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College students may face barriers to eating healthy foods. Educational interventions providing practical knowledge and skills may help students to overcome financial barriers or other barriers to acquiring, preparing, and consuming healthy foods. We evaluated the association between participation in a semester-long food skills course with an interactive teaching kitchen and dietary and cooking self-efficacy and behaviors. Participants were recruited from course enrollees (intervention) and the general student population (comparison). We assessed differences in pre-post changes in the outcomes between groups using the propensity score weighting and mixed effects linear or Poisson regression. Course participation was associated with improved self-efficacy around cooking (group × time β-coefficient [SE]: 3.25 [0.57], p < 0.0001) and fruit (6.33 [1.19], p < 0.0001), vegetable (5.43 [1.42], p = 0.0002), and whole grain (5.83 [1.40], p < 0.0001) consumption. Course participants reported smaller pre-post decreases in vegetable consumption compared to non-participants (0.35 [0.16], p = 0.03), increased cooking frequency (0.22 [0.10], p = 0.03) and a decreased frequency of skipping meals (-0.47 [0.16], p = 0.003). There were no changes associated with the intervention in the consumption of fruit or whole grains, or in eating out frequency. Participation in a semester-long, personal food skills course with a teaching kitchen may improve self-efficacy, cooking, and vegetable consumption among college students.

Spectroscopic techniques coupled with chemometric approaches have been widely used for quality evaluation of agricultural and food (agri-food) products due to the nondestructive, simple, fast, and easy characters. However, these techniques face the issues or challenges of relatively weak robustness, generalizability, and applicability in modeling and prediction because they measure the aggregate amount of light interaction with tissues, resulting in the combined effect of absorption and scattering of photons. Optical property measurement could separate absorption from scattering, providing new insights into more reliable prediction performance in quality evaluation, which is attracting increasing attention. In this review, a brief overview of the currently popular measurement techniques, in terms of light transfer principles and data analysis algorithms, is first presented. Then, the emphases are put on the recent advances of these techniques for measuring optical properties of agri-food products since 2000. Corresponding applications on qualitative and quantitative analyses of quality evaluation, as well as light transfer simulations within tissues, were reviewed. Furthermore, the leading groups working on optical property measurement worldwide are highlighted, which is the first summary to the best of our knowledge. Finally, challenges for optical property measurement are discussed, and some viewpoints on future research directions are also given. Highlights: Emerging techniques for measuring optical properties are briefly introduced Qualitative analyses of maturity evaluation and defect detection are reviewed Quantitative analyses of attribute prediction and microstructure estimation are presented Light transfer simulations based on optical properties are comprehensively discussed Leading groups are summarized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge Challenges and prospects for optical property measurement are given [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of obesity and related complications is increasing relentlessly worldwide. The effect of intentional weight loss strategies for obese individuals on fat-free muscle mass (FFMM) and metabolic and general health is not well known. The aim of this research is to measure the effects of dietary intake and physical activity level on FFMM change during intentional weight loss in obese subjects. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-five overweight and obese community free-living subjects had the effects of physical activity level and dietary intake on FFMM change during intentional weight loss assessed in a prospective longitudinal study. Anthropometric, physical activity, dietary intake, inflammatory markers, and oxidative damage were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Validated questionnaires were used to measure dietary intake and physical activity. We compared FFMM loss or gain between subjects stratified by calorie, protein, and fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine the independent effects of dietary intake and physical activity on FFMM changes. Results: A total of 965 subjects [(mean (SD) age 39 ± 12 years, 801 (83%)] females] were assessed at baseline with follow-up for a period of 427 ± 223 days. Using the WHO criteria for body mass index (BMI), 284 (30%) subjects were found to be overweight and 584 (62%) were obese. We found significant correlations between fat–muscle mass ratio (FMR) and inflammatory and oxidative damage markers. After adjusting for important prognostic indicators, age, gender, occupation, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption were found to be significantly associated with FFMM at baseline (p < 0.05). We found no statistically significant difference in dietary protein or amino acids intake in subjects who gained FFMM compared to those who lost FFMM both at baseline and follow-up. By contrast, high consumption of fruits and vegetable and increased calorie intake were associated with increased odds of FFMM gain (p < 0.05). Increased physical activity was independently associated with significant FFMM gain after adjusting for other important indicators ([hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.49 (0.25, 0.97); p = 0.039]. Conclusions: Increased physical activity and high calorie, fruit and vegetable intake are associated with FFMM preservation or gains during intentional weight loss in obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable interest has emerged in developing biodegradable food packaging materials derived from polysaccharides. Phenolic compounds serve as natural bioactive substances with a range of functional properties. Various phenolic compounds have been incorporated into polysaccharide-based films and coatings for food packaging, thereby enhancing product shelf life by mitigating quality degradation due to oxidation and microbial growth. