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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]

Sucrose content influences the flavour and quality of fruits. Sucrose synthase (SUS; EC 2.4.1.13) mediates the reversible conversion of uridine diphosphate and sucrose to uridine diphosphate-glucose and fructose. Although genome-wide analyses of SUS gene families exist for various species, such studies are lacking for pineapple. The specific SUS gene(s) involved in sucrose metabolism during pineapple development remain unknown. This study identified six SUS genes (AcSUS1–6) and analysed their chromosomal locations, synteny, structure, motif composition, sequence alignments, and phylogenetic relationships. Gene promoter analysis revealed a predominance of light-response elements in the AcSUS gene family. AcSUS1 was predominantly expressed in the peduncle, pericarp, and core, whereas AcSUS4 was highly expressed in the flesh. The levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose increase during pineapple fruit development. Further gene expression analysis indicated that AcSUS2, AcSUS3, and AcSUS5 were down-regulated during this period. These results suggest that AcSUS2, AcSUS3, and AcSUS5 may modulate sucrose breakdown in pineapple. This study contributes to our understanding of SUS gene function in regulating sucrose metabolism and offers valuable theoretical guidance for the genetic improvement of pineapples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mushroom cultivation is currently being widely ventured by farmers in Malaysia due to its high profits in a short time and low production cost. Mushrooms can be grown on various substrates such as rice husk and stalks, coconut fiber, and sawdust. This study was performed to find out the ability of using pineapple leaves waste as a substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius (gray oyster mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus (white oyster mushroom) and compare the results obtained with mushrooms grown using traditional substrates (sawdust). The mushroom bags were prepared using a dry and wet medium of pineapple leaves waste. The results revealed that 60% of dry and wet pineapple leaves waste produced the highest output of P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus in comparison to other percentages. The growing of P. pulmonarius on dry pineapple leaves waste substrate revealed the maximum average weight and number of fruiting bodies while P. ostreatus showed the best growth performance in wet pineapple leaves waste substrate. The nutritional content of 60% dry and wet pineapple leaves waste for both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus shown superior value in percentages of moisture, protein, fat, and carbohydrate compared to control. In the meantime, the mineral analysis revealed that 60% of the dry and wet pineapple leaves waste had greater levels of Cu, P, and Pb than the control. These findings suggested that the pineapple leaves waste can become a great alternative substrate for both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus cultivation for better economic and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper comprises of application of a flame-retardant finish on the Varanasi brocade pineapple fabric. The novel technique can impart durable flame retardancy. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was used as an intumescent flame-retardant polymer to impart flame retardancy. An investigation on the optimization of APP solution concentration has been made. The fabric characterization for the final product's flame-retardant property after the application is presented. The treated fabric has shown increased LOI values with increasing concentrations of APP up to a specific limit. The LOI of 36.7% was determined at a 15% solution concentration. The SEM images showed APP's presence on the pineapple fibers' surface, and the EDX analysis of fabric samples confirmed the elemental addition of nitrogen and phosphorous in the treated fabric. FTIR analysis of control and treated fabric confirms the P-O-C covalent bonding between fiber and APP. TGA analysis of samples has shown the treated samples' low thermal degradation and weight loss compared to control. VFT test showed increased char length and no after-flame time for 15% APP-treated pineapple fabric. Cone calorimetric analysis confirmed that PHRR decreased by around 98% while ARHE and THRR decreased by 49.56% and 50% after 15% of APP treatment. Images of samples after cone calorimetric analysis have presented the layer of char formation in treated fabric. LOI > 25 was retained after 20 home laundering of the treated fabric. And no significant effect of APP was found on the colorimetric values of dyed pineapple fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of materials and constructive systems for the conservation and preservation of architectural heritage is of great relevance in the case of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a World Heritage Site since 1987. This palatial complex stands out for its plasterwork decorations and this work aims to study the most significant anomaly: the detachment of all the pineapples presented on the sebka surfaces. The present study focused on the organoleptic inspection of pineapples, together with a planimetric survey and the study of their environmental conditions. The study developed has allowed (i) to establish the hypothesis of the different fixation systems used over time; (ii) to identify anomalies present in decorative pineapples; and (iii) to analyse recent emergency actions undertaken in the pineapples to prevent their detachment. The results obtained represent novel information of historical, artistic, and constructive interest in these ornamental pieces in plaster, useful for future conservation and restoration interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study described the efficiency of pineapple peel extract (PPE) in increasing the immunity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and in inhibiting Aeromonas hydrophila infections. The PPE concentrations used in this study were: 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/mL. 0.1 mL of PPE was administered via intraperitoneal injection into the fish. On day 7, fish was intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 mL A. hydrophila (density 108 CFU/mL). Hematology and biochemical serum parameters were observed on day 1 and 7 after injected with PPE and day 7 and 14 post-challenge with A. hydrophila. The results indicated that, red blood cells, white blood cells, and hematocrit of PPE-injected fish were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase in the fish groups receiving PPE were lower than those of the control group. After challenge test, fish injected with 125 mg/mL PPE concentration was able to significantly reduce the mortality rate compare to control (from 80.50% to 47.22%). It can be concluded that PPE was effective in preventing A. hydrophila infections, and had a positive impact on the immunity of fish. So that