Carbohydrate Source Research Articles

The Impact of Biotechnology in Shaping the Modern Agriculture

Advances in biotechnology have created new opportunities for food diversity in terms of both quantity and quality, as well as for collecting food in proportion to the world's expanding population and ensuring food security. With the advancement of molecular biology, DNA sequencing, and recombinant DNA in the middle of the 20th century, modern-day advancement of molecular breeding gave rise to genetic engineering and recombinent DNA techniques that are today frequently connected to biotechnology. This expansion has been facilitated by a variety of fields, including genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. The use of genetic engineering in agriculture has grown due to its ability to precisely create and insert a gene from any living organism. Molecular markers are also utilized to identify disease and pest resistance in order to increase agricultural output using traditional techniques. Genetic engineering plays a crucial role in agriculture, representing the scientific and technical advancement of traditional methods for crop enhancement. Recombinant DNA technology, RNA interference, and CRISPR genomic editing are some of the instruments and methods used in genetic engineering. The emergence of biotechnological innovations aimed at improving the nutritional composition of individual foods has led to the growing problem of a malnourished world population, where a growing number of people rely on large regions of the world for food used as the only source of protein, carbohydrates, fats and several essential minerals and vitamins, in addition to being a source of energy.

PH Dependence of Dihydroxyacetone Oxidation by Electrocatalytic Viologen Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Electrodes.

Carbohydrate fuel cells garner much research interest as the world's focus shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Many catalyst options are available for carbohydrate fuel cell development, including enzymes and microbes, various metal-based catalysts, and natural or synthetic mediators. Research challenges include low power output, system fouling and poisoning, inefficient electron release, and complex mechanisms, with multiple pathways leading to low product selectivity. Here, we further investigate a novel approach to catalyze carbohydrate oxidation using Au electrodes with viologen self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). SAM-mediated fuel cells have the potential to address the challenges of other catalyst systems by protecting the electrode surface and controlling the local concentration and structure to increase current generation. The effects of increasing pH on dihydroxyacetone (DHA) oxidation by three viologen SAMs on Au electrodes are presented. Current and power generated during DHA oxidation at varying pH were measured and compared to those of bare Au performance. Two of the SAMs produced more current and power than bare Au at elevated pH. The SAM system produced more current and peak power per molecule than both dilute and concentrated homogeneous viologen systems in the same cell setup. These results demonstrate the benefits and limitations of electrodes modified with redox-active groups for the production of electricity from simple sugars and other carbohydrate sources. These results are encouraging for the development of new strategies for electrical power generation from renewable resources.

MADS-box encoding gene Tunicate1 positively controls maize yield by increasing leaf number above the ear.

The leaves above the ear serve as a major source of carbohydrates for grain filling in maize. However, increasing the number of leaves above the ear to strengthen the source and improve maize yield remains challenging in modern maize breeding. Here, we clone the causative gene of the quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with the number of leaves above the ear. The causative gene is the previously reported MADS-box domain-encoding gene Tunicate1 (Tu1), which is responsible for the phenotype of pod corn or Tunicate maize. We show that Tu1 can substantially increase the leaf number above the ear while maintaining the source‒sink balance. A distal upstream 5-base pair (bp) insertion of Tu1 originating from a popcorn landrace enhances its transcription, coregulates its plastochron activators and repressors, and increases the number of leaves above the ear. Field tests demonstrate that the 5-bp insertion of Tu1 can increase grain yields by 11.4% and 9.5% under regular and dense planting conditions, respectively. The discovery of this favorable Tu1 allele from landraces suggests that landraces represent a valuable resource for high-yield breeding of maize.

