High-value Food Research Articles

Yield Performance, Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile and Economic Viability of Farmed Oyster (Crassostrea spp.) in Bangladesh

Oyster meat is consumed for its high nutritional value. Marine oysters (several species under the genus Crassostrea) have been commercially cultured long since around the world to satisfy the increased demand of oyster. Bangladesh has taken approaches to initiate oyster mariculture. Three pilot commercial oyster (Crassostrea spp.) farms were constructed by District Fisheries Office, Cox’s Bazar at Nunia Chara (NC – 21°28ˈ19.5" N, 91°57ˈ42.7" E), Chowfoldandy (CD – 21°30ˈ44.1" N, 92°01ˈ00.1" E) and Sonadia Island (SI – 21°30ˈ18.7" N, 91°53ˈ43.3" E) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Live oysters were collected from the farm and taken to the laboratory maintaining cold chain to analyse proximate and fatty acids. Data on yield as well as cost-benefit were collected from the District Fisheries Office, Cox’s Bazar to analyse yield performance and economic viability. Biological yield was observed 19.9 ± 5.7 kg/m2 and economic yield was observed 11.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2 . Moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and fiber was found 79.2 ± 0.2%, 58.1 ± 2.1%, 10.2 ± 0.7%, 13.5 ± 1.4%, 12.3 ± 0.7% and 0.4 ± 0.0%, respectively, while moisture was determined in wet weight basis and rests were determined in dry weight basis. Saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid were observed 35.22 ± 10.91%, 13.77 ± 4.36%, 7.39 ± 4.00%, 43.62 ± 19.21, 51.01 ± 15.23% of total fatty acid, respectively. Annual net profit of the farms was found 34557 ± 5636 BDT and payback period was found 2.6 ± 0.4 years. Thus, oyster farming was found to be potential for high food value as well as an economically viable oyster farm enterprise.

Identifying Potential Markets for African Leafy Vegetables: Case Study of Farming Households in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Indigenous crops, through their high nutritional value and hardy attributes, offer potential trade opportunities for rural farmers. There is a niche market that can be explored for these indigenous crops particularly with the growing demand for high nutritional value food in the country. These crops are mostly produced by rural households or gathered from the wild by rural farmers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify potential markets for African leafy vegetables (ALVs) by farmers in Limpopo Province. Sixty households producing ALVs were selected with the composition of 54 women and six men, with this selection done using a purposive sampling procedure. Of the total production, 50–60% of the produce was sold in the informal market. It was evident that local rural markets constituted a greater portion of the total market at 73% and 20% allocated to hawkers in town. As a result, urban and periurban consumers present potential buyers since these areas are populated with the middle-class population which is susceptible to changing consumption trends. Because of this potential, supermarkets and township hawkers are proposed as the potential channel for ALVs targeting the identified population. Thus, it is suggested that, in order to create a synergy between economic improvement of rural farmers and trending consumer demands, the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo Province creates a conducive environment through which ALV farmers can be connected with supermarkets and township marketers.

Body Size Distribution and Ovarian Histology of Pisodonophis boro (Hamilton, 1822) (Anguillifomes: Ophichthidae) from Pranburi River Estuary, Thailand

Reproductive characteristics on the snake eel Pisodonophis boro, a commercially important and high-value food source species in Thailand, have never been reported. We determined the body size distribution and gonadal structure of P. boro during the reproductive cycle. Healthy specimens were collected by local Pranburi River stuarine fishermen during March 2015 to March 2016. The total length of P. boro ranged from 24 cm to 97 cm with mean value of 66.28 ± 2.59 cm (N = 105, mean ± SD). Subsequent macroscopic observation demonstrated that the gonad of P. boro is a paired and elongated organ located parallel to the digestive tract. Surprisingly, the 105 specimens were all female, suggesting the protogynous sex reversal or spatial displacement of sexes in this species. Furthermore, only early and late perinucleolar stage oocytes were histologically identified throughout this study (synchronous developing type), which is often observed in semelparous fish species. These unique reproductive features of this eel in Thailand warrants further investigations on the male-female distribution and precise reproductive mode.

