Article
Agronomy
Safa Bouhouch, Manal Eshelli, Houda Ben Slama, Ali Chenari Bouket, Tomasz Oszako, Adam Okorski, Mostafa E. Rateb, Lassaad Belbahri
Summary: The study evaluated the response of date palm roots to salt stress, finding that germination parameters and radicle length decreased with higher salt concentrations and longer experiment duration. High antioxidative enzyme activity was observed under salt stress conditions. Metabolomic analysis identified 25 secondary metabolites related to salt stress alleviation, including known and unknown compounds.
Article
Biology
Karim Kadri, Mohammed Elsafy, Souhayla Makhlouf, Mohamed A. Awad
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of temperature and duration of pollen storage, pollination time following spathe cracking, and the hour of daytime on the viability and effectiveness of pollination in 'Deglet Nour' date palm cultivar. The results showed that fresh pollen had the highest viability and germination rate. For stored pollen, those stored at -30 degrees Celsius had the highest viability and germination capacity. Immediate pollination after spathe cracking yielded the best results. In terms of daytime, pollination performed between 12:00 and 15:00 yielded the highest fruit yield.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Kadri Karim, Aounallah Karim, Hammadi Hamza, Abdelhafidh Manar, Chahine Karmous, Taoufik Bettaieb
Summary: This study compared the agronomic and biochemical characteristics of 'Deglet Nour' date palm variety using three different pollination techniques in Tunisian oases. The results showed that the dusting technique was the most efficient, resulting in higher fruit set rate and retention rate.
HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Antonios Petridis, Jeroen van der Kaay, Iain W. Archibald, Susan McCallum, Julie Graham, Robert D. Hancock
Summary: In maritime environments, blueberry yield often varies greatly due to poorly adapted photosynthetic responses to low light conditions. Placing reflective mulch alongside plants can significantly increase the amount of light reaching the canopy, leading to a twofold increase in yield while maintaining fruit quality.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tugba Bulat, Ali Topcu
Summary: The study found that the oxidation-reduction potential affects the microbiological characteristics, sensory features, volatile compounds, and organic acids of kefir, particularly in terms of microbial metabolism and volatile compounds. Kefirs with low E-h are typically characterized by sulfur compounds, while those with oxidative E-h are mainly characterized by aldehydes and diacetyl.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Junhua Kong, Jing Wu, Le Guan, Ghislaine Hilbert, Serge Delrot, Peige Fan, Zhenchang Liang, Benhong Wu, Jose Tomas Matus, Eric Gomes, Zhanwu Dai
Summary: The study investigated the accumulation of anthocyanins in white-fleshed grape cv. 'Gamay' and its teinturier variants, revealing distinct patterns of anthocyanin accumulation and uncoupled accumulation of sugars and anthocyanins in 'Gamay Freaux'. Despite no evident differences in pulp sugar content, the concentration of glucose and fructose in the skin of 'Gamay Freaux' was significantly lower, suggesting a unique metabolic profile in this variant. The findings provide insights into the metabolic consequences and the linkage between sugar and anthocyanin accumulation in grape somatic variants.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yulian Zhu, Zongxing He, Xingyu Bao, Min Wang, Sheng Yin, Lijun Song, Qiang Peng
Summary: The study presents the first analysis of a pectic polysaccharide from Ziziphus Jujuba cv. Muzao residue and reveals its significant antioxidant activity, indicating its potential as a functional thickener as a novel food additive.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kunyi Liu, Xiangyu Liu, Teng Wang, Qi Wang, Lei Feng, Rui Su, Meng Zhang, Bin Xu, Fei Chen, Pingping Li
Summary: Using fuzzy mathematics sensory evaluation and D-optimal mixture design, the optimal main ingredient ratio of compound fruit wine was determined, resulting in a clear and transparent wine with a fruity aroma and mellow taste. The compound fruit wine contained 406 metabolites, with significant changes in the levels of 54 metabolites and increased levels of 106 metabolites including lycopene. The compound fruit wine also exhibited antioxidant activities, making it suitable for the development of functional foods.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vahid Hemmati, Farhad Garavand, Nasim Khorshidian, Ilaria Cacciotti, Mostafa Goudarzi, Maryam Chaichi, Birjesh K. Tiwari
Summary: The study found that cold atmospheric plasma treatment can effectively reduce microbial load of green tea powder, but it can also decrease its total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, volatile components and sensory acceptability.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sania Sheikh, Farzana Siddique, Kashif Ameer, Rabia Shabbir Ahmad, Aneela Hameed, Asma Ebad, Isam A. Mohamed Ahmed, Sahar Shibli
Summary: This study investigated the effects of adding sun-dried white mulberry fruit powder (WMFP) to yogurt. The results showed that yogurt samples with 6% WMFP had the highest antioxidant activity and best physicochemical properties. Additionally, WMFP addition increased the soluble solids and water-holding capacity of the yogurt, while reducing syneresis. The yogurt sample with 2% WMFP received the highest sensory score for overall acceptability. Overall, this study concluded that WMFP can improve the characteristics of yogurt.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Katrina Kelly, Yavuz Yagiz, Zheng Li, Gail Mahnken, Wlodzimierz Borejsza-Wysocki, Maurice Marshall, Charles A. Sims, Natalia Peres, Maria Cecilia do Nascimento Nunes
