This research evaluated deficit irrigation effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, yield, and quality in semi-arid Pakistan during 2023–2024. Four treatments were applied: 100% ETc (control), 80% ETc, 60% ETc, and 40% ETc used a randomized complete block design. The treatment with 80% ETc maintained similar yields as full irrigation. It improved water use efficiency from 1.25 kg/m3 to 1.39 kg/m3. Plant height, SPAD values, and leaf area decreased with increasing water stress. Fruit quality parameters, including total soluble solids, improved under moderate deficit conditions. Moderate deficit irrigation (80% ETc) represents an optimal strategy for sustainable tomato production in water-scarce environments.
Microbial growth in food represents a public health problem that requires immediate attention. In Ecuador, 8924 cases of foodborne illness (FBD) were reported in 2020, most of them caused by bacteria. It is estimated that Escherichia coli causes 2,801,000 acute illnesses per year and results in 3890 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, 270 cases of end-stage renal disease and 230 deaths. Under this context, in this work, alginate capsules containing bioactive compounds from Lactobacillus plantarum GP108 were developed and their antimicrobial effect against E.coli was measured. The formulation of the capsules was carried out using a completely randomized experimental design with three formulations: maximum, average and minimum. The antimicrobial activity was measured by in vitro tests based on the increase in optical density during 7 days of exposure of E. coli with the capsules. By analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was found that the percentage inhibition of the capsules depended only on the formulation (p-value < 0.05), but not on the number of exposure capsules (p-value > 0.05). Tukey’s test indicated that the average formulation is the best at inhibiting the growth of E. coli, maintaining an average of 11.66% inhibition for 7 days. These findings show that bioactive compounds produced by L. plantarum GP108 encapsulated in alginate could be of potential use for food biopreservation.
In the burgeoning floriculture sector of Indian agriculture, optimizing yields of loose flowers like Ixora is crucial. This study investigates the impact of micronutrient management on floral quality, physiological attributes, and postharvest shelf life using four Ixora varieties treated with FeSO4, ZnSO4, and boric acid. The Pink variety (V2) excelled in flower bud length (5.15 cm), bud width (0.38 cm), and corolla tube length (3.73 cm), and also demonstrated the longest shelf life (5.20 days at room temperature, 6.21 days refrigerated). Foliar spray of NPK + FeSO4 (0.5%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) + Boric acid (0.2%) on the Pink variety (V2 × T4) further maximized bud length (5.44 cm), bud width (0.44 cm), corolla tube length (3.95 cm), and shelf life (6.09 days room temperature, 7.13 days refrigerated). These improvements are linked to zinc’s role in photosynthesis, iron’s role in chlorophyll synthesis, and boron’s role in cell wall strength, enhancing flower quality and marketability.
Legumes are recognized for their high nutritional value, affordability, wide availability, and multiple health benefits. In Paraguay, nearly 200 varieties of creole beans are preserved. Despite their cultural and agronomic importance, there is little scientific information on their chemical composition in the country. This gap limits their potential use in food security policies and their development as nutraceutical ingredients for the food industry. This study aimed to generate scientific data on the nutritional profile, including macronutrients and macro- and microelements, of three creole bean varieties: Japanese cream, San Francisco, and Speckled. Macronutrient composition and macro- and microelements determinations were performed following AOAC (2000) methodology, while carbohydrate content was determined using the anthrone method of Clegg. The results revealed moisture contents between (10.1–11.4) g/100 g. Carbohydrate content was highest in San Francisco (69.9 g/100 g). This variety also showed superior protein (29.4 g/100 g) and lipid levels (1.83 g/100 g) compared to the others. Regarding minerals (macro and microelements), Speckled presented the highest iron (8.32 mg/100 g) and calcium (80.9 mg/100 g) values, whereas San Francisco contained higher levels of zinc (2.88 mg/100 g) and magnesium (219 mg/100 g). Copper (0.648–0.723 mg/100 g) and manganese (1.93–2.26 mg/100 g) values were consistent across the three varieties. The preliminary study will serve as a basis for providing initial information with a prospect of encouraging its use in new food applications, developing products with nutraceutical properties, promoting technological innovation, and developing healthy products.
