Non-food Use Research Articles

Beyond Subsistence: Toxic burrfishes and non-food-based economies among the Calusa complex fisher-hunter-gatherers of the American Southeast

Many animal species exploited by humans play important roles beyond simply consumption. While disentangling the diverse roles of animals and animal resources from the archaeological record can be difficult, it is especially important for establishing holistic perspectives of past lifeways and economies. Recent zooarchaeological investigations at the Mound Key site in southwestern Florida have identified unique assemblages containing unprecedented numbers of burrfishes (Diodon spp. and Chilomycterus schoepfii) remains, represented only by their maxillae and dentaries. Through this case study, I evaluate the potential use of burrfishes by the Calusa of southwestern Florida to explore non-food-based economies in a complex fisher-hunter-gatherer society. The lethal toxicity of burrfishes, combined with the unique composition of elements represented in the assemblages, point towards a non-food use for these species. Here I suggest the deposits at Mound Key likely represent past specialized production and possible use of a toxic resource not often theorized, especially in the US Southeast.

Non-food use of solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dryformed fiberboard technolog

Non-food use of solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dry-formed fiberboard technology. The research investigated the possibility of using solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dry-formed fiberboard technology. The scope of work included the production of boards with a mass content of milk powder of 0%, 10%, 12%, 15%, and 20% (concerning the totally dry mass of wood fibers) and studying their selected physical and mechanical properties. The results show that the properties of the produced boards are related to the mass amount of the binder, and that is, using the right amount of binder makes it possible to obtain values that meet the requirements of the relevant European standards.

Assessment of The Elemental Composition of Ageratum Conyzoides And Its Contribution to Ethno Medicine

This study aimed at assessing the elemental composition Ageratum conyzoides. The leaves of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed), has been acknowledged as a non-food source of ethno medicine associated with the treatment of some ailments. The AAS analysis results indicate that the plant contained elements essential for human nutrition. The data were analyzed and the results showed that Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract contained Ca, Mg, Pb, Zn, Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Cd and Fe were present in the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides. Ageratum conyzoides contains, in addition such acknowledged non-essential and environmentally unfriendly elements as Pb, Co and Cd, which may be a pointer to its non-food use, in combination with its high lipid content. The concentration of minerals in Ageratum conyzoides can be attributed to some of its use such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-poison, anti-allergic and other therapeutic activities.

Spectral Segmentation Augmented with Normalized Cuts for Detection of Early Blight Disease in Potato

Agriculture includes the production of crops, animals, aquaculture, fisheries, and forests for both food and non-food use. The primary factor in the rise of sedentary civilization among humans was agriculture, which allowed people to live in cities by producing surpluses of food from the farming of domesticated species. Uncertainties in the Agricultural Sector directly imply a steep decline in every other aspect of any society. The Agronomical Products, be they raw vegetables, or produced fruits, are all prone to Parasites and Microorganisms. In this research, we will focus on Solanum Tuberosum, and its disease Early Blight, of which, Alternaria Solani is a Causal Vector. For the detection of Early Blight in Potato Leaves, we will make use of the Image Segmentation Technique, based on Spectral Clustering, with Normalized Laplacian Cuts. The model works by segmenting, or rather segregating the affected part of the Potato leaf from the unaffected part, resulting in the formation of a few clusters, based on which the affected leaves can be classified from the healthy leaves. Though the model is a parametrized model, the results have been explored for different values of the parameters, σi, and σx that correspond to the varying configuration of the Gaussian Kernel. The efficiency of the Proposed Model have been compared with existing Image Clustering Models, like, Fuzzy C-means Clustering, Agglomerate Clustering, etc.

