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Background: Nectar is offered by numerous flowering plants to attract pollinators. To date, the production and secretion of nectar have been analyzed mainly in eudicots, particularly rosids such as Arabidopsis. However, due to the enormous diversity of flowering plants, further research on other plant species, especially monocots, is needed. Ananas comosus (monocot) is an economically important species that is ideal for such analyses because it produces easily accessible nectar in sufficient quantities. In addition, the analyses were also carried out with Nicotiana tabacum (dicot, asterids) for comparison. Results: We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses of the nectaries of Ananas comosus and Nicotiana tabacum, to test whether the mechanisms described for nectar production and secretion in Arabidopsis are also present in these plant species. The focus of these analyses is on carbohydrate metabolism and transport (e.g., sucrose-phosphate synthases, invertases, sucrose synthases, SWEETs and further sugar transporters). In addition, the metabolites were analyzed in the nectar, nectaries and leaves of both plant species to address the question of whether concentration gradients for different metabolites exist between the nectaries and nectar The nectar of N. tabacum contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose, and the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be similar to the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Nectar production and secretion in this species closely resemble corresponding processes in some other dicots, including sucrose synthesis in nectaries and sucrose secretion by SWEET9. The nectar of A. comosus also contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose and in this species the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be higher than the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Furthermore, orthologs of SWEET9 generally appear to be absent in A. comosus and other monocots. Therefore, sucrose export by SWEETs from nectaries into nectar can be excluded; rather, other mechanisms, such as active sugar export or exocytosis, are more likely. Conclusion: The mechanisms of nectar production and secretion in N. tabacum appear to be largely similar to those in other dicots, whereas in the monocotyledonous species A. comosus, different synthesis and transport processes are involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Nectar is offered by numerous flowering plants to attract pollinators. To date, the production and secretion of nectar have been analyzed mainly in eudicots, particularly rosids such as Arabidopsis. However, due to the enormous diversity of flowering plants, further research on other plant species, especially monocots, is needed. Ananas comosus (monocot) is an economically important species that is ideal for such analyses because it produces easily accessible nectar in sufficient quantities. In addition, the analyses were also carried out with Nicotiana tabacum (dicot, asterids) for comparison. Results We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses of the nectaries of Ananas comosus and Nicotiana tabacum, to test whether the mechanisms described for nectar production and secretion in Arabidopsis are also present in these plant species. The focus of these analyses is on carbohydrate metabolism and transport (e.g., sucrose-phosphate synthases, invertases, sucrose synthases, SWEETs and further sugar transporters). In addition, the metabolites were analyzed in the nectar, nectaries and leaves of both plant species to address the question of whether concentration gradients for different metabolites exist between the nectaries and nectar The nectar of N. tabacum contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose, and the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be similar to the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Nectar production and secretion in this species closely resemble corresponding processes in some other dicots, including sucrose synthesis in nectaries and sucrose secretion by SWEET9. The nectar of A. comosus also contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose and in this species the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be higher than the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Furthermore, orthologs of SWEET9 generally appear to be absent in A. comosus and other monocots. Therefore, sucrose export by SWEETs from nectaries into nectar can be excluded; rather, other mechanisms, such as active sugar export or exocytosis, are more likely. Conclusion The mechanisms of nectar production and secretion in N. tabacum appear to be largely similar to those in other dicots, whereas in the monocotyledonous species A. comosus, different synthesis and transport processes are involved.

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes primarily extracted from the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). It has a long history of traditional medicinal use in various cultures, particularly in Central and South America, where pineapple is native. This systematic review will delve into the history, structure, chemical properties, and medical indications of bromelain. Bromelain was first isolated and described in the late 19th century by researchers in Europe, who identified its proteolytic properties. Since then, bromelain has gained recognition in both traditional and modern medicine for its potential therapeutic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes primarily extracted from the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). It has a long history of traditional medicinal use in various cultures, particularly in Central and South America, where pineapple is native. This systematic review will delve into the history, structure, chemical properties, and medical indications of bromelain. Bromelain was first isolated and described in the late 19th century by researchers in Europe, who identified its proteolytic properties. Since then, bromelain has gained recognition in both traditional and modern medicine for its potential therapeutic effects.

