scholarly journals Back to the Roots: Revisiting the Use of the Fiber-Rich Cichorium intybusL. Taproots

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 878-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Luise Puhlmann ◽  
Willem M de Vos
Keyword(s):  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Fiber Content ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Natural Form ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Prebiotic Fiber ◽  
Chicory Roots

ABSTRACT Fibers are increasingly recognized as an indispensable part of our diet and vital for maintaining health. Notably, complex mixtures of fibers have been found to improve metabolic health. Following an analysis of the fiber content of plant-based products, we found the taproot of the chicory plant (Cichorium intybusL.) to be 1 of the vegetables with the highest fiber content, comprising nearly 90% of its dry weight. Chicory roots consist of a mixture of inulin, pectin, and (hemi-)cellulose and also contain complex phytochemicals, such as sesquiterpene lactones that have been characterized in detail. Nowaday, chicory roots are mainly applied as a source for the extraction of inulin, which is used as prebiotic fiber and food ingredient. Chicory roots, however, have long been consumed as a vegetable by humans. The whole root has been used for thousands of years for nutritional, medicinal, and other purposes, and it is still used in traditional dishes in various parts of the world. Here, we summarize the composition of chicory roots to explain their historic success in the human diet. We revisit the intake of chicory roots by humans and describe the different types of use along with their various methods of preparation. Hereby, we focus on the whole root in its complex, natural form, as well as in relation to its constituents, and discuss aspects regarding legal regulation and the safety of chicory root extracts for human consumption. Finally, we provide an overview of the current and future applications of chicory roots and their contribution to a fiber-rich diet.

scholarly journals Side Streams of Broccoli Leaves: A Climate Smart and Healthy Food Ingredient

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2406
Author(s):  
Emilia Berndtsson ◽  
Roger Andersson ◽  
Eva Johansson ◽  
Marie E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Sustainability Issue ◽  
Soluble Dietary Fibre ◽  
Health Promoting

Human consumption of fruits and vegetables are generally below recommended levels. Waste from the production, e.g., of un-used parts such as broccoli leaves and stem when producing broccoli florets for food, is a sustainability issue. In this study, broccoli leaves were analyzed for the content of various dietary fibre and phenolics, applying the Uppsala method and HPLC analyses, respectively. The results showed that broccoli leaves had comparable levels of dietary fibre (26%–32% of dry weight (DW)) and phenolic compounds (6.3–15.2 mg/g DW) to many other food and vegetables considered valuable in the human diet from a health perspective. A significant positive correlation was found among soluble dietary fibre and phenolic acids indicating possible bindings between these components. Seasonal variations affected mainly the content of conjugated phenolics, and the content of insoluble dietary fibre. This study verified the importance of the use of broccoli production side streams (leaves) as they may contribute with health promoting components to the human diet and also socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bioeconomic development in the society.

scholarly journals GERMINATION AND VIGOUR IN SEEDS OF THE COWPEA IN RESPONSE TO SALT AND HEAT STRESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luma Rayane de Lima Nunes ◽  
Paloma Rayane Pinheiro ◽  
Charles Lobo Pinheiro ◽  
Kelly Andressa Peres Lima ◽  
Alek Sandro Dutra
Keyword(s):  
Salt Stress ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Salt Concentration ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Different Temperatures

ABSTRACT Salinity is prejudicial to plant development, causing different types of damage to species, or even between genotypes of the same species, with the effects being aggravated when combined with other types of stress, such as heat stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to salt stress at different temperatures. Seeds of the Pujante, Epace 10 and Marataoã genotypes were placed on paper rolls (Germitest®) moistened with different salt concentrations of 0.0 (control), 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1, and placed in a germination chamber (BOD) at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised design, in a 3 × 4 × 5 scheme of subdivided plots, with four replications per treatment. The variables under analysis were germination percentage, first germination count, shoot and root length, and total seedling dry weight. At temperatures of 30 and 35°C, increases in the salt concentration were more damaging to germination in the Epace 10 and Pujante genotypes, while for the Marataoã genotype, damage occurred at the temperature of 20°C. At 25°C, germination and vigour in the genotypes were higher, with the Pujante genotype proving to be more tolerant to salt stress, whereas Epace 10 and Marataoã were more tolerant to high temperatures. Germination in the cowpea genotypes was more sensitive to salt stress when subjected to heat stress caused by the low temperature of 20°C or high temperature of 35°C.

