Diverse Food Research Articles

Value Addition of Fish in Jammu and Kashmir: A Review

Globally, there is a growing need for diverse value-added food items. Value Addition refers to "any additional activity that in one way or another changes the nature of a product thus adding to its value at the time of sale". Three distinct traditional fish preservation procedures identified in Jammu & Kashmir are smoking, sun drying, and pickling collectively called as Curing. Cured fish consumption is higher in locations with restricted access to fresh fish, such as interior markets and hilly areas. This is also the most economical technique of preservation because no expensive technology is employed. In India, around 20% of the fish collected is preserved through curing. Sun drying is the most extensively used traditional method of preservation, by reducing the moisture content of the fish, which inhibit the activities of bacteria and fungi. Smoked fish are known locally as fari, sun-dried fish as hugaad, and pickled fish as gaad anchaar. Fisherwomen often work as vendors, which is not economically sustainable. Because they must sell the catch within a day, they may have to sell it at a low price that does not pay their expenses. To prevent this and increase income, businesses can add value to fish goods. some value-added fish products are, fish pickle, sauce, pasta, fish cutlets, fish balls, noodles and Ready-To-Eat Fish Curry. Value addition can increase profitability in the fish processing sector, which is becoming increasingly competitive and expensive. Fish-based goods in convenient ready-to-eat formats are in high demand. Effective marketing of new value-added products requires careful consideration of appearance, packaging, and display. The retail package should be clean, sharp, and transparent, with appealing contents for consumers. This evaluation intends to transition in J&K from producing safe and high-quality fishery products for local use to export.

Feeding adaptation of François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to the fragmented limestone habitats in Southwest China.

Limestone forests are an unusual habitat for primates, especially fragmented limestone habitats. However, while some research has been conducted on François' langurs (Trachypithecus francois) in these habitats, there is still a need to improve the understanding of their behavioral adaptations to the fragmented limestone habitat. We collected data on the diet of François' langurs in a fragmented limestone habitat in Encheng National Nature Reserve, southwestern Guangxi, China using instantaneous scanning sampling, and their feeding adaptations to the fragmented forest were examined. The results indicated that a total of 101 species of plants were consumed by the langurs. They also fed on two non-plant components, including cliff minerals and at least one species of insect. The langurs ate a higher number of food species in Encheng when compared with the other geographic populations, and they maintained a high level of food diversity and ate more vines. Moreover, they were highly selective in their use of vegetation in their home range, and fewer plants provided a high-quality food source. During the season when food resources were scarce, the consumption of fruits and young leaves decreased as their availability decreased. This led to the use of other food components, such as mature leaves and seeds. The findings support that François' langurs adjust their feeding behavior to cope with seasonal and micro-variations in their dietary requirements and to adapt to their particular environment.

Impact of Microplastics on Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract This comprehensive review explores microplastic (MP) contamination in food and Incorporating nanotechnology into food packaging. It covers origins, pathways, health consequences, and analytical challenges. Microplastics (MPs), which are generation due to the breaking down of plastic garbage, presents significant dangers to both the environment and human health. These small particles, sometimes unseen to the unaided eye, can accumulation in ecosystems, harm wildlife, and even entering food chain, potentially cause health issues for humans who consuming contaminated food or water. Exposure occurs through ingesting MPs in food, notably in processed foods, canned goods, and infant milk powder, raising concerns about breast cancer. Nanotechnology in food packaging enhances characteristics but raises migration risks, introducing substances such as phthalates (PAEs), non-PAEs plasticizers (NPPs), bisphenols (BPs), and metal nanoparticles, posing health risks. Microwavable plastic food containers release both intentionally included substances and inadvertently included substances. Consumer attitudes toward nanotechnology are positive, driven by perceived benefits. Analytical techniques for MP detection, including micro-Raman spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, face challenges like sample preparation. Multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration are crucial for complex MP analysis in diverse food matrices. The paper discusses MP accumulation in the human body, noting its presence in placentas, bodily fluids, and lower limb joints, raising health questions. Despite challenges in understanding the full health impact, standardized methods and collaboration are urgently needed. This holistic view of MP contamination and nanotechnology in food packaging underscores the necessity of safeguarding food safety and public health against pervasive environmental issues.

