Changes in Chemical Properties of Banana Pseudostem, Mushroom Media Waste, and Chicken Manure through the Co-Composting Process

Co-composting is an effective approach to biowaste management. The co-composting potential of banana pseudostem (BPS) and mushroom media waste (MMW) with chicken manure (CM) has not been explored, let alone their suitable ratios of co-composting being determined. Meanwhile, the imbalance ratios of the feedstocks used in the process severely restrict the physicochemical properties and quality of the finished product. For this reason, six different ratios of BPS, MMW, and CM, viz. 1:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:3:1, 2:1:1, 2:2:1, and 2:3:1, respectively (T1–T6), were composted together in aerobic conditions to identify the suitable ratio by evaluating the changes in the physicochemical properties in the composting process. According to the ratio of treatments, the feedstocks were mixed on fresh weight basis. The turning process of co-composting piles was repeated at seven-day intervals to maintain the uniform aeration throughout the composting period. The piles having BPS, MMW, and CM at ratios of 1:2:1, 1:3:1, and 2:3:1, respectively, demonstrated a longer thermophilic phase, indicating more complete decomposition and earlier maturity compared to piles with higher amount of BPS. Of the ratios, BPS:MMW:CM at 1:2:1 ratio (T2) resulted in the highest total nitrogen (1.53%), lowest C:N ratio (12.4), organic matter loss (54.5%), and increased CEC (41.3 cmol/kg). The highest germination index (129%) was also recorded in the T2 compost, indicating that it was toxic-free and safe for seed germination. The nutrient-rich compost with high alkaline pH (≥10) can effectively ameliorate soils of an acidic nature, for example, the acidity of Ultisols and Oxisols.

Effect of Mixing Alfalfa with Whole-Plant Corn in Different Proportions on Fermentation Characteristics and Bacterial Community of Silage

The influence of mixing alfalfa with whole-plant corn in different proportions on the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community of silage was investigated. Alfalfa and whole-plant corn, harvested at dry matter content of 276.47 and 328.43 g/kg fresh weight, accordingly, were chopped to approximately 2 cm and mixed at ratios of 100:0 (C0, control), 80:20 (C20), 60:40 (C40), 40:60 (C60), 20:80 (C80) and 0:100 (C100) on a fresh weight basis, respectively. Silos of each treatment were produced in triplicate and anaerobically fermented in darkness for 100 days at room temperature (20–21 °C). At silo opening, silage fermentation characteristics and bacterial composition and diversity were analyzed. The C0 silage was weakly preserved, evidenced by a low lactic acid concentration and a high value of pH, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen. With corn proportion in the mixture increasing from 0% to 40%, silage pH, acetic acid, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen level decreased, whereas the value of lactic acid and lactic acid to acetic acid ratio increased. The C40, C60, C80 and C100 silages’ Flieg score, used to evaluate the overall fermentation quality, was above 80 and higher than C0 (25) and C20 (61) silages. The C0 silage contained a complex bacterial community at the genus level, consisting mainly of Enterococcus (38.86%), Enterobacteria (20.61%), Rhizobium (8.45%), Lactobacillus (8.15%), Methylobacterium (5.54%) and Weissella (5.24%). As corn percentage increased from 0% to 40%, the relative abundance of desirable Lactobacillus increased and undesirable Rhizobium and Methylobacterium population reduced. With corn proportion in the mixture increasing from 0% to 40%, inclusion of corn to alfalfa at ensiling significantly improved silage fermentation quality and shifted the bacterial community for better silage preservation. Overall, high quality silage was produced when alfalfa was combined with at least 40% whole-plant corn on a fresh weight basis.

Proximate Composition, Cyanide Content, and Carotenoid Retention after Boiling of Provitamin A-Rich Cassava Grown in Ghana

Biofortified yellow-fleshed cassava is important in countries with high cassava consumption, to improve the vitamin A status of their populations. Yellow- and white-fleshed cassava were evaluated over three locations for proximate composition and cyanide content as well as retention of carotenoids after boiling. There was significant variation in the crude fiber, fat, protein and ash content of the genotypes. All but one of the yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes recorded higher protein values than the white-fleshed local genotypes across locations. The cyanide content of the genotypes varied between locations but was within the range of sweet cassava genotypes, but above the maximum acceptable recommended limit. Micronutrient retention is important in biofortified crops because a loss of micronutrients during processing and cooking reduces the nutritional value of biofortified foods. Total carotenoid content (TCC) ranged from 1.18–18.81 μg.g−1 and 1.01–13.36 μg.g−1 (fresh weight basis) for fresh and boiled cassava, respectively. All the yellow-fleshed cassava genotypes recorded higher TCC values in both the fresh and boiled state than the white-fleshed genotypes used as checks.

