Human Consumption Research Articles

Grades of cassava starch (flours) as sustainable substrates for use in neutral spirit and biofuel production—Industry approach

One way to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change is through aggressive replacement of fossil energy sources with plant derived renewable energy. The potential of different grades of cassava starch, including decayed cassava starch, as viable alternative and cheaper source of renewable raw materials for bio-ethanol production was studied. The global population keeps expanding and poverty levels keep increasing. Conflict in the use of food-grade cassava starch as raw material for bio-ethanol production will pose a threat to food security. The highest alcohol yield (AY) of 539 LA/t dm was obtained from food grade cassava starch. Food grade cassava starch per-boiled for 5 min produced lower AY (524 LA/t dm). Cassava starch per-boiled for more than 5 min gave much lower AY (507 LA/t). The mildly decayed cassava starch gave a relatively higher AY of 491 LA/t dm than the more decayed cassava substrate that produced AY of 453 LA/t dm. The AY value obtained from the more decayed cassava starch is similar to the AY values obtained with some cereals. Decayed cassava is not fit for human consumption, would not compete with food requirements. This will assist in food security, secure our environment from pollution and other adverse effects.

In vitro genotoxicological evaluation of protein-rich powder derived from Xanthobacter sp. SoF1.

One way of limiting the environmental impact of food production and improving food security is to replace part of the animal- or plant-based protein in the human diet with protein sourced from microorganisms. The recently discovered bacterium Xanthobacter sp. SoF1 (VTT-E-193585) grows autotrophically using carbon dioxide gas as the only carbon source, yielding protein-rich biomass that can be processed further into a powder and incorporated into various food products. Since the safety of this microbial protein powder for human consumption had not been previously assessed, its genotoxic potential was evaluated employing three internationally recognized and standardized studies: a bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and an in vitro micronucleus test in human lymphocytes. No biologically relevant evidence of genotoxicity or mutagenicity was found.

Feed Friend: Fostering Community Involvement in Food Assistance

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption worldwide is wasted annually. Food wastage occurs at various stages of the supply chain, including production, processing, distribution, and consumption. FeedFriend is an innovative website which was designed to combat food-wastage by fostering a vibrant community of donors and recipients. Donor Registration Individuals or Businesses can sign up as Donors on FeedFriend, providing details about the surplus food they have available for donation. This includes restaurants with excess inventory, grocery stores with perishable items nearing expiration, or individuals with leftover food from events or meals. Food Listings Donors can create listings within the website, specifying the type and quantity of food they wish to donate, include relevant details such as expiration dates etc. In Feed Friend, Users can filter the Donation requests based on their location. This type of service is used to match donors with nearby recipients in need. Recipients may include food banks, shelters, community centers, or individuals facing food insecurity. Feed Friend facilitates communication between donors and recipients, coordinates pickup or delivery logistics directly by providing donor’s contact details. So that it enables a better communication between Donors and Receivers.

Passiflora nitida Kunth fruit: Chemical analysis, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity

Passiflora nitida is a fruit-bearing species native to the Amazon region, considered an unconventional food plant, with its fruit commonly known as wild passion fruit. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties, chemical profile, phenolic composition, and cytotoxicity of pulps and teas based on the pulp of P. nitida, contributing to the exploration of this species. This study provides important information about the chemical composition, which will contribute to the development of products based on wild passion fruit. The production of nonalcoholic beverages from the pulp with seeds is a viable alternative for utilizing the fruits with greater results, potentially offering a product with higher bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity compared to seedless pulp. Moreover, P. nitida seed tea may constitute a significant source of nutrients for human consumption.

Enzyme-treated microalgal co-product diets for rainbow trout aquaculture: Supporting fish growth, phosphorus digestibility, and reducing phosphorus waste emission

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food sectors, producing almost 50% of fish for human consumption worldwide. However, relying on fish meal and oil for aquaculture diets is not sustainable economically or environmentally. Aquaculture feeds also contain terrestrial plant ingredients with indigestible forms of phosphorus (P), of which 70%–80% can be released into aquatic environments. This P influx contributes to eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems that can lead to anoxic conditions. This study explores a more sustainable diet for salmonids, an important and valuable seafood. Our aim was to test ingredients with highly digestible forms of P in nutritionally balanced portions to support fish growth and reduce P loading. We determined the digestibility of three feeds containing raw, extruded, and enzymatically processed microalgal co-product of Nannochloropsis oculata compared to a conventional diet. We also quantified how much P was retained and excreted. We detected highest growth in trout fed enzymatically processed co-product feed, though it was not statistically different (p = 0.846) from growth of fish fed the reference or other co-product diets. The enzyme-treated, microalgal co-product ingredient and diet had comparable values for P digestibility and solid P excretion to the reference diet, but the lowest average solid P excretion of all test diets. Trout fed the enzyme-treated diet had the highest P retention, while the reference diet had the lowest (p = 0.0429). Trout fed the enzyme-treated diet had the lowest (p = 0.0174) and negative dissolved P excretion, while those fed the reference diet had the highest. Results showed that enzyme-treated N. oculata co-product maintains digestibility, increases P retention, and reduces dissolved P excretion compared to the reference diet in rainbow trout. These findings encourage follow-up research to design and test growth performance of diets containing enzyme-treated microalgal co-product as sustainable trout aquafeed.

