Vegetable Mixture Research Articles

Antibiotic susceptibility and ability to form biofilm of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from frozen vegetables

L. monocytogenes poses a serious threat to public health, since most cases of listeriosis are connected with eating contaminated food. L. monocytogenes is often detected both in fresh and frozen vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility and ability to form biofilm of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from frozen vegetable mixtures in Poland. Ninetynine genetically different strains were found among 100 isolates of L. monocytogenes. Among the 99 strains, 80 (80.8%) were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. Nineteen (19.2%) strains were resistant to one or more antibiotics. From this group of L. monocytogenes strains, most strains were resistant to erythromycin (16; 16,1%), penicillin (15; 15.1%), meropenem (12; 12.1%), cotrimoxazole (12; 12.1%), and ampicillin (3; 3.1%). According to the obtained results, differences in intensity of biofilm, both between those isolated in successive years and in the particular year, were observed. Performed analysis showed statistically insignificant faint negative correlation (r=–0.088) between the number of antibiotics to which strains were resistant and the intensity of biofilm formation by them. Food contamination with L. monocytogenes poses a threat to consumers, therefore it is necessary to monitor their antibiotic susceptibility, ability to form biofilm, and genetic similarity, in order to evaluate the strains persistence time in plant.

Fatal Parasitic Gastroenteritis and Pneumonia In A Captive African Civet (Civettictis civetta)

The African civet cat (Civetticus civetta) is native to Ethiopia, Guinea, Senegal, and other places in equatorial Africa. Civet cats are grouped under order Carnivora and family Viverridae and are wild viverids of the tropics. They are nocturnal and solitary animals that only mix during mating. Though, civet cats are primarily carnivorous, they are opportunistic omnivores, but feeds on a mixture of fruits and vegetables, maize meal and meat (1kg/civet), eggs, insects, rodents, invertebrates and birds. Parasitic and infectious diseases have become a major concern in the conservation of endangered species as they can cause mortality, dramatic population declines, and even contribute to local extinction events. This report concern is about a Civet which was acquired in May, 2016 by the private forest garden. It showed no previous sign of illness prior to its death in July. The carcass weighed approximately 4kg and was in good bodily condition. Congestion of the lungs were evident, while the stomach was empty, but the duodenum contained cream-coloured mucoid exudates admixed with two long cestodes, measuring up to 52cm and numerous short segments of this worm, (up to 2 cm in length) within the lumen of the proximal 1/3rd of the duodenum and extending to the jejunum and ileum. Parasitological examination revealed that the cestodes was Dipylidium spp. It was concluded that, the Civet could have died as a result of parasitic gastroenteritis and pneumonia 53 days after it was introduced into the forest garden. It is most likely that the infection was acquired from the wild before the animal was introduced into the forest garden.

Comparative foraging behaviour and performance between cattle and horses grazing in heathlands with different proportions of improved pasture area

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the diet selection and productive performance of beef cattle (Asturiana de los Valles breed) and crossbred horses grazing on heather-gorse shrublands with different available surface of improved pasture (IP): 80% (IP80) or 25% (IP25). Twelve and 10 lactating dams per species with their offspring were managed in IP80 (19 ha) and IP25 (22 ha), respectively, during two grazing seasons (spring-autumn). Visual recordings at IP25 indicated that horses grazed for longer than cattle. Both species grazed preferentially on IP and increased the utilization of shrublands as season advanced and available sward height in the IP area decreased. Diet composition estimates using faecal markers showed greater dietary percentages of white clover in cows than in mares during spring-summer. During autumn cows selected greater percentages of heather and lower of gorse than mares. Mares achieved more favourable body weight (BW) changes than cows during the whole grazing season, although differences were mainly confined to IP80. Calves showed higher BW gains than foals during the whole grazing season, with scarce differences between vegetation mixtures. Mares compete with cattle for the use of quality pastures, negatively affecting BW recoveries of cows when both species graze together.

