Drought-tolerant Bambara groundnuts as future food: a comprehensive review of its properties and applications in food

PurposeThis review provides an overview of the applications of Bambara groundnuts in various food products. The genetic diversity, physical properties and chemical compositions of the crop are also elucidated.Design/methodology/approachThis paper critically reviewed the physicochemical properties and applications of Bambara groundnuts from recent literature.FindingsBambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is a drought-tolerant crop from West Africa that contains not only carbohydrates and fats but is also high in protein. The cultivars of Bambara groundnut can be distinguished by the colours of seeds, which range from red, blue-eye, brown and black-eye. Bambara groundnuts contain carbohydrate (57–67%), protein (15–25%), fat (4–8%), fibre (1.4–1.5%) and ash (2.9–4%). As a percentage of protein, the essential amino acids, lysine, methionine and cysteine are relatively high in Bambara groundnuts. Meanwhile, linoleic, palmitic and linolenic acids are the fatty acids present in this crop.Practical implicationsSeveral studies have shown that Bambara groundnuts can be used as fat substitutes, emulsifiers, water binders, bulking agents and thickeners due to its water and oil absorption properties, gelling, pasting, emulsifying and foaming abilities. Bambara groundnuts are used in the development of many intermediate or final products like flour blend, cookies, bread and fermented milk. It has a positive impact on the overall proximate, functional, mineral and amino acid profiles of the food products.Originality/valueDespite its high nutrient density, Bambara groundnuts are an underutilised legume due to unavailability and lack of knowledge among consumers on its benefits. There is a need to promote the use of Bambara groundnuts as a future food.

Evaluation of Maturity and Greenhouse Gas Emission in Co-Composting of Chicken Manure with Tobacco Powder and Vinasse/Mushroom Bran

This study investigated the effects of different proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of bulking agent (vinasse, mushroom bran, and tobacco powder) on maturity and gaseous emissions in chicken manure composting. The results showed that all of the treatments reached the standard of harmless disposal. With the exception of the control treatment, the CH4, N2O, and NH3 emissions in the treatments that had been prepared using the addition of mixed bulking agents were effectively reduced by 2.9–30.6%, 8.30–80.9%, and 37.3–26.6%; their compost maturity also met the Chinese national standard. Specifically, 10% mushroom bran combined with 5% tobacco powder was the optimal combination for simultaneously improving the maturity and reducing greenhouse gas emission in chicken manure composting.

Effect of leachate recirculation and bulking agent on leachate quality

The purpose of leachate processing is to reduce pollutants in leachate without using equipment that requires high investment and complicated maintenance. This research aims to determine the impact of leachate recirculation and bulking agents on leachate quality. Fresh solid waste recirculated using artificial leachate with a continuous flow of 1 L/h. The study is conducting for 14 days on a laboratory scale. On the 14th day, combination recirculation and bulking accelerate the increased pH value. Leachate recirculation increases the potential for contact between methanogenic bacteria and dissolved organic matter and contributes to buffering pH during the hydrolysis process. R3 produces a higher Electric Conductivity (EC) value than other reactors since the 7th day. This increase is probably due to the addition of dissolved salts from solid waste decomposition. The role of the bulking agent may not be too significant for changes in the EC value. On day 14, TDS at R1 was 11,748 mg/L, R2 was 12.144 mg/L, and R3 was 14.916 mg/L.

Teor de umidade inicial e sua influência no processo de biossecagem de lodo

As estações de tratamento de esgoto têm grande impacto na saúde pública, pois tratam o esgoto doméstico com o objetivo de devolvê-lo aos corpos d'água como efluente líquido limpo ou para reaproveitamento. Esse tipo de processo produz uma grande quantidade de lodo, que é classificado como resíduo sólido e, portanto, deve ser recuperado, reaproveitado ou reciclado, sendo o aterro o último recurso. O tratamento do lodo é dividido em cinco etapas, sendo estas: adensamento, digestão, desaguamento, secagem e aproveitamento (ou destinação final), de forma a obter uma massa com volume reduzido devido à retirada de água. Uma das opções de processo de secagem é a biossecagem ou biodrying, a qual, utiliza o calor gerado pela fermentação aeróbia de microrganismos para remover a água combinada com o lodo. A vantagem desse procedimento é que ele retém o poder calorífico da massa final, permitindo sua queima e aproveitamento energético. Algumas condições afetarão o processo de biossecagem, entre as quais podemos citar: o teor de umidade inicial, a taxa de aeração, a proporção de mistura dos materiais estruturantes, o revolvimento da massa e a adição de componentes biológicos auxiliares (bulking agents). Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar, a partir da literatura, a importância e o impacto da alteração do teor de umidade inicial do lodo no processo de biossecagem.

Bulking agents for minimally invasive correction of stress urinary incontinence in women

BACKGROUND:The study is relevant due to the widespread prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in women and the search for minimally invasive and safe treatment methods. AIM:The aim of this study was to present data based on modern evidence-based information on the effectiveness of urethral bulking agents and their safety in stress urinary incontinence treatment in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A review of the literature (original articles, systematic reviews) on the use of urethral bulking agents for stress urinary incontinence treatment in women was carried out. RESULTS:Urethral bulking agents for stress urinary incontinence treatment are effective due to the creation of additional bulk in the paraurethral area without fibrosis or because of inflammation followed by fibrous tissue formation. The efficacy and complications depend on the properties of the used urethral bulking agents. Since the performed studies are heterogeneous and the methods for evaluating the use of bulking fillers in stress urinary incontinence treatment vary, it is difficult to comparatively characterize urethral bulking agents to determine the most effective one. The search is being conducted for an ideal proper filler, which should be biocompatible and non-immunogenic and maintain a long-term therapeutic effect. CONCLUSIONS:Urethral bulking injections are an alternative therapy for women with stress urinary incontinence who are informed about its short-term effect and are expecting to avoid the risk of possible complications after surgery. Promising is to be regarded as the use of new urethral bulking agents based on hyaluronic acid with an optimal choice of concentration, degree of crosslinking and type of crosslinking agent to ensure maximum duration of action and minimum side effects.

Bladder Dysfunction and Re-Absorbable Bulking Agent Affect Success Rate in Children Underwent Endoscopic Treatment for Vesicoureteral Reflux: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

This paper is designed to evaluate the results (at long-term follow-up of) children affected by dilating VUR. Our attention was focused on how VUR grade, laterality, bladder dysfunction (BD), the double renal system, and the type of bulking substance may affect VUR resolution in the long-term period. The charts of 93 children with dilating VUR who underwent endoscopic treatment (ET) and with a minimum post-operative follow-up of 7 years were reviewed (mean follow-up time was 9.6 + 1.4). The majority of patients had severe and bilateral VUR. Polydimetilsiloxane or hyaluronic acid/dextranomer (PDS or Ha/Dx) were used as bulking agents. VUR persistence following endoscopic injection was independent with respect to grade, laterality, duplex renal system, and BD. However, the rate of VUR persistence was significantly higher in children with BD. Children treated with Ha/Dx had a higher rate of VUR persistence. This research demonstrated that ET of VUR is also effective at very long term follow up (and without the development of significant complications). We also showed that patients treated with absorbable bulking agents such as Ha/Dx may experience a higher recurrence rate at the long-term follow-up). We also confirm that the only preoperative condition affecting VUR recurrence was bladder dysfunction.