Safety Of Food Products Research Articles

Evaluation of sanitation standard operating procedure (SSOP) implementation in nata de coco production process in micro-scale industry in Tempel, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region

The Standard Operational Sanitation System (SSOP) is a critical component in ensuring the safety of food products in the industry. Although SSOP has been implemented, many businesses still face challenges in effectively implementing it. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the SSOP in the small-scale UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) coconut jelly industry and identify areas that require improvement. The study involved direct observations and interviews with relevant personnel, and the necessary data for analysis was collected. The findings of the research indicate that there are several weaknesses that require attention, including equipment maintenance deficiencies, personal hygiene, and inadequate cleaning procedures. This study underlines the importance of continuous monitoring and improvement in SSOP to enhance product safety and compliance with sanitation regulations. The research provides specific recommendations to address the identified shortcomings, including additional training for personnel and a review of cleaning procedures. We hope that these observations will provide valuable insights for other coconut jelly industries to improve the quality and safety of their products.

Review of AI-Powered Food Processing: Enhancing Safety and Sustainability

As the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, ensuring food security has become increasingly challenging due to factors such as population growth, climate change, resource depletion, and environmental pollution. To address these challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) is as emerging technology that plays a crucial role in the food processing industry. This review highlights AI's essential role in food processing to enhancing the quality and safety of food products sustainably while addressing industry challenges. Artificial Intelligence significantly impacts food safety, quality assurance, and waste reduction through various applications. Its integration into food processing has the potential to revolutionize industry standards, covering tasks from product categorization to personalized nutrition. However, challenges such as job displacement, technical limitations, and ethical considerations require careful attention. Investment in research, development, training, and maintenance is crucial for successful AI integration. Despite these hurdles, AI's transformative potential to advance sustainability, food safety, and consumer needs remains significant. Artificial Intelligence is poised to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and improve sustainability in the food processing sector, effectively addressing the evolving needs of the growing global population. Artificial Intelligence promotes a hopeful outlook for the future of food processing, confidently tackling 21st-century challenges with adaptability and resourcefulness.

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review of Organic Farming Practices and Environmental Impact

Organic farming, characterized by the exclusion of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, represents a sustainable approach to agriculture. This study investigates the impact of organic farming practices on soil health, focusing on the proliferation and activity of soil microorganisms. Natural fertilizers such as farmyard manure, poultry litter, composts, green manures, and oil-free cakes were utilized to enhance soil fertility. The research reveals that these practices significantly improve soil health by fostering a robust microbiome, which is essential to the cycling of nutrients and overall health of the soil vitality. The safety and nutritional benefits of organic food products were also evaluated. Comparative analysis with conventionally grown foods indicates that organic produce contains lower levels of harmful residues such as pesticides, nitrates, metals, and antibiotics. This reduction in contaminants mitigates potential risks to human health associated with conventional farming practices. Furthermore, organic foods are found to be richer in essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, thereby offering superior nutritional value. The economic implications of organic farming were explored, highlighting its potential to enhance the economic viability of small-scale farmers. With increasing consumer awareness and demand for organic products, farmers practicing organic methods can command higher prices for their produce, thereby improving their economic sustainability and resilience. In conclusion, organic farming emerges as an environmentally friendly and economically viable alternative to conventional agriculture. By promoting soil health, reducing chemical residues in food, and meeting consumer demand for nutritious products, organic farming offers a pathway towards sustainable agricultural practices.

