Plant Foodstuffs Research Articles

Extruded wholegrain sorghum porridges fortified with baobab fruit and moringa leaves display bioactive phenolics-related health-promoting properties

Background and objectivesFood-to-food fortification (FtFF) is gaining traction as a strategy to enhance nutritional value of cereal-based foods. Sorghum, a major food crop for millions in the semi-arid tropics lends itself to such FtFF efforts. Such food-to-food fortified (FtF fortified) foods also contain bioactive phenolics with health-promoting properties in relation to potential protection against diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) whose prevalence is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the effects of extrusion cooking of sorghum-based porridges FtF fortified with baobab fruit powder and moringa leaf powder on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anti-lipogenic properties were determined. FindingsFtFF porridges showed higher phenolic content (phenolic acids and their esters, flavonoids and their glycosides) and greater radical scavenging properties and reduction in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) compared to unfortified porridges. Extruded instant porridges had lower phenolic content, radical scavenging properties and showed less reduction in AGEs compared to conventionally wet-cooked porridges. All porridges exerted antioxidant effects in Caco-2 cells and FtFF inhibited nitric oxide (NO) formation in RAW 264.7 cells. Extracts from all porridge samples exhibited prevention and reduction of adipocyte formation in 3 T3-L1 cells, indicating anti-lipogenic effects. ConclusionFtFF (with moringa and baobab) and extrusion cooking can be used to produce instant porridges from wholegrain sorghums with targeted health-promoting properties to address rising non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Significance and noveltyThis study highlights the potential of FtFF with tropical plant foodstuffs to improve health-promoting properties of cereal wholegrain-based starchy staple foods.

Depositing skeletal remains in Czech and Moravian ossuaries and associated climatic variations

AbstractSamples of the bones of 47 individuals from 46 Czech and Moravian ossuaries were dated by the 14C method and analyzed for the collagen isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). Most of the data for the ages of the remains corresponded to the cooler and damper periods described over the past 1000 years. Of the studied samples, the greatest number of remains corresponded to the Spörer (1400–1570), Dalton (1790–1830) and Wolf minima (1280–1350). One sample studied falls within the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). It can be assumed that these minima are connected with a reduced production of food and fodder, that may have initiated famines, epidemics and armed conflicts. Individual climatic minima showed positive correlations between δ13C and δ15N values, indicating that the individuals studied consumed complementary plant or animal diets to different degrees. The elevated δ15N values in our studied samples compared to the skeletal compositions of the population of the La Tène period (380 – 150 BC) and Germanic inhabitants in the territory of Bohemia (5th–6th centuries AD) and Great Moravia (9th–early 10th centuries AD) might reflect the effect of greater consumption of animal proteins or the proteins of omnivorous animals and fish, which compensated for the lack of plant foodstuffs during the colder periods.The isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen of the bone collagen for the Spörer and Dalton minima differs from the Wolf minimum. The younger minima show higher δ15N values for a given δ13C value.

Common Methods of Extraction and Determination of Phytomelatonin in Plants.

The presence of melatonin in plants, called phytomelatonin, has gained great interest in recent years. The determination of phytomelatonin levels in plant extracts for both physiological and plant foodstuff studies requires sophisticated techniques due to the low endogenous levels of this indolic compound with hormonal nature. This chapter presents the most common and advanced techniques in the determination of phytomelatonin, with special emphasis on the techniques of extraction, cleaning, separation, detection, identification, and quantification. Multiple examples and recommendations are presented for a clear overview of the pros and cons of phytomelatonin determinations in plant tissues, seeds, and fruits, mainly.

Two related families of metal transferases, ZNG1 and ZNG2, are involved in acclimation to poor Zn nutrition in Arabidopsis.