pineapple is an alternative plant that can be used to improve fish health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The unique characteristics of pineapples as a perennial plant, which guarantee their quick proliferation and adoption in both the tropics and subtropics, readily justify their economic significance. Although pineapple is a popular tropical fruit among Bangladeshi citizens, they continue to produce fewer pineapples than other international producers with limited export offerings. Hence, the study aimed to estimate the technological efficiency, prospects, and policies of pineapple growers in the northeastern district of Bangladesh. Methods: One hundred respondent growers were surveyed directly to gather cross-sectional data using a multistage sampling technique. The technical efficiency scores of individual farms were calculated using the stochastic frontier model with the technical inefficiency model for identifying factors responsible for inefficiency. Results: The technical efficiency scores range from about two-thirds to the absolute efficiency level, with a mean technical efficiency above the ninety percent level. The technical inefficiency effect model interpreted that farmers' age and education had a significant positive impact, whereas credit, training, and family size had a significant negative impact on inefficiency. Discussion: Findings indicated that sampled farmers may use inputs more efficiently and raise their yield by nearly one-twentieth. Therefore, the study suggests that the government should concentrate on strategies to attract young growers, as they are more capable of managing resources effectively and willing to accept technological breakthroughs. The study's conclusions have significant policy ramifications specifically in the areas of finance, education and skills, and rural development that the Government should consider to increase farmer's productivity and overcome various challenges while upholding national interests and ensuring the farming sector's continued prosperity. To commercialize pineapple production and establish Bangladesh as a prominent production zone, more research and development are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of the research is to develop a resilient material for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This study investigates the mechanical, dielectric, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of a composite material reinforced with biocarbon extracted from abaca bract and pineapple fiber in a rigid vinyl ester matrix. The biocarbon is obtained through a pyrolysis process, ensuring its origin from sustainable sources. The fabrication process involves employing the hand layup method, adhering to ASTM standards for comprehensive characterization. Among the fabricated composites, VB3, featuring 2 vol% of biocarbon and 40 vol% of pineapple mat fiber, stands out for exhibiting superior mechanical properties. It achieves a tensile strength of 143 MPa, flexural strength of 184 MPa, compression strength of 161 MPa, and impact energy of 4.31 J. Conversely, VB4, with a higher volume of biocarbon, experiences a slight reduction in mechanical properties attributed to biocarbon agglomeration, while showcasing an enhanced Shore-D hardness of 82. Silane treatment of both pineapple fiber and biocarbon contributes to improved adhesion in the matrix. In terms of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, VB4 surpasses others, delivering maximum shielding effectiveness with total shielding values of 11.18 dB, 30.53 dB, 54.16 dB, and 65.51 dB for frequency bands at 8 GHz, 12 GHz, 16 GHz, and 20 GHz. Similarly, in dielectric properties, VB4 outperforms other designations with a dielectric constant of 9.8, 7.4, 5.8, 4.5, and dielectric loss values of 0.15, 0.31, 0.42, and 0.5 for the respective frequency bands. Moreover, increased biocarbon content further enhances the hydrophobic behavior of the matrix in VB4, achieving a water contact angle of 97°.These findings highlight the multifunctional capabilities of VB4, demonstrating not only superior mechanical strength and EMI shielding but also enhanced dielectric properties and hydrophobic nature. The comprehensive approach to incorporating biocarbon and pineapple fiber, coupled with silane treatment, contributes to the overall performance and versatility of the composite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the mechanical, fatigue, dynamic mechanical and creep properties of vinyl based composites reinforced using Amaranthus viridis root hair cellulose and pineapple fibe. The cellulose was produced via thermo-chemical route and the composites were manufactured using pineapple fibe mat. The composites were prepared via hand layup method and tested using ASTM standards. Results revealed that among various composite designations, the composite contains fibe and 2 vol% of cellulose showcasing a tensile strength of 175 MPa, flexural strength of 205 MPa, compression strength of 188 MPa, interlaminar shear strength of 24.7 MPa and Izod impact strength of 6.03 J. Moreover, the composite demonstrated exceptional fatigue resistance, with fatigue life counts of 39,749, 34,411 and 28,260 cycles for 25%, 50%, and 75% of ultimate tensile strength. Nevertheless, an increase in the volume percentage of cellulose up to 4 vol% resulted in a decline in both mechanical and fatigue life counts. However the dynamic mechanical analysis of composite contains 4 vol% of cellulose revealed an improved storage modulus of 5.61 GPa with a loss factor of 0.37. Additionally, the composite demonstrated diminished creep strain values of 0.0007, 0.0022, and 0.0057 for time durations of 5000 s, 10000 s, and 15000 s, respectively. Finally, the scanning electron microscopy images revealed highly reached phases of cellulose within the matrix and effective reinforcement effect. Thus it is clear that the addition of cellulose along with natural fibe improved the load bearing properties and overall structural integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetoniidae (Coleoptera), known as flower and fruit beetles, form a diverse group, feed on nectar, pollen, plant exudates, and are highly attracted to fermented fruits. To evaluate their diversity in natural and agricultural areas, traps baited with fermented fruits are used. