Agriculture and Food Sciences Research

Effect of different additives on nutrient parameter and palatability of ensiled water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Netra Prasad Pokharel, Keshav Dhakal, Pravin Panth, Rajan Koirala — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, is an invasive aquatic weed that covers major water bodies in Nepal, and its silage has great potential to be used as ruminant’s feed. An experiment was conducted with an aim to explore its ensiling attributes along with palatability test for cattle was conducted at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rupandehi in a completely randomized experimental design with three replications. The quality and palatability of water hyacinth silage prepared with additives such as rice straw, molasses, wheat flour, and rice bran were assessed. The treatments included: water hyacinth with rice straw(T1); water hyacinth with rice straw and rice bran(T2); water hyacinth with rice straw and wheat flour(T3); water hyacinth with rice straw and molasses(T4); water hyacinth with rice straw, wheat flour and molasses(T5); water hyacinth with rice straw, wheat flour and rice bran(T6) and water hyacinth with rice straw, wheat flour, molasses and rice bran(T7). The results showed, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), total ash (TA), pH, and palatability had significant differences across all treatments (p<0.05). CP (15.13) and CF (23.73) were found to be highest under control whereas rice straw, wheat flour and rice bran had the highest EE (12.74), TA (15.13), pH (3.87), palatability (100%), and considerably high CP (12.40) and CF (19.75). Hence, silage of water hyacinth with rice straw, wheat flour, and rice bran has high nutrient content, palatability and can be used as a feed alternative to solve the problem of feed scarcity.

Evaluation of the mineral and antinutritional composition of bottled and sterilized Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) milk

Chinasa Okorie, Gregory Ikechukwu Onwuka, Nneoma Elechi Obasi — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Nowadays, beverages are not just considered as thirst quenchers; specific functionality is the major ingredient expected in beverages, which has becomes a lifestyle. In recent years, these initiations have led to newly developed products in the beverages sector. Companies are learning the consumption styles of various individuals and making novel beverages through blends of milk and energy drinks. Tigernut milk is among the most valued plant-based beverages, obtained from the aqueous extract of tigernuts tubers. This study investigated the mineral and antinutritional components of bottled and sterilized tigernut milk. Two varieties of tigernut tuber (Yellow and brown) were processed using three methods (Boiling, soaking and malting), and the milk was bottled and further sterilized. The results obtained showed that Iron recorded the least value at (1.73mg and 2.24mg) for yellow and brown tigernut tubers; alsotigernut tubers were low in some antinutrients except flavonoids. The result for the tigernut milk elucidated that processing and sterilization had little effect on the mineral content of tigernut milk. The study also showed that the pre-processing treatment applied (Soaking, boiling and malting) to the tigernut either increased or caused a decline in the mineral content of the tigernut milk, whereas, processing and sterilization affected the antinutrient content of tigernut milk. All processing methods showed a significant difference (p<0.05.) as there was a decrease in the phytate and oxalate content. The study highlighted the possibility of processing tigernut tubers into milk extract that can be bottled and sterilized for a period of time.

The grasshopper arcyptera (Pararcyptera) meridionalis ikonnikov (Insecta, orthoptera) as a possible agricultural pest in temperate Asia

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The goal of the article is to estimate possible changes of the distribution of Arcyptera meridionalis in the contemporary and potential future climatic conditions. The data were collected during field trips. Two packages to produce the species distribution models, namely MaxEnt and ellipsenm, were used. The generated models predict that the status of A. meridionalis as the important pest will not change significantly in the nearest future, however, in the middle of this century, its distribution patterns will become more complicated. The areas those will be the most suitable for the species will remain mainly in the western and central parts of its range. The harmful activity of A. meridionalis can be especially important due to its early hatching, because hoppers may damage and destroy shoots with first leaves and tillers. The models generated for A. meridionalis look like quite different from the models for other steppe acridids. On the contrary, some resemblance between forecasts for two harmful, but quite different grasshopper species, namely Siberian-Mongolian A. meridionalis and East-Mediterranean A. labiata, are revealed. The models for both species demonstrate some possible significant depletion of the territories with suitable conditions for each one in the second half of the 21^st century.

