High Health Value Research Articles

Management of Secondary Metabolite Synthesis and Biomass in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Microgreens Using Different Continuous-Spectrum LED Lights.

Different LED light spectra (LS) are absorbed by different plant photoreceptors and can control biomass and plant secondary metabolite synthesis. In this study, the effects of continuous-spectrum LED lights (red, blue, white, red + blue, and 12 h blue + 12 h red) on the production value, antioxidant compounds, and biomass of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) microgreens (Red Rubin, Violeto, and Kapoor cultivars and the Ablagh genotype) were investigated. The results showed significant effects of LS on cultivar (Cv) and the interaction of LS and Cv on the studied traits. The highest quantitys of chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and nitrate were obtained in Violeto under blue lighting. Red lighting enhanced starch synthesis in Red Rubin and flavonoids in the Violeto Cv. The highest biomass (4.54 kg m-2) was observed in the Ablagh genotype and the highest carbohydrate synthesis in Violeto Cv in the red + blue treatment. The highest anthocyanin content (26.33 mg 100 g-1 FW) was observed for Red Rubin Cv under 12 h blue + 12 h red light. The greatest antioxidant capacity (83.57% inhibition), the highest levels of phenolic compounds (2027.25 mg GA 100 g-1 FW), vitamin C (405.76 mg 100 g-1 FW), proline, antioxidant potential composite index (APCI), and the greatest production values were obtained for the Ablagh genotype under blue lighting. Taken together, the experiment findings indicate that growing the Ablagh genotype under continuous blue lighting can increase the antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, and vitamin C and that this LED light spectrum can be used as a practical method to produce basil microgreens with high nutritional health value.

Molecular Characterization of MYB Transcription Factors in Camellia chekiangoleosa Reveals That CcMYB33 Is an Important Regulator Involved in Multiple Developmental Processes

Camellia chekiangoleosa is an economically important woody plant from the Genus Camellia in Theaceae, and its seed kernels are rich in edible oils of high health value. Yet, little is known about the molecular regulation of growth and development in C. chekiangoleosa. In this study, we characterized the MYB (Myeloblastosis) gene family that was widely involved in plant development and stress responses, and identified 235 members from the C. chekiangoleosa genome. Based on transcriptomic analysis of multiple tissues, we obtained tissue-specific expression profiles of the MYB genes. We found that 37 MYB genes were highly expressed during seed development, and among them, CcMYB33 (GAMYB) was specifically expressed in the seed coat, suggesting that it may be an important regulator. We cloned full-length sequences of the CcMYB33 gene and further analyzed its sequence characteristics and expression pattern. Our results indicated that CcMYB33 is an R2R3-type MYB transcription factor that is closely related to GAMYB genes of Arabidopsis thaliana. We showed that ectopic expression of CcMYB33 in Arabidopsis lines caused pleiotropical developmental defects, including abnormal leaves, fused stamen, and early flowering, among other things. This work identified important MYB regulators in the regulation of development and growth in C. chekiangoleosa, providing support for further molecular and genetic studies.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the SBP-Box Gene Family in Loquat Fruit Development.

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) is a special evergreen tree, and its fruit is of high medical and health value as well as having stable market demand around the world. In recent years, research on the accumulation of nutrients in loquat fruit, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, has become a hotspot. The SBP-box gene family encodes transcription factors involved in plant growth and development. However, there has been no report on the SBP-box gene family in the loquat genome and their functions in carotenoid biosynthesis and fruit ripening. In this study, we identified 28 EjSBP genes in the loquat genome, which were unevenly distributed on 12 chromosomes. We also systematically investigated the phylogenetic relationship, collinearity, gene structure, conserved motifs, and cis-elements of EjSBP proteins. Most EjSBP genes showed high expression in the root, stem, leaf, and inflorescence, while only five EjSBP genes were highly expressed in the fruit. Gene expression analysis revealed eight differentially expressed EjSBP genes between yellow- and white-fleshed fruits, suggesting that the EjSBP genes play important roles in loquat fruit development at the breaker stage. Notably, EjSBP01 and EjSBP19 exhibited completely opposite expression patterns between white- and yellow-fleshed fruits during fruit development, and showed a close relationship with SlCnr involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and fruit ripening, indicating that these two genes may participate in the synthesis and accumulation of carotenoids in loquat fruit. In summary, this study provides comprehensive information about the SBP-box gene family in the loquat, and identified two EjSBP genes as candidates involved in carotenoid synthesis and accumulation during loquat fruit development.