The Effect on Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate Production the Presence of Different Carbohydrate Sources in Bacillus ceresus and Cupriavidus necator

Polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB) are granular polyesters synthesized by many bacteria as a carbon and energy source in environments where substances such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and phosphorus are limited. Polyhydroxybutyrates is biodegradable, consisting of hydrophobic long chains, and is non-toxic. It is classified as one of the basic polymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates. In this study, the Polyhydroxybutyrates production of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876) and Cupriavidus necator (formerly Ralstonia eutropha ATCC17699) in the presence of different minimal carbon sources was investigated under static and shaking (150 rpm) states. According to the results of the research, the highest PHB production was observed in Bacillus cereus PBS + 1% xylose medium (7.395 µg/ml) in static conditions; Cupriavidus necator exhibited the highest production of polyhydroxybutyrates under shaking conditions in PBS + 1% fructose medium (9.626 µg/ml). The lowest polyhydroxybutyrates production was observed in Cupriavidus necator in PBS + 1% maltose medium (0.027 µg/ml) under static conditions; however, under shaking conditions, it was carried out in PBS + 1% dextrose medium (0.122 µg/ml). Considering these results, it is evident that there is an increase in the production of polyhydroxybutyrates by microorganisms as the shaking speed.

Degradation mechanism of difructose dianhydride III in Blautia species.

Di-fructofuranose 1,2':2,3' dianhydride (DFA-III) is a cyclic fructo-disaccharide, which is produced by the condensation of two fructose molecules via the caramelization or enzymatic reaction of inulin fructotransferase. A strain of Blautia producta was known to utilize DFA-III as a carbohydrate source; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we characterized the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 91 DFA-III hydrolase (DFA-IIIase) from B. parvula NBRC 113351. Recombinant BpDFA-IIIase catalyzed the reversible conversion of DFA-III to inulobiose, which is further degraded to fructose by the cooperative action of DFA-IIIase and GH32 β-D-fructofuranosidase. DFA-III was utilized in several Blautia species with a gene cluster for DFA-III degradation (e.g., B. parvula NBRC 113351, B. hydrogenotrophica JCM 14656, and B. wexlerae JCM 35486), but not by B. wexlerae JCM 31267, which does not possess the gene cluster. Furthermore, B. hansenii JCM 14655, which cannot metabolize fructose, could not utilize DFA-III; however, it could degrade DFA-III to fructose in the presence of DFA-III-degrading enzymes. Fecal fermentation tests showed that Blautia species are important gut microbe for degrading DFA-III. KEY POINTS: • BpDFA-IIIase is the first characterized DFA-IIIase in intestinal non-pathogenic bacteria. • DFA-IIIase is widely conserved in Blautia species. • DFA-III is degraded to d-fructose through inulobiose by the cooperative action of DFA-IIIase and β-d-fructofuranosidase.

CRISPR/Cas9‐Mediated Genome Editing for Trait Improvement and Stress Tolerance in Leguminosae (Legume Family)

ABSTRACTLegumes represent a significant source of protein, roughage, minerals and carbohydrates in global diets. They are cultivated primarily for human consumption, forage and as a green manure. However, the growth and productivity of legumes are often hindered by a range of biological and environmental factors. The most prevalent diseases afflicting legumes include downy mildew, fusarium root rot, southern blight and common leaf spot. Additionally, environmental stresses such as salinity and drought represents significant challenges. Over time, the development of cultivars with enhanced tolerance has emerged as a sustainable approach to combat the impact of these stresses. Although environmentally friendly, traditional breeding methods entail lengthy screening and cross‐breeding protocols, which constrain their efficacy in addressing climate challenges and ensuring global food security. Furthermore, these approaches rely on the natural availability of genetic variation, which may not always be exist for specific traits, particularly in the context of rapidly changing environmental conditions. Additionally, the traditional breeding method is not sufficiently precise, which can result in the unintended introduction of undesirable traits. Furthermore, the genetic intricacy of legumes presents an additional challenge making it difficult to isolate and enhance desired traits. These constrain impede the capacity to expeditiously develop cultivars that can withstand emerging stresses, such as climate change. Genome editing has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome the limitations of traditional breeding methods. By enabling precise and targeted genetic manipulation, genome editing can enhance desired traits or introduce new ones, thereby facilitating the development of climate‐resilient agronomic varieties. In particular, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas9)‐mediated editing has demonstrated considerable potential in enhancing legume adaptability to diverse stress conditions and increasing crop yield. This study highlights the advancements in genome editing, with a specific focus on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, as a means to improve legume crops' resilience and productivity in response to environmental pressures.

