Important Food Items Research Articles

Increased summer temperature is associated with reduced calf mass of a circumpolar large mammal through direct thermoregulatory and indirect, food quality, pathways

Climate change represents a growing ecological challenge. The (sub) arctic and boreal regions of the world experience the most rapid warming, presenting an excellent model system for studying how climate change affects mammals. Moose (Alces alces) are a particularly relevant model species with their circumpolar range. Population declines across the southern edge of this range are linked to rising temperatures. Using a long-term dataset (1988–1997, 2017–2019), we examine the relative strength of direct (thermoregulatory costs) and indirect (food quality) pathways linking temperature, precipitation, and the quality of two important food items (birch and fireweed) to variation in moose calf mass in northern Sweden. The direct effects of temperature consistently showed stronger relationships to moose calf mass than did the indirect effects. The proportion of growing season days where the temperature exceeded a 20 °C threshold showed stronger direct negative relationships to moose calf mass than did mean temperature values. Finally, while annual forb (fireweed) quality was more strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation than were perennial (birch) leaves, this did not translate into a stronger relationship to moose calf weight. The only indirect path with supporting evidence suggested that mean growing season temperatures were positively associated with neutral detergent fiber, which was, in turn, negatively associated with calf mass. While indirect impacts of climate change deserve further investigation, it is important to recognize the large direct impacts of temperature on cold-adapted species.

Acrylamide variability and content in selected local and imported foods in Jordan

Acrylamide (AC) is a processing contaminant that is formed in some heated starchy food because of Maillard reaction, which involves a reaction between the reducing sugars glucose and fructose, and the amino acid asparagine and there are concerns about its carcinogenicity. In Jordan, limited data is available on AC content in food, especially local and cultural items. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the AC content in selected locally produced and consumed food items in Jordan. Acrylamide concentration in 91 selected food items was measured using ELISA kit. In general, the levels of AC in 67% of all food items were over 100 µg/ kg, where AC concentration ranged from 24 – 3403 µg/ kg. Within the bread and bakery products, the highest AC concentration was found in unsweetened Arabic rusk products (kirshalah) (268 ± 36.6µg/ kg). In the snack and fast- food groups, the highest mean level was in potato chips (1339 ± 1175 µg/ kg) followed by fried potato (498 ± 90.5 µg/kg). Falafel was found to contain (106 ± 21.1 µg/kg). The concentration of AC in traditional Arabic baked sweets such as kunafeh, baqlawah and haresah had levels of 198 ± 3.5, 101 ± 14.8 and 96 ± 8.5 µg/ kg, respectively. The current study provided a base-line data on AC concentration in some Jordanian foods and selected imported snacks. A considerable variation in AC content within each type of locally produced food items was found. The highest AC concentration among the selected local and imported food items in Jordan was in potato products (chips and French fries), followed by biscuits and kirshalleh. Acrylamide monitoring in targeted processed foods should be implemented. Furthermore, an effort needs to be made at national and industrial levels to improve the accuracy and precision of estimated dietary AC intake among different age groups in Jordan. Key words: Acrylamide, processing contaminant, Maillard reaction, ELISA, cereal products, fast food

Balık ve Balık Tezgahlarından İzole Edilen Bakterilerin Biyofilm Oluşumu ve Önlenmesi

Biofilms are structures formed by bacteria in the presence of convenient media. Bacteria protect themselves from chemicals such as ozone, heat, light and chlorine with biofilm structure. Fish is an important food item and it is an environment where bacteria can easily reproduce. Therefore, it is also appropriate for biofilm formation. Biofilm formation in fish and fish stalls is a threat to human health. In this study, bacteria that can grow on fish and fish stalls and their ability to form biofilms and the effect of natural products (rock salt, lemon juice, vinegar) were investigated. In the study, 47 bacterial isolates were obtained from fish and fish stalls and their molecular identifications were made. The biofilm forming abilities of the identified bacteria were determined by qualitative and quantitative analyzes. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that 36 bacterial species formed biofilm. It has been observed that vinegar and lemon juice are effective. However, rock salt was not found to be effective against biofilm forming bacteria.