Metal homeostasis has evolved to tightly modulate the availability of metals within the cell, avoiding cytotoxic interactions due to excess and protein inactivity due to deficiency. Even in the presence of homeostatic processes, however, low bioavailability of these essential metal nutrients in soils can negatively impact crop health and yield. While research has largely focused on how plants assimilate metals, acclimation to metal-limited environments requires a suite of strategies that are not necessarily involved in metal transport across membranes. The identification of these mechanisms provides a new opportunity to improve metal-use efficiency and develop plant foodstuffs with increased concentrations of bioavailable metal nutrients. Here, we investigate the function of two distinct subfamilies of the nucleotide-dependent metallochaperones (NMCs), named ZNG1 and ZNG2, that are found in plants, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a reference organism. AtZNG1 (AT1G26520) is an ortholog of human and fungal ZNG1, and like its previously characterized eukaryotic relatives, localizes to the cytosol and physically interacts with methionine aminopeptidase type I (AtMAP1A). Analysis of AtZNG1, AtMAP1A, AtMAP2A, and AtMAP2B transgenic mutants are consistent with the role of Arabidopsis ZNG1 as a Zn transferase for AtMAP1A, as previously described in yeast and zebrafish. Structural modeling reveals a flexible cysteine-rich loop that we hypothesize enables direct transfer of Zn from AtZNG1 to AtMAP1A during GTP hydrolysis. Based on proteomics and transcriptomics, loss of this ancient and conserved mechanism has pleiotropic consequences impacting the expression of hundreds of genes, including those involved in photosynthesis and vesicle transport. Members of the plant-specific family of NMCs, ZNG2A1 (AT1G80480) and ZNG2A2 (AT1G15730), are also required during Zn deficiency, but their target protein(s) remain to be discovered. RNA-seq analyses reveal wide-ranging impacts across the cell when the genes encoding these plastid-localized NMCs are disrupted.

A Cross-Sectional Study: Animal and Vegetable Protein Intake Among Preschool Children

Protein is one of the macronutrients needed in child growth, which can be obtained from animal and plant foodstuffs. Protein intake gets more attention because energy-protein malnutrition is more common in children under five. Protein nutrition for children must be fulfilled to prevent growth retardation in the next phase. This research aims to establish a profile of preschool children's animal and vegetable protein intake. This type of research is descriptive observational with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted at Bina Anasprasa Nuris Jember Kindergarden in March 2023. The sample in this study was preschool children aged 3-5 years, totaling 53 people who were taken by purposive sampling. Food consumption data for children was obtained using the 1x24-hour food recall method. Processing and analysis of data using univariate analysis. Preschool girls have more than boys (67.9% and 32.1%). The majority of mothers are not working/housewives (62.3%), while the majority of fathers are self-employed (45.3%). Most families have income above the 2023 Jember UMK (62.3%). Nutritional status with indicators of weight/age, height/age, weight/height of all preschool children has normal, normal, and good nutritional status (100%). Total protein intake increased slightly for boys and families whose income was above the minimum wage. Meanwhile, the intake of vegetable and animal protein sources in preschool children is similar but slightly higher in vegetable protein. Animal protein food ingredients still have high biological value because they contain all essential amino acids compared to vegetable protein. Therefore, preschoolers need to increase their consumption of animal protein food ingredients in their daily diet.

High heat on the tell: An archaeobotanical view on house burning and socioeconomic relationships at the Neolithic Vinca site (SE Europe)

Buildings destroyed by fire are frequently discovered at sites of the Neolithic Vinca culture of south-eastern Europe. The social context and practical aspects of prehistoric house burning have long been studied through the analyses of architectural and artefactual remains and through experimental building and firing of wattle-and-daub structures. In contrast, very few studies have used the remains of plant foodstuffs from within and under the house rubble to address the cultural and technical particulars of this widespread tradition. At the Neolithic Vinca tell, several burnt buildings preserved hoards of wild pear and emmer grain, along with minor traces of other plant foods. Three of these burnt buildings date to the final decades of the Neolithic Vinca settlement, whose dissolution and abandonment seem to have been abrupt and continue to puzzle archaeologists. We examine the find-context and morphological characteristics of the wild pears and emmer and use our observations to discuss whether the burning was deliberate or accidental. Based on the archaeological and other available evidence, we suggest that these Vinca houses were set ablaze intentionally. Further, we propose that the prominence of emmer and pear can reflect a possible economic differentiation among the households and perhaps even incipient specialisation in food production. Our assumption is that such tendencies would have, in effect, both increased and decreased the economic independence of individual households. This would have had (negative) implications for social relationships in the time of apparently eroding social cohesion of the Vinca community.