Waterlogging is an increasing constraint to crop productivity under climate change, yet information on quinoa’s sensitivity to excess water remains limited. This study aimed to identify the most vulnerable phenological stage of quinoa to waterlogging stress. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using the variety Tunkahuan, applying waterlogging (12 days) at six growth stages according to the BBCH scale, plus a well-drained control. Growth, chlorophyll content, biomass, yield components, and harvest index were assessed. Waterlogging significantly reduced growth and yield at all stages (p ≤ 0.05). Early vegetative stress reduced canopy cover and chlorophyll, with partial recovery after stress removal, but caused 73% plant mortality at BBCH 25. Reproductive stress, especially at anthesis (BBCH 60–67), was most critical, reducing yield by 71–77% compared to the control due to severe declines in grain number and harvest index. Stress during grain filling caused moderate yield reductions (22–28 g plant−1). We conclude that quinoa is sensitive to waterlogging throughout its development, but anthesis is the most vulnerable stage for irreversible yield loss. These findings highlight the need for breeding programs targeting waterlogging tolerance and improved management practices to minimize flooding risk during flowering.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the third highest-yielding source of carbohydrates among the world’s crops. In Paraguay, it is a staple food in the Paraguayan diet and the second source of starch after corn, with high demand. In this study, the percent composition of 12 cassava accessions from the germplasm bank of the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology was determined. The percent composition was determined in freeze-dried samples using the methodology of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), and carbohydrates were determined by difference. The results highlight that cassava is composed primarily of water and carbohydrates. It is a moderate source of dietary fiber, low in protein, and fat-free. The moisture, protein, ash, and dietary fiber contents differ significantly (p ≤ 0.01) among the cassava samples. The cassava accessions evaluated show significant variations among samples in terms of moisture, protein, ash, and dietary fiber, highlighting their diversity and the potential for differential use in food product improvement and development programs.
This study evaluated the effect of two cooking methods on food quality indicators in eight varieties of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.), a species that in its raw state is characterized by high hardness and elevated levels of antinutritional compounds. After washing and soaking in distilled water (1:4 grain/water ratio, 3 h), two cooking methods were applied: autoclaving at 121 °C (steam cooking) and boiling in an open system at 91 °C, until reaching a defined hardness endpoint. Both cooking techniques significantly reduced grain hardness, from 2975 to 427.26 kgf in variety V3 (Torta IM. 003 red). Protein content increased up to 33.48% in V5 (Torta IM. 006 cream-black), while protein digestibility reached 89% in V1 (Pallar PE. 001), with steam cooking showing superior results. Likewise, non-nutritional components predominant in raw grains were more effectively reduced by steam cooking. The findings highlight varietal differences in response to processing and confirm steam cooking as the most efficient method to enhance nutritional quality and minimize non-nutritional components in P. lunatus. These results provide relevant insights for improving the use of P. lunatus in human nutrition.
The residual cake obtained after extracting oil from Moringa oleifera seeds is a promising source of plant-based proteins due to its high content of proteins, dietary fibre and essential minerals. However, its food applications are limited by a strong bitter taste that affects consumer acceptance and antinutritional compounds that reduce mineral bioavailability such as phytates. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of saline and ethanol treatments of moringa cake—reported in the literature as improving its sensory properties—on its nutritional profile. Proximal composition was determined by gravimetry for moisture, muffle incineration for ash, and solvent extraction with the Randall method for lipids. Protein content was analyzed using the Dumas combustion method. Mineral elements (calcium, iron, zinc, sodium) were quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and phytates by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The untreated cake revealed a favourable nutritional profile, mainly due to its protein content, but also contained high phytate levels. Both treatments slightly reduced phytates (5–12%), with saline extraction proving more effective. Nevertheless, mineral loss was observed, while there was a notable increase in sodium in the saline-treated samples. Ethanol treatment, in contrast, led to a statistically marked reduction in residual lipids. Importantly, both treatments diminished the bitter taste, improving sensory acceptability. Although neither method completely eliminated phytates, the overall improvements in protein quality, mineral profile, and sensory properties highlight the potential of moringa residual cake as a valuable ingredient. Thus, it emerges as a sustainable, high-nutritional-value source of plant proteins for the development of innovative food products.