Interpreting the production, characterization and antioxidant potential of plant proteases

Cheese has become an important food item that may provide great nutritional benefits to consumers all over the world. Rennet is the most important milk coagulant obtained from calf stomach but nowadays due to lesser availability of ruminant stomach, higher rennet prices, religious concerns (Islamism; Halal / Haram) or the ban of recombinant calf rennet has given rise to the need for other substitutes than rennet. The present study was conducted to develop vegetative extracts of Citrus aurantium flowers, fig, pineapple, and melon extract as vegetative coagulants as an economical, easily available and halal source and their evaluation on basis of pH, dry matter protein content, milk clotting, and proteolytic activities potential in comparison with rennet and acid. The protein contents of CAFE, fig latex and bromelain were much greater than melon extract. The trend in milk clotting activity (MCA), proteolytic activity (PA) and MCA/PA ratio was rennet > acid > bromelain ˃ CAFE ˃ fig latex> melon extract. ORAC assay for antioxidant potential of extracts showed the following trend: fig latex 592 µM (TE)>CAFE 566 µM (TE)>bromelain 130 µM (TE)> melon extract 120 µM (TE) using Trolox as standard. These plant extracts proved a better substitute for animal rennet in the cheese industry.

Сезонные аспекты питания Поволжской популяции солнечных орлов в гнездовой период

Сезонные аспекты питания Поволжской популяции солнечных орлов в гнездовой период

Consumption of fruits of Dimorphandra jorgei M.F.Silva by Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) in a Remnant of Atlantic Forest in Southeast Brazil

The Fabaceae family holds great ecological and economic importance. Some species contribute to increased nitrogen levels in the soil (association with mycorrhizae), benefiting the natural regeneration process. Other species have high therapeutic value, while another can be used for ornamentation and urbanization. This study reports the presence of seeds from a tree species in the Fabaceae family, Dimorphandra jorgei M.F.Silva, in the fecal sample of South American tapir, Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758), in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil. The fecal sample was found on an unpaved road, between the forest edge and an area undergoing reforestation with native species. Our record corroborates that D. jorgei can be an important supplementary food item in the tapir’s diet in the region, with its consumption linked to dry periods. The fruits of D. jorgei are not morphologically attractive to vertebrate fauna in general, highlighting the importance of tapirs in the dispersal of this and other species with similar fruits. It is also emphasized that seed dispersal contributes to the maintenance and regeneration of vegetation, serving as an Ecosystem Service of Support.

Food Safety Risks Posed by Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) related to Consumption of Sea Cucumbers.

The global production of sea cucumbers was 245 thousand tons in 2020. Sea cucumbers are important food items in Asian and Pacific cuisines, the highest proportion being consumed in China as "bêche-de-mer" dried, gutted, boiled and salted body wall. However, consumption of sea cucumbers is expanding in China and globally, and the high demand has led to decline in populations of sea cucumbers, due to overexploitation. Aquaculture, together with novel fisheries on new species in new regions is easing the demand. Thus, an assessment of food safety is warranted. A literature search on food hazards was performed. A high proportion of the selected papers concerned heavy metals and metalloid hazards, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As). No specific maximum limits (MLs) have been set for contents of these in sea cucumbers. Thus, the contents were compared with maximum limits set for aquatic animals in general or bivalve molluscs if available. With regard to Hg and Cd levels, none of the samples exceeded limits set by the European Commission or the National Standard of China, while for Pb, samples from highly industrialised areas exceeded the limits. Surprisingly, data on contaminants such as POPs, including dioxins and dl-PCB, PAH and PFAS as well as microbial hazards were scarce. The availability of fresh sea cucumber has increased due to aquaculture. To preserve the original flavour some consumers are reported to prefer to eat raw sea cucumber products, sashimi and sushi, which inevitably causes challenges from the microbial food safety perspective. Altogether, this paper highlights specific needs for knowledge, in particular when harvesting new species of sea cucumbers or in industrialized regions. Systematic monitoring activities, appropriate guidelines and regulations are highly warranted to guide the utilization of sea cucumbers.

