Simultaneous extraction of tocochromanols and flavan-3-ols from the grape seeds: Analytical and industrial aspects.

Grape processing generates large amounts of by-products, including seeds rich in hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that subjecting grape seeds to a single ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with aqueous ethanolic solutions yields both flavan-3-ols and tocochromanols in the final extract. Notably, the water content in ethanol significantly influences the extractability of tocochromanols more than flavan-3-ols. Solid-to-solvent ratios of 1:50 to 1:2 were tested for both analytical and industrial applications. A sustainable analytical approach for recovering flavan-3-ols and tocochromanols using 60% and 96.4% ethanol extractions was validated and employed to profile nineteen genotypes of lesser-studied interspecific grape crosses (Vitis spp.). Different genotypes showed a wide range of concentrations of tocopherols (1.6-6.3 mg/100 g), tocotrienols (1.0-17.4 mg/100 g), and flavan-3-ols (861-9994 mg/100 g). This indicated that the genetic background and maturity of the plant material are crucial factors from an industrial perspective due to the initial concentration of bioactive compounds. Finally, the study also discussed the fundamental aspects of hydrophobic antioxidant extractability from the lipid matrix with aqueous ethanol solutions and the limitations of the workflow, such as the non-extractable tocochromanols and their esters and the losses of these lipophilic antioxidants during extraction.

Micro-bacterial assessment of disposable gowns with a focus on green endoscopy in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures: A Japanese pilot study for healthcare waste reduction.

Objective: This study aimed to implement green endoscopy through the microbiological assessment of gowning techniques during endoscopy to reduce carbon emissions and separate medical waste. Methods: Twenty-five patients who performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy from March to May 2024 were included in this study. Four sections of the isolation gowns (anterior, posterior, right, and left) were cut into 2 cm2 after endoscopy, and the rate of microbial contamination was examined using the stamp method. Results: The endoscopic examination time was 8 min (6-12), and endoscopy was performed by 10 expert endoscopists, six endoscopists, and nine residents. The overall isolation gown contamination rate was 56%, with 25%, 20.8%, 20.8%, and 33.3% in the front, back, as well as right and left arms, respectively. The rates of isolation gown contamination rates in the expert endoscopists, endoscopists, and residents groups were 30%, 50%, and 77.8%, respectively, with a higher rate in the residents group. Regardless of the physician's performance, bacterial detection was consistently higher in the left arm (42.9% vs. 40% vs. 25%; p = 0.093). The detected bacteria comprised 58% Gram-positive and 42% Gram-negative organisms, including those from tap water used for endoscopy bacteria and obtained from the participant's skin or mouth. No pathogenic organisms were detected. Conclusions: The bacteria detected in disposable gowns after gastrointestinal endoscopy were non-pathogenic. Thus, our findings suggest that changing all personal protective equipment of respective endoscopes might not be essential. We advocate for green endoscopy to achieve sustainable development goals and reduce medical waste.

Optimizing sustainable development in arid river basins: A multi-objective approach to balancing water, energy, economy, carbon and ecology nexus.

The ongoing water crisis poses significant threats to the socioeconomic sustainability and ecological security of arid and semi-arid river basins. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a complex socio-ecological nexus requires effective and balanced resource management. However, due to the intricate interactions between human societies and environmental systems, the tradeoffs and synergies of different SDGs remain unclear, posing a substantial challenge for collaborative management of natural resources. Here we introduce a gray fractional multi-objective optimization (GFMOP) model to balance multi-dimensional SDGs through a novel water-energy-economy-carbon-ecology nexus perspective. The model was applied to a typical arid river basin in Northwest China, where thirty-two scenarios were explored, considering factors such as shared socioeconomic pathways, carbon removal rates, water conveyance efficiencies, and ecological requirements. The results reveal a strong tradeoff between marginal benefit and carbon emission intensity, indicating that improving the economic efficiency of water use can simultaneously reduce emissions and protect the environment. Given the immense power generation potential, wind power development should be prioritized in the future, with its share in the energy structure projected to increase to 23.3% by 2060. Furthermore, promoting carbon capture technologies and expanding grassland coverage are recommended to achieve regional carbon neutrality, contributing 39.5% and 49.1% to carbon absorption during 2021-2060, respectively. Compared with traditional single-objective models, GFMOP demonstrates a superiority in uncovering interrelationships among multiple SDGs and identifying compromised alternatives within the compound socio-ecological nexus. The model also provides detailed strategies for resource allocation and pollutant control, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders in pursuing sustainable and harmonious watershed management.