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of polysaccharide-based active films and coatings enriched with phenolic compounds for preserving fruits and vegetables. The different approaches for the addition of phenols to polysaccharides-based packaging materials are discussed. The modifications in film properties resulting from incorporating polyphenols are systematically characterized. Then, the application of these composite materials as protectants and intelligent packaging in fruit and vegetables preservation is highlighted. In future, several points, such as the preservative mechanism, safety evaluation, and combination with other techniques along the whole supply chain could be considered to design polyphenol–polysaccharides packaging more in line with actual production needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy-dense foods are commonly rich in fat and simple sugars and poor in dietary fiber and micronutrients; regularly consuming them decreases the concentration and/or effect of anorexigenic hormones and may increase that of orexigenic ones, thereby decreasing satiety. In contrast, plant-derived phenolic-rich foods exert positive effects on satiety. In silico, in vitro, and in vivo investigations on some of most representative phenolic acids like chlorogenic acid (CGA), gallic acid (GA), ferulic acid (FA), and protocatechuic acid (PCA) have shown that they are able to modulate various hunger and satiety processes; however, there are few studies that show how their chemical structure contributes to achieve such effects. The objective of this review is to summarize how these phenolic acids can favorably modulate hormones and other satiety mediators, with emphasis on the chemical interactions exerted between the core of these compounds and their biological targets. The evidence suggests that they form interactions with certain hormones, their receptors, and/or enzymes involved in regulating hunger and satiety, which are attributed to their chemical structure (such as the position of hydroxyl groups). Further research is needed to continue understanding these molecular mechanisms of action and to utilize the knowledge in the development of health-promoting foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Outcomes from produce prescription (PPR) programs, an exemplar of a Food is Medicine intervention, have not been synthesized. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to examine the impact of PPR programs on food security, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, and/or cardiovascular risk factors (HbA1c, blood pressure, and blood lipids). Searches were conducted across three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science). Eligible studies were published between August 2012 and April 2023, conducted in the US in child/family, or adult populations, written in English and had a PPR program as an exposure. Food security, FV intake, and/or cardiovascular risk factors. Twenty studies ranging from a duration of between 6 weeks to 24 months were included. Of the 5 studies (3 in child/family and 4 in adult populations) that analyzed changes in food security status, all reported significant (P < 0.05) improvements after the PPR program. Approximately half of the included studies found significant (P < 0.05) increases in fruit, vegetable, and/or FV intake. Only studies in adult populations included cardiovascular risk factor outcomes. In these studies, mixed findings were reported; however, there were significant (P < 0.05) improvements in HbA1c when PPR programs enrolled individuals with type 2 diabetes. PPR programs provide an opportunity to improve food security in child/family, and adult populations. Evidence to support whether PPR programs increase FV intake and improve cardiovascular disease risk factors outside of HbA1c in adult populations with high HbA1c upon enrollment is less known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an embedded mixed-methods approach, this study assesses efforts to improve nutritional quality of inventory at food banks. All else equal, food banks with medium and high levels of nutrition-focused food banking strategy adoption had lower mean percentages of unhealthy inventory compared to those with none. Despite positive progress in the charitable food system as a whole, national key stakeholders identified several challenges, including cost and donor reliance, in continuing this work. Findings highlight the significant progress of food banks to adopt nutrition-focused strategies and distribute healthier foods and underscore the role these strategies may have in shaping inventory quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Changes to the food environment during the Covid-19 pandemic significantly influenced food acquisition and consumption, contributing to a higher prevalence of food insecurity. We assessed the perception of the food environment and its association with food insecurity in households of Brazilian schoolchildren during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey between March and May 2021 with adults (n = 475) responsible for purchasing and/or preparing food at the students' homes aged between 6 months and 17 years enrolled in public school from two Brazilian municipalities. We assessed outcomes using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). We measured perceptions of the food environment by evaluating the perceived availability, price, and quality of fruits and vegetables (FV) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) sold in the neighbourhood. Results: The results indicate that 55.1% of respondents experienced mild food insecurity, and 14.5% experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The perception of the ease of purchase (8.5% vs. 64.2%) and variety (78.9% vs. 57.9%) of UPF was higher at all levels of food security and insecurity compared to the same questions on FV. The level of food insecurity was associated with the perceived price of FV (p < 0.05). A negative perception of the quality (OR:1.92; CI:1.04–3.56) and the price of FV (OR:3.56; CI:1.41–8.98) were associated with