Future Food Research Articles

Improvement of Stress Resistance of Microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum by Emulsion Electrospinning.

Probiotics have become increasingly recognized for their potential health-promoting properties; however, the viability of probiotics can be affected by storage and transportation processes as well as the stressful environment of the human digestive tract, preventing them from achieving effective concentration (107 CFU/mL). In this regard, the embedding technology of probiotics provides an effective protection method. Dextran-based water in water (W/W) emulsion loaded with Lactobacillus plantarum was used as spinning solution to prepare Lactobacillus plantarum-loaded electrospun fibers. The structure of the W/W emulsion and the electrospun fibers was charactered. Lactobacillus plantarum were uniformly embedded in the internal phase of the W/W emulsion and the loading efficiency was 9.70 ± 0.40 log CFU/g. After 240 min digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, and temperature treatment in 65 °C and 72 °C, the loaded probiotics maintained high activity. Even after 5 days of storage in room temperature and 4 °C, the loaded probiotic activity levels remained high, with counts >8 log CFU/g. These results suggest that probiotics encapsulated by emulsion electrospinning could be potentially delivered in a novel food delivery system used in the future food industry.

Progress in the Use of Combined Omics for Mungbean Breeding Improvement and Its Potential in Promoting Resistance against Cercospora Leaf Spot

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) is the most destructive fungal disease, deteriorating the production and productivity of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). Mungbean is one of the most nutritionally and environmentally important legumes, with popularity currently increasing as a ‘future smart food crop’ due to its several health benefits. In recent years, there has been considerable research progress in improving disease resistance in legumes. However, only a limited number of studies have pinpointed potential genes and candidate genes associated with resistance traits to CLS in mungbeans. Identifying the potential resistant resources through combined omics approaches is an efficient strategy to screen the best Cercospora-resistant mungbean varieties for further molecular breeding and improvement. Potential omics approaches are important tools to predict disease management strategies, alleviate chemical overuse, and mitigate problems due to malnutrition. Sustainable breeding research efforts using potential combined omics, including automated phenotyping, to promote important resistant traits associated with CLS in mungbeans are still unexplored and a key issue that needs to be addressed. Omics-technology-based research findings on resistance genes, proteins, and metabolites against CLS in mungbean are recognised in this review. Due to a limitation of research findings specifically underscoring the use of omics tools for screening resistant mungbean against CLS, best related research outcomes on other crops are included in this review.

Alien introgression to wheat for food security: functional and nutritional quality for novel products under climate change.

Crop yield and quality has increased globally during recent decades due to plant breeding, resulting in improved food security. However, climate change and shifts in human dietary habits and preferences display novel pressure on crop production to deliver enough quantity and quality to secure food for future generations. This review paper describes the current state-of-the-art and presents innovative approaches related to alien introgressions into wheat, focusing on aspects related to quality, functional characteristics, nutritional attributes, and development of novel food products. The benefits and opportunities that the novel and traditional plant breeding methods contribute to using alien germplasm in plant breeding are also discussed. In principle, gene introgressions from rye have been the most widely utilized alien gene source for wheat. Furthermore, the incorporation of novel resistance genes toward diseases and pests have been the most transferred type of genes into the wheat genome. The incorporation of novel resistance genes toward diseases and pests into the wheat genome is important in breeding for increased food security. Alien introgressions to wheat from e.g. rye and Aegilops spp. have also contributed to improved nutritional and functional quality. Recent studies have shown that introgressions to wheat of genes from chromosome 3 in rye have an impact on both yield, nutritional and functional quality, and quality stability during drought treatment, another character of high importance for food security under climate change scenarios. Additionally, the introgression of alien genes into wheat has the potential to improve the nutritional profiles of future food products, by contributing higher minerals levels or lower levels of anti-nutritional compounds into e.g., plant-based products substituting animal-based food alternatives. To conclude, the present review paper highlights great opportunities and shows a few examples of how food security and functional-nutritional quality in traditional and novel wheat products can be improved by the use of genes from alien sources, such as rye and other relatives to wheat. Novel and upcoming plant breeding methods such as genome-wide association studies, gene editing, genomic selection and speed breeding, have the potential to complement traditional technologies to keep pace with climate change and consumer eating habits.

