Seasonal fluctuation and alternative host plants of vegetable crop-infesting tephritids in non-vegetable growing areas in South Sudanese zone of Burkina Faso.

This study was carried out in 3 types of biotopes where vegetable crops are not grown to highlight their contribution to the dynamics of vegetable-infesting flies. To this end, a trapping system based on a sexual attractant, the Cuelure associated with an insecticide was set up in 18 biotopes (6 natural areas, 6 mango orchards, and 6 agroforestry parks) in the regions of Hauts Bassins and Cascades in the South-West of Burkina Faso. During the trapping monitoring, which was done every 2 wk to collect insects captured, fruits present in 3 types of biotopes were sampled and incubated for insect emergence. Ten Dacus (Fabricius) [Diptera: Tephritidae] species and Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) [Diptera: Tephritidae] were trapped in the study area. The predominant species captured was Z. cucurbitae (52.93%) followed by Dacus punctatifrons (Karsch) [Diptera: Tephritidae] (29.89%) and Dacus humeralis (Bezzi) (12.71%). Six tephritid species were emerged from 6 wild fruit species belonging to Cucurbitaceae, Apocynaceae, and Passifloraceae families. Fruit flies were more abundant from Jul to Nov with peaks observed in Aug or Oct depending on the species. Citrullus colocynthis L. (Cucurbitaceae), Lagenaria sp. (Cucurbitaceae), Passiflora foetida L. (Passifloraceae), and Passiflora sp. acted as reservoir host plants of Dacus ciliatus (Loew), Dacus bivittatus (Bigot), Dacus vertebratus (Bezzi) [Diptera: Tephritidae], D. punctatifrons, and Z. cucurbitae, the major vegetable insect pests in West Africa. The 3 types of biotopes acted as suitable refuge areas of vegetable crop-infesting fruit flies either for the favorable microclimate or for the alternative host plants.

Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane-extracted oil from four umbelliferous vegetables using GC/MS analysis in the context of antibacterial activity.

Umbelliferous (Apiaceae) vegetables are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and health benefits. The main goal of the current study is to explore the compositional heterogeneity in four dried umbelliferous vegetables viz, celery, coriander, dill, and parsley targeting their volatile profile using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 volatile metabolites were detected belonging to 12 classes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were detected as the major components of the analyzed vegetables accounting ca. 64.0, 62.4, 59.5, and 47.8% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected at ca. 6.39, 8.21, 6.16, and 6.79% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of various health benefits were detected in parsley and represented by roughanic acid and α-linolenic acid at 4.99 and 0.47%, respectively. Myristicin and frambinone were detected only in parsley at 0.45 and 0.56%. Investigation of antibacterial activity of umbelliferous vegetables n-hexane extract revealed a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with higher activity for celery and dill against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 20.3 mm compared to 24.3 mm of the standard antibacterial drug.

Fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and functional fitness among older adults in urban Alaska.

Older adults often face barriers to obtaining recommended diet, physical activity, and fitness levels. Understanding these patterns can inform effective interventions targeting health beliefs and behavior. This cross-sectional study included a multicultural sample of 58 older adults (aged 55+ years, M=71.98) living in independent senior housing in urban Southcentral Alaska. Participants completed a questionnaire and the Senior Fitness Test that assessed self-reported fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, self-efficacy, and functional fitness. T-tests and bivariate correlation analyses were used to test six hypotheses. Results indicated that participants had low physical activity but had a mean fruit and vegetable intake that was statistically significantly higher than the hypothesized "low" score. Only 4.26% of participants met functional fitness standards for balance/agility, and 8.51% met standards for lower-body strength. However, 51.1% met standards for upper-body strength and 46.8% met standards for endurance The results also indicated that nutrition self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy were positively related to fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels, respectively. Interestingly, income was not related to nutrition or activity patterns. These data complicate the picture on dietary and physical activity patterns for older adults in Alaska and offer recommendations for future health promotion activities.