Value Chain Analysis of Maliputo, Caranx ignobilis in the Philippines

Maliputo (Caranx ignobilis) is a high-value food fish in the Philippines with limited studies on market potential. This value chain analysis study was conducted to understand the industry, to identify the key actors, supply and value chain, and to identify issues and concerns to support the development of C. ignobilis industry. A survey interview was conducted using purposive sampling in nine maliputo-producing regions with 224 respondents, and focus group discussion validated the analyzed data. Key chain actors identified are fishers, fish cage operators, fish buyers categorized as small-scale (local vendors and peddlers) and large-scale intermediaries (commission agents and wholesalers), and processors (restaurants and resorts). Annual production was 188,722 kg valued at PHP 33,752,859.79 with 58.12% coming from capture fisheries and 41.88% from aquaculture. Major producing regions for captured and cultured C. ignobilis are Regions 2 (Cagayan), 6 (Iloilo), and 3 (Central Luzon). The industry’s value chain map showed a gross value addition of PHP 116.58, 135.65, 75.04, 23.58, and 749.71 per kg maliputo for capture, aquaculture, small-scale fish buyer, large-scale fish buyer, and processors, respectively. Processors attained the highest net returns while fishers got the lowest. This study noted that C. ignobilis is a non-target species in capture fisheries resulting in an inconsistent supply of the fish. For aquaculture, there is a need to improve its culture technology, develop seed production technology, and formulate an artificial diet. Various upgrading strategies to improve the industry and to increase the benefits derived by the key actors had been identified and presented in the paper.

Enhancement of Rural Income and Nutrition by Cultivating Pigeonpea Hybrids

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is a favourite crop of rain-fed farmers due to its high food value, drought tolerance and various soil improving properties. The productivity enhancement of this crop has been a long-term goal at the national level but with a little success. In this context, the advent of hybrid breeding technology with over 30% on-farm yield advantages has provided a much-needed breakthrough. The hybrids in pigeonpea were bred using a stable CMS system and natural out-crossing. It is believed that the adoption of locally adapted hybrids would contribute significantly towards both family income and nutrition.

INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF UHF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON THE OUTPUT OF ROLLED GROATS OF WHEAT SPELT

Wheat spelt is a promising crop. A high food value and high-quality biochemical composition of grains make wheat spelt favorably remarkable for groats production. Preservation of the food value is an important task of food production, but regimes of grain processing must provide good culinary quality and consumption safety. The aim of our work is to study regimes of irradiation and humidification of wheat spelt grains, influencing the output and culinary quality of the ready product; development of recommendations as to production of rolled groats. There is studied an influence of different regimes of water-thermal processing on the total output of groats and rolled groats of the highest sort. The reliable connection between the output of rolled groats of the higher sort and duration of irradiation by the electromagnetic field of the ultrahigh frequency and grain humidification has been established. No essential connection as been established between humidification and the total output of groats. The duration increase of UHF-irradiation (>120–140 s) conditions the essential growth of dust middlings and decrease of rolled groats of the highest sort. The long-term irradiation (180 s) conditions the decrease of groats boiling duration by 17 % comparing with the short-term processing (20 s). The established influences of the factors are preconditions for transferring obtained technological solutions and their use under conditions of existing groats factories of different productivity

Residual Effects of Organic Manure on Onion Varieties‘ Mineral Content

This study was conducted to determine the residual effects of chicken manure applications on nutrients in leaves and bulbs of second crop onion that grown after lettuce in greenhouse conditions. In the study, residual effects of chicken manure in 4 different doses (control, 20 t ha-1, 40 t ha-1, 60 t ha-1) and chemical fertilizers applied in the recommended amounts are investigated. Three onion varieties, called Burgaz, Snow white, Champion, were used. In the study, the lowest nutrient uptake was observed in control. However, the highest mineral content in leaves and bulbs were determined in the plots, that on average 40 t ha-1 chicken manure was applied to. In terms of leaf nutrient content, when the varieties were compared to each other, Ca, Mg, and Cu contents were found to be the highest in the Burgaz variety. Phosphorus, Zn, Mn contents were analyzed to be the highest in Snow white while N values determined maximum in Champion. The Champion variety contained higher nutrient values in bulbs.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Applications in Food Processing