In agroecosystems, bacterial antagonism is an alternative to agrochemicals, which are a threat to the environment and global health. From this perspective, a collection of environmental bacterial isolates was tested for their potential as antagonists against the phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas vesicatoria, which is one of the etiological agents of bacterial spot in tomato and pepper. The isolates with the greatest in vitro antagonistic activity were selected for ex vivo assays using tomato plant leaves and further characterized for their capacity to produce hydrolytic enzymes. The results revealed promising prospects for an antagonism-based X. vesicatoria biocontrol against bacterial spot disease, thus favouring more sustainable agricultural production.
The increasing incidence of metabolic disorders, including diabetes, as well as diseases related to gluten sensitivity, has increased the demand for healthier foods, particularly those with both a low glycemic index and that are gluten-free. However, baked goods of this type of product generally do not have good physical properties. In the present study, specific moisture content maximized studied properties: specific volume, hardness, stickiness and adhesiveness. In addition, small variations in the moisture content of the mini pizzas made from cassava starch modified by alpha amylase and Ca lactate caused the physical parameters studied to vary significantly. On the other hand, strong positive and negative correlations were found between moisture content and the studied physical parameters. Thus, moisture content could be a determining factor in studied pizza’s physical properties and can be a predictor of these properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of a gluten-free, low-glycemic-index mini-pizza made from modified cassava starch with alpha amylase and Ca lactate. Cassava of the INIAP 651 variety grown in Manabí, Ecuador, was used. The starch was extracted, sun-dried, and subsequently modified with alpha-amylase (6 U/g) and Ca lactate (6 mg/g). Water, oil, egg, and salt were added to the resulting modified starch to prepare mini-pizza doughs, which were tested at different moisture levels (39.5, 40.5, 41.5, 42.5, and 43.5%) to evaluate their expansive and textural properties. The evaluation results of the pizza at specific volumes (0.954–1.313 mL/g) showed that the highest value was obtained at 39.5% moisture content. However, the hardness (12.654–23.498 N), stickiness (−0.347–−0.246 N), and adhesiveness (−1.328–−1.547 N·mm) determined the lowest values at 43.5% moisture content. Positive correlations were found between moisture content vs. specific volume, as well as between specific volume vs. stickiness. Likewise, negative correlations were found between moisture content vs. specific volume, hardness and stickiness, as well as between specific volume vs. stickiness. Thus, moisture content could be a determining factor in pizza’s physical properties and can be a predictor of certain properties such as specific volume, hardness, stickiness and adhesiveness.
Obesity, a multicausal global health disorder, requires innovative solutions beyond conventional weight control. Plant-derived prebiotics, like inulin, oligofructose, and resistant dextrin, have appeared as promising dietary interventions. These fibers nourish beneficial gut bacteria, which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that regulate appetite, enhance fat combustion, and improve metabolic markers. Clinical trials show that the consumption of 8–21 g/day prebiotics for 8–24 weeks reduces body weight, BMI, waist circumference, inflammation, and insulin resistance. By exploring mechanisms, bioactive molecules, and personalized approaches, this review highlights prebiotics’ potential as natural anti-obesity agents. However, further research is needed to optimize their contribution to public health initiatives for the effective management of obesity.
Osbana, also known as Osbane, is a cooked sausage-like product prepared from edible by-products and is one of the most popular Algerian traditional meat products. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding its culinary preparation and consumption habits. Therefore, this study explores these aspects within the Algerian population. Using an online questionnaire, we surveyed the people who prepare (n = 581) along with those who consume Osbana (n = 928 consumers). The survey allowed us to establish a preparation diagram of Osbana following the traditional methods involving cleaning, boiling, confecting balls/sausages, cutting, seasoning, stuffing, closing balls/sausages, conserving, and cooking. Overall, the results showed that Osbana is usually prepared from lamb, using mainly white offal (intestines, stomach, and lungs) as the main component, generally stuffed in a cleaned rumen that is not scraped of its dark layer. The rough side of the rumen is frequently put on the outside of the balls/sausages. However, regional variations in its preparation have been observed. Osbana seemed to be well appreciated by 51.7% of respondents, owing to its typical sensory properties. Interestingly, it is frequently consumed at home, at most 3 times a year (79% of consumers), but mainly served during religious and social celebrations, especially for Eid El-Adha. The common dishes used for its consumption depend on the region, but overall, it is consumed with Couscous or in a sauce. Variations in the preparation of Osbana influence the way it is consumed, hence creating typical recipes in each region. Also, these differences in its preparation may lead to differences in its nutritional and sensory properties, which require further investigation.
