Evaluation of Physiological and Quality Parameters of Green Asparagus Spears Subjected to Three Treatments against the Decline Syndrome

Green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a widely grown and consumed crop which provides high-level nutritional interest. In recent years, the decline syndrome in asparagus plantations has been rapidly augmenting. This syndrome causes the early death of whole plants, also negatively affecting the new replanting. Decline causes notable economic losses in the sector. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of different treatments against asparagus decline syndrome on the physiological parameters and nutritional quality of the spears. To meet the objective, four different treatments were applied to asparagus plots strongly affected by decline syndrome: (T1) untreated control soil, (T2) biofumigation with Brassica pellets, (T3) biofumigation with chicken manure pellets, and (T4) disinfestation of the soil with Dazomet. The cumulative yield and physiological and quality parameters of green asparagus spears were studied. Thus, malondialdehyde (MDA), photosynthetic pigments, glutathione (GSH), ascorbate (AsA), total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, antioxidant test, mineral nutrients, and the amino acid profile were measured on asparagus spears. The results showed that the Brassica pellets and Dazomet treatments were the most effective against the damage caused by the decline syndrome. However, it would be necessary to monitor the evolution in the following years.

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Packaging Solutions to Extend the Shelf Life of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) ‘Vegalim’

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10020478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 478

Author(s):

Stefania Toscano ◽

Valeria Rizzo ◽

Fabio Licciardello ◽

Daniela Romano ◽

Giuseppe Muratore

Keyword(s):

Shelf Life ◽

Color Difference ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Postharvest Life ◽

Sensory Color ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Enzymatic Changes ◽

Green Asparagus

The aim of the study was to assess, through a comparative shelf-life test, the suitability of two packaging materials, namely macro-perforated polypropylene (PP MA) and micro-perforated coextruded polypropylene (PP C), for the quality preservation of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L. ‘Vegalim’). Quality of spears was evaluated during 30 days at refrigerated storage by monitoring chemical, physical, and enzymatic parameters as well as sensory descriptors. PP C kept headspace composition close to suggested values for fresh green asparagus. Total color difference increased during the storage and it was highly correlated with chlorophyll-a and carotenoids, however, sensory color perception did not change significantly until 22 days of storage. PP C maintained ascorbic acid concentrations close to the initial levels, limited total phenolic compound loss to 24% (45% in PP MA), determined an increase of 72% in fiber content and small changes in lignin value; enzymatic changes were significantly inhibited. Significant sensorial differences were detected after 22 days of storage, with PP C performing better than PP MA. PP C film was confirmed as the best choice, limiting weight loss and maintaining a fresh-like appearance during 30 days of storage, thus allowing an extension in postharvest life.

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Effects of Furrow Height and Amount of Manure Compost on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Organically Grown Green Asparagus

Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.31817/vjas.2021.4.2.06 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 1056-1066

Author(s):

Nguyen Hong Hanh ◽

Nguyen Thi Ai Nghia ◽

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dinh ◽

Do Thi Huong

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Manure Compost ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Upland Crop ◽

National University ◽

Organically Grown ◽

Green Asparagus

A two-season field trial was carried out in the Upland Crop Experiment Field of the Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) to assess the effects of three furrow heights (20, 35, and 50cm) and three manure compost levels (15, 25, and 35 tons ha-1) on the growth, yield, and quality of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) grown organically. The experiments were arranged in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the harvested yield was highest (11.3 and 25.1 quintals ha-1 in the 2019 autumn and 2020 spring season, respectively) in the treatment with a furrow height of 35cm and compost level of 35 tons ha-1 in both seasons, and explained by the increased spear diameters and number of spears per plant in this treatment when the furrow height and compost level were increased. Additionally, the chlorophyll content, water loss, and dry matter weight of the spears also increased when the furrow height and compost level increased. The obtained quality of the spears under organic management at the furrow height of 35 cm and compost level of 35 tons ha-1 was higher than the other treatments with higher reducing sugars, vitamin C, and Brix values, while the residue nitrate contents of all the treatments were lower than the allowed safety threshold.

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Analytical Quality by Design

Brazilian Journal of Analytical Chemistry ◽

10.30744/brjac.2179-3425.editorial.mcbreitkreitz.n32 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (32) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Márcia Breitkreitz

Keyword(s):

Manufacturing Process ◽

Quality By Design ◽

Pharmaceutical Products ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Regulatory Agencies ◽