Mapping vegetation types in semi-arid riparian regions using random forest and object-based image approach: A case study of the Colorado River Ecosystem, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Riparian regions are essential habitats for wildlife and play a vital role in agricultural production, but they are highly dynamic environments impacted by fluctuations of water levels. Monitoring vegetation types along narrow river corridors is complicated and requires high-resolution imagery and advanced remote sensing techniques due to the mixture of vegetation and other types of land covers. The primary aim of this paper is to develop a framework using airborne imagery, object-based image approach (OBIA), hyper-spectral analysis and Random Forest to classify vegetation along narrow, semi-arid riparian corridors via a case study of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River. By analyzing hyper-spectral and field data with Random Forest, we found that the bandwidths from 642 to 682 nm and 750 to 870 nm were useful for vegetation classification in this case study. As a result, the red and near-infrared bands of aerial photos were used with ancillary data for species classification, and the overall accuracy (OA) of classification with these images reached up to 94.8% with a Kappa's coefficient of 0.93. The similarity of vegetation phenology caused most of the misclassified cases. Low cost unmanned aerial vehicles should be used to acquire more frequent data, which is essential to understand how vegetation patterns change over time.

PRODUCT FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE ON THE BASIS OF THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE

To achieve goal, the following tasks were solved: recipes for a new type of functional canned food – "Dessert of Jerusalem artichoke", consisting of a mixture of vegetables and fruits (based on Jerusalem artichoke), which has good organoleptic characteristics, experimental samples were made and their physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics were determined. At the same time, when developing the formulations of the selected range of functional foods, it is necessary to proceed from the requirements of GOST R 52349-2005 "functional Foods" from which it follows that each portion of the functional product must contain at least 15% of the daily consumption rate established By the Institute of nutrition of the Russian Academy of Sciences for a specific physiologically functional ingredient. To choose the best recipe of "Dessert" were made comparative experimental samples of canned food with the content of Jerusalem artichoke, as the main component, from 30 to 45%. The best composition of canned food "Dessert of Jerusalem artichoke", which received an average rating of 4.5 points, as a result of sensory analysis by rating, using a score scale, the following content of components: puree of Jerusalem artichoke – 40%, mashed carrots – 30%, mashed apples – 30%. According to the results of sensory evaluation of the intensity of the characteristics of the profiles for each of the five indicators: taste, color, aroma, appearance and consistency, as well as a diagram of the overall organoleptic evaluation of a new type of functional product "Dessert of Jerusalem artichoke".

New Antioxidant Multilayer Packaging with Nanoselenium to Enhance the Shelf-Life of Market Food Products.

A flexible multilayer with selenium nanoparticles incorporated has been used to build an antioxidant packaging. The oxidation of hazelnuts, walnuts, and potato chips was tested at laboratory scale. Hexanal released by the nuts, fatty acids oxidation study, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), and tasting were compared to study the oxidation of foods packaged with this antioxidant packaging. Finally, TBARS method in combination with tasting were selected due to their simplicity and accuracy. It was found that hazelnuts packaged in nanoSe active bags released around 20% less malonaldehyde (MDA) than the blanks. In the case of the walnuts, the active ones released 25% less MDA than the blanks. As for potato chips, the improvement was around 22%. Finally, an industrial study was done. Cooked ham, chicken, and a ready-to-eat vegetable mixture seasoned with butter were industrially packaged with the new antioxidant material and improvements higher than 25% were obtained.

