Mixed Fruit Research Articles

Characteristics of VOCs Emissions from Pesticide Use Sources Based on Pesticide Dosage Forms Analysis： A Case Study of Beijing

To analyze the emission characteristics of VOCs from pesticide use sources in Beijing, the distribution of commonly used pesticides and dosage forms in Beijing was obtained through on-site research, and the VOC content of pesticides in different dosage forms was examined using laboratory testing methods. The emission factors of pesticide VOCs for localized dosage forms in Beijing were established, an inventory of pesticide use source VOCs was compiled, and the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of pesticide use source VOCs were analyzed. The results indicated that ① Pesticide dosage forms were the main factors affecting the emission of VOCs from pesticides, and when accounting for VOC emissions from pesticide sources, it is necessary to know the types of pesticides and active ingredients in the target area and obtain information on pesticide dosage forms simultaneously. ② The localized emission factors for different dosage forms of pesticides were, in descending order, emulsifiable concentrate （839 g·kg-1）, soluble concentrate （715 g·kg-1）, emulsion in water （659 g·kg-1）, micro-emulsion （371 g·kg-1）, suspension concentrate （121 g·kg-1）, wettable powder （34 g·kg-1）, water dispersible granule （30 g·kg-1）, and aqueous solution （17 g·kg-1）. ③ In 2020, pesticide use and VOC emissions from pesticide use sources in Beijing were 2 990 t and 757 t. Among them, pesticide use of fungicides was the largest, accounting for 54.3% of the total, but its VOC emissions only accounted for 6.5%. Insecticides accounted for 34.8% of the pesticide use, and their VOC emissions were 84.1%. Among the different crop types, fruit trees had higher emissions of VOCs, with mixed fruits being the highest, accounting for 48.1%. ④ In terms of spatial distribution, the areas with higher emissions of VOCs were the ecological conservation development area （70.5%） and the new urban development area （24.4%）, with the Pinggu district having the highest emissions of VOCs, followed by the Miyun district and the Fangshan district, which accounted for 30.7%, 11.8%, and 8.9% of the total, respectively. Crops that contributed more to the ecological conservation development area were fruit trees, maize, potatoes, beans, etc.； crops that contributed more to the new urban development area were vegetables, wheat, and melons. In terms of time distribution, summer and spring were the peak periods for VOC emissions from pesticide use sources, accounting for 45.2% and 33.8% of the total, respectively.

Exposure of endocrine disruptive phthalates from fruit juices packed in plastic bottles and their risk assessment in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Phthalate esters (PAEs) are used to increase the plasticity in plastic packaging materials like plastic containers and beverage bottles. These are recognised as endocrine disruptors and pose potential health risks to consumers. So this study investigated the extent of phthalate exposure levels originating from plastic bottles across different brands of juice samples (n = 225), collected from local markets in Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan, encompassing (citrus, berry mixed, stone fruit, and fleshy fruit juices). For that purpose, plastic bottles were initially investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), followed by analysis of leached PAEs in juices by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). FTIR findings confirmed the presence of PAEs in plastic bottles through the assessment of two different peaks at 1713 cm−1 (aromatic esters) and 722 cm−1 (C-H wagging). DSC results revealed different glass transition (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) for amorphous bottles. The study found that PAE concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05) across different juices, with mixed fruit juices exhibiting the highest concentration (71.93 µg/L), followed by strawberry (31.35 µg/L), citrus fruit (20.64 µg/L), and fleshy fruit juices (18.61 µg/L). GC-MS analysis confirmed the occurrence of several PAEs including DPrP, DiBP, DPeP, DCHP, BBP, DEHP, and DOP. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAEs was found in the range of 0.087–0.543 µg/kg-bw in all analysed samples. Although hazard index calculation indicated that all juices were within safe limits (HI < 1). However, it is noteworthy that DEHP exhibited higher values of carcinogenic in one specific juice brand of mixed fruit juice (BM-1), with a risk factor of 4.5 × 10−3.