The European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive and polyphagous species that has spread to several countries around the world. Currently there is little information in Mexico on this species. This paper describes and illustrates the characteristics of adults and pupae of both sexes, the male genitalia, and the damage caused by larvae in strawberry plantations. Adults possess several distinctive features that make them recognizable from other pest Lepidoptera, such as the transverse distal line on the forewings, which forms a finger-like figure. The abdomen of females is wide, contrary to males which is thin, tubular and elongated beyond the wings. The sexual differences in pupae are observed in the genital slits located in the 9th abdominal segment. The male slit presents a lobe on each side, while the female lacks these structures. The larvae feed on the roots, stems and fruits of strawberry plants, also allowing the entry of opportunistic pathogens. This information is useful to initiate research that requires live sexed insects, to support species identification and improve monitoring methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pineapple juice processing is an art of preservation, and the processing technologies play important role in pineapple juice quality. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential impacts of non-thermal processing methods on the physicochemical, bioactive, and microbiological properties of fresh pineapple juice. Methods: Extracted juices were subjected to several non-thermal processes including microwave processing, vacuum evaporation, mild pasteurization, pulsed electric field, and ultra-sonication. Physicochemical properties including Total Soluble Solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, and color; Total Phenolic Content (TPC); Total Anthocyanin Content (TAC); antioxidant capacity; and microbiological properties were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed by Minitab statistical software (version: 18.1). Results: TSS, pH, acidity (%) of processed juices ranged from 11.03-12.03, 4.07-4.27, and 0.42-0.49, respectively. In terms of color properties both ultra-sonication and microwave processing showed the highest values of L*(luminosity), a* (redness), and b* (yellow). The highest TPC was reported in ultra-sonication treatment 11.996±0.002 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/100 ml. The TAC varied from 0.179-0.235 mg Total Anthocyanin (TA)/100 ml, where ultra-sonication and mild pasteurization treatment yielded the highest and lowest contents, respectively. Conclusion: Perfect phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, retention of anthocyanin content, and attractive color in pineapple juices when treated with non-thermal techniques. DOI: 10.18502/jfqhc.9.3.11150

Seed morphology could provide significant characters for understanding the diversification of some clades in Bromeliaceae subfamily Bromelioideae, but little is known about the anatomical diversity and ontogeny of the seed coat in this diverse subfamily. We analysed the morphoanatomy of the seed coat for 48 species from 25 genera of the major lineages of Bromelioideae, from which we selected four species for ontogenetic analysis. Standard techniques for light microscopy were adapted for the anatomical study of seeds. Thirty-three variable characters were described and compared. Flattened or angular usually exappendiculate, tegmic-endotestal seeds, with secondarily thickened endotesta and undulate or costate tegmen, are common characteristics of the tankless lineages. Long oblongoid–obovoid, appendaged or exappendiculate, exclusively tegmic and mucilaginous seeds are common to core Bromelioideae. Anatomical features of the exotegmen and testa and the number of parenchyma layers in the raphe were more variable and especially useful in delimiting genera and some species. The ontogenetic analysis was essential to propose the primary morphological homology hypotheses for the seed coat characters. Seed coat morphoanatomical features offer a promising source of phylogenetically informative characters for integrative and character evolution approaches for Bromelioideae and possibly other subfamilies of Bromeliaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pineapple juice processing is an art of preservation, and the processing technologies play important role in pineapple juice quality. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential impacts of non -thermal processing methods on the physicochemical, bioactive, and microbiological properties of fresh pineapple juice. Methods: Extracted juices were subjected to several non -thermal processes including microwave processing, vacuum evaporation, mild pasteurization, pulsed electric field, and ultra -sonication. Physicochemical properties including Total Soluble Solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, and color; Total Phenolic Content (TPC); Total Anthocyanin Content (TAC); antioxidant capacity; and microbiological properties were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed by Minitab statistical software (version: 18.1). Results: TSS, pH, acidity (%) of processed juices ranged from 11.03 -12.03, 4.07 -4.27, and 0.42 -0.49, respectively. In terms of color properties both ultra -sonication and microwave processing showed the highest values of L*(luminosity), a* (redness), and b* (yellow). The highest TPC was reported in ultra -sonication treatment 11.996±0.002 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/100 ml. The TAC varied from 0.179 -0.235 mg Total Anthocyanin (TA)/100 ml, where ultra -sonication and mild pasteurization treatment yielded the highest and lowest contents, respectively. Conclusion: Perfect phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, retention of anthocyanin content, and attractive color in pineapple juices when treated with non-thermal techniques [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are non-autonomous DNA transposable elements that play important roles in genome organization and evolution. Genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs provide essential information for understanding genome structure and evolution. Results We performed genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs in the pineapple genome. The top two MITE families, accounting for 29.39% of the total MITEs and 3.86% of the pineapple genome, have insertion preference in (TA) n dinucleotide microsatellite regions. We therefore named these MITEs A. comosus microsatellite-associated MITEs (Ac-mMITEs). The two Ac-mMITE families, Ac-mMITE-1 and Ac-mMITE-2, shared sequence similarity in the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) regions, suggesting that these two Ac-mMITE families might be derived from a common or closely related autonomous elements. The Ac-mMITEs are frequently clustered via adjacent insertions. Among the 21,994 full-length Ac-mMITEs, 46.1% of them were present in clusters. By analyzing the Ac-mMITEs without (TA) n microsatellite flanking sequences, we found that Ac-mMITEs were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Ac-MITEs showed highly polymorphic insertion sites between cultivated pineapples and their wild relatives. To better understand the evolutionary history of Ac-mMITEs, we filtered and performed comparative analysis on the two distinct groups of Ac-mMITEs, microsatellite-targeting MITEs (mt-MITEs) that are flanked by dinucleotide microsatellites on both sides and mutator-like MITEs (ml-MITEs) that contain 9/10 bp TSDs. Epigenetic analysis revealed a lower level of host-induced silencing on the mt-MITEs in comparison to the ml-MITEs, which partially explained the significantly higher abundance of mt-MITEs in pineapple genome. The mt-MITEs and ml-MITEs exhibited differential insertion preference to gene-related regions and RNA-seq analysis revealed their differential influences on expression regulation of nearby genes. Conclusions Ac-mMITEs are the most abundant MITEs in the pineapple genome and they were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Preferential insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions of Ac-mMITEs occurred recently and is likely the result of damage-limiting strategy adapted by Ac-mMITEs during co-evolution with their host. Insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions might also have promoted the amplification of mt-MITEs. In addition, mt-MITEs showed no or negligible impact on nearby gene expression, which may help them escape genome control and lead to their amplification.

