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Vegetable cultivation under sewage irrigation is a common practice mostly in developing countries due to a lack of freshwater. Long-term usage provokes heavy metals accumulation in soil and ultimately hinders the growth and physiology of crop plants and deteriorates the quality of food. A study was performed to investigate the role of brassinosteroid (BRs) and silicon (Si) on lettuce, spinach, and cabbage under lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contaminated sewage water. The experiment comprises three treatments (control, BRs, and Si) applied under a completely randomized design (CRD) in a growth chamber. BRs and Si application resulted in the highest increase of growth, physiology, and antioxidant enzyme activities when applied under canal water followed by distilled water and sewage water. However, BRs and Si increased the above-determined attributes under the sewage water by reducing the Pb and Cd uptake as compared to the control. It's concluded that sewerage water adversely affected the growth and development of vegetables by increasing Pb and Cd, and foliar spray of Si and BRs could have great potential to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metals and improve the growth. The long-term alleviating effect of BRs and Si will be evaluated in the field conditions at different ecological zones.

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT 1 R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT 1 R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity., (© 2020 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.)

Background and Objective: Cabbage head is one of the main essential vegetables grown worldwide and contains high antioxidants compounds that fight the inflammation of many diseases. In this study, antioxidant activities and several characteristics of four different cabbage heads (Red, Savoy, Green and Napa) have been investigated., Materials and Methods: Characteristics included: Head dimensions, sphericity, aspect ratio, mass, moisture content, project and surface areas. The (static and dynamic) frictions were detected on different surfaces., Results: Napa cultivar had the highest TEAC assay (5.69 μmol TE g-1 fw). Green head had the highest DPPH assay (91.22 μmol TE g-1 fw), while the red head had the highest FRAP assay (79.77 μmol TE g-1 fw). The highest moisture content was in the Napa heads (94.91%). Savoy heads recorded the highest width, thickness, aspect ratio, mass and sphericity. The highest static and dynamic frictions were found on galvanic iron (0.29-0.51) and stainless steel (0.36-0.66), respectively., Conclusion: The measured data will be used in the cabbage horticultural processing for quality improvement and diet planers due to the high antioxidant activities.

Vegetable intake seems to play a protective role against major lifestyle diseases. Despite this, the Danish population usually eats far less than the recommended daily intake. The present study focused on the intake of 17 coarse vegetables and the potential barriers limiting their intake. The present study drew upon a large Danish survey (n = 1079) to study the intake of coarse vegetables among Danish consumers. Four population clusters were identified based on their intake of 17 different coarse vegetables, and profiled according to hedonics, socio-demographic, health, and food lifestyle factors. The four clusters were characterized by a very low intake frequency of coarse vegetables ('low frequency'), a low intake frequency of coarse vegetables; but high intake frequency of carrots ('carrot eaters'), a moderate coarse vegetable intake frequency and high intake frequency of beetroot ('beetroot eaters'), and a high intake frequency of all coarse vegetables ('high frequency'). There was a relationship between reported liking and reported intake frequency for all tested vegetables. Preference for foods with a sweet, salty or bitter taste, in general, was also identified to be decisive for the reported vegetable intake, as these differed across the clusters. Each cluster had distinct socio-demographic, health and food lifestyle profiles. 'Low frequency' was characterized by uninvolved consumers with lack of interest in food, 'carrot eaters' vegetable intake was driven by health aspects, 'beetroot eaters' were characterized as traditional food consumers, and 'high frequency' were individuals with a strong food engagement and high vegetable liking. 'Low frequency' identified more barriers than other consumer clusters and specifically regarded low availability of pre-cut/prepared coarse vegetables on the market as a barrier. Across all clusters a low culinary knowledge was identified as the main barrier., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of water (four surface water, six underground water (borehole water), seven sachet water), barbecued food and their fresh equivalents (barbecued beef, fish, plantain, pork, yam, chicken, chevon, potato, corn), oil (three palm oil, nine vegetable oil), and fresh vegetable samples (water leaf, bitter leaf, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, pumpkin, garlic, ginger, green leaf, Gnetum Africana, onion, pepper) were determined by GC-MS analysis. The current study also determined the estimated lifetime cancer risk from ingesting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated food. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of water, oil, vegetable, and food samples were within the United States Environmental Protection Agency/World Health Organization safe limits. The naphthalene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benzo(k)fluoranthene levels in surface water were significantly higher than in borehole samples (P = 0.000, 0.047, 0.047). Vegetable oils had higher anthracene and chrysene compared to palm oil (P = 0.023 and 0.032). Significant variations were observed in levels of naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene among the barbecued and fresh food samples (P <0.05). Barbecued pork, potato, and corn had significantly higher naphthalene compared to their fresh equivalents (P = 0.002, 0.017, and <0.001). Consumption of barbecued food and surface water may be associated with higher exposure risk to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which may predispose to increased cancer health risk. The current work explores in depth the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different dietary categories that pose direct risk to humans via direct consumption. These findings add knowledge to support future considerations for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bolting and flowering of vegetables are induced by vernalization in their early growth stage. This phenomenon is called premature bolting, and it has caused massive losses in production of vegetables such as cabbage, celery, carrot, radish, and spinach, etc. This review aimed to summarize studies on bolting and flowering pathways, physiological and biochemical changes, and underlined molecular mechanisms