Dietary carbohydrates modulate Streptococcus mutans adherence and bacterial proteome.

Streptococcus mutans adherence to the tooth surface and subsequent biofilm development is modulated by the carbohydrate source, but the corresponding effect on bacterial proteome has not been previously studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of different carbohydrates on S. mutans viability and bacterial proteome at two-time points, early attachment (8 h) and biofilm maturation (24 h). Hydroxyapatite (HAp) discs coated with parotid saliva proteins were inoculated with S. mutans UA159 in Tryptone Soy Broth without dextrose supplemented with one of the following carbohydrates (n=12/treatment/time point): 1% Sucrose (S); 0.525% Glucose + 0.525% Fructose (G+F); 10% Xylitol (X); 10% Xylitol + 1% Sucrose (X+S); or culture medium without supplementation as negative control (C). Once inoculated, HAp discs were incubated for 8 h or 24 h at 37 °C and 10% CO2. After each incubation period, adhered bacteria were quantified using the plate-counting method for 6 HAp discs/group, and the remaining 6 HAp discs/group were used to extract bacterial cell wall proteins. Extracted proteins were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and then classified by their biological process. The study was conducted in three independent assays and the number of bacteria adhered to the HAp discs was determined at each time point and analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test (=5%). The results suggest that xylitol significantly repressed bacterial adherence and metabolism at 8 h and 24 h; however, bacterial adherence and metabolism were significantly enhanced when xylitol was combined with sucrose, showing no negative effect on S. mutans at both time points. Bacterial proteome was modulated by the carbohydrate source. The cariogenicity of S. mutans biofilms may be reduced by the alternative sweetener xylitol; however, the combination with fermentable sugars may inhibit such a beneficial effect.

Evaluation of fermentative activities of yeasts isolated from guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.)

The study was conducted to isolate and screen yeast strains having good fermentative activities for wine production from guava (Psidium guajava L.). Yeasts were isolated from 22 samples of ripe guava fruits (including 4 varieties: Cattley, Taiwan, Ruby Supreme and Queen), which were collected from 6 provinces in the Mekong Delta. The yeast isolates were examined for biological characteristics, including colonial morphology and cell shape, after 48 h of culture, and investigated for fermentative characteristics including production of H2S gas, temperature and ethanol tolerance, ability to flocculate, production of extracellular enzymes, and fermentation of carbohydrate sources. The results showed that 33 yeast strains were isolated based on colony and cell morphologies. There were 9 isolates from the Taiwan variety, 13 isolates from the Queen variety, 7 isolates from the Cattley variety, and 4 isolates from Ruby supreme. Ten out of 33 isolates did not produce H₂S gas and had good flocculent ability in the fermentative solution after 7 days. Among them, the five yeast isolates (named NHCB1, NHCL4, NHCB4, DLCL1, and NHCB2) had good temperature tolerance at 39°C - 43°C, and high ethanol tolerance at 6% - 8% within 24 h. Three isolates (NHCL4, NHCB2, and NHCB4) with good ability to ferment glucose and fructose were selected for sequencing. The internal transcribed spacer sequences of all three strains were identical to those of Hanseniaspora opuntiae (> 99% identity). Briefly, this yeast strain can tolerate ethanol, ferment, and produce an appealing smell, bringing the potential for the production of wine or other fermented products.