Evaluating complementaries among urban water, energy, infrastructure, and social Sustainable Development Goals in China.

Urban areas' performance in water, energy, infrastructure, and socio-economic sectors is intertwined and measurable through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6-13. Effective synergy among these is critical for sustainability. This study constructs an indicator framework that reflects progress towards these urban SDGs in China. Findings indicate underperformance in SDGs 8-11, suggesting the need for transformative actions. Through network analysis, the research reveals complementarities among these SDGs. Notably, the SDG space divides into socio-economic and ecological clusters, with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) central to both. Additionally, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) act as bridges, while greater synergies exist between SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). An in-depth view at the indicator-level shows a core-periphery structure, emphasizing indicators like SDG 6.2 (Wastewater Treatment Rate) and SDG 6.6 (Recycled Water Production Capacity per capita) as pivotal. This study confirms the urban SDG space's stability and predictiveness, underscoring its value in steering well-aligned policy decisions for sustainable growth.

On the effect of microwave energy on the Michael addition of dimethyl malonate on levoglucosenone.

Among biomass-derived platform molecules one of the most prominent structures is levoglucosenone (LGO) from which it is possible to derive a wide array of solvents, chemicals, and polymeric materials. In this work we investigated the Michael addition of dimethyl malonate on levoglucosenone by testing several alternative catalysts ranging from Lewis acids to structured silicas and clays. The work had the double aim to i) optimize the reaction using the widely reported KF/Alumina catalyst, giving a frame of reference for its relative activity in this Michael addition and ii) conduct a catalyst screen while investigating various reaction mechanisms. Among the tested catalysts, Ca(OH)2 was the best candidate to substitute KF/Alumina, reaching yields >90 % after only 5 min of microwave irradiation.

Biological pest regulation can benefit from diverse predation modes.

Increases in agricultural intensity due to anthropogenic demands alongside the need to reduce the reliance on pesticides have resulted in an urgent need for sustainable options for pest control. Biological pest regulation is an alternative strategy that relies on natural predators and is essentially a by-product of successful foraging. Therefore, knowledge of the predator's specific foraging behaviour can significantly improve bioregulation. In this article, we discuss the implications of predators' diverse foraging modes on their efficiency as bioregulators of crop pests using amphibians and reptiles as models. Amphibians and reptiles are promising bioregulators as they are insectivorous, and the diversity in their foraging styles-ambush and active foraging, differing in energy expenditure, movement, cognitive abilities, reliance on cues, response to predatory risk, competition and prey salience-can have specific impacts on pest regulation. We propose the uptake of this concept into strategizing pest management actions. We are now moving towards an era of biological pest regulation, which is the most targeted, economically profitable method with zero negative impact on the ecosystem. Utilizing diverse traits associated with the different foraging modes in vertebrate predators can be a crucial tool in allowing pest management to adapt to the extreme challenges it is facing.

Green innovation imperative for natural resource-driven sustainable economic recovery: Linking rights Structure, corporate social responsibility, and renewable energy contracts.

This study examines the complex relationships necessary for a sustainable economic recovery, focusing on the interplay between contracts for renewable energy, natural resource use, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and rights frameworks. Motivated by the increasing scrutiny of environmental practices, this research aims to highlight the need for sustainable business models during the transition to a more environmentally sensitive economy. The study area encompasses diverse sectors where CSR goals can be aligned with renewable energy project frameworks through natural resource utilization. Methodologies include a novel composite CSR evaluation indicator designed to complement industry rankings and a thorough analysis of CSR within the mining industry. Results demonstrate how aligning CSR with renewable energy initiatives can reshape profit models for stakeholders and emphasize the changing green product market as a catalyst for economic resurgence. Recommendations in the area of policies focus on the reasoned utilization of natural resources and the application of innovations following the principles of CSR. This research provides critical guidance to relevant authorities and institutions charged with ethical responsibility, ensuring the proper utilization and implementation of renewable energy sources to create a more ecological future based on green technology and sustainable resource management.