Effects of Chopping Length and Additive on the Fermentation Quality and Aerobic Stability in Silage of Leymus chinensis

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of the chopping length and additive on the fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability in silage of Leymus chinensis. L. chinensis was chopped to 1–2 cm and 4–5 cm, and immediately ensiled with the three treatments, i.e., 2% sucrose (fresh weight basis; SU), 1 × 105 cfu/g Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) or 1 × 105 cfu/g LP plus 2% sucrose (SU+LP). Silage treated with distilled water served as the control. After silage processing for 30 and 90 d, the fermentation quality of L. chinensis silage was evaluated. The composition of the fermentation products and the pH value in the silage were determined at 1, 3, 5 and 7 d after opening the silo. The results showed that in L. chinensis silage there was a lower pH value, higher lactic acid content and better aerobic stability at the 1–2 cm length than those at the 4–5 cm (p < 0.001). When the chopping length was 4–5 cm, the addition of either LP or SU+LP increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid, and decreased the pH value and butyric acid content, compared to those of the control and SU treatment (p < 0.001). Furthermore, combination treatment of SU+LP performed better than LP alone, and the aerobic stability time of L. chinensis silage at 4–5 cm without any additives was the worst. In conclusion, enhanced fermentation quality and aerobic stability can be obtained by processing L. chinensis silage with the shorter length. When the L. chinensis is cut longer, e.g., 4–5 cm in this study, LP or SU+LP could be used as an effective method to improve the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of L. chinensis silage.

Nutritional-Medicinal Profile and Quality Categorization of Fresh White Button Mushroom

Due to susceptible change era for the world, limited land resources; vast encounter to meet the food demand and medicine for the growing populations make the necessity to discover any alternative food which has good nutritional and medicinal value. Hence, the quality categorization of Fresh White Button Mushroom has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements governing the quality of products. The contents and categorizations were formulated in accordance with the procedures established by standards physiochemical and sensory determination methods. The chemical composition (moisture, ash, protein, carbohydrate, total fat) and minerals composition (Se, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, Na, N, Fe, P, Ca, Mg, S, and K) of white button mushroom were determined. Results show that edible mushrooms are rich sources of protein (3.27±0.12), fiber(1.87±0.08), carbohydrates (2.66±0.61), fats (0.22±0.05) and energy (28.50±1.22 Kcal) g/100g fresh weight basis respectively. In addition to these, white button mushrooms also contain the highest content of potassium (3560±153.33) and sulfur (2195.59±1405.60) mg/kg fresh weight basis mineral elements. The quality categorization was monitored under a controlled environmental condition (Temp. 5-6±10C) and packed in a 30µm thickness polyethylene bag. The data were categorized by organoleptic, physicochemical, and bacterial count (CFU/g) basis. The grades SSQM: size<33.44mm, whiteness(Hunter) >80 number of pieces: 19/200g, open veils; Nil, Veiled: Nil; lactic acid: > 0.7%, Lactococcus lactis: >9.5x105,SQM: Size range of 33.57-38.55,whiteness (Hunter):70-80,Veiled 1, open veiled 1, open veiled 6.25%, lactic acid: 0.4-0.7 % and Lactococcus lactis: > 8.4 x 105, AQM: size>38.62, Whiteness (Hunter): 60-70,Veiled 1, open veiled 2, open veiled 16.6%, lactic acid: 0.3-0.4 % and Lactococcus lactis:>3.4 x105. The overall fruiting body has a significantly high level of nutrient and mineral composition, Lactic acid, and probiotic bacteria, thus WBM can be used as a good source of food as well as medicine.

