Food Sources Research Articles

The Hydrophobic Amino Acid-Rich Fish Collagen Peptide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice via Repairing the Intestinal Barrier, Regulating Intestinal Flora and AA Metabolism.

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing annually, but treatment option is limited. Fish collagen peptide (FCP) is a food source collagen peptide that has shown promise in alleviating UC symptoms. However, its impact on the intestinal barrier and intestinal metabolic homeostasis in UC remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the peptide sequences and absolute amino acid (AA) content of FCP, assessing its effects on UC in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). FCP was examined by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The 3% DSS was utilized to induce UC in murine models, followed by the assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of FCP. Clinical manifestations of UC mice were meticulously evaluated and scored. Subsequently, samples were procured for histological examination and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity analysis as well as macrogenomic and metabolomic profiling. Here, it shows that abundant peptide sequences and AAs were in FCP, particularly enriched in hydrophobic AAs (HAAs). Furthermore, it was observed that FCP effectively reversed colon shortening and reduced the extent of histological damage. Additionally, FCP suppressed the abnormal expression of inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier proteins and modulated the dysbiosis of gut microbiota toward a balanced state. These alterations led to the activation of intestinal alkaline AA and various AA metabolisms, ultimately contributing to the mitigation of UC symptoms. In summary, the diverse peptide sequences and high AAs in FCP, particularly rich in HAAs, can alleviate DSS-induced UC via preserving intestinal barrier integrity, regulating gut microbiota, and modulating AA metabolism.

Advancing Circular Economy in Olive Oil Production: Comparing Maturation Systems for Vermicompost Creation from Olive Pomace

The production of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) creates by-products like olive pomace, which brings environmental issues due to its strong odors and the challenges involved in storage. To address this within a circular economy framework, this study explores the potential of olive pomace as a nutrient source for earthworms, aiming to transform it into a beneficial soil amendment. Key nutrients in the pomace, such as polyphenols, sugars, and organic matter, were examined for their effectiveness in nourishing earthworms. Four distinct treatments were applied to the pomace: mechanical mixing, aeration, a combination of both, and no treatment. For a period of 30 days, chemical parameters including pH, polyphenol levels, and moisture content were monitored, while earthworm preferences were assessed at Centro Lombricoltura Toscano (CLT). The study revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of the pomace depending on the treatment, especially regarding polyphenol and total sugar content. These changes influenced the palatability for earthworms, with the combined treatment producing the most appealing pomace, likely due to the increased nutrient availability. Ultimately, olive pomace has promising potential to be repurposed into a nutrient-dense soil amendment, alleviating environmental concerns and contributing to more sustainable waste management within the olive oil industry.

Manures base on Oreochromis niloticus for agricultural use

ABSTRACT Objective: Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) meal was evaluated as a source of nutrients in agriculture, through a composting process mixed with a zero tillage soil. Design/methodology/approach: Two manures were formulated, mixing flour and soil at a 30:70 ratio (mass/mass w:w) respectively. Compost A was maintained at 60 days of composting (ddc), compost B at 30 days. The phytotoxicity of the manures was evaluated as percentage of germination in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) seeds. Results: The N-P-K ratio (% dry mass) was 1.90-2.06-0.30 for manure A (60 ddc), and 2.60-2.24-0.34 for B (30 ddc). On germination, 100% concentration; manure A had 44.9% and B 19.6%, compared to the control. For concentration of 10% it was 93.7 and 111.4%, manure A and B, respectively. Limitations on study/implications: It is necessary to carry out more phytotoxicity tests. In this experiment, dilutions were made in the manures to increase germination. Findings/conclusions: The use of manure based on tilapia meal in agriculture is proposed in the future and in this way take advantage of the waste from fish processing. Keywords: Fish meal, compost, tomato, soil improver

Advances in Grape Seed Oil Extraction Techniques and Their Applications in Food Products: A Comprehensive Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Global wine production has grown, resulting in an increase in waste within the industry. This has raised concerns among producers and scientists worldwide, prompting them to seek solutions for its management. The aim is to explore the latest advancements in using grape seed oil as a byproduct and its applications within the food industry. To achieve this, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database covering the period from 1990 to 2023. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on extraction techniques, compositions, properties, and innovative applications in food. A bibliometric analysis revealed that interest in grape seed oil has grown over the past fifteen years. The majority of research on this grape byproduct is concentrated in Asian countries. Grape seed oil is a rich source of lipophilic compounds, including fatty acids, phytosterols, and vitamin E, which provide antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The literature indicates that only oil obtained through pressing is used in food products, such as meat products, dairy drinks, and chocolates, either directly or in emulsions. These findings suggest that further research and innovation are needed to explore how this waste can be used in new food sources, particularly in countries with high wine production.