PLANT-BASED MEAT: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO MEAT

Due to the increase in the world population, the amount of meat used in human consumption has also increased in recent years. On the other hand, it is clear that animal-based meat production cannot sustain this growth and results in more pollution, land and water use, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss than the pollution occurring in plant food production. For this reason, there has recently been a trend towards new protein sources that meet the protein requirements of the human diet and improve animal welfare without increasing the carbon footprint. To respond to this increase and to to mitigate the adverse effects associated with animal production, plant-based meat production (PBM) has recently received attention. Here we have tried to provide detailed information about the production methods, product features and consumer preferences of PBM alternatives.

Factors influencing subseasonal predictability of northern Eurasian cold spells

AbstractCold‐air outbreaks have significant impacts on human health, energy consumption, agriculture, and overall well‐being. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Subseasonal‐to‐Seasonal (S2S) models in predicting cold conditions over northern Eurasia, defined here as the lower tercile of weekly mean 2‐metre temperature anomalies. To assess the predictability of these events we use ensemble hindcasts from five prediction systems from the S2S database. Our analysis focuses on identifying the conditions under which the models confidently predict cold temperatures with a high (>0.5) probability 3–4 weeks ahead, which potentially can represent windows of forecast opportunity. We compare the group of forecasts that correctly predicted the events to the group that forecasted events that did not occur in practice (false alarms). Most of the confident forecasts of cold spells, both correct and false alarms, have cold anomalies already in the initial conditions, often in conjunction with either a negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, or Scandinavian Blocking. We find that S2S models tend to overpredict cold temperatures, with false alarms occurring more likely when the forecasts are initialized during a weak polar vortex. Furthermore, most of the confident false alarms receive the signal from the stratosphere rather than following internal tropospheric dynamics. False alarms initialized during the weak polar vortex conditions are more common when the vortex is in a recovery stage and, subsequently, the downward ‐propagating signal is short‐lived in the troposphere. The analysis of forecasts during different Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) phases shows that nearly half of all confident correct cold‐temperature forecasts are initialized during an active MJO in phases 6–8. On the other hand, most false alarms occur during phase 3, which we suggest is due to the presence of the Scandinavian Blocking regime in the initial conditions for this phase.

Assessment of water quality and associated human health risk of a tropical freshwater body in Edo State, Nigeria

The quality of freshwater sources is a key factor in sustainable development. This study investigated the water quality suitability of Ossiomo River for human consumption and the implications for public health. Water samples were collected and analysed from October 2021 to March 2022. Results indicated that the water physico-chemical parameters from sampled locations were within their respective National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESRA) permissible limits except for pH (< 6.5), dissolved oxygen (< 6.0mg L−1), cadmium (> 0.005m /L−1), manganese (> 0.05mg L−1) and total hydrocarbon content (>10mg L−1). Comprehensive pollution index (0.4–1.0) and water quality index (251.57–765.37) values indicate that the water body was slightly polluted and unsuitable for human consumption (WQI > 50). Health risk assessment showed that children and adults were predisposed to non-carcinogenic risk (HIoral > 1) and carcinogenic risk (ICR: 1.21E-02 and 2.84E-03) from heavy metals through oral exposure. Natural run-off and anthropogenic activities were identified sources of heavy metals and hydrocarbons within the catchment. The study has provided data for water resource quality monitoring and raised concerns as to the need for immediate action to safeguard the public health of communities surrounding the Ossiomo River, through the provision of alternative sources of potable water.

