Fresh Vegetables Research Articles

Occurrence and Diversity of Intestinal Parasites on Raw Vegetables Sold in Samaru, Zaria

Vegetables are part of everyday diet. There has been more emphasis on their palatability and nutritional values, but they potentially contribute to transmitting intestinal parasites, among other pathogens, to man. This study examined 10 samples of five commonly consumed vegetables from Samaru in Zaria, Nigeria. Twenty-five (25g) fresh vegetable samples were washed in 225 mL of sterile normal saline and gently shaken for 60 seconds. The wash water was allowed to stay for 3 hr in the dark. The supernatant was carefully discarded until only about 15mL was left. The sediment was further concentrated by centrifuging at 3000 revolutions per minute for 5 minutes and examined for intestinal parasites on wet mounts using the compound light microscope. The overall occurrence of intestinal parasites on the vegetables was 22.0%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most occurring parasite (18.0%), followed by equal 2.0% of hookworms, Trichuris trichiura and Fasciola species. Vegetable samples obtained from Mangorori Market had the highest contamination with Ascaris lumbricoides than other markets, but overall parasitic contamination was highest on vegetables obtained from ABU Community Market. Cabbage was the most contaminated (50.0%), followed by 20% each of lettuce and carrots. Samples displayed on mats during the sale had the highest contamination with Ascaris lumbricoides (23.5%), followed by those displayed on the ground (22.2%). There was higher intestinal parasitic contamination of vegetables sold in dirty surroundings (23.3%) than in relatively clean surroundings (10.0%). Sufficient orientation on the role of fresh raw vegetables in transmitting intestinal parasites should be aimed at farmers, sellers, distributors and final consumers to curb potential health risks

Evaluation of medicinal and nutritional effectiveness of abelmoschus esculentus L

Plants that have been used under the name of traditional treatment for many years have been supported by recent studies. We use plant species as bioactive phytochemicals in many areas of our lives. In addition to being used in cosmetics, food, medical, and industrial applications, it is a potential product for preventing diseases with the compounds found in its structures. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) with its bioavailability and phytochemical compounds has an important place among such plants. Okra is a vegetable plant that grows in tropical and subtropical environments and belongs to the family Malvaceae. Okra, which is thought to be of African origin, is an edematous plant, especially for Pakistan and India. Okra has various uses with its seed, flower, leaf, bark, and stem parts. It is mostly used as a fresh and green soft vegetable. The edible parts are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Due to these compositions, it plays a vital role in human nutrition. Okra seeds are a potential source of oil with concentrations between 20% and 40% decoctions, containing up to 47.4% linoleic acid. Its seeds are rich in linoleic acid. It is also known to be rich in high-quality protein in terms of essential amino acid content. The soft and edible parts become mucilaginous after cooking. Carbohydrates are usually found in the form of mucilage. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of metabolites found and obtained in some parts of plants, such as seeds, leaves, and bark, in medical fields and their effects on human health. The different parts of the okra plant (mucilage, seeds, and pods) contain some important bioactive components that give it its medicinal properties. These bioactive components of okra have been studied for their potential effects on various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and digestive system diseases, as well as their anti-fatigue, liver detoxification, and antibacterial activities under the influence of polyphenols, which allow it to have antioxidant properties in its content. In general, okra is recognized as an important food product with various nutritional values and potential health benefits, easy to procure, and low cost.

Effectiveness of acetic and citric acid against Staphylococcus aureus contamination in parsley and dill

Staphylococcal food intoxication from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) species is an important food-borne disease that threatens public health in many countries. Products prepared with fresh vegetables that have not been heat treated and/or not sufficiently disinfected are particularly risky. In this study, the effects of various organic acid (acetic and citric acid) concentrations on S. aureus previously inoculated into parsley and dill vegetables were investigated at storage time of 0, 1., 3., 5, and 7 days. For this purpose, a total of 7 groups were formed: individually with 0.5% and 1.5% acetic and citric acid, as well as their combinations and control. The number of S. aureus was adjusted to 102 and 106 (log CFU/mL) numbers that known to produce toxins by spectrophotometric method. As a result of the study, acetic and citric acid were found to be more effective when combined in S. aureus inhibition. It was observed that this effect varies depending on the microbiological load, acid concentration and storage days of the vegetables. It was also determined that the organic acids used had a better effect on the parsley than the dill vegetable.

