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Pineapple plants needs to be nutritionally balanced to reach maximum productivity potential. Therefore, the most current parameters must be used, centered on plant nutritional status diagnosis methodologies developed through leaf chemical analysis, which consider the relationships between nutrients and take advantage of data from productivity monitoring and foliar diagnosis of crops. This study aimed to establish nutrient norms and sufficiency ranges for pineapple in the Triângulo Mineiro, MG, Brazil, using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS). To achieve the proposed objectives, productivity data and chemical analysis of leaf tissue from 88 commercial farming plots of 'Pérola' pineapple, sampled between the 2018 and 2019 harvests, in the Triângulo Mineiro were used. The DRIS method was used to establish the norms and sufficiency ranges of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The average nutritional balance index (NBIm) did not correlate with productivity. However, the content of P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn highly correlated with their respective nutritional indices. The sufficiency ranges and the adequacy levels of nutrients differed from the values established for pineapple in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic biomolecules with promising tensoative and emulsifying properties that find application in the most varied industrial sectors: environment, food, agriculture, petroleum, cosmetics, and hygiene. In the current work, a 23 full-factorial design was performed to evaluate the effect and interactions of pineapple peel and corncob as substrates for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis LMA-ICF-PC 001. In a previous stage, an alkaline pretreatment was applied to corncob samples to extract the xylose-rich hydrolysate. The results indicated that pineapple peel extract and xylose-rich hydrolysate acted as partial glucose substitutes, minimizing production costs with exogenous substrates. Biosurfactant I (obtained at 8.11% pineapple peel extract, 8.11% xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob, and 2.8109 g/L glucose) exhibited a significant surface tension reduction (52.37%) and a promising bioremediation potential (87.36%). On the other hand, biosurfactant III (obtained at 8.11% pineapple peel extract, 31.89% xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob, and 2.8109 g/L glucose) exhibited the maximum emulsification index in engine oil (69.60%), the lowest critical micellar concentration (68 mg/L), and the highest biosurfactant production (5.59 g/L). These findings demonstrated that using pineapple peel extract and xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob effectively supports biosurfactant synthesis by B. subtilis, reinforcing how agro-industrial wastes can substitute traditional carbon sources, contributing to cost reduction and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Putrescine enhances microshoot regeneration in Turiaçu pineapple. • Nodular cluster induction boosts propagation efficiency. • Morphoanatomical insights shed light on cluster development. • Nodule clusters offer a promising method for pineapple propagation. Nodular clusters are a morphogenetic pathway used in the in vitro propagation of Bromeliaceae due to their high responsiveness in the regeneration of microshoots. Additionally, endogenous polyamines, especially putrescine, may contribute to the induction of these nodular clusters. However, the potential effects of this regulator on the regeneration of microshoots when applied to explants are unclear, especially in traditional pineapple cultivars such as "Turiaçu". Therefore, our objective here was to induce and characterize the morphoanatomy of nodular clusters in combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and putrescine (PUT) in "Turiaçu" pineapple. Leaf segments induced in culture medium supplemented with 4 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 8 μM BAP, and 100 μM PUT resulted in an induction rate of 56 %, with the formation of microshoots via nodular clusters, increased length, and the number of leaves per microshoot. Morphoanatomical studies revealed that in the medium with 4 μM NAA, 8 μM BAP, and 100 μM PUT, the clusters presented a voluminous size, microshoots with leaves, and the development of new leaves along the base of the explant, and the formation of meristemoids with small cells arranged in a spiral. The results indicate that auxins and cytokinins combined with exogenous putrescine are efficient for inducing nodule clusters. Thus, exogenous putrescine improves the efficiency of microshoot regeneration by nodular clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the condition represented by persistent hyperglycaemia, owing to the altered glucose metabolism. The current research aims to assess the capabilities of strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that were obtained from fermented Ananas comosus (A. comosus) and Carica papaya (C. papaya) (non-dairy sources) as probiotics for the prevention of DM. The capacity of the strains to endure or survive extreme conditions was evaluated using bile tolerance using oxgall at varying concentrations, hydrophobicity, coaggregation ability, adhesion ability, and hemolytic activity, and their survival rate in gastric and intestinal juices. The LAB strains demonstrated the following results: phenol (>7 Log CFU/mL), acid-bile conditions (6.53–7.11 Log CFU/mL), gastric and intestinal juice tolerance (6.18–7.33 Log CFU/mL), thereby fulfilling the requirements to be a prospective probiotic agent. The LAB strains showed characteristics of cell surface hydrophobicity (≥ 40 %), autoaggregation (≥ 70 %), and coaggregation (≤ 48 %). Furthermore, they demonstrated antioxidant activity (≥ 59 %) as well as the ability to lower blood sugar levels by inhibiting α-glucosidase (≤ 57 %) and α-amylase (≤ 64 %). The development of antidiabetic probiotics from fermented papaya and pineapple has several potential uses. These probiotics may be used as functional foods or supplements to improve glycemic control in individuals with DM. They may also be used as adjunct therapies to conventional diabetes treatments to enhance their efficacy. The results of this research may pave way for creating probiotic products that function as food additives or supplements, with the aim of enhancing health and preventing long-term illnesses like diabetes. Additionally, probiotics have been proven to boost intestinal health, regulate the immune system, and decrease inflammation. [Display omitted] • LAB from fermented pineapple and papaya show antidiabetic potential. • LAB exhibit resilience to gastrointestinal conditions, meeting probiotic norms. • Strains display notable probiotic traits like hydrophobicity and adhesion. • Antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase & α-amylase inhibition suggest blood sugar reduction. • Pineapple and papaya offer promising non-dairy sources for functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all pineapple crops in Brazil are grown using the cultivar Perola. This scenario can be changed through the development of new cultivars with better fruit quality and resistance. The novel approach of the present study was to select pineapple clones that combine both resistance to fusariosis and characteristics related to plant and fruit quality as alternatives to the traditional cultivar Perola. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to estimate genetic parameters and select clones through the REML/BLUP methodology, based on morpho-agronomic characteristics and resistance to fusariosis. Thus, a selection index was used for quantitative characteristics and, later, for qualitative characteristics, such as fruit quality, presence or absence of leaf spines, and resistance to fusariosis. Significant differences were found for most variables, denoting genetic variability among the evaluated clones. Fruit weight with and without crown and D-leaf length presented the highest heritability estimates (above 50%); however, fruit length, mean fruit diameter, soluble solids, titratable acidity, plant height, and number of active leaves presented the lowest heritability estimates due to greater residual variances. Characteristics related to plant and fruit development are strongly affected by the environment and may result in phenotypic changes. Dominance variance was higher than additive variance, which enables the obtaining of heterosis through vegetative propagation. Eleven out of the 20 superior selected clones presented absence of leaf spines and multiple crowns, higher fruit weight and soluble solids content, and desirable fruit shape and pulp color; seven of them showed resistance to fusariosis, making them suitable for final testing for release as new cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple Fruitlet Core Rot (FCR) is a fungal disease characterized by a multi-pathogen pathosystem. Recently, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Talaromyces stollii joined the set of FCR pathogens until then exclusively attributed to Fusarium ananatum. The particularity of FCR relies on the presence of healthy and diseased fruitlets within the same infructescence. The mycobiomes associated with these two types of tissues suggested that disease occurrence might be triggered by or linked to an ecological chemical communication-promoting pathogen(s) development within the fungal community. Interactions between the four recently identified pathogens were deciphered by in vitro pairwise co-culture bioassays. Both fungal growth and mycotoxin production patterns were monitored for 10 days. Results evidenced that Talaromyces stollii was the main fungal antagonist of Fusarium species, reducing by 22% the growth of Fusarium proliferatum. A collapse of beauvericin content was observed when FCR pathogens were cross-challenged while fumonisin concentrations were increased by up to 7-fold. Antagonism between Fusarium species and Talaromyces stollii was supported by the diffusion of a red pigmentation and droplets of red exudate at the mycelium surface. This study revealed that secondary metabolites could shape the fungal pathogenic community of a pineapple fruitlet and contribute to virulence promoting FCR establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of pineapple (Ananas comosus) is threatened worldwide by mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP), whose etiology is not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we characterized pineapple mealybug wilt-associated ampeloviruses (PMWaVs, family Closteroviridae) from a diseased pineapple plant collected from Reunion Island, using a high-throughput sequencing approach combining Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads. Reads co-assembly resulted in complete or near-complete genomes for six distinct ampeloviruses, including the first complete genome of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 5 (PMWaV5) and that of a new species tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 7 (PMWaV7). Short reads data provided high genome coverage and sequencing depths for all six viral genomes, contrary to long reads data. The 5′ and 3′ ends of the genome for most of the six ampeloviruses could be recovered from long reads, providing an alternative to RACE-PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses did not unveil any geographic structuring of the diversity of PMWaV1, PMWaV2 and PMWaV3 isolates, supporting the current hypothesis that PMWaVs were mainly spread by human activity and vegetative propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the use of plastic mulch and percolation barrier on the growth and distribution of pineapple roots. The BRS Imperial cultivar was cultivated using plastic as mulching material and a percolation barrier. The evaluated variables were: relative and absolute root growth rates, root length distribution, and root length density. The use of plastic mulch resulted in a greater accumulation of root dry matter, with or without the percolation barrier. Under drip irrigation, mulching promoted a greater root development. The highest root growth rate occurred from 360 to 450 days after planting. The amount of roots was from 64.1 to 66.7% on the stem, and from 34 to 36% distributed in the 0.10 and 0.20 m soil layer. Black plastic, as mulch or a percolation barrier, contributes to increase the root development of 'BRS Imperial' pineapple under drip irrigation.