Effect of Low Glycemic Index Diet on Type 2 Diabetes

The rising incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is seriously affecting the quality of life of individuals worldwide. Patients with T2D need to take medication to control blood sugar level for a lifetime, but the problem of poor medication compliance has always troubled clinical workers, and the role of diet improvement as a treatment of diabetes “five carriages” is particularly important. In recent years, the importance of food glycemic index (GI) has been extensively studied, and an increasing number of studies advise using low-GI foods as the main source of carbohydrates rather than high-GI foods. In addition to improving a person’s quality of life on a daily basis, a low-GI diet can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of its consequences, through controlling the amount of blood sugar and blood lipids. However, there are still some limitations about low GI diet, for example the complex calculating process results in a small number of clinical uses. Through a review of the literature, analysis of experimental data, and expansion of the research on the benefits of a low-GI diet in reducing T2D problems, this report validates the use of a low-GI diet.

REPORT OF PRACTICAL CLASS IN AGRICULTURAL AREA WITH THE BACHELOR CLASS IN AGRONOMY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TRACUATEUA-PA

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a highly consumed root and a significant source of carbohydrates in Brazil and around the world. In the state of Pará, cassava is vital to the local economy, especially in the municipality of Tracuateua. The culture involves family farmers and serves as an important source of income and subsistence. Different cultivars are used, such as BRS Tapioqueira and BRS Verdinha, which exceed 70 thousand kg/ha with good management. Adequate fertilization, pest control and weed management are essential for high productivity. Irrigation can significantly increase production. On the property of Mr. Benedito Dutra, member of the RENIVA project, the production of seed cassava and cowpea is highlighted. It uses cultivars developed by Embrapa, such as BRS Kiriris, BRS Formosa and BRS Novo Horizonte, which are recommended for industrial use. Dutra also grows cowpeas, using varieties such as BRS Guirá and BRS Natalina, which are highly productive and adapted to local conditions. The property has an irrigated area of ​​23 hectares per central pivot, ensuring crop hydration during dry periods. During the field visit, several areas of experimentation were observed. The experimental plots of cassava and cowpea showed good performance, with a high survival rate and resistance to pests. The integration of advanced soil management, pest control and irrigation practices highlighted the property as an example of innovative agriculture. The experience on Mr. Dutra’s property demonstrated the importance of innovation and adoption of advanced agricultural practices for sustainable and productive agricultural production.

Valorization of Residual Fractions from Defatted Rice Bran Protein Extraction: A Carbohydrate-Rich Source for Bioprocess Applications

Defatted rice bran (DRB) is the by-product of rice bran oil extraction and presents approximately 66% carbohydrates and 15% proteins, a composition with the potential to integrate biorefinery systems. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of residual fractions from ultrasound-assisted protein extraction from DRB as sources of carbohydrates in bioprocesses. First, DRB was exposed to protein extraction in an alkaline medium assisted by ultrasound. The residual fractions, including the precipitate from the extraction process (P1) and the supernatant from protein precipitation (S2), were combined and autoclaved to gelatinize the starch. Enzyme activity tests showed that a temperature of 70 °C was optimal for the simultaneous application of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase (AMG). To study enzymatic hydrolysis, a Full Factorial Design (FFD) 22 was employed, with α-amylase and AMG concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 0.18 mL∙L−1 and a substrate concentration (P1/S2 ratio) between 30 and 70 g∙L−1, resulting in a maximum of 18 g∙L−1 of reducing sugars (RS). Fermentation assays with Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrated that the hydrolysate of the residual fractions was effective for ethanol production (8.84 g∙L−1 of ethanol; YP/S: 0.614 gethanol∙gRS−1; η: 120.24%), achieving results comparable to control media (with sucrose as the substrate), indicating its potential for application in bioprocesses. These outcomes highlight a promising technological approach for utilizing DRB in integrated biorefineries.

Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed

Algae are a complex source of crucial nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. The use of marine algae, specifically Sargassum species, Gracilaria species, and Spirulina species, as feed ingredients in poultry feed was examined in the current research. This study’s aims were to carry out lipid profiling, proximate analysis, and heavy metal toxicity testing, as well as to evaluate the presence of hazardous hydrocarbons in the algae and investigate the effect of the fatty acid profile of Sargassum species on broilers. The proximate analysis was conducted on the algae types containing considerable quantities of fats and proteins and a sizable quantity of omega-3 fatty acids. This research assessed the productive effectiveness of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algal additions in their diet. Fatty acid profiling of Sargassum species was performed at 1% and 2% levels in the bursa, fat pads, heart, liver, spleen, thymus, thighs, and breast. The findings showed no significant differences in the development performance or feed utilization efficiency of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algae supplementation in their diet. The results of fatty acid profiling showed changes in the heart, liver, and spleen at 1% and 2% supplementations levels. However, this research concludes that if algae partially replaces the imported feed proteins used in animal feed, then these can achieve maximum beneficial effects on poultry health and performance. Algae are sustainable, easy to produce, and cost-effective sources of nutrients and contain numerous bioactive compounds, which will contribute to sustainability and food safety.

Carbohydrate intakes, food sources and tracking in Australian young children.

Carbohydrate intake and key food sources of carbohydrates in early childhood are poorly understood. The present study described total carbohydrate intake and subtypes (i.e. starch, sugar), their primary food sources and their tracking among young Australian children. Data from children at ages 9 months (n 393), 18 months (n 284), 3·5 years (n 244) and 5 years (n 240) from the Melbourne InFANT Program were used. Three 24-hour recalls assessed dietary intakes. The 2007 AUSNUT Food Composition Database was used to calculate carbohydrates intake and food groups. Descriptive statistics summarised total carbohydrate and subtype intake and their main food sources. Tracking was examined using Pearson correlations of residualised scores between time points. Total carbohydrate, starch and sugar intakes (g/d) increased across early childhood. The percentage of energy from total carbohydrates (% E) remained stable overtime (48·4-50·5 %). From ages 9 months to 5 years, the %E from total sugar decreased from 29·4 % to 22·6 %, while the %E from starch increased from 16·7 % to 26·0 %. Sources of total carbohydrate intake changed from infant formula at 9 months to bread/cereals, fruits and milk/milk products at 18 months, 3·5 and 5 years. Across all time points, the primary sources of total sugar intake were fruit, milk/milk products and cakes/cookies, whereas main food groups for starch intake included bread/cereals, cakes/cookies and pasta. Weak to moderate tracking of total carbohydrates, total sugar and starch (g/d) was observed. These findings may have the potential to inform the refinement of carbohydrate intake recommendations and design of interventions to improve children's carbohydrate intake.

Review of ethnomedicinal plant Helicteres isora Linn. and its traditional uses in India

This paper provides information on the ethnomedicinal and traditional uses of the medicinal plant Helicteres isora. Ethnomedicine has been used as a starting point in drug discovery, specifically pharmacological techniques. India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge of health care. A large number of plants, plant extracts, decoctions, and pastes are mostly used by tribal peoples for the treatment of various diseases. The uses of different plant parts by the local peoples in different aspects have been studied by several workers. The whole plant of Helicteres isora has excellent medicinal properties from ancient times. The parts of a plant that have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine include roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits. Different types of pharmacological activities found are antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, brain oxidant potency, etc. Helicteres isora is a rich source of antioxidants, carbohydrates, proteins, Fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. The plant also exhibits the activity of demulcent and astringent activities. Every part of the medicinal uses of Helicteres isora Linn., having the above activities. In this study, we investigated the traditional uses of Helicteres isora plants. Ethnomedicinal data were collected by using semi-structured and open- ended questionnaires. Field excursions with expert lecturers and traditional healers were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present data.