Whole mitochondrial and chloroplast genome sequencing of Tunisian date palm cultivars: diversity and evolutionary relationships

BackgroundDate palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the most widespread crop in arid and semi-arid regions and has great traditional and socioeconomic importance, with its fruit well-known for its high nutritional and health value. However, the genetic variation of date palm cultivars is often neglected. The advent of high-throughput sequencing has made possible the resequencing of whole organelle (mitochondria and chloroplast) genomes to explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of cultivated plants with unprecedented detail.ResultsWhole organelle genomes of 171 Tunisian accessions (135 females and 36 males) were sequenced. Targeted bioinformatics pipelines were used to identify date palm haplotypes and genome variants, aiming to provide variant annotation and investigate patterns of evolutionary relationship. Our results revealed the existence of unique haplotypes, identified by 45 chloroplastic and 156 mitochondrial SNPs. Estimation of the effect of these SNPs on genes functions was predicted in silico.ConclusionsThe results of this study have important implications, in the light of ongoing environmental changes, for the conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of date palm cultivars in Tunisia, where monoculture threatens biodiversity leading to genetic erosion. These data will be useful for breeding and genetic improvement programs of the date palm through selective cross-breeding.

Analysis of fat content and fatty acid composition of aquaculture products in Hainan Province

To investigate the composition of fat and fatty acid in 12 kinds of aquaculture products in Hainan Province. A total of 12 aquatic products were monitored in 8 breeding bases in Hainan Province, the edible parts were tested for fat and fatty acid. The content and composition of fat and fatty acid were analyzed. A total of 12 aquaculture products were monitored, including 6 freshwater aquaculture products and 6 mariculture aquatic products. The contents of crude fat and total fatty acid(TFA) ranged from 1.2 to 20 g/100 g edible and 1.0 to 15 g/100 g edible, and they were positively correlated(r=0.989, P<0.01). A total of 18-30 fatty acids were detected. Among them, 12 were saturated fatty acids(SFA), ranging from 0.34 to 6.4 g/100 g edible, mainly palmitic acid, eight were monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFA), mainly oleic acid. Ten were polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA), ranging from 0.28 to 2.6 g/100 g edible, It was mainly composed of linoleic acid(LA), docosahexaenoic acid(DHA), α-linolenic acid(ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA). The composition of fatty acid in aquaculture products in Hainan Province is mainly unsaturated fatty acids(UFA), and most aquatic products are rich in n-3PUFA, and the ratio of n-6PUFA to n-3PUFA is less than 6, which has high nutritional and health value, and is beneficial to the nutritional diet balance of of population.

A new type of artificial airway sealer used between artificial airway and ventilator pipeline

The need for mechanical ventilation due to severe hypoxemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome has increased dramatically in the global pandemic of severe respiratory infectious diseases. In clinical scenarios, it is sometimes necessary to briefly disconnect the ventilator pipeline from the artificial airway. Still, this operation can lead to a sharp drop in airway pressure, which is contrary to the protective lung ventilation strategy and increases the risk of environmental exposure to bioaerosol, posing a serious threat to patients and medical workers. At present, there is yet to be a practical solution. A new artificial airway device was designed by the medical staff from the department of critical care medicine of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, based on many years of research experience in respiratory support therapy, and recently obtained the National Utility Model Patent of China (ZL 2019 2 0379605.4). The device comprises two connecting pipes, the sealing device body, and the globe valve represented by the iridescent optical ring. It has a simple structure, convenient operation, and low production cost. The device is installed between the artificial airway and the ventilator pipeline and realizes the instantaneous sealing of the artificial airway by adjusting the shut-off valve. Using this device to treat mechanically ventilated patients can minimize the ventilator-induced lung injury caused by the repeated disconnection of pipelines, avoid iatrogenic transmission of bioaerosols, and realize dual protection for patients and medical workers. It has extensive clinical application prospects and high health and economic value.