Early ripening [earlier than 1 Aug during fruit harvest time (FHT)], large fruit weight (FW; >1000 g), high sugar content [>17% soluble solids content (SSC)], and low acidity in fruit juice (<0.7%) are important breeding targets of pineapple for table fresh fruit use in Japan. We investigated the efficiency of primary selection based on the four fruit traits using 129 first-fruiting F1 offspring population of ‘Yugafu’ × ‘Yonekura’ without replicates. Separately, environmental variances were estimated by an analysis of variance using evaluation data from 50 or 49 offspring in three replicates and two-year repeats. The phenotypic distribution in the 129 F1 population approached a normal distribution (P > 0.05). The genotypic distribution was obtained as a normal distribution with the population mean as the mean and genotypic variance obtained by subtracting the environmental variance from the phenotypic variance. The target genotypes were estimated at 14.4%, 58.7%, 5.0%, and 50.0% of the F1 population for FHT, FW, SSC, and acidity, respectively. Critical phenotypic values were established as the upper (FHT and acidity) and lower (FW and SSC) limits of the critical genotypic values at the 95% probability level. The phenotypic selection was made based on the critical phenotypic value, resulting in 45.0%, 88.4%, 27.1%, and 79.1% of the offspring selected for FHT, FW, SSC, and acidity, respectively, and 12.4% simultaneously for all four fruit traits. The results showed that the phenotypic primary selection reduced the population size to 12.4%, avoiding the discarding of target genotypes with a low risk. If breeders intend to further reduce the population size, then increasing the number of traits subject to primary selection would be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicine, also known as phytomedicine, utilizes various plant parts like leaves, fruits, roots, bark, or flowers for their health benefits, standing as an alternative healthcare approach to conventional medicine. Traditional herbal remedies, integral to medical systems worldwide, notably in China and India, are gaining global recognition for their efficacy and fewer side effects. Approximately 80% of the world's population relies on traditional herbal medicine for primary healthcare, as per the World Health Organization. Ananas comosus (L.) Merril, commonly known as pineapple, belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, encompassing about 50 genera and 200 species. Pineapple, a perennial herbaceous plant, exhibits unique physical attributes, with its main parts including the stem, leaves, peduncle, multiple fruit, crown, shoots, and roots. Pineapple contains various amino acids, including tyrosine and tryptophan, along with bromelain, an enzyme aiding digestion by breaking down proteins. This review outlines previous research on the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of Ananas comosus, highlighting its diverse medicinal properties. From antimicrobial and anticancer activities to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects, pineapple demonstrates significant therapeutic potential across multiple health domains. Additionally, its nutritional value and traditional uses further underscore its importance as a versatile herbal remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of BIOAGRO is the property of Revista BIOAGRO 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.)

