Metagenomics reveals the variations in functional metabolism associated with greenhouse gas emissions during legume-vegetable rotation process.

Legume-based rotation is commonly recognized for its mitigation efficiency of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, variations in GHG emission-associated metabolic functions during the legume-vegetable rotation process remain largely uncharacterized. Accordingly, a soybean-radish rotation field experiment was designed to clarify the responses of microbial communities and their GHG emission-associated functional metabolism through metagenomics. The results showed that the contents of soil organic carbon and total phosphorus significantly decreased during the soybean-radish process (P < 0.05), while soil total potassium content and bacterial richness and diversity significantly increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the predominant bacterial phyla varied, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and an increase in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Chloroflexi. Metagenomics clarified that bacterial carbohydrate metabolism substantially increased during the rotation process, whereas formaldehyde assimilation, methanogenesis, nitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction decreased (P < 0.05). Specifically, the expression of phosphate acetyltransferase (functional methanogenesis gene, pta) and nitrate reductase gamma subunit (functional dissimilatory nitrate reduction gene, narI) was inhibited, indicating of low methane production and nitrogen metabolism. Additionally, the partial least squares path model revealed that the Shannon diversity index was negatively correlated with methane and nitrogen metabolism (P < 0.01), further demonstrating that the response of the soil bacterial microbiome responses are closely linked with GHG-associated metabolism during the soybean-radish rotation process. Collectively, our findings shed light on the responses of soil microbial communities to functional metabolism associated with GHG emissions and provide important insights to mitigate GHG emissions during the rotational cropping of legumes and vegetables.

Cerebrating and engagement, paths to reduce fresh produce waste within homes.

A real-world study was conducted with the aim to reduce people's fresh fruit and vegetables waste within their homes. For 6 weeks participants measured their fresh produce waste. Half the participants were impelled to complete food waste logs whilst the other half was a control group. This was followed by a 6-month monitoring period to establish if changes would last. Fresh produce waste decreased with over a quarter of what the participants had wasted at the beginning of the 6 weeks, for all groups. Additionally, an attitude questionnaire distributed at the onset and at the end of the study showed a shift in pro-reduction of food waste. As this indicated that thinking about food waste prompts engagement, we tested this idea using a different sample group. A questionnaire measuring attitudes and cognition confirmed the importance of thinking and provided further insight into the findings from the first study.

Profile of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Celery (Apium graveolens) Juices Obtained from Pulp after α-Amylase Treatment from Aspergillus oryzae.

The purpose of this study was to determine the content of certain phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, pressing efficiency, extract content, and sugars in celeriac juices obtained from the pulp after α-amylase treatment from Aspergillus oryzae. The test material consisted of peeled and unpeeled celery pulp kept at a temperature of 25 °C with and without the enzyme for a period of 30 and 60 min. The juices obtained from them were analyzed for the content of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids using the UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS method, for antioxidant activity measured using the ABTS˙+ and DPPH˙ method, and for the total polyphenol content using the F-C method. Additionally, the juice pressing efficiency, the extract content using the refractometer method, and the sugar content using the HPLC method were checked. Significantly higher antioxidant activity, pressing yield, and average content of caffeic acid glucoside, quinic acid, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-glucoside, and chrysoeriol-7-O-apiosylglucoside were obtained in juices from peeled celery. Maceration of the pulp with amylase resulted in a significant reduction in antioxidant activity compared to control samples. An is-total increase of 17-41% in total flavonoid content was observed in all juices tested after treatment with the enzyme for 30 and 60 min, and the phenolic acid content increased by 4-41% after treatment of the pulp with amylase for 60 min. The 60 min holding of the pulp at 25 °C, including with the enzyme, was shown to decrease the antioxidant activity and the content of quinic acid, ferulic acid, and chrysoriol-7-O-apiose-glucoside in the juices tested compared to the samples held for 30 min, while the content of other phenolic acids and flavonoids increased. In addition, after 60 min of enzymatic maceration, the pressing yield of the juices increased.

Transcriptome, Plant Hormone, and Metabolome Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Purple Pericarp Formation in 'Zihui' Papaya (Carica papaya L.).

