Journal of Agriculture and Food Research最新文献

The increasing global population and subsequent animal protein source demand necessitate the exploration of alternative feed sources for animal. Insects have emerged as a viable option due to their potential to provide high-quality proteins with minimal environmental impact. Black soldier fly (BSF), containing high nutrients such as protein and bioactive compound, influenced by growth stage and dietary factors, thus providing a substantial reservoir of essential amino acids and other bioactive compounds crucial for ruminant. However, these components are sensitive and require protection from the degradation in the rumen. Under the processing and delivery of those compounds, in addition to keeping and enhancing the functionality of the bioactive compounds, coating or protection should be implemented. Encapsulation, which has recently garnered attention for its potential technology in animal feed nutrition, offers promise in protecting sensitive components through their stability, protection, and controlled release within specific organs. This review article aims to investigate the application of encapsulation techniques for protein extracts derived from black soldier fly larvae to enhance their effectiveness and utilization in ruminant feeding. Additionally, the review consolidates studies on the transformation processes of the nutrition values of various edible insects, the method of processing black soldier fly, BSF protein extraction process, and the encapsulation technique. In conclusion, the encapsulation of protein extracts from black soldier fly larvae represents a promising BSF-derived protein to provide sustainable and effective alternatives for improving ruminant nutrition in the future.

This study aims to compare the analysis of phytochemicals, nutrition, cytotoxicity, and antioxidant activity of A. viridis and A. spinosus leaves because they are commonly used as wild leafy vegetables worldwide and valuable for traditional medicinal purposes. To achieve these goals, the standard protocol was followed in each experiment. Comparative analysis revealed that the A. spinosus leaf had more phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, amino acids, xanthoproteins, phenols, saponins, steroids, and coumarins, than A. viridis. Aqueous solvents were more effective in identifying the presence of phytochemicals than methanol and ethanol. A. viridis leaves contain higher amounts of carbohydrates (49 ± 2 mg gluc./g), protein (53 ± 3 mg BSA/g), calcium (2.67 ± 0.03 mg/kg), amino acids (7 essential and 5 non-essential), total phenol (21 ± 1 mg GAE/g), and high antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 109.0 ± 0.2 μg/cm³) than A. spinosus. On the other hand, A. spinosus leaves contain higher ash (17.1 ± 0.2 %), total flavonoid (16 ± 1 mg QE/g), and total antioxidant capacity (50 ± 1 mg AA/g) than A. viridis. The findings of the heavy metals analysis revealed that the concentrations of zinc, manganese, iron, and chromium were below the recommended limits of FAO/WHO, whereas copper (in both species) and cadmium (in A. viridis) were over the acceptable levels. The leaves of both species showed significant cytotoxic activity (LC₅₀ < 1000). The study concluded that A. viridis and A. spinosus are great sources of phytochemicals, nutrients, and natural antioxidants. The results also support the traditional medical uses of these plant species and suggest more investigation to find novel compounds for pharmaceutical applications.

The high spatial variability of precipitation, heightened frequency of droughts and concomitant increases in exposure to water stress across southern Africa due to climate change, presents significant challenges for sugarcane production and the regional sugarcane production value chain. While production has intensified in the past few decades, yields have declined due to increased climatic variability and agronomic management approaches. Increased precipitation variability has enhanced sugarcane vulnerability to water stress and is likely to negatively affect yields. Combining crop simulations and relationships between sugarcane water use and observed rainfall, we introduce a crop productivity ratio (CPR) which assesses sugarcane water stress for six sugarcane mills across southern Africa. The CPR and simulation results were used to assess the adaptation potential or ‘space’ for mill areas that have varying rates of exposure and abilities to adapt to water stress. Simulation results were used to determine the long-term adaption potential of mill areas and to surmise the causes of yield declines. The results were used to offer recommendations to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance adaptation to water stress. We conclude that the amplification of inter-annual precipitation variability will enhance the exposure of sugarcane to water stress and require adaptation interventions. Adapting to external shocks is a multifaceted exercise that requires a holistic approach that includes every aspect of the sugarcane value chain.