The recent increase in the harvesting and industrial processing of tropical fruits such as pineapple and papaya is leading to unavoidable amounts of byproducts rich in valuable compounds. Given the significance of the chemical composition of these byproducts, new research avenues are opening up to exploit them in the food industry. In this sense, the revalorization of pineapple and papaya byproducts is an emerging trend that is encouraging the full harnessing of these tropical fruits, offering the opportunity for developing innovative value-added products. Therefore, the main aim of this review is to provide an overview of the state of the art of the current valorization applications of pineapple and papaya byproducts in the field of food industry. For that proposal, comprehensive research of valorization applications developed in the last years has been conducted using scientific databases, databases, digital libraries, and scientific search engines. The latest valorization applications of pineapple and papaya byproducts in the food industry have been systematically revised and gathered with the objective of synthesizing and critically analyzing existing scientific literature in order to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of tropical byproduct revalorization providing a solid foundation for further research and highlighting scientific gaps and new challenges that should be addressed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) is an approach to nutrient diagnosis of crops, holistically through the relationship between nutrient balance of plants and soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of sample size in DRIS model parameterisation, to diagnose nutrients status in fruit crops. Published data were resampled to obtain different sample sizes, ranging from 40 to 1000, with steps of 30. For each sample size, 1000 replications were generated to determine the mean value of the desired parameter (nutrient indices and Nutrient Balance Index). All nutrient indices decreased rapidly as sample size increased from 40 to 200. For each nutrient considered, indices varied slightly from 200 to 1000. This study has revealed that the size of sample used to establish DRIS norms, determines the accuracy of nutrient diagnoses in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.). The optimal data bank for nutrient diagnosis in the crop (pineapple) used in this study is 200. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is a destructive disease worldwide caused by a parasitic complex that includes Pineapple Mealybug Wilt-associated Viruses (PMWaVs) and mealybugs (Dysmicoccus brevipes), which concurrently act as vectors for these viruses. Reducing the mealybug population is key to managing MWP, which is achieved in intensive production systems through the use of insecticides. SA (salicylic acid), ASM (acibenzolar-S-methyl), BABA (β-aminobutyric acid), and MeSA (methyl salicylate) are key components of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), the defense mechanism of plants against biotrophic agents such as mealybugs. In this study, these compounds were applied either as pure chemicals and/or as a major constituent of plant extracts. Both the Hawaiian hybrid MD-2 and Queen Victoria tissue culture plants, as well as suckers used for vegetative propagation, were treated with these compounds by direct application on the soil of pineapple pots. Subsequently, five mealybugs were released on each plant or each daughter plant in case of a transgenerational experiment; then, after 45 days, the number of mealybugs was counted. Exogenous SA, ASM, and MeSA reduced the population of mealybugs by a minimum of 50% and up to 80%. These SAR-inducing treatments could be an interesting alternative for controlling mealybugs and are already used in other pathosystems. The SAR mechanisms behind this effect are yet to be confirmed by molecular and enzymatic markers. ASM and MeSA are promising treatments for pineapples using tissue culture plants or traditional shoots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromelain is a complex natural mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic enzymes that can be extracted from the stem or fruit of the pineapple. This compound is considered a safe nutraceutical, has been used to treat various health problems, and is also popular as a health-promoting dietary supplement. There is continued interest in bromelain due to its remarkable therapeutic properties. The mechanism of action of bromelain appears to extend beyond its proteolytic activity as a digestive enzyme, encompassing a range of effects (mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiedematous effects). Little is known about the clinical use of bromelain in pediatrics, as most of the available data come from in vitro and animal studies, as well as a few RCTs in adults. This narrative review was aimed at highlighting the main aspects of the use of bromelain in children, which still appears to be limited compared to its potential. Relevant articles were identified through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. There is no conclusive evidence to support the use of bromelain in children, but the limited literature data suggest that its addition to standard therapy may be beneficial in treating conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, specific dental conditions, and burns. Further studies, including RCTs in pediatric settings, are needed to better elucidate the mechanism of action and properties of bromelain in various therapeutic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the decrease in residences, the demand for the production of plants with a landscape effect in reduced size and more compact has grown. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and accumulation of nutrients in a potted ornamental pineapple hybrid, treated with paclobutrazol and subjected to early floral induction. The experimental design used was a randomized block, factorial arrangement (2 × 5), with 4 replications and 4 plants per plot. The primary treatments were the presence and absence of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol (PBZ). The secondary treatments were five times of floral induction with ethylene: 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 days after transplanting (DAT) of the seedlings. At 130, 160, 190, 220, and 250 DAT, the following variables were evaluated: leaf area; fresh and dry mass of leaves; stems and roots; sodium; macro and micronutrient contents in the plant. The use of paclobutrazol reduces vegetative growth and the accumulation of fresh and dry mass of the aerial and root parts. The order of accumulation was K > N > Ca > Mg > P > S > Mn > Na > Fe > Zn > B > Cu, in plants not treated with PBZ, and K > N > Ca > Mg = P > S > Mn > Na > Fe > B > Zn > Cu, in plants treated with PBZ, showing that the use of paclobutrazol increases boron accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigación e Innovación Agropecuaria y de Recursos Naturales is the property of Revista de Investigacion e Innovacion Agropecuaria y de Recursos Naturales RIIARn 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.)

ABSTRACT: In irrigated systems, the adoption of management methods like soil cover, polymers which absorb the water present in the soil and the utilization of shading screens can decrease the water consumption by the plants. This is achieved as these means protect the plant and soil against radiation and wavelengths of light undesirable for cultivation. However, for pineapple cultivation in the semi-arid climate regions, very little study has been done regarding these technologies. Hence, the present study conducted to assess the pineapple growth, production and quality when various kinds of soil cover, red shading screen and water absorption polymers are employed. To accomplish this, a field trial was performed utilizing four types of soil cover in the plots (plastic mulching; organic matter; organic matter + red shading screen 50%; plastic mulching + red shading screen 50% and the control (no cover).Two treatments were included in the subplots namely, either the absence or presence of a water-absorbing polymer in the planting hole (0.5 g per plant), arranged in subdivided plots. We adopted the Randomized Complete Block (RCB) , with three replications. The following aspects of the plants were studied: naturally flowering, stem diameter; leaf area index; D-leaf area and total leaf area; fruit weight with crown; fruit weight without crown; fruit length with crown; and fruit length without crown, as well as the traits of the post-harvest fruit, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio. Further, the productivity in t ha-1 and efficiency of water use (EUA) were ascertained. It was evident that the plastic mulching + 50% red shading screen favored the vegetative development and productivity of the ‘IAC Fantástico’ pineapple plants. The characteristics of the quality of the postharvest fruit were unaffected by the treatments. The shading screen reduced the percentages of natural flowering in the treatments which included organic matter + red shading screen 50% and plastic mulching + red shading screen 50%.

