Human Food Production Research Articles

Edible caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina and Gynanisa maja) as emerging source of nutrients and bioactive compounds

Globally, despite the commercial and cultural importance of edible caterpillars (Gynanisa maja and Gonimbrasia belina), comprehensive information on their dietary and therapeutic benefits has not been fully explored. The study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds profile of two important edible caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina and Gynanisa maja) in Africa. Our results demonstrated that G. belina and G. maja are capable of amplifying host plant protein (17 %) by 4.3-folds [72.8 %] and 3.6-folds [61.3 %], respectively. Lysine (32.6 mg/g), methionine (12.5–27.1 mg/g) and valine (7.7–25.4 mg/g) value were significantly harnessed. Substantial amounts of ω−3 fatty acids (methyl 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoate and methyl 9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoate), minerals [iron (3.6–21.2 mg/100 g), zinc (7.1–17.3 mg/100 g), calcium (55.1–60.4 mg/100 g)] and vitamins [retinol (0.02–0.03 mg/kg), γ tocopherol (0.05–0.07 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/kg)] were detected. Important phytochemical [flavonoids: rutin (7.8–20.4 ng/g), quercetin (7.2–9.0 ng/g), luteolin (7.4–7.5 ng/g), apigenin (20.8–28.6 ng/g) and kaempferol (3.3–6.5 ng/g)] and phytosterols [stigmasta-3,5-diene, campesterol and sitosterol] were identified. These findings suggests that both edible caterpillars contain sufficient nutrients and therapeutic compounds, which when integrated into human food products, either whole, in-part, or processed will greatly contribute towards countering nutritional insecurity and improve livelihoods of people in many countries.

Do Sex Ratio Distorting Microbes Inhibit the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance? An Experimental Test.

We are still largely reliant on pesticides for the suppression of arthropod pests which threaten human health and food production, but the recent rise of evolved resistance among important pest species has reduced pesticide efficacy. Despite this, our understanding of strategies that effectively limit the evolution of resistance remains weak. Male-killing sex ratio distorting microbes (SRDMs), such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, are common among arthropod species. Previous theoretical work has suggested that they could limit adaptive potential in two ways: first, because by distorting sex ratios they reduce the effective population size, and second, because infected females produce no male offspring which restricts gene flow. Here we present the results of a novel experiment in which we test the extent by which these two mechanisms limit the adaptive response of arthropods to pesticide. Using a fully factorial design, we manipulated the adult sex ratio of laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster, both in the presence and absence of SRDMs, and exposed these populations to six generations of pesticide poisoning. This design allows the effects of SRDMs on sex ratio and their effects on gene flow to be estimated separately. After six generations, individuals from populations with even sex ratios displayed a higher resistance to pesticide relative to individuals from female-biased populations. By contrast, we found no effect of the presence of SRDMs in host populations on pesticide resistance independent of sex ratio. In addition, males were more susceptible to pesticide than females-this was true of flies from both naïve and previously exposed populations. These findings provide the first empirical proof of concept that sex ratio distortion arising from SRDMs can limit adaptation to pesticides, but cast doubt on the theoretical effect of male-killers limiting adaptation by disrupting gene flow.

Histo-anatomical features of garden lupin (lupinus polyphyllus lindl.)

Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. (garden lupin, large-leaved lupin) is a perennial herbaceous legume, used for ornamental purposes, for improving soil quality, as forage or in human food products. However, little is known about anatomical features this species’Lupin vegetative organs (roots, petioles, leaf blades) were collected, cross sectioned and analyzed by bright-field microscopy. Lupin roots showed primary and incipient secondary structures, with a cortex featuring large-sized cells with rich cellular content and granular solid inclusions. Leaf petioles had rare peltate hairs and large sub-stomatal lacunes, a large medullary lacune and rich parenchyma. Leaf blades had typical bifacial structure, with three-layered palisade tissue and less proeminent midrib, with a collateral bundle, protected by small caps of collenchyma. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 423-428, 2024 (September)

Mutagenesis selection and large-scale cultivation of non-green Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for food applications.

