Dietary Fiber in Plant Cell Walls—The Healthy Carbohydrates

Dietary fiber (DF) is one of the major classes of nutrients for humans. It is widely distributed in the edible parts of natural plants, with the cell wall being the main DF-containing structure. The DF content varies significantly in different plant species and organs, and the processing procedure can have a dramatic effect on the DF composition of plant-based foods. Given the considerable nutritional value of DF, a deeper understanding of DF in food plants, including its composition and biosynthesis, is fundamental to the establishment of a daily intake reference of DF and is also critical to molecular breeding programs for modifying DF content. In the past decades, plant cell wall biology has seen dramatic progress, and such knowledge is of great potential to be translated into DF-related food science research and may provide future research directions for improving the health benefits of food crops. In this review, to spark interdisciplinary discussions between food science researchers and plant cell wall biologists, we focus on a specific category of DF—cell wall carbohydrates. We first summarize the content and composition of carbohydrate DF in various plant-based foods, and then discuss the structure and biosynthesis mechanism of each carbohydrate DF category, in particular the respective biosynthetic enzymes. Health impacts of DF are highlighted, and finally, future directions of DF research are also briefly outlined.

Food Behavior in Emergency Time: Wild Plant Use for Human Nutrition during the Conflict in Syria

Wild food plants (WFPs) have been an important source of human nutrition since ancient times, and it particularly revives when conventional food is not available due to emergency situations, such as natural disasters and conflicts. The war in Syria has entered 10 years since it started in 2011, and it has caused the largest war-related crises since World War II. Nearly 60% of the Syrian population (12.4 million people) are food-insecure. WFPs are already culturally important in the region, and may be supplementing local diets during this conflict. Our study aimed to uncover the conflict’s effect on the use of WFPs and to know what species are consumed by local people during the current crisis. The fieldwork was carried out between March 2020 and March 2021 in the Tartus governorate located in the coastal region of Syria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 participants (26 women and 24 men) distributed in 26 villages along the study area. We recorded the vernacular names, uses, plant parts used, modes of preparation and consumption, change in WFP use before and during the conflict, and informants’ perceptions towards WFPs. We documented 75 wild food plant species used for food and drink. Almost two-thirds (64%) of informants reported an increase in their reliance on wild plants as a food source during the conflict. The species of Origanum syriacum, Rhus coriaria, Eryngium creticum, and Cichorium intybus were among the most quoted species by informants. Sleeq (steamed leafy vegetables), Zaatar (breakfast/dinner food), and Louf (soup) were the most popular wild plant-based dishes.

Study of Knowledge of Breastfeeding Practices in Infants from 0 to 6 Months

The rate of exclusive breastfeeding from 0 to 6 months in Côte d'Ivoire was 16.67 % in 2014. The objective of this study is to identify the difficulties related to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants from birth to 6 months with a view to finding sustainable solutions for its implementation. A survey study was carried out on a sample of 200 women in the municipality of Bingerville from 7 October 2020 to 7 February 2021. After analysis, the results of the survey show that in the Bingerville locality of Côte d'Ivoire, the difficulties relating to the decline in exclusive breastfeeding are largely linked to the insufficient production of breast milk. The results have made it possible to record some species of food plants. They undoubtedly possess lactogenic properties, which make it possible to cope with the insufficient production of milk in the udder. Thus, after 24 hours, these food plants have made it possible to increase the production of breast milk in the udders intended for infants. The registered food plants will help to ensure the food security of the infant through the improvement of milk production in breastfeeding mothers.

Taxonomic and Bio-geographical Studies of Three Bombus Species (Hymenoptera: Bombus) from North-West Himalaya with New Record from Trans Himalaya