Quality and antioxidant properties of mixed fruit juice as affected by cold plasma treatment

This study aimed to assess the effects of cold plasma treatment on some quality and antioxidant properties of mixed fruit juices. Fresh mixed juice of apple, black carrot, and strawberry was subjected to dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBDCP) treatment (40 kV) for 10 (CP10), or 20 min (CP20) or heat treated (HT) at 95 °C for 2 min. The samples which were not DBDCP- or heat-treated were used as the control. The changes in the titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, color, natural microbial load, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity upon the treatments were evaluated. The DBDCP treatment did not cause any significant differences in the titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids content and TPC, while the heat treatment led to a decrease in the titratable acidity and TPC. Also, the total color difference was higher upon the heat treatment than the DBDCP treatment. The HT samples demonstrated lower L* value and higher a*, b*, and C* values than the other samples. Furthermore, there was no change in the cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) of DBDCP-treated samples, but the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was lower in CP20 than that was in the control and CP10. On the other hand, HT samples demonstrated lower antioxidant activity than the control and DBDCP-treated samples. On the other hand, the yeast-mold count was not changed by the DBDCP treatment but reduced to below the detection limit upon the heat treatment. Thus, it can be said that DBDCP treatment of mixed fruit juice can be used to enhance the antioxidant activity, but more studies are required to guarantee microbial safety.

Preparation and quality evaluation of mixed fruit jam made from natural and artificial sweetener

AbstractIn this study nutritionally enriched apple and date jam was developed by replacing sugar with natural and artificial sweeteners stevia and sorbitol. Three different types of samples were prepared. Sample T1 was prepared by using stevia as a sweetener agent. Sample T2 was prepared by using sorbitol as a sweetener agent. Sample T3 was prepared by using a mixture of stevia and sorbitol as sweetener agents. Standard apple jam was used as a control sample labeled as T4 and was used for comparison analysis. The developed product was analyzed by physiochemical analysis and sensory evaluation. Microbial analysis was done to study the shelf life study of the developed product. The study showed that stevia and sorbitol could be used for jam preparation. Sample T3 also showed intermediate values of acidity and pH as 4.14 and 1.90, respectively, moreover, total soluble solids (TSS) was observed as 65.16 °Brix, T3 also showed an intermediate level of energy values. Sample T3 having sorbitol and stevia sweetener agents had the highest rate of overall acceptability. Storage studies of all samples show that with the passage of time all sensory characteristics of all treatments decreased.

PREPARATION AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF ENRICHED JAM MADE FROM BLENDS OF APPLE, STRAWBERRY AND GRAPES

The aim of this study is to prepare an acceptable jam from blends of Apple, Strawberry and Grapes. Jams were produced from blends of Apple, Strawberry and Grapes in the following ratios 30:20:10:40 (A= 30g apple, 20g strawberry, 10g grapes and 40g of sugar) and 35:10:15:40 (B= 35g apple, 10g strawberry, 15g grapes and 40g of sugar) respectively. The pulp mixtures were combined with 40g of sugar. Mixed fruit jam and strawberry jam were used as commercial control labelled as sample C and D respectively. Standard methods were used for the determination of proximate composition, sugar content, phytochemical constituents and sensory evaluation of the Jam. The proximate composition indicated that sample A (15.31±0.12) and B (16.86±0.03) had a moisture content lower than the commercial control C (27.05±0.03) and D (27.60±0.45). The ash, fiber and lipid contents showed no significant difference in the jams produced and the commercial controls. Sample A and B had higher protein 29.58±0.02 and 27.41±0.01 as compared to the commercial controls C and D (24.62±0.02 and 25.15±0.01). No significant (P&gt;0.05) difference was observed in the glucose composition of the sample A and B and the commercial controls C and D. Fructose content in sample A (2.74±0.21) was higher than sample B (1.94±0.01) and the commercial controls C (1.85±0.00) and D (1.42±0.00). Qualitative testing for flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside and tannin revealed potential good health benefits. The sensory evaluation revealed that sample A which comprises of 30% apple, 20% strawberry, 10% grapes and 40% sugar was rated best...