Pengaruh Penambahan Zat Kapur dan Lama Perendaman Terhadap Kadar Sianida pada Singkong (Manihot Esculanta Crantz)

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) or also known as cassava has a high carbohydrate content and has become the third staple food source after maize and rice. Cassava also contains linamarin and lotaustralin poisons which belong to the cyanogenic glycoside group. Cyanogenetic glycosides are compounds found in plant foodstuffs and are potentially very toxic because they decompose and release hydrogen cyanide. This study aims to determine the cyanide acid content in cassava before being soaked in lime solution and to determine the cyanide acid content in cassava after soaking in lime solution with concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1% and 2% for 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours. Using argentometry method. Soaking with lime concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1% and 2% does not affect the cyanide acid levels, which affects the cyanide levels, namely the long soaking time which is 2 hours can reduce the cyanide acid levels. up to 50%, soaking time of 4 hours reduced 62.5% and soaking time of 6 hours reduced up to 75% the level of cyanide acid contained in cassava. Based on the research, it can be concluded that the soaking time greatly affects the decrease in cyanide levels found in cassava. Suggestions should try measurements using instrumentation methods.

Plant and agricultural handicraft and in the in Eastreu Arabic until the End A The prophet Mission's era

This research aims to identify the crafts and industries of agricultural crops in the Arabian Peninsula until the end of the era of the message, which had a clear and important impact on the lives of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, where these crafts and industries are different, including food and bread making, as well as the types of bread that existed at that time. As well as the uses of food dates, in addition to the manufacture of wines and the manufacture of oils, as well as dealing with the wooden industries (carpentry), as well as identifying the tools used by carpenters in this important craft, and getting acquainted with wood and its multiple uses in many important areas, whether in peace or war, as well as the miswak uses that it has become. A great affair since the advent of Islam, and the manufacture of ships, weapons and trigger, as well as dealing with chairs and household appliances to save the materials and toiletries that women used at that time, which were made of wood, playing tools, fibers and sticks, as well as getting to know the architecture (building) that was present in the regions. The Arabian Peninsula, where the method of construction differs, and the identification of industries, including textile and sewing, as well as plant foodstuffs It is used for tanning, uses of henna and gum, uses of vegetable dyes, the manufacture of perfumery (perfume) and fodder, and palm trees and their uses, as well as to identify the trade of manufactured materials in the Arabian Peninsula, including internal and external.

Genomic characteristics of a novel strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum X7021 isolated from the brine of stinky tofu for the application in food fermentation

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum X7021 is a novel strain originated from the brine of stinky tofu. In order to investigate the application potential of the strain in food industry, the genomic characteristics as well as some metabolic features were studied using comparison genomics and transcriptional assay. The complete genome of X7021includes a 3,407,054 bp chromosome with 3259 protein coding sequences, and 6 plasmids. L. plantarum strains, WCFS1, JDM1, and ST-III were selected for comparative genomic analysis. Results revealed that X7021 is safe for the application in foods with less antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. The strain has 25 complete phosphotransferase system transporters and strong proteolytic system for its adaptability to various foodstuffs. The strain containes a complete purine metabolic pathway incorporating 4 permeases, resulting in the reductions of 38.9% guanine, 26.1% hypoxanthine and 70.2% xanthine during the soymilk fermentation. Soy isoflavone glycosides could be converted to corresponding aglycones by two β-glucosidases. The strain could grow in 700 mg/L nitrite and entirely degrade 100 mg/L nitrite during 24 h based on highly active nitrite transporter and nitrite reductase. Accordingly, the results suggest that L. plantarum X7021 is a prospect starter candidate for the fermentation of plant foodstuffs.

Incorporation of Natural Blueberry, Red Grapes and Parsley Extract By-Products into the Production of Chitosan Edible Films.

The aim of the research was to produce edible packaging based on chitosan with the addition of various concentrations of extracts of blueberry, red grape and parsley marcs. Packaging was made from extrudate extracts, which were subsequently analyzed by physicochemical methods: zeta-potential, gas barrier properties, thickness, water content, solubility, swelling degree, textural properties, total polyphenol content (TPC), polyphenols by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), antioxidant activity, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-Transform spectroscopy (FTIR), antimicrobial activity and determination of migration of bioactive substances. The results indicate that a higher content of plant extracts have a statistically significant (p < 0.05) influence on properties of experimentally produced edible films. Edible films produced with the highest concentrations of red grapes marc extracts showed the most advantageous properties since antimicrobial activity against E. coli were the highest in this kind of produced film. The physical properties of edible films were also improved by the addition of extracts; gas permeability toward oxygen can be defined as advantageous, as can swelling degree, which decreased with higher concentrations of extracts. The research emphasized the possibility to use plant foodstuffs by-products in the production of edible/biodegradable films, helping in the overall sustainability and eco-friendliness of food/package production.