Advances in Emerging Non-Destructive Technologies for Detecting Raw Egg Freshness: A Comprehensive Review

Eggs are a rich food source of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. However, the egg industry faces some challenges such as microbial invasion due to environmental factors, leading to damage and reduced usability. Therefore, detecting the freshness of raw eggs using various technologies, including traditional and non-destructive methods, can overcome these challenges. As the traditional methods of assessing egg freshness are often subjective and time-consuming, modern non-destructive technologies, including near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, computer vision (color imaging), hyperspectral imaging, electronic noses, and nuclear magnetic resonance, have offered objective and rapid results to address these limitations. The current review summarizes and discusses the recent advances and developments in applying non-destructive technologies for detecting raw egg freshness. Some of these technologies such as NIR spectroscopy, computer vision, and hyperspectral imaging have achieved an accuracy of more than 96% in detecting egg freshness. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current trends in the state-of-the-art non-destructive technologies recently utilized in detecting the freshness of raw eggs. This review can contribute significantly to the field of emerging technologies in this research track and pique the interests of both food scientists and industry professionals.

A new species of Diacheopsis (Myxomycetes) and a new habitat for myxomycetes

ABSTRACT We describe a new species, Diacheopsis resinae (Myxomycetes), collected from a microhabitat new for myxomycetes: stem wounds of coniferous trees (Norway spruce) where the resin is overgrown with a community of resinicolous fungi. The 80 known collections come from the Vosges (France), the Black Forest (Germany), Swabian Alp (Germany), and several localities in Denmark and Norway. Observations, but as well as metabarcoding of substrate samples with fungal (ITS [internal transcribed spacer]), bacterial (16S rDNA), and myxomycete (18S nuc rDNA) primers from eight trunks, revealed the new myxomycete to co-occur with resin-degrading ascomycetes (Infundichalara microchona, Lophium arboricola, Zythia resinae). The gram-negative bacterial genera Endobacter and Sphingomonas were found to be abundant in the substrate and may be a food source for the myxomycete. Fruit bodies were found mostly during the more humid winter season, with a peak in January/February. Partial sequences of two independent molecular markers (18S nuc rDNA, EF1α [elongation factor 1-alpha] gene) were obtained for 41 accessions, which form a monophyletic cluster in a two-gene phylogeny of Stemonititidales but do not group with other species of Diacheopsis, thus rendering this genus paraphyletic. The new species, although exclusively developing sessile sporocarps and morphologically undoubtedly falling into the genus Diacheopsis, is most closely related to species of Lamproderma, especially L. album, L. zonatum, and L. zonatopulchellum. Within D. resinae, three groups can be differentiated, which show nearly complete reproductive isolation, as judged from a recombination analysis of the two unlinked markers and the allelic combinations of the EF1α gene.

Role of Plant Phytochemicals: Resveratrol, Curcumin, Luteolin and Quercetin in Demyelination, Neurodegeneration, and Epilepsy

Polyphenols are an important group of biologically active compounds present in almost all food sources of plant origin and are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capabilities. Numerous studies have indicated their broad spectrum of pharmacological properties and correlations between their increased supply in the human diet and lower prevalence of various disorders. The positive effects of polyphenols application are mostly discussed in terms of cardiovascular system well-being. However, in recent years, they have also increasingly mentioned as prophylactic and therapeutic factors in the context of neurological diseases, being able to suppress the progression of such disorders and soothe accompanying symptoms. Among over 8000 various compounds, that have been identified, the most widely examined comprise resveratrol, curcumin, luteolin and quercetin. This review focuses on in vitro assessments, animal models and clinical trials, reflecting the most actual state of knowledge, of mentioned polyphenols’ medicinal capabilities in epilepsy, demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system.