Ultrasound assisted processing of milk: Advances and challenges

AbstractHigh‐intensity ultrasound (HIUS) is a green technology that has improved various processes in the food industry. HIUS leads to improved heat and mass transfer rates, providing a faster processing technique and limiting production costs by increasing process efficiency. In food processing, ultrasound is regarded as a promising emerging technology with the potential to speed up processes and produce high quality products. This article describes recent applications of power ultrasound for physical milk processing, mentions the advantage and disadvantages of this technology, evaluates the physical and chemical effects of HIUS on the modification of milk, and novel research areas leading to the promotion and solving the challenges ahead. It is concluded that HIUS is a useful tool for milk processing, because of its positive effects on the quality and retaining their initial nutritional properties and sensory characteristics. It can also be considered that the forthcoming research will lead to the improvement and industrialization of this technology.Practical ApplicationsAs a very important food item in the human diet, milk has very sensitive components that usually undergo undesirable changes during processing. Power ultrasound is an emerging green technology that has a great potential for application in dairy processing that can significantly reduce such unfavorable changes. It has been proven that ultrasound has an appropriate capability to accelerate processes, reduce energy consumption and increase productivity. This technology has been successfully used in pasteurization, homogenization, filtration, and drying of milk in laboratory scale. Ultrasound has a very high potential for industrialization in the dairy industry and draws a promising perspective for its conventional applications in the production of dairy products in the not‐too‐distant future.

Effects of different waxy rice varieties and their starch on the taste quality of zongzi

Waxy rice is an important food item comprising numerous varieties, and zongzi is a popular waxy rice product. Here, 15 varieties of waxy rice were selected to make zongzi and determine their taste quality using texture profile analysis and sensory methods. In addition, the composition of waxy rice and the hierarchical structure and properties of starches isolated from waxy rice were also evaluated to understand the causal relations between waxy rice varieties and zongzi quality. It can be observed that the composition of waxy rice showed a significant difference among varieties, and the adhesiveness and chewiness of zongzi were affected by trace components such as ash and lipid in waxy rice. Furthermore, the gelatinization temperature and viscosity of the starch extracted from waxy rice varieties with low amylose content were lower than other samples, and zongzi made from those varieties had low hardness and high adhesiveness value. We considered that starch properties had a major influence on the zongzi. These results can serve as a reference for screening raw materials in the zongzi industry.

DNA metabarcoding reveals that coyotes in New York City consume wide variety of native prey species and human food.

Carnivores are currently colonizing cities where they were previously absent. These urban environments are novel ecosystems characterized by habitat degradation and fragmentation, availability of human food, and different prey assemblages than surrounding areas. Coyotes (Canis latrans) established a breeding population in New York City (NYC) over the last few decades, but their ecology within NYC is poorly understood. In this study, we used non-invasive scat sampling and DNA metabarcoding to profile vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant dietary items with the goal to compare the diets of urban coyotes to those inhabiting non-urban areas. We found that both urban and non-urban coyotes consumed a variety of plants and animals as well as human food. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) were an important food item for coyotes within and outside NYC. In contrast, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were mainly eaten by coyotes inhabiting non-urban areas. Domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) was the human food item found in most scats from both urban and non-urban coyotes. Domestic cats (Felis catus) were consumed by urban coyotes but were detected in only a small proportion of the scats (<5%), which differs markedly from high rates of cat depredation in some other cities. In addition, we compared our genetic metabarcoding analysis to a morphological analysis of the same scat samples. We found that the detection similarity between the two methods was low and it varied depending on the type of diet item.