Recent advances in packaging materials for food products

AbstractThe food industry is adapting to evolving consumer demands for “healthy” and premium quality food by reducing the adverse effects of food packaging through innovative advancements in active and intelligent packaging technologies. These smart innovations offer diverse and creative ways to enhance food product quality and safety while extending shelf life. Emerging techniques are also improving the passive aspects of food packaging systems, such as thermal stability, barrier effectiveness, and mechanical strength. Notably, the use of plants, biodegradable materials, and nanomaterials in sustainable food packaging helps mitigate its negative environmental impact. By integrating intelligent, environmentally friendly, and active packaging technologies, a multipurpose food packaging system can be developed that maintains the integrity of all its components, representing the pinnacle of technological advancement in food packaging. This article reviews the fundamentals of food packaging systems, recent advancements in various packaging techniques, commercialized patents, future research trends, and the challenges that need to be addressed in food packaging.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons' Impact on Crops and Occurrence, Sources, and Detection Methods in Food: A Review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a category of persistent organic pollutants that pose a global concern in the realm of food safety due to their recognized carcinogenic properties in humans. Food can be contaminated with PAHs that are present in water, air, or soil, or during food processing and cooking. The wide and varied sources of PAHs contribute to their persistent contamination of food, leading to their accumulation within these products. As a result, monitoring of the levels of PAHs in food is necessary to guarantee the safety of food products as well as the public health. This review paper attempts to give its readers an overview of the impact of PAHs on crops, their occurrence and sources, and the methodologies employed for the sample preparation and detection of PAHs in food. In addition, possible directions for future research are proposed. The objective is to provide references for the monitoring, prevention, and in-depth exploration of PAHs in food.

Development of galette technology using pectin concentrate and whole-ground flour from cereals

The food industry, covering industries that produce goods for consumption by the population, is a central link in ensuring food security. In this regard, high-quality, medically balanced and safe nutrition is of utmost importance. In this regard, the use of pectin substances as natural detoxifiers and whole-ground flour in the production of galets will solve the problem of meeting the needs of the population in safe food products with high nutritional and biological value. The aim of the work was to develop galettes of increased nutritional value using pectin concentrate and whole-ground flour from cereals. The article examines the effect of beetroot pectin concentrate on the quality of galettes made from a mixture of wheat and whole-ground corn, buckwheat flour. The optimal dosage of whole-ground corn flour of 15%, buckweat flour - 20.0% in the production of galets from wheat flour of the first grade, in which the quality of finished products is similar to control samples, is justified and determined. It was found that the nutritional and biological value of the developed galettes is higher than in the control samples, the products obtained meet the safety requirements of TR CU 021/2011.

Accumulation Rate, Depuration Kinetics, and Tissue Distribution of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in Suckler Ewes (Ovis aries).

Understanding the transfer of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in farm animals is essential for ensuring food safety, but such information for suckler ewes (Ovis aries) has been lacking. This work quantifies the accumulation, tissue distribution, and depuration kinetics of PCDD/Fs in these animals. Six suckler ewes (EXP group) were exposed to PCDD/Fs through contaminated hay (2.3-12.7 ng toxic-equivalent kg-1 dry matter) and then allowed to depurate by switching to noncontaminated hay from 29 days of lactation. Four control ewes were fed continuously with noncontaminated hay. At different time points covering depuration, weaning and slaughter, PCDD/F analysis of milk (three time points), blood and sternal adipose tissue (five time points), Longissimus thoracis muscle, liver, and empty body homogenate at slaughter (188 days of depuration) was performed. A relevant PCDD/F bioaccumulation was observed from oral intake in milk and adipose tissue (biotransfer factors of 1.24 and 1.06 day kg-1 lipids for the sum toxic-equivalent, respectively) in the EXP ewes, especially for penta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners. The EXP ewes' adipose tissue started at 10-fold the EU maximum level (ML) and showed depuration below the ML after 130 days. Specific PCDD/F accumulation in the ewe liver was observed, especially for dibenzofurans. These toxicokinetic data can inform recommendations to ensure the chemical safety of sheep food products.

Production pathway of smallholders to nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Northwest Ethiopia

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture is an approach that aims to ensure the production of affordable, safe, culturally appropriate, and nutritious foods in sufficient quantity and quality to meet dietary needs. This study aims to examine the production pathway by which smallholder farmers adopt nutrition-sensitive agriculture in northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from 478 randomly sampled households through a structured questionnaire-based survey, observations, and group discussions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the influences of demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional explanatory variables on the production of various food groups in households. Arable land owned by households, the use of irrigation, access to the nearest markets, contacts with agricultural extension workers, and management practices affect plant-sourced food production. On the other hand, the number of livestock owned, the total crop produced, and contacts with extension workers affected animal-sourced food production. However, different factors, such as technological, institutional, and managerial challenges, that include dependency on rain-fed and free-grazing-based traditional herding systems adversely affect the production pathway to nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The study concludes that improving agricultural extension services, promoting small-scale irrigation schemes, and introducing improved animal feeding with improved crop and livestock management techniques could significantly contribute to increased household availability of diversified foods.