Effects of Heat and Drought Stress on Sustainable Agriculture and Future Food Security in Türkiye

This review investigates the effects of heat and drought stress on future food security of Turkish agriculture. Temperature average is expected to rise to 3.2°C at the end of the current century while annual precipitation will decline more than 10% in the west and south and rise by 20% in the north of Türkiye, implying that climate change will affect ecosystem sustainability. It is therefore crucial to develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change such as adjusting the planting schedule, reduced tillage, fertiliser microdosing, pre-sowing seed treatment, and the application of growth promoting bacteria to improve tolerance to stress by comprehending how plants respond physiologically and biochemically under these stress conditions. Long-term heat stress may hinder photosynthetic electron transport, decreasing the plant's ability to make use of energy for photosynthesis. The immediate response of plants under drought stress involves closing stomatal openings to reduce water loss through stomatal conductance. Combined heat and drought stress have a greater adverse effect on plant development and production than their effects in isolation. Plant phenotyping can play a major role in “climate-proofing” Turkish agriculture through the identification and development of crop varities with improved prouctivity, climate resilience and input requirements. Digital agriculture will also improve the efficiency of Turkish agricultural systems as the adapt to a hotter drier climate. To ensure future food security and the viability of the agro-economic system in Türkiye steps must be taken to make Turkish agriculture more robust in preparation for the impacts of climate change.

Impacts of long-term chemical nitrogen fertilization on soil quality, crop yield, and greenhouse gas emissions: With insights into post-lime application responses

The improvement in the agricultural production through continuous and heavy nutrient input like nitrogen fertilizer under the upland red soil of south China deteriorates soil quality, and this practice in the future could threaten future food production and cause serious environmental problems in China. This research is initiated with the objectives of evaluating the impacts of long-term chemical nitrogen fertilization on soil quality, crop yield, and greenhouse gas emissions, with insights into post-lime application responses. Compared to sole application of chemical nitrogen fertilization, combined application with lime increased soil indicators (pH by 6.30 %–7.76 %, Ca2+ by 90.06 %–252.77 %, Mg2+ by 184.47 %–358.05 %, available P by 5.05 %–30.04 %, and soil alkali hydrolysable N by 23.49 %–41.55 %. Combined application of chemical nitrogen fertilization with lime (NPCa (0.59), NPKCa (0.61), and NKCa (0.27) significantly improved soil quality index compared to the sole application of chemical nitrogen fertilization (NP (0.31), NPK (0.36), and NK (0.16). Compared to sole application of chemical nitrogen fertilization, combined application with lime increased grain yield by 48.36 %–61.49 %. Structural equation modeling elucidated that combined application of chemical nitrogen fertilization and lime improved wheat grain yield by improving soil quality. Exchangeable Ca2+, exchangeable Mg2+, pH, and exchangeable Al3+ were the most influential factors of wheat grain yield. Overall, the combined application of chemical nitrogen fertilization and lime decreased global warming potential (calculated from N2O and CO2) by 16.92 % emissions compared to the sole application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. Therefore, liming acidic soil in upland red soil of South China is a promising management option for improved soil quality, wheat grain yield, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOBREEDING FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOOD SECURITY

As the world population continues to expand and environmental challenges escalate, ensuring food security has become an urgent global concern. This paper explores the potential of nanotechnology in addressing these challenges, particularly in the field of crop improvement. Nanobreeding, which utilizes nanotechnological tools and techniques, presents a promising approach to enhance crop production and quality while minimizing environmental impact. Precision agriculture benefits greatly from nanosensors, which provide real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and pest infestations. Nanotechnology also offers innovative solutions in pest management through the development of nanopesticides. These nanopesticides enable targeted delivery of active ingredients to specific pests or plant structures, reducing off-target effects and environmental contamination. Addressing the challenges of low nutrient use efficiency and environmental pollution associated with conventional fertilizers, nano-fertilizers emerge as a viable solution. Nanotechnology in agriculture presents innovative solutions to enhance crop production, improve resource efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. By harnessing the potential of nanotechnology, these can contribute to global food security, meet the growing demand for food, and maintain sustainable living standards. Continuous research and development in this field are essential in securing our future food supply and building a resilient agricultural system.