Drying, used in various sectors, is a process, which needs quite a high amount of energy. Agricultural products can deteriorate quite rapidly as their respiration continues after the harvest. A number of different methods have been used and searched to prevent the products to deteriorate and make them be used for a long time after the harvest. Drying is one of these methods. With basic meaning, drying process is removing the moisture from the agricultural products. Drying the agricultural products under the sun, a conventional drying method, has been used since ancient times. However, when this method is conducted in the open air, hygiene problems with the products emerge. Thus, it leads to serious quality loss in the products. New technologies have been searched to dry the agricultural products with the help of hot air because this method has low energy needs and long drying period. At the end of many investigations carried out, the mostly preferred properties in drying process have been revealed to be short drying period, efficient energy use, providing high quality dried products, small area needed during process; therefore, systems compatible with these properties have been designed. In this study, the drying process of 100g pineapple pieces sliced in the same sizes was performed with the help of a heater at constant temperature of 45oC and at average room temperature of 22.7oC. From the first day until the last day of experiment, measurements of pineapple slices were carried out at regular intervals; and at the end of the fifth day, it was determined that the total weight of 100g pineapple dropped to 12.35gr, which meant that the weight of the product decreased 87.65g in total. In accordance with the data obtained, the moisture rate and moisture content of the dried product were measured at every hour during drying and calculated and shown on the graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo A Ordem dos Frades Menores e a Companhia de Jesus foram duas das quatro principais ordens religiosas que se instalaram em terras brasílicas ao longo do século XVI. Reconhecidos por suas missões evangelizadoras e pelas contribuições com a expansão da fé católica nos trópicos, franciscanos e jesuítas também foram responsáveis pela redação de crônicas, tratados e cartas em que relataram suas principais impressões sobre a América portuguesa. Nessas páginas que eram enviadas aos seus confrades residentes na Europa, os clérigos letrados não escreveram apenas questões relativas à atuação das ordens, mas contemplaram todo o mundo natural com o qual se depararam, como as espécies vegetais pouco ou totalmente desconhecidas aos olhares europeus. Ao reunirmos escritos produzidos por franciscanos e jesuítas a partir de 1549, buscamos apreender as principais impressões, usos e virtudes medicinais que esses homens atribuíram aos pomos brasílicos. Dos cajus, araçás e demais frutas tropicais que compuseram estes escritos, contemplaremos especialmente as narrativas sobre o ananás, fruta nativa do Brasil e muito admirada pelos colonos que por aqui viveram. Assim, desejamos compreender quais narrativas e conhecimentos sobre o ananás foram produzidos pelos padres e freis que visitaram o Novo Mundo brasílico entre os séculos XVI e XVII.

A typical symptom of postharvest chilling injury (PCI) in pineapple fruit (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is internal browning (IB) near the fruit core. Since vascular bundles (VBs) are localized to this region, it was hypothesized that the VBs might be the site of IB. To test this, the anatomy and histochemistry of VBs during chilling stress in four pineapple cultivars with different levels of sensitivity to PCI were examined. Fruit were stored at 10°C for up to three weeks to stimulate translucency symptoms (TS; the initiation of IB). After three weeks of chilling exposure, the cultivars 'MD2' showed 0%, 'Pattavia' and 'Savee' showed 10-16%, and 'Trad Sri Thong' showed 100% TS and IB symptom. Scanning electron microscopy and in situ histochemical staining techniques that detect enzymes and substrates commonly associated with IB initiation were used in parallel. The TS of pineapple fruit coincided with the collapse of the phloem tissue. The VBs in the tissue where IB was initiated (i.e., the flesh adjacent to the core or F/C) had the highest activity of polyphenol oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and phenolic compounds. The IB-resistant 'MD2' genotype had fewer VBs, but a greater proportion of sclerenchyma fibers (P

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a crop that has specific nutritional needs, its response to fertilization is high, especially to calcium. This research was carried out in the Durazno Pamba sector of San Luis Parish, Riobamba Canton, Province of Chimborazo, Ecuador. The effect of applying nutrient solutions with different calcium contents via fertigation on strawberry yield and fruit quality was evaluated. The treatments used were solutions with 75-100-125-150 and 175 mg Ca L-1 in the vegetative phase and 82.5-110-137.5-165 and 192.5 mg Ca L-1; Hakaphos violet (N-P-K) 13-40-13, rooting agent and Alcaplant (Calcium oxide 35.0 %) were used as controls. Irrigation tapes (Italiana; 2.1 L h-1 2200 m) with drippers every 0.20 m were placed. It was found that calcium fertilization favors plant development in the strawberry crop; as the Ca dose was increased, fewer necrotic symptoms due to calcium deficiency appeared and the number of flowers increased. The equatorial and polar diameters had their greatest magnitude in the treatments with doses higher than 100 mg Ca L-1; the fruits grew above 40 mm in the equatorial zone and in the polar zone above 51 mm. At the dose of 137.5 mg Ca L-1, the highest amount of total soluble solids (Brix degrees) was present and consequently fruit weight and yield potential were favored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first record of Melanoloma viatrix Hendel as well as in its host (pineapple) in Brazil. Previously, M. viatrix had been found in pineapple plantations in Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In Brazil, this fly was initially reported in pineapple purchased from a commercial establishment in the municipality of Porto Grande, Amapá State, in 2020. Subsequently, M. viatrix was found in a commercial pineapple plantation, Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. cv. Pérola, also in Porto Grande, Amapá State. In the pineapple samples, 2,320 specimens of M. viatrix were collected on a single day on that rural property (approximately 2 ha). The larvae open galleries in the pulp that cause the pineapple to rot, making it unviable for consumption and commercial sale. This communication aims to alert phytosanitary authorities of the need to establish control strategies to prevent the spread of the pineapple fly to other states in Brazil., (© 2024. Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil.)

