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AbstractTrace elements are essential for human growth, development, and vital plant physiological and metabolic processes. Micronutrients play a crucial role in both human and plant biological systems. Iron and zinc deficiencies remain some of the most prevalent and serious public health issues impacting vulnerable populations worldwide. Pulses, which constitute a cornerstone of plant-based protein intake and are predominantly grown in South Asia and Africa, can be further enriched with essential nutrients using diverse biofortification techniques. These techniques encompass (i) agronomic strategies, (ii) conventional breeding methodologies, and (iii) genetic engineering techniques. Future breeding and biotechnological approaches aim to enhance bioavailability and diminish antinutrient elements by intervening in pathways or creating low phytate mutant lines. Over the past few years, numerous biofortified food crops have been released, including pulses such as common beans and lentils introduced by HarvestPlus in developing countries. This review discusses various methods utilized in biofortification concerning mineral uptake and transport in pulses. It also addresses future challenges associated with biofortifying pulse crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses are edible seeds belonging to the Leguminosae family for human consumption and consist of various species such as common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), peas (Pisum sativum), lentils (Lens culinaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.), and faba beans (Vicia faba). Pulses are sustainable sources of nutritional compounds, especially containing almost twice the protein content compared to cereal grains. In addition to becoming an excellent source of macronutrients and micronutrients, they are abundant in phytochemicals, containing bioactive compounds with potential health benefits resulting from various phenolic compounds, as well as antinutritional compounds (e.g. phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors, lectins, saponins), which have received widespread concern by researchers. More essentially, various processing approaches for consumption purposes will result not only in enhanced nutritional and sensory characteristics in pulses but also in affected phytochemicals contents and their bioavailability. In this review, the nutritional and phytochemical compositions of pulses will be first introduced, followed by different common-applied processing methods (thermal and non-thermal), along with their impacts and pulse storage effects on the content of corresponding phytochemicals. Furthermore, through food processing and digestion, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of pulse phytochemicals will be improved, thus releasing more health benefits, and expressing pharmacological functions in the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health and environmental issues regarding dairy consumption have been highlighted in recent years leading to tremendous consumer demand for plant-based substitutes. In this review, we focused on quality and health dimensions of pulse-based dairy alternatives (PuBDA) using chickpeas, lupins and mung beans. Appraisal of existing documents show that there is limited information on PuBDA with the said pulses compared to similar materials such as soy and pea. Most of the studies focused on milk or fermented milks, either in full or partial substitution of the dairy ingredients with the pulses. Issues on stability, sensory properties, shelf life and nutritional quality were underlined by existing literature. Although it was emphasized in some reports the health potential through the bioactive components, there is scarce data on clinical studies showing actual health benefits of the featured PuBDA in this paper. There is also a scant number of these PuBDA that are currently available in the market and in general, these products have inferior nutritional quality compared to the animal-based counterparts. Technological innovations involving physical, biological and chemical techniques can potentially address the quality problems in the use of chickpeas, lupins, and mung beans as raw materials in dairy alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germination is a traditional process and a re-emerging trend in healthy foods, resulting a progressively increase in scientific research on their nutritional traits and phytochemical contents. This review examines the physiological and biochemical changes during the germination sensu stricto in pulses, taking into consideration the genotype, environmental conditions, hormone control, and the metabolic transition from seed to seedling. Germination sensu stricto is achieved as soon as elongation of the radicle, implies heterotrophy metabolism; further thermal processing is needed before consumption. In contrast, seedlings production requires a long period of imbibition and can provide a ready-to-eat food product. Furthermore, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and antinutritional compounds of pulses are described. Impacts of food processing, such as soaking, germination, and cooking, in nutritional and antinutritional values are also evaluated. The association of soaking, germination, and cooking increases the nutritional values of pulses by increasing protein/starch digestibility and vitamins content and by decreasing antinutritional compounds. The final plant-based product allows versatility in formulation to produce novel food products and/or ingredients with better nutritional content. This can encourage the scientific community, industry, and government to invest in research and development to increase germinated pulse-based food, to replace other products, or to develop new ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes have multiple advantages that meet agroecological challenges. However, many farmers are reluctant to include them permanently in their crop rotations. We investigated farmers' motivations for growing pulses in a case study of a French cooperative which has developed a pulses sector, by analyzing data from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Environmental and social values were more present among organic than conventional farmers; the latter were more concerned about their image. The results suggest that mechanisms to promote knowledge sharing among farmers would be valuable and highlight the intermediary role between local stakeholders that cooperatives can play to support agroecological policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to compare the frequency of consumption, access to purchase, and type of preparations with pulses among people who eat a vegetarian/vegan or non-vegetarian diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional surveys were distributed using different digital platforms and social networks. We investigated the frequency of consumption, access to purchase any type of preparations. Descriptive analyses were performed. Differences between the types of diet were tested by Chi-squared statistics. A total of 3339 adults participated in the survey in March 2021, 80% of the total participants were females; 13.6% were vegetarian or vegan (VV). The consumption of pulses increased by 25% among non-vegetarians and 54.5% in VV (p by 25% among non-vegetarians and 54.5% in VV (vey in March 2021, 80% of the total participants