Impact of ultracentrifugal milling on the thermo-rheological, functional, and physicochemical properties of yellow and green pea flour

Pea seeds conversion into flour enhance their incorporation into diverse food systems. However, milling impacts changes in the flour's physicochemical and technofunctional properties. In this study, the impact of ultracentrifugal milling on the thermal, rheological, functional and physicochemical properties of flour from yellow and green pea varieties was investigated. Pea seeds were milled to maximum particle sizes of 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mm based on different screen aperture fitted to the ultracentrifugal mill. Scanning electron microscopy showed that flour samples milled with the 0.25 mm screen aperture had higher disentangled protein particles but more damaged starch particles compared to the 0.50 and 1.00 mm screens. The FTIR analysis indicated similar spectra with varying functional groups at corresponding wavelengths but different absorbance intensity. At 2853 cm−1 wavelength, additional peak for cellulose was detected in 0.25 mm milling condition but absent in other samples. Flour milled to 0.25 and 0.50 mm maximum particle size had the most desirable outcomes to rheological and thermal attributes. Principal component analysis score plots elucidated relationship between milling conditions, flour functionality and pea variety with PC1 at 46.64% and PC2 at 34.53%. These findings demonstrate that milling conditions can be a potential tool to manipulate pea flour functionality.

The occurrence and human health risk assessment of microcystins in diverse food matrixes during production

Globally, the presence of cyanotoxins in water supplies and food has been widely investigated for over a decade. Cyanotoxins are harmful metabolites produced by toxic cyanobacterial genera. These metabolites belong to diverse chemical classes, with a variety of physicochemical properties, chemical structures, and toxic activities. The present study seeks to investigate the occurrence of cyanotoxins in water supplies destined for food processing and assess the human health risk from exposure to cyanotoxins. To achieve this, a simple, sensitive, and reliable analytical method was developed for the determination of microcystins (MC-RR, MC-LR, MC-YR) in process water, raw maize meal, and cooked maize (porridge) at ppb (parts per billion) levels. These compounds were extracted using Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) with optimized parameters; thereafter, Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the rapid determination of the analytes selected for the present study. The method developed was applied to samples collected from the meal grinding station located in Mawoni village in South Africa; and was able to detect and quantify all the target cyanotoxins. MC-LR, MC-YR and MC-RR were detected at concentrations ranging from 10 to 11.2 μg/L, 9.1–9.4 μg/L, and 2.3–3.5 μg/L, in water samples, respectively. However, MC-YR was not detected in ground water sample. Moreover, MC-LR, MC-YR, and MC-RR concentrations in maize and porridge samples ranged between 9.2 and 11.2, 5.5–8.6, and 6.3–9.3 μg/kg dry weight, respectively. The hazard quotient index (HQi) levels found in the present study ranged between 2.2 – 8.4 and 0.11–8.9 for adults and children, respectively, representing potential risks to human health. Findings from LC-MS/MS reveal that cyanotoxins can be transferred from water to food during food processing using cyanotoxins contaminated water. Furthermore, the methods developed can be used by environmental and health agencies to strengthen the monitoring of cyanotoxins in water and food.

베트남 여성 결혼이민자의 한국 식문화 적응 양상

Objectives The purpose of this study is to apply Berry's acculturation theory to investigate the aspects of adaptation to the food culture of Vietnamese female marriage immigrants living in Korea, classify them into various adaptation types, and identify changes according to the period of residence.
 Methods This study targeted Vietnamese female marriage immigrants living in Incheon City. Participants were recruited by dividing them into three groups according to their residence period: less than 3 months, more than 3 years, and more than 6 years. Based on Berry's acculturation theory, a questionnaire was developed to understand the food culture adaptation process of Vietnamese female marriage immigrants. Afterwards, in-depth interviews were conducted individually with the participants to understand in detail their experiences and feelings about adapting to the food culture.
 Results As a result of analyzing the aspects of Vietnamese female marriage immigrants' adaptation to food culture in Korea using Berry's acculturation theory, the change in food culture adaptation according to the period of residence successfully adapts through stages from initial rejection to intermediate integration and final assimilation. The result was derived. The group of residents who lived for less than 3 months faced language difficulties and cultural adaptation challenges, while the group who lived for more than 3 years faced new food diversity and difficulties with language communication. Additionally, the group of residents living for more than 6 years confirmed the need to overcome language difficulties and adapt to healthy food choices, spicy food, and delivery culture.
 Conclusions Based on these results, various policy support was proposed, taking into account the areas that require response depending on the period of residence.