Effects of chestnut hydrolysable tannin enrichment in the artificial diet of forager bees, Apis mellifera

Hydrolysable tannins are polyphenolic molecules contained in plant foodstuffs, potentially toxic for animals. Since tannins have been found in some bee products such as bee pollen, propolis, and honey, this work aimed to test the effects of tannins dietary assumption on bees’ health. Results showed that supplementation of honey bees diets with 0.05% (w/w), as naturally amount reported in the honey, and 0.5% (w/w) of tannins significantly reduced bees’ survival in a dose-dependent manner. In honey bees fed with a 0.5% tannins-enrichment diet a significantly decreased phenoloxidase activity than those fed with a 0.05% tannins-enrichment diet and with only syrup was recorded. Conversely, glucose oxidase activity significantly increased in honey bees fed with 0.5% tannins-enrichment diet than those with a 0.05% tannins-enrichment diet and only syrup. No differences were detected in glutathione S-transferase activity between honey bees fed with tannins-enrichment diets and syrup. Therefore, a naturally amount of hydrolysable tannins in foods can weakly affect bee wellness, whereas high levels of tannins can have a negative impact on honey bees’ immunity and metabolism leading to a reduction of lifespan.

A rapid and simple measurement method for biofilm formation inhibitory activity using 96-pin microtiter plate lids.

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and simple measurement method for biofilm formation inhibitory activity, and to screen food additives and foodstuffs that inhibit biofilm formation. The measurement method for biofilm formation inhibitory activity was developed by combining biofilm formation on pins of microtiter plate lids and staining using crystal violet. The optimum conditions for biofilm formation on the pins were established for seven Gram-positive and six Gram-negative bacteria by investigations of media, incubation time, and pin materials. Minimum concentrations of food additives required to inhibit biofilm formation were determined using the proposed method. The values obtained by the proposed and conventional methods agreed well. In addition, by sequential measurements of minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations using the proposed method, mechanisms of inhibition of biofilm formation were assessed. Furthermore, inhibitory activities of the water extracts of 498 different plant foodstuffs on biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans were measured; five of the extracts showed potent inhibitory activities. The method proposed here circumvents the tedious and time-consuming conventional method in which biofilms are cultivated on the bottom of wells of microtiter plates.

Current Incidence and Contamination Sources of Ascariasis in Japan

Ascaris lumbricoides or roundworm is one of the key soil-transmitted helminths affecting humans. A small number of infections continue to occur in Japan, suggesting plant foodstuff contamination as the source of infection. To understand the current status of ascariasis incidence and to identify potential sources of infection, we extensively surveyed the available literature and collected data from testing facilities that examined clinical samples or foodstuffs. We observed that from 2002 onwards, there was a decrease in the number of ascariasis cases reported in scientific journals. Data from a clinical testing facility indicated that the number of detected cases declined remarkably from 2009. Foodstuff testing facilities reported that 11 of 10,223 plant foodstuff specimens were contaminated with anisakid nematodes but not with Ascaris. Imported kimchi was suspected as the most probable source of ascarid nematode infection, as one Ascaris egg-positive sample was detected among 60 kimchi samples in a testing facility. Therefore, the sources of Ascaris infection are still not fully known and need to be clarified to establish preventive countermeasures to safeguard Ascaris infections that continue to occur in Japan.

Gastrointestinal survival and potential bioactivities of Lactobacillus curieae CCTCC M2011381 in the fermentation of plant food

Abstract Lactobacillus curieae CCTCC M2011381 is a novel strain isolated from stinky tofu brine. In order to evaluate the potential of the strain in fermenting plant foodstuff and possible bioactivity produced in fermentation, the growth of the strain in soymilk, soy protein isolate and ginkgo nut beverages was studied firstly. Cell counts of the strain could increase 4 log CFU/mL after 20 h of growth in all materials. The scavenging ratio of diphenyl picryl hydrazinyl radical was improved by the fermentation due to total flavonoids content increase, peptides formation, and efficient transformation of soy isoflavone glycoside to aglycone. Meanwhile, the fermentation significantly enhanced the inhibitions of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase of all the three materials. The highest inhibition of 67.2% was achieved by the fermented ginkgo nut beverage. The fermentation also significantly raise the inhibition of angiotensin I converting enzyme of soy protein isolate and ginkgo nut beverages. Finally, the strain was verified survival in mice gastrointestinal tract within all the fermented matrices. The highest cell count, 5.14 log CFU/g faeces, was detected at 5 d after the gavage of fermented soy protein isolate beverage. Accordingly, L. curieae has the prospect as the starter culture in fermentation of plant foodstuff.