Summary: Reduced fungicide applications can improve the quality of strawberries, making them firmer, with less moisture loss, higher sugar content, and more bioactive compounds. Additionally, fruits held under steady temperature conditions receive better sensory scores, and washing the fruit can significantly reduce microbial load and residual fungicide levels.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yi-Long Ma, Ping Sun, Jun Feng, Jia Yuan, Yue Wang, Ya-Fang Shang, Xiang-Li Niu, Shao-Hua Yang, Zhao-Jun Wei
Summary: The study found that using high content organic solvents (50-70%) can obtain Huangshan Gongju extracts with higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity, with 70% ethanol being a promising solvent. Phenolics were identified as the main antioxidants in Huangshan Gongju extracts, and flavonoids, especially luteolin-7-O-glucoside, may play more important roles in antioxidant activity.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Haoran Zhang, Tao Yang, Xuejing Wu, Jianwei Zhang, Xiuying Yu, Jinxing Zhou, Saman Herath, Xiawei Peng
Summary: Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient that greatly affects soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. However, the response of amino sugars, an essential component of SOC, to P addition in China remains unclear. In a meta-analysis of 24 observations from nine research publications, we found that P addition significantly increased the necromass of total microbial, fungal, and bacterial communities. The effects of P addition on amino sugars varied depending on climate, ecosystem type, P addition rate, and duration. Our findings have important implications for soil fertility enhancement and SOC sequestration.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Junxi Hu, Congde Huang, Shixing Zhou, Xiong Liu, Feike A. Dijkstra
Summary: The effects of nitrogen addition on soil microbial necromass are influenced by ecosystem type, nitrogen addition method, and duration, providing critical information for enhancing the sequestration of microbially derived carbon under continued global nitrogen input.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Zahra Bamary, Alireza Einali
Summary: Arginine treatment alters the biochemical responses in cells grown under high salinity, redirecting carbon flow towards the biosynthesis of non-reducing sugars, reducing hydrogen peroxide levels, and downregulating antioxidant enzyme activity, while levels of lipid peroxidation, glycerol, and beta-carotene remain relatively unchanged.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Noelia Castillejo, Lorena Martinez-Zamora, Perla A. Gomez, Giuseppina Pennisi, Andrea Crepaldi, Juan A. Fernandez, Francesco Orsini, Francisco Artes-Hernandez
Summary: Far-red LED lighting can increase the length of broccoli sprouts and improve total antioxidant and scavenging activities, while blue LED lighting may reduce total antioxidant capacity and morphological development. In general, LED lighting is beneficial for improving the quality of minimally processed broccoli sprouts during storage.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francisco Artes-Hernandez, Pedro Antonio Robles, Perla A. Gomez, Alejandro Tomas-Callejas, Francisco Artes, Gines Benito Martinez-Hernandez
Summary: UV-C pre-treatment had a significant impact on the quality of fresh-cut watermelon cylinders during storage, prolonging shelf life, particularly in larger diameter cylinders, and showing better antimicrobial effects against enterobacteria. However, UV-C treatments led to reductions in total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity.
FOOD AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dima Faour-Klingbeil, Tareq M. Osaili, Anas A. Al-Nabulsi, Monia Jemni, Ewen C. D. Todd
Summary: During the coronavirus pandemic, concerns about infection risks from food and non-food sources were high, trust in government information was low, and it is recommended to enhance information quality and detail during crises for reducing fear and building confidence with the public.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hammadi Hamza, Najla Ben Miloud, Monia Jemni, Ala Slei, Sarra M'barak
Summary: Substituting sucrose with date syrup treated with gamma rays at different doses improved the antioxidant activity and sensory quality of yogurt while maintaining its physico-chemical properties. Irradiation improved the microbiological quality of date syrup, with no significant effects on total sugars, proteins, phenols, or antioxidant activity of the syrup. The substitution enhanced antioxidant activity, phenols, proteins, and sugar content in yogurt, with good sensory scores.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MYSORE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Lorena Martinez-Zamora, Noelia Castillejo, Perla A. Gomez, Francisco Artes-Hernandez
Summary: The study showed that lighting conditions improved the total antioxidant activity and increased bioactive compounds in carrot sprouts, but darkness treatment resulted in longer hypocotyl and sprout length. LEDs treatments (B+R and B+R+FR) significantly increased the phenolic compound content in sprouts.