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an accepted food ingredient in the United States of America (United States), the European Union, Singapore, and China. It can be consumed in unlimited quantities. As this alga is rich in nutrients, proteins, and rough polysaccharides and contains a balanced proportion of various amino acids, it is an excellent raw material for food production. Although various edible brown and green algae are available on the market, their color and strong grassy flavor have constrained their popularity among consumers, thereby limiting their application in food additives and animal feed. Chlorophyll-deficient C. reinhardtii mutants were developed using atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) technology. A yellow-colored C. reinhardtii variant (A7S80) cultivated in dark conditions was isolated. This light-sensitive variant has a mutation in the chlM gene, and it can grow heterotrophically using acetate as a carbon source. Compared to wild-type C. reinhardtii, A7S80 has significantly lower chlorophyll levels, reduced grassy flavor, and more diverse pigments, with considerable potential for commercial application in human and animal food production, as well as in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

GWAS as a tool for detecting SNPs in cattle to study their relationship to reproduction, productivity, growth, behavior, diseases

The fundamental goal of animal husbandry is the cost-effective production of human food from healthy animals, which includes production, reproduction. The method of whole-genome association study (GWAS) is actively used in various fields, including agriculture. Genome-wide association analyzes were generated as an identifier for genomic variations associated with economically significant traits in different livestock species. This method of genomic selection provides new priorities for improving the productive and reproductive qualities of livestock.The purpose of this review article is a comprehensive analysis of the current state of GWAS in cattle, focusing on the identification of SNPs associated with reproduction, productivity, growth, behavior and genetically determined diseases. The scope of the article covers the study of GWAS results worldwide, both in dairy and beef cattle, with special emphasis on the identification of candidate genes, QTL and genome regions related to the direction of productivity. Additionally, the organization of this review will include a classification of GWAS results based on the specific traits studied, providing a comprehensive overview of the genetic determinants of reproduction, growth, behavior, and disease traits in cattle.

The Putative Virulence Plasmid pYR4 of the Fish Pathogen Yersinia ruckeri Is Conjugative and Stabilized by a HigBA Toxin-Antitoxin System.

The bacterium Yersinia ruckeri causes enteric redmouth disease in salmonids and hence has substantial economic implications for the farmed fish industry. The Norwegian Y. ruckeri outbreak isolate NVH_3758 carries a relatively uncharacterized plasmid, pYR4, which encodes both type 4 pili and a type 4 secretion system. In this study, we demonstrate that pYR4 does not impose a growth burden on the Y. ruckeri host bacterium, nor does the plasmid contribute to twitching motility (an indicator of type 4 pilus function) or virulence in a Galleria mellonella larval model of infection. However, we show that pYR4 is conjugative. We also reveal, through mutagenesis, that pYR4 encodes a functional post-segregational killing system, HigBA, that is responsible for plasmid maintenance within Y. ruckeri. This is the first toxin-antitoxin system to be characterized for this organism. Whilst further work is needed to elucidate the virulence role of pYR4 and whether it contributes to bacterial disease under non-laboratory conditions, our results suggest that the plasmid possesses substantial stability and transfer mechanisms that imply importance within the organism. These results add to our understanding of the mobile genetic elements and evolutionary trajectory of Y. ruckeri as an important commercial pathogen, with consequences for human food production.

Koku Sensation and Kokumi Substance: New Opportunities to Increase Palatability in Plant-Based Products

Abstract Food production needs to increase by 70% to meet the rising demand, but this puts a strain on food quality standards. Continuing to produce food in the same way would require more than one planet to sustain the demand, which is not feasible. Another problem is food waste; one-third of human food production is wasted globally every year, and only a small percentage is used for animal feed or other purposes. Therefore, drastic changes must be made to the global food production systems and our eating habits. Researchers have suggested a planetary diet that involves increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits while reducing the intake of red meat. The goal is to accelerate the shift towards a greener lifestyle without compromising taste. It is suggested that koku sensation and kokumi substance can be effective tools for developing healthy and sustainable food by enhancing the taste of plant-based products. Research shows that fermentation is a promising method for improving the desirable qualities of plant-based foods by increasing the presence of kokumi peptides and various aroma compounds during the transformation process of raw materials, such as cereal by-products. This field of study holds the potential to increase consumer preference for plant-based diets by reducing unpleasant tastes, such as bitterness. Information © The Author 2024

Hydroponic Fodders for Livestock Production – a Review

Abstract The human population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. One of the main challenges will be the demand for food and food security. With time farmland is being lost especially due to environmental change and anthropogenic activities. There is huge competition for the utilization of farmland for human food production, animal feed production, energy production and other sectors that are utilizing the farmland. To minimize the competition between human food and animal feed production, in terms of land use, alternative growing systems, such as hydroponics, may serve to address this problem. Hydroponics is a technology of sprouting grains or growing plants in a soilless environment, with only water or nutrient-rich solution. The present review aims to provide an evaluation of hydroponicallysprouted maize and barley in food producing animals, underlining benefits and limitations in its application.