Agri-food fraud in Africa vis-à-vis global health

Wilfred Angie Abia, Taty Brandy Perkwang, Kaoke Matheiu Djoussou — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper reports on the extent of agri-food fraud in Africa, its occurrence across the Africa-EU trade borders, and associated implications for global health. It revealed that agri-food fraud in Africa and across Africa-EU trade borders may be a concern. Meanwhile, a few suspected cases have been reported, there may be more unchecked/unnoticed agri-food fraud practices ongoing in Africa requiring food trade border checks and rapid decisions making processes to reduce exposures. Exposure to adulterants can have significant implications for global health, as consumers unknowingly pay for, and consume, products that may be adulterated with substances which constitute a risk factor to one or more unchecked hazards against consumers' health protection. As global trade in agri-food products expands, the supply chain vulnerability to fraudulent activities becomes increasingly evident. This may be worse partly due to the inadequate food safety laws in African countries or poor enforcement. There is a need for food safety regulations in Africa that aim to ensure the safety and authenticity of food products, protect public health, and maintain consumer confidence. Finally, there is a need for rapid detection tools to make quick decisions on the field and agri-food traceability systems.

Inventory of the risks of contamination of milk from the neighbourhoods in traditional farms in the Poro region in Côte d'ivoire

Frederic Harding Kouaho, Abdoulaye Toure, Abdoulaye Soumana Gouro — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study, which highlights the situation of dairy farms as well as their development prospects, took place from May to October 2022 in the Poro region of Côte d'Ivoire. And focused on the sociodemographic, zootechnical and health characteristics of 45 traditional farms with a total of 360 dairy cows. Trade, the main activity for 51.1% of the owners, followed by agriculture 31.11%, for 88.88% of the indigenous Senufo herders and 93.33% are non-indigenous Fulani. Feed is pasture for 75.6% and 24.44% of farmers providing a feed supplement. The age of first calving is between 3 and 4 years old or 5 to 6 years old. Cows that calved the most at the age of 4 years by 46.51% compared to those calved 3 years ago 30.23%, 5 years 19.77% and 6 years 3.49% at the regional level. The frequency of milking per season varies significantly from 0.5 litres/day to 15 litres/day depending on the breeds observed (P<0.05). The main parasitic diseases are Trypanosomiasis 28.88%, a bi-infection (Safa (foot-and-mouth disease), Bovine Nodular Cutaneous Skin Disease (BNCSD)) 20% and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) 13.30%. For 80% of farmers, the prevalence of clinical mastitis is 60% and 20% estimate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis to be 40%. The milk is harvested by the Fulani and 33.33% sell the milk to wholesalers in each department of the Poro region. The amount of unsold milk 22.22% filtered for some, boiled (10 to 15 minutes). This study highlights a lack of hygiene during milking and on farms. It is therefore important to carry out mastitis screening actions in traditional dairy farms in the Poro region and to structure it.

Physical and sensory quality of the fine-flavored and aromatic cocoas growing in different Venezuelan regions

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This work aimed to determine the cocoa's physical and sensory quality in different Venezuelan regions to use in specific flavored chocolate production. 49 samples of cocoa beans gathered in plantations from different regions of Venezuela were evaluated using methodologies described to analyze cocoa physicochemical standards. A trained panel selected twenty samples from this lot as standards of fine-flavored cacao. Eleven samples with the best sensory attributes of each region were selected from the lot of twenty. These eleven samples showed variability in the physical and physicochemical attributes. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences between aroma and taste attributes in the liquors evaluated. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) expresses the variability of the eleven samples studied for the intensity of the sensory qualities of basic and complementary tastes (54.1%), and aroma (50.4%). Besides, the fermentation percent and the external and internal bean characteristics through typification and cut test analysis relevant for its commercialization, the study provides practical information on the sensory attributes that characterize Venezuelan fine-flavored cocoas from several regions that are used in the production of chocolate with regional-specific flavors.

Impact of bank of agriculture credit’s on agricultural productivity in South Western Nigeria

Rasaki, Wasiu Adedamola, Omotoso Abeeb Bababtunde — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the impact of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) credit facilities on agricultural productivity in the South-West region of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 225 beneficiaries and 630 non-beneficiaries farmers. Descriptive statistics were implemented to investigate the socio-economic attributes of the respondents. Impact of credit was analyzed using Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and the productivity of producers was analyzed using Total Factor Productivity (TFP). The respondents' average age was 47.6 years, and 87.0% of them were male. The average PSM score was 0.269, with four matching methods (Nearest Neighbour, Radius, Kernel, and Stratification matching) being implemented. The maximum and minimum propensity were 0.8207 and 0.0525, respectively. Both the balancing property and the region of common support (0.0503, 0.8209) were satisfied. The average treatment effect on the productivity differences of the treated (ATT) was approximately 0.347, and this difference was statistically significant at the 1% level. Productivity of ATT varied by approximately 21.0%. In summary, this investigation provided compelling evidence that the BOA credits have a positive impact on agricultural productivity in the South West. It was suggested that administrations at all levels and financial stakeholders should collaborate to ensure that producers have access to credit.