Smartphone-assisted portable amperometric immunosensor based on CoMn-LDH for the visualized detection of tylosin

The precise and rapid analysis of antibiotics containing in food stuffs is essential for guaranteeing the safety of food products and drinking water. Thus, the sensitive determination of antibiotics is highly urgent. Herein, CoMn-LDH derived from bimetallic CoMn-ZIF was utilized as the sensitive material and ink for modifying the screen-printed electrode (SPE) to manufacture the visualized amperometric immunosensor to detect tylosin (TYL) with the smartphone assistance. Benefiting to the features of CoMn-ZIF, the achieved CoMn-LDH exhibited large specific surface area and pore size, abundant oxygen vacancies, rich and exposed metal sites, high functionality, and core–shell nanostructure with thin shell thickness. Thus, CoMn-LDH illustrated the high adhesive force with the SPE, the improved affinity toward the TYL-targeted antibody and fast electronic response. Thereby, the manufactured CoMn-LDH-based amperometric immunosensor displayed the wide linear range from 1.0 fg mL−1 to 1.0 ng mL−1 with an ultralow detection limit of 0.89 fg mL−1 toward TYL. Also, the developed amperometric immunosensor has demonstrated the good sensing ability of high selectivity, good reproducibility and stability, and accepted regenerated performance, as well as the great potential for the electronic visualized analysis of TYL containing in diverse real samples. This work has provided a new amperometric immunosensing strategy for the efficient analysis of antibiotics in food samples through the visual way.

The Role of Fungi in Food Production and Processing

Fungi play an important and multifaceted role in the production and processing of food, influencing various stages from cultivation to consumption. This paper explores the complex relationship between fungi and food systems, highlighting their diverse contributions. Firstly, fungi serve as essential agents in food cultivation, aiding in the breakdown of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients, and promoting plant growth through symbiotic relationships. Moreover, fungi such as yeasts and molds are integral to fermentation processes, yielding a wide array of fermented foods and beverages with unique flavors and textures. Additionally, fungi are indispensable in the creation of enzymes and bioactive compounds utilized in food processing, enhancing the nutritional value, shelf life, and safety. However, certain fungal species pose significant challenges as food spoilage agents and mycotoxin producers, necessitating stringent quality control measures. Understanding the intricate interplay between fungi and food systems is essential for optimizing food production, ensuring food security, and mitigating the risks associated with fungal contamination. This paper synthesizes current research to elucidate the important role that fungus play in shaping the modern food industry and underscores the importance of ongoing scientific inquiry in harnessing their potential for sustainable and safe food production.

Fraud detection in the fishing sector using hyperspectral imaging

Currently, more and more consumers are interested in the quality, safety, and authenticity of food products. The fishing sector is the second food category with the highest risk of fraud and the greatest presence of authentication problems. There are non-destructive, fast and accurate techniques for real-time authentication, with hyperspectral imaging (HSI) standing out among these. In this context, the main aim of this study is to explore the viability of HSI in the visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) and near infrared (NIR) ranges for the detection of fraud by origin and by non-declaration of the previous freezing process, in anchovies. The spectral pretreatment methods used were the standard normal variate method, the Savitzky-Golay 1st derivate and the Savitzky-Golay 2nd derivate, always followed by mean centering (MC). In addition, the impact of using a previous step of smoothing prior to pretreatment was also evaluated. Two classification algorithms: soft independent modeling of class analogy, and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to build the classification model. After analysis, it was found that the modelling results using the VIS-NIR region were always better than those using the NIR region, and the best performing model was by PLS-DA with a recall of 0.97 for fresh and 0.98 for frozen-thawed anchovies and 0.98 for Cantabrian anchovies and 0.96 for Mediterranean anchovies. One advantage of the model obtained is the ability to classify the anchovies measuring on the skin side of fish without the need for sample preparation. Overall, the results showed that HSI combined with PLS-DA is a favorable solution for rapid, and non-destructive recognition of adulteration regarding freshness and origin in anchovies.