Wild edible vegetables of ethnic communities of Mizoram (Northeast India): an ethnobotanical study in thrust of marketing potential.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of wild edible vegetables (WEVs) from the ethnobotanical approach is a significant key to understanding indigenous knowledge systems. The available literature has revealed a tremendous decline in knowledge of WEVs over the last few decades. The main purpose of this study was to document and analyse the traditional knowledge of WEVs among the two major ethnic groups of Mizoram regarding their use and the diversity associated with the importance of traditional medicines. Secondly, a market survey will be conducted to determine the status of available WEVs. METHODS: This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey among 72 informants through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires besides direct field observations. The documented data were quantitatively analysed using various ethnobotanical indices, including Informant's consensus factor (ICF), Fidelity level value (Fl), and Direct matrix ranking (DMR). A marketing survey was conducted in the Bara Bazar, Mizoram's most prominent local market. A total of 38 vendor informants were interviewed to observe and collect the price of commonly sold WEVs. RESULTS: A total of 70 WEVs, distributed in 58 genera under 36 families, were documented and identified. Of these, 33 WEVs were of medicinal importance. Leafy vegetables were documented as the most frequently consumed parts (55.71%). The majority (44.29%) of the plants documented were consumed in fried form. The highest level of agreement among informants for food used categories was observed for plants combined with dry fish (ICF = 1). The Informant's consensus factor (ICF) of disease categories ranges from 0.75 to 1, with the highest being reported for convulsion (ICF = 1), sleep inducer (ICF = 1), and antiseptic (ICF = 1). Picria fel-terrae was the most preferred plant for hypertension treatment (100% FL). Direct matrix ranking (DMR) indicated that Dysoxylum excelsum was highly utilized by the inhabitant for multipurpose species (DMR = 64). Jaccard similarity index (JI) between the two ethnic groups was revealed at 1.26. Forty-seven WEVs were found to be commercialized in the Bara Bazar market, Aizawl, with a price range from 0.1 to 2.4 USD. Ensete superbum was reported as near threatened per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. CONCLUSION: This work highlighted the importance and rich diversity of WEVs in Mizoram, which are presently used among different age groups for food and medicine. Informants have good knowledge of WEVs, which was shared to a great extent among the inhabitants; this legacy of traditional culture must be conserved. This study further suggests a priority setting for conserving multipurpose WEVs in human-inhabited sites, investigating the recorded species' nutritional properties and pharmacological activities.

Determination of chlorothalonil in vegetables/fruits using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a discharge adapter interface.

RATIONALE: Chlorothalonil (CHT), a broad-spectrum fungicide, has been employed widely to control foliar diseases, whereas with a major metabolite of polar 4-hydroxychlorothalonil (CHT-4-OH), only an acceptable nonpolar CHT residue is allowed by most countries. This study involves the method development for CHT residue in vegetables/fruits using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a novel modified discharge-adaptor (DA) interface. METHODS: CHT residue was analyzed using LC-MS/MS with DA interface (LC-DA-MS/MS), developed in our previous works. A DA was placed on the electrospray tip to switch the ionization modes. A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was applied to extract CHT residue of vegetables/fruits efficiently with less sample preparation time and analysis cost. RESULTS: CHT and CHT-4-OH spiked in four different vegetables/fruits were extracted using the modified QuEChERS method. After LC with isocratic elution, CHT and CHT-4-OH were separated within 3 min. Using LC-DA-MS/MS, the ion signals of CHT were improved two to three times, and the limit of quantification of 5 ng/g and linearity (r2 > 0.99) in the range of 5-200 ng/g were achieved using 10 g of vegetables/fruits. The precision and accuracy were within 15% each. The modified QuEChERS and LC-DA-MS/MS were applied to examine eight field-grown vegetables/fruits; 9.5 and 2588.9 ng/g of CHT were detected in two vegetables/fruits. CONCLUSION: LC-DA-MS/MS combined with modified QuEChERS was successfully applied to determine CHT residue <10 ng/g in vegetables/fruits and with satisfied validation results. The developed method could reduce both analysis cost and time, attributing to simplifications in modified QuEChERS, isocratic elution, and DA interface in LC-DA-MS/MS.

