Water For Food Production Research Articles

A highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for reversible visual detection of fluoride ion and trace water in food products

A simple diphenylimidazole-based fluorescent sensor (DIP) had been designed for reversible fluorescence sensing of F− and trace water. The sensor showed superior selectivity for F− compared to other anions with fluorescence “turn on” mode. After adding F− to CH3CN solution of DIP, the emission color of DIP changed markedly from weak blue to strong cyan, which could be facilely discerned by the naked eye. The various technical analysis, including spectroscopies, 1H NMR titration and DFT calculation, indicated that the deprotonation of imidazole –NH and –OH occurred in the presence of F−. The detection limit of DIP toward F− could reach as low as 72.3 nM. Moreover, F−-induced deprotonation of DIP-F− system exhibited high sensitivity for water with the detection limit of 0.0015 vol%. The reversible switching characteristic of DIP prompted it suitable for the construction of molecular logic gate. In addition, DIP and DIP-F− were successfully applied to the determination of F− content in toothpaste and water content in table salt, sugar and tea, respectively. Moreover, DIP and DIP-F−-coated filter paper strips could be used as fluorescent display materials for inkless writing with repeatability.

Investigation of the low-temperature exposure effect on the water activity of food products

Introduction: The activity of water is an integral characteristic of the moisture condition in a product, by which one can assess the correctness of various technological processes, as well as predict the shelf life of the product. Existing studies on the activity of water in food products were conducted mostly for the positive temperature range. Little attention was paid to the study of the effects of low-temperature exposure on water activity.Purpose: The article is devoted to the study of water activity in food products at various temperatures. Such an approach will allow predicting the shelf life of food products and optimizing the development of methods for controlling the functional and technological characteristics of food raw materials.Materials and Methods: The objects of research were: beef chilled according to GOST R 52427-2005, chilled pork, chilled mutton, fresh cucumbers, fresh carrots, fresh tomatoes, fresh parsley greens, dill greens, green onion greens. Two installations were used to analyze the water activity in the research objects: designed at the Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy, and the LabSwift-aw water activity analyzer. Experiments were conducted for fresh, chilled, and frozen products at various temperatures.Results: A design of a homemade installation that can be used to measure water activity is presented. The accuracy of this installation's measurements is experimentally proven. An analysis of water activity in fresh, chilled, and frozen products has been conducted. The water activity of fresh products was within the range of 0.954-0.995. It was found that with the same moisture content, the water activity can vary slightly, which is due to the difference in the chemical composition of the product and the salt content. It was established that chilling products from 22 to 6°C leads to a decrease in water activity by an average of 2%. Freezing to a temperature of -5°C results in a further reduction of water activity by an average of 0.03 units. Lowering the freezing temperature from -5°C to -10°C, -20°C, -30°C, and -40°C results in a reduction of water activity by an average of 0.04, 0.07, 0.06, and 0.05 units, respectively. Based on experimental data, mathematical dependencies of water activity on the freezing temperature for all studied products were derived.Conclusion: Water activity has important theoretical and practical significance, and the results of the research can be useful in predicting the shelf life of food products and developing methods to control the functional and technological characteristics of food raw materials.

A simple system for ozone application in domestic sewage for agricultural reuse

The increasing demand for water in food production highlights the need to seek alternative sources of supply. Treated domestic sewage is a way to mitigate this problem, but it must comply with legislation to be used safely in agriculture. Ozone has been used for disinfection of domestic effluents due to its strong oxidizing character, allowing the adjustment of its parameters for agricultural reuse. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the sanitary and agricultural viability of domestic effluent treated with ozone. The experiment was carried out on laboratory benchtops and doses of 0, 8, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg L−1 of ozone were applied. The application time for each dose was 0, 14, 27, 54, 81, and 108 seconds, respectively. Microbiological, physical, and chemical parameters were evaluated: total coliforms, Escherichia coli, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. Ozonation did not significantly alter the physical and chemical composition of wastewater, indicating an important advantage in terms of potential agricultural reuse. However, the pathogenic load of E. coli was not reduced enough for the effluent to be used in agriculture. The results suggest an investigation of the effects of ozone on the efficiency of sewage treatment, seeking to understand these interactions to identify ideal doses and exposure time, making wastewater safe for agricultural reuse.
 Keywords: agriculture, ozonation, treated effluent.

ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF THE METHODS FOR DETERMINING WATER ACTIVITY IN NON-SMOKING TOBACCO AND NON-SMOKING NICOTINE-CONTAINING ORAL PRODUCTS

The article presents an analytical review of the methods for determining the activity of water in food products. This is necessary in order to select among several methods the most suitable, which can be taken as a basis for further development of the methodology for determining water activity for non-smoking tobacco and nicotine-containing products. Water activity is an indirect indicator of microbiological contamination and is particularly important for tobacco and non-tobacco products consumed directly without burning. When water activity values are relatively high in Non-tobacco nicotine-containing products of oral type (NTNCPOT), microflora can develop. Non-tobacco nicotine-containing oral consumption products are actively marketed and are partially replacing traditional nicotine “consumption” methods. A distinctive feature of this product is its method of consumption, which is that as a result of consumption there is no process of inhaling tobacco smoke, which has a negative impact on the human body. On this basis, this product is a less dangerous alternative to smoking cigarettes. Since the products are so widespread, it is necessary to establish quality control. Water activity is not a standard indicator for controlling tobacco products, but since these products are intended for oral consumption, this indicator should begin to be defined as one of the most important for consumer safety. For non-smoking tobacco and nicotine-containing oral products, the CORESTA CRM88 method is the most appropriate. In order to develop a methodology for determining water activity and establishing the necessary values, further study of smokeless tobacco products and non-smokeless nicotine-containing oral products is needed.

Determination of water in organic solvents and raw food products by fluorescence quenching of a crystalline vinyl-functionalized COF.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with good chemical stability, flexible chemical functionalization, tunable pore sizes, and high specific surface areas have been increasingly employed in the field of fluorescence sensing. In this work, a crystalline vinyl-functionalized COF TzDa-V was facilely prepared through a room-temperature synthetic method via condensation reaction between 4,4',4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)trianiline (Tz) and 2,5-diallyloxyterephthalaldehyde (Da-V). The intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect endowed the TzDa-V with fluorescence characteristic, and it was sensitive to trace water and can be quenched due to the disruption of ICT process by water. On this base, the prepared COF TzDa-V with excellent chemical/thermal stability was applied to sensing of trace water in common organic solvents such as DMF, acetone, THF, and ethyl acetate with rapid response (less than 10s), satisfactory sensing range (0.5-18% water in DMF, 0.5-15% water in acetone, 0.5-16% water in THF, 0.5-5% in ethyl acetate, v/v), and high sensitivity. The limits of detection for water in DMF, acetone, THF, and ethyl acetate were 0.0497%, 0.0590%, 0.0502%, and 0.0766% (v/v), respectively. The proposed probe was successfully used for the detection of trace water in food products such as salt and sugar. The COF TzDa-V would be a good candidate for application in water sensing.

Securing Land and Water for Food Production through Sustainable Land Reform: A Nexus Planning Perspective

Land and water are vital resources for sustaining rural livelihoods and are critical for rural development as they form the basis of agriculture, the main economic activity for rural communities. Nevertheless, in most developing countries, land and water resources are unevenly distributed due to historical and socio-economic imbalances, hence the need for land reform policies to address these disparities. However, redistributing land without considering the interconnectedness of land and socio-ecological systems can compound existing food and water insecurity challenges. This study used a mixed research method, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, to develop a framework to guide policy and decision-makers to formulate coherent strategies towards sustainable land redistribution programmes and achieve the desired outcomes. The approach was vital for integrating the broad and intricate interlinkages between water, land, and environmental resources. Therefore, the framework is based on transformative and circular models for informing strategic policy decisions towards sustainable land redistribution. The focus was on South Africa’s land redistribution plans and the implications on water and food security and rural development. The developed framework is designed to ensure the sustainability of agrarian reform and rural economic development. It is framed to address land and water accessibility inequalities, promote water and food security, and enhance rural development. A sustainable land redistribution increases the adaptive capacity of rural communities to climate change, enhances their resilience, and provides pathways towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Efficient Solar-Driven Water Purification Based on Biochar with Multi-Level Pore Bundle Structure for Preparation of Drinking Water.