Sewage-and fertilizer-derived nutrients alter the intensity, diversity, and toxicity of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic lakes

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are promoted by excessive nutrient loading and, while fertilizers and sewage are the most prevalent external nutrient sources in most watersheds, the differential effects of these nutrient sources on CHABs are unknown. Here, we tracked CHABs and performed experiments in five distinct lakes across the Northern US including Lake Erie. Fertilizers with ammonium and orthophosphate, membrane (0.2 μm)-filtered sewage (dominated by reduced forms of nitrogen) sand-and membrane-filtered sewage (dominated by nitrate), and an inorganic nutrient solution of ammonium and orthophosphate were used as experimental nutrient sources for CHABs at N-equivalent, environmentally realistic concentrations. Phytoplankton communities were evaluated fluorometrically, microscopically, and via high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, and levels of microcystin and the δ15N content of particulate organic nitrogen (δPO15N) were quantified. Fertilizer and both sources of wastewater increased the abundance of cyanobacteria in all experiments across all five lakes (p < 0.05 for all) whereas effects on eukaryotic phytoplankton were limited. Sand-filtered sewage contained less P, organic matter, and ammonium but more nitrate and had a 25% less potent stimulatory effect on cyanobacteria than membrane-filtered sewage, suggesting nitrification may play a role in reducing CHABs. Fertilizer increased microcystin levels and decreased the δPO15N whereas wastewater increased δPO15N (p < 0.05 for all). Microcystis was the genus most consistently promoted by nutrient sources (p < 0.05 in all experiments), followed by Cyanobium (p < 0.05 in 50% of experiments), with increases in Microcystis biomass consistently elicited by membrane-filtered wastewater. Collectively, results demonstrate that differing types of sewage discharge and fertilizers can promote CHAB intensity and toxicity, while concurrently altering CHAB diversity and δPO15N. While membrane-filtered sewage consistently favored Microcystis, the discharge of sewage through sands muted bloom intensity suggesting sand-beds may represent a tool to remove key nutrients and partially mitigate CHABs.

Public health concern of antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants in E. coli isolates from oysters in Egypt

The emergence of critical-priority E. coli, carrying a wide array of resistance and virulence factors through food sources, poses a significant challenge to public health. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of oysters sold in Egypt as a source for E. coli, identify their resistance and virulence-associated gene profiles, and assess associated zoonotic risks. A total of 33 pooled fresh oyster samples were obtained from various retail fish markets in Egypt and examined bacteriologically for the presence of E. coli. Antimicrobial resistance was performed by the disk-diffusion method, and the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MAR) was calculated. All isolates were screened for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX−M, and blaOXA−1), plasmid-mediated AmpC blaCMY−2, and carbapenemases (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaOXA−48) genes by Polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the presence of virulence-encoding genes was investigated. The virulent MDR strains were clustered using R with the pheatmap package. The prevalence of E. coli was 72.7% (24 out of 33), with 66.7% of the isolates classified as multi-drug resistant, and 75% exhibited MAR values exceeding the 0.2 threshold. Different antimicrobial sensitivity phenotypes and genotype profiles were identified in E. coli isolates. The most prevalent gene detected among all isolates was blaTEM (22/24, 91.7%). Notably, all non-ESBL producers were positive for blaCMY2. Carbapenem-resistant and carbapenem-intermediate strains were carbapenemase producers, with the predominance of the blaKPC gene (11/24, 45.8%). Remarkably, twelve out of sixteen virulence genes were identified, with papC (21/24, 87.5%) and sfa (16/24, 66.7%) genes being the most prevalent. Most isolates carry virulence genes primarily associated with extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) (87.5%) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) (70.8%) pathotypes. Four E. coli isolates exhibit cluster patterns. This study provides the first insight into the emergence of virulent MDR E. coli among oysters in Egypt. It underscores the potential role of oysters as a source for disseminating these strains within aquatic ecosystems, presenting a possible threat to public health.

Effect of Optimization Use of Nutrient on Yield and Productivity of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University Gangrar, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) during Rabi season of 2023-24 to effect of optimization use of nutrient on yield and productivity of mung bean, variety “SML-832‟ was used in this study. The required quantities of fertilizers as per treatments were applied. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications consisting of ten treatments. The data recorded maximum yield attributes such as number of pods per plant (13.35), number of seed per pod (8.52), grain yield (1170.55 kg/ha), stover yield (3260.47 kg/ha) and maximum net return (67329.45 Rs/ha) and B:C ratio (2.28) was recorded with T8-100% RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) + Vermicompost @ 1.0 t ha-1 + Rhizobium. The minimum yield and profitability obtained with control treatment. Therefore, conclude be application of 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 1.0 t ha-1 + Rhizobium are indigenous sources of nutrient to enhance yield and productivity of mung bean.