The production of pineapple generates significant quantities of harvest and processing residues, which are very little used. This study evaluates compost quality using pineapple residues and poultry litter. Five composting treatments were tested, varying following proportions of crown, pineapple processing wastes (PPW), pineapple harvest residue (PHR), and poultry litter (PL). Various parameters were analyzed, including pH, electrical conductivity, CO 2 evolution rate, water content, organic carbon, nitrogen compounds, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Additionally, the perceptions of producers and processors regarding compost quality were gathered. Results indicated that microbial decomposition increased temperature, pH, CO 2 release, and nitrogen content while reducing electrical conductivity and organic carbon. Composts demonstrated favorable characteristics for crop fertilization, with C4 (75% PHR + 25% PL) compost showing the best chemical properties. Producers and processors preferred the color, odor, and structure of C4 (75% PHR + 25% PL) and C5 (56.25% crown + 18.75% PPW + 25% PL) composts. Overall, composting pineapple residues with poultry litter yields composts suitable for plant fertilization, particularly C4 and C5 formulations, offering potential for sustainable waste valorization in agriculture., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are non-autonomous DNA transposable elements that play important roles in genome organization and evolution. Genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs provide essential information for understanding genome structure and evolution. Results: We performed genome-wide identification and characterization of MITEs in the pineapple genome. The top two MITE families, accounting for 29.39% of the total MITEs and 3.86% of the pineapple genome, have insertion preference in (TA) n dinucleotide microsatellite regions. We therefore named these MITEs A. comosus microsatellite-associated MITEs (Ac-mMITEs). The two Ac-mMITE families, Ac-mMITE-1 and Ac-mMITE-2, shared sequence similarity in the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) regions, suggesting that these two Ac-mMITE families might be derived from a common or closely related autonomous elements. The Ac-mMITEs are frequently clustered via adjacent insertions. Among the 21,994 full-length Ac-mMITEs, 46.1% of them were present in clusters. By analyzing the Ac-mMITEs without (TA) n microsatellite flanking sequences, we found that Ac-mMITEs were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Ac-MITEs showed highly polymorphic insertion sites between cultivated pineapples and their wild relatives. To better understand the evolutionary history of Ac-mMITEs, we filtered and performed comparative analysis on the two distinct groups of Ac-mMITEs, microsatellite-targeting MITEs (mt-MITEs) that are flanked by dinucleotide microsatellites on both sides and mutator-like MITEs (ml-MITEs) that contain 9/10 bp TSDs. Epigenetic analysis revealed a lower level of host-induced silencing on the mt-MITEs in comparison to the ml-MITEs, which partially explained the significantly higher abundance of mt-MITEs in pineapple genome. The mt-MITEs and ml-MITEs exhibited differential insertion preference to gene-related regions and RNA-seq analysis revealed their differential influences on expression regulation of nearby genes. Conclusions: Ac-mMITEs are the most abundant MITEs in the pineapple genome and they were likely derived from Mutator-like DNA transposon. Preferential insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions of Ac-mMITEs occurred recently and is likely the result of damage-limiting strategy adapted by Ac-mMITEs during co-evolution with their host. Insertion in (TA) n microsatellite regions might also have promoted the amplification of mt-MITEs. In addition, mt-MITEs showed no or negligible impact on nearby gene expression, which may help them escape genome control and lead to their amplification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate consumer profiling of pineapple at five maturity stages using check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) method and to determine the influence of post‐harvest physiological changes on the physical and chemical properties of the pineapple. Nineteen CATA terms describing sensory attributes of pineapples at five maturity stages were generated. Seventy‐five consumers were involved in describing the changes in the organoleptic properties of pineapple using CATA questions. The relationship between physicochemical properties and sensory description of pineapples was analyzed using correspondence analysis (CA). The total variance of 97.7% and 92.2% obtained in the CA plot of the physical and chemical properties with the consumer profiling data suggests that consumers have effectively described the pineapple harvested at five maturity stages. Changes in physical and chemical compositions in pineapple upon maturation result in the development of pineapple's desirable organoleptic characteristics, characterized as fresh, attractive, and bright yellowish, with a soft, fibrous, and juicy texture, a sweet odor and pineapple aroma as well as sweet taste. Index 3 pineapple has been described as pale, hard, and crunchy in texture at the early stage of maturity and has a sour taste. The characteristic was transformed to bright yellow, soft, fibrous, and juicy texture after maturation, (25% ripeness onwards), as well as the production of sweet taste and aroma of pineapple. Instrument analysis of yellowness (b value) and carotenoid has strongly influenced the sensory attributes of brightness, freshness, and attractiveness of the pineapple. Changes in total soluble solids (TSS) and a ratio of TSS to total acids (TA) contributes to the development of aromatic compound which increases the appealing quality of the pineapple. Pineapple sensory characteristics, physical properties, and chemical compositions were significantly affected by post‐harvest physiology. Practical Application: Sensory and instrumental methods were used to construct the properties of pineapple at different stages of post‐harvest physiology. This article demonstrates that the Check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) analysis provides adequate sensory profiling information based on customer perceptions in relation to instrumental details, and it can be extended to other pineapple varieties and citrus fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of General Medicine & Health Sciences / Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu is the property of Witold Chodzki Institute of Rural Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, pineapple crown (PC) feedstock residues were utilized as a potential precursor toward producing activated carbon (PCAC) via pyrolysis induced with ZnCl 2 activation. The PCAC has a surface area (457.8 m 2 /g) and a mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter of 3.35 nm, according to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller estimate. The removal of cationic dye (Fuchsin basic; FB) was used for investigating the adsorption parameters of PCAC. The optimization of significant adsorption variables (A: PCAC dose (0.02-0.1 g/100 mL); B: pH (4-10); C: time (10-90); and D: initial FB concentration (10-50 mg/L) was conducted using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model characterized the dye adsorption kinetic profile, whereas the Freundlich model reflected the equilibrium adsorption profile. The maximum adsorption capacity ( q max ) of PCAC for FB dye was determined to be 171.5 mg/g. Numerous factors contribute to the FB dye adsorption mechanism onto the surface of PCAC, which include electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, pore diffusion, and π-π stacking. This study illustrates the utilization of PC biomass feedstock for the fabrication of PCAC and its successful application in wastewater remediation.

