Food Production Potential Research Articles

High-transparency clear window-based agrivoltaics

A number of modern glass and window products based on novel glazing designs, low-emissivity thin-film coatings, and proprietary fluorescent interlayer types have been developed recently. Advanced windows of today can control properties such as thermal emissivity, heat gain, colour, and transparency. In novel glass products, solar energy harvesting through PV integration is also featured, enabled by either patterned-semiconductor thin-film energy conversion surfaces, or by using luminescent concentrator-type approaches to achieve higher transparency. Typically, semitransparent and also highly-transparent PV windows are purpose-designed, for applications in construction industry and agrivoltaics (greenhousing), to include special types of luminescent materials, diffractive microstructures, and customized glazing systems and electric circuitry. Recently, significant progress has been demonstrated in building integrated high-transparency solar windows (featuring visible light transmission of up to 70%, with electric power output Pmax ∼ 30−33 Wp/m2, e.g. ClearVue PV Solar Windows); these are expected to add momentum towards the development of smart cities and advanced agrivoltaics in greenhouse installations. At present (in 2023), these ClearVue window designs are the only type of visually-clear and deployment-ready construction materials capable of providing significant energy savings in buildings, simultaneously with a significant amount of renewable energy generation. The objective of this study is to place the recent industrialised development of ClearVue® PV window systems into a broader context of prior studies in the field of luminescent concentrators, as well as to provide some details on the measured performance characteristics of several ClearVue window design types deployed within the building envelope of a research greenhouse, and to elucidate the corresponding differences in their energy harvesting behaviour. An evaluation of the practical applications potential of these recently developed transparent agrivoltaic construction materials is provided, focussing on the measured renewable energy generation figures and the seasonal trends observed during a long-term study. This article reports on the measured performance characteristics of research greenhouse-based agrivoltaic installation constructed at Murdoch University (Perth, Australia) in early 2021.The solar greenhouse at Murdoch University has demonstrated great potential for commercial food production with significant energy savings due to on-site energy production from its building envelope.

Can new healthy luxury food products accelerate short food supply chain formation via social media marketing in high-income countries?

Social media marketing is a promising tool for successful product placement of new healthy luxury food products, a subcategory of superfoods. Despite its growing popularity, no studies have investigated how social media marketing affects consumers' quality perception process for such superfoods and whether this provides opportunities for farmers to gain a competitive advantage in direct marketing channels. Therefore, we integrate media richness theory into the food quality guidance model, compile a data set of 697 German fruit consumers from May to June 2020, and analyze this sample via partial least square analysis. Results show that social media marketing is a viable tool for new healthy luxury food products if media content is highly experience providing. Furthermore, it offers opportunities for the formation of shorter food supply chains as farmers could, through the provision of engaging social media marketing content, sell new healthy luxury food products directly to the final consumer. This research provides implications to farmers, retailers and policy makers to exploit the social media marketing potential of new healthy luxury food products.

Growth kinetics, metabolomics changes, and antioxidant activity of probiotics in fermented highland barley-based yogurt

Fermenting yogurt with plant-based ingredients for nutritional and health benefits is an emerging trend. The growth kinetics, metabolomics changes, and antioxidant activity of probiotics in fermented highland barley-based yogurt were investigated in this study. Highland barley (HB) (Hordeum vulgare, Poaceae) enzyme hydrolyte was mixed with soy protein concentrate as ingredients for preparation of HB-based yogurt fermented by Lactobacillus bulgaricus VHProbi R03 and Streptococcus thermophilus VHProbi R08. After 4 h of fermentation, both strains grew to the stationary phase with the viable counts of 1.9 × 108 CFU/mL for each strain. The viable bacterial count in HB-based yogurt was approximately 9.3 × 107 CFU/mL after 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Compared with the control yogurt made using white sugar (as a substitute for HB enzyme hydrolyte) and soy protein concentrate, HB-based yogurt had higher concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, glycerophosphocholine, hypoxanthine and arginyl-proline, total phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, greater antioxidant activity, and higher sensory scores. In conclusion, HB-based yogurt is a potential novel food product that provides a good source of probiotics and antioxidants.

Improving crop yield potential: Underlying biological processes and future prospects.