There are global trends for developing green and sustainable technologies in food processing, due to the growing awareness of the importance of environmental preservation and the consumer demand for natural high-value food products. Meeting these particular requirements, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) has emerged as an innovative and promising technology for the processing of food ingredients and products. Over the last two decades, applications of SC-CO2 have attracted much attention and made great advancements at both laboratory and industrial level. These advances include the extraction of target bioactive compounds from various food matrices, microencapsulation, or extrusion to produce fine particles, and the inactivation of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms and endogenous enzymes for food preservation. An example of successfully applying SC-CO2 at the commercial level is the decaffeination of coffee. In this article, an overview of the SC-CO2 applications in food processing including extraction, transformation, preservation, and drying are presented. For each application category, principles, processing parameters, characteristics, and latest applications are critically reviewed.

Parent’s Knowledge upon Nutritional Status of Primary School Children toward Low-Income Households in Al-Hilla City, Iraq

Background: Nutrition has a main impact on the health promotion of school-age children, it is crucial thatthe rising energy demands that come with this age are met daily with high nutritional value foods. Schoolagechildren get a well-balanced diet, an average of 2400 calories per day required to meet growth needs, asthe child’s size grows, as well as the amount of food requiredMethod: Descriptive design study was used and get the stated objectives the period of one month (from thefirst of January, 2020 to the first of February, 2020).Results: The data analysis was indicated that the largest percentage of gender is female (97%); all of themare in the fifth class and 32% of mothers and 31% of fathers are graduated from primary school, most ofthem from urban area 86%.Conclusion: All of the children were in the 5th class—most children with normal weight. Most children havebreakfast daily. Most of the children have three meals daily. Most mothers choose easy to prepare food forher child. There is no a relationship between education of the mother and eating breakfast. However, thereare a relationship between monthly income and eating fruits .

Sustainable Management of Secondary Raw Materials from the Marine Food-Chain: A Case-Study Perspective

The feasibility of exploiting secondary raw materials from marine food-chains as a source of molecules of nutritional interest, to create high-value food products and to meet nutritional challenges, is described in this report. A reduction in food waste is urgent as many sectors of the food industry damage the environment by depleting resources and by generating waste that must be treated. The project herein described, deals with the recovery of natural molecules, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and of α-tocopherol, from fish processing by-products. This would promote the sustainable development of new food products for human nutrition, as well as nutraceuticals. The growing awareness of increasing omega-3 fatty acids intake, has focused attention on the importance of fish as a natural source of these molecules in the diet. Therefore, a study on the concentration of these bioactive compounds in such matrices, as well as new green methodologies for their recovery, are necessary. This would represent an example of a circular economy process applied to the seafood value chain. Fish processing by-products, so far considered as waste, can hopefully be reutilized as active ingredients into food products of high added-value, thus maximizing the sustainability of fish production.

Optimizing of Enzyme Hydrolysis Condition for Bitterness Suppression of Soybean Protein Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Enzyme hydrolysis of soybean protein can be adjusted according to purposes, but should be optimized for reaction time, concentration and substrate conditions to prevent bitterness caused by excessive hydrolysis. This study was carried out to find the optimal condition of the soybean protein hydrolysis process using a response surface methodology. The experiment was designed based on a central composite design, and the independent variables were the soybean protein extraction pH (X1, 10-12), enzyme concentration (X2, 0.1-0.5%) and hydrolysis time (X3, 150-210 minutes). The results of the degree of hydrolysis (Y1), pH (Y2) and soluble solid contents (Y3) were fitted to a response surface methodology model (R2= 0.91, 0.98, and 0.86, respectively). The optimal hydrolysis condition for soybean protein hydrolysis was as follows; pH 12, enzyme concentration 0.27% and 187.88 min, respectively. While richness and sourness were increased with soybean protein hydrolysis, the saltiness was decreased. The bitterness of the hydrolysate prepared at the optimal condition did not show any difference compared with that of the soybean protein, whereas richness and sourness showed a significant increase. The enzyme hydrolysate at the optimal condition showed distribution of a molecular weight lower than the soybean protein did to form intense bands at 35, and 25 kDa. Therefore, this hydrolysate was expected to be used as a high-value plant protein food material.