Developing and validating development goals towards transforming a global framework for pharmacy practice.

INTRODUCTION: In light of the expanding role of pharmacy in addressing global health challenges of Universal Health Coverage, advancing pharmacy practice to provide more effective pharmaceutical services has become imperative. This study aims to develop and validate a global goals-oriented pharmaceutical development framework to support and guide a systematic practice transformation that can widen access to better health for all. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used to conduct a series of exploration, development, and consensus phases. The exploratory stage included desk research focused on innovative pharmaceutical provision globally. Focus groups with 14 international pharmacists were held, selected via convenience sampling, to obtain primary data on perceptions of the proposed global FIP "Development Goals" framework. The consultation stage was followed by a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) with 61 global pharmacy leaders from 35 countries across six WHO regions, selected through purposive sampling, to further develop the content of the framework's first iteration. Lastly, an online two-round modified Delphi approach with 28 global pharmacy leaders, also selected via purposive sampling, was used to ensure the credibility and content validity of the outputs, generating consensus on the final framework matrix. RESULTS: The exploratory stage produced a draft set of 13 unvalidated FIP Practice Development Goals (DGs) Framework (v0). Initial analysis of the mNGT showed complex intersections between the proposed set of goals, necessitating further modifications by embedding the previously published global Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals framework. This resulted in an amended FIP DGs Framework (v1) with 21 DGs. The evidence-led adjustment and distinctive format of the global consensus stage helped generate the validated, systematic FIP DGs Framework (final version), comprising 21 discrete global development goals ready for policy deployment. CONCLUSION: A systematic goals-oriented development framework was developed to respond to pharmaceutical development needs and support a needs-based roadmap for a sustainable pharmacy practice transformation globally, regionally and nationally.

AI-based green technology implementation simulation for achieving carbon neutrality: exploring the role of subsidies and knowledge management.

This study investigates the role of green technology implementation (GTI) based on artificial intelligence (AI) at the household level to achieve carbon neutrality by addressing gaps in the existing research. The research focuses on understanding how education on green consumption preferences, green invention and emission impacts can optimally influence AI-based GTI decisions. Through behavioural analysis at the household level, this study quantifies the effects of education and preferences on emissions and proposes subsidies as accelerators for carbon-neutral transitions. Furthermore, the study employs regression analysis and simulation-based optimisation, which are then validated against prior methodologies, with a focus on Punjab, Pakistan. Utilising a simple random sampling technique, approximately 1000 households were surveyed to represent the province's diverse demographics comprehensively. Findings reveal that higher education levels correlate with less enthusiasm for AI-based GTI. Simulations measured optimal subsidy levels by striking a balance between encouraging green behaviour and technological adoption. By integrating diverse factors and AI-based GTI optimisation, this study defines important thresholds for education and subsidies, thus highlighting their pivotal role in advancing AI-based green technologies and sustainable household practices. This research significantly enhances the understanding of the complex relationship between AI-based GTI decisions and educational influences, thereby contributing to the advancement of environmental sustainability.

Analysis of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 index for Italian municipalities.

OBJECTIVES: Improving health at global and local scales is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) for the period 2015-2030, specifically defined by SDG3, which includes 13 targets described by 28 indicators. In this context, the aim of the current study was to propose a protocol to infer SDG3 values at municipality level with the current openly available data. STUDY DESIGN: The study incorporated a quantitative research. METHODS: To calculate the SDG3 index, defined as the average of all 13 target scores, official Italian data at five geographical granularities covering the period 2018-2022 were used, and a spatial downscaling strategy was implemented. The quality of matching between original and inferred indicators was assessed applying a specific standard (International Organisation for Standardisation [ISO]/TS 21564) that matches quality between terminology resources with regards to health care. The significance of regional/provincial differences was assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction, and the Moran's index with queen contiguity method was applied to evaluate clustering tendency. RESULTS: The geographical distribution of scores varied considerably (and with statistical significance) across the targets, with municipalities in the central part of the country achieving relatively good overall performance. Matching quality also varied consistently across targets. Clustering tendency was observed and was likely due to regional differences in data collection protocols. CONCLUSIONS: The SDG3 index, as an internationally standardised measure of health, can be used to validate urban health indices; however, considerable improvement by official data providers in Italy is required to guarantee access to data at the municipal level.