A model predictive control algorithm for double-hormone artificial pancreas based on optimal three-branch decision switching rules

At present, double-hormone artificial pancreas is a hotspot in the research of regulating blood glucose level; however, there are few studies on switching mechanism of the subsystems for double-hormone artificial pancreas, and most of the existing studies rely on the prior knowledge of application fields. A model predictive control algorithm for double-hormone artificial pancreas based on optimal three-branch decision switching rules is proposed to solve this problem. The blood glucose controllers of insulin subsystems, zero infusion subsystems, and glucagon subsystems are constructed using model predictive control algorithms. Then, using the three-branch decision theory, switching rules between the three subsystems are designed, and the optimal switching threshold value can be solved by the mixed fruit fly algorithm. The algorithm can realize automatic acquisition of the threshold in the three-branch decision switching rules and gets rid of the dependence on the prior knowledge in the field of diabetes research. By the end, the UVa simulation platform is used to conduct experiments on 33 virtual patients and the simulation results verify that the proposed algorithm can control blood glucose effectively within the normal range and can achieve satisfactory performabce in error of tracking set point, safety, operation efficiency, group control quality, and system stability.

An innovative technology for producing agricultural Jiaosu from fruit waste without additional sugar and water: Fermentation characteristics, microbial community, and its impact on the growth of pakchoi

Landfilling or incineration of fruit waste causes serious environmental problems and economic losses. Agricultural Jiaosu (AJ) can convert fruit waste into agricultural inputs. However, traditional AJ preparation requires large amounts of brown sugar and water, restricting its large-scale application. In this study, five types of single fruit waste and one type of mixed fruit waste were used to produce AJ without additional of sugar and water. The physicochemical properties and microbial community dynamics of AJ fermentation were analyzed, and the effects and potential mechanism of AJ in promoting pakchoi growth were evaluated. The results showed that during the digestion process, the pH value of all AJ gradually decreased to below 3.6. Organic acids were the main metabolites, lactic acid and acetic acid accounted for 46.55 %–99.22 % of all organic acids. As fermentation progressed, Firmicutes gradually replaced Proteobacteria as the most dominant phylum, accounting for 54.1 %–99.41 % of the microbial communities. After 90 days, Lactobacillus and Lentilactobacillus were the dominant genera in all AJ, accounting for 44.49 %–92.54 % of the communities. Structural equation modeling revealed that AJ promoted plant growth through organic acids and bacterial community. This study is the first time to propose the concept of producing AJ from fruit waste without additional sugar and water and reveals the fermentation characteristics and microbial dynamics of AJ, as well as its potential mechanism as a biological inoculant in promoting plant growth. This study provides a new approach for the large-scale utilization of fruit waste to produce green agricultural inputs.Abbreviations: AJ, agricultural Jiaosu; ANOVA, analysis of variance; ASVs, amplicon sequence variants; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography; LDA, linear discriminant analysis; LEfSe, linear discriminant analysis effect size; PCoA, Principal coordinates analysis; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RDA, redundancy analysis; rRNA, ribosomal RNA; SEM, structural equation modeling.

Accessing the growth of heat-resistant mold ascospores inpotato dextrose agar, isolated from a processed fruit jam-Dependence of temperature, pH, and sugar concentration.

Heat-resistant molds (HRM) pose a significant threat to food industries due to their ability to survive in high temperatures (pasteurization range) and grow in a variety of environments. To understand how inhibiting variables affect HRM growth, this study evaluated the impact of high sugar concentration (50-60°Brix), low pH (3.5-4.5), and temperature (5-15) on the time (tv) to develop detectable colonies (colony diameter = 2 mm) of three HRM strains (Byssochlamys nivea, Byssochlamys fulva, Neosartorya fischeri) isolated from mixed fruit products. The study found that all HRM strains had relatively short periods of time to develop detectable colonies at 50°Brix, while no visible growth was observed at 60°Brix. Byssochlamys nivea was found to be the most susceptible to low temperatures, requiring up to 43 days to develop detectable colonies at 10°C and unable to grow at colder temperatures. The tv varied from 6 to 27 days based on pH and isolates. HRM's resistance to high sugar concentrations and ability to grow in cold environments pose a threat to the microbiological safety of fruit products. The evaluated data were fitted to several statistical distribution models to support further research on the quantitative microbiological risk in processed fruit products. This study provides valuable insights into how inhibiting variables affect HRM growth and can inform efforts to minimize their impact on fruit-based product quality and safety.