of various vegetable crop bolting involving genome and transcriptome analysis, and its association with vegetable breeding. This review could provide basic knowledge to carry out research on vegetable genetics and breeding and vegetable cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyphenolic compounds are vital components of plants. However, their analysis is particularly difficult and challenging due to their similar chemical and structural properties. In this study, we developed a simple and reproducible HPLC-DAD protocol for determining nineteen pharmacologically important polyphenols in plant-based food samples, including fruits (apple, banana, grapefruit, peach, grapes, plum, and pear), vegetables (onion, cabbage, capsicum, garlic, lemon, tomato, potato, and spinach), and other edible items (corn, kidney beans, green tea, black tea, and turmeric). The reference standards were pooled into four different groups based on logP values and expected retention time to avoid compound co-elution. These developed methods will be useful for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of biologically important polyphenolic compounds in various food samples and botanicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health risk to the population from consuming vegetables contaminated with potentially toxic elements is a matter of great concern. Therefore, contamination of potentially toxic elements in the vegetables and associated health risks from their consumption were quantified in the current study. For this purpose, wastewater, soil, and vegetable samples were collected from the suburban areas of Sargodha. The outcomes perceived that the contents of potentially toxic elements in wastewater ranged from 0.43 to 1.10, 0.13 to 0.28, and 0.96 to 3.04 mg L−1 for Pb, Ni, and Zn, respectively. The highest averaged contents of Pb (15.5 mg Kg−1), Ni (8.60 mg Kg−1), and Zn (59.1 mg Kg−1) were observed in spinach, while lower contents of potentially toxic elements were recorded in tomato. The order of vegetables regarding potentially toxic elements contents was spinach > cabbage > coriander > onion > tomato. Moreover, it was found that consuming contaminated vegetables may pose a potential health risk to the population. Based on the findings, it is concluded that regular monitoring of wastewater-irrigated vegetables is necessary. Moreover, to mitigate health risks associated with contaminated vegetables, it is essential to avoid using untreated irrigation water. Instead, proper treatment of wastewater should be adopted before employing it in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable transplanters that are fully automated have been developed to reduce the labor-intensive and yield-influencing process of transplanting; however, the majority of these transplanters are heavy and costly. Based on a traditional Japanese rice transplanter, we created a low-cost, high-efficiency vegetable transplanter in this study. Because a rice transplanter can only be utilized in flooded fields, certain mechanical parts have been adjusted to allow for the transplantation of rice on dry fields. In order to precisely slice the nursery mat one by one without harming the seedlings, the rotor case and end-effector parts were modified. Additionally, a long guide and a leaf spring-type retainer were created in order to securely hold heavier and larger vegetable seedlings than those of rice, and a cuttable nursery mat (CNM) was introduced as a new kind of solid nursery bed. The prototype could transplant up to 250 cabbage plants min−1 row−1 for planting speed of 1.0 m s−1. Conventional plug seedlings (PS) are not as suitable for transplanting and cultivation as CNM seedlings (CNMS). Unlike PS, CNMS were only cultured for a brief period prior to transplantation since the CNM itself has sufficient stiffness, negating the need for root spread. This study is the first demonstration of the possible applications of this rice transplanter- based vegetable transplanting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Selenium (Se)-biofortified foods are able to compensate for Se deficient diets, but the proportion of different Se species varies among plant species, and the bioavailability of Se species also varies. This study aims to examine the Se species composition of four vegetables. Methods: The effect of Se-enriched irrigation water on the concentrations of Se species in the edible parts of cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and green peas grown on different soil types was investigated and quantified using HPLC-ICP-MS with either standard addition or isotope dilution. Results: Cabbage leaf and carrot root contained a high proportion (88 and 92%, respectively) of selenate (SeVI), while in tomato fruit and green pea seed selenomethionine (SeMet) was found in the highest proportion (33% and 48%, respectively), but elemental Se was also detected. The elemental Se concentration of peas was significantly higher on sandy soil (2.29 mg kg−1) than on sandy silt (1.38 mg kg−1) or silt soil (1.34 mg kg−1). In 100 g of fresh edible parts, the largest amount of Se species was found in cabbage leaves, but organic Se in the form of SeMet was the most abundant in green peas, being significantly higher than in carrots or tomatoes. Tomatoes contained a nearly three-fold ratio of organic Se to inorganic Se, the latter being mostly comprised of the elemental form, which is unusually high in vegetables. The highest rate of unknown Se species exceeded 66% in the case of peas, while the highest identification rate (> 95%) of Se could be achieved in tomato. Conclusion: Tomatoes converted the absorbed Se into organic Se in the highest ratio, while green peas had the highest amount of organic Se in fresh biomass, so biotransformation was the most effective for these vegetables without any significant biomass reduction. These vegetables may be adapted to soils with a higher Se content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A colorimetric assay was developed for detection of indole-3-carbaldehyde (I3A), a bioactive compound particularly abundant in vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, inducing plant defense responses and ensuring the human intestinal barrier integrity. The assay is based on the selective condensation reaction between the hydrazine group of carbidopa, used as a derivatizing agent, and the aldehyde group of I3A, generating a colored aldazine with a characteristic absorbance around 415 nm. As proof of concept, among the several natural sources here reported in a quantitative data collection, the colorimetric assay was assessed in white heart cabbage ethanolic extract. I3A content was determined by LC-MS analysis, which confirmed the colored aldazine formation in matrix. The LOD (10.4 ± 0.3 μM) obtained by the calibration curve from the visible absorbance (m = 565 ± 16 M−1, avRSD % 6.5, R2 = 0.9960) indicates that this simple, safe, and low-cost method could be beneficial also for current methodologies for identification and quantification of I3A in foods.