Background: In order to improve the tenderness of dried shrimp products as well as to reduce the hardness of the meat during the drying process, shrimp were treated with ultrasound combined with pineapple protease and the tenderization condition was optimized by measuring the texture and shear force of dried shrimp. In addition, the sulfhydryl content, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) and microstructure were also examined to clarify the mechanisms of shrimp tenderization., Results: The results showed UB1 group with ultrasonic power of 100 W, heating temperature of 50 °C and pineapple protease concentration of 20 U mL -1 were the optimum tenderization conditions, where shrimp showed the lowest hardness (490.76 g) and shear force (2006.35 gf). Microstructure as well as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results suggested that during the tenderization process the muscle segments of shrimps were broken, degradation of myofibrillar proteins occurred, and MFI values and total sulfhydryl content increased significantly (P < 0.05) (MFI value = 193.6 and total sulfhydryl content = 93.93 mmol mg -1 protein for UB 1 group)., Conclusion: Ultrasound combined with bromelain could be used as a simple and effective tenderization method for the production of tender dried shrimp. The best conditions were 100 W ultrasonic power, 50 °C ultrasonic temperature, and 20 U mL -1 bromelain. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The presence of organic dyes in aquatic systems poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human well-being. Due to recycling challenges, traditional commercial activated carbon is not cost-effective. To address this, an imidazolate acid zeolite framework-8 (ZIF-8)-modified magnetic adsorbent (ZMPLB-800) was synthesized through the in-situ formation of ZIF-8 and subsequent carbonization at 800 °C, using magnetic pineapple leaf biochar (MPLB) as a carrier. The porous structure of ZMPLB-800 facilitates the rapid passage of dye molecules, enhancing adsorption performance. ZMPLB-800 exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB) across a pH range of 3-13, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 455.98 mg g -1 . Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Mechanisms of MB adsorption included pore filling, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, and complexation through surface functional groups. Additionally, ZMPLB-800 demonstrated excellent regeneration performance, recording a removal efficiency exceeding 87% even after five adsorption/desorption cycles. This study provides a novel strategy for treating dye wastewater with MOF composites, laying the foundation for waste biomass utilization., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Globally, the demands for sustainably sourced functional foods like prebiotic oligosaccharides have been constantly increasing. This study assessed the potential of pineapple leaves (PL) as lignocellulosic feedstock for sustainable production of cellulose and hemicellulose-derived oligosaccharides through its hydrothermal pretreatment (HT) followed by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis. PL was subjected to HT at 160, 175, and 190 °C for 20, 30, 60, and 90 min without any catalyst for xylooligosaccharide (XOS) production, whereas, the resulting solid content after HT was subjected to controlled enzymatic hydrolysis by commercial cellulase using conduritol B epoxide (0.5-5 mM) for glucooligosaccharides (GOS) production. HT at 160 °C for 60 min resulted in maximum yield of XOS and GOS at 23.7 and 18.3 %, respectively, in the liquid phase. Controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of HT treated (160 °C) PL solids for 20 and 30 min yielded ∼ 174 mg cellobiose/g dry biomass within 24 h, indicating overall high oligosaccharide production., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study developed a predictive model of the remaining shelf-life of fresh-cut pineapple by considering microbial, chemical, and sensory indicators under storage temperatures.The effect of temperature on quality indices (Ea)was29.57-96.8 kJ/mol. The acceptable limits for vitamin C loss and weight loss for fresh-cut pineapple were 27.71 mg/100 g fresh weight and 4.32 %, respectively, in accordance with cutoffs determined on the basis of sensory changes. Key quality indicators that could predict the remaining shelf-life between 5 °C and 25 °C were the TVC and WL. Vitamin C loss was only suitable when storage temperature was above 10 °C. The remaining shelf-life in a real supply chain in terms of the TVC, vitamin C loss, and WL were 9.9, 3.5, and 4 days, respectively. Overall, the shelf-life prediction model developed using selected key indicators may help in managing temperature in the fresh-cut fruit supply chain and improving storage shelf-life., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A three-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted to assess the impact of lyophilized pineapple extract with titrated bromelain (Brome-Inf ® ) and purified bromelain on pain, swelling, trismus, and quality of life (QoL) following the surgical extraction of the mandibular third molars. Furthermore, this study examined the need for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) by comparing their effects with a placebo group. This study enrolled 42 individuals requiring the extraction of a single mandibular third molar under local anesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned to receive Brome-Inf ® , purified bromelain, or a placebo orally, initiating treatment on the day of surgery and continuing for the next 7 days. The primary outcome measured was the requirement for NSAIDs in the three groups. Pain, swelling, and trismus were secondary outcome variables, evaluated postoperatively at 1, 3, and 7 days. This study also assessed the comparative efficacy of freeze-dried pineapple extract and single-component bromelain. Ultimately, the placebo group showed a statistically higher need for ibuprofen (from days 1 to 7) at the study's conclusion ( p < 0.0001). In addition, reductions in pain and swelling were significantly higher in both the bromelain and pineapple groups ( p < 0.0001 for almost all patients, at all intervals) than in the placebo group. The active groups also demonstrated a significant difference in QoL compared to the placebo group ( p < 0.001). A non-significant reduction in trismus occurred in the treatment groups compared to the placebo group. Therefore, the administration of pineapple extract titrated in bromelain showed significant analgesic and anti-edema effects in addition to improving QoL in the postoperative period for patients who had undergone mandibular third molar surgery. Moreover, both bromelain and Brome-Inf ® supplementation reduced the need for ibuprofen to comparable extents, proving that they are good alternatives to NSAIDs in making the postoperative course more comfortable for these patients. A further investigation with larger samples is necessary to assess the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory impacts of the entire pineapple phytocomplex in surgical procedures aside from mandibular third molar surgery.