Analysis of Wheat Export Performance in India

Wheat is a plant which is valued highly for its kernel as an edible part and an important source of carbohydrates. India ranks second position in wheat production in the world with a contribution of roughly 13.53 per cent to global wheat output (Naga Latha et. al., 2022). The study analyses the export performance of wheat and examines the trends in the growth performance of wheat in terms of area, production and productivity, export quantity and export value during 1973-2022 which is a period of 50 years. The analysis reveals that the highest compound growth rate in terms of area was 1.16 per cent, production was 4.49 per cent and productivity was 3.29 per cent respectively. The results of the study on the compound growth rates during the study periods have shown positive and increasing value which indicates high potential for the export of wheat from India. In the analysis of instability, there exists a high positive correlation between the export quantity and value of export in the overall period. Wheat area, production and productivity exhibit higher variability and instability in the overall period. Period II shows lower variability and instability, indicating increased stability. Period I exhibits moderate variability and instability. The overall period has the highest instability, suggesting unpredictable production. Instability indices show high instability at 126.97 per cent in Period I and 138.18 per cent overall, while Period II exhibits moderate instability at 101.94 per cent. Market volatility, trade policies, economic fluctuations, weather patterns and production variability contribute to these fluctuations. As of trend analysis, there is a positive and significant increase. The NPC value of wheat during the overall period was 0.051, it indicates that the commodity is not protected. NPC<1 indicates that the commodity is exportable and possesses export competitiveness and hence the hypothesis i.e. Indian wheat has better competitiveness in the International market.

Proximate Constituent and Mineral Content of the Seeds of Africa Yam Bean (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa) Purchased in Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria

In sub-Saharan Africa there have been various calls for development of a crop which will be high yielding with increased protein content. One of such plants currently being speculated to be an important source of high protein, carbohydrates, as well as other nutritional substances is African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich. Harms). This work is therefore designed to ascertain the proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical composition of the seed of African yam bean. The seeds of African beans were analyzed for proximate mineral vectorment and phytochemical composition using standard methods. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA. The results of the percentage proximate composition showed that the seeds contain 8.67% moisture, crude protein 22.22%, crude fiber 3.89%, ash 4.58%, fat 4.20%, and carbohydrate 56.44%. The mineral contents (mg/100g) were found to be 32.07 mg/100g (Sodium), 231.20 mg/100g (Potassium), 78.67 mg/100g (Magnesium), 159.66 mg/100g (Calcium), 133.53 mg/100g (Phosphorus), 2.32 mg/100g (Zinc), and 6.13 mg/100g (Iron). Africa yam bean is an important source of high-quality protein and carbohydrate, as well as other nutritious substances. The present constituent, especially their quantitative composition, may be an indication of the nutritional as well as medicinal importance of the seeds of Africa yam bean. Such interesting high content of certain bioactive compounds, such as phenol and flavonoid as well as elevated protein content, calls for improved cultivation of this crop for maximum yield and availability.

Proximate Analysis and Amino Acid Profile of a Traditional Alcoholic Beverage (Burukutu) Produced within Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

This study set out to assess the nutritional (amino acids and proximate) composition of burukutu, a locally prepared alcoholic drink from 4 selected areas of Jos metropolis in Plateau State, Nigeria. Burukutu samples were collected from Kugiya, Tundunwada, and Hwolshe and Angwan Rukuba in Jos, Plateau State. Samples were subjected to proximate analysis to investigate the following: ash, moisture, content, crude fat, crude fibre, crude protein and total carbohydrate. Amino acids profile of each sample was also examined. The chemical composition of the burukutu samples exhibited varying levels of: Ash (0.05-0.60%), Crude fibre (1.10-2.50%), Crude fat (0.50-0.70%), Crude protein (1.34-1.99%), Moisture (4.50-5.00%), and Total carbohydrate (89.36-92.50%). Leucine (5.86-7.21 g/100g protein), alanine (4.55-5.61 g/100g protein), proline (4.26-5.89 g/100g protein) and aspartic acid (6.02-7.79 g/100g protein) alongside glutamic acid (2.01-18.24 g/100g protein) were the amino acids that appear in some substantial concentration of all the amino acids that were present in all the 4 burukutu samples. In conclusion, all the burukutu samples are low in fibre, fat and protein, but they are rich source of carbohydrate. Also, from this study it could be said that the burukutu is a rich source of the following amino acids: glutamic acid, leucine, alanine, proline, and aspartic acid..