were females; 13.6% were vegetarian or vegan (VV). The consumption of pulses preparations. Descriptive analyses were performfood with high satiating power, when compared with the opinions of non-vegetarians (p ood with high satiating power, when cconsumption of pulses were observed in less than 30% of the respondents, but the percentage was lower among VV, the most common negative beliefs are "They are difficult to prepare" and "My family does not like them." Food preparations including pulses are more diverse among VV, and consumption being significantly higher in the 10 alternatives of preparations included in the study. These results highlight the importance of identifying the knowledge, practices, frequency, and preferences of consumption of legumes in the population to stimulate their consumption. Although we observed an increase in the consumption of legumes among those in the sample, the VV group showed a higher frequency of consumption, consumption of different types of legumes and varied preparation, and greater knowledge about the beneficial properties of legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of a common bean baked snack (CBBS) and cooked bean consumption on energy intake, satiety, glycemic response, and palatability in subjects with normal weight (Study 1) and overweight (Study 2) and to determine the glycemic index of CBBS (Study 3). For studies 1 and 2, satiety and glycemic response were measured over 45 min after consuming CBBS, cooked beans or white bread preload, and energy intake at an ad libitum test meal was calculated. Energy intake remained similar after consuming the three preloads in both studies. Compared to white bread, CBBS consumption increased fullness by 52% in subjects with normal weight but not in those with overweight. The CBBS calculated glycemic index was considered low (42). Consumption of low glycemic index CBBS increased satiety in adults with a normal weight. Long-term trials assessing the effects on body weight management are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study focuses on the use of bacterial isolate Pseudomonas OG101 against the Fusarium sp. and its growth promoting ability for chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants. Pseudomonas strain OG101 controls mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris and F. oxysporum f.sp. pallidoroseum up to 24.4% and 20.5%, respectively. In addition, OG101 showed a significant improvement in the germination index of 93.3% and 98.3% with disease index of 1.6% and 3.3% in chickpea plant and cowpea plant, respectively. Pot experiments of chickpea and cowpea plants refer to use it as a seed bacterization for the best effect for growth promotion and its biocontrol activity against F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceris and F. oxysporum f.sp. pallidoroseum respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of pasta's properties come from gluten; however, many have an adverse reaction to its consumption. The objective of this work was to optimize the formulation of a protein enriched gluten-free pasta. A mixture design of experiments (MDOE), using isolated protein from pea (PPI) and fava (FPI) as the protein sources, was used to optimize the pasta formulation. Formulations were tested for extrusion feasibility, optimal cooking time, cooking loss, swelling index, color, and hardness. Two optimized protein ratios, 30:70 and 43:57 PPI:FPI, resulted from the MDOE analysis. The optimized formulations were compared to semolina pasta for the same properties. Hedonic sensory evaluation of the optimized formulations, semolina, and whole wheat pastas was conducted: glutenous pastas showed higher liking scores. This study shows that by using PPI, FPI and MDOE it is feasible to formulate protein enriched gluten-free pasta, while further optimization is needed to fully mimic their regular glutenous counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses low yield in the arid and semiarid climates are imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers and no use of organic matter (animal and crop residues incorporation). The hypothesis was tested that integrated use of potassium (K) and animal manures could increase mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) productivity and profitability in the semiarid climate of Peshawar. A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of organic matter (composted animal manures) (5, 10, and 15 t ha−1) and potassium (30, 45, and 60 kg ha−1) under irrigated (three irrigations, no water stress) and dryland or limited irrigated (one irrigation, water stresses before flowering and after pod formation) condition on mungbean (cv. Ramazan 92). The experiment was carried out in the summer of 2017 at Agronomy Research Farm, the results revealed that crop under no water stress had delayed phenological development (took more days to flowering, pod formation, and physiological maturity), better growth by producing taller plants with a more number of leaves, nodules, and pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, heavy 1000-grains weight, higher biological and grain yields than water stress condition. The experiment also confirmed that the combination of the highest rate of K and organic matter had improved the vegetative growth and development, and significantly increased yield and yield contributing parameters under both water stress and no stress conditions. It was concluded that mungbean yield and yield components increased with combined application of 60 kg K ha−1 + 15 t OM ha−1 under full irrigated (no water stress) and limited irrigated (water stress) conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal properties of lentil (Lens culinaris) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were determined experimentally and with predictive mechanistic models as functions of temperature and moisture content (four levels). Thermal conductivity (k), specific heat (Cp), and density (ρ) of the samples were evaluated using a line heat source probe, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and pycnometer, respectively. Except for Cp which was measured at a temperature range of 30 to 90°C, other properties were measured at room temperature. Specific heat of the samples increased linearly with moisture content (MC) and temperature, ranging from 0.824 to 2.433 kJ/kg K and 0.444 to 2.067 kJ/kg K for lentil and chickpea, respectively. Thermal conductivity increased with MC in all samples with its values ranging from 0.161 to 0.191 W/m K for lentil and 0.160 to 0.227 W/m K for chickpea. However, thermal conductivity values of flours were higher at lower MC levels when compared to seeds at higher MC levels. Thermal diffusivity, (0.159 × 10−6 to 0.221 × 10−6 m2/s and 0.163 × 10−6 to 1.175 × 10−6 m2/s for lentil and chickpea flours, respectively) was calculated from known values of k, Cp, and density (ρ), with its values decreasing as the MC levels increased. Thermal properties data from our experiments did not fit into the components-based mechanistic models. Models generated in this study have good significance (p<.05 and R2 ≈ 1), meaning they can be used for prediction of these properties, as well as modeling and simulation of thermal behavior of pulses during conventional or radio frequency (RF) heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop a strategy for the safe management of insect pests in stored agricultural commodities, Anserine (Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.)) essential oil was tested against Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) raised on seeds of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) at 20–30°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in storage conditions. The essential oil extracted from Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) was analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The chromatogram of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) contains 13 compounds of which α-Terpinene is the majority constituent with a percentage of 61.04%. The results obtained have shown that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) has repellent and toxic effects on Callosobruchus maculatus. It causes a high mortality rate in adults and affects its fecundity, fertility and success rate in a very significant way compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) is one of the main blood pressure regulators in the renin-angiotensin system leading to hypertension. Hypertension is known as the modern world disease which increases the risk of serious human health problems. Synthetic drugs and some natural compounds could treat this disease by binding to ACE and reducing its activity. Pulses, one of the legumes group, that are the rich in protein sources in the human diet, have several bioactive compounds with ACE inhibitory (ACE I) properties. However, several processes need to break down proteins and improve ACE I activity in foods. Germination and fermentation, known by bioprocessing, could make releasing bioactive peptides and polyphenols and exhibit ACE I and either other health properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anticancer activities. Various factors such as kind of selective culture, temperature, time and humidity affect these processes. This review summarizes relevant studies about the effect of pulses' germination and fermentation to produce ACE I activity compounds and also explains about main parameters affecting the health properties of these two bioprocessing to treat hypertension that could lead to the development of their application in pharmaceuticals instead of synthetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that the elderly are at a higher risk of developing malnutrition due to physiological and pathological changes. Several studies have confirmed that older South Africans have insufficient dietary diversity, resulting in nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, poor and uninformed dietary choices are associated with the development of several diseases and increased mortality. Following the Elderly Food Based Dietary Guidelines (EFBDGs) related to promoting elderly health could ensure that the elderly have an adequate intake of nutritious foods. This paper provides an overview of six FBDGs relating to promoting health and is based on the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses are a major source for plant-based proteins, with over 173 countries producing and exporting over 50 million tons annually. Pulses provide many of the essential nutrients and vitamins for a balanced and healthy diet, hence are health beneficial. Pulses have been known to lower glycemic index (GI), as they elicit lower post prandial glycemic responses, and can prevent insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and associated complications. This study reviews the GI values (determined by in vivo methodology) reported in 48 articles during the year 1992-2018 for various pulse type preparations consumed by humans. The GI ranges (glucose and bread as a reference respectively) for each pulse type were: broad bean (40 ± 5 to 94 ± 4, 75 to 93), chickpea (5 ± 1 to 45 ± 1, 14 ± 3 to 96 ± 21), common bean (9 ± 1 to 75 ± 8, 18 ± 2 to 99 ± 11), cowpea (6 ± 1 to 56 ± 0.2, 38 ± 19 to 66 ± 7), lentil (10 ± 3 to 66 ± 6, 37 to 87 ± 6), mung bean (11 ± 2 to 90 ± 9, 28 ± 1 to 44 ± 6), peas (9 ± 2 to 57 ± 2, 45 ± 8 to 93 ± 9), pigeon peas (7 ± 1 to 54 ± 1, 31 ± 4), and mixed pulses (35 ± 5 to 66 ± 23, 69 ± 42 to 98 ± 29). It was found that the method of preparation, processing and heat applications tended to affect the GI of pulses. In addition, removal of the hull, blending, grinding, milling and pureeing, reduced particle size, contributed to an increased surface area and exposure of starch granules to the amylolytic enzymes. This was subsequently associated with rapid digestion and absorption of pulse carbohydrates, resulting in a higher GI. High or increased heat applications to pulses were associated with extensive starch gelatinization, also leading to a higher GI. The type of reference food used (glucose or white bread) and the other nutrients present in the meal also affected the GI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted on the lateritic sandy loam soils of Kharagpur, India during June to August for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Supplemental irrigation supplied through subsurface drip and conventional furrow irrigation to evaluate green gram crop response under raised bed with and without plastic mulch and conventional ridge-and-furrow system. Lysimetric studies were conducted for two years (2016–2017) with and without plastic mulch for crop coefficient development. The yield response of green gram crop under raised bed with plastic mulch treatment was 36.20% and 19.90% higher than conventional ridge-and-furrow and raised bed without mulch treatment. Water use efficiency and N-uptake under raised bed with plastic mulch treatment was 6.57 kg ha−1 mm−1 and 80.22 kg ha−1. Crop evapotranspiration (ETC) under plastic mulch was 192.12 mm which was 7.17% less than non-plastic mulch condition. Crop coefficient (KC) values for green gram crop during initial, crop development, mid-season and late season stages were 0.37, 0.76, 0.83 and 0.43 under plastic mulch, whereas 0.40, 0.82, 0.89 and 0.49 under non-plastic mulch. Overall study indicated that raised bed with plastic mulch can be used for green gram crop during rainy days with supplemental irrigation through subsurface drip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in urbanisation and industrialisation have contributed significantly to elevated concentrations of heavy metals in soils. The eventual uptake of heavy metals by agronomic crops could potentially affect human health based on consumption patterns in various regions of the globe. This study investigated the potential health risks to consumers of dried legumes in a small island developing state that rely primarily on the importation of those crops from major producers. Several varieties were analysed for selected heavy metals in which Cd and Pb were not detected and Cr was only present in certain legumes. The concentrations of Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were all below the established World Health Organisation (WHO) maximum permissible limit (MPL) and the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values were below one for all samples, suggesting no non-carcinogenic risk to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While pulses are staple food-legumes in Ethiopia, their productivity is low due to low soil fertility. Elite rhizobial strains that significantly increased shoot dry weight and nitrogen (N) contents of common beans and soybeans in greenhouse were selected for two-year field trials to evaluate their effect on yields of the pulses in the field. Each pulse had six