Response surface optimization in determining hydrolysis reaction on Barramundi scales gelatin using the box behnken design

Gelatin hydrolysate is a product with a wide range of benefits in pharmaceutical and food applications. Therefore, this study analyzes the best hydrolysis condition to make Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) scales gelatin hydrolysate using ultrasonication and lime juice. The conditions with the best degree of hydrolysis (DH) were optimized using the Response Surface Method (RSM) with Box Behnken Design (BBD). The effects of 3 independent variables, namely time, temperature, and enzyme concentrations, were then examined for model optimization. Based on the extraction method, DH varied between 57.40% and 68.60%. The equation characterizing the variables and DH correlation was DH = 0.01324 – 0.0012A + 0.0013B – 0.0028C -0.0004AB + 0.0019AC – 0.001BC – 0.0004A2 – 0,0042B2 – 0.0012C2 , A, B, and C were time, temperature, and E/S concentration. In addition, the optimized hydrolysis was performed at 31.03 mins, 56.84оC temperature, 1.5% E/S concentration, and pH 8.0. At these optimal conditions, alkaline protease hydrolysis yielded a 1.000 desirability value, with a 64.83% DH. Amino acid (AA) with the highest value in Barramundi scales gelatin hydrolysate was lysine (53.03 g/100 g), while isoleucine (0.05 g/100 g) had the lowest value. Based on the results, optimal hydrolysis conditions could be an excellent reference to increase the potential of Barramundi scales gelatin hydrolysate in developing future functional foods with high amino acids, particularly lysine.

Contemporary Farming and Associated Consequences of Climate Change

Aim: This review aims to synthesize current understanding of the multifaceted impacts of climate change on agriculture, examine adaptive strategies to maintain food security, and offer insights into sustainable farming practices. Objectives: The objectives are to: (1) identify the potential causes of climate change, (2) assess its effects on agriculture, and (3) discuss mitigation strategies and sustainable farming practice. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature has been performed. We conducted an in-depth study of previous research, reports, and related literature. Sources were selected based on relevance and credibility to provide a thorough examination of the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Analysis: The analysis focused on categorizing the direct and indirect effects of climate change on agricultural systems, understanding changes in crop yield, plant physiology and metabolism, and evaluating the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies. Result Findings: The findings indicate that the greenhouse effect, driven by gases such as CO2, CH4, and H2O, leads to global temperature increases. The concentration of these gases is rising, with the global average temperature expected to increase by 2°C by 2100, causing significant economic losses. While this increase has boosted plant growth and productivity through enhanced photosynthesis, the associated rise in temperature counteracts these benefits. Therefore, mitigation strategies such as nutrient management, drip and sprinkler irrigation, and sustainable agricultural practices are essential. Natural farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that offers chemical-free, healthy food while promising to increase farmers' income, improve environmental health, restore soil fertility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusion: Climate change poses a significant threat to global food and nutritional security by altering agricultural productivity and sustainability. Understanding these impacts and developing effective mitigation strategies is crucial. This review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to address these challenges and ensure resilient agricultural systems capable of sustaining future food security.

Can Entomophagy be a Good Option for Nutrition and Food Security?

As the population increases, so does the demand for food and resources. Insects are rich in proteins, unsaturated fats and low in carbohydrates. They contain all the essential minerals and vitamins like iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, riboflavin, biotin, and vitamin B9. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), estimated that the world need to increase its food production to feed a worldwide population of more than nine billion by the year 2050. Insects offer so much potential as an alternative food source to meet this need. More than two billion people including various ethnic communities around the world practice entomophagy and consume more than 2000 species of edible insects. Southeast Asian countries and African countries are one of the biggest consumers of edible insects. Due to its health and nutritional benefits, there is an increased demand and interest in European and American countries. Government policymakers, entrepreneurs, educationists, and chefs worldwide are exploring and promoting edible insects. Promoting novel insect-based food that is made of insects or insect ingredients such as insect flour, and insect protein powder could increase consumers and consumption. This review highlights insects as an alternative protein source for future food production. Insects like black soldier flies are used as insect feed for animals in poultry, pigs, and cows and are high in demand. Insects produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared to other livestock. Edible insect farming and entomophagy present an important and sustainable opportunity for the future of food. This could also help generate employment for the rural women and youths as an alternate source of livelihood. Entomophagy has the potential to solve the world’s food hunger and at the same time save the environment.