Chemical and Physical Quality Biscuits Substitution Pumpkin and Leaves Katuk

Dependence on wheat flour is very high, so food diversification efforts need to be made to reduce this dependence. Biscuits are a product made from wheat flour as the main ingredient which has the potential to be developed using pumpkin and katuk leaves. The aim of this research was to determine the chemical and physical quality of biscuits substituted for pumpkin and katuk leaves. This research was an experimental study with a completely randomized design (CRD), consisting of 3 treatments and 1 standard treatment, with 3 repetitions of each treatment, so there were 12 treatment units. Chemical quality includes energy, carbohydrate content, protein, fat, Fe, calcium, vitamin C, β- carotene, and vitamin A. Physical quality is assessed using diameter, thickness, and spread ratio). Data were analyzed using One Way Anova and Krusskal Tests Wallis. The results of research on the chemical quality of biscuits show that there is a significant effect of the substitution of pumpkin and katuk leaves on the levels of protein, calcium, zinc, Fe, β- carotene, and vitamin C in biscuits. However, for energy, fat and carbohydrate levels decreased as the substitution of pumpkin and katuk leaves increased. The physical quality of biscuits substituted for pumpkin and katuk leaves shows that the diameter and thickness of the biscuits decrease as the percentage of substitutes for pumpkin and katuk leaves increases. This situation causes the value of the spread ratio (spread) is increase. The conclusion of this research is that there is a significant effect of the substitution of pumpkin and katuk leaves in biscuits on the chemical and physical quality of the biscuits.

Cyanotoxins in food: Exposure assessment and health impact

The intricate nature of cyanotoxin exposure through food reveals a complex web of risks and uncertainties in our dietary choices. With the aim of starting to unravel this intricate nexus, a comprehensive review of 111 papers from the past two decades investigating cyanotoxin contamination in food was undertaken. It revealed a widespread occurrence of cyanotoxins in diverse food sources across 31 countries. Notably, 68% of the studies reported microcystin concentrations exceeding established Tolerable Daily Intake levels. Cyanotoxins were detected in muscles of many fish species, and while herbivorous fish exhibited the highest recorded concentration, omnivorous species displayed a higher propensity for cyanotoxin accumulation, exemplified by Oreochromis niloticus. Beyond fish, crustaceans and bivalves emerged as potent cyanotoxin accumulators. Gaps persist regarding contamination of terrestrial and exotic animals and their products, necessitating further exploration. Plant contamination under natural conditions remains underreported, yet evidence underscores irrigation-driven cyanotoxin accumulation, particularly affecting leafy vegetables. Finally, cyanobacterial-based food supplements often harbored cyanotoxins (57 % of samples were positive) warranting heightened scrutiny, especially for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae-based products. Uncertainties surround precise concentrations due to methodological variations (chemical and biochemical) and extraction limitations, along with the enigmatic fate of toxins during storage, processing, and digestion. Nonetheless, potential health consequences of cyanotoxin exposure via contaminated food include gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, organ damage (e.g. liver, kidneys, muscles), and even elevated cancer risks. While microcystins received significant attention, knowledge gaps persist regarding other cyanotoxins' accumulation, exposure, and effects, as well as combined exposure via multiple pathways. Intriguing and complex, cyanotoxin exposure through food beckons further research for our safer and healthier diets.

Beef, Beans, or Byproducts?