Water is an important source for humankind. However, the amount of available clean water has rapidly reduced worldwide. To combat this issue, the solar-energy-driven evaporation technique is newly proposed to produce clean water. Here, biochar derived from sorghum stalk with a multi-level pore bundle structure is utilized to fabricate a solar-driven evaporator for the first time. The biochar displays rapid water transfer and low thermal conductivity (ca. 0.0405 W m−1 K−1), which is vitally important for such an application purpose. The evaporation rate and energy conversion efficiency of the solar evaporator based on carbonized sorghum stalk can achieve up to 3.173 kg m−2 h−1 and 100%, respectively, which are better than most of the previously reported biomass materials. Furthermore, the carbonized sorghum stalk also displays good resistance to salt crystallization, anti-acidic/basic, and organic pollutants by producing drinking water using seawater, acidic/basic waste water, and organic polluted water, respectively. The direct application of processed water in food production was also investigated. The present solar steam evaporator based on the carbonized sorghum stalk has the potential to create practical drinking water production by using various water sources.

Investigation of the quality of water in the process of its purification using ultrafiltration by the method of differential scanning calorimetry

The increased interest in ultrafiltration technology in the last decade is caused by the search for new purification methods that allow obtaining high-quality drinking water that meets modern regulatory requirements. Modern water purification schemes use an ultrafiltration unit before reverse osmosis in softening, desalination and demineralization of water for food production. The pore size of ultrafiltration membranes ranges from 5 nm to 0.05-0.1 microns. Using ultrafiltration instead of the traditional water treatment scheme, makes it possible to obtain water with a low content of suspended and colloidal substances, increase the productivity and serviceability of reverse osmosis membranes. The water treatment scheme may contain the following modules: coarse filter; ultrafiltration unit, buffer tank; mixer; water container; reverse osmosis installation; pumps. The method of differential scanning microscopy is used to assess the quality of water during its purification. Water samples were cooled with liquid nitrogen to -30 ? and then heated to 30 ?. Crystals melting peaks were recorded on the DSC curves, and the thermal effect was calculated. During the water purification process, the value of the thermal effect of frozen water samples melting declines (from 515.1 to 261.2 J / g), the value of the temperatures at the onset (from 0.7 to -0.13 ?) and at the peak of crystal melting (from 7.45 up to 4.27 ?). The difference between the heat effect data for water samples after coarse filtration and ultrafiltration is small, which indicates that the ultrafiltration unit allows cations and anions to pass through, which preserves the salt balance of water.

Novel root zone soil water retention improves production with half the water in arid sands

AbstractUrbanization and industrial competition continue to reduce both farmland and available water for food production. Therefore, a new root zone soil water retention technology was modified to transform highly permeable soils into sustainable agriculture. This long‐term drought avoidance technology was tested in two arid regions of Iraq, an arid country with declining irrigation water supplies. Manually installed U‐shaped impermeable membrane troughs were compared with manually installed thin layers of partially decomposed organic matter. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) variety Dafnis (Syngenta Sweden) and spicy pepper (Capsicum solanaceae L.) crops were spring planted at Najaf and Diyala field sites during a 2‐yr study. Soil water, temperature, and salinity were measured hourly, and compared to crop growth parameters, yields, and irrigation water use efficiency. Combined weights of four tomato and spicy pepper harvests were (P = .05) 15 and 25% greater on sand soils equipped with root zone soil water retaining technology (SWRT) membranes and required 61% less irrigation water than crops grown on locally practiced organic matter‐lined and no water retaining control soils. Spicy pepper production on SWRT membranes (P = .05) increased 30% with concomitant (P = .05) 125% greater irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) than organic matter‐layered and control soils at Diyala.