Barriers to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Access in Adult Patients in the Mayo-La Crosse Family Medicine Residency Clinic.

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately 12.8% of American households experiencing this challenge in 2023, as reported by the USDepartment of Agriculture (USDA). In Wisconsin, a state with a notable agricultural heritage, the prevalence of food insecurity averaged 9.9% between 2019 and 2023. A growing body of research underscores the importance of consuming diets rich in fruits and vegetables for maintaining optimal health and mitigating the risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity. Fruits and vegetables are reservoirs of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which collectively contribute to overall well-being.Despite the well-documented health benefits of fruits and vegetables, a considerable proportion of the population fails to meet the recommended daily intake of at least five servings. This disparity underscores the importance of exploring factors influencing dietary behaviors and identifying strategies to promote adherence to dietary guidelines. Surveys were distributed by staff at the family medicine residency clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin, during routine visits in April and May 2023. Any patients ≥18 years old presenting to the Family Health Clinic (FHC) were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they were unable to read/answer survey questions due to intellectual/language/other barriers. Surveys included demographic data such as the participant's age, gender, race, income bracket, and primary mode of transportation. A total of 122 participants were then asked how many servings in a day they ate of 100% juice, fruits, beans, green vegetables, yellow/orange vegetables, and other vegetables, as well as about barriers to more fruit and vegetable consumption and a Likert scale about their attitudes toward fruit and vegetable consumption and interest in discussing it with a healthcare provider. Demographic characteristics were analyzed through graphical representation to elucidate trends and patterns among the surveyed population. We compared different demographics with the barriers to fruits and vegetables using bar graphs. The primary barrier to fruit and vegetable intake varied by age group: "cost" for 18-30, "other" for 31-50, "cost" and "none" for 51-70, and "none" for over 70. For gender, "none" was most frequent for maleswhile "cost" was for females. By income, "cost" was common for $0-20k and $20-50k, "none" for $50-100k, and "other" for >$100k. A Likert scale assessed interest in discussing healthy foods with healthcare providers. Most responses were "neutral,"with "strongly agree" highest in 18-30 and "agree" in 31-50, 51-70, and over 70 age groups. The purpose of this study was to ascertain barriers to fruit and vegetable access and identify patients' attitudes toward discussing healthy food choices with healthcare providers. There appears to be a correlation between decreasing income and increasing age and the likelihood of identifying cost as a barrier to fruit/vegetable intake. Barriers identified in our clinic included convenience/time constraints and cost. Many people in our survey also identified the lack of quality or good variety of fruits and vegetables at the store (availability) as a significant barrier to eating them.

An In-vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Vitis vinifera Leaf Extract