Food safety has become a serious global concern because of the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in crops cultivated on contaminated agricultural soils. Amongst these toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) receive worldwide attention because of their ability to cause deleterious health effects. Thus, an assessment of these toxic metals in the soils, irrigation waters, and the most widely consumed vegetables in Nigeria; Spinach (Amaranthushybridus), and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentration (measured in mg kg−1) of the PTMs in the soils was in the sequence Cr (81.77) > Pb(19.91) > As(13.23) > Cd(3.25), exceeding the WHO recommended values in all cases. This contamination was corroborated by the pollution evaluation indices. The concentrations (measured in mg l−1) of the PTMs in the irrigation water followed a similar pattern i.e. Cr(1.87) > Pb(1.65) > As(0.85) > Cd(0.20). All the PTMs being studied, were found in the vegetables with Cr (5.37 and 5.88) having the highest concentration, followed by Pb (3.57 and 4.33), and As (1.09 and 1.67), while Cd (0.48 and 1.04) had the lowest concentration (all measured in mg kg−1) for cabbage and spinach, respectively. The concentration of the toxic metals was higher in spinach than in cabbage, which may be due to the redistribution of the greater proportion of the metals above the ground tissue, caused by the bioavailability of metals in the aqueous phase. Expectedly, the hazard index (HI),and carcinogenic risk values of spinach were higher than that of cabbage. This implies that spinach poses potentially higher health risks. Similarly, the Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that the 5th percentile, 95th percentile, and 50th percentile of the cumulative probability of cancer risks due to the consumption of these vegetables exceeds the acceptable range of 1.00E−6 and 1.00E−4. Thus, the probable risk of a cancerous effect is high, and necessary remedial actions are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Poland, the share of Diptera in the species composition of the harmful entomofauna occurring on vegetable crops ranges from 20 to 25%. They occur on all vegetables grown in Poland (over 80 species and botanical varieties). Since the systematic registration of pests inhabiting crops in Poland in 1919, over 70 species of flies have been listed as pests of vegetable plants. Species from three families dominate in terms of population and numbers: Anthomyiidae with 12 species (Delia radicum, on early and late cultivars of cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, kohlrabi, and radishes; Delia platura occurs annually on bean and cucumber; Delia antiqua on onion and garlic; and Pegomya hyoscyami on beetroot), Cecidomyiidae with 10 species (two species dominate, Contarinia nasturtii and Dasineura napi, on cruciferous vegetables), and Agromyzidae with 23 species (Liriomyza bryoniae on cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers, and Phytomyza gymnostoma on leeks). Short-term, gradational occurrence of some dominant species was found, including Botanophila gnava (lettuce), Chamaepsila rosae (carrot, parsley), Delia platura (asparagus, bean), Delia radicum (broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, radishes, white cabbage), Phytomyza gymnostoma (leek), Oscinella frit (corn), and Suillia lurida (garlic). However, they did not affect the level of plant production in the following years of cultivation. Apart from phytophagous species, taxa with a different trophic structure are common. These are copro-, necro-, sapro-, and zoophagous species. The most numerous were flies from the Drosophilidae family (Drosophila busckii, Drosophila limbata, Scaptomyza pallida, Fanniidae (Fannia canicularis, Fannia scalaris), Heleomyzidae (Tephrochlamys tarsalis), and Muscidae (Muscina levida, Muscina stabulans, Phaonia trimaculata). Natural enemies of insects play an important role in vegetable agrocenoses. Species belonging to the order of Coleoptera beetles (Carabidae and Staphylinidae), Syrphidae, Tachinidae, and Muscidae, mainly Phaonia trimaculata larvae, play the most important role in reducing the number of Diptera. In addition, the number of phytophages is limited by other organisms, e.g., Diplopoda, Nematoda, Arachnida, and pathogens of viral, bacterial, and fungal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mizo have been agriculturists from the beginning of the 18th century. They know only the form of farming known as shifting cultivation which forms the major activity of the Mizo economic life even today. Jhuming locally known as 'Tlangramloneih' is the only occupation and has a close link to their culture and tradition. It is the way of life and almost all the activities of the Mizo's revolve around it. Methods: The data in Mizoram with respect to area, production and yield of major agricultural crops, fruits and vegetables were based on secondary data. Decade wise analysis of growth rate, instability index and decomposition analysis were done to study the crop production dynamics in the state. Result: Results revealed that during overall period, the growth rate in area, production and yield was negative for field crops except for sugarcane which was positive. For fruits and vegetables, the growth rate in area and production were positive for cabbage, birdeye chilli and banana whereas yield showed negative growth in all the studied fruits and vegetables. In general, the area effect was higher than the yield and interaction effect for all food grains and fruits and vegetables leading to the suggestion that steps should be taken to improve their productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current agriculture faces the challenge of producing food with the least interference from the environment. In this sense, the implementation of ecological agricultural practices is essential to obtaining healthy and more sustainable production systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of different inoculation technologies on formulations of bokashi-type biofertilizer and its application as soil and substrate organic amendment. We examined the effects of treatments on the chemical and biological quality of the evaluated formulations, as well as their influence on the agronomic and nutritional characteristics of red-beet and cabbage crops in the field. The metagenomic analysis of the taxonomic profile of the microbiological populations revealed relative abundance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial genera, including Azospirillum sp., Rhizobium sp., Bradyrhizobium sp., Burkholderia sp., Paraburkholderia sp., and Paenibacillus sp. in the evaluated formulations. Additionally, no phytopathogenic contaminants were detected among the investigated treatments. The highest yields of field-grown beet crops were obtained from seedlings produced using the following treatments: bokashi biofertilizer + biodynamic preparations P502-P507, bokashi + Chamomilla 12 CH, and bokashi + Carbo vegetabilis 12 CH. The increase in productivity of cabbage plants was higher in the treatment bokashi + Calcarea carbonica 12 CH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable wastes are generated during harvesting, processing, and distribution, which implies a wastage of nutrients and evidence inefficiencies in present food systems. Vegetable residues are rich in bioactive compounds, for