In-line rheological and microstroctural characterization of high moisture content protein vegetable mixtures in single screw extrusion

To increase the utilization of side-streams from the food industry more investigations of multiple protein systems could be beneficial, complementary to the extensive studies available on single sourced protein isolates. Here, high moisture content protein-rich side streams were investigated in single screw extrusion. Vegetable protein mixtures comprising potato protein, oat protein and wheat bran were considered. Potato starch and potato fibers were used as structuring agents. Microstructurally, all compositions were dominated by protein aggregates. The structural agents enhanced the interconnected starch phase and/or additionally introduced fiber aggregates, with little apparent influence on the protein aggregates size and distribution. The moisture content was found to exert a dominant influence on the shear viscosity of the compositions. In addition, a saturation behavior of the power law parameters over 45% moisture content was apparent in the presence of the structural agents. An improved knowledge of industrial side-streams processability could increase their use in novel food products and exploited to create products with improved nutritional profiles.

Student consumer acceptance of plant-forward burrito bowls in which two-thirds of the meat has been replaced with legumes and vegetables: The Flexitarian Flip™ in university dining venues

Negative health and environmental implications call for a shift from the traditional Western diet to a healthier, more sustainable diet; a suggested method for implementing such a shift is the consumption of more plant protein and less animal protein. This research tested the Flexitarian Flip™ with student consumers (n = 150) in a full meal-sized mixed dish (burrito bowls) in the dining venue context, by partially replacing meat (two-thirds replacement) with legumes and vegetables. Hedonic, satisfaction, and satiation measures were collected for three versions of a burrito bowl recipe: HM Mild (high meat control, with mild salsa), LM Mild (low meat, with mild salsa) and LM Spicy (low meat, with spicy salsa). Overall, the dishes that were lower in meat and higher in vegetables and legumes (LM Mild and LM Spicy) were found to be just as acceptable, satiating, and satisfying as the control meat-centric dish (HM Mild), demonstrating parity in student acceptance of the plant-forward dishes. Five consumer preference segments were identified and characterized using the preferences in this study as well as information collected in an extensive exit survey. Based on the outcome of this work and previous research, a mixture of legumes and vegetables is recommended as a partial replacement for meat in mixed dishes such as burrito bowls, with a trigeminal boost to maintain consumer acceptability and perceived saltiness and flavor complexity. The present study demonstrates that this concept translates to full meal portions. Further testing of the Flexitarian Flip™ is recommended in other recipes and cuisines.

Balancing Urban Biodiversity Needs and Resident Preferences for Vacant Lot Management

Urban vacant lots are often a contentious feature in cities, seen as overgrown, messy eyesores that plague neighborhoods. We propose a shift in this perception to locations of urban potential, because vacant lots may serve as informal greenspaces that maximize urban biodiversity while satisfying residents’ preferences for their design and use. Our goal was to assess what kind of vacant lots are ecologically valuable by assessing their biotic contents and residents’ preferences within a variety of settings. We surveyed 150 vacant lots throughout Baltimore, Maryland for their plant and bird communities, classified the lot’s setting within the urban matrix, and surveyed residents. Remnant vacant lots had greater vegetative structure and bird species richness as compared to other lot origins, while vacant lot settings had limited effects on their contents. Residents preferred well-maintained lots with more trees and less artificial cover, support of which may increase local biodiversity in vacant lots. Collectively, we propose that vacant lots with a mixture of remnant and planted vegetation can act as sustainable urban greenspaces with the potential for some locations to enhance urban tree cover and bird habitat, while balancing the needs and preferences of city residents.

Improving the nutritive value and sensory quality of rabbit meat by using leafy vegetables as feedstuffs

The study examined the effect of feeding leafy vegetables on nutritional and sensory qualities of rabbit meat. For this, thirty weaned rabbits of 6 weeks of age (535.24-537.83 g) were allotted to six treatments in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The control diet was a concentrate while treatment diets were a mixture of leafy vegetables and concentrate (50:50; w/w). The rabbits were housed, fed in individual cages and the experiment was conducted for 9 weeks with 7 days of adaptation. This study revealed that 50 % Abelmoschus esculentus and 50%Vigna unguiculata leaves combined with 50 % of concentrate diet allowed the highest carcass yield. The meat bone ratio of the rabbits fed with the diets Abelmoschus esculentus and Vigna unguiculata were the highest with (5.56±0.15) and (5.40±0.10) respectively. The rabbits fed Vigna unguiculata with concentrate diet presented the highest protein content (20.92 %). The meat produced by feeding Solanum melongena with concentrate recorded the highest levels of potassium (546.56mg/100 g) and phosphorus (336.99 mg/100 g). The lysine content of rabbit meat obtained with Solanum melongena diet was higher than other groups. Leafy vegetables supplementation had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the appearance, juiciness and tenderness of rabbit meat. This study showed that Solanum melongena with concentrate mixture allowed the best nutritive value of meat as well as its sensory quality.