The color of the pericarp is a crucial characteristic that influences the marketability of papaya fruit. Prior to ripening, normal papaya exhibits a green pericarp, whereas the cultivar 'Zihui' displays purple ring spots on the fruit tip, which significantly affects the fruit's visual appeal. To understand the mechanism behind the formation of purple pericarp, this study performed a thorough examination of the transcriptome, plant hormone, and metabolome. Based on the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system, a total of 35 anthocyanins and 11 plant hormones were identified, with 27 anthocyanins and two plant hormones exhibiting higher levels of abundance in the purple pericarp. In the purple pericarp, 14 anthocyanin synthesis genes were up-regulated, including CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'5'H, F3'H, ANS, OMT, and CYP73A. Additionally, through co-expression network analysis, three MYBs were identified as potential key regulators of anthocyanin synthesis by controlling genes encoding anthocyanin biosynthesis. As a result, we have identified numerous key genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis and developed new insights into how the purple pericarp of papaya is formed.

[Children's dietary patterns and dietary networks in five regions in China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dietary patterns and dietary networks of children in China, explore regional differences in dietary habits in each region. METHODS: The subjects of the study were children aged 3-17(n=5824) in North Coast Economic Zone, Northeast, Central China, East Coast Economic Zone and Southwest Economic Zone who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. The dietary pattern was obtained by factor analysis. Using mutual information, a measure to detect both linear and non-linear correlations between food groups constructed the dietary networks. RESULTS: Factor analysis resulted in five dietary patterns. Pattern 1 was related to high intakes of wheat and other cereals, pattern 2 was related to high intakes of fruits, milk, eggs and fast foods, pattern 3 was associated with high intakes of tubers, snacks, cakes, beverages and fast foods. The Northeast, Central China and North Coast Economic Zone regions had higher pattern 1 score. Pattern 2 scored higher for North Coast Economic Zone and East Coast Economic Zone regions. Pattern 3 scores in the Northeast region were higher than North Coast Economic Zone and East Coast Economic Zone regions. North Coast Economic Zone, Central China and Southwest Economic Zone regions had focused networks. The network of Northeast and East Coast Economic Zone regions were multiple. All regions were characterized by vegetables, or cereals as the hub. CONCLUSION: The dietary patterns and networks of children in the five regions of China exhibit regional differences.

[Evaluating the dietary quality of 454 rural elderly aged 65 years and above in Luzhou City in 2023].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dietary quality of the rural elderly aged 65 years and above. METHODS: In February-March 2023, a convenience sampling method was adopted to select 454 rural elderly aged 65 years and above in a township of Luzhou City. The dietary survey was conducted using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ-25), and the questionnaire information was collected by face-to-face interviews. Dietary quality was evaluated using the Dietary Balance Index-16(DBI-16) score. RESULTS: The proportion of older people in the region with moderate and high dietary imbalances was 79.7%. Inadequate and excessive dietary intake coexisted. The average daily intake of cereals and potatoes and livestock and meat foods were 356.7 g and 76.2 g, exceeding the recommended intake. The average daily intake of fruit, milk and fish and shrimp intake was 22.8 g, 36 g and 3.7 g, respectively, which was only 10% of the recommended amount, and the intake was seriously insufficient. In addition, the degree of food diversity is relatively low, with most of the average daily intake of food types ranging from five to eight, and only 4.6% of the elderly having more than eight. A total of seven dietary patterns were found among the rural elderly in the region, including a certain degree of under-consumption pattern, a severe under-consumption pattern, a certain degree of over-consumption pattern, and a pattern of both under-consumption and over-consumption. That was dominated by the pattern of severe underconsumption and the pattern of some degree of underconsumption and higher degree of overconsumption, which accounted for 72.3% of the total. CONCLUSION: The rural elderly aged 65 years and above in Luzhou City have a serious dietary imbalance, with a high proportion of insufficient intake of vegetables, fruits and milk, as well as aquatic products and eggs; and excessive intake of livestock, poultry, meat and cereals and potatoes.