The growing world population and global increases in the standard of living both result in an increasing demand for food, feed and other plant-derived products. In the coming years, plant-based research will be among the major drivers ensuring food security and the expansion of the bio-based economy. Crop productivity is determined by several factors, including the available physical and agricultural resources, crop management, and the resource use efficiency, quality and intrinsic yield potential of the chosen crop. This review focuses on intrinsic yield potential, since understanding its determinants and their biological basis will allow to maximize the plant's potential in food and energy production. Yield potential is determined by a variety of complex traits that integrate strictly regulated processes and their underlying gene regulatory networks. Due to this inherent complexity, numerous potential targets have been identified that could be exploited to increase crop yield. These encompass diverse metabolic and physical processes at the cellular, organ and canopy level. We present an overview of some of the distinct biological processes considered to be crucial for yield determination that could further be exploited to improve future crop productivity.

Evaluating Germplasm of Cultivated Oat Species from the VIR Collection under the Russian Northwest Conditions.

Oat is one of the most widespread and important cereal crops in the global agricultural production. Searching for new high-yielding and nutritious forms continues to be relevant, especially under the global trend of climate change, when most local oat cultivars may become economically inefficient. Spring oat accessions from VIR collection served as the material for this study; their origin is diverse, as they came from 11 countries. The basic nutritional value (the content of protein, oil, starch, and β-glucans) and characters important for breeding (plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets, number of grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield) were analyzed in 49 accessions of the cultivated covered oat species: Avena sativa L., A. strigosa Schreb., A. abyssinica Hochst., and A. byzantina Coch., grown under the conditions of the Russian Northwest (Leningrad Province) for two years. Variability parameters, interspecific and intervarietal differences, and the effect of weather conditions were assessed. Sources of useful agronomic traits were identified; they can be used to expand the range of the source material for the development of new high-yielding and highly nutritious oat cultivars adapted to local cultivation conditions. It is demonstrated that the VIR collection has a great potential for contemporary food and feed production and for the breeding of new oat cultivars for various purposes. Thus, the contribution of Nikolai Vavilov to the plant genetic resources investigation for the benefit of humanity is invaluable.

Greenhouse gas emissions of animal-based and plant-based products in Iran

These days, one of the major threats in the world is climate change. It is already proven by a large number of strong evidence that human activities are responsible for these sudden changes. It is expected that in the future mankind will witness more severe consequences of climate change on the amount of precipitation and temperature levels in different regions of the world, and as a result of that, more both physical and economic water scarcity is anticipated to be seen. Each year food production industry produces a considerable amount of greenhouse gases which are the number one factor for global warming. By fluctuations in the groundwater, surface water, CO2 fertilization, and extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts, a drastic impact on agricultural practices is expected to occur in Iran if the current trends are not slowed down or reversed. Any disturbance in food security and quality could lead to malnutrition, food-borne illnesses, or even death. Crop cultivation and livestock have their own unique impact on the total emitted GHGs. Given this, in this study, we analyzed the food production (both animal-based and plant-based), consumption, and global warming potential (CO₂e) of 11 main dietary categories in the Iranian food industry from 2010 to 2019. Moreover, the population growth in the decade was included in the study. The results of this article revealed that vegetable consumption faced a downward trend in the decade while animal protein sources remained almost intact and animal-based food items produce a considerably higher amount of greenhouse gases than plant-based dietary options.

DNA-free genome editing in grapevine using CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes followed by protoplast regeneration.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology can overcome many limitations of traditional breeding, offering enormous potential for crop improvement and food production. Although the direct delivery of Cas9-single guide RNA (sgRNA) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes to grapevine (Vitis vinifera) protoplasts has been shown before, the regeneration of edited protoplasts into whole plants has not been reported. Here, we describe an efficient approach to obtain transgene-free edited grapevine plants by the transfection and subsequent regeneration of protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus. As proof of concept, a single-copy green fluorescent protein reporter gene (GFP) in the grapevine cultivar Thompson Seedless was targeted and knocked out by the direct delivery of RNPs to protoplasts. CRISPR/Cas9 activity, guided by two independent sgRNAs, was confirmed by the loss of GFP fluorescence. The regeneration of GFP- protoplasts into whole plants was monitored throughout development, confirming that the edited grapevine plants were comparable in morphology and growth habit to wild-type controls. We report the first highly efficient protocol for DNA-free genome editing in grapevine by the direct delivery of preassembled Cas9-sgRNA RNP complexes into protoplasts, helping to address the regulatory concerns related to genetically modified plants. This technology could encourage the application of genome editing for the genetic improvement of grapevine and other woody crop plants.