Background: Vitis vinifera (Flame red grape) is known for its hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardioprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts has been reported but, due to presence of polyphenols, glycosides, saponins and alkaloid, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity yet not to evaluated on salad plant and bacteria, respectively. Aim: This research examined grape (V. vinifera flaming red) leaf ethanolic extract (EE) as a bioactive resource. Methods: Ethanolic extract test, primarily to calculate the overall phenolic content by using the Folin-Ciocalteu technique and gallic acid taking as a reference. Similarly, flavonoid content measured using quercetin as a calibration curve. Antioxidant properties was confirmed by getting positive responses from different methods (DPPH, H2O2, FRAP and Phospho-Molybdenum). Antimicrobial activity tested against gram-positive bacteria (Lactobacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and gramnegative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus enterica ser. Typhimurium) in a broth microdilution test. The ethanolic extract (EE) are rich in antioxidant-rich phenolic compounds show minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for every given bacterium on beetroot and spinach leaves. Results: We investigate this extract’s total phenol, total flavonoid, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties. We also identify its main phenolic components, revealing its phytochemical diversity. We found that the EE had 39.29 gGAkg-1 dw of phenol and 96.05 gQE kg-1 dw of flavonoids. The EE scavenges DPPH, H2O2, FRAP, and PM radicals at 142, 168, 275, and 172 g TE kg-1, respectively. We reveal the complex character of this extract by revealing catechins, flavonoids, tannins, malic acid, enzymes, resveratrol, phenolic acids, flavonols, procyanidins, and anthocyanins. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus are all inhibited by EE with a MIC range of 16 to 18 gL-1 (E. coli). The extract affects bacterial growth at different stages. The EE reduces spinach and beetroot leaf total bacterial load by 1.159 to 2.456 log drop when used as a sanitizer at 25 gL-1 (1.156–2.858 log reduction). Conclusion: This research work highlights grape leaf EE as a novel and appealing source of bioactive components with its strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities against common foodborne infectious agents. Our research reveals that leaf ethanolic extract could reduce human pathogenic microorganisms in fresh green vegetables, improving food safety.

Revisiting the current and emerging concepts of postharvest fresh fruit and vegetable pathology for next-generation antifungal technologies.

Fungal infections of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) can lead to safety problems, including consumer poisoning by mycotoxins. Various strategies exist to control fungal infections of FFVs, but their effectiveness and sustainability are limited. Recently, new concepts based on the microbiome and pathobiome have emerged and offer a more holistic perspective for advancing postharvest pathogen control techniques. Understanding the role of the microbiome in FFV infections is essential for developing sustainable control strategies. This review examines current and emerging approaches to postharvest pathology. It reviews what is known about the initiation and development of infections in FFVs. As a promising concept, the pathobiome offers new insights into the basic mechanisms of microbial infections in FFVs. The underlying mechanisms uncovered by the pathobiome are being used to develop more relevant global antifungal strategies. This review will also focus on new technologies developed to target the microbiome and members of the pathobiome to control infections in FFVs and improve safety by limiting mycotoxin contamination. Specifically, this review stresses emerging technologies related to FFVs that are relevant for modifying the interaction between FFVs and the microbiome and include the use of microbial consortia, the use of genomic technology to manipulate host and microbial community genes, and the use of databases, deep learning, and artificial intelligence to identify pathobiome markers. Other approaches include programming the behavior of FFVs using synthetic biology, modifying the microbiome using sRNA technology, phages, quorum sensing, and quorum quenching strategies. Rapid adoption and commercialization of these technologies are recommended to further improve the overall safety of FFVs.

Obesity-associated inflammation countered by a Mediterranean diet: the role of gut-derived metabolites.

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide and has become a critical public health priority. Obesity is associated with many co-morbid conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Although the physiology of obesity is complex, a healthy diet and sufficient exercise are two elements known to be critical to combating this condition. Years of research on the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil, have demonstrated a reduction in numerous non-communicable chronic diseases associated with this diet. There is strong evidence to support an anti-inflammatory effect of the diet, and inflammation is a key driver of obesity. Changes in diet alter the gut microbiota which are intricately intertwined with human physiology, as gut microbiota-derived metabolites play a key role in biological pathways throughout the body. This review will summarize recent published studies that examine the potential role of gut metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, trimethylamine-N-oxide, and lipopolysaccharide, in modulating inflammation after consumption of a Mediterranean-like diet. These metabolites modulate pathways of inflammation through the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, toll-like receptor 4 signaling, and macrophage driven effects in adipocytes, among other mechanisms.