Characterization and safety assessment of bamboo shoot shell cellulose nanofiber: Prepared by acidolysis combined with dynamic high-pressure microfluidization.

The preparation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) using traditional methods is currently facing challenges due to concerns regarding environmental pollution and safety. Herein, a novel CNF was obtained from bamboo shoot shell (BSS) by low-concentration acid and dynamic high-pressure microfluidization (DHPM) treatment. The resulting CNF was then characterized, followed by in vitro and in vivo safety assessments. Compared to insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), the diameters of HIDF (IDF after low-concentration acid hydrolysis) and CNF were significantly decreased to 167.13 nm and 70.97 nm, respectively. Meanwhile, HIDF and CNF showed a higher crystallinity index (71.32 % and 74.35 %). Structural analysis results indicated the successful removal of lignin and hemicellulose of HIDF and CNF, with CNF demonstrating improved thermostability. In vitro, a high dose of CNF (1500 µg/mL) did not show any signs of cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells. In vivo, no death was observed in the experimental mice, and there was no significant difference between CNF (1000 mg/kg·bw) and control group in hematological index and histopathological analysis. Overall, this study presents an environmentally friendly method for preparing CNF from BSS while providing evidence regarding its safety through in vitro and in vivo assessments, laying the foundation for its potential application in food.

DNA damage in inhabitants exposed to heavy metals near Hudiara drain, Lahore, Pakistan.

The current study was conducted on the inhabitants living in the area adjacent to the Hudiara drain using bore water and vegetables adjacent to the Hudiara drain. Toxic heavy metals badly affect human health because of industrial environmental contamination. Particularly hundreds of millions of individuals globally have faced the consequences of consuming water and food tainted with pollutants. Concentrations of heavy metals in human blood were elevated in Hudiara drainings in Lahore city, Pakistan, due to highly polluted industrial effluents. The study determined the health effects of high levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cr) on residents of the Hudiara draining area, including serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and creatinine levels. An absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine heavy metals in wate water, drinking water, soil, plants and human beings blood sampleas and ELISA kits were used to assess the level of 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, 8-Isoprostane in plasma serum creatinine level. Waste water samples, irrigation water samples, drinking water samples, Soil samples, Plants samples and blood specimens of adult of different weights and ages were collected from the polluted area of the Hudiara drain (Laloo and Mohanwal), and control samples were obtained from the unpolluted site Sheiikhpura, 60 km away from the site. Toxic heavy metals in blood damage the cell membrane and DNA structures, increasing the 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, creatinine, and 8-Isoprostane. Toxic metals contaminated bore water and vegetables, resulting in increased levels of creatinine, MDA, Isoprostane, and 8-hydroxy-2-guanosine in the blood of inhabitants from the adjacent area Hudiara drain compared to the control group. In addition,. This study also investigated heavy metal concentrations in meat and milk samples from buffaloes, cows, and goats. In meat, cow samples showed the highest Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations. In milk also, cows exhibited elevated Cu and Fe levels compared to goats. The results highlight species-specific variations in heavy metal accumulation, emphasizing the need for targeted monitoring to address potential health risks. The significant difference between the two groups i.e., the control group and the affected group, in all traits of the respondents (weight, age, heavy metal values MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, and serum creatinine level). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. The study has shown that the level of serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, or creatinine has not significantly correlated with age, so it is independent of age. This study has proved that in Pakistan, the selected area of Lahore in the villages of Laloo and Mohanwal, excess of heavy metals in the human body damages the DNA and increases the level of 8-Isoprostane, MDA, creatinine, and 8-hydroxyguaniosine. As a result, National and international cooperation must take major steps to control exposure to heavy metals.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in two Moroccan populations living at different distances from the Mediterranean Sea.

