Green Vegetable Products Research Articles

The Effect of Consumer Interest Level on the Implementation Level of Sustainable Agriculture in Green Vegetable Cultivation

Green vegetables are one type of food that is very commonly consumed by the community to fulfill nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fiber and iron. The nutrients contained in green vegetables are needed to increase endurance and facilitate the body’s metabolic processes, so it is very related to public health. Vegetable products consumed must be ensured in a safe and hygienic condition, in this case requiring a good and correct cultivation process as stated in the recommendations of a sustainable agricultural system. The objectives in this study were to determine the level of consumer interest in green vegetable products, determine the level of application of sustainable agriculture in green vegetable cultivation and analyze the effect of the level of consumer interest on the level of application of sustainable agricultural systems in green vegetable cultivation. The research was conducted in August 2022 in Jati Agung District, South Lampung Regency on green vegetable farmers with 76 respondents. The research method used is descriptive quantitative with Parcial Least Square (PLS) statistical analysis assisted through SmartPLS software version 3.0. The results showed that the level of consumer interest in green vegetable products is in the low category, which means that vegetable products are no longer in great demand by the community, while the level of implementation of a sustainable agricultural system is in the high category, meaning that respondents have been able to implement good cultivation recommendations even though they are not maximized. The results of the analysis show that the level of consumer interest has a significant positive influence on the level of application of sustainable agricultural systems in vegetable cultivation, meaning that the better the level of consumer interest, the higher the application of sustainable green vegetable farming systems.

РИНОК ЗЕЛЕННИХ ОВОЧЕВИХ КУЛЬТУР В УКРАЇНІ

The article provides a marketing review of the green crops market, analyzes expert-import operations and sales channels for this type of product. The ranking and grouping of the main types of vegetable and melon crops in Ukraine by the indicator of gross production is carried out. Thus, according to the State Statistics Committee, despite the fact that Ukraine produces more than 40 types of vegetable and melon crops, about 10 main vegetable and melon crops, which are in the first group, are grown in masse. Thus, the first group with a gross production of over 1 000 thousand tons included 11 crops: borscht, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini and watermelon. The share of this segment in the total gross collection is 96.3%. The second group with a gross production of 100.1 to 1 000 thousand quintals includes such types of vegetable crops as melons, eggplants, sweet corn, leeks, green peas, cauliflower and broccoli, radishes, Chinese cabbage, green peppers. The group’s share in the total production structure is only 3.3%, and in the total sown area does not exceed 8%. The third group (with a gross production of up to 100 thousand centners) is a group of green vegetable crops. The share of this sector of the vegetable market does not reach 0.5% in gross fees. The range of uncommon crops in the markets of Ukraine, especially supermarkets is provided mainly through imports. The scientific novelty is that to study the attitude of consumers to green vegetable products, a sociological survey was conducted and an analysis of the main factors influencing the purchase of this type of product. It was found that when choosing a point of sale, such factors as location, service, quality of service in places of purchase of green products, range, staff qualifications, etc. have a great influence on consumer behavior. The advantages and disadvantages of individual sales channels of greenery are analyzed. The advantages include: convenience, territorial proximity, wide range, price flexibility, product quality, its freshness, etc. Neoliks include: lack of certificates for products, narrow range and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions of trade places. It is found out that at formation of effective model of innovative development of branch of vegetable growing it is necessary to apply the newest methods of selection, new grades and hybrids which have high productive potential, to introduce scientifically proved systems of cultivation and seed production, to master new segments of green cultures and microgreens. The article identifies the main problems and identifies priority areas for the development of the market of green crops for the future.

Blending dark green vegetables with fruits in commercially available infant foods makes them taste like fruit

Vegetables are an important but under consumed part of a healthy diet. There is growing interest in promoting vegetable acceptance and consumption among infants to help establish life-long healthy eating patterns. A recent survey of commercial baby food products in the United States by Moding and colleagues revealed a lack of variety in the types of vegetables offered. Most notably, there were no commercially available single, dark green vegetable products. Instead, dark green vegetables were often mixed with fruits or red/orange vegetables (e.g., squash) that provide additional sweetness. In order for liking for vegetables to be learned, the flavors from the vegetables must still be perceptible within the mixture. Thus, the objective of the research reported here was to understand the sensory profiles of vegetable-containing Stage 2 infant products commercially available in the United States and how ingredient composition affects flavor profiles. We performed descriptive analysis to quantitatively profile the sensory properties of 21 commercial vegetable-containing infant foods and one prepared in our laboratory. Eleven experienced panelists participated in 14.5 h of lexicon generation and training prior to rating all 22 products (in triplicate) for 14 taste, flavor, and texture attributes. Products that contained fruit were not only sweeter than products that did not contain fruit but were also higher in fruit flavors and lower in vegetable flavors. In general, sensory profiles were driven by the first ingredient in the product. Because few products had dark green vegetables as a first ingredient, dark green vegetable flavor was not prevalent in this category. This suggests the sensory profiles of commercially available infant vegetables foods may not be adequate to facilitate increased acceptance of green vegetables.

