Abstract Preserving apple quality after harvest is a key issue in the fresh produce supply chain. The shelf life and quality of apples, especially Golden Delicious apples, are greatly influenced by storage conditions. Temperature is a critical factor in this regard, as it influences the rate of respiration and moisture loss, which, in turn, affect fruit weight. This study investigates the effect of storage temperature on the weight loss of Golden Delicious apples over 9 weeks while maintaining constant relative humidity. The apples were stored under four different temperature conditions (3, 5, 10, and 15 °C), with weekly weight measurements. For each sample, weekly weight measurements were taken on individually labelled samples, and post hoc (Tukey) analysis was performed to identify significant changes. The results show clear differences in weight-loss patterns, with the greatest differences observed at the highest temperatures.
Abstract Lunar regolith is a potential substrate for plant cultivation in future bioregenerative life-support systems; however, its distinct physicochemical properties pose challenges for plant growth. In this study, white mustard was grown in mare (LMS) and highland-type (LHS) regolith simulants, each separated into fine and coarse particle-size fractions, with perlite as a control. Germination was successful across all treatments. Biomass production and reproductive performance were generally lower in regolith simulants compared with the control. Plants grown in LMS produced slightly lighter seeds than those grown in LHS, with statistically significant differences observed in the LMS coarse fraction. These results likely reflect differences in simulant chemistry, as LMS contains higher concentrations of Fe, Mg, and trace elements that may influence plant physiological responses. Particle-size distribution also affected substrate behavior, with fine fractions showing higher water retention and coarse fractions improving aeration but reducing moisture availability. These results clarify that both substrate chemistry and particle size critically affect plant productivity in lunar regolith-based agriculture.
Abstract The potential of grape seed flour (GSF) and grape seed cake (GSC) as functional ingredients for the enrichment of white wheat bread was investigated at substitution level of 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15.0%. Their incorporation into dough significantly affected the technological and quality characteristics of the final product. At the same time, the addition of GSF and GSC increased the antioxidant potential of the breads, indicating their suitability for the development of functional bakery products. Total phenolic content increased with increasing additive level, and total antioxidant activity, determined by both DPPH and FRAP assays, was notably higher in the enriched samples than in the control. These findings support the use of grape seed by-products as promising ingredients for improving the functional value of white wheat bread.
Abstract Ensuring high-quality peanut seeds is essential for achieving optimal germination performance and improving agricultural productivity. This study aims to design and develop an automated peanut seed detection system (APSDS) by integrating YOLOv8 with a high-speed Delta robot for real-time defect detection and removal, improving seed quality, and reducing reliance on manual labor. The system consists of a hopper-conveyor assembly for continuous feeding, a Delta robot for high-speed pick-and-place manipulation, a suction-based end-effector, and a control system coordinating real-time detection and actuation. YOLOv8 was used for peanut seed detection, classifying seeds into “good” or “bad”. A dataset of about 80,000 annotated peanut instances from 2,000 images was used for model training. Experimental results demonstrated high detection performance, with precision and recall ranging between 90 and 100% across trials. Integrated system evaluation showed detection and suction efficiencies exceeding 93%, while hopper feeding exhibited higher variability due to changes in seed flow behavior. The results confirm the effectiveness and dependability of the YOLOv8 with a Delta robot for automated peanut seed detection and sorting, reducing labor requirements and improving processing accuracy in seed quality management.
Abstract The objective of this investigation was to develop a salad dressing using tofu processing wastewater (soymilk whey), flaxseed oil and polymeric carbohydrates through membrane emulsification technology. Soymilk whey was obtained via citric acid-induced protein precipitation and treated with papain to reduce its allergenic activity. The effect of papain concentration on allergen reduction in soymilk whey was evaluated. In later exercise, membrane emulsification was employed to formulate the salad dressing, where flaxseed oil and polymeric carbohydrates in soymilk whey were considered as the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, respectively. The effect of different carbohydrate proportions in the continuous phase on emulsion stability was investigated. Results demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis significantly reduced the allergenic activity of soybean proteins. An optimal formulation was achieved using 116.8 g L −1 gum Arabic and 29.2 g L −1 modified starch, with a flaxseed oil to carbohydrate ratio of 2.2, resulting in minimal phase separation and improved emulsion stability.