Background: There is growing strong scientific evidence over the past few decades that the Mediterranean diet (MD) has protective effects on cardiometabolic health. Objective: This study aimed to assess MD adherence and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among women living in two Moroccan provinces, El Jadida and Tetouan, located at different distances from the Mediterranean Sea. Material and methods: It is a cross-sectional study involved 355 subjects of which 55.8% reside in the province of El Jadida, and data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, cardiovascular risks, medical history and of food frequency consumption were collected. Compliance with the MD was assessed with a simplified MD adherence score based on the weekly frequency of consumption of eight food groups. Results: The overall mean Simplified Mediterranean Diet Score was 4.37 ± 1.47 with inadequate compliance in 55.2% of the sample. No significant association was found between adherence to MD and geographic, socio-demographic, lifestyle or the major cardiovascular risk factors. However, the participants do not comply with half of the recommendations based on the Mediterranean diet pyramid. The lowest level of compliance was observed for olive oil, followed by sweets, eggs, potatoes, fruits, red meat, vegetables, legumes, olives, nuts and seeds. The increased contribution of sugars, dairy products and meat to the overall food intake is significant in the category with high adherence to MD. Conclusion: The study data indicate that Mediterranean Diet is far from being a global pattern in this Moroccan population. The study draws attention to the need for a promoting intervention to maintain this pattern as the original diet in the region.

Electrochemical Detection of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in Plant Tissues from Different Origins.

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is a reliable indicator of antioxidant content in animal and plant samples. The different experimental approaches available allow the determination of TAC using, as a reference, diverse compounds with recognized antioxidant capacities such as Trolox, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, or melatonin. A new portable device, named BRS (BQC redox system), is now commercially available that, through an electrochemical approach, allows the determination of TAC in a simple, fast, reproducible, and robust way. In this chapter, using this portable device, a comparative analysis of the TAC is assayed in different red, citrus, and Solanaceae fruits, several Allium species, and organs of different plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana. The obtained results demonstrate the versatility of the BRS portable device.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in some vegetables-Erbil City-Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Heavy metals can have significant impacts on human health due to their toxicity and potential to accumulate in the body over time. Some heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, are particularly harmful even at low concentrations. The estimation of hazards of vegetable intake to human health as well as explore the of heavy metals accumulation in different vegetables (cucumbers, tomato, eggplant, and bell peppers) collected in Erbil city from different source locally and imported from nearby country are conducted. The heavy metals concentration (cooper, zinc, lead and cadmium) was measured and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometry. The maximum concentration of Pb was 27.95 mg/kg and the minimum was 6.49 mg/kg; for Cd, the concentration was 1.43 and 0.99 mg/kg, 74.94 and 5.14 mg/kg for Zn; and for Cu, the result was 56.25 and 8.2 mg/kg for the maximum and minimum, which they are within limits described by Food Agricultural Organization, but more than health limits and health risks calculated by mean of hazard quotient (HQ) techniques for Cu and Pb which they are more than 1. The local sample that collected in Erbil city show less concentration of heavy metals and low HQ in comparison with imported samples. The carcinogenic risk study shows elevated risk of accumulative consuming of edible part of those plant which they exceed the permissible limit that is 10-6.

Clients' experiences and satisfaction with produce prescription programs in California: a qualitative evaluation to inform person-centered and respectful program models.

Background: Produce prescription programs have strong potential to improve food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, and health across the life course. Understanding clients' experiences and satisfaction with produce prescription programs is critical for evaluating the person-centeredness and quality of these programs. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe client experiences and satisfaction with produce prescription programs, with an emphasis on the extent to which they felt they were treated with respect and dignity, and (2) identify recommendations for improving client experiences. Methods: We conducted four focus group discussions with clients of produce prescription programs in two Federally Qualified Health Centers in California. We used a modified framework analysis approach and organized participants' experiences with programs into themes. Results: Three themes captured participants' program experiences. First, respectful produce prescription programming encompassed interactions with individuals delivering the programs that felt respectful (e.g., program staff showing they cared about participants' health and offering timely assistance with financial incentives) and disrespectful (e.g., not receiving prompt responses to questions about incentives), as well as aspects of program design perceived to be respectful (e.g., provision of gift cards as financial incentives, which offered privacy when purchasing produce). Second, having autonomy to use gift cards to choose their preferred fresh fruits and vegetables was viewed as a positive experience, though participants desired greater autonomy to shop at stores other than the program designated stores. Third, participants frequently discussed program usability, with some reporting that joining the programs and using the cards was easy, and others describing difficulties activating cards and using them at stores due to cashiers' lack of awareness of the programs. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the programs. To improve client experiences, they recommended increasing privacy (e.g., by educating cashiers on the programs so that clients do not need to explain in public what the card is for) and autonomy (e.g., allowing cards to be used at other chain or local stores). Discussion: Our findings inform efforts to make produce prescription programs more person-centered and respectful, which in turn may increase program demand, engagement, and impact.