Pineapple ( Ananas comosus ) is commonly infected by Fusarium oxysporum , causal agent of the fusarium wilt disease. Conventionally, growers use synthetic fungicides to control the disease, which lead to environmental pollution, hazardous effects on non-target organisms and risks on human health. The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of Bacillus subtilis ANT01 and Rhizobium sp. 11B to control fusarium wilt on pineapple plants. Four treatments derived from a complete factorial design were tested under field conditions. Treatments composed of B. subtilis ANT01 and the combination B. subtilis ANT01- Rhizobium sp. 11B decreased disease severity by 94.4% and 86.1%, respectively. On the other hand, the treatment prepared with Rhizobium sp. 11B alone showed a reduction of 75.0%. Size of leaves and nutritional condition (SPAD units) of the biocontrol agents-treated plants showed no statistical differences. Moreover, B. subtilis ANT01 decreased by 46% the initial soil population of F. oxysporum , while Rhizobium sp. 11B, B. subtilis ANT01 plus Rhizobium sp. 11B and control, showed a population reduction of 12.5%, 24.2% and 23.0%, respectively. These results make evident the potential of B. subtilis ANT01 as biocontrol agent of the pathogen under field conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Adriano-Anaya et al.)

The present study involves the isolation of cellulose nanofibers from pineapple crown waste by a combined alkali-acid treatment method. The extracted pineapple nanofibers were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The extracted pineapple nanofibers were then incorporated in Carbopol 934P containing ketoconazole to prepare a ketoconazole-loaded pineapple nanofibrous gel. The prepared gel formulation was evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, extrudibility, pH, drug content, and texture profile analysis. The anticipated gel formulation was further evaluated by in vitro drug release (98.57 ± 0.58 %), ex vivo drug permeation, cytotoxicity, and histopathological studies. The permeation of the drug through skin determined by the ex-vivo diffusion study was found to be 38.27 % with a flux rate of 4.06 ± 0.26 μg/cm 2 /h. Further, the cytotoxicity study of pineapple nanofiber and ketoconazole-loaded nanofiber gel displayed no cytotoxic on healthy vero cells in the concentration range from 10 to 80 μg/ml. The histopathological analysis exhibited no signs of distress and inflammation. In conclusion, ketoconazole-loaded pineapple nanofiber gel could be considered as a promising delivery system for topical applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare no financial or non-financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using two bi-parental (parental cultivars Smooth Cayenne and MD-2) pineapple seedling populations segregating for spiny and spiny-tip leaf margin and 12 wild and pre-Columbian domesticated genotypes were used to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and silicoDArT markers associated with the spiny-tip leaf margin phenotype in pineapple. One QTL between the nucleotide positions 14,355,639 and 14,368,806 on linkage group six (LG06) was identified using SNP markers and one QTL between the nucleotide positions 14,330,844 and 14,346,378 using silicoDArT markers. GWAS and QTL analysis methods identified the same most significantly associated SNP and silicoDArT markers. The most significantly associated SNP and silicoDArT markers were positioned at 14,355,639 and 14,341,745 bp respectively, on or very near, a zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) gene, a key gene in the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway. Other associated genes with a high significance by GWAS analysis using at least two algorithms include a detoxification 33-like (DTX) and a resistance gene analog (RGA2-like). It is proposed that a polymorphism in the putative ZEP gene is the main causal variant associated with the spiny-tip leaf margin in 'Smooth Cayenne' pineapple and its descendants including 'MD-2'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New materials' synthesis and utilization have shown many critical challenges in healthcare and other industrial sectors as most of these materials are directly or indirectly developed from fossil fuel resources. Environmental regulations and sustainability concepts have promoted the use of natural compounds with unique structures and properties that can be biodegradable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly. In this context, nanocellulose (NC) utility in different sectors and industries is reported due to their unique properties including biocompatibility and antimicrobial characteristics. The bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)-based materials have been synthesized by bacterial cells and extracted from plant waste materials including pineapple plant waste biomass. These materials have been utilized in the form of nanofibers and nanocrystals. These materials are found to have excellent surface properties, low density, and good transparency, and are rich in hydroxyl groups for their modifications to other useful products. These materials are well utilized in different sectors including biomedical or health care centres, nanocomposite materials, supercapacitors, and polymer matrix production. This review explores different approaches for NC production from pineapple waste residues using biotechnological interventions, approaches for their modification, and wider applications in different sectors. Recent technological developments in NC production by enzymatic treatment are critically discussed. The utilization of pineapple waste-derived NC from a bioeconomic perspective is summarized in the paper. The chemical composition and properties of nanocellulose extracted from pineapple waste may have unique characteristics compared to other sources. Pineapple waste for nanocellulose production aligns with the principles of sustainability, waste reduction, and innovation, making it a promising and novel approach in the field of nanocellulose materials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we aimed to develop a blended beverage enriched with curcumin. The curcumin was incorporated within a Pickering nanoemulsion that was stabilized with nanocellulose. The nanocellulose was synthesized from coconut milk waste residue using 38 %-42 % sulfuric acid (AC) and 5 and 10 min ultrasound (UL) separately and in combination (ACU). While combined treatment showed an increase in particle size with ultrasonication time, PDI was observed to