which their valorisation and reintroduction into the food chain are crucial towards circular economy and food systems sustainability. In this work, upcycled powdered ingredients were obtained from vegetables wastes (carrot, white cabbage, celery, and leek) through a disruption, dehydration and milling process. Disruption pre-treatment at different intensities was followed by freeze-drying or hot-air drying (60 and 70 °C), and final milling to produce fine powders. Powdered products were characterized in terms of physicochemical, antioxidant and technological properties (water and oil interaction), after processing and during four months of storage. Antioxidant properties were generally favoured by hot-air drying, particularly at 70 °C, attributed to new compounds formation combined to less exposure time to drying conditions. The powders showed good water interaction properties, especially freeze-dried ones. Storage had a negative impact on the quality of powders: moisture increased, antioxidant compounds generally diminished, and colour changes were evidenced. Upcycled vegetable waste powders are proposed as ingredients to fortify foods, both processing and storage conditions having an impact on their properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile is a prominent seed exporter globally, but the seed microbiome of vegetables (46% of seeds) and its role in the early stages of plant growth have remained largely unexplored. Here, we employed DNA metabarcoding analysis to investigate the composition and putative functions of endophytic bacterial communities in ungerminated and germinated seeds of the commercial vegetables Apiaceae (parsley and carrot), Asteraceae (lettuce), Brassicaceae (cabbage and broccoli), and Solanaceae (tomato). Bacterial quantification showed 104 to 108 copies of the 16S rRNA gene per gram of ungerminated and germinated seeds. Alpha diversity analysis (e.g., Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices) did not indicate significant differences (Kruskal–Wallis test) between ungerminated and germinated seeds, except for Solanaceae. However, beta diversity (PCoA) analysis showed distinctions (Adonis test) between ungerminated and germinated seeds, except Apiaceae. Pseudomonadota and Bacillota were identified as the dominant and specialist taxa in both ungerminated and germinated seed samples. Chemoheterotrophy and fermentation were predicted as the main microbial functional groups in the endophytic bacterial community. Notably, a considerable number of the 143 isolated endophytic strains displayed plant growth-promoting traits (10 to 64%) and biocontrol activity (74% to 82%) against plant pathogens (Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas). This study revealed the high variability in the abundance, diversity, composition, and functionality of endophytic bacteria between ungerminated and germinated seeds in globally commercialized vegetables. Furthermore, potential beneficial endophytic bacteria contained in their seed microbiomes that may contribute to the microbiome of the early stages, development, growth and progeny of vegetables were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cabbage and Onion production in sub-Saharan Africa face numerous pest constraints that needs to be overcome to feed the rapidly growing population. This study aimed to establish the occurrence, incidence, and severity of soil-dwelling pests of cabbage and onions, and current management practices in five Counties of Kenya. Our findings revealed that most farmers grew hybrid vegetables on a small scale, which were highly dominated by various pest species (Delia platura, Maladera sp., and Agriotes sp. for cabbage and Atherigona orientalis and Urophorus humeralis for onion. The occurrence, incidence and severity of the various pest species on both crops varied considerably. Over 95% of the farmers relied on synthetic insecticides, which were applied weekly or bimonthly with limited success. Our findings demonstrate that invasive and polyphagous A. orientalis and D. platura were the most devastating pests of onion and cabbage without effective control options. Therefore, effective, sustainable, and affordable management strategies are required to control the spread of these pests to other crops in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the level of selected indicators of nitrogen metabolism in vegetables from organic (organic food store) and conventional (supermarket and local market) crops. Nitrates, total chlorophyll content, and the activity of the nitrate biosynthesis pathway enzymes—nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS)—were determined in the leaves of selected species from different plant families. The research material consisted of dill, carrot, celery, beet, onion, Chinese and white cabbage, and rocket. The nitrate content was within the permissible limits, except for vegetables bought at a local market. In most cases, no significant differences in the level of nitrates between organic and conventional farming were observed. The analyses revealed the highest nitrate content in dill [2.16 mg × g−1] and the lowest in onions [0.06 mg × g−1] from conventional crops. The enzyme activities were related to the level of nitrates. The analysed species differed in phenolic compounds, ascorbate levels, and total antioxidant capacity (TCA). Positive correlations were found between TCA and antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimized QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method of sample preparation was employed for five selected pharmaceutical compounds on its advantage of simplicity, less extraction solvent and extraction time. Different parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the target analyte was optimized. Since QuEChERS was developed for pesticides, uses of the method for pharmaceuticals need modification and evaluation of different parameters. Clean-up sorbents were evaluated for their matrix effect removal after extraction and a combination of d-SPE sorbent, MgSO4, PSA, C18 and diatomaceous earth found to be selective clean-up sorbent for the targeted compounds. The addition and amount of diatomaceous earth and EDTA during the clean-up and extraction steps, respectively, were also examined and the amount was optimized. Solvent type and composition, salt type and extraction time were also optimized and methanol, MgSO4 with NaCl salt and 5 min extraction time was obtained. The method was successfully applied to different vegetable samples collected from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Johannesburg, South Africa (carrot, cabbage and lettuce) and none of the target analytes were found in the sample investigated. The matrix effect study on vegetable samples collected was found very high that suppresses the signal during analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of environmental variables on vitamin C degradation in the analysed plant and vegetable juice samples was investigated. The study focused on samples from chives, dandelion, and nettle, as well as tomato, carrot, cucumber, red and white peppers, and cabbage. The aims of the study were to summarise the impact of storage time, temperature, and packaging materials on antioxidants (using vitamin C as an example) in processing plant and vegetable juices. The vitamin C concentration was tested iodometrically at 0 to 21 days intervals. Storage was