The nutritional benefits of maize-soybean rotational systems in the North-Western Free State, South Africa

BackgroundMalnutrition is one of the major health concerns, particularly in the developing and under-developed world. In South Africa, maize is produced as a staple food and is the primary food for most of the country’s population. The North-Western Free State which forms part of the Nala municipality in the Lejweleputswa district of South Africa is a main producer of the country’s maize. However, the area is known for its sandy soil which contains little organic material, silt and clay. Maize in this area is normally grown in monoculture but with a focus on sustainable agriculture has recently incorporated soybean. As a means of fighting malnutrition, the objective of this study was to determine the influence that soybean incorporation as a rotation crop has on the nutritional value of maize.MethodsA trial was conducted on the farm Christinasrus in the North-Western Free State to compare the nutritional value of monoculture maize and maize in rotation with soybean over three consecutive seasons. Maize kernel samples were taken each season and its nutritional properties analyzed. Subsequent data were further analyzed using statistical analysis.ResultsResults showed that there was a seasonal effect on all nutritional properties with a general decrease in nutritional values in wetter years. Cropping systems had an effect on fibre content, with increased values observed in maize after soybean. In addition, there was a significant interaction between season and cropping systems on the total digestible nutritional value, with maize after soybean being more nutritious in wetter seasons.ConclusionResults suggest that maize in cropping systems with soybean has potential to be more nutritious while the soybean in the cropping system can act as a protein-rich companion, providing a more balanced diet for human consumption, thereby fighting malnutrition.

Agro-industrial waste management employing benefits of artificial intelligence.

By 2050, the world's population is predicted to reach over 9 billion, which requires 70% increased production in agriculture and food industries to meet demand. This presents a significant challenge for the agri-food sector in all aspects. Agro-industrial wastes are rich in bioactive substances and other medicinal properties. They can be used as a different source for manufacturing products like biogas, biofuels, mushrooms, and tempeh, the primary ingredients in various studies and businesses. Increased importance is placed on resource recovery, recycling, and reusing (RRR) any waste using advanced technology like IoT and artificial intelligence. AI algorithms offer alternate, creative methods for managing agro-industrial waste management (AIWM). There are contradictions and a need to understand how AI technologies work regarding their application to AIWM. This research studies the application of AI-based technology for the various areas of AIWM. The current work aims to discover AI-based models for forecasting the generation and recycling of AIWM waste. Research shows that agro-industrial waste generation has increased worldwide. Infrastructure needs to be upgraded and improved by adapting AI technology to maintain a balance between socioeconomic structures. The study focused on AI's social and economic impacts and the benefits, challenges, and future work in AIWM. The present research will increase recycling and reproduction with a balance of cost, efficiency, and human resources consumption in agro-industrial waste management.

Nutritional Quality and Socio-Ecological Benefits of Mare Milk Produced under Grazing Management.

This review discusses the scientific evidence that supports the nutritional value of mare milk and how its properties are essentially achieved when mares are managed under grazing conditions. Mare milk's similarity with the chemical composition of human milk makes this food and its derived products not only suitable for human consumption but also an interesting food regarding human health. The contribution of horse breeding under grazing management to other socio-ecological benefits generated by equine farms is also highlighted. Both the high added value of mare milk and the socio-ecological benefits derived from pasture-based systems could be explored to improve the performance of equine farms located in arid and semi-arid areas or in regions with moderately harsh environmental conditions as equids have a strong adaptation capacity.

Potabilización de agua de lluvia para consumo humano: mitos y realidades

Water security is of paramount importance for social, economic, and environmental develop-ment in any region of the world. Rainwater har-vesting offers invaluable benefits to society mainly in rural areas which lack centralized water systems. At the same time, it is considered one of the solutions to solve the problem of water supply. The purification of rainwater does not represent great costs and many advantages. This article focuses on a literature review on the different myths about rainwater and its human consumption. The myths that are held about its qua-lity and provide information to motivate the collection of rainwater in homes considering the optimal conditions for its collection and storage.

Experimental Behavior of Solar Still Using Mixed Oxides Mn-Fe/Silicone Resin Composite as Selective Solar Absorber

In this research, the optical properties of a black pigment of mixed Mn-Fe oxides synthesized by the precipitation method dispersed in silicone resin at different concentrations for use as a solar absorber in a two-slope passive solar still were evaluated. The transmittance of different thicknesses of float glass with 0.1% Fe2O3 was also studied for use as a condenser in the construction of the solar still. Regarding the pigments, the absorbance and spectral emittance were evaluated, the floated. With the above information, both the absorbent surface and the condensers were optimized to propose the best design of the solar still. The novel hybrid material used as a selective coating in the still, which corresponds to 2.3% Mn-Fe mixed oxides, exhibited a high solar absorbance of 91.82% and a relatively low infrared thermal emission of less than 57.22%, as well as good stability to the corrosive and hot environment of the solar still, in addition to great durability over time and in real operating conditions. The float glass with the highest transmittance corresponds to a thickness of 3 mm and an average transmittance of 82.57%. The built prototype was characterized by obtaining the temperature profiles of the absorber and condensers, thermal efficiency, production and water quality. The prototype has a thermal efficiency of 29.6%, requiring only energy from the sun for its operation. The water produced by this device becomes an option for human use and consumption in accordance with current official standards, allowing supply in communities that do not have access to drinking water but have access to seawater or waters with high hardness.