moderate/severe food insecurity. Conclusions: The affordability of FV is important for food-insecure households. Social protection policies for vulnerable families are crucial interventions that can strengthen and promote healthier food environments with greater availability of fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition education is essential for the development of healthy eating behaviours among children. Over the past few years, multiple nutrition education programmes have been implemented in primary schools. In the current study, the long-term effects of the experiential nutrition education programme ‘Learning Street’ are assessed. This 3-week programme comprises a classroom-based introduction lesson, a visit to a fruit or vegetable (FV) farmer, a cooking workshop, and a joint eating moment. The programme is designed for children aged 8–12 years. Questionnaire outcomes of 11-to-12-year-old children (n = 87) who participated in a Learning Street programme two years before were compared to those of a control group (n = 102) with similar demographics. The questionnaire included questions on children’s FV knowledge, liking, intake, and attitude, as well as their general health attitude, cooking self-efficacy, and cooking attitude. There was a significant difference in FV attitude (Cohen’s d = 0.55; 95% CI: −0.69 to −0.21) and general health attitude (Cohen’s d = 0.37; 95% CI: −0.56 to −0.07) between the intervention and the control groups. For general health attitude, the difference was only significant for a subgroup of children (n = 25) who had participated in two Learning Street programmes. The findings suggest that regularly exposing children to experiential nutrition education may have long-term benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND METHODS RESULTS IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY CONCLUSIONS We sought to determine the impact of school gardens and nutrition education on student fruit and vegetable consumption from limited‐income communities in Alabama.Third grade students at 99 Alabama schools with and without gardens on‐site were randomized to receive either nutrition education or to a wait‐list control group. Multi‐level models were used to assess the effects of treatment and control with and without school gardens.Students attending schools with gardens demonstrated highest consumption of fruits and vegetables prior to treatment. Nutrition education alone translated into significant dietary improvements. Both gardens and education translated into greatest dietary improvements.Devising financially accessible, practical, and culturally relevant ways to improve student health through garden and nutrition education may help improve student diet. Forming comprehensive Extension, SNAP‐Ed, and school collaboration to support gardens, nutrition education, and healthy school policies and systems can be a way to support and sustain healthy student learning environments.Combined gardening and nutrition education is associated with increases in fruit and vegetable consumption among majority rural, Southern students from limited‐resource communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly prominent in agriculture and other fields. Prediction of body weight in animals and plants has been done by humans using many different methods and observations from the past to the present. Although there has been extensive research on predicting the live body weight of animals, weight prediction of vegetables and fruits is not widely. As spherical or round-shaped fruits and vegetables are sold by weighing in the fields, markets and greengrocers, it is important to make weight predictions. Based on this, a model was developed to predict the weight of fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, melons, apples, oranges and tomatoes with the data obtained from their images. The fruit and vegetable weights were predicted by regression models using data obtained from images segmented by the U-Net architecture. Machine learning models such as Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF), Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Linear and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) regression models were used for weight predictions. The most effective regression models are the RF and DT models. For regression training, the best success rates were calculated as 0.9112 for watermelon, 0.9944 for apple, 0.9989 for tomato and 0.9996 for orange. In addition, the results were evaluated by comparing them to the studies of weight prediction. The weight prediction model will help to sell roundshaped fruits and vegetables in the fields, markets and gardens using the weight predictions from the images. It is also a guideline for studies that follow the growth of fruit and vegetables according to their weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine vision and near-infrared light technology are widely used in fruits and vegetable grading, as an important means of agricultural non-destructive testing. The characteristics of fruits and vegetables can easily be automatically distinguished by these two technologies, such as appearance, shape, color and texture. Nondestructive testing is reasonably used for image processing and pattern recognition, and can meet the identification and grading of single features and fusion features in production. Through the summary and analysis of the fruits and vegetable grading technology in the past five years, the results show that the accuracy of machine vision for fruits and vegetable size grading is 70–99.8%, the accuracy of external defect grading is 88–95%, and the accuracy of NIR and hyperspectral internal detection grading is 80.56–100%. Comprehensive research on multi-feature fusion technology in the future can provide comprehensive guidance for the construction of automatic integrated grading of fruits and vegetables, which is the main research direction of fruits and vegetable grading in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) are a category of chemical compounds widely used as additives in food industry. So far, the use of SO2 in fruit and vegetable industry has been indispensable although its safety concerns have been controversial. This article comprehensively reviews the chemical interactions