Local manifestations of cross food allergy in children with clinical symptoms of respiratory allergy to birch pollen: solutions

Introduction. According to modern data, Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is most often formed by patients sensitized to the birch family: up to 73% of patients allergic to birch experienced OAS. 86% of them experience their oral symptoms year-round, which significantly affects the quality of life of these patients. The effectiveness of AIT in the treatment of respiratory allergy symptoms is beyond doubt, while the effect on the manifestations of cross-food allergies requires additional study.Objective. To study the clinical effectiveness of the formation of oral tolerance to fruits and vegetables under the influence of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with the allergen Staloral® “Birch pollen allergen” (Stallergenes Greer, France).Material and methods. The study (prospective open comparative longitudinal) included 184 patients with respiratory allergy to birch pollen aged 5 to 16 years with confirmed sensitization to the major molecule (Bet v 1). Children of the main group (n = 134, 7.0 [5.0; 9.0] years) had OAS. Children from the comparison group (n = 50, 7.0 [6.0; 10.0] years) did not have OAS. A clinical examination, general clinical and allergological examinations were carried out for each child. Component allergy diagnostics was performed using a multiplex panel (ISAC-112, ImmunoCAP) for children with OAS (n = 40) who had multiple manifestations of cross-food allergies. Patients of both groups (n = 184) received a three-year course of AIT with the allergen Staloral® “Birch pollen allergen”.Results. In patients with OAS, it was possible to achieve the formation of oral tolerance (total or partial) to fresh vegetables and fruits in 88.81% (n = 119, p = 0.000). There was a decrease in the intensity and duration of respiratory allergy symptoms during the pollination season, and the need for pharmacotherapy after a three-year course of AIT Staloral® “Birch pollen allergen” in children of both groups.Conclusions: three-year AIT with the allergen Staloral® “Birch pollen allergen” is able to form oral tolerance in children with cross food allergies to PR-10 proteins of vegetables and fruits.

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Vahlkampfiidae and Vermamoeba Vermiformis from Fresh Vegetables: A Neglected Source of Infections.

Naegleria spp., Tetramitus spp., and Vermamoeba vermiformis are potential pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) causing diseases such as keratitis, meningoencephalitis, and lung infections. We aimed to investigate the presence of Vahlkampfiidae and V. vermiformis in raw vegetables commonly consumed in Iran. Totally, 70 samples of vegetables samples including watercress (22), leeks (12), parsley (10), basil (13) and mint (13) were collected from municipal markets of Tehran, the capital of Iran during June to October 2021. After washing vegetables, samples were cultivated onto 2% non-nutrient agar (NNA) medium. After morphological confirmations, DNA was extracted and identical fragments of the FLA were amplified and sequenced. Out of 70 cultured samples, 11 samples (15.71 %) were morphologically positive, of which four and seven were V. vermiformis and Vahlkampfiidae isolates, respectively. According to the PCR/sequencing results two, one, one, and one strains belonged to N. australiensis, N. americana, Vahlkampfia sp., V. inornata, and T. aberdonicus, respectively. All Vermamoeba genus were characterized as V. vermiformis. The results of current study revealed the contamination of fresh raw vegetables with Vahlkampfiidae and V. vermiformis. In addition, to our knowledge this is the first report of T. aberdonicus in raw vegetables. Our findings highlight the public health importance of vegetables in transmission of FLA, as well as the potential role of FLA in transmission of potential pathogenic microorganisms via consuming of fresh raw vegetables.

Did COVID-19 influence fruit and vegetable consumption? Explaining and comparing pandemic peak and post-peak periods

The COVID-19 pandemic, one of the worst global health crises in the last century, impacted nearly every aspect of people's lives, including their dietary choices and food consumption patterns. It arrived during a long shift in American diets featuring increasingly large portions of processed foods as well as fruit and vegetable consumption that is well below recommended levels. Improving the latter has been a key part of policymakers' efforts to improve consumers' diets. This study surveyed individuals in the US South to determine the factors influencing their consumption of fruit and vegetables during the pandemic peak and how these have changed post-peak. During the peak, food venue, demographics, and concerns about diet and the seriousness of the virus heavily affected consumption. Greater amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables were consumed post-peak pandemic. Changes post-peak were predicted by food venue. Cooking meals at home was the main positive predictor for consumption. US policymakers should try and leverage the changes since the peak to promote greater consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Safe, sustainable, and nutritious food labels: A market segmentation of fresh vegetables consumers