treatments, namely four rhizobial inoculants, uninoculated control, and synthetic N fertilizer. In the drought-affected year 2015, inoculated pulses tolerated moisture stress better than non-inoculated controls. Inoculation was conducive to higher or equivalent yields compared to synthetic N fertilizer. At Halaba, bean inoculated with strain HAMBI3562 gave the highest grain yield (1500 ± 81 kg ha−1; mean±SE) while the control yielded only 653 ± 22 kg ha−1. At Boricha, HAMBI3570 gave a grain yield (640 ± 35 kg ha−1) comparable to synthetic N. When rainfall was optimal in 2016, inoculation with HAMBI3562 and HAMBI3570 gave grain yields (around 4300 kg ha−1) equivalent to synthetic N. With soybean, strain HAMBI3513 produced consistently higher or comparable biomass and grain yields compared to synthetic N. In conclusion, HAMBI3562 and HAMBI3570 for beans and HAMBI3513 for soybeans can serve as inoculants for areas having similar conditions as the test areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study were to 1) incorporate a recipe development assignment into a college foodservice management course, 2) conduct a sensory evaluation of these products, and 3) gather information about how well these recipes would be accepted as post-workout snacks. Students in the foodservice management course were advised to develop pulse crop (dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, lentils) recipe that was a grab-and-go item that could foreseeably be used for different populations such as a post-workout snack for university athletes, and for inclusion in the National School Breakfast Program. Students developed and tested recipes and conducted on-site sensory evaluations. Later students conducted a controlled, blinded sensory evaluations in a sensory lab. Variations in product characteristics where observed when prepared by different individuals. The Pulse Power Bar and the Crunchy Chickpea Trail Mix were rated highest for taste and overall acceptance, and were most accepted as a post-workout snack. The Creamy Strawberry Dip scored the highest in the initial sensory evaluation, but lowest in the final sensory evaluation. Taste and texture were main reasons for not wanting to consume the recipes post-exercise, while taste and health were main reasons for wanting to consume the recipes post-exercise. These finding highlight the need for improved standardization of recipe directions, etc., and suggest that teaching students to standardize recipes would require more than one assignment in one class. These findings also suggest that acceptance of pulse products is influenced by taste, texture, and presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the effects of high-power laser pulses on 09G2S steel under conditions of deep penetration welding with LS-10 fibre laser is considered. Welding was carried out using filler wire in the flat-position. It is shown that the use of pulsed modes of the fibre laser LS-10 allows to obtain high-quality welded joints with deep penetration. It was found that pulsed laser welding with frequencies from 10 to 50 Hz and a speed of 0.6 m/min can reduce the heat input in comparison with continuous beam welding by 20–30%. With the combination of certain pulse parameters, the primary crystallization of the weld changes from columnar to columnar-equiaxed in the centre of the weld. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the variations in amino acid (AA) digestibility of lupin and pea grains in caecectomised laying hens. The relationship between AA digestibility and chemical constituents of the grains was determined. 2. Twelve variants of lupins and peas were each added to a basal diet at a concentration of 300 g/kg, at the expense of maize starch. The lupin and pea variants were separately investigated in two subsequent trials. Each trial consisted of two 7 × 7 Latin squares, each comprising the basal diet and six diets with lupins or peas. 3. Fourteen caecectomised laying hens (LSL-classic) were individually housed in metabolism cages and 120 g/d of experimental diets were provided for eight days. During the last four days, excreta were collected quantitatively and feed intake was recorded. A regression approach was used to determine the AA digestibility of the lupin and pea variants. 4. Amino acid digestibility of the lupins and peas was high, although significant differences in AA digestibility among the lupins and peas were detected. The digestibility of lysine was in the range of 0.87-0.91 and 0.87-0.93 for lupins and peas, respectively. The digestibility of methionine in lupins and peas varied between 0.80-0.88 and 0.72-0.90. Variations in AA digestibility in peasweremore pronounced than in lupins. 5. Significant correlations between chemical constituents of lupins, such as alkaloids, and AA digestibility were detected in some cases, without a consistent pattern. In peas, tannin concentration and the insoluble protein fraction were negatively correlated with digestibility of some AAs, but only when one colour flower variant was considered. Trypsin inhibitor activity in peas was negatively correlated with AA digestibility, particularly for the white flower variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the nutritional quality of industrial-scale sprouted versus unsprouted chickpeas and green peas, before and after cooking, the ultrastructure, chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, starch digestibility, mineral content and accessibility were analysed. Sprouting did not deeply affect raw seed structure, although after cooking starch granules appeared more porous and swelled. Chemical composition of raw sprouted seeds was not strongly affected, excepting an increase in protein (both pulses), and in free sugars (in peas; +10% and +80%, respectively, p < .05). The industrial sprouting favoured phytic acid leaching in cooking water (-35% in seeds, compared to unsprouted cooked ones, p < .05), and promoted antioxidant capacity reductions in raw and cooked seeds (-10% and -37%, respectively, p < .05). In conclusion, sprouting on an industrial-scale induced mild structural modifications in chickpeas and peas, sufficient to reduce antinutritional factors, without strongly influencing their nutritional quality. These products could represent nutritionally interesting ingredients for different dietary patterns as well as for enriched cereal-based foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate if the inclusion of chickpeas or peas in the diet can modify faecal microbiome in dogs. Eight healthy adult Border collie, fed a commercial extruded diet as reference diet (RD), were divided in two groups of four individuals. At the beginning of the trial, one group received a diet based mainly of raw meat, rice and chickpeas (CP) and in the other group this pulse was substituted with peas (PE). After 14 days, the dogs with CP diet shifted to the PE and those with PE shifted to the CP diet, for another 14 days. Faeces were collected at the beginning (T0), after 14 days (T14) and at the end of the study (T28). Faeces were analysed for 16S rRNA, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), lactate, pH and faecal score was also evaluated. The SCFA and lactate in the faeces were not affected by the inclusion of pulses, with the only exception of isovalerate, which was higher in CP and PE diets in comparison with RD diet (p <.05). The abundances of Erysipelotrichaceae incertae sedis, Eubacterium, Anaerobacter and Sarcina