Home gardening in Singapore: A feasibility study on the utilization of the vertical space of retrofitted high-rise public housing apartment buildings to increase urban vegetable self-sufficiency

In land-scarce cities, high-rise apartment buildings may provide vertical spaces for natural-light home gardening along corridors, rooftops, balconies as well as façades. The vertical space can improve not only urban environmental sustainability but also food security. Using an experimental approach, we investigated the food production potential of a high-rise public housing apartment building based on different gardening systems, food crops, and sunlight availability. A gardening prototype system for building corridors was shown to increase the unit area yield of corridor gardening by fivefold compared to a commercial trough planter system. Additionally, this commercial trough planter system was mainly for leafy vegetable production, whereas the gardening prototype system for corridors is also suitable for climbing crops, such as legumes and cucurbits. Nevertheless, because of the limited space along corridors of the apartment building and the relatively low-light levels on average, corridor gardening was estimated to meet only 0.5 % of the demand for vegetables of the residents living in the apartment building. Rooftop gardening with shallow growing medium (depth < 15 cm) was estimated to meet 3 % of demand, and façade gardening 43 %, given the larger space available. Although the vegetable production potential in this study was estimated based on a particular typology of public housing apartment buildings in Singapore, our results showed that vegetable production in public housing apartment buildings is feasible, and home gardening can produce a substantial amount of vegetables for consumption if well deployed. Governments of highly urbanized cities may wish to invest in better home garden designs for high-rise public housing apartment buildings and encourage residents’ participation in home gardening, which would increase high-rise greenery coverage and improve urban food system resilience. Future studies should also investigate the environmental sustainability and food safety aspects of home gardening in highly urbanized cities.

Exploring Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum), Indigenous Fruit of Borneo: A Review of Nutritional Values, Potential Uses, Emerging Application in Essential Oil Processing, and Health Benefits.

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) is a fruit-bearing plant native to Borneo. Its fruit is an indigenous seasonal fruit that is considered to be underutilized due to its short shelf life. However, new products have been developed to ensure a continuous supply of dabai fruit throughout the year. Hence, the exploration of dabai fruits in characterizations and utilization for food products and essential oil has expanded exponentially. This review addresses the nutritional values, health benefits, potential food products, and essential oil processing of dabai fruit. All parts of dabai fruit, such as the pulp, skin, and kernel, contain a considerable amount of bioactive compounds, dietary fiber, and nutrients. Moreover, dabai fruit has also been proven to have health benefits such as an antioxidant capacity, cholesterol reduction, diabetes type 2 prevention, and reduction in the risk of heart disease. Some potential dabai-based food products and oil processing of dabai are also highlighted. The future perspectives and challenges concerning the potential uses of dabai are critically addressed at the end of this review. Based on this review, it is proven that dabai has various health benefits and represents a potential breakthrough in the agricultural and food industries.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) wine as a novel potential functional food product

Throughout human civilization, elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) has been used as a traditional drug and addition to various dishes. Although it is a widespread plant species, it is still being researched and rarely used to obtain new products. In this study, we focused on the chemical and phytochemical composition and biological and pharmacological effects of elderberry wine, obtained by applying different temperature treatments (without temperature treatment – W1; 60 °C, 5 min – W2; 60 °C, 10 min – W3; and 70 °C, 5 min – W4). HPLC-MS/MS and spectrophotometric techniques determined the chemical and phytochemical profiles of obtained wines. The main compounds in analyzed wines were p-Hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic and chlorogenic acids, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-hexoside, and rutin. To assess the biological potential, antioxidant, neuroprotective (acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition), antityrosinase, and antidiabetic (amylase inhibition and glucosidase inhibition) abilities were examined. Wine W4 showed the strongest antioxidant activity, which correlated well with the high phenol content. The best inhibitory effect of β-glucosidase was observed in wine W3. However, the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor was wine W4. The presented results prove elderberry wine's high biological and industrial potential and open new avenues for formulating new products that could be brought to market.

Potential Functional Food Products and Molecular Mechanisms of Portulaca Oleracea L. on Anticancer Activity: A Review

Portulaca oleracea Linn. (P. oleracea L.) has recently gained attention as a functional food due to the chemical composition of this plant regarding bioactive compounds. The special attention to the use of P. oleracea as an ingredient in functional food products is also due to the promotion of sustainable food. It is an unconventional food plant, and its consumption may contribute to preserving biodiversity due to its cultivation in a polyculture system. Food sovereignty may be achieved, among other strategies, with the consumption of unconventional food plants that are more resistant in nature and easily cultivated in small places. P. oleracea grows spontaneously and may be found in streets and sidewalks, or it may be cultivated with seeds and cuttings propagation. The culinary versatility of P. oleracea opens up opportunities to explore the development of sustainable, functional food products. This mini-review shows that functional food products developed from P. oleracea are already available at the research level, but it is expected that more scientific literature focusing on the development of P. oleracea functional products with proven anticancer activities may be released in the near future. Polysaccharides, some phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and cerebrosides are associated with the inhibition and prevention of carcinogenesis through in vitro and in vivo investigations. The anticancer activities of P. oleracea, its bioactive compounds, and the involved molecular mechanisms have been reported in the literature. The importance of further elucidating the cancer inhibition mechanisms is in the interest of forthcoming applications in the development of food products with anticancer properties for implementation in the human diet.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON A BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETER OF SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS.L.)