scholarly journals Cadmium, Lead, Copper, Zinc, and Iron Concentration Patterns in Three Marine Fish Species from Two Different Mining Sites inside the Gulf of California, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Elisa Serviere-Zaragoza ◽  
Salvador E. Lluch-Cota ◽  
Alejandra Mazariegos-Villarreal ◽  
Eduardo F. Balart ◽  
Hugo Valencia-Valdez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Iron Concentration ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Cadmium Lead

In the Gulf of California; mineral deposits have contributed to high metal contents in coastal environments. This study examined cadmium; lead; copper; zinc; and iron contents in three fish species; Kyphosus vaigiensis (herbivore), Stegastes rectifraenum (omnivore), and Balistes polylepis (carnivore) at two mining sites. Metal concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes were estimated using mass spectrophotometry. Also, we assessed the risk to human health from the consumption of these three species based on permissible limits; although only two of them (Kyphosus and Balistes) are consumed as food. Metal concentrations differed among fish species; except for iron. The highest concentrations of metals were not always recorded in the species at the highest trophic level; i.e., Balistes. The highest concentrations (dry weight) recorded were cadmium (0.21 ± 0.03 µg g−1) and lead (1.67 ± 0.26 µg g−1), in S. rectifraenum; copper (1.60 ± 0.49 µg g−1) and zinc (67.30 ± 8.79 µg g−1), in B. polylepis; and iron (27.06 ± 2.58 µg g−1), in K. vaigiensis. Our findings show that each element accumulates differently in particular marine organisms; depending on the physiology of the species and the biogeochemistry of its habitat; which in turn is affected by the anthropogenic activities in adjacent areas. No risk of heavy metals toxicity is expected from the human consumption of the species and sites studied

scholarly journals Field-based investigation of aged biochar coupled with summer legumes effect on wheat yield in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Hafeez Ur Rahim ◽  
Sajjad Ahmad ◽  
Zaid Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ayoub Khan
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Thousand Grain Weight ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Biological Yield ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement

There is a debate about whether the aged biochar effect can increase the crop yield or not. Herein, a field-based experimental data set and analysis provide the information on the aged biochar effect coupled with summer legumes on the yield of subsequent wheat. Briefly, in summer 2016, three different types of legumes i.e. mungbean, sesbania, and cowpea were grown with the intention of grain for human consumption, green manuring for soil fertility improvement, and fodder for livestock consumption. A fallow was also adjusted in the experiment with the purpose of comparison. Biochar was added to each experimental plot in triplicates at the rate of 0, 5, and 10 tons ha-1. After the harvesting of legumes, the biomass of each sesbania treatment plot was mixed in the field while the biomass of mungbean and cowpea were removed from each respective plot. To investigate the aged biochar effect, the wheat crop was grown on the same field layout and design (randomized complete block) of legumes. The data analysis highlighted that significantly maximum grain yield (kg ha-1), biological yield (kg ha-1); thousand-grain weight (g), and straw yield (kg ha-1) were obtained in the plots mixed with sesbania. Regarding the aged biochar effect, maximum yield was obtained in the plots with 10 tons ha-1treatment dose. Additionally, the interaction of aged biochar coupled with legumes was non-significant. In conclusion, this work could prove that aged biochar coupled with summer legumes enhanced the yield of subsequent wheat on a sustainable basis due to its long-term numerous benefits to the soil-plant system.

scholarly journals Agro-economic yield of taro clones in Brazil, propagated with different types of cuttings, in three crop seasons

2013 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 785-798
Author(s):  
NESTOR A. HEREDIA ZARATE ◽  
MARIA C. VIEIRA ◽  
LUCIANE A. TABALDI ◽  
DANILO A. HEREDIA VIEIRA ◽  
ROSIMEIRE P.G. JORGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Average Yield ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Crop Season ◽  
Different Types