Rice breeders have developed numerous hybrid rice varieties with high yield and improved quality over the years. However, limited information is available on the stability of quality traits in high-quality rice. This study determined the stability of quality traits in two high-quality hybrid rice varieties, Zhuliangyou 570 (ZLY570) and Huazheyou 261 (HZY261), across different ecological regions and agronomic practices through on-farm research and field experiments. The on-farm research was conducted across nine provinces in southern China in 2021–2023, and field experiments with two sowing dates and six nitrogen treatments were performed in Hunan Province in 2022 and 2023. Results indicated that in both on-farm research and field experiments, both varieties exhibited a high coefficient of variation (CV) in chalky grain rate and chalkiness degree, followed by head rice rate, amylose and protein contents, traits including brown and milled rice rates, and length-to-width ratio revealed a low CV. The chalky grain rate and chalkiness degree of both varieties displayed poor stability, followed by head rice rate and amylose content. In contrast, brown and milled rice rates, length-to-width ratio, and protein content demonstrated high stability in the genotype plus genotype × environment interaction biplot analysis. However, the maximum value of chalky grain rate and chalkiness degree were only 8.43 % and 1.83 % for ZLY570, and 9.12 % and 2.05 % for HZY261, respectively. Both varieties revealed a high range (R) in head rice rate and amylose content, but a low R in protein content. Furthermore, the head rice rate and amylose content varied widely, while protein content showed narrower variability. These results suggest that high-quality hybrid rice exhibits poor stability in terms of head rice rate and amylose content. In contrast, it demonstrates relatively high stability in brown and milled rice rates, length-to-width ratio, chalky grain rate, chalkiness degree, and protein content.

Due to the high cost of mechanical refrigeration, Evaporative Cooling (EC) can be an alternative technology for small farmers in developing countries, such as Thailand. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the performance of EC using a wet fabric blanket. A real-scale cargo chamber, commonly used in Thailand, was constructed, and equipped with axial fans to simulate airflow during transportation. Two pallets of test products (hollow plastic balls) were loaded into the cargo and covered with the wet blanket. During the experiment, the inlet air velocities varied from 0.8 m s⁻¹ to 3.6 m s⁻¹ while the constant climate conditions were maintained (29–30 °C and 70–73 %RH). The air and product temperatures and air relative humidity were measured every minute for 3 h using thermocouples and hygrometers, respectively. The proposed EC method allowed the air temperature to decrease by approximately 3–4 °C. When the inlet air velocity decreased, a lower temperature reduction was observed. Simplified heat and mass transfer models were developed to interpret the load temperature evolution from the inlet to the outlet positions at different air velocities. The comparison between the measured and calculated data revealed a maximum mean relative error of 1.2 %. The quality preservation performance was also evaluated based on lettuce mass loss. Lower mass loss was observed for the product stored inside the cargo chamber (<6 %) compared to those outside (8–10 %). This study suggests the potential use of a wet blanket as an EC cooling medium for a short-distance transport to enhance the cold chain performance in Thailand.

Purpose

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of Food Cold Chain Logistics and Management (FCCLM) literature to identify key discussions influencing its development and highlight current and emerging trends. The study aims to uncover major research themes, trends, and gaps, providing a comprehensive overview of FCCLM research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using bibliometric analysis via VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, data from over 114 academic publications in Scopus is examined to identify influential contributors and patterns in FCCLM literature. The study involves several stages, including data acquisition, preprocessing, and bibliometric assessments like co-occurrence, citation, and co-citation analyses.

Findings

The research reveals significant growth in FCCLM literature, particularly contributions from developed nations. The study identifies six primary research clusters: (1) Integrated Cold Chain and Logistics Management, (2) Sustainable Cold Chain Logistics, (3) Cold Chain Logistics for Food Safety, (4) Optimizing Food Storage and Shelf Life, (5) Blockchain and Digital Solutions in Food Supply Chain, and (6) Leveraging AI and RFID for Cost-Effective Quality Control. Key findings include the increasing emphasis on sustainability and technological advancements, such as RFID and IoT, that enhance traceability and operational efficiency. Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain in understanding the practical application of these technologies, the impact of climate change, and the need for better human factors and training in cold chain logistics.

Practical implications

The insights are crucial for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners involved in FCCLM. Understanding the current research landscape will help identify research needs, promote sustainable, tech-advanced practices, and foster collaboration to improve the global food supply chain's efficiency and resilience.

Originality

This study comprehensively reviews FCCLM literature, identifying trends and highlighting future research areas. It offers a unique perspective on the evolution of FCCLM research, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and technological advancements in overcoming challenges.