Agricultural Waste for Energy Storage, Conversion and Agricultural Applications

Agricultural waste residues (agro-waste) present a significant source of carbohydrates that are often underutilized despite their valuable properties. With increasing urbanization and limited non-renewable resources, the valorization of agro-waste is imperative. The global energy demand is on the rise, driven by factors such as population growth, industrialization, and a desire for enhanced living standards. Traditional energy sources, especially fossil fuels, have come under scrutiny for their environmental impact and limited availability. Consequently, there is an increasing focus on developing renewable and sustainable energy solutions, particularly through the use of agricultural waste. Agricultural waste—including crop residues, animal manure, and byproducts from food processing—represents a largely untapped resource for energy production. Converting this waste into valuable energy can help meet rising energy needs while offering environmental and economic advantages, such as mitigating waste disposal issues and creating additional income sources for the agricultural sector. Despite the significant potential of agricultural waste for energy storage and conversion, several challenges remain. These include issues related to logistics and transportation, the need for pretreatment, and concerns about economic feasibility. Future research should aim to enhance conversion technologies and better integrate agricultural waste into energy and agricultural systems. This review discusses various energy conversion technologies and applications of agricultural waste, including biofuels, biogas, and direct combustion, while exploring its role in energy storage through biochar. This review examines the composition and properties of agricultural waste, the various technologies available for energy conversion, and how agricultural waste can be utilized as a feedstock for biofuels, biogas, and direct combustion. It also investigates the integration of agricultural waste in energy storage solutions like biochar and explores other agricultural applications beyond energy production.

Sucrose, glucose, and fructose preference in honeybees and their effects on food digestibility

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee’s benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar.

Early Detection of Cassava Vascular Bacteriosis (Xanthomonas Axonopodis pv. Manihotis) by Visible Near-infrared Spectroscopy Before the Appearance of Critical Symptoms

Cassava is a crucial crop for food and nutritional security. It is an important source of carbohydrates in African countries. Cassava crops can sometimes be infected by leaf diseases, affecting overall production and reducing farmers' incomes. Early detection is therefore essential to reduce the impact of these diseases. Light reflections from leaves are known to convey information about plant health. In this study, healthy and inoculated cassava were detected from the reflections obtained from the leaves using a USB 4000 spectrometer with a spectral range of (350-1050) nm. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and nearest neighbours (KNNs) were used with principal components and vegetation indices as input for classification. Various performance metrics, i.e. Precision, Recall, Accuracy and F1_score for KNN, Accuracy, RMSE and R2 for ANN were calculated to evaluate the different established models. Using the principal components (PC1, PC2) we obtained the best models with the ANNs with the following metrics (R2=0.9678; RMSE=0.0146; Accuracy =98.30%) for the variety IM 84 and (R2=0.9291; RMSE=0.0354 Accuracy=91.30%) for the Yacé variety. With vegetation indices, the best performing models were obtained with KNN whose input parameters are RatiodRE_703 ((Accuracy =92.50% and F1-score=0.9449) and fWBI ((Accuracy =90% and F1-score=0.9326) for Yacé and vog 3 (Accuracy=100% and F1-score=1), DD (Accuracy=100% and F1_score=1) and dNIRmin920_980 (Accuracy=95% and F1_score=0.9373) for the IM 84. Overall, the results showed that leaf spectral reflectance can be used successfully for the early detection of cassava bacterial blight.