The booming non-food bioeconomy drives large share of global land-use emissions

The non-food bioeconomy is widely recognized as a crucial strategy to address climate change. However, the growing non-food demand for biomass, such as bioenergy and bio-based products, is leading to global land use changes and consequent greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a global region- and biomass-specific land-use emissions (LUE) inventory and the Food and Agricultural Biomass Input-Output Model (FABIO) were used to quantify the LUE embodied in global non-food biomass supply chains. The results revealed that in 2013, the LUE induced by non-food biomass demand accounted for over one-quarter of the global LUE, with wood as the dominant contributor (47%), followed by live animals (17%) and oil crops (13%). Additionally, over 876 million tons (Mt) of LUE were associated with international biomass trade for non-food use, mainly from tropical countries/regions (e.g., Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand) to large developing ones (Mainland China and India) and major developed ones (the USA, the EU27 and Japan). This underscores the need for consumption-based accounting of non-food biomass uses, including emissions from land use changes. Furthermore, demand-side measures such as enhancing transparency in international biomass supply chains, establishing monitoring and certification systems for certain bio-based commodities to track LUE, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration are crucial for effectively reducing LUE.

The Comprehension of Halal Certification for Leathercraft Industry in The Local Business

The Halal Product Guarantee Act states that all products circulated and traded in Indonesia must be halal certified, including non-food use items such as leather handicraft products. Moreover, this product is made from animal skin which has many critical points so a halal certificate is needed to guarantee the halalness of the product. Halal certificates are obtained through a certification process that must be fulfilled by producers or entrepeneur. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of understanding of producers or business actors of the leather craft industry about halal certification and to know the obstacles faced by business actors of the leather craft industry about halal certification. This research is qualitative research with a descriptive analysis method. Data collection was obtained through interview techniques with leather craft industry entrepreneurs in Sukaregang Garut. Based on the results of the study, the researcher concluded that entrepreneurs with low understanding were 20%, entrepreneurs with moderate understanding were 40%, and entrepreneurs with perfect understanding were 40%.

Economic, social and environmental spillovers decrease the benefits of a global dietary shift.

Dietary shifts are key for enhancing the sustainability of current food systems but need to account for potential economic, social and environmental indirect effects as well. By tracing physical quantities of biomass along supply chains in a global economic model, we investigate the benefits of adopting the EAT-Lancet diet and other social, economic and environmental spillovers in the wider economy. We find that decreased global food demand reduces global biomass production, food prices, trade, land use and food loss and waste but also reduces food affordability for low-income agricultural households. In sub-Saharan Africa, increased food demand and higher prices decrease food affordability also for non-agricultural households. Economic spillovers into non-food sectors limit agricultural land and greenhouse gas reductions as cheaper biomass is demanded more for non-food use. From an environmental perspective, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions increase as lower global food demand at lower prices frees income subsequently spent on non-food items.

Unfolding women’s role in small-scale fishing community in The Philippines toward formulating a gender-sensitive local government policy

Women have a crucial role in the fishery value chains, from pre-fishing to post-fishing activities; however, the lack of sex-disaggregated local level data aggravates the women’s invisibility and marginalization in the informal fishing industry and community. Generating local knowledge and representation, this study presents women’s role and challenges working in small-scale fisheries in Perez, Quezon, Philippines. Fifty female fisherfolks from the said sector participated in this case study. The results from the field survey indicate that the participants widely dispersed to inland capture fisheries, marine capture fisheries, non-food use production and food fishery production categories. The results also showed that the respondents are scattered across the value chain: active fishing, processing, subsistence fishing, marketing, and pre-fishing activities, in varying intensity and pattern. In contrast to stereotypes that exclusively associate women to gleaning invertebrates, the majority target fish species and other marine invertebrates. Environmental, socio-economic, personal and gender factors are the common constraints that limit their productivity, output, and more importantly their equitable roles and identities. Although coming from a small fishing community, the findings of this study may provide baseline information for relevant local government agency to further intensify profiling on the grounds and to strategically implement gender-sensitive mainstreaming programs.