Emerging Trends of Immunosensors Development for Detection of Food Toxins

The present study highlights the ongoing threat of foodborne illnesses to public health, primarily caused by bacterial pathogens. Despite advancements in conventional microbiological testing techniques, which are sensitive but time-consuming, challenges remain in ensuring timely detection of contaminants throughout the food supply chain. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is recognized as a more effective approach to ensuring food safety, emphasizing proactive identification and control of hazards at critical points in production. Emerging technologies like quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and biosensors offer faster and more accurate detection methods, although with certain limitations. Biosensors such as ELISA, SPR, and electrochemical immunosensors, in particular, show promise due to their high sensitivity and specificity, enabling rapid detection of a wide range of contaminants. This paper underscores the importance of integrating advanced technologies with established food safety protocols to enhance the safety and quality of food products, benefiting consumers, producers, and regulatory agencies alike.

Exogenous GABA Enhances Copper Stress Resilience in Rice Plants via Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms, Gene Regulation, Mineral Uptake, and Copper Homeostasis.

The importance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants has been highlighted due to its critical role in mitigating metal toxicity, specifically countering the inhibitory effects of copper stress on rice plants. This study involved pre-treating rice plants with 1 mM GABA for one week, followed by exposure to varying concentrations of copper at 50 μM, 100 μM, and 200 μM. Under copper stress, particularly at 100 μM and 200 μM, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, mineral content, and antioxidant activity decreased significantly compared to control conditions. However, GABA treatment significantly alleviated the adverse effects of copper stress. It increased plant height by 13%, 18%, and 32%; plant biomass by 28%, 52%, and 60%; chlorophyll content by 12%, 30%, and 24%; and relative water content by 10%, 24%, and 26% in comparison to the C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Furthermore, GABA treatment effectively reduced electrolyte leakage by 11%, 34%, and 39%, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), by 9%, 22%, and 27%, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 12%, 38%, and 30%, and superoxide anion content by 8%, 33, and 39% in comparison to C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Additionally, GABA supplementation led to elevated levels of glutathione by 69% and 80%, superoxide dismutase by 22% and 125%, ascorbate peroxidase by 12% and 125%, and catalase by 75% and 100% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Similarly, GABA application upregulated the expression of GABA shunt pathway-related genes, including gamma-aminobutyric transaminase (OsGABA-T) by 38% and 80% and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (OsSSADH) by 60% and 94% in the C100+G and C200+G groups, respectively, as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Conversely, the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid dehydrogenase (OsGAD) was downregulated. GABA application reduced the absorption of Cu2+ by 54% and 47% in C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. Moreover, GABA treatment enhanced the uptake of Ca2+ by 26% and 82%, Mg2+ by 12% and 67%, and K+ by 28% and 128% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. These findings underscore the pivotal role of GABA-induced enhancements in various physiological and molecular processes, such as plant growth, chlorophyll content, water content, antioxidant capacity, gene regulation, mineral uptake, and copper sequestration, in enhancing plant tolerance to copper stress. Such mechanistic insights offer promising implications for the advancement of safe and sustainable food production practices.

Effect of flow behavior index of CMC solutions on heat transfer and fluid flow in a cylindrical can

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the flow behavior index (n) on heat transfer and fluid flow in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solutions during the thermal process within a cylindrical container. The study employed a numerical model based on the finite element method to solve the governing equations for mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Four different values of n were considered, ranging from 0.25 to 1, representing varying degrees of non‐Newtonian behavior. The results revealed that this index significantly influenced the apparent viscosity of the fluid, subsequently affecting the fluid flow patterns and heat transfer. Specifically, the n = 0.25 fluid exhibited a notably higher Grashof number (GR) and velocity compared to the n = 1 fluid. The average GR for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~2300 times larger than that of the n = 1 fluid, while the average velocity for the n = 0.25 fluid was ~37 times higher. In addition, the study identified the presence of secondary flow in the CMC solution with n = 0.25, which enhanced fluid mixing and heat transfer. Notably, the slowest heating zone for the n = 1 fluid remained fixed at the mid‐height of the can, whereas for the n = 0.25 fluid, it continuously shifted and contracted, ultimately settling at the 10% height from the bottom of the can. These findings underscore the critical importance of considering the non‐Newtonian characteristics of the fluid and convective flow during heat transfer processes in product applications.Practical applicationsThe study investigates the impact of flow behavior indices of the CMC solution on heat transfer and fluid dynamics within cylindrical containers. By examining parameters such as concentration, temperature, and heating duration, the researcher aims to optimize thermal processing for liquid food products containing thickening agents, such as sauces, soups, or dairy items. These findings significantly contribute to ensuring the safety, quality, and nutritional value of diverse liquid food products. Moreover, the study's insights may lead to energy savings and reduced environmental impact by minimizing heating time and temperature during thermal processing. In summary, this research bridges scientific understanding with practical applications, benefiting both consumers and the environment.