Analisis Kelayakan Usaha dan Nilai Tambah Olahan Kedelai Menjadi Tempe pada UMKM Super Murni Kecamatan Bekasi Selatan Kota Bekasi

Agriculture plays an important role in providing food sources that support the survival of society. The growth of the agro-industrial sector not only provides economic benefits for businesses but also contributes to improving the welfare of farmers and the sustainability of the agricultural sector as a whole. Soybean as a multifunctional crop can be utilised to make various culinary delights including tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food. The main objective of this study, conducted by Super Murni MSME, is to evaluate the added value contributed in one production and the business feasibility of tempe production at Super Murni MSME. By considering prices, inputs, and outputs, a value-added analysis approach using the Hayami method and R/C ratio is needed to determine the feasibility of the company. The results showed that the added value required by Super Murni MSMEs in one production of tempe geblekan reached IDR 23,072 or around 61%, using the value-added ratio, the margin obtained reached IDR 21,348 for tempe geblekan. As for tempe lonjoran, the added value is IDR 35,372 or around 71%, with a profit of IDR 31,205. The calculation of business feasibility using the R/C ratio shows a figure of 1.25 for tempe geblekan which indicates that the Company can develop based on the R/C ratio criteria and an R/C ratio of 1.00 for tempe lonjoran which indicates that this business can be developed because it does not experience losses or profits (break-even) to be operated.

Synthesis and Characterization of Caladium bicolor-Stabilized Iron Nanoparticle

Caladium bicolor samples were collected, thoroughly washed, shade dried, cut into small pieces, oven-dried and ground. Distilled water was added to the ground C. bicolor samples and heated. It was then filtered after heating, and the filtrate stored. To 0.05M solution of FeCl3 was added the extract and stirred. The solution was then filtered and the residue oven dried. This synthesized NP was characterized with Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Braunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The results from these analyses were characterised by attributes that indicated a successful synthesis of Caladium bicolor-incorporated Iron nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was also carried out on the Caladium bicolor extract and synthesized NPs. Some of the results include O-H stretching (3291.50 cm-1) which is characteristic of alcohol functional group. Alkane is suspected due to C-H stretching at 2919.20 cm-1 and alkene due to C=C stretching at 1628.11 cm-1. Iron (III) chloride vibrations are suspected at 639.22 cm-1 (Fe-Cl stretching). DSC shows exothermic peaks at 323.6°C and 335.5°C and endothermic peaks at 105.7°C and 251.3°C. These results confirmed the presence of iron NPs. The use of plant extracts to synthesize nanoparticles (NP) has become increasingly desirable due to its low cost and non-toxic nature. Caladium bicolor fits this role because of its cheapness and not a food source for man or animals. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized using iron (III) chloride and Caladium bicolor extract.

In Situ Videography Quantifies Temporal and Spatial Variation in Prey Consumption and Energy Intake by Stream‐Dwelling Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

ABSTRACTIn stream ecosystems, invertebrates are a principal source of prey for many fishes, but their abundance as a food source depends on the predator's ability to exploit them in time and space. Although salmonid fishes are commonly thought of as daytime drift‐feeding predators of invertebrates in streams, they exhibit great flexibility in foraging behaviour and may also consume prey from the benthos and at night. Char species, (Salvelinus sp.), in particular, may be better adapted to forage under low light conditions due to greater scotopic sensitivity than other salmonids. In this study, we used in situ or in place videography to quantify the foraging behaviour of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and determine when and where they capture prey. We found that bull trout were primarily daytime predators of invertebrates drifting in the water column, and that they rarely captured prey from the benthos or foraged at night. We did observe size‐related differences and seasonal declines in foraging rate from summer to fall months. A modelled estimate of energy intake indicates that daytime drift‐feeding by small size classes of bull trout was above that needed for a maximum daily ration under a range of assumptions about prey size and prey retention rates. Energy intake rates for larger fish were more dependent on assumptions of preferred prey size and prey retention rates. Our data indicate that daytime measures of invertebrate drift abundance and size are the most inclusive measure of food abundance for stream‐dwelling bull trout.