An assessment of India's virtual water trade in major food products

This paper analyzes virtual water trade flows through food products between India and its trading partners. It relies on the gravity model of trade and estimates a panel data fixed effect regression to identify drivers of virtual water trade. Our results show that India was the net exporter of virtual water in food products during 1990–2013; however later it turned out to be its net importer. Further our analysis shows distance between trading partners as the primary driver of virtual water trade. India prefers trading with its neighbours to reduce transportation costs. The availability of arable land and water used in crop production are limiting factors for production of food crops and thus act as essential factors in deciding the virtual water trade flows. These findings indicate that resource endowment factors influence bilateral virtual water trade flows.

Between water stewardship and independent global water certification: learning from smallholder rice farmers, Karonga, Malawi

Cooperation and locally driven water management are at the forefront of food production water management for smallholder farmers in low-income countries. The aim of this paper was to critically reflect on the experiences of 5,819 smallholder rice farmers in Karonga District, Malawi, who were members of a farmers’ organization that achieved improved water stewardship, but could not achieve Alliance for Water Stewardship certification within a three-year project. The data for this paper were obtained through farmer and stakeholder interviews. The partnership attempted to bring together four parties: academics, farmers, local government, and a non-governmental organization. The farmers were trained by combining stewardship and certification topics through a train-the-trainer approach. The farmers’ organization primarily focuses on agribusiness; therefore, they did not have any water-related data or detailed farm boundaries from the large and dispersed group of farmers and could not obtain a collective water permit. Understanding water governance was difficult for many farmers. Furthermore, moving from stewardship to certification presented some financial challenges. Critical thinking and questioning are required, along with a deeper understanding of the local context, logistical hindrances, priorities, alternatives, culture, and science, to evaluate how projects are designed and partially succeed or fail from the perspective of low-income farmers in the Global South.

WATER ACTIVITY OF SMOKED PASTA FILATA CHEESE DURING STORAGE

Cheeses have been produced for many thousands of years. They were and still are one of the most important dairy products. One of the most popular type are Pasta Filata cheeses. In literature it is noted that in food production water activity is one of the most important, especially when designing production process. Based on the available information, a hypothesis is proposed that conditions and shelf life of Pasta Filata cheeses can have a significant impact on their water activity. To verify this hypothesis, aw was measured in samples of Polish Pasta Filata cheese known as Rolada Ustrzycka. Samples were stored in conditions of different temperature and time. During the analysis of the numerical data it was found that, among others, storage temperature affects the water activity of this type of cheeses. Conclusions can be used to improve the quality of cheese during storage.

Replacing Imports of Crop Based Commodities by Domestic Production in Finland: Potential to Reduce Virtual Water Imports

Global water scarcity is a severe threat facing humanity today and it is expected to become even more alarming in the future. Agriculture is the biggest user of freshwater and large volumes of embedded virtual water in food products are traded through the global food system annually. Although Finland has vast water resources, it imports large quantities of virtual water – partly from countries suffering from water scarcity. In this article, we present a novel combination of the virtual water study together with an analysis of the potential reallocation of the outsourced production of rice, soybeans and rapeseed, from the water resource-efficiency point of view. To assess how Finland could reduce the outsourced water consumption by these three crops, we evaluated Finland’s potential to replace their imports with local comparable products: domestic barley and oats, field peas and faba beans, and rapeseed, respectively. This replacement would both potentially ease the global pressure on already stressed regions and increase the agricultural diversity of the local agricultural systems. We found that by replacing the imports of the selected crops, considering the realistic potential in Finland, up to 16% of the blue water and almost 30% of the green water embedded in crop imports could be reduced. Although Finland is a minor player in the global food markets, our study presents a highly relevant case of how an industrialized country, with a relatively small population, can contribute to the sustainability of food systems globally.

WATER GOVERNANCE: THE FUTURE OF GROWTH WITH FOOD AND WATER

Forecasts for the next four decades are warning about shortage of water and food, particularly in developing economies. The demand for food will increase because of population growth, especially in developing economies. The problem is reinforced by the lack of water and reduction in food production. Today the consumption of water for food production is high because people do not realize that this is a scarce resource and that can definitely missing. We must create a policy for the management of water and that people are informed that it is not possible to use the feature without any control. The governance of water is important to establish ways and use control mechanisms and implementation of the resource in the various production processes. The waste during the manufacturing process is very high because: a) there is no control on the amount that should be applied to each type of agricultural product; b) the irrigation process is still done by equipment spraying water in large quantities; c) as water is still abundant for the current agricultural production in producing countries, there is no investment in machinery or equipment that can reduce water consumption; d) government authorities in developing countries do not plan and do not make any kind of control on the use of water or water governance; e) the food production process is carried out intensively and in large areas, it produces a single product and this requires large amounts of water.