Analysing food groups and nutrient intake in adults who met and did not meet the daily recommended vegetable intake of 350 g: the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan.

This study aimed to compare the differences in the intake of food groups and nutrients between Japanese adults who consumed the recommended daily vegetable intake (350 g/day) and those who did not. Dietary information was obtained from one-day dietary records collected from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, which was conducted in 46 prefectures in Japan. The participants aged ≥20 years (n = 21,606; 53.8% women) were classified into the < and ≥350 g/day groups. Inter-group differences for 17 food groups and 27 nutrients were assessed as percentages of consumers (food groups only) and energy-adjusted intake (units/MJ/d or % of total energy intake). Overall, 29% of participants consumed ≥350 g/day of vegetables. The ≥350 g/day group had a higher percentage of consumers and energy-adjusted intakes for all vegetable subgroups than the <350 g/day group. For other food groups, the ≥350 g/day group had higher percentages of consumers for all food groups, except for cereals, eggs, and condiments and seasonings, which showed no significant differences. However, the ≥350 g/day group had a significantly higher energy-adjusted intake for potatoes and other tubers, mushrooms, meats, and condiments and seasonings but a significantly lower value for cereals, eggs, savoury snacks and confectionaries, and beverages. The ≥350 g/day group had a significantly higher intake of almost all (25/27) nutrients, including sodium, than the <350 g/day group. Participants with vegetable intake ≥350 g/day might have a more favourable intake of food groups and nutrients; however, watching for salt intake is necessary when promoting vegetable intake.

Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate.

Background: Controlling the substrate moisture is a significant challenge in black soldier fly (BSF) farming. Many substrates have a high moisture content, which results in a low BSF biomass and a high mortality. One potential solution involves incorporating dry substrates into the food mix to mitigate the excessive moisture. However, little information about the types and quantities of dry substrates is available. Methods: Six different dry materials-rice husk (RH), rice bran (RB), rice husk ash (RHA), coconut coir dust (CC), rubberwood sawdust (RSD), and spent coffee grounds (SCGs)-were evaluated by combining with pure minced mixed vegetables in varying proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50% by weight). This study encompassed both small-scale and medium-scale experiments to comprehensively assess the effects of the addition of each of these different dry substrates and their quantities on aspects of the development of BSF, such as BSF biomass, larval duration, mortality rates, adult sex ratio, and the moisture removal efficiency of each substrate mixture. Results: Each dry substrate had specific properties. Although RB emerged as a favorable dry substrate owing to its nutritional content and substantial water-holding capacity, excessive use of RB (>15% by weight) resulted in elevated temperatures and subsequent desiccation of the substrate, potentially leading to larval mortality. In contrast, RH demonstrated the ability to support improved larval duration and growth, permitting its utilization in higher proportions (up to 50%). On the other hand, CC, RHA, and SCG are better suited for inclusion in BSF larval substrates in smaller quantities. Discussion: Some dry substrates require a pretreatment process to eliminate toxic substances prior to their incorporation into substrate mixtures, such as CC and SCG. A potential alternative solution involves employing a combination of various dry substrates. This approach aims to enhance the substrate moisture control and subsequently improve the BSF rearing performance.

