Fatty Acids and Nutraceutical Properties of Lipids in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Meat Produced in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

The aim of the study was to assess the fatty acid profile and nutraceutical properties of lipids contained in fallow deer (Dama dama) meat produced in organic and conventional farming systems. Longissimus lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles from 24 fallow deer carcasses were selected for the study. The fallow deer meat from the organic farming system was characterized by significantly lower intramuscular fat content. The fatty acid profile in the organic meat was characterized by a particularly high proportion (p < 0.0001) of conjugated linoleic acid—CLA (LL—2.29%, SM—2.14%), alpha-linolenic acid—ALA (LL—4.32%, SM—3.87%), and docosahexaenoic acid—DHA (LL—2.83%, SM—2.60%). The organic system had a beneficial effect (p < 0.0001) on the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including n-3 PUFAs, which resulted in a more favorable n-6 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid)/n-3 PUFA ratio. The significantly higher nutritional quality of organic meat lipids was confirmed by such nutraceutical indicators as the thrombogenic index (TI), ∆9-desaturase C16, elongase, and docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA+EPA) in the LL and SM and cholesterol index (CI), and the cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) indices in the SM. LL was characterized by higher overall quality.

Effect of Lentil’s Variety and Cultural Farming System on Nutritional Value and Physicochemical Sensory Properties as Related to Human Daily Coverage

The aim of this study is to determine if there is any influence of lentil variety and environment of cultivation in the chemical composition of seeds originating from organic and conventional farming systems. Particularly, an evaluation was made on the physicochemical properties of three lentil cultivars (‘Thessalia’, ‘Dimitra’, ‘Samos’) and also the effect of farming system towards the composition of seeds to be assessed for discovering the tendency which specific cultivar or farming system are most preferable for the consumers. For the evaluation of the physicochemical properties of lentil seeds: (a) Seed density, (b) Hydration coefficient, (c) Swelling coefficient, (d) pH and (e) Content in macro- and micronutrients (total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and boron), were estimated. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied for every characteristic in order to determine similarities/ differences among the cultivars in both organic and conventional farming systems. In addition, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were conducted. Regarding the three cultivars under evaluation, cv. ‘Dimitra’ is superior especially in the organic environment, followed by cv. ‘Thessalia’, whose nutritional value increases under organic farming conditions. While ‘Samos’ exhibited a slightly better performance under conventional conditions. Based on the results of this research, the interaction between the lentil cultivar and the cultivating environment can influence the nutritional value and the physicochemical properties of lentil’s seeds.

Chemical Analysis of Rice from Converted-to-Organic Paddy Field in Lombok Island

Chemical analysis has been undertaken to investigate the nutrients compositions and the presence of residual pesticides from rice cultivated from converted-to-organic paddy fields in Lombok Island. The nutrients being investigated were macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and proteins), micronutrients (beta-carotene), metal ions, and minerals, whereas pesticides being investigated were organo-chlorides residues such as endrin, delta-BHC, dieldrin, etc. The chemical analysis results were compared to those from rice cultivated from conventional farming, which uses chemical pesticides. It was revealed that there is no difference in the nutrients compositions of rice produced from converted-to-organic paddy fields to those from conventional farming. Moreover, it was shown that both rice samples from converted-to-organic and conventional farming paddy fields have no detectable residual pesticides. This finding suggests that the absence of residual pesticides from rice samples does not necessarily correspond to the application of organic farming in the converted-to-organic land. There is not robust evidence that the application of organic alters the nutrient composition of rice. This result also underlines the need to further investigate the real benefits of organic rice farming products in terms of nutritional composition and safety.

Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Incomes from Organic and Conventional Farming Systems in North Benin: Case of the Municipality of Tanguieta

It is likely that Goals 2, 14, and 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will never be achieved if organic farming remains economically less profitable than conventional farming. This study was aimed at making a comparative analysis of the economic performance of organic and conventional farming systems. The data were collected from 36 organic and 39 conventional farmers, by individual interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive, economic performance indicators and ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis were used. The results show that the cotton farming activity remains economically more profitable in organic systems, despite the technical constraints of farming. In combination with cotton, corn and soybeans are more profitable in organic systems than conventional. Moreover, level of prosperity, distance from home to cotton farms are positively related to conventional farming system income at 1% and 5% level of significance. Agricultural assets, contact with extension agents, experience in organic farming, secondary activity is positively related to organic system income at 1%, 5%, and 5% level of significance; whilst the household size and the cotton acreage are negatively related to organic system income at 1% and 5% level of significance. It would then be necessary to continue and intensify the programs of diffusion of the best organic cultivation practices to the farmers whatever their experience in organic and to be more interested in corn and soy crops.