sucrose metabolism and storage root formation in sweet potato

ABSTRACT A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of potassium on sucrose metabolism in the root system and its relationship with storage root formation in sweetpotato. Edible varieties Yanshu 25 and Beijing 553 were treated with K2O at 0, 12, 24, or 36 g m−2, and the number and length of adventitious roots in early growth stage, sucrose and hexose contents, and related enzyme activity in potential storage roots, as well as the number of storage roots and yield at harvest, were analyzed. The results showed K significantly increased the average number of storage roots per plant and yield at harvest, compared to the control. The increases were highest in 24 g m−2 K2O treatment, they changed slightly and even decreased with more K2O. Further study revealed appropriate potassium rate significantly increased the number and length of adventitious roots in early storage root formation stage. It also increased the activities of vacuolar, cell-wall and cytosolic invertase, coinciding with decreased sucrose versus increased fructose and glucose contents in potential roots. As per statistical path analysis, fructose accumulation contributed the most to storage root formation, while, in turn, cytosolic invertase contributed the most to promoting sucrose degradation and fructose accumulation.

A New Record of Bivalve Species, Gari elongata (Lamark, 1818) (Family: Psammobiidae) in Puttlam Estuary, North Western Province, Sri Lanka

The Puttlam estuary located in North Western Province Sri Lanka is well known for its marine diversity of different bivalve species. During recent surveys a species not recorded from the estuary previously was encountered and it was important to identify and report the species for conservation and management purposes. Although this species has been reported from Koggala and Trincomalee estuaries, it had not been recorded from this part of the country (North western region) The objective of this paper is to report the finding of this species from the Puttalam estuary. During a lagoon survey some shells of a species not seen previously was observed from two areas of the Puttalam lagoon. Therefore, a survey in the using a 1 m2 quadrate was carried out in around lagoon shore areas. 5 samples along a 50 m transect was taken at each sampling point. Sampling in locations closer to human habitats did not provide any specimens. Live specimens of the species were collected from two areas visited only by seasonal fishermen, and identified using identification guides and available information as well as from experts on the distribution of the species. With these results occurrence of bivalve, Gari elongata (Lamark, 1818), is reported from the Puttalam estuary for the first time. The study indicated a population density of 20±2 individuals in the upper layers of sediment in one location while it was 8±1 individual in the other location. The species inhabited undisturbed areas with a water depth less than 50 cm. Both locations Kumburawa and Mohotthuwarama, were away from human habitats and were used only for fishing by seasonal lagoon fisher folk. The Shell characteristics were used to identify the species as G. elongata (Lamark, 1818) using identification guides. The distribution records within Sri Lanka were accessed with help of mollusc expert and it was found that the species was not known to occur in this part of the country previously. These shells were not among the edible varieties collected from the lagoon. Occurrence of this species will be important in future lagoon management activities of the Puttalam estuary.Keywords: Bivalve, Gari elongata, Puttlam estuary

Arabidopsis Thaliana: From Weed to Model Organism

AbstractArabidopsis thaliana is a small plant of significant economic and agronomic importance. While Arabidopsis is not a crop plant, it is not so different in its fundamental properties. Arabidopsis is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which constitutes one of the world's most economically important plant groups. According to the United Nations, globally Brassicaceae crops are worth $31 billion, and the number is likely to increase since a number of related species within this family are underutilized edible varieties. Its small size is an advantage to researchers with limited space and funding; simply put, a smaller plant requires fewer resources. Arabidopsis has been studied most intensely for the last 40 years and officially became a model plant in the late 1990s. Since then, the community has developed genetic and genomic resources so numerous that the barrier to entry to studying Arabidopsis is relatively low. This article provides a primer to how Arabidopsis came to be a model organism and highlights essential techniques every Arabidopsis researcher should be aware of to advance the pace of discovery. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

In Vitro Propagation and Development of Salt Tolerant Lines of Edible and Medicinal Varieties of Coleus sp.

In Vitro Propagation and Development of Salt Tolerant Lines of Edible and Medicinal Varieties of Coleus sp.