The effects of seaweed oligosaccharides on humanity

Seaweed oligosaccharides are complex carbohydrates derived from various types of seaweed. They are widely studied due to their numerous potential health benefits for humans. There are several reasons why studying seaweed oligosaccharides is important. Firstly, seaweed is a renewable and sustainable resource, and it can be harvested without damaging the environment. Additionally, seaweed contains high health value and high levels of minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds, which makes it a valuable source of nutrition. They can also help to modulate the immune system, improve gut health, and lower cholesterol levels. Research suggests that seaweed oligosaccharides may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of various diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer. They have also been discovered to have a number of applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. In conclusion, studying seaweed oligosaccharides is important because they offer numerous potential health benefits for humans and have a wide range of applications in various industries.

Kajian agro sosiologi dan potensi metabolit sekunder bunga telang (Clitoria ternatea) sebagai peningkat imunitas tubuh

In the context of agro-sociology, butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is studied as one of the plants with high economic, health, and environmental value. Flower can be used as a raw material of herbal medicines that can improve human health, primarily in terms of immunity. The processing of secondary metabolites can help increase the added value of the pond farm itself. Some of the secondary metabolite compounds in strawberries that potentially boost the immune system among others are flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols. Flavonoid compounds including anthocyanins can help protect body cells from free radical damage and increase the production of white blood cells. Gulf flowers also contain alkaloids such as clitorine and cyanidine that have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, thus helping inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses that cause infections and diseases. Gulf flowers also contain polyphenols such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. With the potential of this secondary metabolite, the sustainable farming of strawflower continues to float in Indonesia, along with the awareness of a healthy lifestyle and back to nature of society.

Durum Wheat Bread with a Potentially High Health Value through the Addition of Durum Wheat Thin Bran or Barley Flour.

The enrichment of semolina bread with prebiotic ingredients such as β-glucans may exert health-promoting effects. This work presents the results of a general recipe development aimed at improving the nutritional value of bakery products. In this study, increasing amounts (0%, 2%, 5%, 7%, and 10%) of thin bran or barley flour were added into re-milled durum wheat semolina to prepare breads. The technological quality of doughs and breads was investigated. In general, the Farinograph water absorption of flour and dough stability increased with increasing inclusion levels of barley flour or thin bran (up to 73.23% and 18.75 min, respectively), contrarily to the increase of dough development time only in barley inclusion (4.55 min). At the same time, the softening index decreased for almost all of these, except for 2% of thin bran or barley flour inclusion. At Mixograph, mixing time increased (up to 5.13 min) whilst the peak height decreased. The specific volume and hardness of loaf differently decreased for almost all thesis (ranges 12.6-24.0% and 39.4-45.5%, respectively). The other quality parameters remained unchanged compared with semolina bread. After baking, β-glucan levels increased differently at all the inclusion levels (2.35-fold, on average). The breadcrumb color was deep brown, while the crust became lighter in color. The breads contain β-glucans even at low percentages of barley/bran inclusions while maintaining their technological performance. In conclusion, the results show an interesting potential of barley flour or thin bran as ingredients in breadmaking to increase the β-glucans daily intake, but further investigations are needed to achieve improved quality features.

A Review of the Role of the School Spatial Environment in Promoting the Visual Health of Minors.

Rising childhood myopia rate has detrimental health consequences that pose a considerable challenge to health systems. The school spatial environment, which is where students are for the longest period of time, has a high health value for myopia systematic intervention. While research has demonstrated associations between physical daylight environments, medical gene and visual health, the literature currently lacks a synthesis of evidence that will act as a spatially-organized resource for school designers. This study is based on literature from the period 2000-2022 and has been taken from the Web of Science, scopus, Medline and CNKI core collection database. Collaboration, literature co-citation and quantitative and qualitative analysis, in addition to keyword co-occurrence are adopted to conduct a visual health research review. The results indicate that intensive near work activity (as a risk factor) and longer time spent outdoors (as a protective factor), are involved in visual health factors. Two main research themes are obtained and relate to: (1) The environment of visual work behavior (especially the near work learning environment) and adaptable multimedia learning environment; and (2) the environment of outdoor exposure behavior. Furthermore, with the variation of educational demands, models and concepts, there are different demands for near work behavior, and this study makes an important contribution by pointing to two future research directions, including the accurate and controllable environment of near work behavior, which operate in accordance with various educational mode requirements and the active design of the environment of outdoor exposure behavior. In referring to differences between regions and countries, as well as the development of the educational environment, it provides insight into how these demands can be controlled.