Dietary variability of extinct tayassuids and modern white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) as inferred from dental microwear and stable isotope analysis

Prior geochemical work documents dietary shifts coincident with climate change in extinct peccaries, with taxa typically shifting between browsing and mixed-feeding. This study employs dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) and stable carbon isotopes to interpret the diet of extinct peccaries in Florida, specifically Platygonus, Mylohyus, and Protherohyus from the late Miocene throughout the Pleistocene, to evaluate how dietary behavior has fluctuated over time. When Mylohyus and Protherohyus coexisted in the Hemphillian, Mylohyus consumed C3 food sources with harder textures, consistent with the consumption of woody browse, while Protherohyus consumed a greater proportion of C4 vegetation (likely grass). During the Blancan, both Platygonus and Mylohyus can be considered primarily C3 browsers, based on both DMTA and stable isotope data. However, during the Irvingtonian, both Mylohyus and Platygonus consumed a larger proportion of C4 vegetation than during previous North American Land Mammal Ages (NALMAs). Platygonus consumed predominantly C3 vegetation during the Rancholabrean, while Mylohyus consumed a mixture of C3 and C4 vegetation in more open environments. Independent of NALMA, Platygonus consumed predominantly tough vegetation, (e.g., tough leaves and/or grass) while Mylohyus consumed harder food items, consistent with morphological differences in their teeth. In contrast, extant Tayassu peccaries are obligate C3 feeders and show no evidence of C4 consumption. Further, Tayassu are indistinguishable in all dental microwear textural properties from both of their extinct relatives, suggesting that while extant peccaries eat primarily foods from forested environments, those foods are highly variable in textural properties. Collectively, these data suggest that extinct peccaries, Mylohyus and Platygonus, altered their diet over time and possibly in response to changing climates.

Okara: A soybean by-product as an alternative to enrich vegetable paste

Okara is the residue of hydrosoluble extract from soybean used for producing tofu and soydrink and presents high nutritional value. Therefore, it has important characteristics that make it an excellent alternative to being incorporated into “pâté”, i.e., a soft mixture of vegetables transformed into paste to which various flavorings are added. As a result, it has enhanced sensory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of okara on the development of pâté formulations in order to yield a product with good acceptability and nutritional quality. Three formulations were prepared from the wet soybean residue, which showed high moisture (80.77%–81.42%), low lipid (5.62%–7.62%) and low calorie (95.14–108.14 kcal) contents. The sample with the lowest content of okara (34 g/100 g) showed the highest average in the acceptance test (8.0) and was also considered the tasters’ favorite one. It was significantly different from the others in the preference ranking test. The food product enriched with okara had β-carotene (0.411mg/100 mL), compounds with antioxidant activity and isoflavones (0.15 μmol/gFM) in its composition. The process developed by this study enabled to yield a vegetable paste enriched with okara, an agroindustrial by-product, as an interesting alternative to a new food product.