Background: Bumble bees play a crucial role in pollination of North West Himalayas. Bumble bees successfully thrive in the harsh environmental conditions of Himalayas. The present study aimed at taxonomic and zoogeographic studies of Bumble bees belonging to genus Bombus along with altitudinal variation of one species leading to its new record. Methods: The collections surveys were conducted from the year 2017 to 2019 from altitude of 1000 to 3500 meters above sea level in North-West Himalaya. A total of 43 specimens belonging to three species were collected. These specimens were preserved as per standard techniques in Hymenoptera and identified following keys of eminent workers. Result: The detailed taxonomy of three species of Bumble bees from North West Himalaya i.e., Bombus trifasciatus Smith, Bombus tunicatus Smith and Bombus simillimus Smith has been studied. The important taxonomic characters of different castes of these bee species have been elaborated and illustrations of morphological characters (including genitalia and sterna of male) of different castes i.e. queen, worker and male for each species are provided. The general foraging behaviour and altitudinal distribution along with floral preferences has been discussed in all the three species. The list of nectar food plants is provided under each species. B. trifasciatus has been recorded for the first time from Phey in cold desert in UT of Ladakh, which is being reported as new record in the Trans Himalayan region.

Adoption Behaviour of Sericulture Farmers Regarding Improved Technologies ofJorhat District of Assam

The research study was undertaken in the purposively selected Jorhat and Majuli(undivided) districts of Assam during the year 2018-19 with an objective to analyze theadoption behaviour of sericulture farmers regarding improved technologies and their socio-economic relationship with the adoption behaviour for enhancement of production andproductivity at farmers level. Sericulture has been practiced traditionally and a large portionof rural people earn their livelihood from sericulture sector in this region. The presentfindings revealed that adoption of improved sericulture technologies was in medium categoryfor majority of the respondents 76.67 per cent in eri culture, 66.67 per cent in muga cultureand 76.67 per cent in mulberry culture. Due to lack of awareness of improved sericulturetechnologies as well as poor living conditions the adoption level of sericulture technologiesamong the seri farmers of Jorhat district was very low. There was gap in disseminationand adoption of improved sericulture technologies in pre and post cocoon sector for growthand development of sericulture in acreage of food plants, rearing of silkworm and productionand productivity of cocoon and silk. Hence, the study recommends that adoption ofscientific technologies among the seri farmers has significant impact on growth anddevelopment of sericulture as well as economic benefit of the farmer.

CAN TROIDES HELENA AND PACHLIOPTA ADAMAS CO-EXIST? A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE BUTTERFLY BREEDING FACILITY, CIBINONG SCIENCE CENTER, INDONESIA

Troides helena and Pachliopta adamas utilize the same food plant species: Aristolochia acuminata. For the purpose of captive breeding and conservation, it is desirable to find out whether they can co-exist in captivity. Captive breeding research was conducted on the butterfly species within the period of October 2016 to September 2019. In total, 1,361 individuals were observed. Data on adult emergence of the species is presented to show population trends. Both species co-existed poorly at the facility when food plants were limited. It took 45.9 days for T. helena helena and 32.6 days for Pc. adamas adamas from egg to imago stage. Habitat enrichment can encourage the species to come and establish the population.

Large variation in availability of Maya food plant sources during ancient droughts

Paleoclimatic evidence indicating a series of droughts in the Yucatan Peninsula during the Terminal Classic period suggests that climate change may have contributed to the disruption or collapse of Classic Maya polities. Although climate change cannot fully account for the multifaceted, political turmoil of the period, it is clear that droughts of strong magnitude could have limited food availability, potentially causing famine, migration, and societal decline. Maize was undoubtedly an important staple food of the ancient Maya, but a complete analysis of other food resources that would have been available during drought remains unresolved. Here, we assess drought resistance of all 497 indigenous food plant species documented in ethnographic, ethnobotanical, and botanical studies as having been used by the lowland Maya and classify the availability of these plant species and their edible components under various drought scenarios. Our analysis indicates availability of 83% of food plant species in short-term drought, but this percentage drops to 22% of food plant species available in moderate drought up to 1 y. During extreme drought, lasting several years, our analysis indicates availability of 11% of food plant species. Our results demonstrate a greater diversity of food sources beyond maize that would have been available to the Maya during climate disruption of the Terminal Classic period than has been previously acknowledged. While drought would have necessitated shifts in dietary patterns, the range of physiological drought responses for the available food plants would have allowed a continuing food supply under all but the most dire conditions.