The efficiency of mycotoxin binding by sorbents in the in vitro model using a naturally contaminated animal feed.

The productivity of domestic animals and the safety of food products derived from them are jeopardised by mycotoxins in animal feed. To control them, feed additives are used, which limit the absorption of mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract of animals by binding to them. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new in vitro model in experiments on the binding of mycotoxins from buffers and contaminated feed and to confirm the effect of a single sorbent or mixture in binding them. Nine mineral sorbents were tested for their efficiency binding eight mycotoxins. Two in vitro experiments were conducted to indicate the mycotoxin-binding capacity of sorbents, each specifying a buffer with one of two different pH levels reflecting gastrointestinal conditions (pH 3.5 and 7.0). The first investigated the sorbent with only the buffer and mycotoxin standards, while the second did so with the sorbent, buffer and feed naturally contaminated with mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A). The sorption was significantly lower in the trial with feed. In the first experiment at gastric pH (pH 3.5), activated charcoal bound deoxynivalenol and sepiolite bound zearalenone at 70% and 96%, respectively, whereas in the second experiment with feed, the binding was only 3% and 6%. The study underlines the challenge of finding a feed additive that would work comprehensively, binding all mycotoxins regulated by law.

Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) Gut Bacteria Inhibit Growth of Aspergillus flavus and Degrade Aflatoxin B1.

In this study, bacteria residing in the gut of the rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding on aflatoxin-contaminated corn kernels were isolated and evaluated for their ability to suppress Aspergillus flavus and to remove/degrade aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Four morphologically distinct S. oryzae gut-associated bacterial isolates were isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis (RWGB1), Bacillus oceanisediminis (RWGB2), Bacillus firmus (RWGB3), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (RWGB4) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These bacterial isolates inhibited A. flavus growth in the dual culture assay and induced morphological deformities in the fungal hyphae, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. All four bacterial isolates were capable of removing AFB1 from the nutrient broth medium. In addition, culture supernatants of these bacterial isolates degraded AFB1, and the degradation of toxin molecules was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The bacterial isolates, B. subtilis RWGB1, B. oceanisediminis RWGB2, and P. aeruginosa RWGB4, were capable of producing antifungal volatile organic compounds that inhibited A. flavus growth. These results suggest that the bacterial isolates from S. oryzae gut have the potential to bind and/or degrade AFB1. Further research on their application in the food and feed industries could enhance the safety of food and feed production.

Microbial assessment of commercial pet foods marketed in the United Arab Emirates

Examining the microbiological characteristics of pet food is imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of companion animals, pet owners, and the surrounding environment. Domestic animals, known for carrying harmful microorganisms, pose a significant health risk, especially in close proximity to people and children. Notably, no studies have previously investigated pet food quality in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in particular, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study examined the microbiological quality of all stock keeping units (SKUs) of pet foods marketed in UAE (n = 118). Parameters assessed include Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), Enterobacteriaceae, Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC), Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium species. Among the 118 samples, 33 (28%) exceeded the acceptable TAMC limit of 106 CFU/g, highlighting significant variations based on manufacturers and ingredients. Eight samples (7%) surpassed the maximum Enterobacteriaceae limit of 3 × 102 CFU/g. TYMC levels exhibited variation, with 33 (28%) exceeding the limit of 104 CFU/g. L. monocytogenes was identified in 44 (37%) of the samples, while Salmonella was not detected. Clostridium contamination was observed in 28 (24%) of the samples. Statistical analyses revealed associations between pet food characteristics and microbial quality, underscoring the imperative for international standards to ensure the safety of pet food. These findings carry significant implications for pet owners, regulatory bodies, and the pet food industry, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to enhance the overall quality and safety of pet food products.