Research Progress on Structure and Bioactivity of Longan Polysaccharide

Longan originates from southern China and has high nutritional and health value. Recent phytochemistry and pharmacology studies have shown that polysaccharides are a main bioactive component of longan. Longan polysaccharides possess antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, and other bioactivities. Hot-water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and ultrasonic extraction are generally used to extract water-soluble longan polysaccharides. However, the relationship between the structure and bioactivity of longan polysaccharides remains unclear, requiring further investigation. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current literature focusing on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activity of longan polysaccharides. We believe that this review would provide a useful bibliography for further innovation and a basis for using longan polysaccharides in functional food.

The Influence of Lactic Acid Fermentation on Selected Properties of Pickled Red, Yellow, and Green Bell Peppers

Red, yellow, and green peppers are vegetables rich in natural pigments. However, they belong to seasonal vegetables and need to be treated to prolong their shelf life. One new approach to processing vegetables is to pickle them using lactic acid bacteria. The use of such a process creates a new product with high health value, thanks to the active ingredients and lactic acid bacteria. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the applied strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the chemical properties, including the content of active compounds (pigments) and the physical properties of the peppers. Levilactobacillus brevis, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and Lactoplantibacillus plantarum were used for fermentation and spontaneous fermentation. The pigments, polyphenols content, and antioxidant properties were determined in the pickled peppers, as well as sugar content, color, dry matter, texture properties, and the count of lactic acid bacteria. In all samples, similar growth of LAB was observed. Significant degradation of chlorophylls into pheophytins was observed after the fermentation process. No significant differences were observed in the parameters tested, depending on the addition of dedicated LAB strains. After the fermentation process, the vitamin C and total polyphenols content is what influenced the antioxidant activity of the samples. It can be stated that the fermentation process changed the red bell pepper samples in the smallest way and the green ones in the highest way.

Pharmacological Activity, Pharmacokinetics, and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin.

As a kind of medicine and food homologous plant, kudzu root (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) is called an "official medicine" in Chinese folk medicine. Puerarin is the main active component extracted from kudzu root, and its structural formula is 8-β-D-grapes pyranose-4, 7-dihydroxy isoflavone, with a white needle crystal; it is slightly soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is colorless or light yellow. Puerarin is a natural antioxidant with high health value and has a series of biological activities such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor effects, immunity improvement, and cardio-cerebrovascular and nerve cell protection. In particular, for the past few years, it has also been extensively used in clinical study. This review focuses on the antioxidant activity of puerarin, the therapy of diverse types of inflammatory diseases, various new drug delivery systems of puerarin, the "structure-activity relationship" of puerarin and its derivatives, and pharmacokinetic and clinical studies, which can provide a new perspective for the puerarin-related drug research and development, clinical application, and further development and utilization.

Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a plant of the Rosaceae family and is widely grown throughout the world as one of the medicinal and edible plants, known as the “nutritious fruit” due to its richness in bioactive substances. Preparations derived from it are used in the formulation of dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical products. Rich in amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, epicatechol, and choline, hawthorn has a high therapeutic and health value. Many studies have shown that hawthorn has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and digestive enhancing properties. This is related to its bioactive components such as polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidin B2, epicatechin), flavonoids (proanthocyanidins, mucoxanthin, quercetin, rutin), and pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic acid, hawthornic acid, oleanolic acid), which are also its main chemical constituents. This paper briefly reviews the chemical composition, nutritional value, food applications, and the important biological and pharmacological activities of hawthorn. This will contribute to the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals from hawthorn.