significantly differed in CP and PE in comparison with RD. Moreover, the genera Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, Suttarella varied significantly between CP and PE diets. The observed modifications of faecal microbioma were related not only to the change from RD to CP or PE, but also to the type of pulse, chickpeas or peas. However, long-term studies are required to investigate the implications that pulses can have for gut health. Faecal quality and end products of fermentation were similar between diets. Faecal microbiota is affected by the type of pulse and raw meat inclusion. Thermally treated Chickpeas or Peas in the diet of dogs were safe, but further study are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is not only an important cash crop but also is considered as a promising crop, which adapts to climate change hence feed future generations. Its high protein content and efficient atmospheric nitrogen-fixing ability makes faba bean a vital crop. This study, thus, focused on assessing the importance of faba bean in Ethiopia, specifically at reviewing the status, trend, economic and nutritional values, consumption patterns, environmental importance, and its potential role in the face of climate change. The study was conducted through a critical review of secondary data and published research and analytical reports and presented the findings and implications in Ethiopian context. The analysis revealed that about 4,840,090 tons of faba bean was produced globally on 2,463,966 hectares of land. China (1,803,019 tons), Ethiopia (930,633 tons), Australia (373,605 tons), United Kingdom (302,468 tons) and Germany (188,800 tons) are the top five faba bean producers in 2017. Moreover, the mean yield of faba bean is 1,964.3 kg ha−1 globally. In Ethiopia, there was an average of 41,473.4 tons faba bean export from 2012 to 2016 and an average of 1,995.52 kg ha−1 productivity potential from 2013 to 2017. The economic and nutritional values of faba bean can be promoted through the joint initiative between farmers union to train them, and the government should establish integrated crop markets that provide incentives to the farmers to sell their produce by using the "linking farmers to markets" approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work evaluates the effect of extrusion process parameter on the quality of pulse-based ready-to-eat snacks. By applying D-optimal mixture ratios a formulation containing 41.1 g/100 g chickpea (desi), 16.0 g/100 g haricot bean (Nasir), 31.9 g/100 g maize (Melkassa 2) and 10.9g/100 of finger Millet (Tadesse) flours were selected and analysis as the highest source of protein (18.09g/10g) and energy (400.56kcal) were found suitable for further experimentation. The optimum extrudate found at a barrel temperature of 120°C, screw speed 340 rpm and feed moisture content 15% had maximum water absorption index (6.02g/g) and minimum load at break (16 N). Sensory quality attributes of optimum extrudate were significantly (P < 0.05) better in color (8.22 ± 0.67), appearance (8.22 ± 0.44) crispiness (8.44 ± 0.53) flavor (8.33 ± 0.50), and overall acceptability (8.33 ± 0.50). The increment in mass flow rate from 19.84g/sec to 33.82g/sec was observed due to an increase in screw speed from 200 to 340 rpm. Therefore, barrel temperature 120°C, screw speed 340 rpm and feed moisture content 15% have been found to be optimum operating parameters for pulse-based snack development. Overall, the blended manufactured snack products are acceptable, and can be used for community-based nutrition via boosting commercial strategic approach to the areas where the raw materials are locally available. Bringing scale-up processed nutritious pulse-based food products via products standardization and commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential effect of rhizobial inoculation on root knot nematodes in chickpea, mungbean and pigeonpea were studied under field condition. The seed treatment with respective rhizobium strains increased the nodulation, leghemoglobin content, bacteriod population, plant growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of three three food legumes compared to the plants without the rhizobium treatment. The nematode (1500 juveniles/kg soil) incited oval galls on the roots of the three legumes, and suppressed plant growth and yield. The galling, egg mass production and soil population of the nematode was greater on the plants without the rhizobium treatment. The pure culture and culture filtrate of the rhizobium strains suppressed the egg hatching and induced mortality to the juveniles ofM. incognitaover control. The nematode infection reduced the nodulation, bacteroid population and leghemoglobin contents of the nodules and NPK uptake by the plants. Hence, the rhizobia treatment shall be integrated to common agronomic practice of food legume cultivation so as to enhance crop productivity and to protect roots from nematode attack. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of microwave treatment to reduce the cooking times of five pulses, namely red lentil, chickpea, pigeon pea, mung bean, and pinto bean, were determined in this study. Pulses from 10 to 18% moisture contents were treated using 400 to 600 W microwaves for 14 to 56 s. The cooking times of microwave-treated pulses were significantly lower than that of the control samples. The lowest cooking time was observed for 18% moisture content chickpea and pigeon pea treated with 600 W for 56 s. The Fourier transform mid-infrared spectra in both lipids and fingerprint regions showed the macronutrients differences among the five pulses. Major changes were observed in the amide I region of microwave treated pulses. This effect of microwave treatment was higher in red lentil, chickpea, and mung bean than in pigeon pea and pinto bean at 10% moisture content. At 18% moisture content, the change of β-sheets to aggregates was observed in all pulses due to microwave treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary foods (CFs) in Ethiopia are cereal based and adding locally grown pulses (legumes) to CF would provide needed nutrients. To assess the effects of nutrition education (NEd) using Health Belief Model (HBM) in promoting pulses for CF, a 6-month quasi-experimental study was conducted in 160 mother-child pairs. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questions were given to mothers at baseline, midline, and endline, along with anthropometric measurements of children. NEd involving discussions and recipe demonstrations was given twice monthly for 6 months to the intervention group (n = 80) while control mothers received usual education. At baseline, mothers’ KAP scores were low at both sites; at 3 and 6 months of NEd, mean KAP scores of mothers increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control site. Significant improvements in children’s mean weight, weight for height, and weight for age occurred in the intervention site only. Nutritional status of children improved after providing mothers with pulse-based NEd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: First-degree relatives of patients with diabetes are at high risk for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Our purpose was to determine the effects of consuming 4 servings of legumes per week on lipid profiles, glycemic indices, and blood pressure of participants with family history of diabetes over 6 weeks of intervention.Methods: A total of 26 