Enhancing soil health and nutrient availability for Carrizo citrange (X Citroncirus sp.) through bokashi and biochar amendments: An exploration into indoor sustainable soil ecosystem management.

This study investigated the efficacy of organic soil amendments: bokashi (Bok), biochar (BC), and their combination (Bok_BC) in promoting soil health, nutrient availability, and growth of Carrizo citrange (X Citroncirus sp. Rutaceae, Parentage Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata) under indoor greenhouse settings. Results indicate significant alterations in soil parameters like total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio due to Bok, BC, and Bok_BC treatments. BC treatments boosted total C, while Bok increased total N, compared to controls. A note-worthy 25 % average decrease in C:N ratio was observed with Bok and Bok_BC, nearing the optimal 24:1 C:N for microbial growth. This highlights the potential of waste by-products in balancing nutrient release to benefit soil health and plant development. Analysis of nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), and ammonium (NH4-N) levels revealed a dynamic relationship between soil treatments and time. Bok and Bok_BC amendments combined with both fertilizer doses [700 and 1400 Electrical Conductivity, EC] showed an initial NH4-N spike (averaging 1513 and 1288 µg N/g dry, respectively), outperforming control soils (average 503 µg N/g dry). Other key elements like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and chlorine also experienced initial surges in Bok and Bok_BC soils before declining, suggesting a gradual nutrient release. The concentration of potentially toxic elements remained mostly stable or inconclusive, warranting further exploration. Bok, BC, and Bok_BC treatments considerably influenced germination rate and plant growth. The germination rate averaged 24.2 %, 23 %, and 22.5 % for Bok, BC, and Bok_BC, compared to the 15.9 % control. Plant height increased with Bok, BC, and Bok_BC to 18.4 cm, 18.7 cm, and 16.4 cm, respectively, from the 14.8 cm control. The results remained consistent across fertilizer doses, emphasizing the soil amendments' role in bolstering soil and plant health. In summary, the research underscores the potential of carbon-based amendments like bokashi and biochar in enhancing soil health, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and fostering sustainable soil ecosystems. The insights are pivotal for advancing sustainable agriculture in indoor greenhouse settings for nursery plant production.

Vehicle detection and classification using an ensemble of EfficientDet and YOLOv8.

With the rapid increase in vehicle numbers, efficient traffic management has become a critical challenge for society. Traditional methods of vehicle detection and classification often struggle with the diverse characteristics of vehicles, such as varying shapes, colors, edges, shadows, and textures. To address this, we proposed an innovative ensemble method that combines two state-of-the-art deep learning models i.e., EfficientDet and YOLOv8. The proposed work leverages data from the Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) dataset, which provides both thermal and RGB images. To enhance the model performance and to address the class imbalances, we applied several data augmentation techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ensemble model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 95.5% on thermal images, outperforming the individual performances of EfficientDet and YOLOv8, which achieved mAPs of 92.6% and 89.4% respectively. Additionally, the ensemble model attained an average recall (AR) of 0.93 and an optimal localization recall precision (oLRP) of 0.08 on thermal images. For RGB images, the ensemble model achieved mAP of 93.1%, AR of 0.91, and oLRP of 0.10, consistently surpassing the performance of its constituent models. These findings highlight the effectiveness of proposed ensemble approach in improving vehicle detection and classification. The integration of thermal imaging further enhances detection capabilities under various lighting conditions, making the system robust for real-world applications in intelligent traffic management.

Soil and root microbiome analysis and isolation of plant growth-promoting bacteria from hybrid buffaloberry (Shepherdia utahensis 'Torrey') across three locations.