A Glimpse of Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) Hunting in Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) Nepal

Higher altitudes of Api Nampa Conservation Area have become a hunting destination for the local people bringing a threat to blue sheep and other wildlife. Blue sheep has been a national concern in Nepal due to being the main prey species of snow leopard and trophy hunting. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of hunters in Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA), Darchula, Nepal. This study was carried out around Api Nampa Conservation Area in 2016. Mixed methods of questionnaires were developed to collect data, and quantitative analysis was done by applying SPSS 16. A hundred percent of hunters like to hunt in this protected area. The hunted animals were goral, blue sheep, barking deer, boar and tahr. Site-specific characteristics like vegetation density, terrain and rugged land topography often vary markedly across surveys. Due to the regular and yearly use of grazing by the livestock in the area, it becomes imperative to study their feeding habits and document their food plants. Consequently, poaching and livestock grazing are important challenges for the conservation of blue sheep. Hunting, deforestation, forest fires, grazing and shifting agriculture are identified as major threats to the wildlife of Api Nampa Conservation Area. Envisioning, critical thinking, building partnership in decision-making, awareness, and stringent action against hunting activities must be adopted early. Api Nampa Conservation Area has received little research attention from grassland ecologists and specialists in pastoral management.

Traditions of growing and using of plants in villages and small towns of Ukraine in the 70–80s of the XX century

Aim. The purpose of the article is to describe the traditions of growing and using plants in the villages and small towns and to highlight the range of plants that were most often planted near houses during the 1970s and 80s in Ukraine. Methods. The study was conducted in the villages of Kyiv (Rogoziv), Zhytomyr (Hardyshivka) regions, in the suburbs of Kyiv (Bilychi, Zhulyany) and Borzna (Chernihiv region) by interviewing and eyewitness based accounts. Results. The article covers the list of traditional agricultural, fruit and ornamental plants for rural areas of Ukraine during the 1970s and 80s. The names of cultivars, methods of cultivation, meaning and traditional use of the plants are given. The peculiarities of the range of cultures depending on the studied area are analyzed. Conclusions. As a result of our research, the list of plants species grown in the villages of Ukraine during the 1970s and 80s included 104 species. Ornamental and food plants that were grown and used in the villages of Ukraine during the 1970s and 80s mostly were herbaceous annuals and perennials. A significant portion of them were vegetable fruit and berry plants. Among ornamental plants, medium- and tall plants with bright flowers and (or) strong aroma became more popular and widespread. These were species and cultivars that are easily propagated by seeds and division, do not require careful care and are resistant to diseases and pests.

Plasma concentration profiles for hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine in humans extrapolated from rat data sets using a simplified physiologically based pharmacokinetic model

Aim: The main aim of the current study was to obtain forward dosimetry assessments of pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine plasma and liver concentrations by setting up a human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model based on the limited information available. Background: The risks associated with plant-derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids as natural toxins have been assessed. Objective: The pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine was investigated because it was analyzed in a European transcriptomics study of natural hepatotoxins and in a study of the alkaloidal constituents of traditional Japanese food plants Petasites japonicus. The in silico human plasma and liver concentrations of senkirkine were modeled using doses reported for acute-term toxicity in humans. Methods: Using a simplified PBPK model established using rat pharmacokinetic data, forward dosimetry was conducted. Since in vitro rat and human intrinsic hepatic clearances were similar; an allometric scaling approach was applied to rat parameters to create a human PBPK model. Results: After oral administration of 1.0 mg/kg in rats in vivo, water-soluble senkirkine was absorbed and cleared from plasma to two orders of magnitude below the maximum concentration in 8 h. Human in silico senkirkine plasma concentration curves were generated after virtual daily oral administrations of 3.0 mg/kg senkirkine (the dose involved in an acute fatal hepatotoxicity case). A high concentration of senkirkine in the culture medium caused in vitro hepatotoxicity as evidenced by lactate dehydrogenase leakage from human hepatocyte-like HepaRG cells. Conclusion: Higher virtual concentrations of senkirkine in human liver and plasma than those in rat plasma were estimated using the current rat and human PBPK models. Current simulations suggest that if P. japonicus (a water-soluble pyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plant) is ingested daily as food, hepatotoxic senkirkine could be continuously present in human plasma and liver.