Azure-winged magpies\u2019 decisions to share food are contingent on the presence or absence of food for the recipient

Helping others is a key feature of human behavior. However, recent studies render this feature not uniquely human, and describe discoveries of prosocial behavior in non-human primates, other social mammals, and most recently in some bird species. Nevertheless, the cognitive underpinnings of this prosociality; i.e., whether animals take others’ need for help into account, often remain obscured. In this study, we take a first step in investigating prosociality in azure-winged magpies by presenting them with the opportunity to share highly desired food with their conspecifics i) in a situation in which these conspecifics had no such food, ii) in a situation in which they too had access to that highly desired food, and iii) in an open, base-line, situation where all had equal access to the same food and could move around freely. We find that azure-winged magpies regularly share high-value food items, preferably with, but not restricted to, members of the opposite sex. Most notably, we find that these birds, and specifically the females, seem to differentiate between whether others have food or do not have food, and subsequently cater to that lack. Begging calls by those without food seem to function as cues that elicit the food-sharing, but the response to that begging is condition-dependent. Moreover, analyses on a restricted dataset that excluded those events in which there was begging showed exactly the same patterns, raising the possibility that the azure-winged magpies might truly notice when others have access to fewer resources (even in the absence of vocal cues). This sharing behavior could indicate a high level of social awareness and prosociality that should be further investigated. Further studies are needed to establish the order of intentionality at play in this system, and whether azure-winged magpies might be able to attribute desire states to their conspecifics.

Male social rank and food competition in a primate multi-level society.

Social animals often have dominance hierarchies, with high rank conferring preferential access to resources. In primates, competition among males is often assumed to occur predominantly over reproductive opportunities. However, competition for food may occur during food shortages, such as in temperate species during winter. Higher-ranked males may thus gain preferential access to high-profitability food, which would enable them to spend longer engaged in activities other than feeding. We performed a field experiment with a breeding band of golden snub-nosed monkeys, a species that lives in a multi-level society in high-altitude forests in central China. We provisioned monkey's high-profitability food during winter when natural foods are limited, and then recorded the times individual adult males spent engaged in different behaviors. Higher-ranking males spent less time feeding overall and fed on provisioned foods at a higher rate than lower-ranking males. Higher-ranking males therefore had more time to spend on alternative behaviors. We found no significant difference according to rank in times spent moving or resting. However, high-ranking males spend significantly longer on affiliative behaviors with other members of their social sub-units, especially grooming and being groomed, behaviors known to promote social cohesion in primates. We show that preferential access to high-profitability foods likely relaxes time-budget constraints to higher-ranking males. High-ranking males thus spend more time on non-feeding activities, especially grooming, which may enhance social cohesion within their social sub-unit. We discuss the potential direct and indirect benefits to high-ranking males associated with preferential access to high-value food during winter.

Determination of Colour and Total Viable Counts in Fresh and Charcoal Flue Gases Treated Beef Using Digital Colour Meter

Flesh from animals is one of the nutritious foods rich in vitamin B complex, iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorous, fats and magnesium. Due to this high food value, it attracts bacteria, yeasts, molds and other lower life forms that infest on it and hence undergoes natural decay process fast. Poor handling practices by small scale enterprise in the beef industry contribute to fifty percent loss, excluding post slaughter losses by livestock farmers. Therefore, there is need to develop accessible preservation methods that are supported by available infrastructure in order to curb beef losses. This study used charcoal flue gases sourced from combustion of charcoal briquettes in prolonging beef shelf life. Fresh beef samples were purchased from local abattoirs and exposed to flue gases. The optimum treatment time was between 10 to 15 hours depending on beef load mass. The reaction of the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide with beef functional groups was studied using color determination. The colour lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values were L* 44 and a* 9 values for fresh beef, after treatment L* 30 and a* 4.5 indicating a strong bond of carboxy-myoglobin and on day 35 the L* 23 and a* 1.5 indicated onset of beef spoilage. The mean total aerobic counts of fresh beef, after treatment and onset spoilage were significantly different (p<0.05) 4.16±4.20, 2.16±2.19 and 5.16±5.20 log CFU/cm2 respectively. The results from this study, was not more than 6.00 log CFU/cm2 approved safe microbial standards of beef for consumption by FAO.