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease who regularly consume fruits and vegetables present lower prevalence of disease activation: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Exclusion diets are common practices among individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Reports that certain foods trigger or worsen symptoms are recurrent but lack evidence. The aim of the study was to identify which foods were most frequently avoided by patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and whether the consumption of any food group was associated with disease activity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with adult patients seen at an outpatient clinic in a tertiary public hospital. Dietary intake and eating habits were accessed through questionnaires administered via telephone interview. Disease activity and symptoms were assessed using the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (IHB) for CD and the Lichtiger Index (LI) for UC. Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator was used to estimate prevalence ratios. Analyzes were performed using SPSS - Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: The study included 145 patients. Of these, 69.7% avoided certain foods, with citrus fruits and raw vegetables among the most avoided (16.8% and 13.8%, respectively). Regular consumption of fruits (PR = 0.56; CI 95% 0.32-0.97; p = 0.042) and vegetables (PR = 0.56; CI 95% 0.32-0.98; p = 0.045) was associated with a 44% lower prevalence of the active phase of the disease, compared to those who do not consume these foods, adjusted for age, sex and type of disease. Other food items did not present significant associations in the adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit and vegetable intake appears to have a protective role in the recurrence of IBD. Excluding foods is a common practice, even among patients in remission, and this should be combated as it can lead to nutritional losses. It is important to reinforce with patients the benefits of a varied and less restrictive diet.

Longitudinal and regional association between dietary factors and prevalence of Crohn's disease in Japan.

Although a Western diet has been identified as a risk factor for Crohn's disease (CD), there is still controversy surrounding the specific foods that may contribute to the development of the disease. In this study, we examined the association between food intake and the prevalence of CD in Japan, as Japanese patients with CD are known to have limited genetic involvement. We identified changes in food intake associated with an increase in the number of patients with CD by analyzing the per capita consumption of food types from 1981 to 2014. Additionally, we examined the association between CD prevalence and food intake in each prefecture. Finally, the relationship between food intake and estimated age at CD onset was also investigated. Between 1981 and 2014, we observed Increased consumption of meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, oil, and potatoes and decreased consumption of grains, beans, vegetables, fruit, fish, sugar, and seaweed. The annual incidence of CD increased by 1388% over the same period. We found that meat consumption was significantly associated with CD prevalence (ß = 0.503, p = 0.0003), while a significant negative correlation was observed between CD prevalence and fruit and vegetable consumption (fruit, ß = 0.464, p = 0.0012; vegetables, ß = 0.404, p = 0.0023). Furthermore, we estimated that the peak consumption of more meat and less fruit and vegetables and the peak age of CD onset occurred within the age range of 20-24 years. Our study identified a clear correlation between the consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables and the prevalence of CD in Japan. Additionally, we found an association between meat, fruit, and vegetable consumption and the age at CD onset.

Optical sensing for real-time detection of food-borne pathogens in fresh produce using machine learning.

Contaminated fresh produce remains a prominent catalyst for food-borne illnesses, prompting the need for swift and precise pathogen detection to mitigate health risks. This paper introduces an innovative strategy for identifying food-borne pathogens in fresh produce samples from local markets and grocery stores, utilizing optical sensing and machine learning. The core of our approach is a photonics-based sensor system, which instantaneously generates optical signals to detect pathogen presence. Machine learning algorithms process the copious sensor data to predict contamination probabilities in real time. Our study reveals compelling results, affirming the efficacy of our method in identifying prevalent food-borne pathogens, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella enteric, across diverse fresh produce samples. The outcomes underline our approach's precision, achieving detection accuracies of up to 95%, surpassing traditional, time-consuming, and less accurate methods. Our method's key advantages encompass real-time capabilities, heightened accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, facilitating its adoption by both food industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies for quality assurance and safety oversight. Implementation holds the potential to elevate food safety and reduce wastage. Our research signifies a substantial stride toward the development of a dependable, real-time food safety monitoring system for fresh produce. Future research endeavors will be dedicated to optimizing system performance, crafting portable field sensors, and broadening pathogen detection capabilities. This novel approach promises substantial enhancements in food safety and public health.