first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes (14 women and 12 men) participated in this randomized crossover clinical trial study. Participants were randomly assigned to a legume-enriched diet or habitual diet for 6 weeks. Paired t test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to compare data for the 2 experimental diets.Results: The mean ± SE of legumes intake during the legume phase was 111.12 ± 10.53 g/day that was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the amounts of legumes during habitual diet (50.73 ± 7.10 g/d). Percentage changes for cardiovascular disease risk factors did not change significantly following 6 weeks of legume consumption.Conclusions: Consumption of 4 servings of legumes per week had no significant effect on anthropometric measurements, glycemic indices, and lipid profiles of participants with family history of diabetes, though it could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure at a marginally significant level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor nutrition in adolescent girls poses critical health risks on future pregnancy and birth outcomes especially in developing countries. Our purpose was to assess nutritional status and dietary intake of rural adolescent girls and determine pulse and food intake patterns associated with poor nutritional status. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in a traditional pulse growing region of southern Ethiopia on 188 girls between 15 to 19 years of age, with 70% being from food insecure families. Prevalence of stunting (30.9%) and underweight (13.3%) were associated with low food and nutrient intake. Diets were cereal-based, with both animal source foods and pulses rarely consumed. Improving dietary intakes of female adolescents with nutrient dense foods would ensure better health for themselves and for the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

New trends in the organization of synergic short-arc welding (with systematic short-circuits) using controlled electrode wire pulsed feed are discussed. Several methods of synergic control of welding processes with controlled short-circuits are proposed. The results of investigations of the new control processes are presented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontline demonstrations technology-transfer program (FLD-TTP) in pulses is a noble initiative of the government of India for higher technology adoption to bridge yield gaps. Thus, a study was conducted in Himachal Pradesh, India, on pulse productivity and profitability enhancement using proven technology besides yield gap analysis under FLD-TTP. Extension yield gaps varied by 485–550, 210–460, 470–640, 290–320, 494–600, and 277–512 kg ha−1in blackgram (Vigna mungo), kidneybean (Phaseolus vulgaris), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), cowpea (Vigna sinensis), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and lentil (Lens culinaris), respectively, in the current study. Greater technology gaps were registered in cowpea and chickpea and the least in kidneybean. It was inferred that by adopting improved pulse production technology, pulse productivity can be raised by 97–128, 39–82, 112–129, 59–65, 130–141, and 67–126% in blackgram, kidneybean, pigeonpea, cowpea, chickpea, and lentil, respectively. Improved technology package has also enhanced profitability and additional returns enhancing incremental benefit–cost ratio (1.25–7.21). Technology indexes in blackgram (34.3–34.7%), kidneybean (32–37.5%), pigeonpea (47–50.6%), cowpea (68.8–73%), chickpea (59–65%), and lentil (44.3–60.2%) revealed that demonstrated technology under FLD-TTP is quite feasible in prevailing farming situations in Himachal Pradesh, but it strongly emphasizes educating farmers intensively to adopt available technology. Improved technology has also raised water-use-efficiency inKharif(0.89–1.32 kg ha−1mm) andRabipulses (2.41–5.62 kg ha−1mm). Overall, FLD-TTP has great potential to scale up pulse productivity and farmers’ livelihoods in Himachal Pradesh and collateral farming situations in the developing world to enhance agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to review recent scientific evidence to support the food-based dietary guideline (FBDG): “Eat dry beans, split peas, lentils and soya regularly”. In this review, legumes are synonymous with the term “pulses”, while soy beans are classified as “oilseeds”. The FBDG was originally introduced to address both under- and overnutrition in South Africa. The nutrient and non-nutrient content, results of recent epidemiological and intervention studies on health effects, recommended intakes and barriers to consumption are briefly reviewed. Legumes are rich and economical sources of good-quality protein, slow-release carbohydrates, dietary fibre (non-starch polysaccharides), various vitamins and minerals and non-nutritive components which may have several beneficial health effects. Pulses have a low energy, fat and sodium content. Therefore, legumes contribute to dietary adequacy, while protecting against noncommunicable diseases through many mechanisms. Evidence is presented that concerns about excessive flatulence from eating beans may be exaggerated, and that there is individual variation in response to different bean types. It is recommended that nutritionists should aggressively encourage consumers to consume more legumes. They should also be advised to evaluate different legume varieties to minimise undesirable symptoms. More research is needed to assess gastrointestinal responses between types of available and consumed legumes in South Africa. The FBDG should be tested in different population groups to determine how to maintain legumes as a traditional food. Increasing familiarity with legumes could help to increase the likelihood that they may be incorporated more regularly into the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable carbon isotope analysis of plant remains is a promising tool for researchers studying palaeoclimate and past agricultural systems. The potential of the technique is clear: it offers a direct measure of the water conditions in which plants grew. In this paper, we assess how reliably stable carbon isotope discrimination can be used to infer water conditions, through the analysis of present-day crop plants grown at multiple locations across the Mediterranean and south-west Asia. The key findings are that: (1) ∆¹³C, as expected, provides an indication of water conditions, (2) even for plants grown in similar conditions there is variation in ∆¹³C and (3) ∆¹³C may reflect crop water status for a period beginning well before the grain filling period. A new framework is presented which increases the robustness with which ∆¹³C values of plant remains can be interpreted in terms of the water conditions in which ancient crops grew. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Australian pea varieties were evaluated for virus resistance using spreader plots sown withPea seed-borne mosaic virus(PSbMV)-infected seed and aphid inoculations withBean leafroll virus(BLRV). Natural infections byBean yellow mosaic virus(BYMV) andSoybean dwarf virus(SbDV) allowed also screening for these viruses. Complete PSbMV resistance was limited to a few varieties, but BYMV resistance was relatively frequent. No consistent ranking of partial PSbMV resistance or PSbMV seed transmission rates were found. Selection for partial resistance to PSbMV is therefore not a practical breeding objective, while incorporating complete resistance is relatively easy. A wide range of resistance was found for BLRV and confirmed in field and greenhouse tests against local BLRV strains in Syria, but infection levels varied over years and no complete resistance was identified. Genotypes with a high level of partial resistance to BLRV also appeared to show resistance to the closely related SbDV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of organic manure supplementation on rice–pulse cropping system productivity were studied. Three pulses, viz., blackgram, greengram and pea were grown after rice on the same plots to explore the feasibility of growing second crops with carry-over residual soil moisture and residual soil fertility. The study revealed that during the rainy season, 30%–35% higher rice grain yield was obtained when both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients were applied compared with the full dose of inorganic fertilizer, and the rice grain yield was 65%–78% higher than obtained following farmers’ practices. In the post-rainy season, pea crop recorded the highest grain yield of 490 kg ha-1 under the treatment combination of Sesbania and inorganic fertilizer. Organic carbon, and available N, P, K also enhanced yield by 20%–29%, 5.0%–29.4% to 7.9%–39.9% and 22.4%–60.3%, respectively when 25% N was applied through different organic sources of nutrients (green manure/press mud/farmyard manure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five commonly consumed pulses, Mah (Vigna mungo), Green mung (Vigna radiata), Arhar (Cajanas cajan), Masur (Lens esculantus), and Moth (Vigna aconitifolia), were studied for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity after germination (12 and 24 h) and pressure cooking. Arhar had the highest total phenolic content (6.71 mg ferulic acid/g flour) whereas Moth had the least (1.54 mg/g). All pulses, except Moth, showed a significant decrease in total phenolic content after germination. The antioxidant activity of the pulses varied from 10.61 to 36.38% (DPPH radical scavenging activity), which significantly decreased with germination in all pulses except Moth. The total phenolic content highly correlated with the antioxidant activity in the pulses. Cooking lowered the total phenolic content by 10–45% and antioxidant activity by 27–68% in the control and germinated pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Meat patties were produced from either beef (20% fat) or pork (18% fat) and 23 different pulses. The pulses were blended with meat at 35, 42.5, and 50% ratios. The blends were formed into 113.4-g (4-oz.) meat patties or 56.7-g (2-oz.) pork sausage patties. Each patty was blast frozen, stored at -20°F (-29°C) in food-grade resealable freezer bags, and then baked in a 74°C oven for 15 minutes before testing for weight loss, diameter loss, color, and texture. The 50:50 ratio samples had the least amount of cooking loss but the greatest visible bean fraction. All fractions improved nutritional profile. Navy, light red kidney, and small red beans were found to be most beneficial/acceptable as partial meat substitutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problems related to propagation of partially coherent fields can be greatly simplified if the correlation function of the field assumes certain specific forms, which allow their representations as incoherent superpositions of fully coherent fields of identical shape. The need for this type of representation is explained and suitable elementary-field decompositions are formulated in spatial, angular, temporal, and spectral domains. Their application to wave propagation in free space and to analysis of light interaction with micro- and nanostructures are discussed, and several illustrative examples are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study that compared weight loss, metabolic outcomes and nutrient intakes in obese people assigned to a diet rich in pulses and wholegrains or a control diet. Compared with the control group, fiber intakes of several vitamins and minerals were better maintained, and dietary glycemic index was lower in the intervention. In the control and intervention groups, blood pressure, triglycerides and glycemic load were lowered compared with baseline.

Intercropping groundnut with sorghum at a 3:1 ration has given lower AUDPC (1018) with a mean pod yield of 1868 kg/ha, and was found significant in reducing the PBND (34.2%) compared to sole groundnut (AUDPC of 1545 mean pod yield of 1407 kg/ha, 52% PBND). In groundnut intercropped with pulses, groundnut + redgram (5:1) was found to be effective in reducing PBND to an extent of 10% and recorded higher equivalent pod yield of 2236 kg/ha with 1014 AUDPC compared to sole groundnut (AUDPC 1078, 63.44% PBND; mean pod yield of 1663 kg/ha). The higher incidence of PBND was recorded in the treatments involving greengram, blackgram and soybean and it was also reflected in realising higher values of AUDPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study about the effect of processing, recipe, and pulse variety on short-term food intake (FI), subjective appetite, and glycemic response after pulse consumption in healthy young men. After three experiments, results indicated that all caloric treatments reduced subjective appetite and an inverse relationship was observed between glycemic response and both subjective appetite and FI at 120 minutes in one experiment but not in other experiments.

There is an increasing demand for organically grown pulses and cereal grains in Denmark, which is expected to cause a change in the typical organic farm structure away from dairy farming and towards arable farming. Spring field beans (Vicia faba) could be a popular break crop in organic agriculture. The black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) is generally considered to be a serious pest of spring-sown field beans in northern Europe, and field studies have shown that yield losses can exceed more than 50% due to attacks from the black bean aphid. The use of insecticides in organically grown field bean crops is not permitted, but it has been known for a long time that the black bean aphid infests different varieties of beans to a very different extent. Therefore, partial resistance to the black bean aphid is one method of stabilizing yields. Another method of cultural pest control is intercropping and a third method could be a combination of both. Six field experiments involving the three methods were carried out. There was a significant difference between the number of aphids per plant on the three investigated bean varieties, where 'Colombo' was the most susceptible, 'Quattro' was intermediate, and 'Caspar' the most resistant variety. 