Flexitarianism was one of the top food trends of the summer in 2020. Characterizing reductions in meat eating as representative of the reflections on personal and societal health that were taking place at the time, Canada’s largest food retailer, Loblaw situated the company’s expanded plant-based offerings as a response to a “new us” that was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores the protein pathways that Loblaw opens and closes by promoting “flexitarian choices for our changing lifestyles”. Focussing on reduced beef consumption as a target of flexitarian intervention, I situate flexitarianism in relation to calls for a “protein transition”, which would address the risks the dominant beef industry poses to animal, human, and planetary wellbeing. Drawing from a larger case study on beef shopping at Loblaw supermarkets, I consider the extent to which the version of flexitarianism on display at Loblaw supermarkets might support the status quo in the dominant beef industry. As a flexible framework, flexitarianism holds potential to respond contextually to the needs of varying food networks in Canada. As a defined consumer demographic, however, flexitarianism is poised to reroute this flexibility away from diverse food systems toward adaptable investments, which would insulate financial portfolios from the risks of intensive animal agriculture without requiring meaningful changes within those industries.

Influence of food physical properties and environmental context on manipulative behaviors highlighted by new methodological approaches in zoo-housed bonobos (Pan paniscus).

Research on manipulative abilities in nonhuman primates, in the context of hominid evolution, has mostly focused on manual/pedal postures considered as static behaviors. While these behavioral repertoires highlighted the range of manipulative abilities in many species, manipulation is a dynamic process that mostly involves successive types of grips before reaching its goal. The present study aims to investigate the use of manual/pedal postures in zoo-housed bonobos in diverse dynamic food processing by using an innovative approach: the optimal matching analysis that compares sequences (i.e., succession of grasping postures) with each other. To characterize the manipulative techniques spontaneously employed by bonobos, we performed this sequential analysis of manual/pedal postures during 766 complete feeding sequences of 17 individuals. We analyzed the effectiveness with a score defined by a partial proxy of food intake (i.e., the number of mouthfuls) linked to a handling score measuring both the diversity and changes of manual postures during each sequence. We identified four techniques, used differently depending on the physical substrate on which the individual performed food manipulation and the food physical properties. Our results showed that manipulative techniques were more complex (i.e., higher handling score) for large foods and on substrates with lower stability. But the effectiveness score was not significantly lower for these items since manipulative complexity seemed to be compensated by a greater number of mouthfuls. It appeared that the techniques employed involved a trade-off between manipulative complexity and the amount of food ingested. This study allowed us to test and validate innovative analysis methods that are applicable to diverse ethological studies involving sequential events. Our results bring new data for a better understanding of the evolution of manual abilities in primates in association with different ecological contexts and both terrestrial and arboreal substrates and suggest that social and individual influences need to be explored further.

SECURING PUBLIC HEALTH: IOT AND BIG DATA IN FOOD SAFETY TRACEABILITY

This research paper investigates the transformative impact of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies on enhancing food safety and quality measurements for public health in the foodindustry. As global demands for diverse and safe food products rise, the integration of innovative technologies becomes crucial. Developing a sensible and trustworthy food safety traceability system and effectively executing traceability are the cornerstones of any solution to these issues. Today, traceability solutions play a critical role in restoring consumer and market trust while guaranteeing food safety and quality. The study explores real-world applications of IoT, focusing on its role in monitoring and managing the entire food production cycle. By interconnecting devices and sensors, IoT emerges as a multifaceted solution that revolutionizes traditional methodologies, promising toelevate safety and quality standards throughout the food supply chain. In the dynamic realm of food production, IoT proves to be a transformative force, providing real-time insights and reshaping how we ensure safety and maintain the quality of the food we consume with food safety traceability.

TEACHERS’ PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF HOME-GROWN SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAM ON READINESS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ IN OSUN STATE

