scholarly journals Combining Selenium Biofortification with Vermicompost Growing Media in Lamb’s Lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr)

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1072
Author(s):  
Lucija Galić ◽  
Marija Špoljarević ◽  
Alicja Auriga ◽  
Boris Ravnjak ◽  
Tomislav Vinković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Sodium Selenate ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Growing Medium

Leafy vegetables are a daily part of the human diet all over the world. At the same time, a worldwide problem of Se malnutrition is present in human populations, mostly due to low soil Se contents. As plants represent the main source of this element in the human diet, with Se being an essential trace element for humans and animals, plant foods containing Se can be used as an efficient means of increasing the Se in the human diet, as well as in animal feed (biofortification). At the same time, the production of growing media relies on limited peat reserves. The use of earthworms facilitates the production of composted organic masses mostly consisting of organic waste, called vermicompost. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of three different growing media (commercial peat media, vermicompost, and a 1:1 mixture) on Se biofortification’s efficacy and yield in lamb’s lettuce. The Se biofortification was performed with sodium selenate (Na2SeO4). It was shown that biofortification increased the Se contents such that a mass of only 48.9 g of fresh leaves contained enough Se for the recommended daily intake in human nutrition (55 µg Se/day), which represents a significant potential for solving Se malnutrition. Furthermore, the use of a 1:1 vermicompost–commercial substrate mixture showed a similar performance to the peat growing medium, contributing to the preservation of peat reserves.

Supplement of biochar and vermicompost amendments in coir and peat growing media improves N management and yields of leafy vegetables

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aimé J. Messiga ◽  
Xiuming Hao ◽  
Martine Dorais ◽  
Carine S. Bineng ◽  
Noura Ziadi
Keyword(s):  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Plot Design

A greenhouse trial assessed the effects of biochar and vermicompost as partial substitutes of conventional growing media on leafy vegetables’ yields and changes of NH4+-N and NO3−-N in growing medium and leachates. Six growing media mixtures [(a) coir, (b) coir + biochar, (c) coir + vermicompost, (d) peat, (e) peat +vermicompost, (f) peat + biochar] combined with three nitrogen (N) rates [0% (0 g N·pot−1), 50% (0.5 g N·pot−1), and 100% (1.0 g N·pot−1) commercial recommendation] were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. On average, the yield gap between 100% N and 50% N was improved when biochar and vermicompost were used as substitutes of coir (32% and 28% vs. 49%) and peat (14% and 18% vs. 27%). The concentrations of NH4+-N in the leachates for peat + biochar varied between 17.20 and 1.00 mg·L−1. The concentrations of NO3−-N in the leachates varied between 130.0 and 1.0 mg·L−1 for coir + vermicompost, and 60 and 1.0 mg·L−1 for peat + vermicompost. The residual NO3−-N in peat + biochar growing media and the leachates did not match the changes observed for NH4+-N, and the much lower residual NH4+-N indicates possible NH4+-N retention by biochar and loss through volatilization in the early growth stages. Our results show that partial substitution of peat with biochar and coir with vermicompost maintained acceptable crop yield at 50% N due probably to N supply by vermicompost and decreased residual mineral N and loss by biochar in the leachates which could be beneficial for the environment.

scholarly journals Determinants and Suitability of Carotenoid Reflection Score as a Measure of Carotenoid Status

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Rush ◽  
Isaac Amoah ◽  
Tung Diep ◽  
Shabnam Jalili-Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Carotenoid Concentration ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes

Carotenoids, orange-coloured pigments found in vegetables, fruit, eggs and dairy foods, act as antioxidants and vitamin A precursors in the human body. Skin carotenoid concentration is a biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake. The aim was to identify determinants of skin carotenoid concentration by measuring “Veggie Meter™” carotenoid reflection spectroscopy scores (CRS) from the fingertip of adults with a range of ages, ethnicity and body size. Frequencies of daily intake of vegetables and fruit and weekly intake of pumpkin and carrot, dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), eggs (yolk), and dairy were determined from a self-completed food-frequency-questionnaire. A total of 571 (324 Women, 247 Men) adults, aged 16 to 85 years, completed measurements. The CRS ranged from 83 to 769, with a median of 327. Women and men did not score differently. For all participants there were negative correlations of CRS with weight (r = −0.312) and BMI (r = −0.338) and positive correlations with weekly intakes of DGLV (r = 0.242) and carrots and pumpkin (r = 0.202). Based on a review of health outcomes associated with plasma carotenoids, 82% of the participants in the current study are at moderate risk, or more, of negative health outcomes. Determinants of carotenoid status were body size, intake of DGLV, carrots and pumpkin, and ethnicity.

Kajian Pengelolaan Biokonversi Sampah Organik melalui Budidaya Maggot Black Soldier Fly (Studi Kasus: PKPS Medan)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Restu Auliani ◽  
Bella Elsaday ◽  
Desy Ari Apsari ◽  
Helfi Nolia
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Wholesale Market ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
Regulatory Aspect ◽  
Feed Protein ◽  
Market Trader

The cultivation of maggot Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is a bioconversion technology of organic matter that can be one solution to the problem of organic waste. This study aims to examine aspects of organic waste management through BSF Medan maggot cultivation, including operational technical, financing, institutional, regulatory and community and government participation aspects. This research is a descriptive observational study with an exploratory study approach using the interview method. Descriptive and quantitative data processing and analysis. Based on operational technical aspects, maggot cultivation has succeeded in converting organic waste into a source of animal feed protein and reducing the amount of organic waste. The amount of organic waste that is managed is 90kg/day with an effectiveness of 0.013% the total domestic waste in Medan. The financing and institutional aspects of waste management are managed in an organized manner through a cooperative body, namely the Primary Waste Management Cooperative (PKPS) Medan. The regulatory aspect that is used as reference is Medan Mayor Regulation No. 26 of 2019. Aspects of community participation directly from members of the cooperative and the Laucih wholesale market trader in Medan City. This bioconversion technology is able to overcome the problem of waste in an effort to reduce organic waste.

Research and industrialisation of Hermetia illucens L. in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
J.B. Zhang ◽  
J.K. Tomberlin ◽  
M.M. Cai ◽  
X.P. Xiao ◽  
L.Y. Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Method ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Government ◽  
Future Work

The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L., are commonly associated with decaying organic wastes. Over the past 15 years, investigators in China have conducted extensive research exploring the use of BSF larvae to recycle organic materials as a means to protect the environment, while producing products of value, such as protein and bioenergy. Initial efforts were based on a BSF strain from the USA. However, since then, H. illucens strains from specimens collected in Hubei and Guangdong Provinces have been established and used as models to explore the use of this species in sustainable agriculture. China has played an instrumental role in developing an in-door breeding method using a quartz-iodine lamp rather than depend on natural sunlight. This discovery has allowed the establishment of in-door BSF colonies in regions throughout the world where abiotic conditions (i.e. cold temperatures) are preventative. Researchers in China paved the way for using microbes as a means to enhance BSF production including, enhancing BSF egg-laying as well as waste reduction. Furthermore, bacteria from BSF gut or waste can be cultured and used to promote BSF growth, shorten conversion time, and enhanced conversion efficacy. Recent efforts have demonstrated BSF larvae can degrade antibiotics as well as suppress noxious odours in livestock manure. Due to the efforts of research on BSF in China, numerous companies that recycle organic waste at a large scale (>20 tonnes waste digested/day), have been established. Resulting products include insect powder, and live BSFL that can be used as animal feed ingredients for livestock (e.g. eels and frogs), while protecting the environment. Future work will decipher the mechanisms regulating BSF larval conversion of organic waste so that the system can be optimised. However, efforts are still needed at the government level to establish quality assurance standards if this process is truly to become established as an industry in China.

scholarly journals COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIC WASTE PROCESSING USING BSF MAGGOT BIOCONVERSION