decrease. ACU with 10 min ultrasonication was further used at 0.05 %, 0.1 %, 0.2 %, and 0.3 % for stabilization of curcumin enriched Pickering nanoemulsion. The curcumin in Pickering nanoemulsion fabricated with 0.1 % of nanocellulose with an average particle size and PDI value of 259.6 nm and 0.284, respectively was found to be the most stable as compared to other Pickering nanoemulsions at different pH levels and temperatures. RP-HPLC analysis revealed that with 0.1 % of nanocellulose, the Pickering nanoemulsion was most stable at 2 pH and 63 °C temperatures. The in vitro release of curcumin from Pickering nanoemulsion added to a blended beverage in intestinal phase was 51.58 %, which was higher than the stomach phase (38.19 %). The outcomes clearly showed Pickering nanoemulsion to be a promising carrier for curcumin encapsulation in beverage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors report no declaration of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this investigation, microwave irradiation assisted by ZnCl 2 was used to transform pineapple crown (PN) waste into mesoporous activated carbon (PNAC). Complementary techniques were employed to examine the physicochemical characteristics of PNAC, including BET, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD, and pH at the point-of-zero-charge (pH pzc ). PNAC is mesoporous adsorbent with a surface area of 1070 m 2 /g. The statistical optimization for the adsorption process of two model cationic dyes (methylene blue: MB and, crystal violet: CV) was conducted using the response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). The parameters include solution pH (4-10), contact time (2-12) min, and PNAC dosage (0.02-0.1 g/100 mL). The Freundlich and Langmuir models adequately described the dye adsorption isotherm results for the MB and CV systems, whereas the pseudo-second order kinetic model accounted for the time dependent adsorption results. The maximum adsorption capacity ( q max ) for PNAC with the two tested dyes are listed: 263.9 mg/g for CV and 274.8 mg/g for MB. The unique adsorption mechanism of MB and CV dyes by PNAC implicates multiple contributions to the adsorption process such as pore filling, electrostatic forces, H-bonding, and π-π interactions. This study illustrates the possibility of transforming PN into activated carbon (PNAC) with the potential to remove two cationic dyes from aqueous media.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ananas comosus (pineapple) leaf is used in ethnomedicine to treat diarrhoea, inflammation, pain, bacterial infections and oedema., Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as well as the toxicity profile of the aqueous Ananas comosus leaf extract (AACLE) in rats., Methods: Methanol ACLE was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In the acute toxicity study, a single oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg AACLE was administered. In the subacute toxicity study (28 days), rats in groups 2-4 received AACLE orally. The anti-diarrhoeal effect was studied using charcoal meal and castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic tests were measured using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing methods, respectively. For the subacute toxicity, anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory studies, AACLE was administered orally to rats at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight., Results: Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, n-hexadecanoic acid and n-heptadecanol-1 were identified among other compounds with known pharmacological activities by GC-MS analysis. No deaths, behavioural changes, or signs of toxicity were observed in the acute toxicity study. Treatment with AACLE (28 days) decreased aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione, and catalase increased when compared with control (P < 0.05). Treatment with AACLE did not cause significant changes in haematological or renal function parameters. Treatment with AACLE inhibited gastrointestinal motility and castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. Treatment with AACLE resulted in a dose-dependent (200-600 mg/kg) significant (P < 0.05) anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effect compared to standard drugs., Conclusion: Our study revealed that ACLE is not toxic but contains bioactive compounds with anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activity. AACLE has antidiarrhoeal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats, which justifies its therapeutic use in traditional medicine., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The increasing global awareness of environmental issues has led to a growing interest in research on cellulose-based film. However, several limitations hinder their development and industrial application, such as hydrophilicity, inadequate mechanical properties and barrier properties, and a lack of activity. This study aimed to create a sustainable and hydrophobic high-performance all-green pineapple peel cellulose nanocomposite film for food packaging by incorporating natural carnauba wax and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) into a pineapple peel cellulose matrix. The results showed that adding carnauba wax to the cellulose matrix converted the surface wettability of the cellulose-based film from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (water contact angle over 100). Additionally, the film exhibited ultraviolet resistance and antioxidation properties. The incorporation of CNF further improved the barrier properties, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the cellulose nanocomposite film. In applied experiments, the cellulose nanocomposite film delayed post-harvest deterioration and maintained storage quality of cherry tomatoes. Importantly, the cellulose nanocomposite film could be degraded in soil within 30 days. It can be concluded that the cellulose nanocomposite film has great potential to alleviate the environmental problems and human health problems caused by non-degradable petroleum-based plastic packaging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The vacuum impregnation (VI) process parameters (vacuum pressure = 20-60 kPa; VI temperature = 35-55°C; concentration of the sucrose solution = 40-60 °Brix; and vacuum process time = 8-24 min) for pineapple rings were optimized based on the moisture content (MC), water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), yellowness index (YI), and total soluble solids (TSS) content of pineapple rings using response surface