The waste product obtained from vegetable market, sugarcane and coconut goes as waste. In order to convert these waste into organic compost it is processed and utilized as an economical input in agriculture. Processed three types of compost is used as an excellent soil amendment because of its favourable physical properties in maintaining soil health. In addition to this, it nd its importance in increase in nutrient in Protein, amino acid, fatty acid, carbohydrate and also in Chlorophyll pigments. In a Comparing the organic compost and inorganic fertilizer with NPK organic compost showed signicant result. In organic comparison coconut waste gave best result which as special characteristic of water holding capacity.it deserves to gain he attention of the researcher studied on its usefulness and its potential in food production.

Physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of Mango Sorbet containing L-theanine as a potential functional food product

The non-proteinous amino acid L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with a range of health benefits including improvements in immune function, cardiovascular outcomes and cognition. The aims of this study were to develop a food product (mango sorbet; ms-L-THE) containing physiologically relevant doses of L-THE (0.2/100 g w/w) and determine its antioxidant, physicochemical and sensory properties in comparison to a mango sorbet without L-THE (ms). Total phenolic and flavanol content, and antioxidant analysis (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) were determined spectrophotometrically. Both products were also evaluated for acceptability and likeability in healthy participants using the 9-point hedonic scale. Any differences that could be caused by the addition of L-THE were examined using the triangle test. Results indicated no significant differences between ms-L-THE and ms in taste of the products (p > 0.05), and the ms-L-THE was well received and accepted as a potential commercial product. Findings of the DPPH assay indicated significant difference between the two products (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we have successfully created a mango sorbet that contains a potentially physiologically relevant concentration of L-THE with antioxidant properties that could be used as a novel method of L-THE delivery to clinical and healthy populations.

A Review of the Stress Resistance, Molecular Breeding, Health Benefits, Potential Food Products, and Ecological Value of Castanea mollissima.

Chestnut (Castanea spp., Fagaceae family) is an economically and ecologically valuable species. The main goals of chestnut production vary among species and countries and depend on the ecological characteristics of orchards, agronomic management, and the architecture of chestnut trees. Here, we review recent research on chestnut trees, including the effects of fungal diseases (Cryphonectria parasitica and Phytophthora cinnamomi) and insect pests (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu), molecular markers for breeding, ecological effects, endophytic fungi, and extracts with human health benefits. We also review research on chestnut in the food science field, technological improvements, the soil and fertilizer used for chestnut production, and the postharvest biology of chestnut. We noted differences in the factors affecting chestnut production among regions, including China, the Americas, and Europe, especially in the causal agents of disease and pests. For example, there is a major difference in the resistance of chestnut to C. parasitica in Asian, European, and American countries. Our review provides new insights into the integrated disease and pest management of chestnut trees in China. We hope that this review will foster collaboration among regions and help to clarify differences in the direction of breeding efforts among countries.

Modulating Functionality of Starch-Based Patchy Particles by Manipulating Architecture and Environmental Factors.

Starch as a food-grade thickener has been commonly used in food products to modulate textural properties. Improving viscosity-enhancing ability, so as to be able to use less starch for the same texture, has been considered as an approach to reduce the dietary consumption of carbohydrates. We have positively charged amaranth starch (∼1 μm) and negatively charged corn starch (>10 μm) and physically fused the particles together to create a starch with a heterogeneous pattern. This starch has a negatively charged main body, due to the larger corn particles, and positively charged patches from the amaranth starch. These patchy particles self-assembled through electrostatic interactions into a shear-reversible thickener. The impact of patchiness and charge density on material functionality was investigated. The degree of patchiness was controlled by manipulating the ratio between the two starches, and results showed that viscosity was reduced when the patchiness was higher. With the same patchy area, a higher charge density did not contribute to higher water-holding capacity. The more charged particles were able to enhance the viscosity, however, due to the stronger interparticle electrostatic interaction. The effects of environmental factors including pH level and ionic strength were also investigated, and the results showed that at extreme pH levels, or in the presence of Na+ or Ca2+, the charges on the starch particles were screened, and this inhibited interaction and reduced viscosity. The present work demonstrates that the texture of starch slurries can be fine-tuned by manipulating the degree of patchiness and the charge density of patchy particles. It also evaluates the application potential in food products with different pH levels and ionic strengths.