To identify the uterine bacterial flora and for a deeper understanding of pathologies related to the female genital tract, 10 camels were monitored during the postpartum period, and uterine swabs were collected. From the 84 samples, 354 bacterial strains were isolated and identified, including 80.2% Staphylococcus species and 19.8% Streptococcus species. No Gram-negative bacteria could be isolated. The bacterial load was very high during the first week, and then regressed and increased by day 30. The uterine bacterial flora of the camel is rich in lactic acid bacteria, ensuring a high level of local defense of the uterus.
Fermented foods are defined as foods or beverages resulting from controlled microbial growth and conversion of major and minor food and enzymatic components. Once ingested, microorganisms or compounds produced during the fermentation process can affect the gut microbiome in the short and long term. Moreover, in recent years, the health benefits of fermented foods have been intensively studied and most studies have shown a correlation between the consumption of these foods and the composition of the gut microbiota, which were recently identified as a surprising organ. Although studies conducted on the effect of fermented foods on the gut microbiota take up a large space in the literature, the number of studies that consider the mechanisms of action of these foods seems very rare compared to other experiments that test the effect of these foods on intestinal dysbiosis and the improvement of host health. The aim of this work is to synthesize data on the mechanisms of action of some fermented foods and their effect on the modulation of the intestinal microbiota. Further studies should be conducted in vitro and in vivo in order to fully understand the mechanisms of action of fermented foods on this complex ecosystem.
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), which is the pivot of oasian agriculture, offers a range of agricultural by-products, which remain very poorly exploited and are still used in a traditional way in animal rations. Date waste or dry dates are the result of sorting after harvest, accounting for 25% of annual date production. This co-product of poor quality and low market value has been shown to be rich in various secondary metabolites endowed with antioxidant and anti-radical properties. In order to make the most of Algerian oasian flora, a potential source of bioactive natural molecules, a chemical and biological study of three parts of the fruit of the Phoenix dactylifera plant (‘N’ stone, ‘P’ pulp and ‘N + P’ whole dates) was carried out. The bioactivities of hydro-methanolic extracts were assessed by determining antioxidant activity. The date pulp ‘P’ showed better anti-free radical activity with the DPPH test (p < 0.01). The bioactive substances isolated in the stone fractions ‘N’ showed excellent antioxidant activity with the ABTS test (p < 0.05). Moreover, the raw extract of N showed excellent antioxidant activity superior to that of the standard BHT with the CUPRAC test (p < 0.001). The fruits of Phoenix dactylifera and mainly the stones ‘N’ have excellent antioxidant activity and abundant secondary metabolites, which could provide corroborating evidence in terms of the potential elimination of free radicals from the fruit.
Resource efficiency is essential in today’s approach to horticulture. The global problems of water scarcity, soil pollution, biodiversity loss, and rapid growth of the global population require increased food production with fewer resources. Resource efficiency is an indicator that allows defining how much biomass an agri-food system can produce per unit of the resource used. Closed hydroponic systems, such as vertical hydroponic towers (VHTs), exhibit high resource efficiency. In these systems, the water use efficiency (WUE) and the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) can be calculated in terms of the water loss through transpiration and the ion concentration in the nutrient solution. The research aimed to determine the WUE and NUE for chard crops in VHT under greenhouse conditions and to evaluate its feasibility as an urban and peri-urban system for leafy vegetable production. Trials were carried out with chard in the fall 2024 in a tunnel-type greenhouse at the facilities of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi. The VHTs were built with a 20 L square lower deposit on which a cylindrical pipeline of 11.5 cm in diameter and 1.6 m in height was vertically placed. Each pipe had 45 growing containers distributed on 15 levels of three containers spaced vertically 9 cm and a density of 25 plants·m−2. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments (75, 100, and 125% of Steiner’s nutrient solution) and three replications. The transpiration (Tr) of the crop (recording weight loss in the deposit) and the shoot fresh weight (SFW) of the plants were measured daily using a scale. An ANOVA and Tukey’s test for mean differentiation were performed with p < 0.05. Significant differences were found between treatments for SFW, WUE and NUE obtaining the best results at 75% of Steiner’s nutrient solution. Results show that WUE increased between 3 and 6 times, and NUE between 3 and 12 times compared to chard grown in soil. These results were equal and even higher than horizontal hydroponic systems or vertical farms. Vertical hydroponic closed towers installed in greenhouses are an optimal horticultural production system with high resources use efficiency. The implementation of VHT is feasible in areas where there is water scarcity or have a high population density.