Off-seasonal soilless production of green vegetables in reused substrates in Mediterranean unheated greenhouses

Off-seasonal soilless production of green vegetables in reused substrates in Mediterranean unheated greenhouses

Vitamin A Rich Foods Consumed For Dietary Intake and Supplementation Among Children Aged 12 To 59 Months in Gatunga Ward, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Vitamin A food sources intake is one of the dietary interventions that support the achievement of nutrition priority outcomes. Inadequate Vitamin A intake leads to its deficiency which causes depressed immune response, impaired movement of iron, poor growth, night blindness and xerophthalmia which are a major public health concerns. The study objective was to establish Vitamin A rich foods consumed by children aged 12 to 59 months. The target population was 370 caregivers of children aged 12 to 59 months who were clustered and sampled using purposive cluster and random sampling. A cross sectional descriptive study design was used to guide this study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews schedules from caregivers and key informants respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20 while qualitative data was organized and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that only 41.8% consumed more than five food groups and indicator of a children likelihood of suffering from Vitamin A deficiency due to limited dietary diversity. It also emerged that only 36 (9%) of the respondents could mention at least one type of foods rich in Vitamin A while only (23.5%) could mention at least one benefit of Vitamin A, an indicator of knowledge on Vitamin A-rich foods and their benefits was scanty. The study recommends that the government and stakeholders need to develop a policy of ensuring caregivers are adequately educated on Vitamin A-rich foods and their benefits. Interventions such as forming self-help groups which will provide platforms of starting of income generating activities such as investing in production of green vegetables, fruits and chicken to diversify on Vitamin A rich Vitamin A-rich foods.

Small-sized irradiation structures for intensive year-round cultivation of green vegetable crops

Full and healthy human nutrition is characterized by the presence of green vegetable crops in the diet, which are rich in vitamins and useful components for humans. The need for them is observed year-round and all-season. Therefore, green vegetable products must be grown not only using traditional industrial technologies, but also in small businesses and private households. The realization of technology is ubiquitous, year-round cultivation of leafy vegetable crops in an artificial environment is possible using small-sized forms of cultivation facilities – irradiation chambers and boxes, grow boxes, phytotrons, etc. In this case, the main technological operation is the necessary light mode for plants: with the spectrum necessary for plants development and growth, with the necessary intensity and mode of irradiation. The developed irradiation units (camera and box) allow growing green vegetables at any time of the year, in any territory allotted for this, in the quantity necessary for consumption, etc. These units allow automatically monitoring the parameters of the air environment and soil, and, if necessary, adjusting it to create a comfortable environment for plant development. Experimental studies and processing of the results allowed concluding that by varying the spectrum and intensity of light-emitting diodes in the developed structures of irradiation units depending on the growth phase of green vegetable crops, it is possible to obtain products of higher consumer and commercial quality, with the necessary biochemical composition and characteristics.

Tracking enteric viruses in green vegetables from central Argentina: potential association with viral contamination of irrigation waters

Consumption of green vegetable products is commonly viewed as a potential risk factor for infection with enteric viruses. The link between vegetable crops and fecally contaminated irrigation water establishes an environmental scenario that can result in a risk to human health. The aim of this work was to analyze the enteric viral quality in leafy green vegetables from Córdoba (Argentina) and its potential association with viral contamination of irrigation waters. During July–December 2012, vegetables were collected from peri−urban green farms (n = 19) and its corresponding urban river irrigation waters (n = 12). Also, urban sewage samples (n = 6) were collected to analyze the viral variants circulating in the community. Viruses were eluted and concentrated by polyethylene glycol precipitation and then were subject to Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction to assess the genome presence of norovirus, rotavirus and human astrovirus. The concentrates were also inoculated in HEp−2 (Human Epidermoid carcinoma strain #2) cells to monitor the occurrence of infective enterovirus. The frequency of detection of the viral groups in sewage, irrigation water and crops was: norovirus 100%, 67% and 58%, rotavirus 100%, 75% and 5%, astrovirus 83%, 75% and 32% and infective enterovirus 50%, 33% and 79%, respectively. A similar profile in sewage, irrigation water and green vegetables was observed for norovirus genogroups (I and II) distribution as well as for rotavirus and astrovirus G−types. These results provide the first data for Argentina pointing out that green leafy vegetables are contaminated with a broad range of enteric viruses and that the irrigation water would be a source of contamination. The presence of viral genomes and infective particles in food that in general suffer minimal treatment before consumption underlines that green crops can act as potential sources of enteric virus transmission. Public intervention in the use of the river waters as irrigation source is needed.