Electrochemical aptasensor for sensitive detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A in milk and fruit juice.

Anaptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the sensitive detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A(SEA) is presented. The truncated aptamer AptSEA1.4 used in this work was screened using computational techniques, which reduced the cost of the SELEX screening process. The aptamer-SEA interactions were confirmed by employing circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Afterwards, for developing an electrochemical aptasensor, a fabricated GNR/FTO aptasensor was prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and square wave voltammetry (SWV). A detailed investigation of aptamer and SEA interaction in the presence of various experimental conditions was also conducted through SWV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The aptamer exhibits a strong affinity for SEA, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 19.93nM. The aptasensor is sensitive, with a lower limit of detection of 12.44pgmL-1. It has good stability, repeatability, and specificity and has displayed highly specific and sensitive detection SEA in spiked packaged mixed fruit juice and milk, with a recovery of 95-110%. The aptasensor has highpromise for detecting SEA in other food items.

Production and Optimization of Wine from Mixed (Banana and Watermelon) Fruits Using Sacchromys Crevice

Winemaking is one of the most ancient technologies and is now one of the most commercially prosperous biotechnological processes. Fruits are one of the most important foods of mankind. They are important for the maintenance of health and improving the quality of our diet. Fruit juices are fermented to produce wine, an alcoholic beverage containing 8 to 11 percent alcohol and 2 to 3 percent sugar with energy values ranging between 70 and 90 kcal per 100ml. Due to the release of amino acids and other nutrients from yeast during fermentation, fruit wines are nutritive and tastier. For this reason, the conversion of fruits to value-added products like wine is very essential. This work aimed to produce and optimize mixed fruit (Banana and Watermelon) wine using saccharomyces cerevisiae. The proximate composition of banana with74 ± 00 of moisture content, 0.33 ± 00 of ash content, 0.23 ± 0.01 crude fat content, 1.65 ± 0.05 crude fiber content, 1.2 ± 0.1 protein content and 22.59% carbohydrate content and 91.5±1.5 moisture content, 0.49 ± 0.017ash content, 0.25 ± 0.01crude fat content, 0.6 ± 0.05 crude fiber content, 0.46 ± 0.02 crude protein content and 6.75% of carbohydrate content watermelon fruit were used for wine production. Primary and secondary fermentation of the fruits lasted for 9 and 21 days respectively, pH, titrable acidity, specific gravity and, total soluble solids (brix) were determined before and after fermentation using standard procedures. The specific gravity of the wine was observed to reduce drastically as the fermentation progressed. The pH of the fruit must decrease from 3 to 2.89 and 4 to 3.2 in different percentage of mixture and titrable acidity also increased 0.67- 0.92 in 75B:25Wm, 0.64 -0.9 in 50B:50Wm, and 0.63-0.89 in 25B:75Wm after fermentation. The highest percentages of alcohol content (9.5) was observed in 75B to 25Wm mixed fruit wine in pH 4 and inoculum size 5, and sensory evaluation revealed that the attributes of the wine were acceptable to the majority of the respondents. This study showed that acceptable wine can be produced from mixed fruits banana and watermelon using yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Presence of carbapenem resistance in hybrid Escherichia coli pathovars from ready-to-eat fresh-cut fruits in Accra, Ghana.