SCREENING OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BACTERIA FOUND IN FARMED FISH IN RELATION TO FEED QUALITY

Aquaculture in Kenya is progressively developing as an alternative means of human food production and subsistence. An enormous loss in aquaculture has been accelerated by the mortality of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. This study aimed at screening the internal and external bacteria found in farmed Nile tilapia and African Catfish at Egerton University agro-science fish farm. The microbiology laboratory collected and processed fifteen healthy fish and fish feeds (formulated and commercial). The skin, gills, and intestines were processed and cultured in Salmonella Shigella and Blood agar. Commercial and formulated fish feeds were also processed and cultured in Salmonella Shigella and Blood agar. The resulting bacteria colonies were subjected to morphological examination and biochemical tests for identification. The findings of this study demonstrated the existence of Enterobacteriaceae. Escherichia, Salmonella, and Bacillus species were the most prevalent species identified on the skin, gills, and intestines. Formulated feeds were more contaminated with bacteria than commercial feeds. The presence of the above microorganisms, some of which are pathogens (Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca) to humans, is an indication that undercooked fish may pose health risks to susceptible human beings and an impediment to the rapid intensification of aquaculture as a result of mortality of fingerings.

Baicalin attenuates aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity via suppressing c-Jun-N-terminal kinase-mediated cell apoptosis.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is classified as a Class I carcinogen and common pollutant in human and animal food products. Prolonged exposure to AFB1 can induce hepatocyte apoptosis and lead to hepatotoxicity. Therefore, preventing AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity remains a critical issue and is of great significance. Baicalin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has a variety of pharmacodynamic activities, such as antiapoptotic and anticancer activities. This study systematically investigated the alleviating effect of baicalin on AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity from the perspective of apoptosis and explored the possible molecular mechanism. In the normal human liver cell line L02, baicalin treatment significantly inhibited AFB1-induced c-Jun-N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activation and cell apoptosis. In addition, the in vitro mechanism study demonstrated that baicalin alleviates AFB1-induced hepatocyte apoptosis through suppressing the translocation of phosphorylated JNK to the nucleus and decreasing the phosphorylated c-Jun/c-Jun ratio and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Molecular docking and drug affinity responsive target stability assays demonstrated that baicalin has the potential to target JNK. This study provides a basis for the therapeutic effect of baicalin on hepatocyte apoptosis caused by AFB1, indicating that the development of baicalin and JNK pathway inhibitors has broad application prospects in the prevention of hepatotoxicity, especially hepatocyte apoptosis.

Radiological impact of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fodders from Penang, Malaysia

The plant acts as an important route for the transfer of radionuclides from the soil to animals, leading to the transfer of radiation to human food products such as beef and milk. Therefore, the level of radioactivity in fodder plays a crucial role in deciding whether cattle may be allowed to graze in a certain area. In this study, the activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were measured via gamma-ray spectrometry on different fodder samples, including napier leaves, rice straw, corn stalks, guinea grass, mixed pasture, palm oil leaves and palm kernel collected from Penang, Malaysia. Theoretical calculations were also conducted to estimate the levels of these radionuclides in caw's products (beef and milk), as well as their potential radiological impact on local consumers. On average, the annual effective dose due to ingestion of radionuclides in milk was 11.39 μSv y−1, whereas in beef it was 5.63 μSv y−1. These values are significantly lower than the worldwide average of 290 μSv y−1. Research confirmed that farmers' usage of the aforementioned feeds did not cause any radiation-related health risks.