NMR-Based Metabolic Profiling of Edible Olives-Determination of Quality Parameters.

Edible olive drupes (from Olea europaea L.) are a high-value food commodity with an increasing production trend over the past two decades. In an attempt to prevent fraud issues and ensure quality, the International Olive Council (IOC) issued guidelines for their sensory evaluation. However, certain varieties, geographical origins and processing parameters are omitted. The aim of the present study was the development of a method for the quality assessment of edible olives from the Konservolia, Kalamon and Chalkidikis cultivars from different areas of Greece processed with the Spanish or Greek method. A rapid NMR-based untargeted metabolic profiling method was developed along with multivariate analysis (MVA) and applied for the first time in edible olives’ analysis complemented by the aid of statistical total correlation spectroscopy (STOCSY). Specific biomarkers, related to the classification of olives based on different treatments, cultivars and geographical origin, were identified. STOCSY proved to be a valuable aid towards the assignment of biomarkers, a bottleneck in untargeted metabolomic approaches.

Bioactive, Physicochemical and Sensory Properties as Well as Microstructure of Organic Strawberry Powders Obtained by Various Drying Methods

This study compared the quality of organic strawberry powders, obtained by convective drying (CD), freeze drying (FD) and spray drying (SD) methods. In the study, such analyses were performed: the content of vitamin C and polyphenols by liquid chromatography method, antioxidant activity using ABTS+• radicals, microstructure using a scanning microscope, sensory quality by profile method and the determination of the physicochemical properties. The FD powders were characterised by the highest content of vitamin C and polyphenols, obtained values were close to fresh strawberries after conversion to the dry matter content. The content of these ingredients in CD and SD powders was lower by 55%–80% for vitamin C, and 80% for the polyphenols content. Strawberry flavour was most beneficial for the FD powders, while smoothness and homogeneity of appearance were equally rated for the FD and SD powders. Strawberry powders are a concentrate source of bioactive compounds and, therefore, the FD powders should especially be mainly used as a valuable component of high-value foods, especially functional foods, while CD and SD powders can be used to enrich food with vitamin C and as a valuable natural flavour and colouring component, replacing food additives.

Dietary diversity score (HDDS) in measuring food security status among refugees in the White Nile State, Sudan

This paper was designed to assess food security status among Refugees in the White Nile State, Sudan by used Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) method that is meant to reflect, in a snapshot form, the economic ability of a household to access a variety of foods. The study was based on primary data collected through the questionnaire. The sample was selected using a simple random technique, three camps were selected from seven camps, most of the camps populations are women and children, a sample size was 90 respondents. These camps are more or less homogeneous and hence the sample of 90 respondents is judged to be adequate. The dominant tribes were Sholok and Newir tribes. The results of the analysis reveal that most of the refugees fall within the age group between 35-45 years, family member’s 7-10 individuals, According to 2018 survey the respondents depend on food donations in refugee’s camps, ration distributed by household members, some of the refugees consider the ration distributed insufficient according to household consumption. Water is available in the study area but the source of water was far from their residence, not ready for utilization because it is not pure water, there is one health centre in any camp. They take medicine for the health centres. The proxy measure for HH food access examined 7-16 targets of food consumption. The high group and often their consumption consist of cereal groups, surge group, legumes, and nut group. The rare consumption was from meat and fish group. The not consumption from milk and other dairy products group and fruit and vegetables group. Half of the respondent’s don’t consume all food groups. The high percentage recorded by low food value (sugar and oil) but the high-value food recorded low percentage a more diversified diet is highly correlated with such factors as caloric and protein adequacy, percentage of protein from animal sources (high-quality protein), this result detected lack in access to 5 groups (meats, eggs, fruits, milk, and vegetables) the most important high-value groups that supplies body with all vitamins minerals protein needed