木薯食用品种引种试验与综合评价

木薯食用品种引种试验与综合评价

Формування урожаю селери коренеплідної залежно від схеми висаджування

Формування урожаю селери коренеплідної залежно від схеми висаджування

Collection of new diversity of wild and cultivated bananas (Musa spp.) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Bananas (Musa spp.), including dessert and cooking types, are of major importance in the tropics. Due to extremely high levels of sterility, the diversity of cultivated bananas is fixed over long periods of time to the existing genotypes. This pattern puts banana-based agrosystems at risk. Therefore, assessing the extent of wild and cultivated banana diversity, conserving it and making it available for further use is a priority. We report here the collection of new wild and cultivated banana germplasm in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. In total, 61 accessions were collected and their names and uses were recorded when possible. Classification was also provided based on the observations made in the field. Three wild specimens were collected. Among the 58 cultivated accessions, we noted that eight were used as ornamental plants, seven were edible varieties of the Fe’i type and two were natural tetraploids from the Musa section. The ploidy was then checked by flow cytometry and the accessions were genotyped with a set of 19 SSR markers. The genotyping results were merged to the dataset from Christelová et al. (Biodivers Conserv 26:801–824, 2017). This joint analysis helped refine or confirm the classification of the collected accessions. It also allowed to identify 10 private alleles and 35 genotypes or Genotype Groups that were not present in the wider dataset. Finally, it shed light on the diversification processes at work in the region, such as the capture of mutations by farmers and the likely occurrence of geneflow within the cultivated genepool.

Urban Allotment Gardens in Poland: Implications for Botanical and Landscape Diversity

Polish allotment gardeners, who cultivate publicly owned urban space, constitute the largest group of city land managers in the country. Although research on allotment gardens in Poland exists, detailed studies about the uses of cultivated plants are absent. The aims of this study are to document plant richness and diversity of allotment-garden use and to explore the (changing) purpose of such gardens. Interviews, guided walks, and plant inventories were done, conducted among 46 urban allotment gardeners in three Polish cities in 2009. We documented 257 botanical taxa; the great majority were used as ornamentals (191 taxa), followed by food (66) and medicinal plants (5). However, names of edible varieties were rarely reported. In addition, very few protected and invasive species were registered in our study. Polish urban gardeners are attached to traditional food and ornamental plants (core repertoire), but they also show a moderate interest in novel plants (peripheral fashion). We observed an important shift in urban allotment garden management in Poland. Until the collapse of Communism, in the late 1980s, they had a chiefly productive character and today they are becoming more akin to pleasure gardens.

Phytochemical content, Fatty acids composition and antioxidant potential of different pomegranate parts: Comparison between edible and non edible varieties grown in Tunisia

Few comparative studies were interested between edible and non-edible pomegranate varieties. In the present study, flowers, leaves, juice and peel of two pomegranate varieties, ornamental variety “Nana” (NV) and sweet variety “Tounsi” (TV) were compared for their phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Seeds oils were compared also for their fatty acids (FA) composition.Results showed that peel and juice of NV contained higher content in tannins, Flavonoids and anthocyanins. In contrast, peel and juice of TV were more concentrated in carotenoids and polyphenols. Flowers extracts of TV contained more polyphenols and flavonoids. However leaves from NV provided more polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flowers and leaves proved to be the strongest antioxidants for both varieties. For FA composition, NV was more concentrated in Mono-unsaturated FA (MUFA) however TV contained more Di-unsaturated FA (DiUFA). cis-γ-Linolenic acid was the major FA in NV. Contrariwise punicic acid was the predominant in TV.

Decontamination of Fumonisin B1 in maize grain by Pleurotus eryngii and antioxidant enzymes

Fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ) is among the most common mycotoxins found in maize kernels and maize products worldwide. The microbiological process of detoxification and transformation of toxic organic pollutants is a promising method for foodstuffs decontamination. Some basidiomycetes, such as the Pleurotus eryngii species complex, include several important commercial edible varieties that can detoxify polycyclic organic compounds and a range of wastes and pollutants. We investigated the potential role of P. eryngii , one of the most consumed mushrooms, in the decontamination of FB 1 in maize. In addition, selected antioxidant enzymes, (soluble peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase), primarily involved in control of cell hydrogen peroxide levels, and lignin degradation, were analyzed, to evaluate their contributions to the molecular mechanisms of FB 1 by P. eryngii . FB 1 decontamination by P. eryngii and involvement of CAT and POD enzymes in the control of toxic decontamination levels of H 2 O 2 were demonstrated. A consistent reduction of FB 1 was observed at different incubation times. The average decrease levels of FB 1 , with respect to the control cultures, ranged from 45 to 61% (RSD < 15%). This study is a possible eco-friendly approach to reducing this mycotoxin in the feed supply chains.