Association of microRNAs with Types of Leaf Curvature in Brassica rapa.

Many vegetable crops of Brassica rapa are characterized by their typical types of leaf curvature. Leaf curvature in the right direction and to the proper degree is important for the yield and quality of green vegetable products, when cultivated under stress conditions. Recent research has unveiled some of the roles of miRNAs in Brassica crops such as how they regulate the timing of leafy head initiation and shape of the leafy head. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the variability in leaf curvature in B. rapa remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that the leaf curvature of B. rapa is affected by miRNA levels. On the basis of leaf phenotyping, 56 B. rapa accessions were classified into five leaf curvature types, some of which were comparable to miRNA mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana in phenotype. Higher levels of miR166 and miR319a expression were associated with downward curvature and wavy margins, respectively. Overexpression of the Brp-MIR166g-1 gene caused rosette leaves to change from flat to downward curving and folding leaves to change from upward curving to flat, leading to the decrease in the number of incurved leaves and size of the leafy head. Our results reveal that miRNAs affect the types of leaf curvature in B. rapa. These findings provide insight into the relationship between miRNAs and variation in leaf curvature.

Relationship between soil Pb pollution and Pb contents in vegetables and pollution threshold of soil Pb

为探求土壤重金属污染和蔬菜污染的相关性,为绿色蔬菜生产提供技术支持,以郑州市常见的5种叶菜类蔬菜［油麦菜（<i>Lactuca sativa</i> var.Asparagina）、荆芥（<i>Schizonepeta tenuifolia</i> Briq）、蕹菜（<i>Lpomoea aquelica</i>）、生菜（<i>Lactuca sativa</i>）、苋菜（<i>Amaranthus hypochondriacus</i>）］为试验材料，采用温室盆栽土培的方法研究了土壤Pb浓度与蔬菜污染的相关性，并对绿色蔬菜生产要求的土壤Pb污染阈限值进行了预测。研究结果表明：低浓度Pb污染的土壤对蔬菜生长、产量无明显影响；随着施Pb浓度的增加，5种蔬菜中的Pb含量均呈增加趋势，且与土壤中的Pb含量相关性显著；模拟得出的Pb阈限值油麦菜为39.909 2±2.446 9 mg·kg^-1，荆芥43.898 6±3.585 5 mg·kg^-1，蕹菜35.293 4±1.787 2 mg·kg^-1，生菜33.696 4±2.151 2 mg·kg^-1，苋菜34.539 6±2.425 4 mg·kg^-1；对Pb富集能力由大到小排序为生菜＞苋菜＞蕹菜＞油麦菜＞荆芥。

A chromatographic procedure for the determination of carotenoids and chlorophylls in vegetable products

Pigments, such as carotenes, xanthophylls and chlorophylls, were extracted from both vegetables and their industrial products by using a 2:1 (v/v) dichloromethane/methanol solution. To separate and quantify the components in the extraction mixture, a HPLC analysis on reversed phase C30 column and binary gradient, made of methanol/water solution and dichloromethane, was employed. This gradient appears to have some advantages over other reported methods, which utilize reversed phase C30 column, in terms of resolution and analysis time. The linearity range of the detection response, the chromatographic resolution of a standard mixture constituted of lutein, zeaxanthin, trans-ß-apo-8?-carotenal, ß-cryptoxanthin, chlorophyll-b, ?-carotene, chlorophyll-a, ?-carotene, lycopene and the conditions for the complete extraction of those substances from the vegetable matrix were investigated. Both retention time and peak area reproducibility showed an average variation coefficient of about 2% for all the analyzed compounds. As a consequence of the good chromatographic separation of chlorophylls from carotenoids, sample saponification was found unnecessary when analyzing green vegetable products. Finally, to illustrate the applicability of the method, the presence of carotenoid esters in tomato and orange products was examined.

The Pest Status of Zonocerus Elegans (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) in Kilosa District in Tanzania with some Suggestions on Control Strategies

The elegant grasshopper, Zonocerus elegans Thunberg, occurs in large numbers in Kilosa district during the dry season June to January and attacks a wide range of wild and crop plants. Its impact as a pest of crop plants becomes more noticeable from the middle of the dry season when the hoppers are well advanced and the only alternative food available are vegetables in backyard gardens and river valleys. The grasshopper damage continues throughout the vuli (short) rains until the end of the oviposition period in January, thus limiting the production of green vegetables in the district. A study on the biology and ecology of the pest in Kilosa district with emphasis on short term control strategies was started in 1987. Spot spraying with insecticides to kill the early instars was found to be effective, but area-wide implementation was necessary to prevent re-invasion of cleared areas.