Socio-ecological factors linked with changes in adults' dietary intake in Los Angeles County during the peak of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive studies examining longitudinal predictors of dietary change during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic are lacking. Based on an ecological framework, this study used longitudinal data to test if individual, social and environmental factors predicted change in dietary intake during the peak of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic in Los Angeles County and examined interactions among the multilevel predictors. DESIGN: We analysed two survey waves (e.g. baseline and follow-up) of the Understanding America Study, administered online to the same participants 3 months apart. The surveys assessed dietary intake and individual, social, and neighbourhood factors potentially associated with diet. Lagged multilevel regression models were used to predict change from baseline to follow-up in daily servings of fruits, vegetables and sugar-sweetened beverages. SETTING: Data were collected in October 2020 and January 2021, during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Los Angeles County. PARTICIPANTS: 903 adults representative of Los Angeles County households. RESULTS: Individuals who had depression and less education or who identified as non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic reported unhealthy dietary changes over the study period. Individuals with smaller social networks, especially low-income individuals with smaller networks, also reported unhealthy dietary changes. After accounting for individual and social factors, neighbourhood factors were generally not associated with dietary change. CONCLUSIONS: Given poor diets are a leading cause of death in the USA, addressing ecological risk factors that put some segments of the community at risk for unhealthy dietary changes during a crisis should be a priority for health interventions and policy.

Risk assessment of trace elements in vegetables grown in river Yamuna floodplain in Delhi.

Urban agriculture is common in fertile river floodplains of many developing countries. However, there is a risk of contamination in highly polluted regions. This study quantifies health risks associated with the consumption of vegetables grown in the floodplain of the urban river 'Yamuna' in the highly polluted yet data-scarce megacity Delhi, India. Six trace elements are analyzed in five kinds of vegetable samples. Soil samples from the cultivation area are also analyzed for elemental contamination. Ni, Mn, and Co are observed to be higher in leafy vegetables than others. Fruit and inflorescence vegetables are found to have higher concentrations of Cr, Pb, and Zn as compared to root vegetables. Transfer Factor indicates that Cr and Co have the highest and least mobility, respectively. Vegetable Pollution Index indicates that contamination levels follow as Cr > Ni > Pb > Zn. Higher Metal Pollution Index of leafy and inflorescence vegetables than root and fruit vegetables indicate that atmospheric deposition is the predominant source. Principal Component Analysis indicates that Pb and Cr have similar sources and patterns in accumulation. Among the analyzed vegetables, radish may pose a non-carcinogenic risk to the age group of 1-5 year. Carcinogenic risk is found to be potentially high due to Ni and Cr accumulation. Consumption of leafy vegetables was found to have relatively less risk than other vegetables due to lower Cr accumulation. Remediation of Cr and Ni in floodplain soil and regular monitoring of elemental contamination is a priority.

The effect of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on blood pressure and lipids: a pooled analysis of six randomised controlled fruit and vegetable intervention trials.

BACKGROUND: Increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies but with little evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The impact of concurrent pharmacological therapy is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To pool data from six RCTs to examine the effect of increasing FV intake on blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile, also exploring whether effects differed by medication use. DESIGN: Across trials, dietary intake was assessed by diet diaries or histories, lipids by routine biochemical methods and BP by automated monitors. Linear regression provided an estimate of the change in lipid profile or BP associated with a one portion increase in self-reported daily FV intake, with interaction terms fitted for medication use. RESULTS: The pooled sample included a total of 554 participants (308 males and 246 females). Meta-analysis of regression coefficients revealed no significant change in either systolic or diastolic BP per portion FV increase, although there was significant heterogeneity across trials for systolic BP (I2 = 73%). Neither adjusting for change in body mass index, nor analysis according to use of anti-hypertensive medication altered the relationship. There was no significant change in lipid profile per portion FV increase, although there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol among those not on lipid-lowering therapy (P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSION: Pooled analysis of six individual FV trials showed no impact of increasing intake on BP or lipids, but there was a total cholesterol-lowering effect in those not on lipid-lowering therapy.

How effective is nutrition training for staff running after school programs in improving quality of food purchased and meal practices? A program evaluation.