Soils of the Baikal region: Mapping, use, transformation

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article gives a brief overview of the soil cartographic work carried out in the Baikal region. The paper contains one of the authors' map of agroecological zoning of soils of the Irkutsk region. A fragment of the legend is shown. Suitable and unsuitable districts for their use in agriculture have been identified. Various types of business activities are recommended. Also provided are maps of the use of land of the most developed part of the lands of the Baikal region in 1980 and 2023. In the Irkutsk-Cheremkhov plain with neighboring steppe areas, occupying 11% of the area of the region where the bulk of the farmland is located, relatively good natural and climatic conditions are noted. With the collapse of collective farms and state farms since the 1990s. More than 50% of former agricultural land was abandoned. A positive aspect of the "resetting" of the state system is the emergence of a reserve of agricultural land for use in the form of abandoned land with soils that have restored the level of fertility. The authors proposed a scale of qualitative assessment of the possibility of using land in agriculture, developed an assessment of the state of soil fertility, taking into account their regional characteristics.

Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of unripe plantain peels as affected by different drying temperature regimes

Enobong Okon Umoh — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study is aimed at evaluating the physico-chemical properties of unripe plantain peel, as affected by different drying temperature regimes. The plantain peels were subjected to different drying temperatures of 60, 75, 90 and 105 oC for 12 hours, using a laboratory Oven to produce flour samples. Standard analytical methods were used in evaluating the flour sample parameters. Results of the physico-chemical analysis of the flour samples showed that samples dried at 60, 75, 90 and 105 oC had moisture contents of 2.67, 2.00, 1.38 and 0.66%, respectively; ash contents of 15.83, 15.35, 15.08 and 14.97%, respectively; fibre contents of 12.84, 13.34, 13.68 and 14.10%, respectively; protein contents of 9.80, 8.40, 7.35 and 7.00%, respectively; lipid contents of 77.43, 7.55, 7.80 and 7.94%, respectively; carbohydrate contents of 54.09, 55.02, 56.32 and 56.43%, respectively; caloric values of 321.47, 322.63, 324.32 and 325.74 kcal, respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in moisture, ash, fibre, protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents, as well as the caloric value of the unripe plantain peel flour samples. The different drying temperature regimes had significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of the unripe plantain peel. Moisture, ash, fibre and protein contents decreased with corresponding increase in drying temperature, while lipid content, carbohydrate content and caloric value increased with increase in drying temperature.

Design and experimentation of a pressure testing platform for tea tree canopy

Pengfei Wang, Yongguang Hu, Decheng Liu, Qingmin Pan, Wenqiang Wu — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the mechanized operations of tea gardens, components like cutting blades and suspension systems frequently interact with the tea tree canopy, resulting in complex push, squeeze, and pressure interactions. This makes it challenging to accurately measure the distribution characteristics of the forces involved. The uncertainty in these mechanical properties complicates mechanical design, posture adjustment, and positioning control. To address this, this study designed and developed a testing platform for pressure measurement in the tea tree canopy, aiming to systematically investigate the force characteristics and structural changes of the canopy under different penetration depths. The platform enabling high-precision recording of canopy responses under varying pressure conditions. The experimental results indicated significant differences in pressure values at different depths and locations. At a penetration depth of 1.0 cm, the minimum pressure value was 3.0 N, while the maximum pressure at a depth of 4.0 cm reached 60.0 N. Moreover, the pressure exhibited a clear hierarchical distribution with changes in depth and position. The study observed a hierarchical structure within the tea tree canopy, comprise tender leaves, mature leaves, and branches. These findings provide important evidence and data support for the optimization of tea garden management and harvesting machinery design.

Effect of salt stress on the growth and development of six species of turf grasses in the eastern region of Morocco

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The turfgrass plays a crucial role in landscaped ecosystems, including sports fields, golf courses, residential lawns, and parks. However, various turfgrass species face diverse abiotic stresses, including salinity as irrigation with fresh water becomes unavailable. These challenging environmental conditions can result in growth inhibition, damage to cellular structure, and metabolic disturbances. Therefore, the use of salt-tolerant turfgrass species or varieties proves to be one of the most effective methods to mitigate salinity issues. With this aim, a greenhouse experiment was conducted at the experimental station of the Faculty of Sciences in Oujda. The objective was to investigate the impact of saline stress on the morphological and physiological behavior of six grass species widely used in green spaces in Morocco, particularly in the eastern region irrigated with 3 concentrations of saline water. The results revealed that the species A. stolonifera, F. arundinacea, and C. dactylon exhibited some tolerance to salinity, especially at a dose of 3 g/l of NaCl, while the species L. perenne was found to be the most sensitive to saline stress, regardless of the applied dose. Concentrations of 6 g/l and 9 g/l of NaCl led to the decline of all studied species six months after application.