The Flexitarian Flip™ in university dining venues: Student and adult consumer acceptance of mixed dishes in which animal protein has been partially replaced with plant protein

There is a growing interest in the shift from meat-centric diets towards plant-based diets due to the negative impacts of meat production and consumption on public health and the environment. This research tested the Flexitarian Flip™ in a university dining venue context, by partially replacing meat with legumes in current Dining Services recipes. A two-part Central Location Test was conducted with a college student population sample (n = 118) in a University of California, Davis campus dining venue. This study was repeated at a later date with n = 110 adults ages 18–88 years. Acceptability measures were collected for two recipes (an Indian dish and a Latin American dish), two meat levels (high meat/low legume (HM) and low meat/high legume (LM)), and two spiciness levels (Regular and Spicy). The student and adult consumer populations had similar results, and preference segments were found for both. Overall, in the Latin American recipe, the HM samples had higher acceptability than the LM samples, and in the Indian recipe, the HM and LM had similar acceptability. The LM Spicy sample had the same acceptability as both the Regular and Spicy HM samples or higher, depending on the preference segment. Additionally, the higher level of trigeminal heat increased perceived flavor complexity. To achieve the highest consumer acceptability of plant-forward mixed dishes, a mixture of legumes and vegetables, rather than vegetables or legumes alone, is recommended as a partial replacement for meat, along with a trigeminal boost in the recipe to maintain perceived flavor complexity.

Experimental addition of olive mill waste compost in an old agroecosystem: identifying main short-term vegetation responses

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is the main residual product of olive processing and its disposal can represent a relevant environmental issue in Mediterranean countries. OMW is characterised by high pollutant load, salinity and phytotoxic levels of polyphenols, but also by a high amount of organic compounds and plant mineral nutrients. In this perspective, a technology named MATReFO was developed, with a final dry product easy to transport for commercial use. Here, we assessed the short-term effects of OMW and MATReFO applications on spontaneous vegetation in an old agroecosystem. Following a randomized block design soil was amended with different quantities of OMW or MATReFO and vegetation was sampled for 4 years after the treatments. Multivariate and univariate analyses of plant data showed that: (1) only high volume of MATReFO affected spontaneous vegetation, whereas OMW and low volume mixture addition did not determine significant effects; (2) plant species composition and abundance varied significantly among years and exhibited considerable variation over the study period, particularly with high volume of MATReFO; (3) vegetation dynamic had already undergone first steps of natural succession in control and almost all treatments. Our results revealed no negative effects of olive mill waste compost addition in plant community assemblage, since vegetation changes can be mainly related to the abandonment of soil tillage. Therefore, we can assert that OMW and MATReFO can be discharged in abandoned agroecosystems without short-term effects on natural vegetation.

RANKL EXPRESSION AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTION BY VEGETABLE FORMULA.

Objective: This study was to evaluate complications of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats and the possibility to ameliorate these changes by consumption of vegetable formula. Furthermore, transcription of mRNA of RANKL gene was matched with bone mass density (BMD) and bone formation marker (human procollagen 1 N terminal peptide [PINP]).Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The first is non ovariectomized control group (NOVXC), the second is ovariectomized control group (OVXC), and the third is ovariectomized rats supplemented with the vegetable formula (OVXT). Animals were fed for 8 successive weeks. Animals were treated and sacrificed under the recommended ethics of laboratory animal’s treatment. The vegetable mixture was formulated with the purpose to correct the bone compromise and supply all the presumed deficient elements and hormone.Results: Chemical analysis showed that the formulated vegetable mixture had a high amount of flavonoids as catechin (100 mg/100 g of dry weight) and polyphenols as tannic acid (1000 mg/100 g dry weight. Furthermore, it had high reducing power (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical showed inhibition percentage of 91.81%.). Several phytochemicals necessary for bone health were demonstrated in the vegetable mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. RANKL/GAPDH mRNA transcription ratio showed marked an increase in OVXC versus the control NOVXC rats (1.00 vs. 0.199, respectively) accompanied with a drop in BMD (0.157 vs. 0.25 mg/cm2, respectively) and PINP values (27.9±2.8 compared to NOVXC 34±2.4 μ/L, respectively). The vegetable mixture supplementation showed better values of BMD and PINP in OVXT group directed back toward normal (0.183 mg/cm2 and 29.35±3.4 μ/L, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of blood plasma of supplemented group showed lower blood glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative markers if compared to that in OVXC group.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the plant formula was effective to minimize health hazards in ovariectomized rats and maybe for postmenopause women. Perhaps longer time may be needed for more significant and clear effect.