Agronomic biofortification as a means of enriching plant foodstuffs with iodine

Iodine is indispensable in the diet of humans and other mammals and iodine deficiencies cause serious illnesses. The content of iodine in food (with the exception of marine foodstuffs) does not meet the nutritional needs of humans, and for this reason prophylactic iodination of salt is currently carried out in many countries. Biofortification of plants with iodine can become a widespread, alternative means of supplying iodine-rich foods. In the present study, we discuss the main issues related to the cultivation of plants enriched with iodine. We describe the effect of various forms of iodine fertilizer on crops, such as natural iodine sources, organic iodine, iodate and iodide salts, as well as ways of biofortifying crops: fertigation, foliar and soil application, and by hydroponics. Effective biofortification of plants with iodine increases its concentration to levels corresponding to human nutritional requirements whilst preserving the desirable eating qualities of the plants. Because each species reacts in a specific manner to a particular chemical form of iodine application, fertilization and cultivation methods, and other conditions, the development of proper cultivation technologies is essential to bring about widespread biofortification with iodine.

Land use in agricultural landscapes with chernozems contaminated after Chernobyl accident: Can we be confident in radioecological safety of plant foodstuff?

Agricultural land use in the area of the post-Chernobyl Plavsk radioactive hotspot (Tula region, Central Russia) has raised a problem of radioecological safety of obtained plant foodstuff. Verification of 137Cs activities and inventories in components of “soil-plant” systems of the territory has been conducted in 2014–2017 in 10 agrosystems and 2 semi-natural meadows. It was revealed that density of 137Cs contamination of arable chernozems and alluvial calcareous soils nowadays varies in a range 140–220 kBq/m2 and exceeds radiation safety standard by ˜ 3.5–6 times. Deep plowing of the arable soils up to 30-cm in 1986–1987 resulted in decreasing of 137Cs inventories in rooting zone by ≈ 70% for crops cultivated with shallow disk plowing (wheat, barley), and by ≈ 35% for crops cultivated with middle plowing (buckwheat, amaranth, white mustard). The investigated plants and their compartments can be grouped on the basis of transfer factor values as follows: maize (stems and leaves) > amaranth > bromegrass > vegetation of dry meadow, galega, sunflower (seeds), vegetation of wet meadow > maize (grain), soybean (pods), barley (grain), buckwheat (grain), potatoes (tubers) > white mustard (seeds), wheat (grain). It is noticeable that generative plant compartments are characterized by less 137Cs activities in comparison with stems and leaves; and that 137Cs root uptake is not coincide with total flux of mineral nutrients in “soil-plant” systems. In sum, 137Cs soil-to-plant transfer in the area of the Plavsk radioactive hotspot is characterized by considerable discrimination, so 137Cs activities in plants are completely in accordance with national standards.

Improving iron and zinc bioaccessibility through food-to-food fortification of pearl millet with tropical plant foodstuffs (moringa leaf powder, roselle calyces and baobab fruit pulp).

Essential mineral (iron and zinc) deficiencies are still prevalent in the Semi-arid Tropics, where many people consume monotonous, predominantly cereal-based diets. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of including tropical plant foodstuffs high in iron and zinc (moringa leaves and roselle calyces) or mineral availability enhancers (baobab fruit pulp) in a pearl millet-based food containing a plant food-based provitamin A source, with the aim of preventing iron and zinc deficiencies in the Semi-arid Tropics. Mineral bioaccessibility was assessed by dialysability assay. Moringa, roselle and baobab considerably increased iron and zinc bioaccessibility when added at 10 parts:100 parts pearl millet (dry basis). These foodstuffs, increased the contribution to the absolute iron requirements of women of reproductive age by 2.5, 2.1 and 2.3 times for moringa, roselle and baobab, respectively and to their absolute zinc requirements by 2.4, 2.1 and 2.7 times, respectively. Combining these plant foodstuffs could contribute up to 28% and 41% of the women's absolute iron and zinc requirements, respectively, from a single meal. Moringa, despite having the highest iron content, when added at a very high level (30 parts:100 parts pearl millet) decreased bioaccessible iron and zinc, most probably primarily due to its high calcium content. Food-to-food fortification of staple cereal foods with moringa leaves, roselle calyces or baobab fruit pulp plus a provitamin A source can potentially sustainably improve iron and zinc bioavailability in the diets of at-risk communities in the Semi-arid Tropics.