ABSTRACTHome grown supplementary feeding program connotes a feeding plan designed to provide balanced diet meal for school children daily who are attending public primary school within a community. The provision of adequate nutrition aims at promotion of good health recognized as constituting the foundation of proper growth of the primary school children. This study investigated teachers’ perceived influence of home-grown supplementary feeding program on readiness of primary school pupils’ in Osun State. The objectives of the study were to: (i) examine if teachers perceived home-grown supplementary school feeding programme as influencing pupils’ enrolment and (ii) pupils comportment in Osun State. The descriptive research design of survey type was adopted for the study. The population of this study consists of the head teachers and teachers in Osun State. Multi-stage sampling techniques consisting of purposive, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques was used to select a sample size of 454 respondents. A researcher-designed validated questionnaire was used for data collection. A reliability coefficient (r) of 0.78 was obtained through split-half method. Data collection was conducted by researcher and research assistants. Inferential statistic of Ch-square (x2) was used to analyzed the formulated null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0. The findings of the study were that: teachers significantly perceived home-grown supplementary school feeding programme as influencing pupil’s enrolment in Osun State. (cal. x2 value = 794.90 crit. x2 value = 16.92, df = 9 @ = 0.05) and ; teachers significantly perceived home-grown supplementary school feeding programme as influencing pupils’ comportment in Osun State. (cal. x2 value = 256.89 crit. x2 value = 16.92, df = 9 @ = 0.05). The study concluded that teachers perceived home-grown supplementary feeding programe to promote pupils enrolment and class composure in Osun State. The researcher recommended that free varieties of food should be provided for pupil’s in school to encourage more enrolment and improve the attention span of the pupils in school.Keywords: teachers; perceived-influence; home-grown; readiness; pupils

Risk factors associated with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children aged 6 – 59 months in the Mokolo Health District, Far North region of Cameroon

Background: Childhood malnutrition remains a pressing public health concern in Cameroon particularly in the Far North region, where 5.2% of children under the age of five suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and 38.2% experience stunted growth. Chronic poverty, household food insecurity, lack of education and inadequate healthcare infrastructure contribute significantly to this alarming prevalence. This study aims to contribute to the mitigation of malnutrition in the Far North Region of Cameroon by identifying specific risk factors associated with SAM among children aged 6 – 59 months in the Mokolo health district. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 150 participants who met the inclusion criteria, employing consecutive sampling methodology. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview with participants, supplemented by a comprehensive assessment of hygienic practices and food security within the community. Bivariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis were utilized to explore determinants of SAM. Independent variables with p values ≤ 0.05 were considered significantly associated with the nutritional status of children. Results: Gastroenteritis, Adjusted Odd Ration (AOR) = 12.3 (5.5 – 27.5, p < 0.001), malaria AOR = 6.2 (2.8 – 13.8, p < 0.006) and pneumonia AOR = 6.7 (1.3 – 34.4, p = 0.01) emerged as specific comorbidities associated with SAM. Moreover, late introduction of complementary feeding AOR = 2.98 (1.36 – 6.53, p = 0.014), low food diversification AOR = 5.3 (2.5 – 11.8, p < 0.001) and the use of unhygienic traditional concoctions AOR = 2.8 (1.4 – 5.6, p = 0.004) were identified as significant risk factors. Furthermore, 63.3% of the participants reported inadequate access to safe drinking water (e.g., boreholes, wells, and streams) and 46.7% of caretakers had no formal education. Conclusion: In addition to malaria, pneumonia and gastroenteritis, poor nutritional and hygienic practices serve as specific determinants of SAM. Addressing these challenges requires urgent attention to improve the nutritional status of children aged 6 – 59 months emphasizing nutrition education alongside comprehensive multi-sectorial interventions. Key words: Risk factors, Severe Acute Malnutrition, Children aged 6-59 months, Mokolo, Far-North Cameroon.

Socio-demographics, dietary diversity score, and nutritional status of children aged 2–5 years: A cross-sectional study of Indonesian coastal areas

BackgroundClimate change has negatively impacted both food security and food diversity, including malnutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight), especially among children in coastal areas. The dietary diversity score (DDS) is a good indicator used to assess the quality of food for children. This study aimed to investigate the association between socio-demographic characteristics, DDS, and nutritional status in children aged 2–5 years in the coastal area of Demak, Indonesia. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 households with children aged 2–5 years living in the coastal area of Demak from April to July 2022. The socio-demographic characteristics were determined by interviewing the mother or child caregiver, followed by anthropometric measurements of the children. The DSS was calculated based on the 24-h food recall method. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and Chi-square were used for statistical analysis. ResultsThe mean age of the subjects was 3.11 ± 0.93 years (girl 46.9% and boy 53.1%). Maternal education was significantly associated with children's DDS (P = 0.016). There was a significant association between the history of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and nutritional status based on HAZ (P = 0.023), and there was also a significant association between exclusive breastfeeding history and family type with nutritional status based on WHZ (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe study indicated a significant association between socio-demographic factors (mother's education, ARI history, exclusive breastfeeding history, and family type) with DDS and children's nutritional status in Demak.