Fatty Acid Composition and Oxidative Potential of Food Products Prepared Using Low Erucic Brassica Oils

Fatty Acid Composition and Oxidative Potential of Food Products Prepared Using Low Erucic Brassica Oils

Recent trends in extraction, identification and quantification methods of Centella asiatica phytochemicals with potential applications in food industry and therapeutic relevance: A review

Centella asiatica, a pre-historically utilized medicinal herb that is well recognized as a traditional phytotherapeutic substance for treating a variety of diseases. However, its phytochemicals use as a functional component in food and beverage has recently attracted the attentions of food researchers and scientists. C. asiatica possesses pharmacological value due to the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids and terpenoids, mainly asiatic acid, asiaticoside, and madecassoside. Its role as a functional component in developing various processed food products and packaging films is continuously being explored. It improves the micronutrient profile and antioxidant potential of developed food products like noodles, chocolates, soups, pasta, etc. However, comprehensive scientific validation based on clinical trials is inadequate, which impede the perception of health benefits and nutritional importance of C. asiatica rich food products. Furthermore, there is a need to extensively examine the composition of C. asiatica active compounds in order to maximise its application in the food processing and preservation industry. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to investigate into the existing information on the extraction, identification, and quantification of C. asiatica phytochemicals, as well as to explore their biological activity. The potential of C. asiatica for developing functional foods and beverages, as well as their processing and preservation to improve human health, is also highlighted.

Evaluating the Effects of Wheat Cultivar and Extrusion Processing on Nutritional, Health-Promoting, and Antioxidant Properties of Flour

Wheat has been considered one of the most important staple foods for thousands of years. It is one of the largest suppliers of calories in the daily diet, which is added to many different products. Wheat is also a good source of health-benefiting antioxidants. This study aims toinvestigate the changes in the antioxidant properties, such as total phenol content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), metal chelating activity, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS+) scavenging activity, and color intensity, during the extrusion processing of six different wheat cultivars. The extrusion factors evaluated were 15% feed moisture and two extrusion temperatures (150 and 180°C). Extrusion processing increased antioxidant activity (DPPH, metal chelating activity, and ABTS+ scavenging activity), whereas total flavonoids content and total phenolic content were decreased. The L* values of wheat flours increased significantly (p < 0.05) after extrusion at 150 and 180°C, 15% mc. Furthermore, redness was decreased from control wheat cultivars (range: 0.17–0.21) to extrusion at 150°C (range: 0.14–0.17) and 180°C (range: 0.1–0.14). The study suggests that extruded wheat could improve the antioxidant potential in food products.

A Review of Bioactive Compounds in Oyster Shell and Tissues.

Oysters are saltwater bivalves with high nutritional and medicinal value that are consumed widely around the world. As well as being highly nutritious, oysters are a low-calorie, low-cholesterol source of protein and an exceptional source of zinc, which strengthens the immune system; and a rich source of bioactive compounds, which comprise various biological activities. The present review summarizes the biological applications and bioactive compounds from oyster shells, whole tissue, gill tissue, and mantle tissue. The various biological compounds present in an oyster shell, and their chemical constituents, have applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. Bioactive peptides and proteins obtained from the whole, mantle, and gill tissues of oysters exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anticancer, antifatigue, anticoagulant, and anti-wrinkle effects, as well as enhance osteoblast differentiation. This review clearly shows that oysters have great potential for functional food production and that various compounds therein can have pharmaceutical applications.

Saline soils worldwide: Identifying the most promising areas for saline agriculture

Salinization poses a major challenge for modern agriculture with considerable areas being salt-affected worldwide. However, these lands can be cultivated by applying saline agriculture, involving soil, water and salt-tolerant crop management methods. The agricultural use of saline soils helps in addressing food security in times of population growth and climate change. Therefore, there is a need to map saline soils and examine conditions under which saline agriculture can be implemented.The aim of this study is to identify locations and surface area of saline soils. The potential areas for saline agricultural production are mapped using the QGIS software with a focus on the most promising lands for saline agriculture. To identify these most promising areas, we apply criteria of soil salinity, soil fertility, soil pH, water availability, presence of irrigation equipment, as well as depleted water basins.Our results show that the total area of salt-affected soils equals 17 million km2, but the largest potential for saline agriculture lays in saline soils above 4 dS/m ECe in non-depleted water basins totalling to 2 million km2. We conclude that further socio-economic analysis is needed to fully determine countries which should be prioritized in exploring the future potential for sustainable food production.