The future is fermented: Microbial biodiversity of fermented foods is a critical resource for food innovation and human health

BackgroundFermented foods and beverages have been a key component of the human diet for thousands of years, and play an important nutritional, cultural, and economic role in most human societies. Differences in ingredients, local practices, and environmental conditions can impact microbial communities in fermented foods resulting in distinct flavors, textures, and nutritional properties. Despite their ancient roots, omnipresence, potential health benefits, recent hype, and the plethora of tools to study microbial diversity, the microbial and functional diversity of most fermented foods currently remain unknown, while changing lifestyle practices threaten the loss of some fermented foods, with dire implications for gastrointestinal health. Scope and approachIn this commentary we discuss the nutritional, cultural, and economic values of fermented foods and (i) introduce FermDB, the largest interoperable database and map of fermented foods to date (https://bokulich-lab.github.io/FermDB/), intended as an extensible community resource for documenting and studying food fermentations; (ii) provide a consistent fermented food ontology for classification of these foods; and (iii) estimate global production values and biomass of some of the most common fermented foods to contextualize the social and economic importance of microorganisms for human food production. Key findings and conclusionsWe provide a new perspective on global diversity of fermented foods and associated microbial communities as a resource for sustainable food production. Additionally, the introduced database and ontology can act as a roadmap to the path toward conserving microbial biodiversity of traditional foods and studying their associated health benefits.

Pan-Genome-Wide Association Study reveals a key role of the salmochelin receptor IroN in the biofilm formation of Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant 4,[5],12:i:-

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium variant 4,[5],12:i:- (so called S. 4,[5],12:i:-) has rapidly become one of the most prevalent serovars in humans in Europe, with clinical cases associated with foodborne from pork products. The mechanisms, genetic basis and biofilms relevance by which S. 4,[5],12:i:- maintains and spreads its presence in pigs remain unclear. In this study, we examined the genetic basis of biofilm production in 78 strains of S. 4,[5],12:i:- (n = 57) and S. Typhimurium (n = 21), from human gastroenteritis, food products and asymptomatic pigs. The former showed a lower Specific Biofilm Formation index (SBF) and distant phylogenetic clades, suggesting that the ability to form biofilms is not a crucial adaptation for the S. 4,[5],12:i:- emerging success in pigs. However, using a pan-Genome-Wide Association Study (pan-GWAS) we identified genetic determinants of biofilm formation, revealing 167 common orthologous groups and genes associated with the SBF. The analysis of annotated sequences highlighted specific genetic deletions in three chromosomal regions of S. 4,[5],12:i:- correlating with SBF values: i) the complete fimbrial operon stbABCDE widely recognized as the most critical factor involved in Salmonella adherence; ii) the hxlA, hlxB, and pgiA genes, which expression in S. Typhimurium is induced in the tonsils during swine infection, and iii) the entire iroA locus related to the characteristic deletion of the second-phase flagellar genomic region in S. 4,[5],12:i:-. Consequently, we further investigated the role of the iro-genes on biofilm by constructing S. Typhimurium deletion mutants in iroBCDE and iroN. While iroBCDE showed no significant impact, iroN clearly contributed to S. Typhimurium biofilm formation. In conclusion, the pan-GWAS approach allowed us to uncover complex interactions between genetic and phenotypic factors influencing biofilm formation in S. 4,[5],12:i:- and S. Typhimurium.

The in Vitro Effect of Berberine Sulfate and Berberine Chloride on the Growth and Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Background: Aflatoxins are harmful mycotoxins that can contaminate animal and human food products. To prevent toxigenic fungi growth and aflatoxin production, researchers have long investigated plant compounds as potential inhibitory agents. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of berberine sulfate and berberine chloride on the growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Methods: The antifungal activity of berberine salts was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M38-A3. The aflatoxin levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: The berberine sulfate and berberine chloride showed inhibitory effects against both Aspergillus species, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 125 to 500 µg/mL. Berberine sulfate at 2000 μg/mL and berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. flavus, while berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL also completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus. Berberine sulfate at 2000 µg/mL reduced the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus by 96.7%. Conclusion: Berberine salts significantly decreased the total aflatoxin production of Aspergillus species at MIC/2 and MIC/4 concentrations (P˂0.05). The results suggest that berberine salts could be used as potential antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic agents against toxigenic Aspergillus isolates.