Molecular Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in Prevention and Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer death on a global scale. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum), a traditional medicinal material with a high medicinal and health value, has recently been reported for its anticancer activity. However, the pharmacological mechanism of G. pentaphyllum in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be elucidated. Methods The active ingredients of G. pentaphyllum were obtained from the TCMSP database and known therapeutic targets of NSCLC from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Disease-drug common targets are subjected to protein-protein interaction (PPI), GO enrichment analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. A molecular docking strategy was performed to verify the interaction between molecules. Results We found a total of 24 compounds of G. pentaphyllum fulfilling OB ≥ 30% concomitant with DL ≥ 0.18 and corresponding 81 target genes in the TCMSP database, with 5062 NSCLC-related genes collected in the GeneCards and OMIM databases. The network consisting of the disease-target compound was obtained, including 8 active ingredients and 69 common targets. The PPI network with 65 nodes and 645 edges was visualized. After functional enrichment analysis, it was revealed that the therapeutic effects of G. pentaphyllum on NSCLC were achieved through response to ketone, gland development, and cellular response to xenobiotic stimulus. After molecular docking analysis, it was revealed that the two active ingredients of G. pentaphyllum, quercetin and rhamnazin, bound well and stably to their targets (MYC, ESR1, and HIF1A). Conclusion Our study, based on network pharmacology, identifies active ingredients, targets, and pathways model mechanism of G. pentaphyllum when it is used to treat NSCLC.

Utilization of Egyptian mulberry fruits to improvement the physicochemical and nutritional properties of ice milk

Ice milk is one of the most important popular dairy products, as it is consumed by all age groups and is especially preferred by children, especially in the summer. This research aims to produce functional ice milk using one of the lovable fruits that have a high nutritional and health value, which is the mulberry. The mulberry pulp is a good source of nutrients such as crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrates and biologically active biomolecules such as phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, amino sugars, antioxidants, etc. Two species of mulberry fruits namely white mulberry (Morus alba L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) planted in Egypt were used in this study. The objective of this research was to study the effect of mulberry pulp addition by ascending levels (3, 6, and 9%) of both white mulberry pulp (WMP) and black mulberry pulp (BMP) severally, with mixed between them at level 6% on the nutritional value, physicochemical properties and organoleptic evaluation for produced ice milk. The present results showed that the incorporation of WMP or BMP into ice milk formula led to increasing the contents of crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrates as compared with the control sample.

Integrating Traditional Wheat-Based Foods with High Health Value Flours: Castanea spp. Agro-Biodiversity in Bakery Products

In European countries, the utilisation of chestnut flours (CF) has been increasing in the bakery industry because the CF ingredients provide not only nutritional and health benefits but also improve organoleptic and health-promoting properties. This work aimed to describe the phytochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of chestnut flours from different Castanea spp. genotypes and origins, studying the effects of the addition of CF to traditional wheat-based cookies on their quality and sensory traits. Commercial chestnut flours were also considered. CF used in addition to wheat-based flours may increase the quality and health-promoting value of bakery products for its many benefits: (i) nutritional and phytochemical value; (ii) zero-Km availability in many producing areas (Europe, Asia, Australia, and North and South America); (iii) for these areas, food security is connected to a vulnerable wheat-based food system. Chromatographic and spectroscopic methods were utilised to assess the composition and antioxidant properties of the considered chestnut flours. The sensory value of the prepared chestnut/wheat-based cookies was also assessed by a panel of common consumers (hedonistic test by a 9-points hedonistic scale). Monoterpenes were the main substances in the flour phytocomplex, reaching 80–90% of the total, followed by phenolics (8–12%) and vitamin C in trace (1–3%). Antioxidant capacity ranged from 9.64 ± 0.96 mmol Fe+2 kg−1 DW (BOUC flour from cv Bouche de Bétizac) to 17.33 ± 1.35 mmol Fe+2 kg−1 DW (CANA flour from cv Canalutta). In this research study, the cookies derived from CANA and BOUC flours were considered the most appreciated products by consumers, with values of 7.09 ± 0.46 and 6.88 ± 0.18, respectively. These results confirmed that integrating phytochemical data with sensory results is very important for food industries to obtain a complete description of the analysed flours and consequently of the derived products to produce new bakery products highly appreciated by consumers with high health value in comparison to the traditional products.