Food for future: The impact of menu design on vegetarian food choice and menu satisfaction in a hypothetical hospital setting

Daily food choices do not only affect our health but also the environment in important ways. Food choice architecture can help to nudge people towards more healthy and sustainable food options. The current research explores the influence of menu design strategies on food choices and satisfaction in a hypothetical hospital setting. Specifically, we systematically tested the effect of vegetarian option availability, menu category framing, and health recommendation inclusion on hypothetical food choice and satisfaction, conducting two large online studies representative of the German adult population that consumes meat at least once a week (Study 1: N = 991; Study 2: N = 989). Both studies were based on a menu from a German university hospital. Results revealed that increasing the availability of vegetarian options increased vegetarian food choices. Neutral menu descriptions had no impact, whereas health recommendations that were presented in form of a visual appeal slightly increased vegetarian dish choices. Importantly, the research also considered menu satisfaction, revealing no main effects of availability, framing and health recommendation. Only when a health recommendation was added to a menu with high availability of vegetarian options, satisfaction was decreased. The findings suggest that menu design elements could modestly influence food choices and satisfaction among meat-eaters in healthcare settings, warranting further investigation with hospital patients.

Artists invoke urban food security: Nature-based solutions when everything is imaginable

Art is an amorphous field of operations that continuously sheds revered traditions and adds unprecedented innovations. It is, therefore, primed to offer original solutions to entrenched problems, such as those associated with urban foodways. Assessing the significance of the novel forms of expression that artistic license often entails entering uncharted cultural territories, then surveying the new terrains for the insights they contain. The five contemporary artists who are featured in this essay affirm this observation. The artworks they produced bypassed traditional still lifes and rural landscapes. Instead, they interrogated the particularities of current urban foodways.I treated these artworks to two concurrent paths of inquiry. One involved assessing the content of the artists’ urban food anxiteies and solutions. The other involved relating this content to the unconventional art strategies they employed to convey their creative food-generating initiatives. Methodology, therefore, constitutes an essential component of their creative practices. Their innovative strategies offer pragmatic solutions regarding urban food dilemmas that far exceed the cultural arena of art.For example, although all five artists live amid urban abundance, their focus zeroed in on food insecurity. Their artworks not only expose potential shortages and citizen vulnerabilities; they also propose security-bolstering solutions. Significantly, those solutions are not vested in broad-scale systems of production and distribution. Instead, the responsibility is entrusted to individual citizens. Their artworks introduce schemes for gaining food security that are both modest and innovative. They are modest because they are scaled to individuals, neighborhoods, and communities. They are innovative because these domestically scaled initiatives offer novel nature-based urban food solutions. For this reason, the artworks discussed on the following pages could contribute to future NBS urban food approaches. Some seem suitable for scaling up. Others demonstrate the need to relax regulations that inhibit experimentation. A few might bolster broad-scale institutional policies designed to facilitate independent food production. All replace stress with confidence.

Chitosan, gelatin and pectin based bionanocomposite films with rosemary essential oil as an active ingredient for future foods

Bionanocomposite films of three biopolymers including chitosan, gelatin, and pectin incorporated with rosemary essential oil (REO) were developed and characterized in terms of their physical, structural, mechanical, morphological, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Incorporation of REO showed an increased hydrophobic nature thus, improved water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength (TS), elongation-at-break (EAB), and thermal stability significantly (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the control films. The addition of REO leads to more opaque films with relatively increased microstructural heterogeneity, resulting in an increase in film opacity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle size revealed that REO incorporation exhibits high physicochemical stability in chitosan, gelatin, and pectin bionanocomposite films. Incorporation of REO exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against the tested pathogenic strains (Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli). Furthermore, the addition of REO increased the inhibitory activity of films against ABTS and DPPH free radicals. Therefore, chitosan, gelatin, and pectin-based bionanocomposite films containing REO as food packaging could act as a potential barrier to extending food shelf life.

Public Trust in Technology – A Moral Obligation?

Abstract Biotechnology proponents claim that the public has a duty to trust biotechnology due to its potential for handling significant future food security challenges. This article uses Kant’s moral and political philosophy as basis for constructing a framework for analyzing trust as a moral duty, both in personal relationships and in institutional settings. This includes trust in technology that is of societal significance. A discussion of key concepts of trust leads to an argument that there is a conditional duty of reflexive trust in fundamental social institutions, including technology. However, reflexive trust in, for example, food biotechnology cannot be conceived of as an individual task. A duty of reflexive trust in technology can only be achieved within a publicly controlled institution of trust-building systematic distrust. This system should ideally clarify which instances and to what extent a technology is ethically justifiable and of benefit to society in general.