Regulatory Requirements ◽

Significant Step ◽

Level Of Understanding ◽

High Level

Throughout the 20th century, the notion of ‘quality’ underwent major changes. The concept of ‘Quality by Testing’, i.e. evaluating the quality of a product by testing it for some pre-defined parameters after completing the manufacturing process, started to be replaced by the enhanced approach of Quality by Design (QbD). In this concept, idealized by Joseph Juran [1], quality is initially conceived for the product, and then the product is manufactured and evaluated to reach that quality. Driven by the need to reduce costs and to encourage companies to improve their understanding of their products and manufacturing processes, pharmaceutical regulatory agencies, through the ICH (International Council on Harmonization), published the ICH Q8 guideline, highlighting the QbD strategy for pharmaceutical development [2]. This represented a significant step in replacing the existing quality paradigms in the conventional manufacturing of pharmaceutical products and paved the way to support development and production activities within a scientific, flexible environment, with a high level of quality, without the need for extensive regulatory surveillance. The higher level of understanding gained during development allows out-of-specification batches to be foreseen and ensures that the desired quality will be obtained at the end of the manufacturing process. The two pillars of the QbD concept are quality risk management and multivariate study of the outcomes (quality parameters) as functions of the inputs (materials, formulation and process inputs). At this point, Chemometrics emerged officially as a strategy to support the pharma regulatory requirements- the beginning of a joyful and long-life union.

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Impact of Weekend Admissions on Quality of Care and Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1942.1942 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 1942-1942

Author(s):

Nelli Bejanyan ◽

Alex Z Fu ◽

Rao Fu ◽

Matt Kalaycio ◽

Anjali Advani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Induction Chemotherapy ◽

De Novo ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Cleveland Clinic ◽

Early Death ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Secondary Aml

Abstract Background: Hospital services can be significantly reduced over the weekend. This was associated with higher mortality among patients with serious medical conditions in previous studies. It is unknown whether weekend admissions affect outcomes of AML patients, as delay in treatment or delay in obtainment of procedures (such as triple-lumen catheter [TLC] placement requisite for anthracycline delivery) may occur for weekend admissions. We investigated quality of care and clinical outcomes of newly-diagnosed AML patients treated with induction chemotherapy and hospitalized on weekends vs. weekdays. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all AML patients treated with cytarabinebased induction chemotherapy at Cleveland Clinic from 1994–2008. Data on known prognostic factors (age, WBC at diagnosis, cytogenetic risk groups [as defined by CALGB 8461] and AML etiology [de novo vs. secondary AML]) were collected and controlled for in multivariable analyses. Quality measures included time to TLC placement; time to induction chemotherapy (TTI); length of stay (LOS); early death (within 15 days of chemotherapy initiation); and 30-day mortality. Weekend admissions were defined as starting Friday, 5pm through Monday, 12am. Factors associated with quality of care and outcomes were assessed by the routines of linear, categorical, and survival analyses. Results: In all, 422 patients were identified. Median age was 61 years (range:17–81) and 47% were female. Median baseline WBC was 9.9/mcL (range:0.4–550); 4.7% had acute promyelocytic leukemia, and 30% had secondary AML. Cytogenetics risk distribution was: favorable (11.6%); intermediate (41.2%); adverse (24.2%); unknown/no growth (23%). In all, 24.4% (n=103) were admitted on the weekend. The complete remission (CR) rate was 66.6%; Median times to TLC was 2 days (range:0–27); TTI was 2 days (range:0–22); and LOS was 32 days (4–91). Early death rate was 3.1%, and 30-day mortality 10.4%. Compared to younger (<60 years) patients, older patients had higher 30-day mortality (14.7% vs. 5.8%, p=0.003), early death (4.9% vs. 1.1%, p=0.025), TTI rates (2.7 days vs. 2.1 days, p=0.02), but lower CR (62.9% vs. 77.8%, p=0.001) and overall survival (OS) rates (195 vs. 474 days, p<0.0001). In univariate analyses, time to TLC was delayed for weekend vs. weekday admissions (3.8 vs. 2.7 days, p<0.01), as was a trend for LOS (35.9 vs. 33.5 days, p=0.09). Surprisingly, weekend admissions had lower early mortality (0% vs. 4%, p=0.04) and 30-day mortality (3.9 % vs. 12.3%, p=0.02). There was no difference in TTI (2.5 vs. 2.4 days, p=0.6), CR rates (72% vs. 69%, p=0.6), or OS (258 vs. 273 days, p=0.2). In multivariable analysis, only time to TLC remained significantly longer for weekend admissions (p<0.001). Conclusions: Weekend admissions significantly delayed placement of TLC, and possibly LOS, without affecting other quality parameters or patient survival. This is likely due to immediate initiation of peripheral chemotherapy with cytarabine even prior to the placement of TLC for infusion of anthracyclines, and emphasizes the need to start chemotherapy promptly in AML patients.