Comparison between food-to-food fortification of pearl millet porridge with moringa leaves and baobab fruit and with adding ascorbic and citric acid on iron, zinc and other mineral bioaccessibility

Mineral deficiencies remain high in Africa, especially in rural communities subsisting on monotonous cereal-based diets. The effects of adding locally available plant foodstuffs rich in minerals, namely moringa leaf powder and promoters of mineral bioavailability, namely baobab fruit powder at 15:100 parts pearl millet porridge on mineral bioaccessibility was compared with ascorbic acid and citric acid addition. Percentage bioaccessible and total bioaccessible iron were improved only in millet + baobab and millet + citric acid, by 36%, and 52%, and by 30%, and 52%, respectively compared to millet alone. Only inclusion of citric acid improved zinc bioaccessibility. However, millet + moringa reduced bioaccessible zinc, probably because of the phenolics, very high calcium content and low organic acid content in moringa. Baobab, moringa and citric acid inclusion improved calcium and magnesium bioaccessibilities. Notwithstanding its high phenolic content, natural fortification of cereal porridge with baobab fruit enhances iron, calcium and magnesium bioaccessibility. This is probably because it is rich in both citric acid and ascorbic acid. It is nearly as effective as citric acid addition in enhancing bioaccessibility of these minerals and its inclusion in staple cereal food products could be a useful alternative or complement to conventional fortification for communities in rural semi-arid Africa.

Selective and sensitive determination of Cd(II) ions in various samples using a novel modified carbon paste electrode

Based on the highly toxic effects of Cd(II) on the aquatic environment and the human health, identification and evaluation of such pollutants is required. Efficient and economic electrodes for sensitive and selective detection of this element are very important. In this study, carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with lanthanum tungstate ion exchanger was assembled for potentiometric assay of Cd(II) ions. The prepared sensor exhibited a Nernstian response for Cd(II) within a wide working range of 8 × 10−8–1 × 10−1 mol L−1, with a slope of 29.4 ± 0.12 mV/decade. It has been specified by a low detection limit of 8 × 10−8 mol L−1 and a short response time of ~ 5 s and can be utilized efficiently up to 22 weeks without any significant errors in the potential determination. The standard electrode potentials, E°, and the isothermal temperature coefficient (dE°/dt) of the sensor were estimated at various temperatures. The obtained results indicated that the nominated electrode has efficient performance to estimate Cd(II) in its pure solutions and other various real samples (river water, plant foodstuff, industrial wastewater, nickel cadmium battery, and fish tissue samples).

Human activity during the late Pleistocene in the Lop Nur region, northwest China: Evidence from a buried stone artifact

The Lop Nur region, in the east part of Tarim Basin, was an important transportation junction between west and east, north and south Eurasia. However, previous studies on prehistoric human activity have concentrated mostly on the Bronze Age, whereas that during the Stone Age remains largely unresearched. Here, we present a new direct evidence of human activity in the late Pleistocene, recorded on a grinding stone buried in a lacustrine sediment section of the Lop Nur region. The grain size distribution of the sediment section indicates that the site was probably in the center of a lake with weak hydrodynamic environment. Therefore, the stone artifact can only be carried to here by people instead of river and it was never move as soon as left here. Results of radiocarbon dating, the evident stratigraphic relations between the stone artifact and the sedimentary formation, indicate that the human activity could extend to approximately 13 ka BP. Furthermore, the results of starch-grain and use-wear analyses suggest that ancient humans gathered seeds of Triticeae, roots, and tubers and used the grinding stone to simply process selected plant as plant foodstuffs during this period. It implies that the environmental conditions in the river delta of the Lop Nur were inhabitable during the late Pleistocene.