carried out at different temperatures (4 °C, 23 °C, −18 °C) and in two selected packaging materials (glass and plastic). The analyses showed that low temperatures (t = 4 °C) and storage in glass containers are best for preserving vitamin C content. Storage time influenced the decrease in vitamin C values, with higher losses accompanying longer storage times. Plastic containers had a shorter shelf life for vitamin C compared to glass containers. In general, high temperatures during processing and storage have a negative effect on the preservation of vitamin C. Therefore, storing juices in the refrigerator and glass containers intended for food applications to minimise vitamin C degradation is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates in Brassica vegetables can be hydrolyzed into various products, e.g., chemopreventive agents, isothiocyanates (ITCs) and anti-thyroid substance, goitrin. Cooking can reduce goitrin but destroy isothiocyanates. This study aimed to optimize cooking conditions for reducing goitrin while preserving isothiocyanates in Brassica vegetables. Cabbage and Chinese kale samples were divided evenly into raw, blanched, steamed, and water-based stir-fried samples. Cooking temperature and time were varied at 60, 80, or 100 °C for 2, 4, or 6 min. The levels of goitrin, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and sulforaphane (SFN) were measured using LC-MS/MS. Response surface model (RSM) was used to identify the optimal cooking conditions to reduce goitrin but preserve ITCs. Results showed that goitrin content in cabbage depended on the cooking methods, temperature, and time, while that of Chinese kale only depended on the methods. In contrast, the concentrations of SFN in cabbage and BITC in kale depended on the cooking temperature and time but not methods. Based on RSM analysis, the suggested household cooking methods for preserving isothiocyanates and reducing goitrin are steaming cabbage at 80–100 °C for 4 min and stir-frying Chinese kale at 60–100 °C for 2 min. Such methods may preserve the bioactive compounds while reducing food hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Hexanol is a volatile alcohol and a major component of plant essential oils (EOs). However, the antibacterial activity of hexanol vapor has not been well studied. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of hexanol. In this study, seven food-related bacteria were exposed to 1-, 2- or 3-hexanol vapor on agar media to evaluate their growth. Additionally, the total viable counts in three vegetables when exposed to 1-hexanol vapor were measured. The results showed that 1-hexanol exhibited antibacterial effects against Gram-negative bacteria but did not affect Gram-positive bacteria. However, compounds 2- and 3-hexanol did not show antimicrobial activity against any bacteria. For the vegetables, exposure to 1-hexanol vapor decreased the total viable bacterial counts in cabbage and carrot and inhibited bacterial growth in eggplants. In cabbage, 1-hexanol vapor at concentrations over 50 ppm decreased the total viable count within 72 h, and 25 ppm of vapor showed bacteriostatic activity for 168 h. However, 1-hexanol vapor also caused discoloration in cabbage. In summary, 1-hexanol has the potential to act as an antibacterial agent, but further studies are required for practical use. Moreover, the study results may help determine the antimicrobial activity of various EOs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables have been the second largest cultivated crop after grain in China, among which leaf vegetables account for 25% of the total planting area of vegetables. Among them, seedling transplanting is one of the most important steps during planting. Automatic transplanting can be expected as an effective way to fully meet the requirement of single-plant planting of leafy vegetables. However, it is still lacking in the automatic transplanting equipment of leaf vegetables, particularly on the reliability. Two challenges remain in the application of the automatic transplanter in leafy vegetables: first, the sending and dividing seedlings are suitable for long-stem seedlings of solanocarps with developed roots, rather than broad-leaved and short-stem leafy vegetables. Second, the high accuracy of sending and dividing seedlings can lead to the low reliability of the machine and the planting efficiency. Therefore, it is urgent to explore raising seedlings, conveying and separating suitable for the automatic transplanting of leafy vegetables, in order to improve the mechanical planting level of leafy vegetables. In this study, a combined conveying and separation device was designed with the conveyor belt and stop pin for the cabbage substrate block seedlings, particularly for the high success rate and low injury rate of automatic conveying and separating of leafy vegetables. Combined with the mechanical properties of cabbage substrate block seedlings, the theoretical analysis was carried out to determine the stable conveying and separating conditions of the conveying and separating device and the working parameters of the key mechanism. The test bench was built for the single-factor test to determine the range of key factor parameters. The front conveyor belt motor speed, rear conveyor belt motor speed, and frequency of the stop pin were selected as the main test factors. The Box-Behnken central composite test was carried out with the success rate of seedling separation and the substrate block breakage rate as the evaluation indexes. The second-order regression model was established to clarify the influence of various influencing factors on the indexes. The results showed that the better performance of conveying and separating was achieved, when the motor speed of the front conveyor belt was 104 r / min, the motor speed of the rear conveyor belt was 75 r/min, and the frequency of the stop pin was 1.85 s per time. The success rate of seedling separation was 92.73%, and the damage rate of the substrate block was 4.09% in the bench verification test. The success rate of seedling separation was 91.81% and the damage rate of the substrate block was 4.62% in the field verification test. The error values of the two verification tests and the optimization were less than 2 percental points, indicating the high stability. This finding can provide a strong reference for the design of automatic vegetable transplanting equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the developments in global and Turkish vegetable production were examined during the period of 1980-2021, and the position and importance of Türkiye in vegetable production was emphasized. The study covers 22 vegetable species which were important in terms of production potential. Significant increases in vegetable production area and quantity have been observed globally and in Türkiye throughout the period. Increases in vegetable production have also been observed in Türkiye with the increase in productivity. In Türkiye, except for some species, the vegetable yield was above the global average. Türkiye is an important producer country in terms of vegetable production, particularly for vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, cabbage, zucchini, leeks, spinach, onions, and garlic. Therefore, it is recommended to implement proposals to increase producer income and productivity in vegetable production in Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional quality of food is critical role to improving human health. Even mild micronutrient deficiencies in foods have negative health consequences. Finding ways to address micronutrient deficiencies is central to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The micronutrient content in plant foods depends on their content in the soil. One of the ways to increase the supply of these nutrients (when the content in the soil is low) is to add them when growing the plants. The experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effect of the introduction of micronutrients Zn, Cu and Co in different variants in the cultivation of carrots, beets and cabbage. It was carried out under irrigated conditions. The use of microfertilizers has an ambiguous effect on micronutrient content in vegetables. Zn content slightly increased in cabbage, but almost unchanged in carrots and beets. Cu content increased in cabbage and beets, but almost unchanged in carrots. Co content increased in carrots, beets and cabbage. The use of microfertilizers has increased the yield of vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold, arid and high-altitude regions of Ladakh are exceptionally unique in the world and are characterized by extreme temperature variation, thin atmosphere with high UV radiation and less oxygen availability. Cultivation is not viable in Ladakh during the winter due to sub-zero temperatures, resulting in a severe shortage of fresh vegetables and an unbalanced diet. To combat the scarcity of fresh vegetables during the region's harsh winters, farmers have developed low-cost traditional methods for storing vegetables such as potato, cabbage, onion, radish, carrot, and grains such as wheat and barley that are compatible with the region's ecological and socioeconomic conditions. Indigenous knowledge and techniques are extremely valuable in the daily lives of Ladakh natives. In this study every traditional storage method been investigated from Leh district of U.T Ladakh. Hilly areas suffer various climate issues in the present scenario; thus, it is critical to promote the traditional strategy for sustainable agriculture and food security. This study discusses prevalent storage structures of Ladakh region such as Pang-Nga, Sadong, Tsodbang for keeping vegetables like potato, radish, carrot, cabbage, and grains. Charches, Thingches, and khygches method especially designed for winter storage of onions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits, as well as psychological abnormalities, may play important roles in laryngopharyngeal reflux. Although changes to these risk factors are considered the first-line treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux, there is no strong evidence to support the recommendation. Here, we examined the relationships between the above factors and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (ChiCTR-RRC-17012536) at the digestive endoscopy centers of 3 hospitals and recruited 320 participants (patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux: n=123; control group: n=197). All participants underwent gastroscopy and routine otolaryngology and completed the relevant questionnaires. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of age, sex, marriage, body mass index, work, education, smoking, drinking, lying down immediately after meals, and lack of physical activity. Preferences for acidic food, porridge or soup, coffee drinking, an unbalanced diet, overeating, fasting, pre-bedtime dinner, anxiety, and depression were related to laryngopharyngeal reflux according to univariate logistic regression analysis (all P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that drinking coffee, overeating, fast eating, dinner just before bedtime, anxiety, and depression were independent risk factors for laryngopharyngeal reflux (all P < .05, odds ratios 1.133, 1.172, 1.155, 1.345, 1.874, and 2.065, respectively). The anxiety score but not the depression score was positively correlated with the Reflux Symptom Index score (Spearman's r=0.627, P < .001). Conclusion: Certain adverse lifestyle factors, unhealthy eating habits, and mental factors (anxiety and depression) were related to the occurrence of laryngopharyngeal reflux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents various research methods and results analysis of the total antioxidant status (TAS), polyphenols content (PC) and vitamin C content in selected plant materials (vegetables) subjected to various technological processes, including sous-vide. The analysis included 22 vegetables (cauliflower white rose, romanesco type cauliflower, broccoli, grelo, col cabdell cv. pastoret, col lllombarda cv. pastoret, brussels sprouts, kale cv. crispa–leaves, kale cv. crispa–stem, toscana black cabbage, artichokes, green beans, asparagus, pumpkin, green peas, carrot, root parsley, brown teff, white teff, white cardoon stalks, red cardoon stalks and spinach) from 18 research papers published in 2017 to 2022. The results after processing by various methods such as conventional, steaming and sous-vide cooking were compared to the raw vegetable results. The antioxidant status was mainly determined by the radical DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, the polyphenol content by the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and the vitamin C content using dichlorophenolindophenol and liquid chromatography methods. The study results were very diverse, but in most studies, the cooking techniques contributed to reducing TAS, PC and vitamin C content, with the sous-vide process being most beneficial. However, future studies should focus on vegetables for which discrepancies in the results were noted depending on the author, as well as lack of clarity regarding the analytical methods used, e.g., cauliflower white rose or broccoli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary consumption of contaminated vegetables is the main route of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there is a lack of research on PAHs in vegetables from northwest China. In this study, the concentrations, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs in the soil and vegetables of Urumqi, an urbanized city in Xinjiang, China, were investigated. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in soil and vegetable samples ranged 10.58–77.20 and 93.7–1071.8 ng/g, with average values of 2.86 and 242.76 ng/g, respectively. Among vegetable samples, the concentrations were in the order: leafy vegetables (299.08 ng/g) > fruits (192.65 ng/g) > vegetable roots (152.05 ng/g). The source apportionment of PAHs was identified using positive matrix factorization. The primary sources of PAHs in soil samples are oil spills, traffic emissions, coal combustion, and coke combustion. The main sources of PAHs in vegetable samples are oil spills and burning of grass, wood, coal, and coke. In soil samples, the ecological risk caused by PAHs is at a safe level, and the incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of ingestion exposure exceed 1.0 × 10–6, which will pose potential risks to human body. The ILCRs of vegetable samples revealed that all groups had potential risks from onion and cabbage consumption (ILCRs > 1.0 × 10–6). In particular, adult women had a higher risk of cancer (ILCRs > 1.0 × 10–4). These results emphasize the importance of combating PAHs pollution in vegetable bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A