Studies on the Algal Distribution in Various Salt-Pans of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India

Aquaculture is a popular food producing sector with the target of farming useful organisms in water for food production. Microalgae are one of the many organisms cultured as live feed recently in India. Majority of the algal species can adopt themselves physiologically to a very wide range of salinity. Algae are efficient bio accumulators of inorganic nutrients. Microalgae grow efficiently in a medium having a variety of substances and nutrients in low concentrations instead of a single nutrient in high concentration. Recently, the utilization of saltworks for the production of artemia has increased considerably as it is an indispensable source of food for a number of fish and shrimp larvae. Salt-pans have a ruling temperature of around 24° to 35°C and a temperature of 25° to 30°C is sufficiently favoured to have an increase in biomass content of microalgae. The high nutritive value and adaptability to various environment with a wide range of pH, nutrients and other physical conditions make the microalgae an ideal feed in marine aquaculture enterprise and also a supplement item in human and animal nutrition. The cultivation of these algae with a proper scientific know-how, will improve not only the hatchery need of culture of fishes and shrimps, but also develop the socio-economic status of the coastal people. So, a study was conducted and it unfolds the distribution of algae in different stages of various salt-pans.

Consumers’ acceptance of recycled water in meat products: The influence of tasting, attitudes and values on hedonic and emotional reactions

Community opposition to potable recycled water may extend to recycled water in food production. Past research on recycled potable water indicates that the closer the risk of personal contact or ingestion, the less acceptable it is. Despite purification and expert assurances, emotional responses, including disgust, may present as major psychological barriers to the environmental and commercial benefit of recycled water use in food production. Consumers (n=101) were presented with meat products purported to be processed or containing recycled water (3 levels of proximity to ingestion) along with a control product (containing tap water). Hedonic and 18 emotional responses were elicited. Validated survey instruments were used to measure world views (values), beliefs supportive of environmental actions and food technology neophobia seeking to explain variation in hedonic and emotional responses. Surprisingly, consumers were found to be generally accepting and willing to try foods containing or in close proximity to recycled water when that water was collected, treated and returned to drinking water standards within the factory. All hypotheses pertaining to associated values, beliefs and neophobia were rejected. The study suggests that recycling water within a food factory, when supported by a credible and trustworthy source of information, is likely to be met with positive emotional and affective responses. Using a broad range of affective and emotional responses was useful in understanding acceptance of foods that may be associated with perceived risk.

INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION

ABSTRACTWith a growing and increasingly wealthy and urban population, it is likely that the role of agricultural water management in ensuring food security will become more important. Pressure on water resources is high. Adverse environmental impacts as a result of sometimes poor management of irrigation and drainage are well documented, calling into question the sustainability of some of the current water management practices. Water, food, energy and climate are intrinsically connected. Greater pressure on water resources and, hence, stronger interconnectivity between sectors sharing these resources, call for new, integrated approaches to agricultural water management. This paper explores the links between water, food, energy and climate. It then explores the role of irrigation and drainage in food production and in providing other ecosystem services that are essential for the sustainable use of natural resources. The paper argues that looking at water for food production in isolation would miss important developments outside the water sector that determine the sustainability of agricultural water management. Integrated approaches to food production are not only necessary to ensure sustainability. They also lead to higher benefits per unit of water. For example, integrating food production with other ecosystem services provided by irrigation and drainage not only contributes to sustainability, it also leads to much higher economic value of benefits. This implies breaking disciplinary boundaries and encouraging greater cooperation from planning to implementation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Integrated Plant Genetic and Balanced Nutrient Management Enhances Crop and Water Productivity of Rainfed Production Systems in Rajasthan, India