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-90
Author(s):  
Mohamad Satori ◽  
Ivan Chofyan ◽  
Yuliadi Yuliadi ◽  
Otong Rukmana ◽  
Ira Ayu Wulandari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The People ◽  
Organic Waste Treatment

Organic waste is the largest composition of waste generated by the people of Indonesia, which is around 50-60%. This type of waste, especially food waste, is easy to smell if it is stored for too long so that it has the potential to pollute the environment. On the other hand, organic waste has good nutrients that can be generated, including through BSF (Black Soldier Fly) maggot bioconversion treatment. The BSF maggot bioconversion method is a method of processing organic waste which is carried out by converting organic matter into other products that are useful and have added value by utilizing biological processes from microorganisms and enzymes. Organic waste treatment with this method is generally carried out on a community-based basis and is integrated with the development of agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry, because maggot cultivation produces commodities of economic value such as compost and maggot larvae. Compost contains very good nutrients so that it can be used for organic farming and maggot contains high protein that can be used for animal feed and fisheries. The implementation of this program was piloted in the boarding school community, namely the Az-Zakaria Islamic Boarding School which is managed by the Az-Zakaria Islamic Education Foundation (YPI) in Sindangbarang Village, Jalaksana District, Kuningan Regency. The result of this implementation is the formation of a new group of entrepreneurs engaged in the cultivation and utilization of BSF maggots.

Epigenetic modifications and human pathologies: cancer and CVD

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Duthie
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Dna Hypomethylation ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Human Colon Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Epigenetic changes are inherited alterations in DNA that affect gene expression and function without altering the DNA sequence. DNA methylation is one epigenetic process implicated in human disease that is influenced by diet. DNA methylation involves addition of a 1-C moiety to cytosine groups in DNA. Methylated genes are not transcribed or are transcribed at a reduced rate. Global under-methylation (hypomethylation) and site-specific over-methylation (hypermethylation) are common features of human tumours. DNA hypomethylation, leading to increased expression of specific proto-oncogenes (e.g. genes involved in proliferation or metastasis) can increase the risk of cancer as can hypermethylation and reduced expression of tumour suppressor (TS) genes (e.g. DNA repair genes). DNA methyltransferases (DNMT), together with the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), facilitate DNA methylation. Abnormal DNA methylation is implicated not only in the development of human cancer but also in CVD. Polyphenols, a group of phytochemicals consumed in significant amounts in the human diet, effect risk of cancer. Flavonoids from tea, soft fruits and soya are potent inhibitors of DNMT in vitro, capable of reversing hypermethylation and reactivating TS genes. Folates, a group of water-soluble B vitamins found in high concentration in green leafy vegetables, regulate DNA methylation through their ability to generate SAM. People who habitually consume the lowest level of folate or with the lowest blood folate concentrations have a significantly increased risk of developing several cancers and CVD. This review describes how flavonoids and folates in the human diet alter DNA methylation and may modify the risk of human colon cancer and CVD.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals Contamination in Shellfish: Benefit-Risk Evaluation in Central Italy

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1720
Author(s):  
Francesca Barchiesi ◽  
Raffaella Branciari ◽  
Mario Latini ◽  
Rossana Roila ◽  
Giuseppe Lediani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Evaluation ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Bivalve Mollusks ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Consumption Benefit ◽  
Italian Coasts ◽  
Cadmium Lead

Seafood is a source of nutrients in human diet but also of environmental contaminants and its consumption could pose a risk to consumers’ health. A survey regarding the exposure to cadmium, lead and mercury through the consumption of bivalve mollusks, gastropods and sea urchins collected on Italian coasts was carried out among central Italian population over a period of three years. A limited number of samples exceeds the threshold set by legislation (6 samples) and the average level of contamination was low in all the species considered. The contribution Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) was higher for cadmium (9.17%) than lead (1.44%) and mercury (0.20%). The benefit-risk evaluation suggests that the bivalve mollusks and sea urchins consumption (Benefit Risk Quotient < 1) could be increased without health detrimental effects.

scholarly journals Fumonisins at Doses below EU Regulatory Limits Induce Histological Alterations in Piglets