Association between dietary diversity and complications during pregnancy in a South-West District of Bangladesh

Introduction: Poor dietary diversity is one of the key factors that increases the rate of complications during pregnancy. Pregnancy complications significantly increase the risk of maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the associated factors between dietary diversity and complications during pregnancy. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 randomly selected pregnant women. Individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) was used to assess dietary diversity based on Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). IDDS was derived from 24-hour recalls from nine food groups. Results: Most of the pregnant women (48.9%) included in this study were in their second trimester; 19.3% and 31.8% were in first trimester and third trimester, respectively. About 83.8% of respondents included in this study experienced pregnancy complications. According to IDDS, most participants (77.1%) consumed a medium-diversified diet. Only 4.4% and 18.4% of pregnant women had low and highly diversified dietary intakes, respectively. Mean IDDS was 5.62±0.93, which indicated medium diversity of dietary intake. Dietary diversity had a statistically significant correlation with age (p=0.003), monthly income (p=0.003), education level (p=0.001), and respondent’s employment (p=0.004). The study exposed that pregnancy complications had a negative correlation with food diversity (r=-0.223), marriage age (r=-0.066), and education level (r=-0.163). Conclusion: The study concluded that pregnancy complications can be alleviated by improving dietary diversity practices during pregnancy.

Food essentialism: Implications for expectations and perceptions of the properties of processed foods

Despite the impact of processed foods on health, sustainability, and food security, consumers vary greatly in expectations about and preferences for processed foods. Essentialism is the lay belief that items in a category share a fundamental and immutable essence that generates the category’s defining characteristics. Although essentialism may be an important determinant of consumers’ cognitions about processed foods, there has been limited investigation of essentialism’s role in food-related perceptions. Across two studies (n = 598 total), we used a novel measure of food essentialism to examine whether individual differences in beliefs about foods as having essences (food essentialism) are related to perceptions of foods retaining more of their natural characteristics (sensory and nutritive properties) despite their level of processing. Across diverse food categories (meats, vegetables, fruits, legumes, dairy), higher levels of perceived food processing were associated with lower perceived retention of naturalness, nutritiousness, natural taste, functional post-ingestive benefits, and acceptability (liking). However, participants endorsing greater (vs. lower) food essentialism beliefs exhibited weaker relationships between perceived processing and these characteristics. We also observed variations across food categories in relationships between perceived level of processing and food properties, suggesting that some foods (i.e., milk-based products) are perceived to possess essences that are more robust despite undergoing higher levels of processing. These findings demonstrate that food-specific essentialism beliefs may be a fundamental determinant of consumers’ expectations of how human intervention, such as processing, affects natural properties of foods. These beliefs may be a promising target for future research to shift consumer acceptance of processed foods.

Partisipasi Anggota Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT) dalam Program Pekarangan Pangan Lestari (P2L) Di Kabupaten Klaten

The P2L program is an effort to increase the availability, accessibility, and diversity of food, oriented towards increasing household income and welfare. Participation is one indicator of the success of a program. As time goes by, the participation of KWT members decreases. The research aims to analyze the participation level of KWT members, analyze the socio-economic conditions (non-formal education, type of work, income level, yard area and social environment) of KWT members receiving the P2L Program in Klaten Regency, and analyze the influence of KWT members' socio-economic factors on the level of their participation in the P2L Program in Klaten Regency. The basic research method is quantitative with survey techniques. The research location was deliberately determined in Klaten Regency. The sampling method was proportional random sampling technique, with a sample of 66 respondents. Data analysis uses multiple linear regression tests. The research results show that the level of participation at the planning stage and monitoring and evaluation stage is low, while the implementation and results utilization stage is high. Non-formal education is in the high category, social environment is in the very high category, while type of work, income level and yard area are in the low category. Non-formal education, income level and social environment influence the level of participation of KWT members while type of work and size of yard land have no influence.