Food labels can help consumers make choices by providing information regarding the nutritional content, food safety, and environmental footprint of a product. As the number of food labels in the marketplace increases, and so does the information overload, food retailers are continuously challenged to assess consumers' choices for labels. In addition, consumer heterogeneity and changing regulations and demand have yielded inconsistent findings on consumers’ preferences for food labels. This study used a three-step approach to identify the market segments of fresh vegetables (FVs) consumers based on their preferences for a comprehensive list of labels conveying food safety, nutritional benefits, and pro-environmental attributes. A principal component analysis yielded three factors that grouped FVs labels. The cluster analysis yielded four segments of consumers that were identified with statistically different concerns and priorities. The Label Conscious highly valued all the food safety, nutritional, and pro-environmental labels when buying fresh vegetables, the Wellness Enthusiasts mainly valued nutritional and pro-environmental labels, the Safe Veggies searched for FVs that are free of harmful chemicals with a focus on traceability and safety inspections, and the DIYers reported the lowest valuation for all food labels, especially those conveying FVs are pre-washed and ready-to-eat. Lastly, a multinomial probit model showed that cluster membership was driven by education, consumption of FVs, information sources, and perceptions. Findings can help policymakers, researchers, and retailers tailor food labels more effectively when marketing FVs to specific consumer segments.

Chemical induction of DNA demethylation by 5-Azacytidine enhances tomato fruit defense against gray mold through dicer-like protein DCL2c.

Postharvest decay, primarily caused by pathogenic fungi in ripening fruits and fresh vegetables, poses a challenge to agricultural sustainability and results in significant economic losses. The regulation of the fruit ripening by DNA methylation has been well demonstrated, while defense response of fruit underlying epigenetic regulation against postharvest decay remains uncertain. In the present study, treatment of tomato fruits with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) notably decreased their susceptibility to gray mold. Following 5-Aza treatment, we observed a substantial increase in activities of chitinase (CHI) and glucanase (GLU) in tomato fruits, as well as an increase in the expression of the dicer-like SlDCL2 gene family. Suppression of SlDCL2c through double-stranded RNA-induced RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a decrease in the expression of chitinases CHI3, CHI9, Class V chitinase, and endochitinase 4 by 71%, 29%, 55%, 64%, as well as glucanases Cel1, Cel2, and GluB by 19%, 93%, and 87%, respectively. This was accompanied by decreased activities of resistance-related enzymes, including CHI and GLU. The expression levels of genes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase PAL2, peroxidase POD 12, POD P7, CCR1, CYP84A2, and COMT in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway also decreased by 33%, 53%, 18%, 50%, 30%, and 24% in SlDCL2c-RNAi fruit, resulting in decreased activities of PAL and POD. Consequently, the lesion diameter of gray mold in SlDCL2c-RNAi fruit increased by 55% compared to the control group. Overall, the present study indicated that DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza reduces susceptibility of tomato fruit to gray mold through regulation of DCL2c-mediated inducible defense response.

Governance of intersecting value chains in an era of polycentric trade: the case of Kenyan fresh fruit and vegetables

Abstract Domestic value chains (DVCs) led by retailers within the global South often overlap with global value chains (GVCs) as well as domestic arm’s length markets. DVCs incorporate some private governance, but we know little about the role of public governance. Based on analysis of Kenyan fresh fruit and vegetables, we ask: How is the power (or ability) of lead firms to govern producers being reshaped by the increased complexity of polycentric trade in the Kenyan horticultural sector? We reveal constraints to lead firms’ ability to directly exercise bargaining power; and shifts towards institutional power in a context of polycentric trade.