Genetics aspect of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) biosynthesis and signaling pathways in fruits and vegetables crops.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in many physiological processes in plants and animals. In humans, vitamin C is an antioxidant, reducing agent, and cofactor in diverse chemical processes. The established role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in plants is well recognized. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause damage to cells. Also, it plays an important role in recycling other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which helps maintain the overall balance of the plant's antioxidant system. However, unlike plants, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid or vitamin C in their bodies due to the absence of an enzyme called gulonolactone oxidase. This is why humans need to obtain vitamin C through their diet. Different fruits and vegetables contain varying levels of vitamin C. The biosynthesis of vitamin C in plants occurs primarily in the chloroplasts and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The biosynthesis of vitamin C is a complex process regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent research has identified several key genes that regulate vitamin C biosynthesis, including the GLDH and GLDH genes. The expression of these genes is known to be regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent studies highlight vitamin C's crucial role in regulating plant stress response pathways, encompassing drought, high salinity, and oxidative stress. The key enzymes in vitamin C biosynthesis are L-galactose dehydrogenase (GLDH) and L-galactono-1, 4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH). Genetic studies reveal key genes like GLDH and GLDH in Vitamin C biosynthesis, offering potential for crop improvement. Genetic variations influence nutritional content through their impact on vitamin C levels. Investigating the roles of genes in stress responses provides insights for developing resilient techniques in crop growth. Some fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, along with strawberries and kiwi, are rich in vitamin C. Guava. Papaya provides a boost of vitamin C and dietary fiber. At the same time, red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, pineapple, mangoes, and kale are additional sources of this essential nutrient, promoting overall health. In this review, we will discuss a brief history of Vitamin C and its signaling and biosynthesis pathway and summarize the regulation of its content in various fruits and vegetables.

A nonsynonymous mutation in BhLS, encoding an acyl-CoA N-acyltransferase leads to fruit and seed size variation in wax gourd (Benincasa hispida).

Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., 2n = 2x = 24) is an economically important vegetable crop cultivated widely in many tropical and subtropical regions, including China, India, and Japan. Both fruit and seeds are prized agronomic attributes in wax gourd breeding and production. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits remain largely unexplored. In this study, we observed a strong correlation between fruit size and seed size variation in our mapping population, indicating genetic control by a single gene, BhLS, with large size being dominant over small. Through bulk segregant analysis sequencing and fine mapping with a large F2 population, we precisely located the BhLS gene within a 47.098-kb physical interval on Chromosome 10. Within this interval, only one gene, Bhi10M000649, was identified, showing homology to Arabidopsis HOOKLESS1. A nonsynonymous mutation (G to C) in the second exon of Bhi10M000649 was found to be significantly associated with both fruit and seed size variation in wax gourd. These findings collectively highlight the pleiotropic effect of the BhLS gene in regulating fruit and seed size in wax gourd. Our results offer molecular insights into the variation of fruit and seed size in wax gourd and establish a fundamental framework for breeding wax gourd cultivars with desired traits.

Dietary determinants of overnutrition among hypertensive patients in southwest Ethiopia: an ordinal regression model.

Overnutrition is a recognized risk factor for hypertension, but evidence is lacking among hypertensive patients for tailored dietary interventions. This study assessed dietary factors in 331 hypertensive patients in southwest Ethiopia. The data was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using factor analysis. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and a BMI above 25 kg m-2 was considered overnutrition. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to model the data and control confounders. Adjusted odds ratio and p-values were reported. Among the 331 respondents, consumption of cereals and grains (57.0%); roots and tubers (58.5); and legumes (50.0%), while 28.6% drink alcohol, was common. About 29.0% (24.1-34.2) had overnutrition (22%, 17.6-26.6%, overweight and 7.0%, 4.5-10.3%, obesity). While the predicted odds of overnutrition were higher among males (AOR = 2.85; 1.35-6.02), married (AOR = 1.47; 0.69-3.12), illiterates (AOR = 2.09; 1.18-3.72), advanced age (AOR = 1.65; 0.61-4.61), government employees (AOR = 6.83; 1.19-39.2), and urban dwellers (AOR = 4.06; 1.76-9.36), infrequent vegetable consumption (AOR = 1.47; 0.72-2.96) and lower and higher terciles of cereals and animal-source food consumption (AOR = 1.56; 0.72-3.34). Overnutrition among hypertensive patients was significantly high and associated with unhealthy dietary consumption, educational status, residence, and occupation, emphasizing the need for targeted dietary counseling.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is inversely associated with the osteosarcopenia in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Osteosarcopenia adversely affects the quality of life and physical health of older adults. We sought to explore the association between dietary patterns and osteosarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study from Northeast China, in which, we included older community adults aged 60 and above. Through face-to-face interviews, we collected dietary information from participants using a food frequency questionnaire. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain the dietary patterns of the participants. Through physical examination, we obtained the participants' information on osteosarcopenia, which was defined by the coexist of osteopenia and sarcopenia. We analysed the association between dietary patterns and dietary compositions with ostesarcopenia. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 9429 participants were included, and the prevalence of osteosarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults was 6.2%. PCA identified three main dietary patterns, and the lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary pattern was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia. Compared to the lowest lacto-ovo-vegetarian quartile (Q1), the Q4 group (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.49-0.83) was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia. Through the weighted quantile sum regression model, we also found that the overall effect of the lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary components was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.92); the largest contributors were vegetables, fresh milk, eggs, and dairy products. CONCLUSION: Overall, we found that a lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary pattern, particularly the consumption of vegetables, fresh milk, eggs, and dairy products, was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia in older adults. And this might provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of osteosarcopenia.