of SO2 with the components of fruit and vegetable products, elaborates its mechanism of antimicrobial, anti-browning, and antioxidation, discusses its roles in regulation of sulfur metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS)/redox, resistance induction, and quality maintenance in fruits and vegetables, summarizes the application technology of SO2 and its safety in human (absorption, metabolism, toxicity, regulation), and emphasizes the intrinsic metabolism of SO2 and its consequences for the postharvest physiology and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In order to fully understand the benefits and risks of SO2, more research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of SO2 metabolism in the cells and tissues of fruits and vegetables, and to uncover the interaction mechanisms between SO2 and the components of fruits and vegetables as well as the efficacy and safety of bound SO2. This review has important guiding significance for adjusting an applicable definition of maximum residue limit of SO2 in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Packaging & Food Machinery is the property of Packaging & Food Machinery Magazine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Nutrition, cooking, and gardening lessons individually and together have been shown to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in school-aged children. The CATCH Rainbow program incorporated nutrition education, cooking, and gardening lessons aimed at increasing FV consumption in elementary school-aged children and assessed changes in participants' BMI, self-reported FV consumption, and skin carotenoid levels at baseline and post-intervention. Methods: Two-hundred and twenty-five 4th and 5th graders (mean age: 9.8 years and 52% male participants) at Genoa Elementary School participated in six cooking and six gardening sessions between September 2021 and May 2022. Each nutrition education session was 25 min long, paired with either hands-on cooking activities or gardening skills. At baseline and post-intervention, participants' height and weight were assessed with a stadiometer/scale, and skin carotenoid measurement was taken by a Veggie Meter® (Longevity Link Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)). Students also completed the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire to self-report FV consumption at both time points. Focus groups were conducted with children at the end of the program for qualitative feedback. Results: paired samples T-test and regression analysis results indicate no significant decrease in BMI or significant increase in skin carotenoid scores from pre- to post-intervention. However, though not significant, there was an increase in self-reported FV intake by 0.4 servings. Additionally, the qualitative feedback was positive, as children mentioned benefits of healthy eating and expressed enjoyment for growing, cooking, and tasting fruits and vegetables. Conclusions: Results from this study can be used to guide future cooking and gardening programs for elementary school children. Time of the year when implementing these programs and collecting data may impact study outcomes due to seasonal variations in fruit and vegetable intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Changes to the food environment during the Covid-19 pandemic significantly influenced food acquisition and consumption, contributing to a higher prevalence of food insecurity. We assessed the perception of the food environment and its association with food insecurity in households of Brazilian schoolchildren during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey between March and May 2021 with adults (n = 475) responsible for purchasing and/or preparing food at the students' homes aged between 6 months and 17 years enrolled in public school from two Brazilian municipalities. We assessed outcomes using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). We measured perceptions of the food environment by evaluating the perceived availability, price, and quality of fruits and vegetables (FV) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) sold in the neighbourhood. Results The results indicate that 55.1% of respondents experienced mild food insecurity, and 14.5% experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The perception of the ease of purchase (8.5% vs. 64.2%) and variety (78.9% vs. 57.9%) of UPF was higher at all levels of food security and insecurity compared to the same questions on FV. The level of food insecurity was associated with the perceived price of FV (p

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly prominent in agriculture and other fields. Prediction of body weight in animals and plants has been done by humans using many different methods and observations from the past to the present. Although there has been extensive research on predicting the live body weight of animals, weight prediction of vegetables and fruits is not widely. As spherical or round-shaped fruits and vegetables are sold by weighing in the fields, markets and greengrocers, it is important to make weight predictions. Based on this, a model was developed to predict the weight of fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, melons, apples, oranges and tomatoes with the data obtained from their images. The fruit and vegetable weights were predicted by regression models using data obtained from images segmented by the U-Net architecture. Machine learning models such as Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF), Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Linear and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) regression models were used for weight predictions. The most effective regression models are the RF and DT models. For regression training, the best success rates were calculated as 0.9112 for watermelon, 0.9944 for apple, 0.9989 for tomato and 0.9996 for orange. In addition, the results were evaluated by comparing them to the studies of weight prediction. The weight prediction model will help to sell round-shaped fruits and vegetables in the fields, markets and gardens using the weight predictions from the images. It is also a guideline for studies that follow the growth of fruit and vegetables according to their weight.