The Brazilian case as a beacon to increase crop production in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Maize is one of the major agricultural commodities in the world, and a source of food in Africa, representing more than 40 million ha currently harvested on the continent. Despite sub-Saharan Africa's dependence on grain, the maize actual yield (Ya) of the crop is low when compared to its potential yield. In Brazil, the yield-gap between Ya and water-limited yield (Yw) is approximately 50% of Yw. The objective of this study was to carry out a case study, using upland maize as a reference to identify a set of agricultural areas with similar soil and climate in Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The climatic similarity between Brazil and SSA countries was verified, seeking homogeneous climatic zones that occur in both regions. The Ya was determined including the data of at least the last three years of cultivation and were taken from the database of the national institutes of agricultural statistics. The climatic data showed that the SSA had well-distributed rainfall throughout the crop season, being higher than in Brazil, as well as the average air temperature. The average Yw was 11.3 and 7.4 Mg/ha for Brazil and SSA, respectively. Maize Ya in SSA was 1.4 Mg/ha, while in Brazil Ya was 5.2 Mg/ha. Ya represented approximately 9% of Yw in the SSA. The low Ya shows the large yield-gap found in SSA. With this, it is evident that the technologies used and the crop management are largely responsible for the yield differences between Brazil and SSA.

Prickly postglacial pioneers: freshwater plankton community composition influences fatty acid desaturase (FADS2) copy number in southern Greenland threespine sticklebacks

The adaptation of marine fish to freshwater environments includes prodigious examples of rapid evolution.Given the scarcity of ω‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) in freshwater, we expect selection to be strong on fish transitioning to freshwater habitats and yet the underlying ecological causes of genomic and phenotypic differentiation are poorly understood for traits associated with lipid content and composition. Threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus have repeatedly colonized, and adapted to, freshwater habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. These freshwater populations often show elevated copy number of the fatty acid desaturase 2 gene (FADS2), which increases the biosynthetic capacity of LC‐PUFA. The starkly lower content of LC‐PUFA in freshwater compared to marine prey, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), likely imposes strong positive selection on freshwater fish for either increased biosynthesis or greater dietary acquisition of LC‐PUFA. The recently colonized and relatively undisturbed threespine stickleback populations in postglacial coastal lakes of southern Greenland offer an exceptional opportunity to study how variation in the copy number of FADS2 is related to abiotic and biotic conditions of lakes and their morphometry. As expected, given its position on the stickleback X chromosome, we found strong sexual dimorphism in FADS2 copy number in all populations (19 freshwater, 1 marine and 1 brackish), and an increased dimorphism in some freshwater populations. We also found that FADS2 copy number was negatively correlated, for both males and females, with the abundance of copepods, which are a DHA‐rich food source in the zooplankton community. Overall, our results suggest that the prey community context of lakes might influence the process of metabolic adaptation of marine fish colonizing freshwater ecosystems.

Genomic perspectives on foodborne illness

Whole-genome sequencing of bacterial pathogens is used by public health agencies to link cases of food poisoning caused by the same source of contamination. The vast majority of these appear to be sporadic cases associated with small contamination episodes and do not trigger investigations. A "contamination episode" refers to one or more contamination events from a single source over a period of time. We examine clusters of sequenced clinical isolates of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria that differ by only a small number of mutations (SNPs) to identify features of the underlying contamination episodes. These analyses provide additional evidence that the youngest age groups have greater susceptibility to infection by Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter than older age groups. This age bias is weaker for the common Salmonella serovar Enteritidis than Salmonella in general. A large fraction of the contamination episodes causing sickness appear to have a long duration. For example, 50% of the Salmonella cases are in clusters that persist for almost 3 y. For all four pathogen species, the majority of the cases were part of genetic clusters with illnesses in multiple states and likely to be caused by contaminated commercially distributed foods. Salmonella infections in infants under 3 mo are predominantly acquired from the same contaminated food, pet food, or environmental sources as older individuals, rather than infant formula contaminated during production.

Genomic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates recovered from human and poultry in Australia and New Zealand, 2017 to 2019.

We used genomic and epidemiological data to assess and compare the population structure and origins of Campylobacter, a major foodborne pathogen, in two neighbouring countries with strong trade and cultural links, similar poultry production systems and frequent movement of people and food products. The most common sequence types (STs) differed between Australia and New Zealand, with many unique to each country. Over half of all STs were represented by a single isolate. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) genotypes were detected in 0.8% of all samples, with no MDR isolates detected in poultry. Quinolone and tetracycline resistant ST6964 was prevalent in New Zealand (10.6% of C. jejuni). Closely related isolates suggested some similar food sources or contacts. We have shown that there is little genetic overlap in human and poultry STs of Campylobacter between the countries, which highlights that this common foodborne pathogen has domestic origins in Australia and New Zealand.