The First Record of Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867) (Cichliformes, Cichlidae) and an Analysis of its Feeding Habits in Jamaica

The first official record of Parachromis managuensis in Jamaica is reported in the Large Cockpit Spring, Clarendon. This species is native to Central America. It was introduced into Jamaica to control the growth of aquaculture species. A total of 104 specimens were captured between December 2017 and March 2020 using seine nets. Morphometric and meristic descriptions are provided. Specimens captured had total lengths of 3.663–11.797 cm and weighed 0.787–36.810 grams. All specimens were classified as juveniles. Gut content analyses were conducted, which revealed that Parachromis managuensis mainly fed on invertebrates which include insects, ostracods, and gastropods. Ostracods were ranked as the most important food item. Other food items include algae and plant matter.

Food habits of fishes in a subtropical seagrass bed in Nagura Bay, Ishigaki Island, southern Japan

AbstractRecent losses of seagrass beds have resulted in a decrease in seagrass-associated fishes, highlighting the need for the improved management of such habitats and resources. Analyses of feeding patterns of fish associated with seagrass habitats are useful for understanding their habitat dependence, which contributes to achieving their effective conservation. The gut contents of 61 fish species were examined to clarify the food habits of subtropical seagrass fishes in Nagura Bay, Ishigaki Island, southern Japan. A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the seagrass fish assemblage comprised six trophic groups (small crustacean, large crustacean, detritus, plant, fish and zooplankton feeders). Small and large crustacean feeders were the most abundant, followed by detritus, plant and fish feeders. Zooplankton feeders were represented by only two species. Ontogenetic changes in food preference were recognized in four species, including Lutjanus fulviflamma, Ostorhinchus ishigakiensis, Gerres oyena and Siganus fuscescens. Small individuals of the four species generally fed on small crustaceans or detritus, subsequently switching to other larger prey items with growth (e.g. crabs, shrimps and seagrass fronds). The most important food items for the assemblage comprised harpacticoid copepods, shrimps, crabs and detritus, representing high cumulative gut volumes for all fishes. Some species showed diets remarkably different from those determined for fishes in other seagrass beds off a nearby neighbouring island, evidence of the food-use patterns of seagrass fishes varying on a small spatial scale. Such dietary flexibility may increase the adaptability of fishes to seagrass beds characterized by significant variations in available food resources.

OPIUM AND ITS MAJOR ALKALOIDAL CONSTITUENTS: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Poppy (Papaver somniferous L.) is a member of the Papaveraceous family. It is indigenous ofsouth east of Europe and Asia. It is cultivated all over the world and there is not any wild type of this species. It is widely grown as an ornamental flower throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Until now more than 40 different alkaloids have been known in thisspecies which the most important ones are morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine. Alkaloids are affected with genetical characteristics and environmental conditions. Poppy seeds are an important food item and the source of poppy seed oil, healthy edible oilthat has many uses. The most important application of papaver alkaloids is due to their analgesic properties. Use of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) as a medicinal plant hasbeen described in the ancient literature of Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda). Keyword: - Opium, Alkaloids, Morphine, Codeine, Medicinal plants

Trophic guild structure and dietary patterns of a juvenile-dominated demersal fish community in a tropical mangrove estuarine system

Community-wide understanding of food web dynamics in species-rich tropical estuaries are generally lacking, exacerbating the challenges of managing these valuable coastal habitats. To address this gap, trophic guilds and dietary patterns were elucidated for 39 species of a juvenile-dominated demersal estuarine fish community in the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, an Important Marine Mammal Area. Fishes were sampled monthly for a year using otter trawl, and stomach contents were analyzed. Of the seven trophic guilds identified from clustering analysis, the three most speciose ones were shrimp feeders (12 species), zooplanktivores (9), and generalist crustacivores (7). Copepods occurred in diets of 50% of all fish species and were the most important food item volumetrically for specialist zooplanktivores. Diverse shrimp and prawn taxa, including commercially valuable Acetes and juvenile penaeids, showed highest frequency of occurrence in stomachs and supported the shrimp feeder and crustacivore guilds that contained relatively more diet generalists. Biomass-dominant annelidivore guild members are known to be a vital food resource for highly threatened coastal cetaceans. Ontogenetic diet shift, wide intra-guild diet breadth, seasonality in major resource use, and prevalence of detritus in diet were feeding strategies that reduced niche overlap and competition among fish species sharing common food resources. Future fisheries management must consider the bottom-up trophic impacts from excessive removal of valuable prey resources such as shrimps on equally valuable fish consumers that depend on them.