Effects of Fermented Camel Milk Supplemented with Sidr Fruit (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) Pulp on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases, and its occurrence rate has increased in recent decades. Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) is a traditional herbaceous medicinal plant. In addition to its good flavor, sidr has antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, and hypoglycemic activities. Camel milk has a high nutritional and health value, but its salty taste remains the main drawback in relation to its organoleptic properties. The production of flavored or fortified camel milk products to mask the salty taste can be very beneficial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sidr fruit pulp (SFP) on the functional and nutritional properties of fermented camel milk. SFP was added to camel milk at rates of 5%, 10%, and 15%, followed by the selection of the best-fermented product in terms of functional and nutritional properties (camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP), and an evaluation of its hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male adult albino rats (weighing 150–185 g) were divided into four groups: Group 1, nontreated nondiabetic rats (negative control); Group 2, diabetic rats given STZ (60 mg/kg body weight; positive control); Group 3, diabetic rats fed a basal diet with fermented camel milk (10 g/day); and Group 4, diabetic rats fed a basal diet with fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP (10 g/day). The results revealed that supplementation of camel milk with SFP increased its total solids, protein, ash, fiber, viscosity, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, which was proportional to the supplementation ratio. Fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP had the highest scores for sensory properties compared to other treatments. Fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP showed significantly decreased (p < 0.05) blood glucose, malondialdehyde, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea, and a significantly increased (p < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total protein content, and albumin compared to diabetic rats. The administration of fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP in diabetic rats restored a series of histopathological changes alonsgside an improvement in various enzyme and liver function tests compared to the untreated group, indicating that fermented camel milk supplemented with 15% SFP might play a preventive role in such patients.

Buckwheat Disease Recognition Based on Convolution Neural Network

Buckwheat is an important cereal crop with high nutritional and health value. Buckwheat disease greatly affects the quality and yield of buckwheat. The real-time monitoring of disease is an essential part of ensuring the development of the buckwheat industry. In this research work, we proposed an automated way to identify buckwheat diseases. It was achieved by integrating a convolutional neural network (CNN) with the image processing technology. Firstly, the proposed approach would detect the buckwheat disease area accurately. Then, to improve the accuracy of classification, a two-level inception structure was added to the traditional convolutional neural network for accurate feature extraction. It also helps to handle low-quality image problems, which includes complex imaging environment and leaf crossing in sampling buckwheat image, etc. At the same time, instead of the traditional convolution, the convolution based on cosine similarity was adopted to reduce the influence of uneven illumination during the imaging. The experiment proved that the revised convolution enabled better feature extraction within samples with uneven illumination. Finally, the experiment results showed that the accuracy, recall, and F1-measure of the disease detection reached 97.54, 96.38, and 97.82%, respectively. For identifying disease categories, the mean values of precision, recall, and F1-measure were 84.86, 85.78, and 85.4%. Our method has provided important technical support for realizing the automatic recognition of buckwheat diseases.

Traditional Cooking Methods Affect Color, Texture and Bioactive Nutrients of Undaria pinnatifida.

Undaria pinnatifida (U. pinnatifida) is an edible brown seaweed with high health value. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of traditional cooking methods (i.e., blanching, steaming, boiling and baking) on the color, texture and bioactive nutrients of U. pinnatifida, so as to screen out the traditional cooking methods more suitable for U. pinnatifida. In this study, methods of blanching and boiling resulted in better reduction in total color difference (0.91 ± 0.58 and 0.79 ± 0.34, respectively) and retention of chlorophyll A (62.99 ± 1.27 µg/g FW and 51.35 ± 1.69 µg/g FW), along with better elevation of fucoxanthin content (increased by 11.05% and 18.32%, respectively). Baking method got the best retention of total phenol content (1.62 ± 0.11 mg GAE/g DW), followed by methods of boiling and blanching (1.51 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g DW and 1.43 ± 0.05 mg GAE/g DW). Among these cooking methods, blanching and boiling seemed to be the more suitable for U. pinnatifida compared to other methods. These results could help to determine the better cooking methods for U. pinnatifida products and provide a scientific and theoretical basis for improving human dietary health.