Protein ubiquitination, an important post-translational modification, plays a wide role in the life activities of eukaryotic cells. E3 ubiquitin ligases specifically recognize target proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system and play a decisive role in the ubiquitination pathway. Recent studies have shown that E3 ubiquitin ligases play an extensive regulatory role in the growth, development and stress response of fruits and vegetables. This article introduces the ubiquitin system and the types of E3 ubiquitin ligase in fruit and vegetable crops, focusing on recent advances in understanding the regulatory role and mechanisms of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the growth, development, and stress response of fruits and vegetables. We anticipate that this review will provide a reference for research on the regulatory role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the life activities of fruits and vegetables.

Background: Regular consumption of produce is a challenge for families with young children in low food access areas. Objective: A community partnership formed to evaluate feasibility of and interest in a child care center-based program for produce delivery from an online grocery vendor. Methods: Surveys were collected from caregivers across three child care centers, including produce program participants. Descriptive statistics summarize household characteristics and participants’ experience with the program. Results: Challenges related to online payment and difficulty planning delivery times led to implementation of a modified intervention. Survey results revealed factors related to food access and storage that may impact interest and feasibility of online grocery in some communities. Conclusions: Online grocery vendors may increase acces-sibility to fresh produce for families, but barriers to their use still exist. Trusted community partners such as child care centers may offer some of the resources needed for success.

BackgroundWe investigated whether there exists an association between dietary acid load and kidney function decline in women living with HIV (WLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).SettingOne thousand six hundred eight WLWH receiving ART in the WIHS cohort with available diet data and a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥15 mL/minute/1.73 m2.MethodsA brief dietary instrument conducted from 2013 to 2016 under the Food Insecurity Sub-Study was used for assessing fruits and vegetables (FV) and protein intake. A mixed-effects model with random intercept and slope was used to estimate subjects' annual decline rate in eGFR and the association between FV intake and eGFR decline, adjusting for sociodemographics, serum albumin, comorbidities, time on ART, ART drugs, HIV markers, and baseline eGFR. We evaluated whether markers of inflammation mediated the effect of FV intake on decline in eGFR, using causal mediation analysis.ResultsWe found a dose-response relationship for the association of FV intake and eGFR decline, with lesser annual decline in eGFR in the middle and highest tertiles of FV intake. An increase of 5 servings of FV intake per day was associated with a lower annual eGFR decline (-1.18 [-1.43, -0.94]). On average, 39% of the association between higher FV intake and slower eGFR decline was explained by decreased levels of inflammation.ConclusionsPlant-rich diet was associated with slower decline in kidney function. Inflammation is a potential path through which diet may affect kidney function. The findings support an emerging body of literature on the potential benefits of plant-rich diets for prevention of chronic kidney disease.

The increasing global demand for high-value agricultural products emphasises the need to understand regional export competitiveness. The study aimed to evaluate La Libertad’s comparative advantages in agricultural exports from 2011 to 2023. By employing the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Export Comparative Advantage (ECA), and Import Comparative Advantage (ICA) indices, alongside Porter’s Diamond, the region’s performance and the determinants of competitiveness across 11 key export products were analysed. These products include fruits such as blueberries, avocados, and grapes, as well as vegetables such as asparagus and piquillo peppers. The analysis revealed strong ECAs for fruits and vegetables, with values ranging from 1.56 to 7.08, and a promising specialisation in cane sugar (RCA of 1.28). The findings indicate that most of these products possess strong to moderate comparative advantages in international markets, with products like blueberries and avocados leading in competitiveness. However, certain challenges remain, including the need for strategic business management and technological innovation to maintain and improve the sector’s competitiveness. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation to ensure the sustainability and growth of Peru’s agro-export sector. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and regional planners seeking to enhance La Libertad’s agricultural export potential

Abstract A prototype refrigerated unit with a capacity of 30 to 60 kg depending on bulk density was designed and developed to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables. The performance of the device was evaluated in terms of cooling time, cooling efficiency, specific energy consumption, unit device cost, and quality of stored products. Guava and cauliflower were stored in the device at 5 ± 1 °C and 6 ± 1 °C, respectively at 95 ± 2% relative humidity (RH) to evaluate the storing performance of the device. The cooling time was 2.08 ± 0.05 h at 5 °C and the device showed little fluctuation in relative humidity under load conditions compared to empty conditions at set temperatures of 5 °C and 6 °C. Notably, the cooling efficiency of the device was 93 ± 2% with specific energy consumption of 0.0524 and 0.1104 kWh/kg day for preserving guava and cauliflower, respectively. The overall preservation cost was $0.116 and $0.242 per kg per month for guava and cauliflower, respectively. The results revealed that the shelf life of guava extended for 18 days in this refrigerated device with minimal quality degradation and a weight loss of 3.78%, compared with freshly harvested guava. On the contrary, the weight loss, firmness, pH, and whiteness index for cauliflower at 18 days were 7.17%, 7.17 kg/cm2, 6.59, and 64.19, respectively. Meanwhile, the fresh cauliflower exhibited a firmness of 9.85 kg/cm2, a pH of 5.74, and a whiteness index (L*) of 65.58. The results demonstrated that the freshness of stored fruits and vegetables was preserved, meeting physiological and chemical quality standards. Therefore, the inexpensive refrigeration system, effectively maintains necessary temperature and humidity levels, offering a profitable solution for minimizing post-harvest losses at the greengrocer level. Additionally, the scientific methodology outlined can be readily applied to develop commercial-scale refrigeration units for preserving high-moisture produce.