Acinetobacter baumannii, a Multidrug-Resistant Opportunistic Pathogen in New Habitats: A Systematic Review.

In recent years, humanity has begun to face a growing challenge posed by a rise in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This has resulted in an alarming surge in fatalities and the emergence of increasingly hard-to-manage diseases. Acinetobacter baumannii can be seen as one of these resilient pathogens due to its increasing prevalence in hospitals, its resistance to treatment, and its association with elevated mortality rates. Despite its clinical significance, the scientific understanding of this pathogen in non-hospital settings remains limited. Knowledge of its virulence factors is also lacking. Therefore, in this review, we seek to shed light on the latest research regarding the ecological niches, microbiological traits, and antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter baumannii. Recent studies have revealed the presence of this bacterium in a growing range of environmental niches, including rivers, treatment plants, and soils. It has also been discovered in diverse food sources such as meat and vegetables, as well as in farm animals and household pets such as dogs and cats. This broader presence of Acinetobacter baumannii, i.e., outside of hospital environments, indicates a significant risk of environmental contamination. As a result, greater levels of awareness and new preventive measures should be promoted to address this potential threat to public health.

The Batin Sembilan Community in Jambi Province: Socio- Cultural Elements in Enhancing Local Food Security

The policy of resettling the Batin Sembilan people, from living in the forest and finding food in the forest to living in housing, has created complex socio-cultural dynamics related to community food security. This article explains the various socio-cultural implications of the Batin Sembilan people in food security and diversification. Orang Batin Sembilan in this paper is a community group that lives in the Bahar River area in Jambi, and is settled in Kelumpang village in the Hutan Harapan area, under the guidance of PT. REKI, a non-profit company engaged in ecosystem conservation by managing forest areas in Jambi. The purpose of this research is to understand how the Orang Batin Sembilan have come from a nomadic way of life to living in a settlement by utilizing limited forest products and starting to plant and have their own fish ponds in the neighborhood. A deep understanding of the process of changing ways of life and changing food culture in various dimensions provides a model for problem solving and lessons learned for the preparation of community food security plans. Using qualitative methods, and an ethnographic approach, the results showed that the long process of changing the nomadic way of life in the forest to the settlement area made Orang Batin Sembilan independent in food and created diversification of food sources.&#x0D; Keywords: food diversification, nomadic to sedentary, Batin Sembilan, food security

Predictors of female American black bear body mass in an anthropogenic landscape

AbstractAnthropogenic pressure, such as urbanization and habitat loss, can wield many effects on wildlife that radiate through ecosystems. Large carnivores tend to experience these effects more severely than other species, diminishing their viability and altering ecosystem function by suppressing their role as an apex predator. Yet opportunistic carnivores that rely on an omnivorous diet can sometimes take advantage of anthropogenic food and improve their fitness prospects. We quantified the effect of phenotypic and ecological factors on female body mass of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) in New Jersey, USA. Habitat and reliable mast crops in New Jersey keep adult female black bear body mass and reproduction higher than many parts of the United States, and historically, female black bears in the mid‐Atlantic states tend to be larger than in other parts of their range. We used data collected from den surveys (n = 317) in northern New Jersey from 1984 to 2019 to examine the shared roles of climate, anthropogenic pressure (human food subsidies, harvest), habitat composition and configuration, natural food availability (hard mast production), and bear characteristics (age, history of human–black bear conflict) on female black bear body mass using generalized linear mixed models. Adult female body mass was heaviest with increased availability of cultivated crop and within low‐intensity developed land covers, suggesting anthropogenic food subsidies found in these 2 land cover types are contributing to female overall body mass. A history of conflict with humans explained heavier females, and a quadratic effect of age on body mass supported a senescent decline in adult female body mass later in life. Our results suggest that access to specific land cover types (i.e., crops, low‐intensity developments) that provide a diversity of food (e.g., corn, soft and hard mast) and support low human densities, explains female black bear body mass in a fragmented landscape.