Pulsed electric field technology in vegetable and fruit juice processing: A review.

The worldwide market for vegetable and fruit juices stands as a thriving sector with projected revenues reaching to $81.4 billion by 2024 and an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.27% until 2028. Juices offer a convenient means of consuming bioactive compounds and essential nutrients crucial for human health. However, conventional thermal treatments employed in the juice and beverage industry to inactivate spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, as well as endogenous enzymes, can lead to the degradation of bioactive compounds and vitamins. In response, non-thermal technologies have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional heat processing, with pulsed electric field (PEF) technology standing out as an innovative and sustainable choice. In this context, this comprehensive review investigated the impact of PEF on the microbiological, physicochemical, functional, nutritional, and sensory qualities of vegetable and fruit juices. PEF induces electroporation phenomena in cell membranes, resulting in reversible or irreversible changes. Consequently, a detailed examination of the effects of PEF process variables on juice properties is essential. Monitoring factors such as electric field strength, frequency, pulse width, total treatment time, and specific energy is important to ensure the production of a safe and chemically/kinetically stable product. PEF technology proves effective in microbial and enzymatic inactivation within vegetable and fruit juices, mitigating factors contributing to deterioration while maintaining the physicochemical characteristics of these products. Furthermore, PEF treatment does not compromise the content of substances with functional, nutritional, and sensory properties, such as phenolic compounds and vitamins. When compared to alternative processing methods, such as mild thermal treatments and other non-thermal technologies, PEF treatment consistently demonstrates comparable outcomes in terms of physicochemical attributes, functional properties, nutritional quality, and overall safety.

Legume milk-based yogurt mimetics structured using glucono-δ-lactone.

The potential to produce protein-structured vegan yogurts with legumes was explored to offer an alternative to conventional polysaccharide-based varieties. Glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) was employed as a slow acidifying agent and was investigated for its ability to generate cold-set, yogurt-like gels using soy and lentil milks made using minimal processing steps. Soy (5.3 % protein) and lentil (6.1 % protein) milks were successfully gelled by GDL at concentrations of 0.5 % and 1 % w/w. Soy and lentil milks experienced similar acidification profiles and demonstrated good fits with double-exponential decay models. The physical properties of these legume gels were evaluated and compared to a commercial stirred dairy yogurt. Penetration tests were carried out on intact gels, then repeated after stirring. All intact soy samples demonstrated significantly stronger gel structures compared to the commercial yogurt, and most experienced greater amounts of brittleness. Results showed that the stirring of gels caused a notable decrease in firmness and brittleness in the soy gels, making them more similar to the control. Power-law modelling of viscosity curves demonstrated that all samples experienced non-Newtonian flow behavior (n < 0.29). Susceptibility to syneresis was measured by the degree of liquid loss following centrifugation. The optimization of protein type and GDL concentration to replicate the physical properties of dairy-based yogurts can enhance their consumer acceptance and provide a more customizable and controlled approach alternative to traditional fermentation methods.