Salmon, a luxury aquatic species, has seen a steady increase in imports in China. The rapid development of the Internet, the transformation of consumption behaviour, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted consumers to purchase salmon products from e-commerce platforms in China. In this context, understanding salmon import trends and consumer satisfaction with salmon e-commerce is critical to promoting and sustaining sales of salmon products through e-commerce platforms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the import trend analysis of salmon in China as well as understand factors influencing consumer satisfaction with salmon e-commerce. We analysed 10,064 consumer comments out of 25,763 for this study after resampling the proportion of positive/negative comments. Sentiment analyser, Textblob, classified 65.2 % of consumer comments as positive, 21.7 % as negative, and 13.1 % as neutral. Additionally, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modelling identified five areas critical for satisfaction with salmon e-commerce: purchase decision (19.5 % of the comments), eating experience (22.3 %), service quality and delivery (20.6 %), purchase history (17.5 %), and general product quality (20 %). Our findings indicate that service quality and delivery are the most critical factors affecting consumer satisfaction, whereas purchase history has the least impact. Consumers’ PLUS membership profile, salmon product style, and preservation form had a significant influence on consumer satisfaction, while the country of origin, weight and price of the product had no significant influence. Salmon e-commerce platforms need to improve logistic service and delivery quality to influence consumer satisfaction.

Agricultural price forecasting plays an important role in stabilising markets and ensuring food security. It provides insights for various stakeholders to optimise planting choices, allocate resources efficiently and mitigate potential risks. However, price forecasting during food safety incidents poses unique challenges. This study focused on a case of tuna fraud in Spain in 2017, which caused 105 people to fall ill and influenced consumer behaviour in fish purchases. To forecast fish prices during an incident of fraud, we used an artificial neural network model (ANN) based on the price of tuna and its substitutes, salmon and hake, as well as a communication index based on the number of posts regarding the tuna fraud from the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). ANN was compared with a threshold vector autoregressive model (TVAR), a classical time series econometric model that offers valuable insights into price dynamics. The results showed that, in the short term, TVAR offers a better price forecast for tuna and salmon, considering the impacts of the X platform. In the medium term, ANN outperformed TVAR. This study contributes to the ANN literature regarding agrifood price forecasting during food safety incidents.

Healthy trees are considered the foundation for high-quality pomelo production; however, leaf chlorosis frequently happens in pomelo orchards, and the reasons and adverse effects on plant growth and fruit quality are poorly understood. We conducted a field investigation with six paired groups between the yellow and green leaves of pomelo trees to analyze the growth, mineral and quality characteristics in different leaf positions and fruit parts. Compared with green pomelo trees, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were decreased and increased potassium (K) in various leaf organs of yellow pomelo trees, resulting in accumulated non-structural carbohydrates and reduced growth variables (including SPAD value as relative chlorophyll content, dry weight, leaf area, water content, and specific leaf weight), which was amplified with fruit than without fruit. Also, there was the highest positive correlation between leaf Mg concentration and SPAD value, further confirmed by the path analysis and random forest analysis, implying that Mg is the main factor affecting leaf chlorosis. Moreover, leaf chlorosis also affected fruit quality, in which the concentrations of N, P and Ca were decreased and increased K and Mg, with lower sugar content (including total soluble sugar, sucrose, and total soluble solids) and higher acidity content (including pH, vitamin C, and titratable acidity), resulting in decreased total soluble solids/titratable acidity and antioxidant capacity (less phenol content). The positive correlations between leaf Mg concentration and fruit quality parameters were also observed. However, these measured parameters were highly separated and accounted for 53.1 % of leaf and fruit organs between the yellow and green leaves of pomelo trees. Overall, our results demonstrate that Mg deficiency induced leaf chlorosis affects plant growth and fruit quality in pomelo trees, that SPAD can be used to monitor leaf Mg status, and these findings provide the basis for optimized nutrient management in sustainable pomelo production.

Functional foods containing antioxidant molecules can limit the prevalence of various diseases, increase immunity, slow aging, and improve physical appearance. The aim of this study was to use non-toxic to prepare extracts from the Sonneratia alba fruit, determine the phytochemical composition, and assess the biological activity via in silico and in vitro antioxidant capability. Variations in temperatures and times showed that the conditions for best phytochemicals and antioxidant activity were 100 °C and 10 min. The highest values were 23.33 mg quercetin equivalent/g (flavonoids), 1.24 mg tannic acid equivalent/g (tannins), and IC₅₀ = 62.38 ppm (antioxidant activity). Gas chromatography displayed 7 peaks that were attributed to 21 possible compounds. Molecular docking analysis results showed that the mechanism of three of the compounds (1) Ethyl iso-allocholate, (2) Gibb-3-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid,2,4a,7-trihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylene-,1,4a-lactone,10-methyl ester,(1a,2β,4aa,4bβ,10β)-, and (3) Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione,17,21-dihydroxy-,bis(O-methyloxime) could be due to their binding via hydrogen bonding to 3 reactive oxygen species (ROS) proteins (nitric oxide synthases). Subcritical water extract of Mangrove fruit (S. alba) has potential as a functional food that has antioxidant activity in silico and in vitro.