This study reports the presence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli hybrid pathovars and its prevalence in 200 fresh-cut fruits from Accra. Standard culture methods were used to quantify microbial indicators and E. coli on fresh-cut fruits retailed in formal and informal outlets in Accra. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic resistance profile of E. coli, while multiplex PCR was employed to identify the virulence and carbapenem-resistance genes. Escherichia coli prevalence in cut fruits was 17%, with pawpaw, watermelon, and mixed fruit having higher prevalence than pineapple. Of the 34 E. coli isolates from fresh-cut fruits, 44% showed broad resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, while 5.9% showed carbapenem resistance. The study identified virulence genes associated with all E. coli isolates, including stx1, stx2, escV, and ipaH, of which 97% were hybrid pathovars bearing genes for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli/enteropathogenic E. coli/enteroinvasive E. coli. The carbapenemase gene, blaIMP, was associated with both carbapenem-resistant E. coli phenotypes identified. Despite a low-carbapenem-resistance prevalence observed among E. coli isolates, hypervirulent hybrid strains of E. coli is present in fresh-cut fruits in the sampling area, posing a potential public health risk to fresh-cut fruit consumers.

An analysis of the relationship between domestic trade costs and the dietary quality of Chinese residents

Abstract Domestic trade flow in China is an indispensable factor affecting food availability to the public. The aim of this study is to focus on the cost of domestic trade within China and the dietary health of Chinese residents. Based on the China-regional input-output tables and the CHNS micro-database, we calculated China’s domestic trade costs and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) of Chinese urban and rural residents. We find that domestic trade costs are negatively correlated with residents’ whole grain and mixed beans, vegetables, fruits, beef, mutton, poultry, and aquatic products consumption, having a significant negative influence on residents’ dietary quality score. Domestic trade costs can influence residents’ food consumption structure by affecting income and traditional market scores. Domestic trade costs have a greater negative influence on the dietary quality of rural residents, low-income residents, and elderly residents. The results suggest that reducing domestic trade costs increased residents’ food consumption and improved their dietary quality. Increasing the people’s income and stimulating traditional markets can alleviate the decline in dietary quality of the population caused by an increase in domestic trade costs.

To assess the effect of selected locally available beverages on salivary pH, flow rate, and oral clearance rate among adults

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of selected locally available beverages on salivary pH, flow rate, and oral clearance rate among adults. Materials and Methods: A quantitative diagnostic method for dental caries would improve oral health, which directly affects the quality of life. The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a solution is, with 7 being neutral. When the pH of plaque drops below normal, or &lt;5.5, the acidity starts to dissolve minerals and destroy the tooth’s enamel. This clinical trial will be conducted on 40 subjects. Test beverages will be Red Bull, mixed fruit juice, tea, and sweetened milk. Unstimulated salivary samples will be collected for each study subject at least 1 h after their breakfast. After the collection of baseline salivary samples, the subjects will be given one beverage to drink, and then stimulated saliva samples will be collected at fixed time intervals. A digital pH meter will be used to measure the pH at every step. Statistical Analysis: This will be carried out using SPSS version 17, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey’s test will be applied in the statistical tests. Results: The maximum drop in pH was seen in the case of carbonated beverage (Red Bull), the oral clearance for all the liquid food items was achieved at 14 minutes. Conclusions: Liquids had a considerable cariogenic and erosive potential despite their quick clearance from the mouth cavity. it is always recommended to limit beverage consumption to maintain good dental health.

Isolation And Identification of Bacteria Associated With Bioelectricity Generation From Fruit Wastes And Gutter Sludge Using Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) In Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

