Improving Trapping Efficiency for Control of American Mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia

Two main challenges when controlling alien American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia are to maximize campaign efficacy and cost-effectiveness and to avoid trapping native species. We designed and tested new variants of collapsible wire box traps, compared the efficacy of a food-based bait and a scent lure and compared catch rates in different seasons of the year. We used the data to model the efficiency rate of the trapping and to determine the trapping effort required to remove 70–90% of the estimated discrete mink population. Between January 2018 and March 2021, we operated 59 trapping transects over 103 three-day trapping periods in southern Chile. Traps were first baited with canned fish, and afterwards with mink anal gland lure. We compared the efficacy of mink capture with that of our previous study. We trapped 196 mink (125 males, 71 females), with most captures in summer. The medium-sized GMV-18 trap caught more male mink, but the more compact GMV-13 caught fewer non-target rodents and no native mammals. The scent lure was more successful than the canned fish when the previous campaign’s data were included in the analysis. There was also a significant improvement in the proportion of female mink trapped and reduced labour compared with our previous campaign that used larger traps, fish bait and 400–500 m trap spacings. We caught relatively more females than males after the third night of trapping on a transect. Our data analysis supports the use of the GMV-13 variant of wire cage trap as the best trap size: it is effective on female mink, small, cheap and easy to transport. Combined with mink anal scent lure, it reduces the possibility of trapping native species compared with other traps tested in Chile. As the most efficient method for removing at least 70% of the estimated discrete mink population within the area covered by each trap transect in southern Chile tested to date, we recommend trapping campaigns using GMV-13 during summer, with a 200-m trap spacing, for up to 6 days before moving traps to a new site, with a combination of three days with a female scent gland lure, followed by three days with a male scent gland lure.

Priority Micronutrient Density of Foods for Complementary Feeding of Young Children (6–23 Months) in South and Southeast Asia

Background: Given their high nutrient requirements and limited gastric capacity, young children during the complementary feeding period (6–23 months) should be fed nutrient-dense foods. However, complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are often inadequate in one or more essential micronutrients. In South and Southeast Asia infants' and young children's diets are commonly lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12, and calcium, hereafter referred to as priority micronutrients.Objective: This study aimed to identify the top food sources of priority micronutrients among minimally processed foods for complementary feeding of children (6–23 months) in South and Southeast Asia.Methods: An aggregated regional food composition database for South and Southeast Asia was built, and recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) from complementary foods were calculated for children aged 6–23 months. An approach was developed to classify foods into one of four levels of priority micronutrient density based on the calories and grams required to provide one-third (for individual micronutrients) or an average of one-third (for the aggregate score) of RNIs from complementary foods.Results: We found that the top food sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh fish, goat, canned fish with bones, and eggs, closely followed by beef, lamb/mutton, dark green leafy vegetables, cow milk, yogurt, and cheese, and to a lesser extent, canned fish without bones.Conclusions: This analysis provided insights into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition in children aged 6–23 months in South and Southeast Asia.

Quantification of Some Metals in Commonly Consumed Canned Foods in South-west Nigeria: Probable Pointer to Metal Toxicity

Canned foods are one of the most commonly consumed products, due to benefits like the taste, handiness and convenience derived from them. On the other hand, these dietary products may be a means of heavy metal exposure and toxicant. This study aimed to quantify metals content in some frequently consumed canned foods in Nigeria as a possible source of toxicity. Twenty-two different commonly consumed brands of canned foods (Sweet corn, Green peas, Corned beef, Hotdog, Mushroom, Tin tomato, Mixed fruit, Baked beans, Mackerel (tomato sauce canned fish), Sardine (canned fish in vegetable oil) and Red kidney were analyzed for Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb and Al using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after wet digestion. The results showed that the heavy metals concentration in the samples under study ranged from 0.55 to 0.86mg/kg (Ni), 0.00 to 0.41mg/kg (Cr), 1.40 to 1.76 mg/kg (Pb), 0.07 to 0.2mg/kg (Cu) and 4.71 to 16.4mg/kg (Al). The levels of Pb, Ni and Al were above FAO/WHO recommended limit of 0.01mg/kg, 0.05mg/kg and 7mg/kg respectively. The presence of heavy metals like lead (Pb) above the permissible limit calls for caution during production and in the frequent consumption of canned foods which may lead to accumulation of metals, toxicity and the sequelae.

Priority micronutrient density in foods

Background: Despite concerted efforts to improve diet quality and reduce malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries and among population groups with increased needs, where diets are often inadequate in iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin B12. There is a need to understand the density of these micronutrients and their bioavailability across diverse foods and the suitability of these foods to help meet requirements for populations with high burdens of micronutrient malnutrition.Objective: We aimed to identify the top food sources of these commonly lacking micronutrients, which are essential for optimal health, to support efforts to reduce micronutrient malnutrition among various populations globally.Methods: We built an aggregated global food composition database and calculated recommended nutrient intakes for five population groups with varying requirements. An approach was developed to rate foods according to their density in each and all priority micronutrients for various population groups with different nutrient requirements.Results: We find that the top sources of priority micronutrients are organs, small fish, dark green leafy vegetables, bivalves, crustaceans, goat, beef, eggs, milk, canned fish with bones, lamb, and mutton. Cheese, goat milk, and pork are also good sources, and to a lesser extent, yogurt, fresh fish, pulses, teff, and canned fish without bones.Conclusions: The results provide insight into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition.

Exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia

The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia. This objective was fulfilled by analyzing content of essential elements in canned fish and by using data from a food consumption survey. Consumption survey of canned fish was designed and performed to general principles and EFSA guidelines on data collection of national food consumption. The questionnaire was performed on 1,000 respondents during 2018. Determination of copper, zinc and iron levels were performed on 454 canned fish and seafood samples divided into four groups (canned tuna, canned sardines, canned other sea fish and canned seafood) during five consecutive years (2014–2018). This study showed significant association between sex, BMI and weight and consumption patterns. Obtained average weekly consumption of canned fish confirms our assumption that consumption of canned fish is significant in Serbia. Zinc and iron were found in all 454 samples (100%), and copper in 222 samples (48.9%). The average obtained concentration in all samples were 1.268 mg kg–1 for Cu, 5.661 mg kg–1 for Zn and 9.556 mg kg–1 for Fe. The highest concentration for all three minerals were found in canned sardines (Cu — 6.49 mg kg–1, Zn — 37.2 mg kg–1 and Fe — 21.8 mg kg–1). Obtained mean exposure to intake of copper, zinc and iron from canned fish was 1.2241 μg/kg bw/day, 5.4634 μg/kg bw/day and 9.2231 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Exposure of Serbian population to zinc, copper, and iron through consumption of canned fish is less than recommended daily reference intakes and there is no risk of reaching toxic levels by consuming fish.

Priority micronutrient density of foods for complementary feeding of young children (6-23 months) in South and Southeast Asia

Background Given their high nutrient requirements and limited gastric capacity, young children during the complementary feeding period (6-23 months) should be fed nutrient-dense foods. However, complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are often inadequate in one or more essential micronutrients. In South and Southeast Asia infants’ and young children’s diets are commonly lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12 and calcium, hereafter referred to as priority micronutrients. Objective This study aimed to identify the top food sources of priority micronutrients, among minimally processed, locally available foods, for complementary feeding of children (6-23 months) in South and Southeast Asia. Methods An aggregated regional food composition database for South and Southeast Asia was built, and recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) from complementary foods were calculated for children aged 6-23 months. An approach was developed to classify foods into one of four levels of priority micronutrient density based on the calories and grams required to provide one-third (for individual micronutrients) or an average of one-third (for the aggregate score) of RNIs from complementary foods. Results We found that the top food sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh fish, goat, canned fish with bones, and eggs, closely followed by beef, lamb/mutton, dark green leafy vegetables, cow milk, yoghurt, and cheese, and to a lesser extent, canned fish without bones. Conclusions This analysis provided insights into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition in children aged 6-23 months in South and Southeast Asia.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE INNOVATIVE METHOD OF PRELIMINARY PROCESSING OF FISH RAW MATERIALS

The scientific article presents experimental data on the possibility of modification of the generally accepted traditional technology of pre-heat treatment of freshwater fish raw materials in the production of canned fish by developing an innovative method - dehydration with hydrochloric acid. Technological and rheological features of the muscle tissue of the object of study - silver carp, which is the most important object of aquaculture and commercial fish farming in Ukraine and in many other countries, require the use of pre-heat treatment. This technique is required to remove moisture from muscle tissue by denaturing sarcoplasmic proteins when the temperature rises above 95 C. Due to the high specific heat of fish muscle tissue, heat treatment is energy intensive and, consequently, not cost effective. In connection with the above promising direction of modification of preliminary heat treatment of raw materials of the fish industry in the production of canned fish should be the development and implementation of a new innovative energy-saving method of processing semi-finished products in the design of modern fish processing enterprises. The paper presents data on the effect of hydrochloric acid on the properties of muscle tissue of silver carp. This directional regulation of the moisture holding capacity in the direction of its reduction is possible by shifting the pH to the isoelectric point of muscle tissue proteins. The influence of such technological parameters as mass fraction of hydrochloric acid in the treatment solution, hydromodule (solution: raw material), temperature and duration of the process on the change of active acidity of muscle tissue of fish raw materials, and, accordingly, moisture binding capacity was established. Accordingly, the following technological parameters of the process were determined: mass fraction of hydrochloric acid - 0.1%, processing temperature 20–25°С, hydraulic module - 1:10, processing duration - 30 minutes. The introduction of the developed technological parameters of the innovative method of pre-treatment creates conditions in which the active acidity of muscle tissue is as close as possible to the isoelectric point of most fish proteins, which in turn provides minimum values of moisture binding capacity. Based on the obtained data, a technological method of pre-processing of fish raw materials in the production of canned fish has been developed, the use of which allows to completely eliminate energy-intensive thermal operation from the technological cycle, and accordingly significantly increase economic efficiency

Production-Distribution Model Considering Traceability and Carbon Emission: A Case Study of the Indonesian Canned Fish Food Industry

Background: Traceability systems and carbon emissions are two important factors involved in production and distribution activities. The involvement of these two factors in production and distribution activities along the supply chain will ensure the safety and quality of food through the manufacture, packaging and distribution of products with minimal costs and in an environmentally friendly way. Objective: This study aimed to develop a model of canned fish food production and distribution integration by considering traceability and carbon emissions to minimize total costs. Method: A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) approach was used to develop mathematical models and the optimal solution of the model created was obtained using an open-source spreadsheet solver program. Results: The results show that the proposed models produce the minimum total production and distribution cost with high traceability and low carbon emissions. Conclusions: The sensitivity analysis from this study shows that there is a significant relationship between production, carbon emissions, and the total cost of production-distribution. Moreover, it was concluded that the production level, carbon emission level, and emission threshold can have a significant influence in the generation of the total carbon emissions.