OBJECTIVES / PURPOSE: After school programs represents a setting for promoting healthy dietary habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate how effective the after school program staff perceived nutrition training aiming to improve quality of food purchased and meal practices. We further aimed to assess the changes in purchase of primarily fish and fish products, whole grains and fruit and vegetables, by collecting receipts from food purchase before and after the intervention. RESULTS: This is a mixed methods study. Group interviews with after school staff were carried out and the data was analyzed deductively according to the RE-AIM framework. Receipts from food purchase were collected. Findings from the qualitative interviews indicated that the intervention had been a positive experience for the staff and suggested a new way of working with promoting healthy foods in after school program units. Although there were some challenges reported, the staff made necessary adjustments to make the changes possible to sustain over time. Findings from the receipts support the changes reported by the staff. These showed increased purchase of vegetables, fish, and whole grain in all four after school program units. After school programs in similar settings may expand on these findings to improve the students' dietary habits.

Valorization of Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Pomace Combined with Golden Linseed (Lini semen) for the Development of Vegetable Crispbreads as Gluten-Free Snacks Rich in Bioactive Compounds.

This work aimed to develop gluten-free snacks such as crispbread based on beetroot pomace (Beta vulgaris L.) and golden linseed (Lini semen). Beetroot is attracting more and more consumer attention because of its nutritional and health properties. The use of beet pomace contributes to waste management. Linseed, known as a superfood with many health-promoting properties, was used to produce crispbreads as an alternative to cereals, which are allergens. Beetroot pomace and whole or ground linseed were used in different proportions to produce crispbread snacks. Chemical and physical analyses were performed including water activity, dry matter, betalains, and polyphenols content, as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A sensory evaluation and microstructure observations were also performed. The obtained snacks were characterized by low water activity (0.290-0.395) and a high dry matter content (93.43-97.53%), which ensures their microbiological stability and enables longer storage. Beetroot pomace provided betalains-red (14.59-51.44 mg betanin/100 g d.m.) and yellow dyes (50.02-171.12 mg betanin/100 g d.m.)-while using linseed enriched the product with polyphenols (730-948 mg chlorogenic acid/100 g d.m.). FTIR analysis showed the presence of functional groups such as the following: -OH, -C-O, -COOH, and -NH. The most desired overall consumer acceptability was achieved for snacks containing 50% beetroot pomace and 50% linseed seeds. The obtained results confirmed that beetroot pomace combined with linseed can be used in the production of vegetable crispbread snacks.

Impacts of vegetable processing and cheese making effluent on soil microbial functional diversity, community structure, and denitrification potential of land treatment systems.

The cheese making and vegetable processing industries generate immense volumes of high-nitrogen wastewater that is often treated at rural facilities using land applications. Laboratory incubation results showed denitrification decreased with temperature in industry facility soils but remained high in soils from agricultural sites (75% at 2.1°C). 16S rRNA, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), and soil respiration analyses were conducted to investigate potential soil microbiome impacts. Biotic and abiotic system factor correlations showed no clear patterns explaining the divergent denitrification rates. In all three soil types at the phylum level, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria dominated, whereas at the class level, Nitrososphaeria and Alphaproteobacteria dominated, similar to denitrifying systems such as wetlands, wastewater resource recovery facilities, and wastewater-irrigated agricultural systems. Results show that potential denitrification drivers vary but lay the foundation to develop a better understanding of the key factors regulating denitrification in land application systems and protect local groundwater supplies. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Incubation study denitrification rates decreased as temperatures decreased, potentially leading to groundwater contamination issues during colder months. The three most dominant phyla for all systems are Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria. The dominant class for all systems is Nitrosphaeria (phyla Crenarchaeota). No correlation patterns between denitrification rates and system biotic and abiotic factors were observed that explained system efficiency differences.

A review on fermented vegetables: Microbial community and potential upgrading strategy via inoculated fermentation.