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Modified atmosphere package (MAP), as a practical, economic, and easy to operate food package technique, has experienced a rapid development in both scientific and industrial communities. In recent years, given the superiority of super-atmospheric O2 (SO) MAP in preserving fruits and vegetables relative to low O2 and/or high CO2 MAP, SO MAP is back on the radar of researchers. This paper systematically reviews recent development on application of SO MAP and improved strategies to fruit and vegetable preservation in the last 15 years, possible mechanisms concerning their positive and negative effects, and challenges and future perspectives for SO MAP. The present work can provide a theoretical basis and technique reference for achieving a better effectiveness on fruit and vegetable preservation in the practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing global demand for high-value agricultural products emphasises the need to understand regional export competitiveness. The study aimed to evaluate La Libertad’s comparative advantages in agricultural exports from 2011 to 2023. By employing the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Export Comparative Advantage (ECA), and Import Comparative Advantage (ICA) indices, alongside Porter’s Diamond, the region’s performance and the determinants of competitiveness across 11 key export products were analysed. These products include fruits such as blueberries, avocados, and grapes, as well as vegetables such as asparagus and piquillo peppers. The analysis revealed strong ECAs for fruits and vegetables, with values ranging from 1.56 to 7.08, and a promising specialisation in cane sugar (RCA of 1.28). The findings indicate that most of these products possess strong to moderate comparative advantages in international markets, with products like blueberries and avocados leading in competitiveness. However, certain challenges remain, including the need for strategic business management and technological innovation to maintain and improve the sector’s competitiveness. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation to ensure the sustainability and growth of Peru’s agro-export sector. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and regional planners seeking to enhance La Libertad’s agricultural export potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 36 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by QuEChERS purification-ultra high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. [Method] The sample preparation was treated using the modified QuEChERS method with acetonitrile as the extraction solvent, and after salting out stratification, take 2. 0 mL supernatant, purified with 400 mg anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 ), 50 mg ethylenediamine-N-propylsilane (PSA), 50 mg octadecylsilane bonded silica gel (C18 ) and 100 mg of graphitized carbon black (GCB),analyze and detect under multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) using Waters Atlantis T3 C18 column (2. 1 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) as an analytical column, gradient elution and quantification using external standard method. [Result] 36 pesticides had a good linear relationship (r≥0. 991 0) at a mass concentration of 5. 00-200. 38 ng / mL, with the detection limit of 0. 002-0. 003 mg / kg and the quantification limit of 0. 005-0. 010 mg / kg. 36 pesticide standards with concentrations of 2 times, 5 times and 10 times the quantification limit were added to the composite fruit and vegetable juice samples, the average recovery rate was 81. 70%-117. 38%, and the instrument precision RSD was 1. 10%-4. 19%. [Conclusion]The established method has the advantages of simple pretreatment, high sensitivity, good accuracy and strong repeatability, and can be widely used in the analysis and detection of a variety of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This commentary discusses the New Zealand Labour Party's announcement to remove tax on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. It aims to explore its potential impact on the psychological well-being of New Zealanders in the context of the growing global burden of mental illnesses in the current food environment. Conclusions: The proposed tax exemption on fruits and vegetables demonstrates the government's commitment to improving the food environment. While the precise mental health effects of this potential tax change remain unstudied, existing evidence suggests a positive impact on New Zealanders' well-being, marking a pivotal step in addressing broader health issues and fostering a healthier, more equitable food landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to obtain the high-quality near-infrared (NIR) spectra of fresh corn cobs. A systematic investigation was made to explore the effects of experimental parameters on the spectral features of fresh corn cobs and modeling validation using NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. According to the cob stick-shaped characteristics, the multi-dimensional comprehensive test was carried out to collect 900~1700 nm spectral data under four parameters, namely, light source type, light intensity, detection distance, and light source angle. The halogen lamp cups were used as the fiber optic light sources. Among them, the halogen lamp cups were selected with the power of 20 and 40 W, detection distances of 10 and 50 mm, and halogen lamp cups with angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°, in order to analyze the spectral differences and distribution patterns of curves. The spectral differences were determined for the distribution patterns. The standard deviation and spectral area extreme deviation indexes were used to evaluate the spectral quality. Further validation tests were carried out on the model. The spectra were evaluated at 30° and 45° halogen lamp cup angles by multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate (SNV), first derivative (FD), and trend correction. Furthermore, the new model