The experimental studies were conducted in 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 crop seasons, in order to know the agro-economic yield of 'Chinês' and "Macaquinho" taro clones, propagated using huge, extra, large, medium, small and tiny cormels. The harvest was done on average on 202 days after planting, in three crop seasons. Based on the joint analysis of variance carried out, it was observed that taro clones showed significant differences in the yield of fresh and dry weight of leaves, cormels, and commercial and non-commercial comels; besides, there were significant differences in yield of a crop season to another and the size of the cuttings induced significant differences in yield. In the conditions that the experiments were conducted, and considering the highest average yield of fresh weight of commercial cormels (28.69 t.ha-1) and highest net income (US $14,741.14) correspondent to the three crop seasons, it is recommended to cultivate 'Macaquinho' clone using small cuttings in propagation.

scholarly journals Optimization of Catechin and Proanthocyanidin Recovery from Grape Seeds Using Microwave-Assisted Extraction

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
W. P. D. Wass Thilakarathna ◽  
Tessema Astatkie ◽  
H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Grape Seed ◽  
Microwave Assisted Extraction ◽  
Grape Seeds ◽  
Epicatechin Gallate ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Microwave Assisted ◽  
Assisted Extraction ◽  
Potential Applicability

Grape seed extract (GSE) is a rich source of condensed flavonoid tannins, also called proanthocyanidins (PACs). The high molecular weight of polymeric PAC limits their biological activity due to poor bioavailability. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential applicability of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) to convert GSE-PAC into monomeric catechins. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the processing conditions for the MAE. The maximum total yield of monomeric catechins (catechin, epicatechin, and epicatechin gallate) and PAC were 8.2 mg/g dry weight (DW) and 56.4 mg catechin equivalence (CE)/g DW, respectively. The optimized MAE condition was 94% ethanol, 170 °C temperature, and a duration of 55 min. Compared to the results for PACs extracted via conventional extraction (Con) (94% ethanol; shaking at 25 °C for 55 min), MAE yielded 3.9-fold more monomeric catechins and 5.5-fold more PACs. The MAE showed higher antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than that of the conventional extract, suggesting the potential use of the MAE products of grape seeds as a functional food ingredient and nutraceutical.

scholarly journals Consumer acceptance of edible insects and design interventions as adoption strategy

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saara-Maria Kauppi ◽  
Ida Nilstad Pettersen ◽  
Casper Boks
Keyword(s):  
Review Article ◽  
Consumer Acceptance ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Protein Sources ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
The Media ◽  
General Adoption

Edible insects are regarded as one of the most sustainable animal protein sources for human consumption, but for western people insects are a rather unusual food ingredient. In the media, however, insect consumption is gaining increasing attention and people are starting to acknowledge insects as a potential source of protein. The eating of insects, ‘entomophagy’, is bringing new insect food companies, ‘ento-preneurs’ to the market, yet current research is still insufficient and relatively fragmented to support the commercialization of insect-based food products. Therefore, more systematic research approaches are needed in this area. This review article introduces the benefits and challenges of insect-eating, discusses the factors that are known to influence consumer acceptance, and categorizes factors including adoption strategies into a framework that can be applied in future consumer studies on entomophagy. In addition, the article introduces three distinctive examples of design interventions to illustrate how design can contribute as a strategy to support the general adoption of insect foods by western consumers.

scholarly journals Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Zinc Contents of Fish Marketed in NW Mexico

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martín G. Frías-Espericueta ◽  
Francia K. G. Zamora-Sarabia ◽  
J. Isidro Osuna-López ◽  
María D. Muy-Rangel ◽  
Werner Rubio-Carrasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Fish Muscles ◽  
Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Nw Mexico ◽  
Lead And Zinc ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Copper Lead

To assess if they were within the safety limits for human consumption, the Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents of fish muscles, bought from separate stalls of the fish markets of nine cities of NW Mexico, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Considering all fish and markets, the mean contents were Zn:23.23±5.83, Cu:1.72±0.63, Cd:0.27±0.07, and Pb:0.09±0.04 µg/g (dry weight). Cu, Zn, and Pb did not reach levels of concern for human consumption, but the high Cd values determined in Mazatlán (Mugil cephalus:0.48±0.15;Diapterusspp.:0.57±0.33;Lutjanusspp.:0.72±0.12; small shark:0.87±0.19 µg/g dry weight) indicate that this was the only metal of concern for human health because the daily individual consumption of fish muscle to reach the PTDI would be within 0.27 and 0.41 kg.