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of various types of fruit used as bait, with or without the addition of sugarcane juice to accelerate fruit fermentation, on the assessment of Cetoniidae diversity in the Brazilian Cerrado. The study was conducted in two conservation units in Brasília (DF, Brazil). Two experiments were conducted, the first aiming to select the most attractive fruits (banana, pineapple, mango, grape, or cagaita), and the second to verify whether there is interference of sugarcane juice in the fruit fermentation process and, consequently, in the attractiveness to Cetoniidae. The chemical profiles of the types of bait were evaluated by identifying and quantifying the main volatile organic compounds released by the fruit traps. Insect collections were conducted weekly using fruit‐baited traps for 1 month, without interruption. We found that the diversity estimate of Cetoniidae was higher for banana‐based baits relative to grape and cagaita fruit, but not relative to pineapple, mango, and sugarcane juice. Additionally, no increase in attractiveness was observed with the addition of sugarcane juice to banana, pineapple, and mango bait. Most compounds in the fruit extracts belong to alcohol, ester, and terpene functional groups. Our results suggest that banana, pineapple, mango, and sugarcane juice, used alone, may be used for Cetoniidae diversity studies, and that banana bait seems to be the most suitable for Cetoniidae collection in the Cerrado, because it enables the collection of a high diversity of species and also of species considered rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) fruit is a functional food that has become a part of healthy diets worldwide due to its nutrition and health benefits. Given this concept, the potential anti-hypercholesterolemic activity of pineapple fruit was assessed using in vitro HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibition assay. Our findings show that pineapple fruit (PAF) extract showed HMGCR inhibition activity. These findings led to partial purification of PAF extract by gel filtration chromatography (GFC) whereby fraction PAF 06 exhibited 100.00% HMGCR inhibition at 10 mg/mL. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry profiling, HRMS, MS/MS, and dereplication identified N1, N10-diferuloylspermidine as potential HMGCR inhibitor in pineapple fruit. The MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enabled the in situ spatiotemporal mapping of the HMGCR inhibitor, N1, N10-diferuloylspermidine, in the pineapple fruit tissue, with localization concentrated mainly in the tissue near the peel/shell and a gradual decrease towards the flesh and ovary. The MALDI MSI provided the first evidence of in situ spatial localization of N1, N10-diferuloylspermidine, a potential HMGCR inhibitor in pineapple while maintaining the cellular and structural features of the fruit tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Pineapple is the third most crucial tropical fruit worldwide and available in five varieties. Genomes of different pineapple varieties have been released to date; however, none of them are complete, with all exhibiting substantial gaps and representing only two of the five pineapple varieties. This significantly hinders the advancement of pineapple breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of three varieties: a wild pineapple variety, a fiber pineapple variety, and a globally cultivated edible pineapple variety. We constructed the first gap‐free reference genome (Ref) for pineapple. By consolidating multiple sources of evidence and manually revising each gene structure annotation, we identified 26,656 protein‐coding genes. The BUSCO evaluation indicated a completeness of 99.2%, demonstrating the high quality of the gene structure annotations in this genome. Utilizing these resources, we identified 7,209 structural variations across the three varieties. Approximately 30.8% of pineapple genes were located within ±5 kb of structural variations, including 30 genes associated with anthocyanin synthesis. Further analysis and functional experiments demonstrated that the high expression of AcMYB528 aligns with the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, both of which may be affected by a 1.9‐kb insertion fragment. In addition, we developed the Ananas Genome Database, which offers data browsing, retrieval, analysis, and download functions. The construction of this database addresses the lack of pineapple genome resource databases. In summary, we acquired a seamless pineapple reference genome with high‐quality gene structure annotations, providing a solid foundation for pineapple genomics and a valuable reference for pineapple breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple is a horticultural commodity whose demand is still relatively high because of its need as fresh fruit and processed raw materials. The East Java region contributed 8.92% with Blitar Regency being the second largest pineapple production center after Kediri Regency. Pineapple plants are plants that are sensitive to climate change due to the effects of excessive heat and irregular rain. This can threaten pineapple productivity by reducing yield potential and quality which will derail the harvest. This study aims to study the relationship between elements of rainfall (rainfall intensity and rainy days) and productivity of pineapple plants in Blitar Regency. The research was conducted from June to September 2020 in the pineapple production centers of Blitar Regency, namely Gandusari District, Ponggok District and Nglegok District. The research method used is a survey method with the data used in this research in the form of primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained from interviews with farmers. The secondary data needed is pineapple productivity in Blitar Regency from the Central Statistics Agency and rainfall data (rainfall intensity and rainy days) from the Central Statistics Agency and Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. Correlation analysis was used to determine the close relationship between rainfall and productivity and regression to determine which rainfall element had the most influence on productivity. Based on the results of the analysis, it is explained that the rainfall element has a significant effect on pineapple productivity and can reduce productivity in the three sub-districts in Blitar Regency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple is one of the most important tropical fruit species, widely cultivated and economically important in Benin. This study aimed to identify potentially favorable areas for the cultivation of pineapple under current and future environmental conditions in Benin. The two cultivars of pineapple grown in Benin were separately considered: Sugarloaf and Smooth Cayenne. Five (05) modeling algorithms such as Maxent, Random Forest (RF), Support-Vector Machines (SVM), Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) were compared using the criteria: area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, Cohen’s Kappa, deviance and True Skill Statistic (TSS). The future climate models available for Africa at horizon 2055 were used under the “Representative Concentration Pathways” scenario 4.5 and 8.5. Results suggested that pineapple suitable areas were governed by a combination of effects of climate (temperature and precipitation) and soils characteristics. Indeed, soil pH, temperature seasonality and precipitation of driest quarter were the main variables driving pineapple production in Benin. Results also indicated that RF was the most suitable technique to model the distribution of pineapples regardless of the variety. The current potential range of favorable areas for the two varieties was mainly found in the central and southern parts of the country. In the future, following