Yield and Root Quality of Two Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) Varieties as Influenced by Chicken Manure, Inorganic Fertilizer and Storage Methods

Cut snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus L. cvs. Fujinoyuki, Oakland, and Bismarck) were harvested at three different stages and pulsed with silver thiosulfate (STS). Then, the flowers were treated with several preservative solutions to test the effects on vase life and flower quality. Proper storage methods were also investigated. The best harvesting time of snapdragon was when seven to nine florets were opened in a spike. The flowers harvested at this stage had more fresh weight, increased number of opened flowers per spike, and longer vase life than those harvested at earlier stages. Pulsing with 0.2 mM STS for 16 h improved flower quality and prolonged vase life. The preservative solution containing 2% sucrose + 150 ppm 8-hydroxyquinone citrate (HQC) + 25 ppm AgNO3 prolonged vase life. However, this solution caused longer internode between florets and excessive elongation of spike. The preservative solution containing 2% sucrose + 150 ppm HQC + 25 ppm AgNO3 + 50 ppm daminozide improved flower quality by prolonging vase life, reducing the length of internode between florets, and preventing excessive elongation of spike. The flowers held in 50% 7-Up had 2 times prolonged vase life compared to water control. The flowers held in 4% ethyl alcohol also had prolonged vase life and increased fresh weight. Ethylene caused floret abscission and STS pretreatment prevented this floret abscission. Ethylene production in cut snapdragons maintained 2 to 6 nl/g fresh weight per h during vase life. The prolonging storage at low temperature (1C) shortened vase life. The flowers pretreated with STS, and then held in preservative solution during cold storage, had better flower quality and longer vase life than those in plain water.

Download Full-text

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on the Global Market: What Are the Implications for Products’ Quality?

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.621169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Ka Yui Kum ◽

Rainer Kirchhof ◽

Rainer Luick ◽

Michael Heinrich

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Mtt Assay ◽

Salvia Miltiorrhiza ◽

Salvianolic Acid B ◽

No Production ◽

Salvianolic Acid ◽

Storage Methods ◽

Processing And Storage ◽

And Storage

Background: Danshen (Radix et rhizoma Salviae miltiorrhizae; Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Lamiaceae) is commonly used in Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea with markets in America and Europe growing substantially. It is included in multiple pharmacopeias and salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA are used as quality markers. However, on the markets, substitutes and different processing methods often are a concern. a concern regarding patients’ safety and expected outcomes.Aims: This study aims at understanding the quality of Danshen-derived products on the market, and the relationship between the chemistry, biological activity and the processing and storage methods.Methods: For heavy metal analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used. High performance thin-layer chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance coupled with principal component analysis were used to understand the variation of metabolite composition. MTT assay and LPS induced NO production assay were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively.Result and Discussion: Six out of sixty samples exceed the limits of cadmium according to the Chinese or United States Pharmacopoeia. Arsenic, lead and copper contents are all below pharmacopoeial thresholds. With more complex processing procedure, the risk of heavy metal contamination increases, especially with arsenic and cadmium. The metabolite compositions show a variability linked to processing and storage methods. Authenticated samples and Vietnamese primary samples contain higher salvianolic acid B, and their chemical compositions are more consistent compared to Chinese online store samples. Overall, a significant chemical variation can be observed in Danshen products directly linked to processing and storage method. In the MTT assay, fourteen samples show cytotoxicity while seven samples increase the proliferation of RAW264.7. In the LPS induced NO production of RAW 264.7, only seven samples show significant inhibitory effects.Conclusion: This is the first interdisciplinary investigation focusing on understanding the current market and the quality of Danshen. The quality of Danshen products on the high street are inferior to the authenticated samples. The results of the bioassays selected is not useful to differentiate the quality and composition according to the current definition in the pharmacopoeias. Overall, this approach highlights the tremendous variability of the products linked to processing and the need for more systematic and stringent quality assurance.

Download Full-text

Yield and Storage Quality of Improved Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas [L.] Lam.) Cultivars in the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal ◽

10.4314/eaafj.v68i4.1797 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 197-204

Author(s):

B.A. Were ◽

A.O. Onkware ◽

S. Gudu

Keyword(s):

Ipomoea Batatas ◽

Lake Victoria ◽

Lake Victoria Basin ◽

Storage Quality ◽

And Storage

Download Full-text

A Review: Methods of Smoking for the Quality of Smoked Fish

Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research ◽

10.9734/ajfar/2021/v13i430273 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 37-43

Author(s):

Aulia Andhikawati ◽

Dian Yuni Pratiwi

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Smoked Fish ◽

Pathogenic Microbes ◽

Storage Methods ◽

Processing And Storage ◽

And Storage ◽

Vibrio Spp

Fish that have been caught are susceptible to decay and damage which are influenced by the level of acidity, weather, processing and storage methods, and temperature during transportation. This causes losses to the fishery business. One way that can be used to reduce the damage and spoilage of fish is through smoking. The purpose of this review article is to describe various methods of fish smoking, the chemical composition of smoked fish, and the number of microbes present in smoked fish. Smoked fish still contains nutrients such as protein, lipids, fiber, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. The growth of microbes, especially those that are pathogenic, is inhibited and even some microbes cannot grow so that smoked fish is still good for human consumption. The microbes that cannot grow include Vibrio spp, yeast, mold, and Salmonella sp. Hot smoking method uses a temperature of 30-90oC, while cold smoking uses a temperature of 30-40oC. The chemical composition contained in smoked fish such as water content, protein, ash content, crude fiber, amino acids, biogenic amines, minerals and phenols. While the microbiological content of smoked fish with hot and cold smoking methods has a TPC value according to smoked fish standards and is free from pathogenic microbes, fungi, yeast and molds.

Download Full-text