Lotus Seed Starch: A Novel Functional Ingredient with Promising Properties and Applications in Food—A Review

AbstractLotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seeds are rich in nutrients and mainly used for food and medicinal applications. The seeds are an important food item in many countries and are generally considered a low glycemic index food. Starch is a major component of lotus seeds and may amount to over 50% of the dry weight. The quality of lotus seed products is mainly determined their starch properties, such as gelatinization and retrogradation. This review comprehensively summarizes recent developments in isolation, modifications, and applications of lotus seed starch (LS). This survey highlights different properties of native and modified LS in comparison with other starches. Native LS has been found with high amylose content (20–35%), high peak gelatinization temperatures (&gt;70 °C), and pasting temperatures (&gt;75 °C). The high amylose content has contributed to lower swelling power and fast retrogradation of LS. The modification of LS has been done using different methods, including thermal, microwave, high pressure, chemical, and enzymatic processing for functionality improvement. Native and modified LS have promising potential to be a valuable functional ingredient in different food and other applications. Finally, an outlook on the future possibilities for utilization of LS is provided.

Detection of adulterants in some common food items available in the Bhutanese market

The study was conducted during 2020-2021 at the Department of Physical Science, Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan with an objective to find out whether the food items that we consume daily are adulterated or not. Various food items, both locally produced and imported, were purchased from different Dzongkhags and analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of adulterants. Locally produced food items purchased were local butter, local cheese, local honey, local chili powder, beaten rice, etc. and imported food items included pulses, chili powder, turmeric powder, spices, milk, etc. Qualitative analysis of food items for detection of adulterants was done by a simple chemical test as per the standard procedure followed by various researchers. The finding showed that local butter was found to be adulterated with banana and dalda, local honey was adulterated with sugar syrup, and beaten rice was adulterated with chlorophyll pigment. Imported lentils were adulterated with Metanil yellow. Chili powder and some spices were adulterated with artificial colours and dust particles.

Diet of three juvenile fish species of the coastal zone of a Southwest Atlantic beach, Brazil

Surf zones are associated with a shelter area, nursery and feeding for several species of fish. In this study, the dietary habits of three species of fish with demersal habits (Gulf kingcroaker Menticirrhu gracilis, Whitesea catfish Genidens barbus and Barbu Polydacytlus virginicus), were verified in the surf zone area of an active urban beach of Baixada Santista, concerning structure in size, day and night abundances and overlapping diets. A total of 617 fish were analyzed, of which 362 were 194 were G. barbus and 61 were P. virginicus. Stomach contents, represented in Relative Importance Index diagrams, showed that the bivalve Donax gemmula is the most important food item for M. gracilis, scales of Teleostei for G. barbus and Euphausiacea for P. virginicus. In order to evaluate the similarity of the diets, the Macarthur &amp; Levins indices and a cluster analysis with the Bray-Curtis distance were applied revealing that the diet is 44% different between G. barbus and M. gracilis, 5% between G. barbus and P. virginicus and of 84% between M. gracilis and P. virginicus. Anthropogenic waste like plastic, nylon, metal pieces, were only occasionaly observed.