the RCP4.5 scenario, there will be an increase in the area favorable for the cultivation of Smooth Cayenne variety by 5.28% compared to the current situation whereas, the area favorable for the cultivation of the Sugarloaf variety will be increased by 7.7%. However, suitable areas for cultivation of Smooth Cayenne and Sugarloaf following the RCP8.5 scenario will be increased, respectively by 21.82% and 31.64%. The low and medium suitability areas for the cultivation of smooth cayenne will decrease by 15.57% and 2.93%, respectively at the horizon 2055 with future conditions under RCP4.5, and 15.48% and 4.97%, respectively at the horizon 2055 with future conditions under RCP8.5. For sugarloaf, the low and medium suitable cultivation areas will decrease by 1.59% and 14.24, respectively at the horizon 2055 with future conditions under RCP4.5. According to RCP8.5, the low suitable areas will decrease by 5.08%. This study constitutes an initial step towards a sustainable scheme for planning exploration of the possibility of extending pineapple cultivation in Benin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation on contamination rate and shoot proliferation of Tamban pineapple crown explant. The experimental design was nested and completely randomized with a separate control. The first factor was the type of UV light, namely UV-B and UV-C. The second factor was the duration of UV light exposure, namely 10, 20, 30, and 40 min. This study was carried out from March to June 2023 at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Observations were made on the contamination percentage, survival percentage, time of first shoot formation, percentage of explants able to regenerate shoots, and number of shoots. The results showed that UV light treatment decreased the contamination rate. Increasing the duration of UV light exposure decreased the contamination rate, delayed the formation of the first shoot, and affected the number of shoots. UV-B light exposure produced a higher number of shoots than UV-C light. These results suggest that UV-B and UV-C radiation have the potential to optimize surface sterilization protocol and promote somaclonal variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is one of the important sectors for economic development and food security all over the world. This study described and examined the sustainable agricultural techniques and practices in pineapple cultivation in the Municipality of Bataraza, Palawan. The study utilized descriptive correlational research which was participated by 30 pineapple farmers. Results of the study showed that Pineapple farmers efficiently utilized farming methods to increase the harvest and production of pineapple in Bataraza and gained profitable income that helped them to supplement the needs of their family. The production of pineapple depends largely on the farming methods and techniques they utilized. [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]

Pineapple is one of the four major tropical fruits with important profits. China has been the fifth-largest producer of pineapple in the world, particularly with a large number of planting areas. Manual harvesting cannot fully meet the large-scale production of pineapples at present. Mechanical harvesting can be expected to improve the efficiency of pineapple production with labor cost savings. It is of great significance to develop mechanized equipment for pineapple production. Among them, the lever-feeding pineapple harvester has been developed for the batch harvesting of pineapples. Compared with robotic picking, it is no necessary to adjust the working parameters during harvesting plants with different heights. Therefore, the harvest speed is much higher than that of the manual and robot. However, the low success rate has been confined to collecting and conveying the harvested pineapple fruit. Many pineapple fruits are prone to damage during transport. In this study, a double-row alternating toothed sieve was designed for pineapple collecting and conveying. The device served as the intermediate or transitional conveying mechanism between the fruit receiving plate and the baffle conveyor chain. The motion equation was then established for the tip of each of the tooth-shaped sieve plates in the double-row alternating tooth-shaped sieve. A systematic analysis was made on the motion trajectory of each tooth tip in the conveying mechanism. The structural parameters of the conveying mechanism were determined, such as the length and angle of the rods, and the spacing distance between the toothed sieve plates. After that, the mechanics model was established to express the contact between pineapple fruit and the tooth-shaped sieve plates. The pineapple fruit damage-free and bounce-free boundary conditions of the conveying speeds were obtained for the conveying mechanism using the mechanic model. Furthermore, the key influencing factors were determined as the experimental parameters, including the inclination angle of the receiving plate, the rotational speed of the picking device, and the rotational speed of the conveying mechanism. A three-factor three-level frame experiment was conducted using the BoxBehnken, with the success rate of pineapple fruit conveying and the number of retained fruits as the evaluation indicators. The combination of optimal parameters was then obtained using the regression model. The field test also showed that the average fruit conveying success rate was 94.87%, and the average number of retained fruits was 2 when the inclination angle of the receiving plate was 14°, the rotational speed of the picking device was 27 r/min. and the rotational speed of the conveying device was 70 r/min. Besides, there was no damaged fruit during conveying. The device can fully meet the needs of pineapple fruit conveying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of pests and diseases is one of the main challenges of sustainable agriculture. Plantains, with an annual production of nearly 12 million tons, are a significant staple food crop in West and Central Africa, as well as in Central America. Cosmopolites sordidus is the major pests for plantains and is present in all production areas. This study assessed how the traits and associated agricultural practices of 12 crops, usually associated with plantains in Cameroun, affected the arthropods trophic network and C. sordidus abundance. The abundance and the diversity of arthropods in experimental plots associating plantains with each of the 12 tested crops were measured. Each associated crop was described by a unique profile of traits and agricultural practices. This 'trait' approach allowed linking the plant characteristics to the abundance of arthropods from different trophic groups. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the interactions between associated crops traits, their associated agricultural practices and the abundance of main trophic groups. The highest abundance of C. sordidus was observed in plots with Ananas comosus and Xanthosoma sagittifolium as associated crops. These plots also had the lowest abundance of omnivores and predators. In contrast, plots with the lowest abundance of C. sordidus were those with weeds and Vigna unguiculata, where more omnivores and predators were observed. Grouping associated crops by their traits and agricultural practices allowed for drawing conclusions on a wider range than the set of plants tested. For instance, this study showed that plants from the higher strata tend to decrease ground‐dwelling predators. The ideal crop traits and agricultural practices to maximize the regulation of C. sordidus should not be obtained by a single species of crop but rather by a community of associated crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the potential of endophytic microorganisms in fermentative processes using agro-industrial residues as substrates. The aim was to explore sustainable biotechnological methods for producing valuable compounds from waste. Endophytic microorganisms were isolated from strawberry, lychee, and tangerine and used in fermentative processes with passion fruit, guava, and pineapple residues. Key methods included isolating and screening potent aroma-producing microorganisms, identifying them using MALDI-TOF MS, and analyzing volatile compounds by GC-MS. The results identified 37 endophytic microorganisms, with Kloeckera apiculata presenting the greatest aromatic potential. Fermentation with agro-industrial residues produced significant volatile compounds, identifying 27, 23, and 22 compounds from passion fruit, pineapple, and guava residues, respectively. The main conclusions highlighted the high production of ethyl acetate and 2-phenylethyl acetate, which contributed to fruity and floral aromas. The novelty of this study lies in the use of endophytic microorganisms isolated from tropical fruits to biotransform agro-industrial waste into high-value aromatic compounds, offering economic and environmental benefits. This research is significant, as it proposes a sustainable approach to valorize waste and produce natural aroma compounds through biotechnological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of bromelain, a plant enzyme, on the physicochemical and sensory properties of horse meat, as well as the effects of different bacterial cultures (Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum) on the inhibition of lipid oxidation and control of pH during chilled storage. Horse meat (longissimus dorsi) samples (n = 14) were treated with bromelain in two forms (powder and aqueous solution) and with three methods: immersion in enzyme solution, spreading enzyme powder on meat, and syringing enzyme solution into the meat. After fermentation, a part of the meat samples (n = 6) was treated with different bacteria compositions at a 5% weight ratio and stored at 0–2 °C for 6 days. Injecting 3–5% bromelain solutions was most effective at tenderizing the meat, reducing shear force by up to 56% after 8 h. This injection also maximized the water-holding capacity (78–81%) and minimized cooking losses (21–26%), compared to 38% for the control meat sample without treatment. Syringing with 3% bromelain yielded the highest sensory scores across the tenderness, flavor, and overall palatability parameters. The combination of L. acidophilus, Lc. lactis, and B. longum at a ratio of 1.5:1.5:2 was highly effective in reducing oxidative spoilage and optimizing pH levels, thereby ensuring extended meat storability. This study demonstrates that bromelain treatment is an effective method for improving the tenderness, WHC, and sensory properties of horse meat. The LAB combination showed efficient acid formation, crucial for enhancing meat preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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, CO2 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, CO2 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habitual consumption of snacks has the potential to enrich or harm the diet. They can contribute to excessive caloric intake and hyperglycemia. Thus, there is an increasing interest in snacks with health-promoting properties. This study aimed to demonstrate the beneficial effect of two fruit-based bars on glucose levels through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico assays. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) bars (MB and PB) were prepared, and chemical composition, postprandial glycemic response, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of fruit bar extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and their respective molecular docking was assessed. MB and PB showed the lowest postprandial glycemic response vs. the control bar (p < 0.005), a lower GI (CB: 64.20, PB: 53.20, MB: 40.40), and a GL of 10.9 (CB), 7.9 (PB), and 6.1 (MB), (p < 0.05). MB and PB showed the highest inhibition % of α-amylase (61.44 and 59.37%, respectively) and α-glucosidase (64.97 and 64.57%). Naringenin (−1692.5985 and −2757.674 kcal/mol) and ferulic acid (−1692.8904 and −2760.3513 kcal/mol) exhibited more favorable interaction energies against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The presence of polyphenols from the fruit influenced enzymatic inhibition. Likewise, the dietary fiber in the bars evaluated allowed us to observe a positive effect that favors glycemic control, making them a healthy alternative for snacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber has enormous demand in almost all textile sectors. Because of this, consequences arise in terms of shortage, availability, and increased cost. The novelty of this research aims to carry out a comparative study on the mechanical properties of pineapple, bamboo, and organic cotton fiber fabrics of the same construction parameters and to find the opportunity to incorporate pineapple, bamboo, and cotton in Varanasi brocade for the end use in furnishing and upholstery industries. The properties evaluated in this research study are tensile, elongation, tear, stiffness, abrasion resistance, and drape coefficient. The result shows that the tensile strength found for pineapple was 0.05 MPa in the warp, which is higher than that for bamboo and cotton as 0.031 MPa and 0.043 MPa, respectively. In contrast, the elongation of pineapple and bamboo fabric is almost similar but higher than that of cotton. The pineapple fabric's tear strength was 7.093 kg, more elevated than that of bamboo and cotton as 5.565 kg and 4.525 kg, respectively. The pineapple fabric stiffness measured as 0.80 mg−2 cm, higher than that of bamboo 0.54 mg−2 cm and that of cotton 0.35 mg−2 cm. The pineapple's abrasion resistance is slightly lower than that of other natural fabrics, while the drapability of pineapple fabric is more than that of bamboo and cotton. The study concludes that the pineapple fabric has shown better results for mechanical properties irrespective of similar fabric constructional parameters than bamboo and cotton fabrics and could be incorporated in Varanasi brocade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horticulture has the potential to meet the development agenda of agrarian economies, like that of Cameroon, through