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terciolo ◽  
Bracarense ◽  
Souto ◽  
Cossalter ◽  
Dopavogui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Histological Alterations ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species that can contaminate human food and animal feed. Due to the harmful effects of FBs on animals, the European Union (EU) defined a recommendation of a maximum of 5 mg FBs (B1 + B2)/kg for complete feed for swine and 1 µg FBs/kg body weight per day as the tolerable daily intake for humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of dietary exposure to low doses of FBs, including a dose below the EU regulatory limits. Four groups of 24 weaned castrated male piglets were exposed to feed containing 0, 3.7, 8.1, and 12.2 mg/kg of FBs for 28 days; the impact was measured by biochemical analysis and histopathological observations. Dietary exposure to FBs at a low dose (3.7 mg/kg of feed) significantly increased the plasma sphinganine-to-sphingosine ratio. FBs-contaminated diets led to histological modifications in the intestine, heart, lung, lymphoid organs, kidney, and liver. The histological alterations in the heart and the intestine appeared at the lowest dose of FBs-contaminated diet (3.7 mg/kg feed) and in the kidney at the intermediate dose (8.1 mg/kg feed). At the highest dose tested (12.2 mg/kg feed), all the organs displayed histological alterations. This dose also induced biochemical modifications indicative of kidney and liver alterations. In conclusion, our data indicate that FBs-contaminated diets at doses below the EU regulatory limit cause histological lesions in several organs. This study suggests that EU recommendations for the concentration of FBs in animal feed, especially for swine, are not sufficiently protective and that regulatory doses should be modified for better protection of animal health.

scholarly journals Printed Paper Waste as an Alternative Growing Medium Component to Produce Brassica Seedlings under Nursery Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 5992
Author(s):  
Antonios Chrysargyris ◽  
Panayiota Xylia ◽  
Gorkem Akinci ◽  
Konstantinos Moustakas ◽  
Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Paper Waste ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
The Media ◽  
Low Levels

Significant quantities of paper waste (PW) have been accumulated in recent years and the reuse/recycling of PW is required due to environmental concerns. In the present study, printed PW was used as a peat (P) substitute in growing medium for the Brassica seedlings production, considering recycling, sustainable agriculture, and partly peat replacement. Seeds of cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage were seeded in growing media made of 0–10–30–50% PW. The addition of PW improved the growing media pH and mineral content, reduced the media aeration, and affected seed emergence. The PW decreased plant growth and the effects were more pronounced at 50% PW. The PW ≥ 30% decreased stomatal conductance, while chlorophyll fluorescence and content of chlorophylls decreased with high PW ratio, negatively affecting the plant physiology. The PW decreased plant sodium and iron and increased potassium, calcium, magnesium, and copper content. The PW increased antioxidant activity to a certain degree for cauliflower and cabbage and resulted in no change for broccoli, while polyphenols increased in cabbage seedlings. The addition of PW did not cause cellular damage as both lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production remained at low levels, maintaining low levels on the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) metabolism. The present study shows that low PW content can partially replace peat for Brassica seedling production under a sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly scheme.

scholarly journals Plant-Based Diets for Reversing Disease and Saving the Planet: Past, Present, and Future

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. S304-S307 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L Katz
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Human Adaptation ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
Whole Plant

ABSTRACT The relative contributions of meat and plants to the native human diet, and human adaptation to these dietary constituents, are a matter of debate among paleoanthropologists. Indisputable, however, is the imprint of both on the anatomy and physiology of Homo sapiens: our species is constitutionally omnivorous. That means we have choices to make. At present, we are making mostly bad ones, with poor diets of highly processed plant and animal foods alike leading contributors to chronic disease, premature death, and environmental degradation. The evidence is strong, consistent, and compelling that a diet of predominantly, or even exclusively, whole plant foods can promote health, selectively treat and reverse disease, and confer comparable benefit to the planet. Omnivores have dietary choices, but the choices of nearly 8 billion hungry Homo sapiens on a small imperiled planet have narrowed. The future of food, for the sake of people and planet alike, is plant centric.

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