Changes in the Structure of Crop Production in Slovakia after 2004 Using an Example of Selected Crops

Spatial changes in the structure of crop production have the potential to impact economics and food security in Slovakia. The objective of this study was to analyze the modification of harvested areas, the production and yields of selected crops—cereals, oilseeds, and perennial forages—and their food and non-food use from 2004 to 2020. The results indicated that an increase in the cultivation of large-scale crops (cereals and oilseeds) has occurred at the expense of crops produced for food. Changes in the structure of plant production indicate negative risk factor that reduce the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and threaten Slovakia’s food security. Moran’s global and Moran’s local autocorrelation index were used in the synthesis of the findings. A spatial autocorrelation analysis of the harvest areas of selected crops was used as a practical approach to locate statistically significant areas with high or low crop harvest. This manifested itself as positive spatial autocorrelation.

Ethanol as a Developmental Toxicant

A review of the existing information for ethanol on developmental toxicity concludes a classification as a developmen­tal toxicant in the European Union (EU) is not justified. This review followed the provisions of relevant EU regulations for the hazard assessment of chemical substances. Pertinent rodent data for ethanol is based on studies that used dosing schemes that did not align with current Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines and EU regulations. Human data, on the other hand, suffer from methodological issues such as the insufficient exposure characterization. To close the current knowledge data gap on the potential developmental toxicity of ethanol, further toxicity studies are recommended. Developmental neurotoxicity should be the primary area of interest. In the suggested studies dosing must conform with applicable test guidelines to properly address exposures relevant for human non-food use of ethanol.

Good eggs

Good eggs

Oil and Protein Stability in Some Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) Genotypes

Camelina sativa L. Crantz., which draws attention with its non-food use (biodiesel, animal feed etc.) against the increasing demand for oilseeds worldwide, is a good alternative plant. It is important to identify suitable and stable genotypes for regions along with high protein and oil content. The purpose of this study, camelina genotypes of Turkey in 3 different locations (Ankara, Ankara, Eskisehir) to investigate the quality characteristics in terms of genotype environment interactions in unirrigated and unfertilized conditions. 36 different genotypes, purified lines by negative selection, were analysed with 3 standard genotypes with augmented trial design. Environmental (E), genotype (G) and G × E interactions, which are sources of variation for protein and oil content, have been shown to be important. Oil and protein content were found ranged from 34.35%-37.88% and 25.76%-27.64% respectively. We have obtained important findings in our study to see the performance of Camelina sativa, and the possibility of alternative oil plants for these regions. İn terms of correlation of protein ratio and oil ratio, genotypes with high value that were least affected by each other were determined. The results showed that genotype selection by regions is important in terms of protein and oil ratio.

Physico-chemical profiling of edible or sweet cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) starches from Brazilian germplasm

Edible or sweet cassava (i.e., with cyanide content ≤ 100 mg/kg, hereinafter referred to us as sweet cassava) is a staple food and source of energy in the feed industry and for the starch and ethanol industries. To expand the industrial uses of cassava, an increased emphasis in the search for value-added traits is urged and has not been reported. In this regard, the current study aimed to investigate the Physico-chemical and pasting properties of 40 sweet cassava accessions from the Brazilian germplasm bank. The study prompts us to conclude that there is a large genetic variability among the 40 genotypes. Genotype A0-109 presented higher starch content (61.74%) and the AO-53 higher amylose content (21.65%). Genotypes 82 and A0-79 showed higher and lower swelling power respectively. In general, the typical type “A” of starch crystallinity was observed and higher starch cristallinity for genotype 54 and the lower for genotype 9. Starch from genotype AO-89 need higher pasting temperature. A large proportion of the genotypic variance contained in the phenotypic variance was obtained for pasting temperature (94%), peak viscosity (90%), breakdown, Final viscosity (88%) and amylose content (86%). Genetic advance was higher for amylose content (25.61%) and swelling power (23.98%). Generally, genotypic correlation coefficients were greater than phenotypic. This indicates that the genotypic component of variation was the major contributor to total variation in the studied traits. Genotypes with higher swelling power are suitable for use as thickeners and binding agents for food and non-food use. Those with lower setback are desirable as gelling agents in refrigerated and frozen food products, for in natura consumption or semi-processed products and can be prospected.