the cultivation of high-value fruits and vegetables. Bananas and pineapples are two widely grown fruits in Cameroon for income, employment, and foreign earnings. Cameroon remains an important global player in the banana trade. To boost production, identifying important factors that drive the supply response of such crops is an important policy question. Here, we ask if non-price factors are important determinants of supply response of such horticultural crops, a question that has received very little attention. The objective of this study is thus to estimate the effect of non-price factors on the supply response of bananas and pineapples. To do this, a Nerlovian response function is directly estimated via an Error correction model using time series data, to capture long-run dynamics of production and supply. The results show that non-price factors such as rainfall, temperature, and land are the major drivers of the supply response of both crops. The effects of these factors, however, vary with the crops. We provide plausible explanations why non-price factors are salient. Our results suggest that improving the timely availability of weather and climate information, and input subsidies are possible areas for policy interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field experiment was conducted in Chichu Kebele in the Dilla Zuria area from 2020 to 2023. The objective of the experiment was to determine the optimal mulching strategy for enhancing soil fertility and pineapple production by comparing three treatments (grass mulch, plastic mulch, and farmers' practices without any mulch) using a RCB (Randomized Complete Block) design. The study's findings showed that the treatments with plastic mulch had the greatest soil moisture content values (18.41%), while the treatments with no mulch had the lowest values (11.39%). Compared to mulched treatments, pineapple planted without mulch had the greatest bulk density values (1.43 g/cm3). Total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 34 and 25%, respectively due to plastic mulching. However, total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 43 and 37.5%, respectively due to grass mulching. Fruit length was larger by 42.7 and 33.2%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulch compared to the control. However, fruit girth was wider by 54.1 and 43.8%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulches compared to the control. The pineapple with the most fruit yield (71.39 t/ha), fruit length (17.4 cm), fruit girth (46.67 cm), and sucker number (15 pieces) was obtained using plastic mulching. However, pineapple grown without mulch had the lowest yield ever noted. Plastic mulch outperformed farmers' practices and grass mulching in terms of conserving soil moisture, which increased yield and yield characteristics. For the baseline, the marginal rate of return generated by the plastic and grass mulch treatments was 118.5 and 93.65%, respectively. Thus, the study's best recommendation for improving soils and achieving a high pineapple fruit yield is to grow pineapples using plastic mulch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of different mulching treatments on the soil microecological environment in pineapple orchard. [Method] Taking the un-mulched soil as the control（CK）, the differences in physicochemical properties, microbial abundance, bacterial community structure, and metabolites of the soils of mulching treatments with polyethylene mulch（PM）, nonwoven fabric（NW）and biodegradable film（BF）were compared and measured, respectively. [Result] Compared with CK, PM significantly increased the activity of protease, whereas, decreased the activities of catalase and sucrase. NW significantly increased the content of available P, and decreased the activities of catalase and sucrase. Similarly, BF significantly increased the contents of total N, available P, and the activity of acid phosphatase, and decreased soil pH and the activities of catalase and sucrase. Compared with CK, PM significantly increased the community of actinomycetes. NW significantly increased the community of bacteria, while decreased the actinomycetes. BF significantly increased the communities of bacteria and fungi, while decreased the actinomycetes. The bacterial 16S high-throughput sequencing profiling suggested that the diversity of CK was higher than those of the three mulching treatments, and the bacteria abundance of BF was the highest among the three treatments and CK. Metabolites analysis indicated that there were 17 differential accumulated metabolites in the soils of three comparison groups with CK, mainly including carbohydrates, acids, nitrogen compounds and alcohols. And BF accumulated the highest sugar metabolites in the three mulching treatments. CCA analysis showed that soil pH affected the differentiation of bacterial community structure, and soil nutrients and enzyme activities were positively correlated with bacterial community structure. [Conclusion] Among the three mulching treatments, NW would benefit to maintain the relatively stable microecological environment of soil during the vegetative growth period of pineapple. [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]

The earliest record of pineapple plants being grown around Sydney in the British colony of New South Wales was that of Governor King in 1803. However, the climate of a new northern settlement at Moreton Bay (later Brisbane) soon proved to be far more conducive to growing the fruit. Pineapples prospered for over 50 years around Brisbane until a mysterious disease appeared in the late 1890s. In April 1891, Professor Edward Shelton, an American who had been appointed as the Queensland government's first Instructor in Agriculture, was the first scientist to inspect the affected crops and concluded that the disease was caused by a fungus. In the following year, Shelton, Henry Tryon (then assistant curator at the Queensland Museum) and others again inspected the diseased pineapple crops. Tryon described the symptoms in detail as well as spores which were composed of two rounded elements, each having a double contour (chlamydospores). There is no doubt that the disease was caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi that was described decades later. In 1897, Shelton was passionate about agricultural education and was appointed as the first principal of the Gatton Agricultural College, but his disciplining of some students of the college led to his forced resignation just 18 months later. In the early 1890s a serious mystery disease appeared in pineapple plantations around Brisbane, Queensland. The American-born Professor Edward Shelton, Queensland's first instructor in agriculture, Henry Tryon, assistant curator at the Queensland Museum, and others inspected diseased plants and concluded that the disease was caused by a fungus, later identified as the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi. Shelton went on to become the first principal of the Gatton Agricultural College, but was forced to resign after severely disciplining some of the