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly hazardous for our ecosystem. Climate resilient landscaping, which promotes the use of native plants, has the potential to simultaneously decrease the rate of climate change, enhance climate resilience, and combat biodiversity losses. Native plants and their associated microbiome form a holo-organism; interaction between plants and microbes is responsible for plants' growth and proper functioning. In this study, we were interested in exploring the soil and root microbiome composition associated with Shepherdia utahensis, a drought hardy plant proposed for low water use landscaping, which is the hybrid between two native hardy shrubs of Utah, S. rotudifolia and S. argentea. The bulk soil, rhizosphere, root, and nodule samples of the hybrid Shepherdia plants were collected from three locations in Utah: the Logan Campus, the Greenville farm, and the Kaysville farm. The microbial diversity analysis was conducted, and plant growth-promoting bacteria were isolated and characterized from the rhizosphere. The results suggest no difference in alpha diversity between the locations; however, the beta diversity analysis suggests the bacterial community composition of bulk soil and nodule samples are different between the locations. The taxonomic classification suggests Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota are the dominant species in bulk soil and rhizosphere, and Actinobacteriota is solely found in root and nodule samples. However, the composition of the bacterial community was different among the locations. There was a great diversity in the genus composition in bulk soil and rhizosphere samples among the locations; however, Frankia was the dominant genus in root and nodule samples. Fifty-nine different bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere and tested for seven plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, such as the ability to fix nitrogen, phosphates solubilization, protease activity, siderophore, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and catalase production, and ability to use ACC as nitrogen source. All the isolates produced some amount of IAA. Thirty-one showed at least four PGP traits and belonged to Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, Massilia, Variovorax, and Pseudomonas. We shortlisted 10 isolates that showed all seven PGP traits and will be tested for plant growth promotion.

Exploring school environmental psychology in children and adolescents: The influence of environmental and psychosocial factors on sustainable behavior in Indonesia.

This study investigates the relationship between environmental and psychosocial factors and students' sustainable behavior in schools. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, observations, and document analysis, it explores various dimensions such as the physical environment, policy and governance, social and cultural context, economic factors, technological advancements, stakeholder engagement, knowledge and awareness, attitudes and values, perceived behavioral control, social norms and influence, motivation and incentives, and social identity and connectedness. Findings emphasize the crucial role of the school environment in shaping sustainable behavior and advocate for targeted interventions and policies. Implications include the development of sustainable school environments and interventions fostering positive attitudes and behaviors towards sustainability. This research provides practical insights for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in promoting sustainability in schools.

Unlocking the potential of biostimulants in sustainable agriculture: Effect of wood distillate on the nutritional profiling of apples.

In this work, we report the investigation of the effect of exposure of apple trees to the bioeffector wood distillate (WD), a plant biostimulant used for improving the nutritional profiling of crop plants. We measured the effect by evaluating the biochemical and nutritional profile of both pulps and skin of fruits. WD (0.2 %, v/v) was applied once a week by foliar application, from May 2023 until September 2023. The results indicate that the WD-treated apples have a significant increase in several analyzed parameters (i.e., phenols, flavonoids, tannins, total antioxidant power, sugars, pectin, free amino acids, and mineral element content), especially in the pulp. These data were also confirmed by NMR and LC-ESI-MS techniques. This study pointed out that WD could be a handy tool for the cultivation of fruit trees.

Thailand - how far are we from achieving a healthy and sustainable diet? A longitudinal ecological study.

Background: Newly industrialized countries like Thailand have been influenced by globalization, westernization, and urbanization over the last decades, leading to changes in dietary habits as well as food production. Consequences of these changes include rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and environmental degradation, which are defined as the leading global challenges today. The objectives of this study are to identify Thailand's dietary changes, considering health and sustainability aspects, and to determine correlations between these changes and NCD cases as well as environmental impacts (GHG emissions, land-, nitrogen-, phosphorus-use). In this way, diet-related adjustments can be identified to promote planetary and human health. Methods: In this longitudinal ecological study, relative differences between the average food consumption in Thailand and the reference values of a healthy and sustainable diet, the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), were calculated. Furthermore, a bivariate correlation analysis was conducted, using data, based on Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO's) data, results from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), and PHD's reference values. Findings: The consumption quantities of meat, eggs, saturated oils, and sugar increased significantly since 1961. The food groups, that have exceeded PHD's upper reference values, include sugar (+452%), red meat (+220%), grains (+143%), saturated oils (+20%) and eggs (+19%), while vegetables (-63%), and unsaturated oils (-61%) have fallen below PHD's lower limits. Concerning the bivariate correlation analyses, all investigated variables show significant correlations. The most significant correlations were found in NCD cases (r = 0.903, 95% CI 0.804-0.953), nitrogen use (r = 0.872, 95% CI 0.794-0.922), and land use (r = 0.870, 95% CI 0.791-0.921), followed by phosphorus use (r = 0.832, 95% CI 0.733-0.897), and green-house gas (GHG) emissions (r = 0.479, 95% CI 0.15-0.712). Interpretation: The results show, that the determined differences of unhealthy or unsustainable food groups have increased concurrently with NCD cases and environmental impacts over the last decades in Thailand. A shift towards a reduced intake of sugar, red meat, grains, saturated oils and eggs along with an increase in vegetables and unsaturated oils, might support environmental and human health. Funding: None.