The DELTA Model: Understanding the Ability of the Global Food System to Deliver Nutrition

ObjectivesWhile the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the current global food system attracts increasing research, its ability to nourish the global population must be prioritised. Our objective was to produce a computational model illustrating the nutritional adequacy of the current global food system and allow investigation of proposed global food system scenarios. MethodsData from several public databases was collected to describe food production, processing and waste in the global food system. Data was also sourced for global demographics and human nutritional requirements for 29 nutrients. These data were used to construct the DELTA Model. The model takes global food production scenarios as its input and calculates the nutrients available for human consumption, after consideration of animal feed uses, waste and non-food use. This amount of available nutrients was then compared to demographically weighted target daily intakes, allowing the nutritional adequacy of the food system to be quantified. The DELTA Model also includes nutrient bioavailability adjustments for protein and essential amino acids to ensure accurate conclusions are drawn for these nutrients, demonstrated to be pressure points in global nutrition previously. The model is freely available online. ResultsModelling the 2018 global food system showed that neither energy nor protein are limiting under conditions of equal food distribution, even with a population increase of 1 billion. Halving food waste between farm and consumer allows for sufficient energy and protein availability to nourish the forecast 2050 population of 9.7 billion using current production volumes. However, numerous micronutrient insufficiencies emerge in these future scenarios. Considering the bioavailability of protein and amino acids reduced the availability of these nutrients by between 2% and 17% compared to simply considering the content of foods, emphasizing the importance of this consideration. ConclusionsIt is essential that nutritional adequacy is at the forefront of the sustainable food system debate. The DELTA Model allows both experts and non-experts to better understand food system dynamics in global nutrition, aiding the discussion of what changes to the food system may be appropriate. Funding SourcesFunding from the Riddet Institute Centre of Research Excellence.

Bisphenol A and S in the Urine of Newborns: Plastic for Non-Food Use Still without Rules.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of bisphenol (BP) exposure on pregnancy and neonatal life. We have (a) determined BP (BPA and BPS) concentration levels in a group of newborns and their mothers; (b) identified factors, habits, and devices possibly responsible for BP uptake; and (c) determined the effect of BP exposure. No significant correlations were detected between maternal and neonatal BP concentration levels. In newborns, positive correlations between pacifier use and BPS total (p = 0.04) and free BPS (p = 0.03) concentrations were detected. A significant correlation was also found between oral glucose administration and concentration levels of free BPA (p < 0.05). Our study points to a central role of lifestyle, hospital procedures, and neonatal devices in inducing BP exposure, especially during the perinatal period. This is the first report of BP contamination in newborns due to widely non-alimentary products designed for newborn care, such as glucose-solution containers for BPA and pacifiers for BPS. Further studies are advocated in order to clarify both the impact of other BP forms on human health and development, as well as potential BPA exposure sources during neonatal and childhood life.

Cocoa pod husks as potential sources of renewable high-value-added products: A review of current valorizations and future prospects

Cocoa is among the most cultivated and important tropical crops in the world, and it is economically viable in the agro-pastoral systems of tropical Africa. Further, the amount of cocoa residue is steadily increasing due to the strong worldwide demand for chocolate products. This review of cocoa residue found that an average of 18 publications per year were published in the last 10 years. The most common type of publication on cocoa pod husks (CPH) was newspaper articles, which comprised 50% of the publications. This review examines the use of CHP in sustainable development, agrochemical materials, and agro-materials through their potential valorizations into high value-added products. Indeed, CPH is an abundant, accessible, and renewable resource of bioproducts, dietary fibers, nutraceuticals, functional foods, pectin, antioxidant compounds, theobromine, and minerals. Potential food applications of CPH include the production of flavor compounds, gums, texturing agents, and others. The production of biomaterials for food and non-food use, biofuels, and organic acids, such as lactic acid (the polymerization of which produces the PLA used in bioplastic production), are several potential areas for the biotechnological development of CPH and its fractions.