Irrigated agriculture needs significant amounts of water for increasing irrigated areas to meet the increase food demand. New alternatives with high water use efficiency are needed to increase crop productivity. This work evaluates the use of plastic film mulch either as groundcover or as a percolation barrier to increase yields and water use efficiency of pineapple (Ananas comosus L.). An experiment was carried out with pineapple on a loamy sand-soil. The treatments were: (i) soil tillage with plastic film as groundcover combined with plastic film as a percolation barrier installed at 0.40 m below the soil surface; (ii) soil tillage with no groundcover combined with a percolation barrier; (iii) soil tillage with plastic film as groundcover only; (iv) soil tillage without groundcover and percolation barrier. The use of plastic mulch maintained the levels of soil water availability at least 80% during the crop cycle, while without it soil water values ranged from 15% to 70%. Groundcover with plastic mulch contributed significantly to decrease evapotranspiration and the medium crop coefficient. The plastic groundcover combined with or without the plastic percolation barrier yielded the better results of productivity, irrigation water productivity, and water footprint. The mean irrigation water productivity and water footprint were 667.12 kg mm−1 ha−1 and 109.0 L kg−1, respectively, for the use of a plastic groundcover combined with a plastic percolation barrier. The percolation barrier was more effective for saving water than for increasing yield. The use of percolation barrier with plastic contributed for saving 92–103 L kg−1 ha−1 when combined with or without ground cover.

La producción de semilla de calidad constituye uno de los retos principales para la seguridad y la soberanía alimentaria tanto de poblaciones urbanas como rurales, requiriendo procesos que reconozcan no solo el potencial de los territorios sino la diversidad asociada a las comunidades campesinas y sus formas de producción, de modo que permitan reducir las brechas producto del uso de semilla de baja o nula calidad física, genética, fisiológica y sanitaria que disminuya la afectación en los rendimientos de los cultivos de plátano, piña y yuca. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un proceso de investigación participativa para atender a la demanda de proyectos que mejoren la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional de la población del departamento del Casanare - Colombia. Como resultado, se implementó la metodología basada en encuentros con productores de los sistemas productivos para la construcción de conocimiento a partir de cartografía social, la elaboración de calendarios económicos y mapeos de actores y necesidades. Esta lectura de los entornos permitió el desarrollo de actividades para la selección participativa de materiales de siembra, procesos de multiplicación intensiva de materiales, así como la transformación y producción de derivados del plátano, piña y yuca. Las conclusiones tienen que ver con la importancia de dimensionar al productor como un participante activo en los procesos de investigación en la construcción de conocimiento que aporte en la generación y apropiación de soluciones sustentadas en ciencia, tecnología e innovación en favor de la seguridad alimentaria y con ello la reducción de la pobreza. Se proyecta en un futuro cercano llevar a cabo un proceso de formación de formadores con universidades aliadas para dejar capacidades instaladas y para promover el acceso y disponibilidad de semilla de calidad.

This study aims to determine the bioethanol yield and characteristics from pineapple peel with two methods such as Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) and Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF). The percent yield of bioethanol produced from the fermentation of pineapple peel (Ananas comosus) with the Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation method was 63.50%, while the yield of bioethanol from the Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation method was 58.75%. The physical characteristics of bioethanol pineapple peel waste using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation method has a density of 0.8237 w/v whilst with Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation is 0.8858 w/v. Furthermore, viscosity of bioethanol using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation is 1.05 Cp whereas using Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation is 1.02 Cp. Pineapple peel bioethanol method of Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation has concentration of 13% while Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation method has concentration of 7.92%. FTIR spectra from SHF bioethanol missing the peak correlated with CH, CH3, and CO. These missing peaks is due to the high percentage of water. Furthermore, bioethanol from SSF method showed peaks corresponding to CH, CH3, and CO functional groups. It can be concluded that SSF method give bioethanol with optimum result.

Pineapple Fruitlet Core Rot (FCR) is a fungal disease characterized by a multi-pathogen pathosystem. Recently, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Talaromyces stollii joined the set of FCR pathogens until then exclusively attributed to Fusarium ananatum. The particularity of FCR relies on the presence of healthy and diseased fruitlets within the same infructescence. The mycobiomes associated with these two types of tissues suggested that disease occurrence might be triggered by or linked to an ecological chemical communication-promoting pathogen(s) development within the fungal community. Interactions between the four recently identified pathogens were deciphered by in vitro pairwise co-culture bioassays. Both fungal growth and mycotoxin production patterns were monitored for 10 days. Results evidenced that Talaromyces stollii was the main fungal antagonist of Fusarium species, reducing by 22% the growth of Fusarium proliferatum. A collapse of beauvericin content was observed when FCR pathogens were cross-challenged while fumonisin concentrations were increased by up to 7-fold. Antagonism between Fusarium species and Talaromyces stollii was supported by the diffusion of a red pigmentation and droplets of red exudate at the mycelium surface. This study revealed that secondary metabolites could shape the fungal pathogenic community of a pineapple fruitlet and contribute to virulence promoting FCR establishment.

The cultivation of pineapple (Ananas comosus) is threatened worldwide by mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP), whose etiology is not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we characterized pineapple mealybug wilt-associated ampeloviruses (PMWaVs, family Closteroviridae) from a diseased pineapple plant collected from Reunion Island, using a high-throughput sequencing approach combining Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads. Reads co-assembly resulted in complete or near-complete genomes for six distinct ampeloviruses, including the first complete genome of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 5 (PMWaV5) and that of a new species tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 7 (PMWaV7). Short reads data provided high genome coverage and sequencing depths for all six viral genomes, contrary to long reads data. The 5′ and 3′ ends of the genome for most of the six ampeloviruses could be recovered from long reads, providing an alternative to RACE-PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses did not unveil any geographic structuring of the diversity of PMWaV1, PMWaV2 and PMWaV3 isolates, supporting the current hypothesis that PMWaVs were mainly spread by human activity and vegetative propagation.