Bioelectricity generation is another environmentally friendly mean of waste management, commonly carried out using microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. The present work aims to generate bioelectricity from the fruit wastes using microbial fuel cells (MFC) technology and to isolate and identify bacteria during bioelectricity production. Fruit samples from different fruit wastes of banana, lemon, orange, water melon and pawpaw were collected from Na’ibawa-Yanlemo fruit market’s dump site in Kano metropolis, Kano State Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), organic matter (OM), Temperature and pH of slurries of individual and mixed fruit wastes were determined. Biochemical tests such as voges-proskauer test, oxidase test, catalase test, citrate test and sugar fermentation (TSI) test was also carried out using standard procedures. Generation of bioelectricity was monitored and recorded within a constructed seven dual chambered microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with wasted fruit as readily available materials. Current, current density, power and power density produced from different waste samples for twenty days was also recorded as bioelectricity generated from microbial fuel cells. Bacterial counts at the beginning and end of bioelectricity generation was also recorded from different fruits waste samples for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The result of pH mean value of slurries of individual fruits is recorded to be all acidic with lemon having the highest acidity recorded as 3.45±0.62. The pH mean value of the mixed fruit was recorded as7.1±0.23. Waste pawpaw fruit had 6±0.62 % the percentage of organic matter among all the individual waste fruits while the mixed fruit combined had 10±0.62 % mean value of percentage organic matter (OM). Two (2) bacterial genera were biochemically identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Esherichia coli. The highest generation of voltage (mV) from microbial fuel cells was achieved from gutter, mixed fruit and orange as 650, 400 and 390 mV respectively. The peak highest current produced was achieved from orange waste samples as 0.7mA/m2 at day fourteen. Waste lemon had the highest colony count among all the fruits at the beginning and end of the bioelectricity generation of 2.2×103 and 4.12×102 respectively. Mixed fruits had the colony count of 2.10×105 and 7.20×103 at the beginning and end respectively.

Biosynthesis, antimicrobial and in vitro antiproliferative activities of silver/silver chloride nanoparticles from mixed fruit extracts of Capsicum frutescens and Tamarindus indica

Silver/silver chloride nanoparticles were formed by treating mixed extracts of Capsicum frutescens and Tamarindus indica (CT) with 5 mM AgNO3 in sunlight for 120 min, which was confirmed by a UV–visible spectrophotometer as a comparatively sharp peak was observed at 465 nm. Crystalline properties of Ag/AgCl-NPs were examined through X-ray diffraction method. The nearly spherical shape of Ag/AgCl-NPs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and the average size of particle was approximately 72.2 nm. The existence of elemental Ag was assessed with an energy-dispersive spectrometer whereas two major functional groups as capping agents were obtained using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The CT extract-mediated Ag/AgCl-NPs showed moderate toxicity determined against brine shrimp nauplii with an LD50 value of 177.9 μg/mL. The nanoparticles showed 92.6 % growth-suppressive activity against S. aureus, 81.1 % against S. boydii, 60.3 % against S. dysenteriae, and 50 % against E. coli at the concentration of 50 µg/mL in disc diffusion assay. The recorded free radical scavenging activities of Ag/AgCl-NPs were 55.79 % at 60 µg/mL for DPPH and 64.93 % at 100 µg/mL for ABTS. MTT colorimetric assay confirmed the antiproliferative activity of Ag/AgCl nanoparticles against EAC and MCF-7 cells (42.7 % and 47.4 %) at concentrations of 50 µg/mL and 128 µg/mL, respectively.

Production and evaluation of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of fruit jam from star fruit, hog plum and black plum

Tropical fruits such as black plum, star fruit, and hog plum are excellent sources of phytochemicals which are essential for human health but the back drop of these fruits is their perishability, leading to tones of postharvest losses. To address these concerns, these fruits could be utilized in jam processing to further extend their shelf lives. This research work on production and quality evaluation of mixed-fruit jam produced from star fruit, hog plum, and black plum using mixture experimental design of response surface methodology was undertaken to improve the utilization of these underutilized fruits in jam processing. The produced mixed fruit jams were assessed for physicochemical and antioxidant properties using standard methods. Statistical analysis and optimization of mixture variables were carried out using Design-Expert software version 6.0.8 while means were separated using ANOVA and significance accepted for p≤0.05 using Duncan ranged multivariate test using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 22. Result of analysis for physicochemical properties showed that pH of the fruit jams ranged from 3.41 to 4.46, titratable acidity 0.33 to 0.48 %, total solids 44.35 to 75.07 %, while the range of 53.22–74.65°Brix was recorded for total sugar and 19.94 to 25.64 mPas for viscosity. Antioxidant properties of the fruit jams ranged from 310.34 to 471.57 mg/ml for DPPH and ranged from 526.64 to 650.26 mmol.AAE/g for FRAP. The result of mixture variable optimization showed that optimal responses, jam should be produced from fruit combination comprising 8.43 %-star fruit, 91.57 % black plum and 0 % hog plum with 60 % desirability or experimental run comprising 5.08 %-star fruit, 90.39 % hog plum and 4.53 % black plum with 58 % desirability