field experiment entitled "Study on intercropping of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) with different short duration vegetables" was conducted at the vegetable farm, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalrapatan City, Jhalawar during rabi season 2019-20. The experiment comprised of four sole crops (fenugreek, carrot, cabbage and radish) and fenugreek intercropped with carrot, cabbage and radish with three ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 2:2 with a total of thirteen treatments each replicated thrice and laid out in randomized block design. The result shows that the sole crops viz., carrot, cabbage and radish had significant effect on growth, yield and quality over different intercropping system with fenugreek. The maximum plant height (35.78 cm, 25.67 cm and 30.57 cm), number of leaves (9.33, 10.07 and 16.47) and chlorophyll content in leaves (1.40, 1.54 and 0.68 mg/100 g) were recorded in sole crops viz., carrot (T2), cabbage (T3) and radish (T4) respectively over different intercropping system. However, treatment T5 (fenugreek + carrot 1:1), T8 (fenugreek + cabbage 1:1) and T11 (fenugreek + radish 1:1) were found at par with treatment T2, T3 and T4. Further the maximum root length (26.40 cm), root diameter (3.20 cm), core diameter (1.15 cm), root weight per plant (67.12 g), root weight per plot (8.05 kg), estimated yield (223.61 q/ha) and percent crude protein content (4.90), TSS (8.10 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (14.92 mg/100 g) of carrot, head diameter (14.71 cm), head weight per plant (340.48 g), head weight per plot (13.62 kg), estimated yield (378.33 q/ha) and per cent crude protein content (17.16), TSS (7.77 °Brix) ascorbic acid content (15.33 mg/100 g) of cabbage and root length (29.50 cm), root diameter (2.89 cm), root weight per plant (140 g), root weight per plot (16.80 kg), estimated yield (466.66 q/ha) and per cent crude protein content (4.91), TSS (6.80 °Brix) and ascorbic acid content (13.80 mg/100 g) were found in treatment T2 (carrot sole), T3 (cabbage sole) and T4 (radish sole) respectively. Further the treatment T5 (fenugreek + carrot 1:1), T8 (fenugreek + cabbage 1:1) and T11 (fenugreek + radish 1:1) with respect to root length, root diameter of carrot and radish, core diameter of carrot and head diameter of cabbage was found at par with treatment T2, T3 and T4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fluctuation of vegetable prices in recent years underscores the need to identify contributing factors and develop effective policies. In order to examine the factors affecting the fluctuation of vegetable prices, this paper uses a structural model constructed by demand, supply, import, and export functions to decompose price variance, and also performs a numerical simulation to generalize the results. We studied the Korean vegetable market, and selected cabbage, radish, dried red pepper, garlic, and onion as research objects. The results indicates that variability of domestic production is the primary factor that influences price fluctuations in the Korean vegetable market. In contrast, our analysis revealed that demand, import, and export had a limited impact on price fluctuations in the Korean vegetable market, except for dried red pepper and onion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red cabbage is rich in phytochemical compounds, and its consumption, either raw or cooked, has been linked to the prevention of several diseases. This work aimed to investigate the influence of cooking methods on in vitro bioaccessibility of phenolics and antioxidant activity of red cabbage. The vegetable was subjected to boiling, steaming, and microwaving for different times to evaluate color parameters, total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), anthocyanin content (AC), and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS). The phytochemical bioaccessibility before and after cooking was also evaluated by in vitro simulated digestion. Steaming showed the most significant retention of the compounds after 20 and 25 min of cooking (72–86% for TPC, 72–77% for TFC, 75–79% for FRAP, 84–91% for DPPH, 70–83% for ABTS), followed by microwaving, which was more stable in 10 min. Microwaving decreased TFC and AC over time. Boiling did not show significant differences between the cooking times and showed more than 50% of losses of TPC, TFC, and AC and 30 to 60% of antioxidant activity. Steaming was the best cooking method, showing the most significant tendency to black coloration (< L*). In 10 min, it still showed the highest percentages of increase in TPC and the minor losses of TFC and AC in the gastric and intestinal phases. Steaming also increased the antioxidant after digestion when compared to uncooked red cabbage. These results are important to help consumers choose the most effective cooking method for red cabbage to retain its health-promoting components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organic vegetable production has a demand for alternative fertilizers to replace fertilizers from sources that are not organic, that is, typically animal‐based ones from conventional farming. Aims: The aim of this study was to develop production strategies of plant‐based fertilizers to maximize cumulative nitrogen (N) production (equal to N yield by green manure crops), while maintaining a low carbon‐to‐nitrogen (C:N) ratio, and to test the fertilizer value in organic vegetable production. Methods: The plant‐based fertilizers consisted of the perennial green manure crops—alfalfa, white clover, red clover, and a mixture of red clover and ryegrass—and the annual green‐manure crops—broad bean, lupine, and pea. The crops were cut several times at different developmental stages. The harvested crops were used fresh or pelleted as fertilizers for field‐grown white cabbage and leek. The fertilizer value was tested with respect to biomass, N offtake, N recovery, and soil mineral N (Nmin). Poultry manure and an unfertilized treatment were used as controls. Results: The cumulative N production of the perennial green manure crops ranged from 300 to 640 kg N ha–1 year–1 when cut two to five times. The highest productions occurred at early and intermediate developmental stages, when cut three to four times. Annual green manure crops produced 110–320 kg N ha–1 year–1, since repeated cutting was restricted. The C:N ratio of the green manure crops was 8.5–20.5, and increased with developmental stage. The fertilizer value of green manure, as measured in white cabbage and leek, was comparable to animal‐based manure on the condition that the C:N ratio was low (<18). N recovery was 20%–49% for green manure and 29%–42% for poultry manure. A positive correlation was detected between soil Nmin and vegetable N offtake shortly after incorporating the green manure crops, indicating synchrony between N release and crop demand. Conclusions: Plant‐based fertilizers represent highly productive and efficient fertilizers that can substitute conventional animal‐based fertilizers in organic vegetable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to find out the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in pesticides and the cumulative risk of heavy metals in soil and vegetables after pesticide application, 54 commonly used pesticide formulations were collected from the market, and the field experiments were conducted to investigate