Endocrine disruptors effects in ruminant reproduction

Oral exposure to synthetic and natural endocrine disruptors (ED) at different stages of life is related to alterations in the reproductive system. Ruminants represent a model for studying the effects of ED in humans due to some similarities in their development. Ruminants are considered of great importance due to continuous exposure to pasture and contaminated soils and human consumption of their meat. The present review aims to describe ED effects in ruminants’ reproduction, when they are consumed in the perinatal, postnatal-pre-adulthood, and adult stages. Feeding with phytoestrogens (PE) rich forage has no nocive consequences on the male reproductive system at any stages of life; in females, they produce more significant harmful effects when administered in adulthood. In the perinatal and postnatal-pre-adulthood stages, negative effects of synthetic ED were found in both males and females. This review presents study opportunities for further research related to oral exposure to ED.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Boiled Oil: A Traditional Method of Extracting Oil from Boiled Olive Fruits

Background In some villages in Northern Jordan, farmers boil part of their olive fruit harvest before oil extraction to increase the quantity of oil, get a desirable acquired taste, as they claim, and get additional health benefits. Locals call this oil Boiled oil (BO), and its price is about 20% higher than virgin olive oil (VOO) produced by the same farmer. Objective The hypothesis was that boiling olive fruits may affect the quality of the produced oil. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the chemical and physical characteristics of boiled oil in comparison with VOO and the effect of storage of both types of oils for one year. Methods Total phenolic compounds, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were evaluated. Moreover, the quality indices of BO and VOO were also evaluated. Results Total phenolic compounds decreased significantly (p &lt;0.05) from 8.7 mg GAE/100g in VOO to 2.47 mg GAE/100g in BO. The antioxidant activity measured using FRAP assay also decreased significantly (p &lt;0.05) from 962 to 379 micromole/kg. Half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the RSA was significantly higher (p &lt;0.05) in BO samples (414 mg/ml) in comparison with VOO samples (38.9 mg/ml). Moreover, there was a significant increase (p &lt;0.05) in acid value in BO samples (0.943%) in comparison with VOO samples (0.518%). However, the increase in acid value after one year of storage was higher in VOO than in BO. The peroxide value also increased significantly in boiled oil (500 meq/kg) in comparison with VOO (19 meq/kg). Additionally, a significant increase in ultraviolet absorption was observed in BO at k232 and k270 (3.5), which is considered unsuitable for human consumption compared with VOO (2.43). Conclusion In conclusion, these results showed that boiling olive fruits before oil extraction deteriorates oil quality as expected, and consumers should be educated that this type of oil is hazardous to human health and is a waste of effort and money.

Molecular Aspects of Carrageenan in the Pharmaceutical and Food Industries

Abstract: Carrageenan is a gel-forming polysaccharide obtained by extracting certain species of red algae. This substance is used in several food groups due to carrageenan's ability to replace fat and combine easily with milk proteins to increase solubility and improve texture. Although the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) considers carrageenan safe for consumption, this point is still subject to intense scrutiny to investigate the potential health risks associated with human consumption. In view of this, the objective of this review was to address the consumption of carrageenan in the food and pharmaceutical industries and its possible toxic effects on health. One hundred and eleven articles were related to the objective of this review. Although carrageenan is widely used for consumption and several studies describe its beneficial effects, a large number of articles have already been bringing possible toxic effects that it can generate in the long term.

Effects of high doses of zearalenone on some antioxidant enzymes and locomotion of Tenebrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) feeds on wheat bran and is considered both a pest and an edible insect. Its larvae contain proteins and essential amino acids, fats, and minerals, making them suitable for animal and human consumption. Zearalenone (ZEA) is the mycotoxin most commonly associated with Fusarium spp. It is found in cereals and cereal products, so their consumption is a major risk for mycotoxin contamination. One of the most important effects of ZEA is the induction of oxidative stress, which leads to physiological and behavioral changes. This study deals with the effects of high doses of ZEA (10 and 20mg/kg) on survival, molting, growth, weight gain, activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and locomotion of mealworm larvae. Both doses of ZEA were found to (i) have no effect on survival, (ii) increase molting frequency, SOD, and GST activity, and (iii) decrease body weight and locomotion, with more pronounced changes at 20mg/kg. These results indicated the susceptibility of T. molitor larvae to high doses of ZEA in feed.