Characterization of a Food‐Safe Colorimetric Indicator Based on Black Rice Anthocyanin/PET Films for Visual Analysis of Fish Spoilage

ABSTRACTThe safety of food products is of prime importance for consumers and manufacturers. Many means can be used to validate a food product's safety before it is consumed. This study is about the preparation, characterization and evaluation of a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) sensitive colorimetric sensor that detects volatile gases (TVB‐N) resulting from fish spoilage, thus indicating the pH variation of packaged fish products. This is performed by coating a thin layer of ink sensors on the surface of the supporting matrix (corona‐treated PET). Various visual pH indicators were prepared based on black rice anthocyanin as an FDA‐approved dye. Black rice, which contains more than 80% cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, is the most prevalent anthocyanin component. Because of its low toxicity and high concentration, it can be utilized as a natural food colourant. pH indicators based on black rice can show distinct colours in various pH: from red (low pH) to violet (4–6) and deep purple/blue (6–7), blue (7–9) to yellowish/light brown (9–13) throughout the acid–base reaction by the analyte. The ink formulation was prepared by incorporating a binder system (PVOH‐PEG) for higher surface wettability, a crosslinking agent (citric acid) for higher adhesion, an antifoaming agent (natural vanillin) and acetic acid as a pH fixing agent. Corona treatments affected substrate surface chemistry in this study. The samples with thermal treatment passed the ASTM D3330 tape test, the 8000 passages for dry sponge and the 25 passages for wet sponge through the abrasion method. Anthocyanin concentration in formulated ink based on calculation by UV–vis spectra is 0.240 mg/100 g. Sensitivity tests towards TVB‐N gases were carried out at a temperature of 4°C to evaluate the performance of colorimetric films with formulated ink along with thermal treatment (temperature: 165°C, time: 5 min) using the volatile gases emitted by the fish sample inside the package.

Cardamom Plant Disease Detection Approach Using EfficientNet

Cardamom is a queen of spices. It is indigenously grown in the evergreen forests of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the northeastern states of India. India is the third largest producer of cardamom. Plant diseases cause a catastrophic influence on food production safety; they reduce the eminence and quantum of agricultural products. Plant diseases may cause significantly high loss or no harvest in dreadful cases. Various diseases and pests affect the growth of cardamom plants at different stages and crop yields. This study concentrated on two diseases of cardamom plants, Colletotrichum Blight and Phyllosticta Leaf Spot of cardamom and three diseases of grape, Black Rot, ESCA, and Isariopsis Leaf Spot. Various methods have been proposed for plant disease detection, and deep learning has become the preferred method because of its spectacular accomplishment. In this study, U2 -Net was used to remove the unwanted background of an input image by selecting multiscale features. This work proposes a cardamom plant disease detection approach using the EfficientNetV2 model. A comprehensive set of experiments was carried out to ascertain the performance of the proposed approach and compare it with other models such as EfficientNet and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The experimental results showed that the proposed approach achieved a detection accuracy of 98.26%. Index Terms — Cardamom plant, deep learning, machine learning, neural networks, plant pathology

Edible superhydrophobic coating derived from triterpenoid maslinic acid for bacterial antifouling and enhanced fresh produce food safety

This study introduces an edible superhydrophobic coating for fresh produce derived from triterpenoid maslinic acid (MA), a natural plant compound renowned for its health benefits including antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. The study takes advantage of the amphiphilic nature of MA, forming vesicles in aqueous media. Upon deposition onto the substrate, these vesicles contribute to surface roughness, resulting in a nanotextured morphology with nonpolar outer surface. Static water contact angle of MA coatings was 151.6 ± 0.8°, indicating superhydrophobic behavior exhibiting promising bacterial antifouling characteristics with 98.6%, 96.7% and 97.5% reduction against E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, respectively, compared to uncoated surfaces (i.e., onion skin). The development of edible, superhydrophobic coatings for application on fresh produce advances current fruit and vegetable wax technologies, mostly used for cosmetic and physical barrier purposes rather than more functional ones. Using assembled MA coatings combining superhydrophobicity and health benefits, emerges as an novel and sustainable solution for advancing both fresh produce safety and human well-being.