Biological Carbon Sequestration: From Deep History to the Present Day

In the global carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon emissions, both ‘natural’ and anthropogenic, are balanced by carbon uptake (i.e., sequestration) that mostly occurs via photosynthesis, plus a much smaller proportion via geological processes. Since the formation of the Earth about 4.54 billion years ago, the ratio between emitted and sequestered carbon has varied considerably, with atmospheric CO2 levels ranging from 100,000 ppm to a mere 100 ppm. Over this time, a huge amount of carbon has been sequestered due to photosynthesis and essentially removed from the cycle, being buried as fossil deposits of coal, oil, and gas. Relatively low atmospheric CO2 levels were the norm for the past 10 million years, and during the past million years, they averaged about 220 ppm. More recently, the Holocene epoch, starting ~11,700 years ago, has been a period of unusual climatic stability with relatively warm, moist conditions and low atmospheric CO2 levels of between 260 and 280 ppm. During the Holocene, stable conditions facilitated a social revolution with the domestication of crops and livestock, leading to urbanisation and the development of complex technologies. As part of the latter process, immense quantities of sequestered fossil carbon have recently been used as energy sources, resulting in a particularly rapid increase in CO2 emissions after 1950 CE to the current value of 424 ppm, with further rises to >800 ppm predicted by 2100. This is already perturbing the previously stable Holocene climate and threatening future food production and social stability. Today, the global carbon cycle has been shifted such that carbon sequestration is no longer keeping up with recent anthropogenic emissions. In order to address this imbalance, it is important to understand the roles of potential biological carbon sequestration systems and to devise strategies to facilitate net CO2 uptake; for example, via changes in the patterns of land use, such as afforestation, preventing deforestation, and facilitating agriculture–agroforestry transitions.

Children's descriptions of their involvement within everyday food practices

BackgroundThe way in which children interact with food has a profound impact on their health and wellbeing. However, most research, strategy and policy where food is the focus are derived from adult perspectives. There is limited understanding of children's perspectives of the nature of their everyday food practices, and their level of involvement and influence. This work garnered children's (8–12 years old) descriptions of, and involvement in, their everyday food practices. MethodsForty-two children from 28 families from across Brisbane (Australia) participated in qualitative creative draw-and-tell interviews and 20 of these children (from 15 families) also completed Photovoice data collection. Data were abductively analysed through a social practice theory lens. ResultsChildren reported engaging in food planning, acquisition, preparation, consumption and tidy-up practices, to varying degrees of ‘less involved’, ‘in partnership with adults or other children’ or ‘independently’. This was influenced largely by the willingness of adults to relinquish control and children's desire to participate, as well as other contextual factors. Children were more independent in consumption practices, as well as packing lunchboxes and preparing food spaces (as preparation practices). Partnerships were established more so within food acquisition and preparation practices, with less involvement described within planning and tidy-up practices. ConclusionsThe findings add new knowledge and depth and breadth to that already obtained from parents, teachers and adult researchers, highlighting the importance of privileging children's voices when investigating their food experiences. This work may be used to guide adults to invite and support children to be involved in food practices that they report being less involved in, as well as inform how best to work with and include children in future research and food and nutrition strategies and policies.

The Concurrent Application of Phosphogypsum and Modified Biochar as Soil Amendments Influence Sandy Soil Quality and Wheat Productivity.

Sandy soil covers a significant portion of Egypt's total land area, representing a crucial agricultural resource for future food security and economic growth. This research adopts the hypothesis of maximizing the utilization of secondary products for soil improvement to reduce ecosystem pollution. The study focuses on assessing the impact of combining phosphogypsum and modified biochar as environmentally friendly soil amendments on loamy sand soil quality parameters such as soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, nutrient levels, and wheat yield. The treatments were T1: the recommended NPK fertilizer (control); T2: 2.5 kg phosphogypsum m-2 soil; T3: 2.5 kg rice straw biochar m-2 soil; T4: 2.5 kg cotton stalk biochar m-2 soil; T5: 2.5 kg rice-straw-modified biochar m-2 soil; T6: 2.5 kg cotton-stalk-modified biochar m-2 soil; and T7 to T10: mixed phosphogypsum and biochar treatments. The results revealed that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified cotton stalk biochar (T10) significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) by 73.66% and 99.46% in both seasons, the soil available N both seasons by 130.12 and 161.45%, the available P by 89.49% and 102.02%, and the available K by 39.84 and 70.45% when compared to the control treatment. Additionally, this treatment led to the highest grain yield of wheat (2.72 and 2.92 Mg ha-1), along with a significant increase in straw yield (52.69% and 59.32%) compared to the control treatment. Overall, the findings suggest that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified biochar, particularly cotton-stalk biochar, holds promise for improving loamy sand-soil quality and wheat productivity.