Determination of some fuel properties of binary biodiesel and binary biodiesel – diesel blend fuels obtained from camelina oil and waste frying oils

In today's studies on liquid biofuels, it is observed that many of them focus on blends of single biodiesel with diesel. These studies have shown that biodiesel produced from different feedstocks exhibits similar properties to traditional diesel fuel in terms of fuel characteristics and engine performance, indicating the potential of biodiesel to replace diesel fuel. However, recent research has shown limited studies involving the blending of dual biodiesel with traditional diesel fuel.
 In this study, high oil content camelina plant, which has an important place in ensuring sustainability in human food production, in other words, it is not suitable for human food and has the potential to significantly increase our domestic biofuel production, and domestic waste frying oil, which significantly reduces the cost of biodiesel raw material production, were selected as biodiesel feedstock. Binary biodiesel fuels (D0C50WF50, D0C75WF25, and D0C25WF75) were obtained by mixing the biodiesel fuels produced from camelina and domestic waste frying oil by transesterification method in the ratio of 1:1 and 1:3 by volume. Binary biodiesel-diesel blend fuels were obtained by blending binary biodiesel fuels (D75C12.5WF12.5, D50C25WF25 and D25C37.5WF37.5) with conventional diesel fuel (diesel) after blending at 1:1 ratio by volume. As a result of the research, the physicochemical properties (density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, water content, calorific value, cold filter plugging point, cloud and pour point, copper strip corrosion) of the prepared binary biodiesel and binary biodiesel+diesel blend fuels were determined. The results of the analyses of the blend fuels were determined in accordance with the relevant biodiesel standards (EN 14214, ASTM D-6751) and the results were also compared with the reference fuel, diesel fuel.

Six Steps towards a Spatial Design for Large-Scale Pollinator Surveillance Monitoring.

Despite the importance of pollinators to ecosystem functioning and human food production, comprehensive pollinator monitoring data are still lacking across most regions of the world. Policy-makers have recently prioritised the development of large-scale monitoring programmes for pollinators to better understand how populations respond to land use, environmental change and restoration measures in the long term. Designing such a monitoring programme is challenging, partly because it requires both ecological knowledge and advanced knowledge in sampling design. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework to facilitate the spatial sampling design of large-scale surveillance monitoring. The system is designed to detect changes in pollinator species abundances and richness, focusing on temperate agroecosystems. The sampling design needs to be scientifically robust to address questions of agri-environmental policy at the scales of interest. To this end, we followed a six-step procedure as follows: (1) defining the spatial sampling units, (2) defining and delimiting the monitoring area, (3) deciding on the general sampling strategy, (4) determining the sample size, (5) specifying the sampling units per sampling interval, and (6) specifying the pollinator survey plots within each sampling unit. As a case study, we apply this framework to the "Wild bee monitoring in agricultural landscapes of Germany" programme. We suggest this six-step procedure as a conceptual guideline for the spatial sampling design of future large-scale pollinator monitoring initiatives.

Declining potential nectar production of the herb layer in temperate forests under global change

Abstract Wild pollinators are crucial for ecosystem functioning and human food production and often rely on floral resources provided by different (semi‐) natural ecosystems for survival. Yet, the role of European forests, and especially the European forest herb layer, as a potential provider of floral resources for pollinators has scarcely been quantified. In this study, we measured the potential nectar production (PNP) of the forest herb layer using resurvey data across 3326 plots in temperate forests in Europe, with an average time interval of 41 years between both surveys in order to assess (i) the importance of the forest herb layer in providing nectar for wild pollinators, (ii) the intra‐annual variation of PNP, (iii) the overall change in PNP between survey periods and (iv) the change in intra‐annual variation of PNP between survey periods. The PNP estimates nectar availability based on the relative cover of different plant species in the forest herb layer. Although PNP overestimates actual nectar production, relative differences amongst plots provide a valid and informative way to analyse differences across time and space. Our results show that the forest herb layer has a large potential for providing nectar for wild pollinator communities, which is greatest in spring, with an average PNP of almost 16 g sugar/m2/year. However, this potential has drastically declined (mean plot‐level decline >24%). Change in light availability, associated with shifts in canopy structure and canopy composition, is the key driver of temporal PNP changes. Synthesis. Our study shows that if management activities are carefully planned to sustain nectar‐producing plant species for wild pollinators, European forest herb layers and European forests as a whole can play key roles in sustaining wild pollinator populations.