Has the Consumption Pattern Changed? An Overview of Livestock Products

Household food consumption pattern is mainly driven by several social-cultural and economic factors. Income being one such crucial factor, this study was undertaken with an attempt to understand the changing consumer behaviour of an average Indian household with respect to income using various rounds of consumption expenditure surveys of National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO). Findings of the study revealed that the consumption pattern of an average Indian household is shifting more towards high value food items such as livestock products which is dominating the share of consumption expenditure previously occupied by cereals, both in rural and urban areas as per latest survey findings. Within livestock product group, average monthly per capita expenditure for dairy products was reported to be higher (`299.2) than the corresponding expenditure towards meat consumption (`164.45) at national level. Livestock products being nutritionally superior if incorporated into the diets of hunger prone groups of society will have enormous potential to combat the nutritional challenges. Higher-income elasticities were observed for fruits, served processed food items and especially for milk and milk products were around 0.73 and 0.26both in rural and urban areas respectively. Demand growth of livestock products propelled by increased income is likely to put intense pressure on the supply side to improve its production performance therefore, having several policy implications such as production decisions, strategizing export and import of livestock products accordingly.

Trade-Offs in Net Life Cycle Energy Balance and Water Consumption in California Almond Orchards

Perennial cropping systems, such as almond orchards and vineyards, increasingly dominate California’s agricultural landscape. In California’s leading agricultural region, the Central Valley, woody perennials comprise about half of total farmland. Woody perennial orchards produce high value food crops such as almonds, but also generate significant woody biomass which, where feasible, is used to generate biomass-derived electricity. Because of its semi-arid climate, California agriculture is heavily dependent on irrigation, which in some regions, requires energy-intensive pumping processes for both surface and groundwater. This research study explores the tradeoffs in economic, energy and water efficiency, considering the response of almond orchards to water application rates, using a life cycle basis for calculations and considering water scarcity, to reveal one part of the food-energy-water nexus. Findings indicate economic efficiency, represented by business-as-usual practices by growers, and which prioritizes almond yield, does not correspond to the lowest net-energy consumption (i.e. energy consumption minus bioenergy production). Bioenergy production follows a parabolic relationship with applied water, due to almond yield and growth response to water availability. Thus, the net energy footprint of almond production is minimized at about −45% of business-as-usual applied water, at odds with the economic demands of the almond industry that prioritize high value food production.

THE ANALYSIS DEMAND FOR ANIMAL SOURCE FOOD IN INDONESIA: USING QUADRATIC ALMOST IDEAL DEMAND SYSTEM

Indonesia has been experiencing rising animal source food prices during the last five years (decade). In this paper we explore how changes of animal source food prices impact on their demand Indonesia 2016 as expressed in income and price elasticities. Take into account for changes in consumption patterns, as expressed in substitution and complement effects among food items, by including own and cross price elasticities obtained through the parameter estimation of a demand system using QUAIDS. With respect to the total animal food expenditure, chicken meat, beef, fish and milk are luxury goods, while (only) egg is normal goods. The luxuriousness of chicken meat, beef, fish and milk powder decrease with increasing household income level as expressed in quintile level. The results also show that consumers substitute high value commodities such as chicken meat, beef, fishes and powdered milk in case of rising prices with the cheaper and lower preferences. Consequently, households consume a less diversified diet in times of high animal source food prices, focusing their diet on cheaper animal source food commodities. High value animal source foods play an important role in a diversified and nutritionally balanced diet, since they are rich in proteins and essential amino acid. Animal source food “inflation”, which has been led by high value animal agricultural commodities, therefore threatens to worsen the nutritional status of the Indonesian consumer, especially the lower income level.