students. Photograph by an unknown person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding is an effective method for the varietal development of pineapple. However, due to open pollination, it is necessary to conduct authentic identification of the hybrid offspring. In this study, we identified the authenticity of offspring and analyzed the genetic diversity within the offspring F1 hybrids resulting from crosses between 'Josapine' and 'MD2' by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. From the resequencing data, 26 homozygous loci that differentiate between the parents have been identified. Then, genotyping was performed on both the parents and 36 offspring to select SNP markers that are suitable for authentic identification. The genotyping results revealed that 2 sets of SNP primers, namely SNP4010 and SNP22550, successfully identified 395 authentic hybrids out of 451 hybrid offspring. We randomly selected two true hybrids and four pseudohybrids for sequencing validation, and the results have shown that two true hybrids had double peaks with A/G, while pseudohybrids had single peaks with base A or G. Further study showed that the identification based on SNP molecular markers remained consistent with the morphological identification results in the field, with a true hybridization rate of 87.58%. K-means clustering and UPGMA tree analysis revealed that the hybrid offspring could be categorized into two groups. Among them, 68.5% of offspring aggregated with MD2, while 31.95% were grouped with Josapine. The successful application of SNP marker to identify pineapple F1 hybrid populations provides a theoretical foundation and practical reference for the future development of rapid SNP marker-based methods for pineapple hybrid authenticity and purity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Noodles are generally made from rice flour, wheat flour or mungbean starch. Interestingly, pineapple stem starch (PSS), an alternative starch derived from pineapple stems as agricultural waste, has not yet been investigated for noodle production. The noodles were then prepared in different ratios of commercial rice flour and PSS (100:0, 70:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) to investigate the effects of PSS on noodle qualities and properties including physical properties, cooking quality, in vitro starch digestibility and sensory attributes. The results showed that high PSS content had a positive effect on the structure and textural properties of noodles by increasing the network structure, hardness and chewiness, resulting in good sensory quality, which could be due to the high amylose content (30.56%) of PSS. However, the optimal cooking time and the cooking loss of the cooked noodles increased with an increasing proportion of PSS. In addition, noodles with a high PSS content had a higher content of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch, which can have a positive effect on our health. Our results suggest that PSS, an alternative starch from agricultural waste, can replace rice flour to develop better‐quality gluten‐free noodles. Similarly, PSS‐based noodles with a high resistant starch content could benefit human health by lowering the glycemic index and reducing the risk of non‐communicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide hydrate-based technology is gaining popularity in the food industry as a potential alternative cold storage energy source in the juice concentration process. However, this technology has not been commercialized due to slow hydrate formation (inhibitory effect) and higher compression and refrigeration, which come with energy costs. Therefore, this study explored and optimized hydrate dissociation conditions and kinetic data from three (3) different juice systems to form carbon dioxide hydrates. Using a historical data design of response surface methodology (RSM) with surrogate models, optimal conditions and kinetic parameters were determined for the hydrate dissociations of bitter melon, grape, and pineapple juices. The RSM input variables include the system temperature (T = 274.15 to 276.15 K), juice concentration (Conc. = 88.5 to 97.4 wt.%) and pressure (P = 3.0 to 4.2 MPa), which were investigated on the responses of dehydration ratio (DHR) and apparent kinetic rate constant (Kapp). Results obtained from the RSM analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed good correlation functions (R2 > 0.9) of the responses, where the temperature was found as the most influential factor. At the optimal temperature of 275 K and pressure of 4 MPa, desirability efficiency of 99% bitter melon, 96% grape and 95% pineapple hydrate formation was achieved. This infers DHR of 80% bitter melon, 71% grape and 81% pineapple juice systems at Kapp of 25, 19 and 21 mol G/mole-water.mins.Pa respectively. The energy required by each fruit juice conversion into a proposed hydrate formation process was estimated. Findings from this research could lead to the development of a technical support tool and a method for long-term juice concentration production analysis and process design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple is a globally significant tropical fruit, but its cultivation faces numerous challenges due to abiotic and biotic stresses, affecting its quality and quantity. WRKY transcription factors are known regulators of stress responses, however, their specific functions in pineapple are not fully understood. This study investigates the role of AcWRKY31 by overexpressing it in pineapple and Arabidopsis. Transgenic pineapple lines were obtained using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods and abiotic and biotic stress treatments. Transgenic AcWRKY31-OE pineapple plants showed an increased sensitivity to salt and drought stress and an increased resistance to biotic stress from pineapple mealybugs compared to that of WT plants. Similar experiments in AcWRKY31-OE, AtWRKY53-OE, and the Arabidopsis Atwrky53 mutant were performed and consistently confirmed these findings. A comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed 5357 upregulated genes in AcWRKY31-OE pineapple, with 30 genes related to disease and pathogen response. Notably, 18 of these genes contained a W-box sequence in their promoter region. A KEGG analysis of RNA-Seq data showed that upregulated DEG genes are mostly involved in translation, protein kinases, peptidases and inhibitors, membrane trafficking, folding, sorting, and degradation, while the downregulated genes are involved in metabolism, protein families, signaling, and cellular processes. RT-qPCR assays of selected genes confirmed the transcriptomic results. In summary, the AcWRKY31 gene is promising for the improvement of stress responses in pineapple, and it could be a valuable tool for plant breeders to develop stress-tolerant crops in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Excision of necrotic and devitalized tissues of deep burns is key for optimal care of burn injuries. However, the modality of early tangential excision followed by skin grafting proposed by Zora Janzekovic 