This study aims to determine the bioethanol yield and characteristics from pineapple peel with two methods such as Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) and Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF). The percent yield of bioethanol produced from the fermentation of pineapple peel (Ananas comosus) with the Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation method was 63.50%, while the yield of bioethanol from the Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation method was 58.75%. The physical characteristics of bioethanol pineapple peel waste using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation method has a density of 0.8237 w/v whilst with Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation is 0.8858 w/v. Furthermore, viscosity of bioethanol using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation is 1.05 Cp whereas using Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation is 1.02 Cp. Pineapple peel bioethanol method of Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation has concentration of 13% while Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation method has concentration of 7.92%. FTIR spectra from SHF bioethanol missing the peak correlated with CH, CH3, and CO. These missing peaks is due to the high percentage of water. Furthermore, bioethanol from SSF method showed peaks corresponding to CH, CH3, and CO functional groups. It can be concluded that SSF method give bioethanol with optimum result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body's immune system plays a very important role in defending the body from antigens and infectors that enter the body and strive to eliminate them. Along with increasing public awareness and knowledge, the development of medicines from herbal/natural ingredients is being intensively carried out. Ananas comosus is a type of plant that is widely spread in tropical countries including Indonesia. The fruit is rich in nutrients, vitamins, essential minerals, and the content of the enzyme bromelain which has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including its alleged efficacy as an immunomodulator.This study aims to determine the effective dose of squeezing the flesh and fruit stems of Ananas comosusas an immunomodulator against its phagocytic activity based on the carbon clearance method and the application of its immunomodulator in test animal models induced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The experimental animals used were male mice of the BALB/c strain, which was divided into several groups, namely: normal control group, negative control, immunostimulant positive control(Stimuno Forte®), immunosuppressant positive control (methylprednisolone), Ananas comosus fruit flesh and stem squeezing test(ACFSF) dosis 1 (125 mg/kg bw), dose 2 (250 mg/kg bw), and dose 3 (500 mg/kg bw).Examination of these immunomodulatory activity tests, including: therate of carbon elimination velocity, the phagocytosis index, the organ index, and the percentage of phagocytic activity (%).The results of this study have shown that the ACFSF group with the most effective dose as an immunostimulant based on the carbon clearance method and the application of immunomodulators in test animal models induced by S. aureus bacteria is ACFSF dose 3 (500 mg/kg bw) with an index value phagocytos is 1,40 and the largest percentage of phagocytic activity (%) compared to the negative control group and close to the immunostimulant comparison group Stimuno Forte®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple is a widely cultivated, consumed, and processed fruit by the industry. However, only 22.5% of the whole fruit is used, which constitutes economic waste and environmental impact. The objective was to determine the drying kinetics and characterize the residual peel flours of two pineapple varieties at four drying temperatures. Jupi and Pérola pineapple peels were dried at temperatures of 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C in a thin layer. Ten mathematical models were adjusted to the experimental data to characterize the drying process. Fresh samples and flours were characterized according to their physicochemical properties (water content, ash, water activity, total sugars, reducers, pH, acidity, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and total energy value—TEV). The Midilli model was chosen because it best represents the drying process with high values of determination coefficients (R2) and low mean squared deviations (MSD), Chi-square (χ2), and estimated mean error (EME). The increase in temperature led to an increase in the effective diffusivity coefficient and consequent reduction in drying time. The activation energy obtained from the Arrhenius equation was 24.59 and 26.25 kJ/mol for Jupi and Pérola, respectively. Differences were reported in the enthalpy and entropy decrease with the increasing temperature, contrary to the Gibbs free energy. The flours produced had good characteristics for conservation, being acidic with low water content and low water activity. High levels of total and reducing sugars, carbohydrates, and total energy value were observed, in addition to good protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex (SWR1-C) plays a crucial role in gene regulation during growth and development of eukaryotes. ACTIN-RELATED PROTEIN 6 (ARP6), an essential subunit of SWR1-C, is implicated in flowering and stress response. However, the functions of pineapple ARP6 have not been investigated, which limits its potential use in molecular breeding. Here, pineapple ARP6 is functionally characterized and its role in flowering, salt stress, drought, nutrient deficiency and immunity is verified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AcARP6 is homologous to ARP6 of rice and Arabidopsis. Expression analysis revealed that AcARP6 gets induced by salt, osmotic and nutrient deficiency. Additionally, ectopic expression of AcARP6 in Arabidopsis delayed flowering and increased tolerance to salinity, drought and nutrient deficiency, but displayed sensitivity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection. Furthermore, AcARP6 complemented the phenotypic defects of the arp6 mutation in Arabidopsis. These results provide evidence for the involvement of AcARP6 in multiple stress responses and advocate that AcARP6 could be used as a potential candidate gene for improving tolerance against abiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the discovery of three pineapple mealybug wilt-associated viruses (PMWaVs) causing pineapple mealybug wilt disease in East Malaysia, specifically in Sarawak, Borneo. Pineapple farmers in Sarawak have been observing widespread symptoms of mealybug wilt since 2021, including wilting, leaf curl, and discoloration. The researchers collected samples from different pineapple plantations in Sarawak and confirmed the presence of PMWaV-1, -2, and -3 through molecular analysis. This study provides important insights into the epidemiology of PMWaV in Sarawak and can inform disease management strategies to protect pineapple production in East Malaysia. [Extracted from the article]