Application of GIS to monitor the impact of urbanization on surface water quality in Kim Dong district, Hung Yen province, Vietnam

Rapid urbanization profoundly affects surface water quality in lower-income countries, often extending pressure on resources beyond urban areas. This study assesses the impact of urbanization on surface water quality in Kim Dong district, highlighting its broader implications for the Red River Delta. The demands of urban systems significantly strain natural resources, notably water, impacting both human consumption and environmental sustainability. With a focus on less developed regions where water infrastructure may be limited, ensuring sufficient water supply as these areas grow presents a complex challenge. The economic and population growth in Kim Dong district has heightened water demand in recent years. Despite ample water sources, Kim Dong district is facing surface water pollution, leading to shortages for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. This study aims to evaluate surface water quality using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and examine urbanization’s impact, employing GIS to map pollution loads across communes. Results of the study reveal significant water quality deterioration, notably in areas with high population density and industrial concentration, causing severe pollutant loads in rivers. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) was utilized to classify communes into three distinct clusters based on pollutant loads, emphasizing Luong Bang town and adjacent communes as high-load areas. The study demonstrates a strong positive correlation between population density and pollutant loads, indicating the profound impact of urbanization on water quality. Our research calls for strict monitoring of discharge sources, especially from industries and residential areas, emphasizing compliance with environmental regulations. It recommends regular drainage system maintenance, comprehensive environmental assessments for future development plans, and consistent efforts to mitigate urbanization’s adverse effects on surface water in Kim Dong district. These measures aim to sustainably manage water resources and safeguard environmental integrity amidst rapid urbanization.

Mycotoxin contamination in organic and conventional cereal grain and products: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

There is still considerable controversy about the relative risk of mycotoxin exposure associated with the consumption of organic and conventional cereals. Using validated protocols, we carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analyses of data on the incidence and concentrations of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium, Claviceps, Penicillium, and Aspergillus species in organic and conventional cereal grains/products. The standard weighted meta-analysis of concentration data detected a significant effect of production system (organic vs. conventional) only for the Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, with concentrations ∼50% higher in conventional than organic cereal grains/products (p<0.0001). Weighted meta-analyses of incidence data and unweighted meta-analyses of concentration data also detected small, but significant effects of production system on the incidence and/or concentrations of T-2/HT-2 toxins, zearalenone, enniatin, beauvericin, ochratoxin A (OTA), and aflatoxins. Multilevel meta-analyses identified climatic conditions, cereal species, study type, and analytical methods used as important confounding factors for the effects of production system. Overall, results from this study suggest that (i) Fusarium mycotoxin contamination decreased between the 1990s and 2020, (ii) contamination levels are similar in organic and conventional cereals used for human consumption, and (iii) maintaining OTA concentrations below the maximum contamination levels (3.0μg/kg) set by the EU remains a major challenge.

Gold nanoparticles-doped MXene heterostructure for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of fumonisin B1 and ampicillin.

Early transition metal carbides (MXene) hybridized by precious metals open a door for innovative electrochemical biosensing device design. Herein, we present a facile one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-doped two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide MXene nanoflakes (Ti3C2Tx/Au). Ti3C2Tx MXene exhibits high electrical conductivity and yields synergistic signal amplification in conjunction with AuNPs leading to excellent electrochemical performance. Thus Ti3C2Tx/Au hybrid nanostructure can be used as an electrode platform for the electrochemical analysis of various targets. We used screen-printed electrodes modified with the Ti3C2Tx/Au electrode and functionalized with different biorecognition elements to detect and quantify an antibiotic, ampicillin (AMP), and a mycotoxin, fumonisin B1 (FB1). The ultralow limits of detection of 2.284pM and 1.617pg.mL-1, which we achieved respectively for AMP and FB1 are far lower than their corresponding maximum residue limits of 2.8nM in milk and 2 to 4mgkg-1 in corn products for human consumption set by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, the linear range of detection and quantification of AMP and FB1 were, respectively, 10pM to 500nM and 10pgmL-1 to 1µgmL-1. The unique structure and excellent electrochemical performance of Ti3C2Tx/Au nanocomposite suggest that it is highly suitable for anchoring biorecognition entities such as antibodies and oligonucleotides for monitoring various deleterious contaminants in agri-food products.