was established to predict the water content using partial least squares (PLS) and support vector machines (SVM). The performance of the model was compared after the derivative (FD) and detrending (DT) pre-processing. The experimental results showed that sufficient spectral response and less interference were achieved in the halogen lamp cup with a power of 20 W and a detection distance of 40 mm. The standard deviation and spectral area polarity of the curve were 0.83 and 187.2, respectively. The better quality of the spectral curve and higher performance of the model were also obtained in the halogen lamp cup with the clamp angle of 45°, compared with 30°. The better performance was found in the SVM prediction model after SNV preprocessing. The coefficients of determination were 0.943 and 0.880, respectively, in the correction and prediction datasets, while the root mean square errors were 0.708 and 0.932, respectively, and the residual prediction deviation was 2.956. The finding can provide technical support to the nondestructive test on the intrinsic quality of fresh corn cobs using near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Intelligent Agriculture Mechanization is the property of Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fruits and vegetables are important for the nutrition and health of individuals. They are highly perishable in nature because of their susceptibility to microbial growth. Foodborne pathogens create a significant problem for consumers, food businesses, and food safety. Postharvest factors, including transportation, environment, and preservation techniques, cause a reduction in product quality. The present world is using synthetic preservatives, which have negative impacts on consumer health. Food safety and demand for healthy foods among consumers, the scientific community, and the food industry resulted in the exploitation of natural preservatives, which play an important role in their effectiveness, prolonged shelf life, and safety. Natural preservatives include plants, animals, and microbiological sources with polymers to extend shelf life, improve quality, and enhance food safety. This review specifically focuses on mechanism of action of natural preservatives, spoilage of fruit and vegetables, the importance of edible film and coating on fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parameter selection in ultrasonic pretreatment is closely related to the quality of dried fruits and vegetables, so it is essential to investigate the impact of various parameters of ultrasonic pretreatment on the product quality. In this paper, data from 67 relevant literatures were collected to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on dried fruits and vegetables through meta‐analysis. Overall, the findings indicated that ultrasonic pretreatment could shorten drying time, reduce hardness and improve color appearance of dried products. Subgroup analysis showed that high power ultrasound (P ≥ 300 W) could increase total phenol content and antioxidant activity of dried fruits and vegetables. Additionally, applying short‐duration ultrasound (t < 15 min) increased antioxidant activity, while medium‐duration ultrasound (15 min < t < 30 min) simultaneously enhanced flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. In summary, the application of ultrasonic pretreatment has a positive impact on processing high quality dried fruits and vegetables and obtains better‐quality products in a shorter time compared to direct drying technology. Practical applications: Obtaining higher quality dried fruit and vegetable products in a shorter time has always been a research hotspot in the food industry. This study emphasized the positive effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on fruit and vegetable drying, and provided a theoretical basis for the selection of ultrasonic pretreatment parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acibadem Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Acibadem University Medical School and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BackgroundAdherence to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines of avoiding obesity, maintaining physical activity, and consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with longer survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Dietary components of the ACS guidelines may act in part by changing the microbiome, which is implicated in CRC outcomes.ObjectivesWe conducted a pilot cross-sectional study to explore associations between ACS guidelines and the gut microbiome.MethodsStool samples and questionnaires were collected from 28 CRC survivors at the University of California, San Francisco from 2019 to 2020. ACS scores were calculated based on validated questionnaires. Gut microbial community structure from 16S amplicons and gene/pathway abundances from metagenomics were tested for associations with the ACS score and its components using ANOVA and general linear models.ResultsThe overall ACS score was not significantly associated with variations in the fecal microbiota. However, fruit and vegetable intake and alcohol intake accounted for 19% (P = 0.005) and 13% (P = 0.01) of variation in the microbiota, respectively. Fruit/vegetable consumption was associated with increased microbial diversity, increased Firmicutes, decreased Bacteroidota, and changes to multiple genes and metabolic pathways, including enriched pathways for amino acid and short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis and plant-associated sugar degradation. In contrast, alcohol consumption was positively associated with overall microbial diversity, negatively associated with Bacteroidota abundance, and associated with changes to multiple genes and metabolic pathways. The other components of the ACS score were not statistically significantly associated with the fecal microbiota in our sample.ConclusionsThese results guide future studies examining the impact of changes in the intake of fruits, vegetables, and alcoholic drinks on the gut microbiome of CRC survivors.