Seed-Specific Dynamics: Unraveling Progeny Emergence Patterns in <em>Tribolium castaneum</em> (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Infestations

Edible seeded crops are important nutrient source for both human and animals. Among the various causes of grain losses before consumption, stored-product pests claim an important place. Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) damages a wide array of food commodities including grains, during storage, but the information on progeny emergence on certain commodities still remains unexplored. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the progeny development of T. castaneum in commonly used edible seeds during storage. Twenty, one-month-old T. castaneum adults were introduced to 30 g samples of each seed type, with four replicates tested. Except for dhal and groundnut, all the other edible seed types were used only as whole seeds. Test samples of dhal and groundnut were used in their whole form as well as 50% broken seeds. Samples were maintained at 30±1°C and 65±1% relative humidity. After 7 days, adults were removed, and samples were kept for progeny development. Progeny adults and larvae were counted at 30 and 60 days. The adult progeny emergence was highest in oats, sesame and proso millet (Meneri). Larval emergence was higher in dhal (50% broken), groundnut (50% broken), barley and proso millet (Meneri). These findings provide important insights into the infestation of edible seeds by T. castaneum and opens-up avenues for adopting suitable methods to protect these during storage. As the presence of broken seed enhances the progeny development of T. castaneum, preventing such occurrences during grain processing and maintaining cleanliness are important practices during postharvest operations.

Hemoglobin level and common mental disorder among school adolescent girls in Central Ethiopia: Structural Equation Model.

The prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and anemia is observed to be on the rise over time, adversely affecting the health and overall quality of life among adolescents. Extensive literature corroborates the significant impact of anemia on cognitive development, intelligence and developmental milestones. Nevertheless, the linkage between hemoglobin level and CMD emerging during adolescence remains relatively unexplored. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between hemoglobin level and CMD as well as the mediating factor among school adolescent girls residing in Central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was conducted among adolescent girls attending schools in Silti Woreda, Central Ethiopia, comprising a total sample size of 516 individuals during the period from October 2-20, 2023. Hemoglobin level was adjusted for altitude, while CMD was evaluated utilising the summation score of a 20-item Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Data were analysed through fitting Structural Equation Model and the maximum likelihood estimation method. Goodness of fit was assessed using the χ2The -test statistic, Comparative Fit Index, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Standardised Root Mean Square Residual, Non-Normed Fit Index, Pclose and coefficient of determination (R2). The prevalence of CMD was 22.3% (95% CI: 18.6%-25.8%). Hemoglobin level (UTE = -0.73, CI: -0.93, -0.53) and experience of morbidity symptoms (UTE = 1.05; CI: 0.74, 1.38) were significantly associated with CMD. Furthermore, hemoglobin level is significantly influenced by morbidity frequency symptoms (UDE = -0.63, CI = -0.77, -0.49) and animal source food (ASF) (UDE = 0.09, CI = 0.01, 0.17). Hemoglobin level has been identified as a significant mediator of the experience of morbidity symptoms and ASF on CMD. However, household food insecurity and wealth index had no significant association with CMD. A significant proportion of adolescent girls face CMD, often linked to a lower hemoglobin level. Having a significant association with CMD, the hemoglobin level is found to mediate a significant effect of morbidity symptom experience and ASF on CMD. Hence, addressing early infection prevention, promoting ASF and treating anemia are promptly needed.

REIMAGINING SOUTH AFRICA’S URBAN FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION THROUGH THE LENS OF INFORMAL FOOD SECTOR: THE CASE OF BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY

The African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN)survey found that over 70% of low-income households in South Africa sourced their food from informal outlets. Despite the importance that the informal food retail sector plays in food security, it remains neglected by policy support and institutional funding. The paper focused on the role of local informal food markets in addressing urban household food security in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM), South Africa. This paper argued that informal food markets including food vendors have a potential to improve household food insecurity levels but face many barriers. The study sought to identify these barriers and make an understanding of how these local food markets adopt coping mechanisms in meeting their basic needs including addressing household food insecurity. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected from 40 food vendors, particualrly street vendors and home-based enterprises in the township of Duncan, through interviews, observations, and archival research. Interviews included semi structured interviews to gather insights from street vendors, while interviews with city officials provided key informant perspectives. This study’s findings show that households without access to networked infrastructure use informal food markets as: (i) a food source, (ii) a food kitchen and a cookstove and (iii) a refrigerator, to purchase their foodstuff and other ready-to-eat meals.