scholarly journals Commercial Greenhouse Growers Can Produce High-quality Bedding Plants in Bioplastic-based Biocontainers

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Flax ◽  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
James A. Schrader ◽  
David Grewell ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Greenhouse Growers ◽  
Container Type

Our objectives were to quantify the growth and quality of herbaceous annuals grown in different types of bioplastic-based biocontainers in commercial greenhouses and quantify producer interest in using these types of biocontainers in their production systems. Seedlings of ‘Serena White’ angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) and ‘Maverick Red’ zonal geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum) that had been transplanted into nine different (4.5-inch diameter) container types [eight bioplastic-based biocontainers and a petroleum-based plastic (PP) (control)] were grown at six commercial greenhouses in the upper midwestern United States. Plants were grown alongside other bedding annuals in each commercial greenhouse, and producers employed their standard crop culture practices. Data were collected to characterize growth when most plants were flowering. Questionnaires to quantify producer perceptions and interest in using bioplastic-based biocontainers, interest in different container attributes, and satisfaction were administered at select times during the experiment. Container type interacted with greenhouse to affect angelonia growth index (GI) and shoot dry weight (SDW), as well as shoot, root, and container ratings. Container type or greenhouse affected geranium GI and shoot rating, and their interaction affected SDW, and root and container ratings. These results indicate that commercial producers can grow herbaceous annuals in a range of bioplastic-based biocontainers with few or no changes to their crop culture practices.

scholarly journals Competition ability of selected amenity varieties of Festuca rubra in mixture with Deschampsia caespitosa

2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 70-76
Author(s):  
M. Svobodová ◽  
J. Martinek ◽  
T. Králíčková ◽  
I. Našinec ◽  
J. Šantrůček
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Festuca Rubra ◽  
Aboveground Phytomass ◽  
The Third ◽  
Deschampsia Caespitosa ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Competition Ability ◽  
Viable Seeds

The aim of the research was to evaluate the competition capacity and find suitable proportion of different types of Festuca rubra and Deschampsia caespitosa in grass mixtures for decorative lawns. A field experiment with Deschampsia caespitosa cv. Kometa in monoculture or in mixtures with Festuca rubra L. varieties Viktorka (ssp. trichophylla), Barborka (ssp. commutata) and Petruna (ssp. rubra) was established in Větrov in 2007. The sowing rate was 40 000 viable seeds per m<sup>2</sup> (0, 25, 50 or 75% of F. rubra). The sward was mown at 3 cm. The number and weight of tillers of the turf components were evaluated during three years. The highest number of tillers (on average 63.3 thousand/m<sup>2</sup>) and weight of the dry aboveground phytomass (on average 196 g/m<sup>2</sup>) were found with F. rubra ssp. trichophylla. Its particular tillers had the lowest dry weight (0.32 g/100 tillers). The lowest number of tillers (32.9 thousand/m<sup>2</sup>) and low weight of dry aboveground phytomass (134 g/m<sup>2</sup>) showed mixtures with F. rubra ssp. rubra, whose tiller weight was relatively high (0.42 g/100 tillers). The size of F. rubra tillers was not influenced either by the mixture composition or by vegetation years. The number of F. rubra tillers was not significantly different in the third and first vegetation year. The number of D. caespitosa tillers in monoculture decreased during the years from 45 to 30 thousand/m<sup>2</sup>, but the weight of dry aboveground phytomass increased significantly from 233 g/m<sup>2</sup> to 318 g/m<sup>2</sup>. Poor competition of D. caespitosa was found in the mixture with F. rubra ssp. commutata (on average 4% of total number of tillers and 7% of the total weight of the dry aboveground phytomass). F. rubra ssp. trichophylla was less competitive and the least competition with D. caespitosa was found in F. rubra ssp. rubra, After three years the proportion of D. caespitosa in mixtures with F. rubra ssp. rubra significantly increased to 36% of the total number of tillers and to 55% of the total weight of phytomass. Mixtures of D. caespitosa and F. rubra ssp. rubra were found to be promising for low input lawns.

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