RANKL EXPRESSION AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTION BY VEGETABLE FORMULA.

Objective: This study was to evaluate complications of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats and the possibility to ameliorate these changes by consumption of vegetable formula. Furthermore, transcription of mRNA of RANKL gene was matched with bone mass density (BMD) and bone formation marker (human procollagen 1 N terminal peptide [PINP]).Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The first is non ovariectomized control group (NOVXC), the second is ovariectomized control group (OVXC), and the third is ovariectomized rats supplemented with the vegetable formula (OVXT). Animals were fed for 8 successive weeks. Animals were treated and sacrificed under the recommended ethics of laboratory animal’s treatment. The vegetable mixture was formulated with the purpose to correct the bone compromise and supply all the presumed deficient elements and hormone.Results: Chemical analysis showed that the formulated vegetable mixture had a high amount of flavonoids as catechin (100 mg/100 g of dry weight) and polyphenols as tannic acid (1000 mg/100 g dry weight. Furthermore, it had high reducing power (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical showed inhibition percentage of 91.81%.). Several phytochemicals necessary for bone health were demonstrated in the vegetable mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. RANKL/GAPDH mRNA transcription ratio showed marked an increase in OVXC versus the control NOVXC rats (1.00 vs. 0.199, respectively) accompanied with a drop in BMD (0.157 vs. 0.25 mg/cm2, respectively) and PINP values (27.9±2.8 compared to NOVXC 34±2.4 μ/L, respectively). The vegetable mixture supplementation showed better values of BMD and PINP in OVXT group directed back toward normal (0.183 mg/cm2 and 29.35±3.4 μ/L, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of blood plasma of supplemented group showed lower blood glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative markers if compared to that in OVXC group.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the plant formula was effective to minimize health hazards in ovariectomized rats and maybe for postmenopause women. Perhaps longer time may be needed for more significant and clear effect.

Burn drug made from ozonated vegetable oil mixture with white tumeric and cassava leaves extract

This research aims to create a burn treatment performed with ozonation process from a mixture of vegetable oil and added extracts of herbal ingredients. Ozonation on vegetable oils proven to kill bacteria and safe for the body. Ozonated vegetable oil produced from the ozone reactor batch process by doing a variety of extraction mixture to Oleozon® and vegetable oils. Then the results of ozonation is added extracts of herbal ingredients that cassava leaves and white turmeric to increase effectiveness in killing bacteria. Cassava leaves have anti-inflammatory agent, namely Vitamin C. While white turmeric Curcuma zedoaria have substance, which of the two compounds can inhibit and kill bacteria. The quality of ozonated oil (Oleozon®) analytically were tested by the method of iodine number, acid number, peroxide number, and FTIR. Ozonation increased the peroxide and acid values for both oils, the increase being higher for mixture of coconut oil and soybean oil. The results of such mixing is then tested in bacteria to determine their effectiveness in killing the bacteria. The best ozonation condition is in an increase of 386,85% acid value, peroxide value about 102,91 meq/kg oil, and decrease in iodine number up to 21%. The result showed that under these conditions, ozonized oil has an antiseptic effect against Staphylococcus aureus. The final results of this study are expected to be a new innovation in the healing of skin wounds caused by burns as an anti-inflammatory that is effective, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Impact of vegetative emissions on urban ozone and biogenic secondary organic aerosol: Box model study for Berlin, Germany