the contents of heavy metals in different pesticide formulations and their safety risks after application. The results showed that heavy metal was common in pesticide formulations, and the average contents of Cr, As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 21.2, 3.23, 0.78, 0.85 and 3.43 mg/kg, respectively. The average contents of Cu and Zn in non Cu/Zn pesticides were 9.22 and 18.1 mg/kg, respectively. Three to seven heavy metals were detected in each pesticide. Relatively high content of Zn was detected in pesticide formulations containing Cu, while high contents of Cu and Cd were detected in Zn-containing pesticides. The results of correlation analysis showed that the contents of Zn-Cd, Cr-Pb-As and Hg-As in pesticide formulations were significantly correlated and their sources were homologous. In the year of pesticide use, the contents of heavy metals in soil increased by 5.74 × 10−8 mg/kg to 5.46 × 10−5 mg/kg. Compared to the application of other types of pesticides, the increment of Cr, As and Hg in soil was significantly higher after the application of insecticides, and the increment of Cu, Zn and Cd in soil was significantly higher after the application of fungicides. Nevertheless, according to the soil environmental quality standard in the National Standard of China (GB15618—2018), the annual accumulation of heavy metals in soil caused by pesticides application was negligible. In comparison with the blank control that no pesticide was sprayed, the application of thiosen copper for 5 times significantly increased the content of Pb in cabbage, and the application of propineb for 3 and 5 times significantly increased the content of Cd in cabbage, but neither Cd nor Pb exceeded the national limit. The maximum contents of Cd and Pb in cabbage were about 20% and 10% of the national limit value, respectively, suggesting that the risk was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica vegetables have demonstrated many health benefits over the years due to their composition of phenolic, flavonoid, and glucosinolate contents. However, these bioactive molecules can be easily depleted during gastronomic operations. Therefore, a sustainable method that improves their phenolic content and antioxidant activity is required for both the processors and consumers. Thermal processing has been demonstrated as a method to improve the phenolic content and antioxidant status of Brassica vegetables. In the current study, four different thermal processing methods, including freeze-drying, sautéing, steaming, and air-frying, were employed for five different Brassica vegetables, including kale, broccoli sprouts, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, and green cabbage. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were assessed using radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS•+), reducing power (FRAP), and the chelating ability of metal ions. Among the methods tested, air-frying at 160 °C for 10 min showed the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity of the Brassica vegetables, while sautéing showed the lowest. The steam treatments were preferred over the freeze-drying treatments. Within the vegetables tested, both kale and broccoli sprouts contained higher antioxidant properties in most of the employed processing treatments. The results also indicated that there is a strong correlation between the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). This study indicates that air-frying could be used as a sustainable thermal processing method for improving biomolecules in Brassica vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For good human health, substantial amount of vegetables are required in diet. The vegetables must be of good quality, fresh and free from parasites and other pathogens. Consumption of contaminated vegetables can cause infections instead of promoting good health. It is essential that vegetable farmers, distributors, sellers at local markets and final consumers should ensure the safety of fresh vegetables. Aim: This study examined 105 vegetable samples by sedimentation method for intestinal parasites, which were sold in five selected locations within Egah Market, Kogi State, Nigeria. Methods: The samples comprised of cabbage (15), carrot (25), cucumber (25), pumpkin (20), and spinach (20). About 25g of each vegetable sample was weighed into 225mL of normal saline and washed gently using the hands with sterile gloves. The wash water was kept for 3-6 hr. to sediment, and the supernatant was discarded until about 15mL was left, which was transferred into a tube and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. The final sediment was examined for parasite using the light compound microscope. Results: Seventy-nine (79) out of the 105 vegetable samples had parasites, giving an overall prevalence of 75.2%. Individual prevalence of different parasites identified were Ascaris lumbricoides 71(67.6%), hookworms 11(10.5%), Trichuris trichiura 10(9.5%), Schistosoma mansoni 5(4.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis 5(4.8%), and Entamoeba histolytica 4(3.8%). The order of parasitic contamination of the vegetable types was carrot 21(84.0%), cucumber 20(80.0%), spinach 15(75.0%), cabbage 11(73.3%) and pumpkin 12(60.0%). Schistosoma mansoni was significantly found in cabbage and pumpkin samples (P=0.015). There were highly significant occurrences of the parasites at wholesale points compared to retail points within Egah Market. Conclusion: The fresh vegetables sold within the market are unsafe if eaten raw, or in salad. Such vegetables will require proper washing with clean and germ-free water, peeling or cooking before consumption to avoid parasitic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofouling in the food industry is a huge issue, and one possible way to reduce surface fouling is to understand how naturally cleaning surfaces based on biomimetic designs influence bacterial binding, Four self-cleaning leaves (Tenderheart cabbage, Cauliflower, White cabbage and Leek) were analysed for their surface propertes and artificial replicates were produced. The leaves and surfaces were subjected to attachment, adhesion and retention assays using Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogene: For the attachment assays, the lowest cell numbers occurred on the least hydrophobic and smooth surfaces but were higher than the flat control surface, regardless of the strain. Following the adhesion assays, using L. monocytogenes, the Tenderheart and Cauliflower biomimetic replicated leaves resulted in significantly lowered cell adhesion. Following the retention assays, White cabbage demonstrated lower cell retention for both types of bacteria on the biomimetic replicated surface compared to the flat control surface the biomimetic surfaces were also more efficient at avoiding bacterial retention than natural leaves, with reductions of about 1 and 2 Log in L. monocytogenes and E. coli retention, respectively, on most of the produced surfaces. Although the surfaces were promising in reducing bacterial binding, the results suggested that different experimental assays exerted different influences on the conclusions. This work demonstrated that oms deration needs to be given to the environmental factors where the surface is to be used and that bacterial species influence the propensity of biofouling on a surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]