Pineapple is the third most commonly consumed fruit in India, following bananas and citrus fruits. The fruit has its own disadvantages when it comes to shelf-life and post-harvest management. To address these issues and to make the pineapple available throughout the year, proper post-harvest handling procedures shall be followed. Value addition coupled with optimum storage conditions can reduce the losses of the fruit to a considerable extent. Value addition can be in the form of jam, jelly, marmalade, juice, syrups, nectars, squashes etc. During post-processing, large quantities of waste materials are generated which can lead to serious environmental issues. The waste comprises of the crown, core, peels, and pomace of pineapple. These wastes could potentially be used as an excellent bioresource for recovering/producing value-added compounds like enzymes, antioxidants, ethanol, vinegar, and organic acids. The review discusses the current scenario of processing and by-product utilization of pineapple in India.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of additives and storage time on the quality and aerobic deterioration of silages of pineapple crop waste. A completely randomized design was used, in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with three treatments: pineapple waste silage without additives or with the addition of cornmeal or wheat bran (20% fresh matter) at three storage times (60, 90, and 120 days). After each storage time, losses and aerobic deterioration were quantified, chemical composition was analyzed, and digestibility assays were performed. The storage time of 120 days resulted in higher dry matter losses in all treatments. The additives incremented the dry matter contents of the pineapple-based silages, which went from 182.1 g kg−1 (control silage) to 298.7 and 297.6 g kg−1 (cornmeal and wheat bran, respectively). The control silage with the addition of cornmeal showed the highest dry matter digestibility (739.7 g kg−1) and lowest neutral detergent fiber content (251.9 g kg−1). The production of CO2 started to increase on the first day of air exposure in silages without additives, but only after six days in those with additives. Including cornmeal as an additive in the silage of pineapple crop waste improves its digestibility and reduces its deterioration speed.

Pineapple fruit production (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) is negatively affected by inhomogeneous natural flowering, but flowering can be exogenously induced by growth regulators such as Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), resulting in greater production and yield in this crop. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the application of Ethephon and ethylene + activated carbon to increase flowering and the qualitative and yield components of pineapple. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with three treatments and five replications (blocks). After checking that the variance of the data sets was homogeneous, they were subjected to analysis of variance. Subsequently, the difference between the means of the treatments was determined using the Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). There was a significant difference in costs and gains between using and not using flowering inducers, representing a significant difference in the benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Therefore, the use of activated carbon + ethylene proved to be economically viable. We conclude that activated carbon associated with ethylene provided a higher percentage of flowering in pineapple fruit. However, this inducer and Ethephon were similarly effective in increasing yield in this crop.