Analysis of soils from 421 farmers’ fields in eastern districts of Rajasthan, India, revealed widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S; 43 to 87% fields deficient), boron (B; 25 to 100%), and zinc (Zn; 0 to 94%) in addition to phosphorus (P; 10 to 73%) and soil organic carbon (1 to 84%). An integrated approach of application of deficient S, B, and Zn along with N and P to high-yielding crop cultivars increased yield over farmers’ practice of N and P application to local cultivars by 92 to 204% in maize, 115 to 167% in pearl millet, and 150% in groundnut. Benefit-to-cost ratio of the integrated strategy varied from 3.33 to 8.03 in maize, 2.92 to 3.40 in pearl millet, and 1.15 in groundnut. The integrated approach effectively utilized scarce water in food production and increased rainwater-use efficiency at 67 to 145 kg mm−1 ha−1 from 21 to 50 kg mm−1 ha−1 under farmers’ practice.

Practice Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Abstract: Promoting Ecological Sustainability within the Food System

Abstract Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) can implement environmentally responsible practices in their workplace and personal lives. RDs and DTRs who conserve natural resources while minimizing environmental degradation will help maintain sustainability of the food system, which requires knowledge of the external costs of operational and personal decisions. These external costs include energy to produce, transport, and process food; water for food production, preparation, and sanitation; removal of air pollutants; and waste management. As client and public educators, RDs and DTRs are uniquely positioned to meet the growing needs of those seeking guidance on food choices as they relate to ecological sustainability. In an effort to promote ecologically sustainable diets, it is important to consider natural resources as they relate to food production, transformation, distribution, access, and consumption. It is essential that the dietetics community takes a more active leadership role in support of ecological sustainability and social responsibility. RDs and DTRs can influence policy at the institutional, community, local, state, and national levels by presenting results of operational practices and science-based natural resource information. RDs and DTRs are encouraged to become educated and active in implementing sustainable practices and shaping policy in an effort to promote healthier individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.

Whither Australia: Will Availability of Water Constrain the Growth of Australia's Population?

AbstractSupply of water for cities and for food production will not be a major factor limiting the growth of Australia's population in coming decades. The water needed to sustain the population of Australia can be divided into two kinds. Direct water requirements are those that meet the immediate needs of the people – potable water supply and waste removal. Indirect water requirements refer to the water needed to sustain the economy and the standard of living – food production, manufacturing, mining, etc. Agriculture is the largest indirect user, using between 50% and 70%, while household use, including sewerage and drainage, uses less than 30%. Industry uses the remaining 20%. In this paper, we do not deal with the issue of water quality but note its significance, especially as regards the salinisation of water resources in rural Australia. Australia has abundant water when expressed on a per capita basis, although this is unevenly distributed around the continent. Per capita, the densely populated south‐eastern and south‐western parts of the continent have low to average run‐off available when compared with other populated regions of the world. What is more important is the extreme inter‐annual variability of that run‐off. Previous attempts to measure the size of the population that could be supported in Australia, based on the availability of water, have produced estimates up to 280 million. Outside of the well‐watered edges of the continent, water has always been seen as a factor that limits Australia's population. However, water supply is a necessary but not sufficient basis for population growth, as can be seen from examples (such as the Ord Irrigation Scheme) where providing abundant water has failed to trigger major population growth. The largest increases in population in coming decades are predicted to occur in the capital cities where there has been a substantial reduction in water use through demand management in recent years. Urban water demand has proven to be extremely elastic. New sources of urban water, including desalination, groundwater, recycled sewage, and increased run‐off in urban stormwater, will easily provide sufficient water for a growing urban population over coming decades. Water used in irrigated agriculture at present supplies the needs of Australia's 20 million people and an estimated 40 million in other countries. With increased efficiency in the delivery and use of water for irrigation combined with export substitution, water for food production is not likely to limit population. In this paper, we have not dealt with the issue of environmental flows in rivers or with the provision of water to wetlands, although we acknowledge that they are both significant issues for policy development. We conclude that the size of the population of Australia is less important than how that population behaves in regard to the management of water resources.