Encapsulation of vegetable oils in polylactic acid nanofibers to improve oil retencion in feed aquaculture

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The feed used in fish farming contains lipids that erode and disperse in water, adversely affecting fish nutrition and contributing to water pollution. This study evaluated the encapsulation of corn and gold linseed oils in polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers produced via Solution Blow Spinning. The nanofibers were characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), contact angle analysis, and encapsulation efficiency tests. Additionally, the release profiles of the oils were studied under simulated tank water and gastrointestinal conditions. The results demonstrated successful encapsulation of the oils within the PLA matrix. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of oil in the nanofibers (wavenumbers 2925 and 2853 cm-1), with encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 81.54±10.36% to 99.14±4.55%. SEM revealed uniform nanofiber morphology with smooth surfaces and average diameters between 157±49 and 385±133 nm. All nanofibers exhibited contact angles above 90°, indicating hydrophobic behavior. Feed samples containing free oils showed significantly higher lipid release into water compared to feed incorporating encapsulated oils. The findings suggest that encapsulating vegetable oils in PLA nanofibers reduces lipid dispersion in water while maintaining nutrient availability. This polymeric system offers a sustainable alternative to enhance aquaculture feed efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, contributing to cleaner water and healthier fish.

Heavy metal accumulation in soil and leafy vegetables irrigated with domestic wastewater in Vietnam

Pham Thi Thom, Nguyen Tuan Khoi, Phan Le Na — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted to evaluate the accumulation of heavy metals, including copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), in soil and leafy vegetables irrigated with domestic wastewater. The surveyed vegetables included water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), Chinese mustard greens (Brassica integrifolia), and Malabar spinach (Basella alba), grown over three consecutive seasons. Results showed that Cu accumulation in the vegetables ranged from 4.41 mg/kg to 5.62 mg/kg, Pb from 0.11 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg, and Cd from 0.02 mg/kg to 0.03 mg/kg. All values were below the safety limits set by Vietnam’s National Technical Regulation (QCVN), with thresholds of 30 mg/kg for Cu, 0.3 mg/kg for Pb, and 0.2 mg/kg for Cd. Similarly, heavy metal accumulation in the soil remained within the permissible limits under QCVN standards. The analysis further indicated that seasonal variations had minimal impact on heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that consistent wastewater management practices contributed to maintaining soil and crop safety. In addition, the research highlighted that water spinach accumulated slightly higher levels of heavy metals compared to the other vegetables, likely due to its faster growth rate and higher water absorption capacity. Despite this, the concentrations remained well within safety thresholds, affirming the viability of these crops for safe consumption. The study concludes that using domestic wastewater for vegetable irrigation does not lead to heavy metal accumulation beyond safe thresholds, supporting sustainable and safe agricultural practices. However, continued monitoring and appropriate wastewater treatment remain essential to ensure long-term safety, particularly as environmental and anthropogenic factors evolve.

Properties of boiled or steamed Procambarus clarkii girard and Procambarus zonangulus crawfish tail meat during refrigerated and frozen storage

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research was conducted to address the different cooking methods of crawfish processors and determine the refrigerated or frozen shelf-life of cooked product. Live crawfish, (Procambarus clarkii girard and Procambarus zonangulus), were either boiled or steamed before storage of 11 days in refrigerated (3°C) conditions or six months in frozen storage (-18°C). There were minimal moisture, ash, protein, and fat differences with cooking type or storage type. There were no E.coli/coliforms in samples and aerobic plate counts were less than 3 log₁₀ colony forming untis (CFU)/g after 6 mo frozen storage and higher than 3 log10 CFU/g after 3 days of refrigerated storage. Lipid oxidation by TBARS increased, but was less than 0.53 mg MDA/kg during storage. Peak force, total shear work, pH, L*, a*, b* color values were variable during storage, but not different between cooking treatments at each storage period. Mineral and fatty acid analyses were similarly variable. There were no differences between boiling and cooking crawfish for most variables and natural variation among the samples might explain variability in refrigerated and frozen storage. Processors can use either boiling or steaming to cook crawfish and store cooked crawfish for 3 days in refrigerated storage and for 6 weeks in frozen storage with minimal changes in properties.