Investigating Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, and Hydrogen Sulphide Content in Agricultural Waste during Biogas Production

The agricultural industry produces a substantial quantity of organic waste, and finding a suitable method for disposing of this highly biodegradable solid waste is a difficult task. The utilisation of anaerobic digestion for agricultural waste is a viable technological solution for both renewable energy production (biogas) and waste treatment. The primary objective of the study was to assess the composition of biogas, namely the percentages of methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulphide. Additionally, the study aimed to quantify the amount of biogas produced and determine the methane yield (measured in NmL/g VS) from different agricultural substrates. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) measurements were conducted in triplicate using the BPC Instruments AMPTS II instrument. The substrates utilised in the investigation were chosen based on their accessibility. The substrates used in this study comprise cattle manure, chicken manure, pig manure, tomato plants, tomatoes, cabbage, mixed fruits, mixed vegetables, dog food, and a co-digestion of mixed vegetables, fruits, and dog food (MVMFDF). Prior to the cleaning process, the makeup of the biogas was assessed using the BIOGAS 5000, a Geotech Analyser. The AMPTS II flow cell automatically monitored and recorded the volume of bio-methane produced after the cleaning stage. The data were examined using the Minitab-17 software. The co-digestion of mixed vegetables, mixed fruits, and dog food (MVMFDF) resulted in the highest methane level of 77.4%, followed by mixed fruits at 76.6%, pig manure at 72.57%, and mixed vegetables at 70.1%. The chicken manure exhibited the greatest levels of ammonia (98.0 ppm) and hydrogen sulphide (589 ppm). Chicken manure had the highest hydrogen sulphide level, followed by pig manure (540 ppm), tomato plants (485 ppm), mixed fruits (250 ppm), and MVMFDF (208 ppm). Ultimately, the makeup of biogas is greatly affected by the unique qualities of each substrate. Substrates containing elevated quantities of hydrogen sulphide, such as chicken manure, require the process of biogas scrubbing. This is because they contain substantial amounts of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, which can cause corrosion to the equipment in biogas plants. This emphasises the crucial need to meticulously choose substrates, with a specific focus on their organic composition and their capacity to generate elevated methane levels while minimising contaminants. Substrates with a high organic content, such as agricultural waste, are optimal for maximising the production of methane. Furthermore, the implementation of biogas scrubbing procedures is essential for efficiently decreasing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide levels in biogas. By considering and tackling these problems, the effectiveness of biogas generation can be enhanced and its ecological consequences alleviated. This strategy facilitates the advancement of biogas as a sustainable energy source, hence contributing to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Functional evaluation of pure natural edible Ferment: protective function on ulcerative colitis.

To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of a novel drink termed "Ferment" in cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its influence on the gut microbiota. In this study, we developed a complex of mixed fruit juice and lactic acid bacteria referred to as Ferment. Ferment was fed to mice for 35 days, before inducing UC with Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt. We subsequently investigated the gut microbiome composition using 16S rRNA sequencing. After Ferment treatment, mouse body weight increased, and animals displayed less diarrhea, reduced frequency of bloody stools, and reduced inflammation in the colon. Beneficial bacteria belonging to Ileibacterium, Akkermansia, and Prevotellacea were enriched in the gut after Ferment treatment, while detrimental organisms including Erysipelatoclostridium, Dubosiella, and Alistipes were reduced. These data place Ferment as a promising dietary candidate for enhancing immunity and protecting against UC.