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Water blanching conditions on the quality of green asparagus butt segment (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Materials Today Proceedings ◽

10.1016/j.matpr.2019.07.468 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 4799-4809

Author(s):

Thi Van Linh Nguyen ◽

Tan Thanh Vo ◽

Tri Duc Lam ◽

Long Giang Bach

Keyword(s):

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Green Asparagus

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Impact of Different Organic Fertilizers on Soil Humus, Microbiomass and Quality of Cabbage

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.955-959.628 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 955-959 ◽

pp. 628-632 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ji Jin Li ◽

Chuan Zhang Li ◽

Li Juan Gao ◽

Ben Sheng Liu ◽

Dong Sheng Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Nitrate Accumulation ◽

Soil Humus ◽

Combined Application ◽

High Level

A field experiment was conducted to determine effects of 6 treatments including without fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (CM), corn straw plus manure (SM), peat plus chicken manure ( PM), mushroom residue plus chicken manure (MM) and high level of chicken manure (HM) on different soil active organic carbon and carbon pool management index. The results showed that fertilization of chicken manure is difficult to prompt activation of soil that contains plenty of fulvic acid, but combined application of different organic fertilizers not only can significantly increase the soil organic matter content, also can balance the proportion between the components of soil humus, improve Hu/Fu. Compared to CK treatment after fertilization, there was a narrow range in HA/TOC, FA/TOC, HM/TOC of HM treatment that was only 4%-8%, but variations of 12%-25% was produced by SM, PM, MM treatment, and its Hu/Fu increased 98% - 292% compared with HM treatment; The quantity of soil microorganisms is enhanced mostly by the treatment of HM, and the increase of bacteria and fungi was the maximum, but the quantity of actinomycetes was increased mostly by MM treatment; high level of chicken manure treatment can increase the risk of nitrate accumulation, but combined application of different organic fertilizers can significantly reduce the nitrate accumulation of vegetables, improving the quality of vegetables. Compared with HM treatment, MM treatment reduces the nitrate content of 45%. Therefore, the results demonstrated that paid attention to the selection of organic fertilizers and its combined application not only would achieve better fertilizing effect, also would better improve the quality of vegetables in organic agricultural production.

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Effect of activated clinoptilolite in aflatoxin B1 contaminated laying hen diets on aflatoxin B1 residues and quality of eggs

Zbornik Matice srpske za prirodne nauke ◽

10.2298/zmspn1733013d ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 13-22

Author(s):

Ergün Demir ◽

Hüseyin Eseceli ◽

Akif Özcan

Keyword(s):

Aflatoxin B1 ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Production Performance ◽

Egg Weight ◽

Treat Ment ◽

High Level ◽

Chicken Blood

This study was carried out to determine the effect of a high level of aflatoxin B1 in laying hen diets, supplemented with deactivated and activated clinoptilolite, on inner and outer quality and aflatoxin B1 residues in eggs. Two experimental groups were formed and fed high aflatoxin B1 diets (965 ppb) containing deactivated and activated (450 ?C for 60 minutes) clinoptilolite (2% of diet) for 49 days. In the experiment, a total of 960 55-week-old Lohmann LSL (white) laying hens were used. Each group had 8 replicates and 480 hens. Egg weight, inner and outer egg quality parameters and egg aflatoxin B1 levels were determined in a total of 90 eggs collected on the 15th, 30th and 49th days of the experiment. Diets containing deactivated or activated clinoptilolite decreased aflatoxin B1 production in laying hen diets after incubation period of 15 days. Activation of clinoptilolite by heat treat?ment significantly reduced aflatoxin B1 level in eggs (p<0.05). In addition, the use of clinop?tilolite as an antifungal agent in the presence of high aflatoxin B1level in layer hen diets significantly increased the weight of eggs and significantly reduced the ratio of broken-cracked and dirty eggs (p<0.05). Chicken blood albumin, creatinine and calcium levels were higher in hens fed diet containing activated clinoptilolite (p<0.05). However, triglyceride and VLDL levels decreased significantly in the blood of these animals (p <0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of hen diets containing high aflatoxin B1 with activated clinoptilolite improves production performance, egg quality and decreases aflatoxin B1 residue in the egg.

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Exogenous Melatonin Reduces Lignification and Retains Quality of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10092111 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 2111

Author(s):

Athip Boonsiriwit ◽

Myungho Lee ◽

Minhwi Kim ◽

Pontree Itkor ◽

Youn Suk Lee

Keyword(s):

Shelf Life ◽

Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase ◽

Color Change ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Melatonin Treatment ◽

Post Harvest ◽

High Respiration Rate ◽

Green Asparagus

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is highly perishable because of its high respiration rate, which continues after harvesting and leads to weight loss, increased hardness, color change, and limited shelf life. Melatonin is an indoleamine that plays an important role in abiotic stress. This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin on the quality attributes of green asparagus during cold storage. Green asparagus was soaked in a melatonin solution (50, 100, and 200 μM) for 30 min and then stored at 4 °C under 90% relative humidity for 25 days. The results indicated that melatonin treatment delayed the post-harvest senescence of asparagus and maintained high chlorophyll and vitamin C levels. Melatonin treatment hindered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase activities and reduced lignin content, thereby delaying the increase in firmness. Moreover, melatonin treatment enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, leading to reduced hydrogen peroxide content. These results indicate that melatonin treatment can be used to maintain the post-harvest quality and prolong the shelf life of green asparagus.

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