OAT: A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC INGREDIENT FOR FOOD APPLICATIONS

Oat is a cereal grain that is known for its good nutritional composition with extra benefit of the β-glucan as dietary fiber. It is one of the major crop that is grown in different countries as by product or for non-food use. Now researchers and scientists have discovered its phenomenal properties that tends to help the human beings to combat with the ailments. Further, it also act as preventive measure to cure starting point of some chronic diseases such as heart diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes and cancer. Moreover it also acts as antimicrobial, antioxidant and reduces the blood cholesterol level. There is a tremendous increase in the number of oat products in the market that can soon take over the traditional products. These products include whole products, breakfast meals, flakes, porridge, bread, bars, drink like oat milk and yogurt like fermented commodities. Based on these beneficial effects and increasing demand, oat is of major interest for commercial production of novel food products.

Palm seed and fruit lipid composition: phylogenetic and ecological perspectives.

Palms are vital to worldwide human nutrition, in particular as major sources of vegetable oils. However, our knowledge of seed and fruit lipid diversity in the family Arecaceae is limited. We therefore aimed to explore relationships between seed and fruit lipid content, fatty acid composition in the respective tissues, phylogenetic factors and biogeographical parameters. Oil content and fatty acid composition were characterized in seeds and fruits of 174 and 144 palm species respectively. Distribution, linear regression and multivariate analyses allowed an evaluation of the chemotaxonomic value of these traits and their potential relationship with ecological factors. A considerable intra-family diversity for lipid traits was revealed. Species with the most lipid-rich seeds belonged to the tribe Cocoseae, while species accumulating oil in the mesocarp occurred in all subfamilies and two-thirds of the tribes studied. Seed and fruit lipid contents were not correlated. Fatty acid composition of mesocarp oil was highly variable within tribes. By contrast, within-tribe diversity for seed lipid traits was low, whereas between-tribe variability was high. Consequently, multivariate analyses of seed lipid traits produced groupings of species belonging to the same tribe. Medium-chain fatty acids predominated in seeds of most palm species, but they were also accumulated in the mesocarp in some cases. Seed unsaturated fatty acid content correlated with temperature at the coldest latitude of natural occurrence. Several previously uncharacterized palms were identified as potential new sources of vegetable oils for comestible or non-food use. Seed lipid traits reflect genetic drift that occurred during the radiation of the family and therefore are highly relevant to palm chemotaxonomy. Our data also suggest that seed unsaturated fatty acids may provide an adaptive advantage in the coldest environments colonized by palms by maintaining storage lipids in liquid form for efficient mobilization during germination.

COMMODITY STRUCTURE OF EXPORT AND IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS

In the article we analyze the state of development of the domestic agrarian sector of the economy and the tendency of the formation of export batches of products. The current pace of development of the agrarian sector shows that the production of agricultural products is growing faster than the growth of domestic demand, which necessitates the search for new trading partners. This provides an opportunity for expanding foreign markets, receiving currency revenues into the country's economy. We analyzed the commodity structure of the export and import of agricultural and food products. The top 10 agro-food export and import products for 2018 are identified. We have investigated the specifics of trade in agrarian products with the countries of the European Union. We found that the main products of Ukrainian agroexport, which were put on the EU market are cereals and oilseeds. Growth of exports to the EU countries also occurred due to an increase in the supply of niche, processed and prepared food products. As a result of our research, we analyzed the current state of agricultural markets and found that global trends in food consumption (population growth) and non-food use of oilseeds (feed and biodiesel), causes the problem of internal satisfaction of individual needs in many countries of the world, causes significant investments in this branch in Ukraine.

Building Stonehenge? An alternative interpretation of lipid residues in Neolithic Grooved Ware from Durrington Walls

Abstract