Fermentation is a traditional method utilized for vegetable preservation, with microorganisms playing a crucial role in the process. Nowadays, traditional spontaneous fermentation methods are widely employed, which excessively depend on the microorganisms attached to the surface of raw materials, resulting in great difficulties in ideal control over the fermentation process. To achieve standardized production and improve product quality, it is essential to promote inoculated fermentation. In this way, starter cultures can dominate the fermentation processes successfully. Unfortunately, inoculated fermentation has not been thoroughly studied and applied. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic review of the potential upgrading strategy of vegetable fermentation technology. First, we disclose the microbial community structures and succession rules in some typical spontaneously fermented vegetables to comprehend the microbial fermentation processes well. Then, internal and external factors affecting microorganisms are explored to provide references for the selection of fermented materials and conditions. Besides, we widely summarize the potential starter candidates with various characteristics isolated from spontaneously fermented products. Subsequently, we exhibited the inoculated fermentation strategies with those isolations. To optimize the product quality, not only lactic acid bacteria that lead the fermentation, but also yeasts that contribute to aroma formation should be combined for inoculation. The inoculation order of the starter cultures also affects the microbial fermentation. It is equally important to choose a proper processing method to guarantee the activity and convenience of starter cultures. Only in this way can we achieve the transition from traditional spontaneous fermentation to modern inoculated fermentation.

Social Media for Nutrition Education-A Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Intake in a University Setting: "The University of Valladolid Community Eats Healthy" Study.

Social media- and internet-based interventions are nowadays widely used tools in health interventions. Although evidence of their effectiveness is still low, their applications could be very promising due to their affordability and wide reach. The current paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program, "The University of Valladolid Community Eats Healthy" (UVEH), to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in adults from the University of Valladolid (U. Valladolid) employing three online methodologies. A sample of 211 volunteers was randomly assigned into four groups: virtual campus (VC), Facebook (FB), Instagram (IG), and control. An intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was implemented for seven weeks. Data were collected at the beginning (T0) and the end of the program (T1). The Predimed questionnaire was employed to assess FV intake. Vegetable intake was statistically significantly higher in the VC group (17.4% pre vs. 72.7% post). In the rest of the groups, there was also an increase in intake. Fruit consumption increased slightly only in the VC group (23.9% pre vs. 45.5% post). Participation decreased through the weeks: FB (week 2), IG (week 3), and VC (week 4). Retention was higher in the VC (48%) and control (60%) groups. Internet-based interventions employing interactive platforms such as virtual campus can be effective in enhancing participants' dietary habits in a clinically relevant manner.

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Diet Quality in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Household food insecurity (HFI) and poorer prenatal diet quality are both associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. However, research assessing the relationship between HFI and diet quality in pregnancy is limited. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to examine the relationship between HFI and diet quality among 1540 pregnant women in Australia. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the associations between HFI severity (marginal, low, and very low food security compared to high food security) and diet quality and variety, adjusting for age, education, equivalised household income, and relationship status. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between HFI and the odds of meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, adjusting for education. Marginal, low, and very low food security were associated with poorer prenatal diet quality (adj ß = -1.9, -3.6, and -5.3, respectively; p < 0.05), and very low food security was associated with a lower dietary variety (adj ß = -0.5, p < 0.001). An association was also observed between HFI and lower odds of meeting fruit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49-0.76, p < 0.001) and vegetable (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.84, p = 0.016) recommendations. Future research should seek to understand what policy and service system changes are required to reduce diet-related disparities in pregnancy.

How does eligibility for GusNIP produce prescriptions relate to fruit and vegetable purchases and what factors shape the relationship? A protocol for a secondary analysis of nationally representative data in the USA.