Introduction: The control of mosquito populations to prevent disease transmission relies profoundly on the application of larvicides. However, the surge of resistance poses a significant threat. Botanical insecticides serve as an alternative approach for vector control, and thus, this study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal capabilities of Ananas comosus flesh against Aedes albopictus. Methods: An aqueous extract of A. comosus was concentrated using the double-boiling method. The crude extract was diluted through the serial dilution technique. Mosquito eggs were collected using ovitraps and reared until adulthood under standard insectarium conditions. Late third and early fourth instar of Ae. albopictus larvae (30 larvae/replicate, n = 3) were exposed to the extract, and the mortality rate was recorded following 24 h and 48 h exposure. Results: Probit analysis revealed that the median lethal concentration, LC50 and 90% lethal concentration after 24 h were 17.24 (9.62 - 21.03) and 24.53 (19.74 - 31.13) %, respectively. The LC50 and LC90 values for 48 h were 8.45 (6.49 - 10.06) and 11.59 (9.72 - 14.81) %, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that A. comosus flesh revealed activity against Ae. albopictus, making it a potential botanical-derived larvicide. Future studies should focus on investigating the phytochemicals responsible for larval mortality and their mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to optimize the processing conditions to obtain ready‐to‐eat extruded snacks with a high fiber content from mixtures of pineapple byproduct powder (PBP) and nixtamalized maize flour (PBP‐NMF) or maize flour (PBP‐MF). The effects of barrel temperature, feed moisture content, and PBP were evaluated. The increase in barrel temperature has a negative effect on the bulk density, the water absorption index, and the texture in both mixtures (PBP‐MF and PBP‐NMF) and increases the expansion index and the water solubility index in the mixture with MF. The increase in the feed moisture content increased the bulk density and water absorption index in both mixtures and the texture in the mixtures with MF. The increasing PBP decreases the expansion index and increases the water solubility index in both mixtures. The increase in PBP in the mixtures with MF decreases the water absorption index, texture, and bulk density. From the optimization, four products were obtained, two for the NMF mixture and two for the MF mixtures. The optimal formulations can be considered a good source of total fiber (12.46−12.78 g/100 g) and protein (8.27−8.85 g/100 g) with good acceptance by consumers. Practical Application: Pineapple byproducts in combination with nixtamalized and nonnixtamalized maize flour are viable raw materials for the development of ready‐to‐eat extruded snacks with a high content of dietary fiber and good acceptance by consumers. Due to their characteristic nutritional properties, the consumption of this ready‐to‐eat snack could present potential benefits for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pineapple has an important role in ethnopharmacology and its enzyme, bromelain, has been extensively investigated for its medicinal properties. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess clinical evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of bromelain. Methods: A systematic search was conducted from conception to August 2022 using CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Thai Journal Online (TJO). The risk of bias was assessed using Risk of Bias 2 or ROBIN-I. A random-effect model with inverse variance weighting and DerSimonian and Laird method was used for meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was evaluated by I 2 statistics. Results: We included 54 articles for qualitative summary and 39 articles for meta-analysis. The systematic review found that bromelain presented in serum with retained proteolytic activity after oral absorption. Bromelain may be effective against sinusitis but was not effective for cardiovascular diseases. Pain reduction from oral bromelain was slightly but significantly better than controls (mean difference in pain score = -0.27; 95% CI: −0.45, −0.08; n = 9; I 2 = 29%). Adverse events included flatulence, nausea, and headache. Topical bromelain significantly reduced the time to complete debridement (mean difference in time = -6.89 days; 95% CI: −7.94, −5.83; n = 4; I 2 = 2%). Adverse events may be irrelevant and include burning sensation, pain, fever, and sepsis. Conclusions: Moderate-quality studies demonstrated the potential of oral bromelain in pain control and topical bromelain in wound care. Major health risks were not reported during the treatment with bromelain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple aroma is characterized by several esters, which confers its fresh and fruity aroma. However, high concentrations of methyl hexanoate and thioesters bring an undesired pungently sweet aroma and sulfurous notes to pineapple juice. This study investigates the chemical effects of cold plasma on the aroma compounds and descriptors of pineapple juice, evaluating the effects of plasma on its esters and thioesters. Dielectric barrier discharge plasma was applied to pineapple juice, varying the excitation frequency (50 to 1000 Hz) and processing time (10 to 20 min) at constant voltage (20 kV). Plasma treatment induced successive demethylation of esters and the conversion of methyl esters into ethyl esters. Thioesters showed to be more stable under plasma treatment. Proper setting of plasma operating conditions enabled an improvement in the fresh and fruity descriptors of pineapple juice, a reduction of its undesired pungently sweet aroma, but an increase in the influence of sulfurous descriptors. Plasma treatment at 50 Hz reduced the undesired aromas of pineapple while maintaining its fresh and fruity descriptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] is the most economically important crop possessing crassulacean acid metabolism(CAM) photosynthesis which has a higher water use efficiency by control of nocturnal opening and diurnal closure of stomata. To provide novel insights into the diel regulatory landscape in pineapple leaves, we performed genome-wide mapping of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) in pineapple leaves at day (2a.m.) and night (10a.m.) using a simplified DNase-seq method. As a result, totally 33340 and 28753 DHSs were found in green-tip tissue, and 29597 and 40068 were identified in white-base tissue at 2a.m. and 10a.m., respectively. We observed that majority of the pineapple genes occupied less than two DHSs with length shorter than 1 kb, and the promotor DHSs showed a proximal trend to the transcription start site (>77% promotor DHSs within 1 kb). In addition, more intergenic DHSs were identified around transcription factors or transcription co-regulators (TFs/TCs) than other functional genes, indicating complex regulatory contexts around TFs/TCs. Through combined analysis of tissue preferential DHSs and genes, we respectively found 839 and 888 coordinately changed genes in green-tip at 2a.m. and 10a.m. (AcG2 and AcG10). Furthermore, AcG2-specific, AcG10-specific and common accessible DHSs were dissected from the total photosynthetic preferential DHSs, and the regulatory networks indicated dynamic regulations with multiple cis-regulatory elements occurred to genes preferentially expressed in photosynthetic tissues. Interestingly, binding motifs of several cycling TFs were identified in the DHSs of key CAM genes, revealing a circadian regulation to CAM coordinately diurnal expression. Our results provide a chromatin regulatory landscape in pineapple leaves during the day and night. This will provide important information to assist with deciphering the circadian regulation of CAM photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to characterize the pineapple farmers in the municipality of Frutal, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. For that, an exploratory research and analysis of information about the topics pineapple culture and family farming were performed. With no previous record of the farmers's location, and only having information about the estimated number of pineapple producers in Frutal, approximately 200 people, the snowball method was used to find the producers. Thus, 107 interviews were performed, totaling 52% of pineapple farmers. The applied form was the central instrument for data collection and it was completed through face-to-face interviews. The main conclusions were: a) the pineapple farmers of Frutal does not know his own production costs; b) the majority, about 81% of the farmers, sell their production to middlemen and 74% of the theirs negotiate the sale when the production is ready for commercialization; c) in most rural farms, there is a difference in plant density and planted area each year; and d) it is probably necessary to increase the pineapple cooperative system, aiming the better organization of all production chain, optimization of costs and improvement in the negotiation of fruits in the formal market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plant proteases are well known for their various industrial applications. Papain, present in papaya latex (Carica papaya) and pineapple bromelain (Ananas comosus), is undoubtedly the most studied and widely used vegetable protease in the food and pharmaceutical industry worldwide. However, its potential as a biopesticide has been little explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of proteases from Carica papaya latex and peel and crown of Ananas comosus fruits on agricultural pests. To evaluate proteolytic activity on nematodes, extracts, and approximately 50 juveniles of Panagrellus sp. were placed in microtubes. To evaluate the insecticidal effect, larvae and pupae of Tenebrio molitor L. were submerged in active and denatured extracts. Additionally, larvae of T. molitor were fed an artificial diet at doses of 0, 100, 250, and 500 mg/g of wheat bran. The weight and number of dead larvae were recorded, and feeding behavior was evaluated. The proteases of papaya latex and papain caused reduction (p < 0.05) on Panagrellus sp. The extracts showed a toxic effect (p < 0.05) against the larvae of T. molitor. Active papain resulted in the absence of wings in 53.3% of adults from the pupae, and no malformation caused by denatured papain was observed. No mortality was observed in larvae fed an artificial diet. However, there was a strong feed reduction, reduction in the relative rate of consumption, reduction in growth and feed conversion efficiency caused by papaya latex. The results of this study show that plant proteases have the potential for the development of sustainable alternatives for the control of arthropod pests and parasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromelain comprises a group of proteolytic enzymes attained from the tissue of pineapple, Ananas comosus, belonging to the Bromeliaceae plant family. Different studies indicated its antithrombotic, fibrinolytic, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain has significant applications in clinical, industrial and cosmetic sectors. Therefore, researchers have always explored suitable extraction and purification methods for the final application. The different extraction and purification methods of bromelain identified, compared and evaluated. We have also elaborated the pharmaco-kinetics, clinical applications and potential mechanism of action of bromelain. In this research paper, we also focused on different processing methods of bromelain for different purpose of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is the most important disease of pineapple worldwide. During the months of September and November 2020, pineapple production fields of the cultivar Hawaiiana and hybrid MD-2 in Satipo and Chanchamayo provinces of Peru, showed typical symptoms of MWP. Based on symptoms, the disease incidence level ranged between 70 and 90%. Symptomatic and asymptomatic foliar samples were collected and tested by RT-PCR using primers specific for pineapple mealybug wilt virus (PMWaV) 1, 2, and 3. Selected amplified fragments were sequenced and analyzed with bioinformatics tools. PMWaV-1, 2, and 3 were detected in symptomatic samples of both cultivars but not in asymptomatic samples. PMWaV-1 showed a nucleotide identity of 91.70% with PMWaV-1 from Thailand; PMWaV-2, 99.81% with PMWaV-2 from Thailand; and PMWaV-3, 99.09% with PMWaV-3 from Cuba. Mixed infections of PMWaV-1, 2, and 3 were also detected in both cultivars. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PMWaV-1, 2, and 3, associated with pineapple in Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cost-effective and eco-friendly method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles using pineapple leaves waste mediated by microwave-assisted extraction is presented. The green synthesis of AgNPs is accomplished through a simple reduction method utilizing silver nitrate. Various parameters, including silver nitrate concentration (5–25 mM), incubation time (2–24 h), and sample volume (2–8 mL), are employed to determine the optimal green synthesis condition. The presence of an absorption band in the range of 400–500 nm in the UV–Vis spectrophotometer indicates the reduction of silver metal ions into silver nanoparticles. The intensity of the absorption is found to increase with prolonged duration and higher concentrations of the silver nitrate solution and sample volume. FE-SEM results demonstrate that the green synthesized silver nanoparticles range in size from 40 to 150 nm and display hexagonal spherical-shaped structures. Furthermore, FTIR and XRD analyses confirm the presence of green synthesized AgNPs. The microwave-assisted treatment of silver nanoparticles exhibits greater antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus compared to non-microwave-assisted treatment. The minimum inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticles for bacterial growth is 60 μg/mL. Overall, this research offers a promising avenue for the eco-friendly and cost-effective green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the microwave-assisted method, with significant potential in various applications.