Article
Agronomy
Giuseppina Pennisi, Francesco Orsini, Noelia Castillejo, Perla A. Gomez, Andrea Crepaldi, Juan A. Fernandez, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Francisco Artes-Hernandez, Giorgio Gianquinto
Summary: The study evaluated the physiological and quality changes of fresh-cut red chard and rocket illuminated with different spectral LED light during storage. Different light spectra had varying effects on microbial counts, colorimetric indexes, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, as well as total antioxidant capacity and total phenols content. LED light supply increased weight losses during storage, but different spectral wavebands may enhance antioxidant properties and reduce microbiological risks.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Mohammad Sarraf, Monia Jemni, Ibrahim Kahramanoglu, Francisco Artes, Shirin Shahkoomahally, Ahmad Namsi, Muhammad Ihtisham, Marian Brestic, Mostafa Mohammadi, Anshu Rastogi
Summary: The study reviewed literature on protecting date fruits during their post-harvest life, discussing commercially viable advanced techniques to avoid storage losses and problems while maintaining fruit quality and microbial safety under optimal conditions.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Almudena Gimenez, Perla A. Gomez, Maria Angeles Bustamante, Maria Dolores Perez-Murcia, Encarnacion Martinez-Sabater, Margarita Ros, Jose A. Pascual, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Juan A. Fernandez
Summary: The addition of compost extract can improve the nitrate content of spinach while not significantly affecting other aspects such as nitrite content and microbial load. The study suggests that using compost extract may be beneficial in producing spinach rich in bioactive compounds and with low concentrations of antinutritional factors.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Francisco Lopez-Galvez, Perla A. Gomez, Francisco Artes, Francisco Artes-Hernandez, Encarna Aguayo
Summary: Improving the environmental sustainability of the food supply chain is crucial for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly related to Zero Hunger, Responsible Production and Consumption, Climate Action, and Life on Land. It is important to balance measures for improving environmental sustainability with economic and social sustainability aspects. Potential tensions and conflicts between food supply chain safety and sustainability must be assessed, with prioritization given to safety aspects while considering the impact on the environment. Strategies to address potential contradictions between fresh produce safety and sustainability require a global approach that considers the interconnectedness of human activities, animals, and the environment.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dima Faour-Klingbeil, Tareq M. Osaili, Anas A. Al-Nabulsi, Asma O. Taybeh, Monia Jemni, Ewen C. D. Todd
Summary: The recent coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on public social and health behaviors, particularly in relation to the perception of food safety risks. A cross-sectional online survey conducted in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia one year after the pandemic and global vaccination campaign revealed an increase in hygiene practices, such as handwashing, and a positive impact of vaccination on public trust and health risk concerns. However, trust in health authorities' management of the pandemic remains low, highlighting the ongoing challenge of effective communication strategies in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Article
Agronomy
M. Souza, F. Artes, M. Jemni, F. Artes-Hernandez, G. B. Martinez-Hernandez
Summary: Figs are an important part of the Mediterranean diet and it is crucial to use postharvest techniques to preserve their quality and safety. This study investigated the effects of a postharvest UV-C treatment followed by packaging under modified atmosphere (MAP) on the physicochemical and bioactive quality of fresh figs. The results showed that UV-C treated figs stored in MAP conditions had better flesh firmness, skin color, and total phenolic content compared to untreated figs.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Perla A. Gomez, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Almudena Gimenez, Rachida Rania Benaissa, Fabio Amoruso, Angelo Signore, Victor M. Gallegos-Cedillo, Jesus Ochoa, Juan A. Fernandez
Summary: This study assessed the impact of PLA film on the shelf-life of fresh-cut wild rocket and sea fennel. The results showed that using PLA-based bags could reduce the environmental impact of food products compared to petroleum-based bags.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pablo Perez, Seyedehzeinab Hashemi, Marina Cano-Lamadrid, Lorena Martinez-Zamora, Perla A. Gomez, Francisco Artes-Hernandez
Summary: This study successfully developed a vegetable beverage using broccoli stalks and carrot by-products, seasoned with natural antioxidants and antimicrobial ingredients. Non-thermal treatments were effective in preserving antioxidants and sulfur compounds in the beverage, extending its shelf life. The product can help increase the intake of glucosinolates and carotenoids while utilizing broccoli and carrot by-products.