BackgroundFruits and vegetables (FVs) are widely believed to mitigate the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the causal relationships between specific FVs and AS risk factors remain unclear.MethodsThis study performed two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to infer the causality of the intake of 28 kinds of FVs with AS, as well as its risk factors including blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP). GWAS genetic data for these exposures and outcomes were extracted from the IEU open GWAS project. Heterogeneity was evaluated using both Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) and MR-Egger methods. MR-Egger regression was specifically deployed to detect potential pleiotropy. Furthermore, a “leave-one-out” sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the impact of each individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the combined outcome.ResultsThe analysis confirms a causal relationship between total fruit consumption and reduced levels of LDL-C (OR = 0.911, p = 0.007) and CRP (OR = 0.868, p = 0.008). Similarly, total vegetable intake is also causally associated with a reduction in CRP levels (OR = 0.858, p = 0.018). Specifically, garlic intake exhibits the most significant causal relationship with reduced risk of AS (OR = 0.985, p = 0.036) and also causally associated with lower levels of LDL-C and TG. Berry (OR = 0.929, p = 0.010) and potato (OR = 0.957, p = 0.020) intake both display a significant causal negative association with TG levels, while peach/nectarine consumption is significantly associated with reduced CRP levels (OR = 0.913, p = 0.010).ConclusionThis is the first MR study that systemically examined the causality between commonly consumed FVs and AS. Our findings highlight the atheroprotective effects of various FVs, particularly garlic, on cardiovascular health and the importance of tailored nutritional recommendations to prevent AS.

Objectives: As part of a group randomized trial of a school-based intervention promoting gardening and healthy eating, health behaviors of adult family members were evaluated. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the Navajo Nation in March 2020 and the ongoing Yéego! collaborative study allowed description of adult response to COVID as an ancillary objective. Methods: Six elementary schools on the Navajo Nation in Arizona or New Mexico had been randomized to intervention or comparison group. One adult family member for each 3rd and 4th grade student completed surveys at baseline, nine-month and 21-month follow-up. Adult outcomes were fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, obesogenic dietary index and gardening frequency. COVID-related measures were collected at 21-month follow-up. Differential changes and interactions were examined using repeated measures linear mixed models. Results: Adult F&V intake increased significantly more in the intervention group than in the comparison group at nine months by 2.26 servings/day (95% CI: 0.45, 4.06). No other changes were associated with the intervention at nine or 21 months. At 21 months, in the subgroup with COVID concerns, the differential change in F&V intake was 2.02 (95% CI: 0.21, 3.84) servings/day. In cross-sectional analyses, only healthy eating measures varied by levels of COVID concerns, stress and resilience. Conclusions: The child focused school-based intervention had some impact on adult family members, particularly their F&V intake, suggesting the reach of the intervention extended to students’ families. The impact on adult F&V intake persisted among those reporting COVID concerns. Findings have important implications for augmenting healthy eating interventions.

Introduction: There is an ongoing debate regarding the role of international trade on food security and food sovereignty. While food security is a concept with a recognized definition and methodologies to assess it, food sovereignty has multiple definitions, and it is not clear how to measure it. Our purpose is to analyze the evolution of cherry and avocado domestic purchases as an illustrative example of the role of international trade on food security and food sovereignty. Method: Using a descriptive analysis, we analyse export data at country level and household data representative of urban centers. Results: We found that cherry and avocado exports have increased over the last decades. We found that domestic cherry and avocado purchases have been stable, while the overall fruit and vegetable purchases have been decreasing. Besides, the cherry seasons are showing some signs of expansion. In terms of disparities, households from quintiles 1 and 2, the two lowest income quintiles, increased cherry purchases. Moreover, households from quintiles 4 and 5, the two highest income quintiles, decreased cherry purchases. Discussion: International trade can also help to increase domestic purchases and decrease purchases disparities, which can be linked to food access and food security. However, the increased of off-season imports of avocado can be linked to a decreased food sovereignty. We expect to contribute to illustrate how international trade, food security and food sovereignty are linked, while the concept of food sovereignty keeps developing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]