'Colombo' intercropping with spring wheat and spring barley reduced the numbers of aphids per plant significantly, and also the number of plants infested. The harvesting of all crops took place during the last fourteen days of August. It can be concluded that the growing of partial host plant resistant varieties of field beans or the intercropping of field beans with spring cereals separately will reduce the infestation with black bean aphids. If both methods are used, the reduction of infestation will be even higher and consequently also the yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of the Crab pulsar with the 64-m radio telescope at Kalyazin (Russia) and the 46-m radio telescope of the Algonquin Radio Observatory (Canada) at 2.2 GHz and single-dish observations of the millisecond pulsar B1937+21 with the GBT at 2.1 GHz were conducted to probe the interstellar medium and study the properties of giant pulses. The VLBI data were processed with a dedicated software correlator, which allowed us to obtain the visibility of single giant pulses. Two frequency scales of 50 and 450 kHz were found in the diffraction spectra of giant pulses from the Crab pulsar. The location of the scattering region was estimated to be close to the outer edge of the nebula. No correlation was found between the power spectra of giant pulses at the left- and right-hand circular polarisation. We explain this lack of correlation through the influence of the strong magnetic field on circularly polarised emission in the region close to the Crab pulsar. Combining the measurement of the decorrelation bandwidths with that of scattering time of giant pulses for B1937+21, we found three frequency scales of 1.7, 3.8, and 16.5 MHz. The scattering time of giant pulses of B1937+21 at 2.1 GHz was found to be 40±4 ns. We obtained an upper limit of the intrinsic width of giant pulses from B1937+21 of less than 8 ns. The frequency dependences of the scattering times for the Crab pulsar and PSR B1937+21 were found to be different. They are characterized by exponents of-3.5 and-4.2, respectively. We attribute the difference to the large influence of scattering in the Crab nebula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expressions to estimate the maximum displacement of elasto-perfectly plastic oscillators undergoing inelastic response subjected to narrow-band earthquake ground motions are proposed. The ground motions are characterized by sinusoidal pulses, corrected in order to have realistic representations of ground motions due to earthquakes. Based on the results obtained from the corrected pulses, it is shown that, for the type of earthquake ground motions considered, the maximum inelastic demands tend to be independent of ground motion duration, while maximum elastic demands do depend on duration. It is also shown that ground motion duration has a strong influence on strength-reduction factors for narrow-band earthquake ground motions. In view of this fact, caution is warranted when using empirical equations developed with data that have very different durations than the accelerograms expected. Comparisons are made between our analytical solution and results obtained from purely empirical expressions and it is shown that the accuracy of the solution presented is comparable to that of the empirical formulations. The advantage of the expression proposed over expressions obtained from statistical analysis is that it is independent of the elastic strength and displacement spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a way to estimate the hysteretic energy demands for oscillators subjected to narrow-band earthquake ground motions using an equivalent sinusoidal pulse. The parameters required to define the equivalent pulse are: the peak ground acceleration, the maximum of the Fourier amplitude spectrum, and the predominant period of the site. The equivalent pulse is utilized to compute the hysteretic energy demands associated to the design elastic pseudoacceleration spectra prescribed by the Mexico City Building Code and to construct damage index maps for systems designed according to this code and subjected to a seismic event with M = 8 and focal distance of 300 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supply of available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) to spring wheat as influenced by pea or lentil as the previous rotational crop was assessed at two field research sites over two years in Saskatchewan, Canada. Under conditions of low soil fertility, cereals grown on field pea stubble produced higher grain yields and accumulated more N than did cereals grown on lentil stubble. This result corresponded with significantly higher soil-supply rates of nitrate and phosphate measured over eight weeks in the pea-stubble plots using anion-exchange membrane (PRS) probes. However, under conditions where soil N availability was high, cereal crop yields and N uptake on pea and lentil stubble were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An estimated one-third of organic farmers in Alberta are located within a 150 km radius of Edmonton, a commercial center with a population of close to one million. A random sample of these producers were administered and an in-depth survey in 2002 to obtain knowledge of their crop and commodity selection practices, land usage, fertility management, perceived research needs and recognized constraints to sector viability. The study area contained a 4-fold greater proportion of land cropped to cereals (40%) and double the proportion of farms raising organic cattle (45%), but had less than half the amount of pasture and forage land (35%) than the province as a whole. Albertan organic farmers felt they were constrained by markets, soil fertility, weeds, and production costs. They would like to see more research focused on improving and protecting soil productivity, developing profitable and sustainable crop rotations, identifying alternative livestock vaccines and feed supplements, and comparing organic and conventional farming systems. Overcoming challenges facing this emerging sector will require the combined assistance of government, industry and research sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garden cultivation played an important role in early food production but the definition of a garden is often unclear and encompasses a variety of different cultivation methods. This paper explores the intensive cultivation of small plots using horticultural methods through an investigation of garden and field agriculture in the Greek island of Evvia. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that intensive cultivation practices, such as hoeing, weeding, manuring and watering, have a significant impact on soil and crop productivity and are most likely to be applied to areas located near to settlement. The implications of intensive, small-scale cultivation for settlement location, population mobility and land tenure in prehistory are then explored. For example, while an economic system dependent on cereal cultivation does not necessarily involve extensive land clearance or field systems, the investment in land inherent in intensive cultivation provides a strong incentive for remaining in the same place and repeatedly cultivating the same spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inelastic response spectra are estimated for elasto-plastic SDOF systems subjected to strong earthquake ground motions by applying the strength reduction factors determined for a simple pulse to the elastic response spectrum of the ground motion. This approach relies upon similarities in the strength reduction factors computed for earthquake ground motions and for short duration pulses. The accuracy of the estimated inelastic spectra obtained using 24 simple pulse waveforms is assessed in order to identify subsets of just several pulse waveforms that are suited for this purpose. Based upon the ground motions and pulses investigated, this approach appears to be equally applicable to short and long duration ground motions and those having near-fault forward directivity features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]