Tropospheric ozone and particulate matter affect human health and cause vegetation stress, dysfunction and damages. In this study we investigate the effect of increasing urban vegetation i.e. tree species on atmospheric chemistry, a potential urban management strategy to counteract high levels of local pollutants such as ozone, OH and PM10 caused by e.g. traffic. We use an extended version of an atmospheric chemistry box model including detailed gas-phase chemistry, mixing layer height variation and secondary organic aerosol calculations based on observations for Berlin, Germany. It is shown to accurately simulate the observed ozone volume mixing ratios during the intensive measurement period in July 2014 (BAERLIN2014) if basic parameters such as nitrogen oxides, meteorological conditions, PM10 concentrations as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered as 1 h resolved datasets. Based on this setup the effects of changing present day vegetation mixture by 24 different relevant tree species and of urban greening is tested to elucidate benefits and drawbacks in order to support future urban planning. While the present day vegetation causes boundary layer ozone to decline slightly at 35 °C, individual tree types alter the ozone production rate and concentration as well as the secondary organic aerosol mass in different ways. Our results suggest that trees intensively emitting isoprene such as black locust, European oak and poplar result in higher ozone and total PM10 concentrations than at present, while tree species emitting primarily monoterpenes such as beech, magnolia and wayfaring trees yield less of both. This is in line with the similar behaviour of OH concentration and new particle formation rates. Thus, for future urban planning including urban greening, consideration of the beneficial and harmful aspects of tree species need to ensure that citizens benefit from and are not being negatively affected by climate adaptation strategies.

Replacing fish meal with vegetable protein sources in feed for juvenile red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii : Effects of amino acids supplementation on growth and feed utilization

An 8-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fish meal replacement with a vegetable mixture of soybean meal and rapeseed meal (1:1) on growth of juvenile red swamp crayfish. Nine isonitrogenous diets were designed: V0, V34, V50, V65, V73 and V81 with six levels of vegetable proteins, and VA48, VA63 and VA78 by further adding crystalline lysine and methionine into V50, V65 and V81. Compared with V0, V34 significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR), while V65, V73, V81 and VA78 depressed the SGR (p < .05). Feeding rate showed a decreasing trend as dietary vegetable protein level increased (p < .05), except that in VA48 group. Significantly lower FCR and higher PER were observed in V34 group, whereas all vegetable protein diets depressed the feed utilization of crayfish (p < .05). Crayfish fed with diets containing vegetable proteins showed significantly lower hepatosomatic indices and higher condition factors than the control (p < .05). Muscle lipid content was significantly (p < .05) lowered in V81 group, but not in VA78 group. The results suggested that 338 g/kg vegetable protein improved growth performance of crayfish. Excessive vegetable protein depressed the growth of crayfish, which could be prevented by lysine and methionine supplementation except for the all vegetable protein diets.

Palaeo-ecological and archaeological analysis of two Dutch Celtic fields (Zeijen-Noordse Veld and Wekerom-Lunteren): solving the puzzle of local Celtic field bank formation

Celtic fields are the best preserved and most widely distributed type of prehistoric agricultural landscape in the Netherlands, and occur throughout north-western Europe. In this contribution, data from two excavated Dutch Celtic fields are used to explain the process of bank formation and to unravel the agricultural regime of Celtic fields. To this end, traditional archaeological methodologies and geochemical analyses are combined with detailed palaeo-ecological analyses. It is shown that Celtic field banks were constructed from a mixture of non-local soil, wetland vegetation, dung and settlement debris such as charcoal and sherds. A system was in place in which sods and plants were cut in lower-lying wetland landscapes and which were transported to the settlement, where they were presumably used as byre-bedding, became enriched with dung and were mixed with settlement debris. This mixture was carted to the fields, most likely to be spread across fallow plots as a manuring agent. From this primary, functional location, a composite sediment of agricultural sediments and the added manure was incorporated into the field banks. This process of incorporation was very slow and probably started with the uprooting of arable weeds from the fields, which were tossed to the side against the wattlework fences—together with minute quantities of soil attached to their root clusters. As a consequence of this chain of events, over the course of centuries, banks of anthropogenic sediment came to enclose fields within the Celtic field landscapes.