INTRODUCTION: US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Programme (GusNIP) produce prescription programme (PPR) 'prescriptions' provide eligible participants with low income, risk for diet-related chronic disease and food insecurity a healthcare issued incentive to purchase lower to no cost fruits and vegetables (FVs). However, GusNIP requirements specify that PPR prescriptions can only be redeemed for fresh (not frozen, canned or dried) FVs. This requirement may prevent participants from fully engaging in or benefiting from GusNIP PPR, given communities with lower healthy food access may have reduced fresh FV accessibility. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use the nationally representative 2012-2013 National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) and complementary FoodAPS Geography Component data in a secondary data analysis to examine how household GusNIP PPR eligibility relates to the quantity and variety of fresh, frozen, canned and dried FV purchases and to what extent individual, household and food environment factors shape the relationship. FoodAPS data include household food purchasing and acquisition information across a 7 day period from 14 317 individuals among 4826 households and was collected between April 2012 and January 2013. The FoodAPS Geography Component provides information about the local community/environment relative to FoodAPS households. This study will examine the correlation or association of selected variables between different quantities and varieties of fresh, frozen, canned and dried FVs, as well as correlations among multilevel predictors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: We are following data integrity standards as outlined by agreements with the USDA Economic Research Service. All results of analyses will undergo a thorough disclosure review to ensure no identifiable data are shared. Results will be disseminated to research, practice and policy communities using an Open Access peer-reviewed manuscript(s), scientific and practice presentations, and a public facing report and infographic.

Insights into Chinese Canadian culture: enablers and barriers for fruit and vegetable intake.

Background: Fruits and vegetables (F&V) play a vital role in promoting health and preventing diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between F&V consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Despite the high priority of public health in promoting F&V intake, Chinese immigrants in Canada often fall below national guidelines in their consumption. Understanding the factors influencing F&V intake in this community is crucial for developing effective interventions. Methods: This study used an applied ethnographic research approach to gain insight into the enablers and barriers that influence F&V intake among Chinese-Canadian adults in Richmond, BC. Semi-structured interviews and 'photovoice' group sessions were conducted to gather qualitative data from community participants and health care providers (HCPs). Results: The research identified four key themes: (1) Cultural differences around how vegetables are perceived, consumed and prepared; (2) Motivators and strategies for increasing vegetable and fruit intake; (3) Lack of culturally relevant dietary education and resources; and (4) Importance of value in vegetable/fruit-related decisions. Participants showed a strong preference for the traditional Eastern diet, with cost of food and lack of knowledge about Western vegetables acting as barriers to dietary diversity. The study also highlighted the need for culturally tailored educational resources to effectively promote F&V consumption. Conclusion: By adopting a multi-modal approach, incorporating both interviews and 'photovoice' sessions, this research provided comprehensive insights into the participants' perspectives and experiences related to F&V intake. Understanding these factors can guide the development of culturally appropriate interventions to increase F&V consumption among Chinese-Canadian adults in Richmond, BC, and potentially improve their overall health and well-being. Future studies should consider the heterogeneity within the Chinese immigrant population and target a more balanced representation of age groups to further enhance our understanding of F&V intake patterns in this community.

Exploration of the Lipid Profile of Edible Oleaginous Microgreens by Mass Spectrometry-Based Lipidomics.

The spreading awareness of the health benefits associated with the consumption of plant-based foods is fueling the market of innovative vegetable products, including microgreens, recognized as a promising source of bioactive compounds. To evaluate the potential of oleaginous plant microgreens as a source of bioactive fatty acids, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was exploited to characterize the total fatty acid content of five microgreens, namely, chia, flax, soy, sunflower, and rapeseed (canola). Chia and flax microgreens appeared as interesting sources of α-linolenic acid (ALA), with total concentrations of 2.6 and 2.9 g/100 g of dried weight (DW), respectively. Based on these amounts, approximately 15% of the ALA daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority can be provided by 100 g of the corresponding fresh products. Flow injection analysis with high-resolution Fourier transform single and tandem mass spectrometry enabled a semi-quantitative profiling of triacylglycerols (TGs) and sterol esters (SEs) in the examined microgreen crops, confirming their role as additional sources of fatty acids like ALA and linoleic acid (LA), along with glycerophospholipids. The highest amounts of TGs and SEs were observed in rapeseed and sunflower microgreens (ca. 50 and 4-5 µmol/g of DW, respectively), followed by flax (ca. 20 and 3 µmol/g DW). TG 54:9, 54:8, and 54:7 prevailed in the case of flax and chia, whereas TG 54:3, 54:4, and 54:5 were the most abundant TGs in the case of rapeseed. ß-Sitosteryl linoleate and linolenate were generally prevailing in the SE profiles, although campesteryl oleate, linoleate, and linolenate exhibited a comparable amount in the case of rapeseed microgreens.