The Response of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Seedlings to Silver and Gold Nanoparticles

With the advancement of nanotechnology and the increasing utilization of nanoparticles (NPs), their production and release into the environment are on the rise. Consequently, it is crucial to continuously monitor the toxicity of nanoparticles for humans, animals, and plants, as well as their impact on the environment. This is particularly significant in relation to human health and food production, given the escalating use of nanomaterials in agriculture and horticulture. The aim of the study was to investigate the response of rapeseed seedlings to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) over different periods of exposure. This research analyzed the impact of these nanoparticles on the biochemical response of rapeseed seedlings after 7, 14, and 21 days of growth in their presence. This study assessed the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), pyrogallol peroxidase (PPOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and free protein content, as well as the interactions between key elements responsible for oxidative stress and the antioxidant response. The findings demonstrated a significant effect of AgNPs and AuNPs on stimulating the response of rapeseed seedlings, with the activity of PPOX, GPOX, and SOD being dependent on the exposure time and the type and dose of nanoparticles used. Enzyme activity increased with the length of exposure time, while the content of free protein decreased over the weeks. The most intense reaction of seedlings was observed in the case of GPOX, with the lowest activity observed in PPOX and SOD. High effects of the nanoparticle type and rate were also observed in the correlation matrix. This study suggests that a comprehensive analysis of plant reactions to nanoparticles could have a significant impact on the proper and effective use of nanoparticles in agriculture and horticulture. This could lead to the environmentally friendly production of high-quality plant material.

Metabolic reprogramming in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes as a critical defence against acid stress.

The ability to sense and respond effectively to acidic stress is important for microorganisms to survive and proliferate in fluctuating environments. As specific metabolic activities can serve to buffer the cytoplasmic pH, microorganisms rewire their metabolism to favour these reactions and thereby mitigate acid stress. The orally acquired pathogen Listeria monocytogenes exploits alternative metabolic activities to overcome the acidic stress encountered in the human stomach or food products. In this minireview, we discuss the metabolic processes in L. monocytogenes that mitigate acid stress, with an emphasis on the proton-depleting reactions, including glutamate decarboxylation, arginine/agmatine deimination, and fermentative acetoin production. We also summarize the recent findings on regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of genes that are responsible for these metabolic activities, including the general stress response regulator SigB, arginine repressor ArgR, and the recently discovered RofA-like transcriptional regulatory GadR. We further discuss the importance of this metabolic reprogramming in the context of food products and within the host. Finally, we highlight some outstanding challenges in the field, including an understanding of acid-sensing mechanisms, the role of intraspecies heterogeneity in acid resistance, and how a fundamental understanding of acid stress response can be exploited for food formulation to improve food safety and reduce food waste.

Landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS Matrix Method and Frequency Ratio, application in the marly context of Moulay Yacoub Region, Morocco

In the recent decades, the growth of population, man-made facilities, infrastructures, and lifelines at the expense of landslides-prone areas has been responsible for an exponential increase in human and economic losses in many parts of the world. In the Moulay Yacoub region, where marly hills dominate, the interaction of the semi-urban and rural socioeconomic development and landslides significantly increases, which urges identifying and prioritizing areas of risk in order to maximize harm reduction and to avoid the disastrous outcomes as is the case of Moulay Yacoub town. This paper aims to develop a landslide susceptibility map in a highly affected sector of the province, where no previous landslide data have been produced, and to find the most predisposing parameters. This goal is attained using two robust methods for landslide susceptibility mapping, the Frequency Ratio and the GIS Matrix Method. Before that, the correlation of 11 predisposing factors was tested. The results show that the anthropogenic factors, particularly the agricultural practices, were highly involved, and the field investigations proved that cereal farming slopes are the most affected. The success rate was about 0.75 (75%) for both models showing good quality results for the two susceptibility maps. Therefore, the two models could be efficiently used, and the new agricultural projects located in landslide-prone areas of the province must include such reliable methods of landslide hazard analysis to minimize the risk, which would put human lives, ecosystems, food production, and infrastructure in threat.