Fillet Quality and Gut Content Analysis of Parachanna obscura and Clarias agboyiensis

Nigeria waters are rich with a variety of fish species but only very feware cultured and available for consumption. This study was conducted toknow the fillet quality, gut content and condition of Parachanna obscuraand Clarias agboyiensis in Nigeria using Igbokoda river as a referencebecause it is a the major fishing site in the nation. Studies were conductedon the viscera somatic index based on the organ weight and the bodyweight of the fish and the food item consumed by Parachanna obscura andClarias agboyiensis between May to October, 2019 to infer on the filletquality and gut content of P. obscura and C. agboyiensis in the water bodyrespectively. A summary of food items that constituted the diet of Clariasagboyiensis are Baccillariophyta, fish, fat droplets, dinoflagellate, insectand Chlorophyta which constituted the most important food items bothoccurring in all stomachs containing food. The fishes has more muscle thanthe viscera organs which indicate that the weight of the fish before dressingout is higher than the weight of the fish after dressing out. This is suggestiveof a good quality of food fish. There was a significant correlation betweenbody weight and total length of specimens found in this study. Increasesin total length resulted in corresponding increases in body weight. Theresult for the condition factor showed was below the expected or standardvalue (K = 1) which shows this species was not in favorable environmentalcondition. It is therefore necessary to allow phytoplanktons grow well inwater body to increase availability of food items to Parachanna obscuraand Clarias agboyiensis. P. obscura and C. agboyiensis are also good foodfishes of a high fillet quality. They are omnivorous feeders therefore havingpotentials for aquaculture.

Small Indigenous Fish (SIF): Status and Contributions in Nutrition and Livelihood Security of India: A Review

The small indigenous fish (SIF), having length of about 25 cm is locally available in the small water resources viz. wetlands, canals, streams etc. and affordable to the poor people also. These are important food item as animal protein, vitamins and minerals sources in the diet of human beings. The objective of this review is to investigate the availability and importance of SIF in nutritional security and income generation of the community. Published and unpublished sources were used to obtain appropriate data. This study interprets actual availability of different species of SIFs, capture and culture resources, consumption pattern and marketing channels etc. A literature review was conducted to highlight the research attempt made to enhance the socio-economic condition of rural sector and as a result it offers important guidelines to popularize SIFs for nutritional security. In India a total of 765 native freshwater fish species documented, out of which about 450 are categorized as small indigenous fish species. The maximum diversity of the SIF’s has been recorded from the North East region followed by Western Ghat and Central India. Review indicates an ardent need of focused research efforts towards the development and conservation of these fishes before they become extinct.

Chimpanzees as ecosystem service providers: Seed dispersal of an economically important plant resource

AbstractVertebrate‐mediated seed dispersal is vital to the maintenance of diversity in tropical ecosystems, and seed‐dispersing animals are increasingly thought to provide ecosystem services by dispersing the seeds of plant species utilized by people. However, few studies have demonstrated a link between vertebrate frugivores and plants used by people, thus limiting the generalizability of the seed‐disperser‐as‐ecosystem‐service‐provider concept. We examined the effectiveness of western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) as seed dispersers (i.e., their influence on seedling recruitment) of an economically important fruit resource, Saba senegalensis, at the site of Fongoli, a savanna‐woodland environment in southeastern Senegal. The fruit from the Saba vine is commonly harvested from the wild by local people and is also an important food item for chimpanzees. We conducted germination experiments on gut‐passed seeds alongside non‐gut‐passed seeds and analyzed the germination success of chimpanzee‐dispersed seeds in situ. We also analyzed the effect of habitat type and canopy cover at each seed dispersal site to determine which sites are most suitable for Saba germination. Germination trials showed that chimpanzee gut passage and manual pulp removal increased the likelihood of germination over seeds left intact. Nearly a quarter of chimpanzee‐dispersed seeds germinated in situ and Saba seeds were distributed nonrandomly throughout Fongoli, with more dispersed seeds found in habitats most suitable for Saba germination. These results suggest that chimpanzees aid in the early stages of Saba recruitment and thus provide an ecosystem service via seed dispersal that may contribute to the well‐being of local people.Abstract in French is available with online material.