methodology (RSM). A relationship was developed between the process and response variables using RSM and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. The effectiveness of VI was evaluated by comparing it with the osmotic dehydration (OD) technique. The optimum condition was found to be 31.782 kPa vacuum pressure, 50.441°C solution temperature, and 60 °Brix sucrose concentration for 20.068 min to attain maximum TSS, YI, SG, and WL, and minimum MC of pineapple rings. The R 2 values of RSM models for all variables varied between 0.70 and 0.91, whereas mean square error values varied between 0.76 and 71.58 and for ANN models varied between 0.87-0.93 and 0.53-193.78, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed that parenchymal cell rupture was less in VI than in OD. The VI pineapple rings exhibited more pores and high SG, as compared to OD, due to the pressure impregnation. Spectroscopic analysis affirmed that the stretching vibrations of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions were significant in VI as against OD. The VI reduced the drying time by 35% compared to OD, with the highest overall acceptability score and lower microbial load during storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pineapple is a perishable fruit, which necessitates processing for extended shelf life. This study highlights the potential of the vacuum impregnation process as a promising alternative to conventional preservation methods such as osmotic dehydration for pineapples., (© 2023 Institute of Food Technologists.)

Sonication is a novel processing method that is perceived as a substitute for heat treatment to ensure the safety of juice while reducing the loss of nutrients during processing. The impacts of sonication and thermal processing on pineapple juice, including physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and microbial inactivation, were studied. Pineapple juice was sonicated at 100 W and 140 W (for 5, 10 and 15 min) and heat-treated at 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C (for 1 min). Results indicated minor alterations in physicochemical characteristics after sonication and thermal processing, while sonication treatment showed better retention of the color, clarity, and browning index of pineapple juice. Moreover, sonication significantly increased the bioactive compounds (total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolics, and flavonoids) and boosted the antioxidant activity of pineapple juice compared to the heat-processed juice. Although sonication reduced the microbial load significantly with the increasing exposure time, it could not thoroughly inactivate microorganisms like thermal treatment. Therefore, optimal sonication processing conditions are required to be determined. This study will help the food processors utilize sonication treatment in pineapple juice processing plants to inactivate microorganisms thoroughly while also boosting the nutritional value., Competing Interests: DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTSThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Pineapple-peel-based chitosan film was employed to extend the shelf life of Indian Cottage Cheese, commonly termed "paneer" in the Indian subcontinent. Pineapple peel extracts (PPE) at 3 different concentrations (1-3 %) were incorporated into the chitosan matrix. In comparison to control samples (unpacked paneer), packaged paneer samples exhibited reduced weight loss, lipid peroxidation, and pH changes. The microbiological shelf life of paneer got extended till 9th day at 4 °C when packaged in chitosan-PPE films. Korsmeyer-Peppas's model suggested that the release of polyphenols from the chitosan-PPE film followed Fickian diffusion. As per sensory evaluation on a 9-point hedonic scale, packaged paneer samples were superior in juiciness, texture, color, flavor, and overall acceptability compared to unpackaged paneer samples. As compared to the control sample (CS), the overall acceptance was higher for the film with 1 % pineapple peel extract (CS PPE 1), followed by films with 2 % and 3 % pineapple peel extracts (CS-PPE 2 and CS-PPE 3). The bio-accessibility study utilized the dynamic gastric model to simulate digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and revealed 40-60 % recovery rate of polyphenols from the chitosan-pineapple peel film., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

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This experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of foliar spraying salicylic acid (SA) and methyl Jasmonate (MJ) on the physiology responses of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. 'Camarosa') grown under salinity stress. According to results, SA and MJ significantly reduced the injuries caused by salt stress, possibly through promoting K+ accumulation as well as decreasing the electrolyte leakage and Na+ contents in the leaves. The best protective effects resulted from 0.75 mM SA and 0.25 mM MJ treatments. These results indicate that SA and MJ can effectively improve the defense system and antioxidant capacity of strawberry in the salt affected environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Micronutrients and heavy metals were evaluated in three edible parts of crops from conventional and organic agriculture. • Micronutrients concentrations increased significantly in crops from organic farming. • Heavy metals loads are more important in crops from conventional farming. • BCF for toxic metals were significantly different between crops. Abstract In the present study, we evaluated the concentrations of several micronutrients and heavy metals (Fe, Mg, Mn, K, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd) in soils and in edible parts of two vegetables ( Solanum lycopersicum cv. Amal) and ( Lactuca sativa L. cv Augusta) and a fruit ( Fragaria x ananassa cv. Sabrina ) from conventional and organic farming in the eastern-central region of Tunisia. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to investigate correlations between metals in the edible part of the crops and metals in soil. The bio-concentration factors (BCF) were calculated to evaluate the ability of plants to absorb nutrients from the soil. Our data indicated a significant decrease in micronutrients in the edible part of crops from organic farming. However, toxic metals loads significantly increased in crops from conventional agriculture. Our data should be carefully considered in view of the potential health risk assessment for Tunisian consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]