5 decades ago was not received initially with great enthusiasm. At present, it developed to become the standard of care (SOC) despite the special expertise it necessitates and the general anesthesia it requires in addition to several drawbacks including excessive blood loss, risk of hypothermia, and most importantly potential excision of normal non-burned tissues. Conservative non-surgical selective enzymatic debridement (ED) at present is becoming more popular as an adjunct or even an alternative approach. Methods A systematic review of the PubMed electronic database was conducted to identify all experimental and clinical studies about ED of burn wounds. Additional separate searches were also conducted to identify any reports missed by the initial systematic review. Full texts of 59 reports (42 clinical and 17 experimental studies) were retrieved for analysis. Results A total of 46 studies (11 experimental and 35 clinical) were about the pineapple extract debriding agent. In total, 23 clinical studies describing promising favorable results with pineapple bromelain-based debridement (BBD) concentrate were published in the last 3 years (2020-2023). Conclusion Though available evidence is not entirely in favor of replacing the current surgical SOC with BBD, it certainly presents ED as a highly advantageous modality for the management of burn wounds. Newly described keratinase and SN514 also are promising new products. They both still await further investigation before being clinically adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Dental bleaching, a common cosmetic treatment, typically uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Yet, the search for natural options has prompted an investigation into fruit extract efficacies such as papain, bromelain, and actinidin for tooth whitening. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30% hydrogen peroxide and fruit extracts (papaya, pineapple, and kiwi) on human enamel using a spectrophotometer at different time intervals. Study Design: Eighty maxillary anterior teeth were stained with tea solution and evaluated for baseline color. They were then divided into four groups: hydrogen peroxide alone and hydrogen peroxide combined with papaya, pineapple, or kiwi extracts. Each group was further divided based on bleaching duration: 10 or 20 min. Materials and Methods: The color value of the bleached teeth was measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer. In order to analyze the data, one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and paired t-tests were used. The significance level was established at a =0.05. Results: Combining hydrogen peroxide with pineapple extract showed the highest efficacy, followed by papaya and kiwi extracts. Hydrogen peroxide alone also demonstrated significant bleaching efficacy, albeit lower than the combinations with fruit extracts. Conclusion: Combining hydrogen peroxide with pineapple and papaya extracts notably improves dental bleaching efficacy, as shown by reduced color difference (ΔE) values. This underscores the potential of natural enzymes in tooth whitening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineapple harvesting is a key step in pineapple field production. At present, pineapple fruits are usually picked manually. With decreasing labor resources and increasing production costs, machines have been used instead of manual picking approaches in the modern pineapple industry. This paper briefly describes the basic situation of pineapple planting worldwide. Based on the degree of automation of mechanized pineapple harvesting equipment, the main structural forms, core technologies, and operation modes of semi-automatic, automatic, and intelligent pineapple harvesting equipment are summarized. The research status and existing problems of key pineapple fruit picking robots, such as fruit recognition, maturity classification, positioning, and separation of pineapple fruits, are analyzed. Considering the problems of pineapple harvesting equipment, such as difficulty entering the ground, low harvesting efficiency, low picking success rate, and fruit damage, innovative future research directions for mechanized pineapple harvesting technology are proposed, such as combining agricultural machinery and agronomical principles, integrating mechanized, automated, and intelligent technology, and developing modular designs and generalized approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

ABSTRAK Manisan kering buah nanas(MKBN)merupakan salah satu produk olahan nanas yang berdaya simpan lama. Tahap pengeringan dalam proses produksinya menimbulkan reaksi pencoklatan yang berdampak pada karakteristik produk. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh konsentrasi asam sitrat(AS)terhadapkadar air, nilai pH, kecerahan, sertaorganoleptikMKBN.ASdengan 4 variasi konsentrasi 0; 0,3; 0,6; dan 0,9% (b/b) ditambahkan pada proses pembuatan MKBN (n=5). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ASyang ditambahkan pada konsentrasi tertentusecara signifikanmempengaruhi kadar air, pH, kecerahan, dan sifat organoleptik MKBN. Semakin tinggi konsentrasi ASyang ditambahkan pada pembuatan MKBN semakin meningkatkan kadar air, kecerahan, warna kuning, aroma, dan kesukaan, namun menurunkan pH produk (p

Abstract This field experiment was conducted in Chichu Kebele in the Dilla Zuria area from 2020 to 2023. The objective of the experiment was to determine the optimal mulching strategy for enhancing soil fertility and pineapple production by comparing three treatments (grass mulch, plastic mulch, and farmers’ practices without any mulch) using a RCB (Randomized Complete Block) design. The study’s findings showed that the treatments with plastic mulch had the greatest soil moisture content values (18.41%), while the treatments with no mulch had the lowest values (11.39%). Compared to mulched treatments, pineapple planted without mulch had the greatest bulk density values (1.43 g/cm3). Total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 34 and 25%, respectively due to plastic mulching. However, total nitrogen and organic carbon has increase by 43 and 37.5%, respectively due to grass mulching. Fruit length was larger by 42.7 and 33.2%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulch compared to the control. However, fruit girth was wider by 54.1 and 43.8%, respectively due to plastic and grass mulches compared to the control. The pineapple with the most fruit yield (71.39 t/ha), fruit length (17.4 cm), fruit girth (46.67 cm), and sucker number (15 pieces) was obtained using plastic mulching. However, pineapple grown without mulch had the lowest yield ever noted. Plastic mulch outperformed farmers’ practices and grass mulching in terms of conserving soil moisture, which increased yield and yield characteristics. For the baseline, the marginal rate of return generated by the plastic and grass mulch treatments was 118.5 and 93.65%, respectively. Thus, the study’s best recommendation for improving soils and achieving a high pineapple fruit yield is to grow pineapples using plastic mulch.