Prevalence and characterization of foodborne pathogens isolated from fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in Beijing, China

Pre-cut fresh fruits and vegetables are highly appealing to consumers for their convenience, however, as they are highly susceptible to microbial contamination in processing, the potential risks of foodborne illnesses to public health are not negligible. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characteristics of major foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella) isolated from fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in Beijing, China. 86 stains were isolated from 326 samples, with S. aureus being the highest prevalence (15.38 %), followed by E. coli (9.23 %) and L. monocytogenes (1.85 %), while no Salmonella was detected. The prevalence by type of food indicated that fruit trays and mixed vegetables were more susceptible to contamination by pathogens. 98 % of S. aureus were resistant to at least of one antibiotic, and showed a high resistance rate to benzylpenicillin (90 %) and oxacillin (48 %). Among 25 E. coli isolates, 57.67 % of which exhibited multi-drug resistance, with common resist to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66.67 %) and ampicillin (63.33 %). A total of 9 sequence types (STs) and 8 spa types were identified in 35 S. aureus isolates, with ST398-t34 being the predominant type (42.86 %). Additionally, analysis of 25 E. coli isolates demonstrated significant heterogeneity, characterized by 22 serotypes and 18 STs. Genomic analysis revealed that 5 and 44 distinct antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Seven quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) mutations were identified in E. coli isolates, of which GyrA (S83L) was the most frequently detected. All the S. aureus and E. coli isolates harbored virulence genes. ARGs in S. aureus and E. coli showed a significant positive correlation with plasmids. Furthermore, one L. monocytogenes isolate, which was ST101 and serogroupIIc from watermelon sample, harbored virulence genes (inlA and inlB) and LIPI-1 pathogenic islands (prfA, plcA, hly and actA), which posed potential risks for consumer's health. This study focused on the potential microbial risk of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables associated with foodborne diseases, improving the scientific understanding towards risk assessment related to ready-to-eat foods.

Assessing the antioxidant properties of Pilea trinivera (Roxb.) Wight) by in vitro and in vivo studies

Background: Pohpohan leaves (Pilea trinivera (Roxb.) Wight), commonly consumed as fresh vegetables, contain flavonoids useful as antioxidants. Literature studies showed the content of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, luteolin, and apigenin. Objective: The research aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of 70% ethanolic extract of Pohpohan leaves in Wistar rats induced by heat stress with the parameters malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Method: The pilot study found the extract's total flavonoid, phenolic content, and IC50, respectively, 1.48%, 1.64%, and 79.65ppm. The sample consisted of 30 male Wistar rats that met the criteria and were divided into six groups. MDA levels were determined using the TBARs method, while SOD activity was measured using the spectrophotometric method. Data analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney test. Result: MDA levels (nmol/mL) for normal control, negative control, positive control, doses I, II and III group, respectively, were 2.581; 12.978;0.830; 8.597; 6.041; 2.291 whereas the SOD activity (U/mL) of each group was 161.55; 101.54; 267.70; 184.62; 207.69; 240. There were no significant differences in MDA and SOD levels between the positive control group and dose III. Conclusion: The results showed the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Pilea trinervia (Roxb.) Wight).

Acceptance of Pak Choy Sticks as a Culinary Innovation in the Creative Economy of Ngrombo Baki Sukoharjo Tourism Village

Ngrombo Village is a tourist village in Sukoharjo. Ngrombo Tourism Village provides hydroponic education packages, focusing on cultivating pak choy vegetables. However, after the post-harvest process, residents only sell the pak choy as fresh vegetables without further processing. This reduces the potential selling value of pak choy, which could be increased. One option for processing pak choy is to make pak choy sticks. This research aims to determine the materials and methods for making pak choy sticks and the public's acceptance of hybrid pak choy sticks. This quantitative and descriptive research involved conducting a direct survey at locations producing pak choy in Ngrombo Village, Baki, Sukoharjo. The quantitative aspect refers to data analysis using statistics and numbers, while the descriptive aspect involves determining the frequency distribution of respondents' answers through a questionnaire distributed to selected respondents. The data obtained is then processed using statistical analysis to help researchers draw conclusions. The results of this research indicate that the ingredients for making pak choy sticks include pak choy, wheat flour, tapioca flour, corn flour, baking powder, chicken stock powder, garlic, salt, pepper, eggs, and margarine. The method involves mixing the ingredients, kneading, flattening, cutting, and frying. An organoleptic test conducted with 35 panelists revealed that the pak choy sticks had a distinctive aroma, a savory taste, a crunchy texture, a dominant green color, and were generally well-liked by the panelists.