Ultrasound has been used to diagnose many diseases in human and veterinary medicine, with excellent results. The present study aimed to assess the effect of cisplatin on testicular size using ultrasound imaging. The study was conducted on adult male rats divided into two equal groups: a control group (C) and an experimental group (CP) which received an intraperitoneal injection (I.P.) of 5 mg/kg cisplatin once a week for two consecutive weeks on day 6 (d6) and d12 of the experiment. After a period of 3 days following each injection, an ultrasound scan was performed to measure testicular volume following exposure to cisplatin (CP). The results indicate that testicular size increased significantly after the first dose (d6) (L: 1.67 ± 0.09, W: 0.91 ± 0.10) compared with the control group (L: 1.53 ± 0.07, W: 0.92 ± 0.03) and continued to increase after the second dose (d12) (L: 1.96 ± 0.18, W: 0.98 ± 0.11). In conclusion, these results indicate that the use of ultrasound technology to monitor testicular size after each dose produced excellent and very clear results, enabling testicular lesions to be diagnosed after cisplatin chemotherapy without the need for surgery or dissection.
This study aims to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of Algerian Fantasia horses. A sample of 25 Fantasia horses was measured, with six key morphometric parameters recorded. Body indices were calculated to analyze their structural conformation. These horses, mainly of the Barb and Arab-Barb breeds, exhibit variability due to breeding objectives, whether aesthetic or functional. The results showed that the withers height was 155.19 ± 2.76 cm, with a body length of 154.31 ± 4.38 cm, indicating a square-type conformation, as confirmed by a body profile index of 1.01 ± 0.02. The dactyl-thoracic index was 0.11 ± 0.004, indicating bone thickness consistent with body weight.Comparisons with existing studies highlight the unique physical characteristics of these horses. The results provide valuable data for future research and breeding programs.
The aim of this study is to valorize agro-industrial by-products and to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on production performance, from late-gestation to lactation, of Ouled Djellal ewes and their lambs. The analysis of production performance data showed that there was no significant difference in the weight performance and growth rate of lambs born from ewes supplemented with different proportions of date wastes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was revealed that the new-born lambs of ewes fed with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae gave results close to or even better than those of lambs in the 33CON control group fed 100% concentrate, particularly 16REB and 25REB. This indicates that ewes were provided with their nutrient requirements for maintenance and production by substituting concentrate with this date by-product at 50% and 75%. Therefore, supplementation of pregnant and lactating ewes with date wastes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae seems to have a positive effect and could be employed as a partial alternative to concentrate.
Diseases caused by phytoparasitic nematodes are still a heavy constraint on modern farming, causing losses in crop yields as well as increased production costs due to pest management. Root-lesion nematodes (RLNs) are soil-dwelling migratory endoparasites that infect the roots of several crop species. RLNs feed and reproduce in the cortical cells of affected plant roots typically characterized by development of necrotic spots. Injuries to plant tissues result in weakened plants that become more prone to attack from opportunistic pathogens. In alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), resistance to Pratylenchus penetrans has been linked to increased transcription of key enzymes in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, important molecules for countering oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms of resistance are still unknown. The present work analyzed indicators of oxidative stress in extracts from transgenic roots of susceptible (cv. Baker) and resistant (cv. MNGRN-16) alfalfa. On extracts of susceptible alfalfa transgenic roots, levels of lipid peroxidation were more than three times higher after seven and fourteen days of growth, while activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) was approximately four times higher after fourteen and twenty-one days of growth, in comparison to the resistant cultivar. This suggests that resistance response may be dependent on plant redox state. Future work will focus on metabolomic characterization of these varieties in contact with RLNs.