Crosslinking reactions of a model aminated lignin compound as a platform for building thermosetting polymers for lignin-based bio adhesives.

As millions of tons of kraft lignin are being wasted, a potential application is to use its crosslinking reactions to build thermosetting bio adhesives. However, the crosslinking reactions between lignin molecules are not fully understood. The present study aims to elucidate the crosslinking reactions of the model lignin compound guaiacylglycerol-ß-guaiacyl ether (GGE) via one-step hydroxymethylation/ amination with formaldehyde and diethylenetriamine (DETAM), or one-step glyoxylation/ amination with glyoxal and DETAM via liquid NMR techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D 1H-13C, and 1H-15N HSQC NMR. Specifically, the 2D 1H-13C HSQC NMR spectra confirm the presence of -CH2-NH- with a chemical shift of 1H 2.6-3.6/13C 40-60 ppm, and the formation of methylene linkages via the crosslinking reaction. Also, the 2D 1H-15N HSQC NMR spectra clearly detect the formation of amide and imine bonds at 1H 7.8/15N 110 and 1H 8.07/15N 121.5 ppm from the crosslinked GGE.

Formal estimation of wireless network services for signal strength and electromagnetic wave association in an International Green University.

The United Nations focuses on 17 urgent problems to call for action in all countries. Goal 7 of the 17 urgent problems is based on affordable and clean energy. Since 2017, National Taitung University (NTTU) has dedicated more time and effort to attain the wisdom, health, sustainability and aesthetics as an international green university. To accomplish this, we adhere and construct a safe radiofrequency and electromagnetic wave environment to achieve healthy and sustainable campus objectives. According to the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, NTTU was ranked 74th in 2021, 67th in 2022 and 58th in 2023. In this study, we propose a formal estimation of wireless network services for classrooms or smart spaces to achieve the goal of safe radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves. Inside classrooms or smart spaces, better wireless signal strength and safer electromagnetic waves are achieved. Moreover, the proposed method can be used to determine the quantity of wireless access points for a given classroom or smart space to avoid unsafe electromagnetic waves and inappropriate energy consumption. The experimental results show that all benchmarks meet the wireless exposure limits of the WHO and physician safe technologies in the NTTU.

Minimum dietary diversity is associated with lower risk of childhood underweight: Evidence from the 2019/2021 National Family Health Survey of India.

A lack of consumption of a diversified diet is associated with poor physical and cognitive development in children. Evidence on the relationship between minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and childhood malnutrition remains inconclusive in India. We hypothesized that children aged 6 to 23 months on a diversified diet (five out of eight defined foods and beverages) are less likely to be malnourished (stunting, wasting, and underweight) compared to their counterparts who are not on a diversified diet. This cross-sectional study was based on the 2019-2021 National Family Health Survey of India, comprising a weighted sample of 57,714 children aged 6 to 23 months. Multilevel logistic regression was conducted for data analysis. The results showed a significant protective effect of dietary diversity on underweight (odds ratios [OR] = 0.91; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.86-0.96). In addition, children who did not consume eggs (OR = 1.09; 95% CI; 1.03-1.15), dairy products (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.17-1.27), or fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06-1.17) were more likely to be underweight than children who did. Children who did not consume dairy products, fruits, and vegetables were also more likely to be stunted and wasted. However, we did not find significant associations of MDD with wasting and stunting. Nutritional interventions promoting daily consumption of dairy products, eggs, fruit, and vegetables are recommended to address the growing problem of childhood malnutrition in India. Regions with higher rates of malnutrition and those lacking MDD, such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, should be prioritized.