Leaf growth in early development is key to biomass heterosis in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis thaliana hybrids have similar properties to hybrid crops, with greater biomass relative to the parents. We asked whether the greater biomass was due to increased photosynthetic efficiency per unit leaf area or to overall increased leaf area and increased total photosynthate per plant. We found that photosynthetic parameters (electron transport rate, CO2 assimilation rate, chlorophyll content, and chloroplast number) were unchanged on a leaf unit area and unit fresh weight basis between parents and hybrids, indicating that heterosis is not a result of increased photosynthetic efficiency. To investigate the possibility of increased leaf area producing more photosynthate per plant, we studied C24×Landsberg erecta (Ler) hybrids in detail. These hybrids have earlier germination and leaf growth than the parents, leading to a larger leaf area at any point in development of the plant. The developing leaves of the hybrids are significantly larger than those of the parents, with consequent greater production of photosynthate and an increased contribution to heterosis. The set of leaves contributing to heterosis changes as the plant develops; the four most recently emerged leaves make the greatest contribution. As a leaf matures, its contribution to heterosis attenuates. While photosynthesis per unit leaf area is unchanged at any stage of development in the hybrid, leaf area is greater and the amount of photosynthate per plant is increased.

Determination of protein of edible insects

Mexico is a country with a wide variety of edible insects. Because of its high protein intake, insect consumption is proposed as a solution to hunger. However, studies on nutritional value are necessary.The objective of this work was the determination of chapulin protein. In this study, 14 chapulin (Sphenarium purpuarascens) samples collected in Guadalajara from Oaxaca and Morelos were analyzed and processed according to the Weende proximate analysis methodology that includes the Kjeldahl procedure for protein determination. The results on fresh weight basis were: water 22.68%, dry matter 77.32%, ashes 12.8%, fat 6.78%, fiber 3.38%, protein 33.15% and nitrogen free extract 21.21%. Protein digestibility was 91.21%. Because of the protein content, chapulin flour can be used as a protein ingredient in other food products.

Phytochemical screening and determination of minerals and heavy metals in the flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L

Dried powder of the flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. was analyzed for phytochemical screening, proximate compositions, mineral constituents and heavy metals analysis. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. Alkaloids, anthraquinones and phlobatannins were absent. The proximate compositions was found to be high in moisture content (92.27 ± 0.09 %), the ash content was found to be (0.53 ± 0.02 %) while the protein content was 0.97 ± 0.05 % by fresh weight basis. The air dried flowers sample revealed highest in oxygen content (50.16 %) and lowest in sulfur content (0.10%). A total of six anions were analyzed. The sample was found rich in fluoride (94.87 ± 2.501 mg/Kg) and sulfate (165.24 ± 5.14 mg/Kg) content. A total of fifteen metals were analyzed. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr and As were found in trace amounts, which were within the acceptable limits according to WHO and FAO Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.54(4), 321-328, 2019

Composition of Volatile Fraction from Inflorescences and Leaves of Dendrobium moschatum (Orchidaceae)

The volatile fractions from fresh inflorescences and leaves of Dendrobium moschatum (Buchanan-Hamilton) Swartz (Orchidaceae) were isolated by steam distillation with a yield of 0.498% and 0.041% (weight/fresh weight basis), respectively. From GC/FID and GC/MS analyses, coumarin was identified to be the most abundant constituent and quantified as 48.8% and 47.8% of the total volatiles from inflorescences and leaves, respectively. Hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, acids and aldehydes were also detected. Long chain mono unsaturated hydrocarbons were quantified in higher amount in leaves and their structures were elucidated by GC/MS of their dimethyl disulfide derivatives. These compounds together with long chain ethyl esters and methyl ketones may represent a particular feature of this plant species and can play a critical role in the interaction with pollinator insect.

Biochemical profiling of some prominent turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)Cultivars of northeast India

The present investigation was carried out with thirteen turmeric genotypes of Northeast India to evaluate dry matter content, essential oil, fatty oil, curcumin content and effect of particle sizes on the colour intensity as well as solubility in different solvent systems. Significant variation in moisture content among thirteen genotypes was observed on the fresh weight basis of turmeric rhizomes. The observed data varied from 70.84 to 86.01.In respect of curcumin content, all the thirteen cultivars showed significant variation. The value ranged from .0930 to .0.9125 with an average of 0.5952 percent. The observed data of essential oil varied from 1.00 to 7.23 percent with an average of 3.88 percent. Significant variations in fatty oil percentage were found in all the thirteen cultivars. Effect of different particle sizes on solubility of the cultivars in different solvents in terms of absorbance at 425nm also found to vary among the cultivars.