Ecosystem structure and function of the North Water Polynya

The North Water Polynya is one of the most productive Arctic regions on Earth, sustaining the world's northernmost Inuit communities for millennia. The polynya is a large and persistent region of open water surrounded by sea ice and exhibits high primary productivity, is a biodiversity hotspot, and is a key habitat and migration corridor for Arctic species. Many aspects of the ecosystem structure and the role of resident species in the North Water Polynya remain uncertain. To shed light on these, we developed the first representation of the North Water Polynya food web using the Ecopath modelling framework. Modelled trophic flows indicated that pelagic and benthic communities were primarily connected by Age 1+ Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida), walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus), and ringed seal ( Pusa hispida). Large copepods, Age 1+ Arctic cod, and bivalves were key prey species. Overall productivity in the North Water Polynya was higher compared to Western Baffin Bay and Western Greenland, corroborating expectations of relatively high productivity within the polynya. This model provides a baseline description of the North Water Polynya ecosystem structure and function prior to future climate-driven food web changes and the emergence of large-scale commercial fisheries.

Agrivoltaic System: Current and Future Water, Energy, Food, and Land (WEFL) Needs in Benin, West Africa

Water, energy, and food are essential for all humans and require land use. In a land-limited country with high ambitions for solar PV and a growing population, balancing land use for energy and food is necessary to avoid sectorial competition and minimise pressure on land resources. Agrivoltaics, an integrated approach combining energy and food production on the same land, can help to provide clean water, clean and affordable energy, and quality food for the growing population. This innovative approach to the water-energy-food-land nexus (WEFL) has been experimented with and attracted greater research interest and acceptance in many countries, mainly in the North but not so much in Africa. Agrivoltaics is relatively new in West Africa, and minimal research and development have been conducted within the region. As a desk-based study, this paper reviews the WEFL state in Benin and discusses how agrivoltaics could be an asset for current and future WEFL to improve sustainable development in Benin.

Extraction, Characterisation and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Probiotic Growth Potential of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida Macroalgae.

Ulva rigida green macroalgae contain a variety of polysaccharides. A recent study investigated the optimum concentration and yield of polysaccharide extraction from oven-dried U. rigida biomass using a water-soluble polysaccharide extraction method that adhered to safety standards. This study utilised complete factorial experiments to examine the effects of varying factors on polysaccharide extraction. Results showed a positive correlation between increased levels of all factors and higher polysaccharide extraction yield. This study also found that the main factors and their interaction had a significant impact on the extracted polysaccharides from U. rigida. The highest polysaccharide content and yield were 9.5 mg/mL and 189 mg/g, respectively. Water-soluble polysaccharides demonstrated the presence of reducing sugar (8 mg/g), phenolics (0.69 mg/g) and flavonoids (1.42 mg/g) and exhibited antioxidant properties. Results revealed that freeze-dried polysaccharide powders were primarily composed of the monosaccharide rhamnose. Preliminary results on the effect of these powders on probiotics demonstrated that supplementation of polysaccharides from U. rigida promoted viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 growth during cultivation. This discovery has the potential to revolutionise the human food industry and promote the development of functional ingredients for novel and future food products, with numerous applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

A Qualitative Study of A Health Center-Based Mobile Produce Market.

Healthcare-based food assistance programs have the potential to improve patients' food security, but are underutilized. We conducted a qualitative study of user and staff perceptions of an on-site mobile market at a federally-qualified health center (FQHC). Five themes were identified: 1) financial need drives the decision to use the market, 2) people attend specifically to receive healthy food, 3) users feel a connection to the FQHC, which increases participation, 4) social networks increase usage of the program, and 5) long lines, inclement weather, inaccessibility, and inconsistent marketing and communication are attendance barriers. Findings should inform implementation of future healthcare-based food assistance programs.