A Group-Based, Six-Lesson Healthy Eating Curriculum for Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses: Development and Implementation.

As part of an intervention tailored to individuals with serious mental illnesses in residential settings that aimed to increase dietary intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, we developed and implemented a nutrition and cooking curriculum. To develop the curriculum, we assembled a Workgroup that consisted of professionals from multiple fields. The Workgroup held weekly discussions before drafting what would become the Workbook. Residential staff at partnering housing agencies taught the curriculum to residents. The curriculum Workbook contains six lessons, which are organized around two field trips to a mobile farmers market and a grocery store, and four cooking methods. The Workbook also includes instructions on using FreshConnect Checks at mobile farmers markets. The new curriculum distinguishes itself from other nutrition and culinary literacy curricula in that it delivers knowledge about fresh produce and skills in preparing fruits and vegetables in a way that is tailored to individuals with serious mental illnesses.

LC-QTOF/MS-Based Profiling of the Phytochemicals in Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) and Their Bioactivities.

Recent assessments of the correlations between food and medicine underscore the importance of functional foods in disease prevention and management. Functional foods offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, with fresh fruits and vegetables being particularly prominent because of their rich polyphenol content. In this study, we elucidated the phytochemicals in ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), a globally consumed vegetable, using an LC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted detection method. The phytochemicals were clustered based on their structural similarity using molecular networking and annotated using the in silico tool for network annotation propagation. To identify the bioactive compounds, eight compounds were isolated from ice plant extracts. These compounds were identified using extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of all the isolates. Among the tested compounds, three showed antioxidant activity and all eight showed anti-inflammatory activity, demonstrating the potential of ice plant as a functional food.

Pembinaan dan Pengembangan Produk Hasil Pertanian melalui Metode Packaging Modern

Local farmers in Sungai Awan Kanan Village are one of the supporting sources of food for consumers around Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. With traditional skills they are able to produce agricultural products that can compete with modern agriculture. They always produce fresh vegetables every day for family and community needs. Behind it all, there are several weaknesses that they currently feel, including; cheap prices at the collector level (prices become a game for certain parties), fresh vegetables cannot last long due to limited supporting facilities. Meanwhile, on the other hand, there are opportunities that actually open the chain of their problems, such as; the emergence of supermarkets and modern markets that require supplies. The aim of implementing this community service is to encourage the strength of local communities in developing agricultural products, especially vegetables, through packaging methods. The community is facilitated by providing modern packaging for the agricultural products they get. With this community service program in the form of training regarding the development of agricultural products through packaging, it is hoped that it can increase public knowledge about how to increase income through packaging methods applied to agricultural products. After the training, almost all training participants realized that the packaging methods applied to agricultural products could have a good effect on the sales of their agricultural products.

Achieving Nutritional Security through Nutri-garden in Rural Areas of Nawada District, Bihar

Background: Various nutritional problems such as anaemia, malnutrition, stunting, wasting are prevalent among women and children. Nutri- garden promotes dietary diversification in rural household through easy availability of fresh vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, thereby, can play an important role in achieving nutritional security at household or community level. The objective of the study was to increase the availability of vegetables in rural household and to improve the knowledge of rural farm women regarding layout, technological and nutritional aspect of nutri-garden. Methods: The study was conducted in the nine villages of Kawakol block of Nawada district. Ten anganwadi centres and three backyard / kitchen garden were selected (that includes 115 respondents) for KVK front line demonstration programme on nutrition security. Result: An increase in yield of the crops was seen in demonstration unit in comparison to farmers field. This enhances the nutrient availability among rural families. Knowledge of the rural household was also enhanced through various training programmes conducted during the study. The major constraints faced by the farm women in management of nutri-garden were inadequate water supply in some areas and high input cost involved in purchasing low cost quality seed.