O objetivo do estudo consiste na caracterização do perfil dos produtores de abacaxi no município de Frutal-MG. Para o seu desenvolvimento, foi realizada uma pesquisa de natureza exploratória e análise de informações sobre os temas abacaxicultura, cultura do abacaxizeiro e agricultura familiar. Sem o registro prévio da localidade dos produtores, e possuindo apenas informação sobre a estimativa da quantidade de produtores de abacaxi em Frutal, aproximadamente 200 pessoas, foi utilizado o método bola de neve (snowball) para encontrar os produtores. Assim, 107 entrevistas foram realizadas, totalizando 52% dos produtores de abacaxi de Frutal. O questionário aplicado foi o instrumento central de coleta de dados e preenchido por meio de entrevistas presenciais. As principais conclusões foram: a) o produtor de abacaxi de Frutal desconhece os próprios custos de produção; b) a maior parte, 81% dos produtores, vendem a produção para atravessadores e 74% dos produtores negociam a venda quando a produção está pronta para a comercialização; c) na maioria das propriedades rurais, há diferença de densidade de plantas e área plantada em cada ano; d) provavelmente faz-se necessária uma organização dos produtores rurais em um sistema de cooperativa e/ou produção integrada visando melhor organização de toda a cadeia produtiva, otimização dos custos e melhoria na negociação dos frutos no mercado formal.

Bromelain is a complex natural mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic enzymes that can be extracted from the stem or fruit of the pineapple. This compound is considered a safe nutraceutical, has been used to treat various health problems, and is also popular as a health-promoting dietary supplement. There is continued interest in bromelain due to its remarkable therapeutic properties. The mechanism of action of bromelain appears to extend beyond its proteolytic activity as a digestive enzyme, encompassing a range of effects (mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiedematous effects). Little is known about the clinical use of bromelain in pediatrics, as most of the available data come from in vitro and animal studies, as well as a few RCTs in adults. This narrative review was aimed at highlighting the main aspects of the use of bromelain in children, which still appears to be limited compared to its potential. Relevant articles were identified through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. There is no conclusive evidence to support the use of bromelain in children, but the limited literature data suggest that its addition to standard therapy may be beneficial in treating conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, specific dental conditions, and burns. Further studies, including RCTs in pediatric settings, are needed to better elucidate the mechanism of action and properties of bromelain in various therapeutic areas.

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is a destructive disease worldwide caused by a parasitic complex that includes Pineapple Mealybug Wilt-associated Viruses (PMWaVs) and mealybugs (Dysmicoccus brevipes), which concurrently act as vectors for these viruses. Reducing the mealybug population is key to managing MWP, which is achieved in intensive production systems through the use of insecticides. SA (salicylic acid), ASM (acibenzolar-S-methyl), BABA (β-aminobutyric acid), and MeSA (methyl salicylate) are key components of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), the defense mechanism of plants against biotrophic agents such as mealybugs. In this study, these compounds were applied either as pure chemicals and/or as a major constituent of plant extracts. Both the Hawaiian hybrid MD-2 and Queen Victoria tissue culture plants, as well as suckers used for vegetative propagation, were treated with these compounds by direct application on the soil of pineapple pots. Subsequently, five mealybugs were released on each plant or each daughter plant in case of a transgenerational experiment; then, after 45 days, the number of mealybugs was counted. Exogenous SA, ASM, and MeSA reduced the population of mealybugs by a minimum of 50% and up to 80%. These SAR-inducing treatments could be an interesting alternative for controlling mealybugs and are already used in other pathosystems. The SAR mechanisms behind this effect are yet to be confirmed by molecular and enzymatic markers. ASM and MeSA are promising treatments for pineapples using tissue culture plants or traditional shoots.

Because of the related benefits, green techniques of synthesizing cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) have been preferred these days over different methods. The Co3O4-NPs in this study have been produced utilizing the waste peels of Ananas comosus (pineapple) and cobalt (II) chloride as a source of cobalt. Several methods, including Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV- spectrophotometer were used to analyze the produced NPs. The produced Co3O4-NPs’ antibacterial properties have been determined against gram positive bacteria and found active against Bacillus subtilis (B.subtilis) via Diffusion from Agar Well Method. This recently created green synthesis technique is not harmful to the environment and may replace physical and chemical processes of Co NPs.

The quantity and quality of these constituent may not usually be the same under certain conditions, so fruits sold in Owerri where heavy pollutant abound were analysed, three samples of each water melon, Pawpaw, pineapple and orange fruits were bought from Owerri commercial centre and their juices extracted and stored in screw cap bottles prior to analysis. The physiochemical parameters revealed that fruits were of good quality but showed positive and negative significant relationship correlation ships such as pH-FW (0.958), pH-SG (-0.025), TS-MC (-0.999), TA-FW (-0.987). Vitamin C content ranged from 13.14 ± 0.39 mg/100g to 75.46 ±1.72 mg/100g for water melon and orange respectively. In conclusion, fruits studied showed good quality and a good source of vitamin C and mineral content. Such analysis needs to be carried out periodically to ensure quality and create awareness to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]