Impact of date-based energy bar intake on postprandial appetite, metabolism and thermogenesis

Research studies suggest that date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits provide a superior nutritional and health benefits, compared to other fruits (1). They are rich source of many essential nutrients including carbohydrates, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. The date palm fruits are produced in many countries around the world and about 10-15% of the total production is lost or sold extremely at low prices (2, 3). Despite these, date fruits have been rarely used as an ingredient in commercially available energy bars. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of newly formulated date-based energy bar (DBEB) (4) intake on subjective appetite, postprandial metabolism, energy substrate oxidation and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT).Twenty-seven healthy male adults (mean ± SD, aged 20.8 ± 3.5 years with body weight of 66 ± 8 kg) participated in a randomised crossover design study. Each participant conducted two experimental arms and was investigated prior to (baseline) and for three-hours after consumption of either a date- based energy bar (DBEB) or an isocaloric and macronutrient matched mixed fruit-based energy bar (FBEB) as control arm. The DBEB contained significantly less fructose and glucose, but more sucrose and fibre than FBEB. Both experimental arms involved blood sampling, subjective appetite, and indirect calorimetry measurements. At the end of each experiment, an ad libitum buffet meal was provided. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and two-way ANOVA.Time-averaged composite appetite and satiety scores were not significantly different between control (FBEB) and DBEB arms. Energy intake during ad libitum buffet was also not different between arms. Metabolic rate measured at baseline and during post-ingestion of the bars were not significantly different between FBEB and DBEB arms (arm effect, P&gt;0.05). Thermic effect of bars calculated as percentage increase in metabolic rate above RMR during whole postprandial duration was (mean ± SE) 9.5 ± 1.6 % in DBEB arm and 8.7 ± 1.3 % in the FBEB arm (arm effect, P&gt;0.05). Rates of carbohydrate and fat oxidation were also not different between the two arms (arm effect, P&gt;0.05) Time-averaged concentrations of blood glucose, insulin and triglycerides were similar between the study arms.The obtained results suggest that energy bars based on dates or mixed fruits produce similar effects on postprandial appetite, fat and carbohydrate oxidation, thermic effect and cardiometabolic risk factors. Date fruits can be used as rich source for carbohydrate and energy. However, future research should investigate the impact of date-based energy bars on antioxidant capacity and other health related markers.

Upscaling Biogas Production using Fruit Waste (Pawpaw, Watermelon and Banana) Co Digested with Cow Dung, and Gutter’s Sludge

Nigeria faces a significant challenge of fruit waste due to improper handling and transportation practices, leading to damage and microbial contamination, resulting in environmental pollution. These wastes can be utilized to produce biogas which is environmentally safer and cleaner. This study explores the potential of using fruit waste (Pawpaw, Watermelon, and Banana) as substrates co-digested with cow dung and gutter sludge to upscale biogas production. Physicochemical analyses of the substrates and inoculums was conducted, followed by construction of pilot biogas digesters, and then isolation of methanogenic bacteria. A combination of single and mixed fruit ratio were added into the digesters with the cow dung and gutter sludge as co-digesters. For the up scaling, a 25L digester was constructed and the best mix ratio from the pilot digesters were fed into the digesters. Isolation of methanogens was carried out to access which substrate or inoculum had greater potential in the production of biogas individually or when co-digested by the presence of methanogenic colonies after incubation. The results revealed similar physicochemical parameters among the fruit waste substrates, while cow dung and gutter sludge showed variations, particularly in carbon-nitrogen ratios. The pilot study demonstrated that the mix ratio containing all three fruits, co-digested with cow dung and gutter sludge, produced the highest methane yield (11.2%). In upscaling, a 25L digester produced gas efficiently, albeit with some depletion over time, possibly due to methanotroph activity or exposure to sunlight. Methanogenic colonies were successfully isolated from lower dilutions of gutter sludge. This study highlights the potential of fruit waste as a valuable substrate, particularly when co-digested with cow dung and gutter sludge, which can serve as an effective inoculum due to the presence of methanogens.