This study aimed to develop and characterize biodegradable packaging film from blends of two natural polysaccharides,i.e.,agar and glucomannan.The glucomannan used was derived from the specific tuber plant Amorphophal...This study aimed to develop and characterize biodegradable packaging film from blends of two natural polysaccharides,i.e.,agar and glucomannan.The glucomannan used was derived from the specific tuber plant Amorphophallus oncophyllus(locally known as“porang”),which grows abundantly in Indonesian forests and remains underutilized.Various ratios of agar and porang-glucomannan(PG)proportions were formulated to produce a food packaging film,which was subsequently tested for its mechanical,physical,chemical,and thermal properties.The results showed that the inclusion of PG to the film formulations notably enhanced the stretchability of agar films,achieving maximum a twofold increase,while concurrently reducing their water resistance such as increased water solubility and water swelling for up to 125%and 105%,respectively.The mechanical and thermal properties,as well as the water vapor permeability of the resulting film,were significantly affected by the polymer matrix structure formed by the varying proportions of the two biopolymers.The enhancement of these properties was associated with a more solid/compact film structure,as corroborated by cross-sectional images obtained through SEM analysis.The study’s findings suggest that utilizing agar and porang biomass has significant potential for further development as an environmentally friendly food packaging material.展开更多
This study established a method using gas chromatography-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(Orbitrap GC-MS)for the simultaneous determination of 70 organic pollutants across 4 categories:or...This study established a method using gas chromatography-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(Orbitrap GC-MS)for the simultaneous determination of 70 organic pollutants across 4 categories:organochlorine pesticides(OCPs),polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs),polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),and phthalates(PAEs)in infant cereal-based supplementary foods.Techniques integrating cryogenic centrifugation and lipid and protein adsorbent(LPAS)purification were employed.The precise mass numbers of target compounds were determined by Orbitrap GC-MS in full-scan mode(Full MS),which effectively minimized matrix interferences in these foods.Method validation on rice flour samples demonstrated that the 70 compounds exhibited excellent linearity within their respective mass concentration ranges,with correlation coefficients all exceeding 0.995.The detection limits for this method ranged 0.10–1.00μg/kg,while the quantification limits varied 0.3–3.0μg/kg,meeting the established detection requirements.The average spike recovery of the 70 compounds at 3 spiked levels(5,20,and 100μg/kg)ranged 75.3%–119.3%,with relative standard deviations ranging 1.8%–10.8%.Both inter-day and intra-day precision demonstrated relative standard deviation values below 15%.This method was applied to analyze 100 samples of commercial infant cereal-based supplementary food,revealing the presence of PAEs and PAHs in 12.0%of the samples.Notably,no OCPs or PCBs were detected.The detected concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene(Ba P)and dibutyl phthalate(DBP)were(4.2±0.1)and(1.8±0.3)μg/kg,respectively.This method is straightforward,highly sensitive,and suitable for the rapid screening and confirmation of 70 organic pollutants in infant cereal-based supplementary foods.展开更多
Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in females globally and has the highest mortality rate.The emergence of pharmacologic resistance in breast cancer is a significant challenge for researchers in the pur...Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in females globally and has the highest mortality rate.The emergence of pharmacologic resistance in breast cancer is a significant challenge for researchers in the pursuit of effective treatment.Investigations in cancer nanotechnology have been transformed by the advancement of smart polymers,lipids,and inorganic materials.Research is now being conducted in the field of innovative nano-pharmaceutical formulations aimed at enhancing the efficacy and durability of chemotherapy.Nanotechnologybased delivery systems are beneficial for combating breast cancer due to theranostic applications,augmented drug encapsulation,decreased degradation,and minimal adverse effects.This review discusses breast cancer and its stages,various risk factors,and pathogenesis,in addition to diagnosis and treatment.Novel nanocarriers are included with the most recent findings in this area and the potential use of these nanocarriers in cancer therapy that centers on their clinical usage for improved treatment.Patents and promising clinical trial results are also explained in detail,with nanotoxicity,ethical concerns,and regulations.This study underscores the importance of treatment strategies using nanotechnology,highlighting the advancing paradigm of breast cancer care.This article examines the prospects,obstacles,and future trajectories of nanomedicines.展开更多
Pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae,which comprises several species that has economical as well as agronomical importance.All parts of pumpkin are edible and laden with beneficial neutraceutical compounds.P...Pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae,which comprises several species that has economical as well as agronomical importance.All parts of pumpkin are edible and laden with beneficial neutraceutical compounds.Pumpkin seeds are valuable source protein which can help in eradicating protein malnutrition and lipids(rich in PUFAs)contains essential as well as non essential fatty acids which prevents from various ailments like cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.Since,seeds of pumpkin are abundant in macro(magnesium,phosphorous,potassium,sodium and calcium)and micro minerals(iron,copper,manganese,zinc and selenium),they can be used as an incredible dietary supplement which in turn helps in curbing various deficiency disorders.This review enlightens the characteristics of pumpkin seeds,process of valorization of pumpkin seeds and the effect of processing on their nutritional composition which have been studied currently with the aim to use this wonder seeds for human wellbeing.Pumpkin seeds possess many bioactive compounds like polyphenols,flavonoids,phytosterols and squalene which makes it a lucrative raw material for pharmacological and food industries.Pumpkin seeds work as anti-depressant and helps majorly in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia(BHP).Daily consumption of pumpkin seeds can reduce the chances of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.Pumpkin seeds are rich in tocopherols and can be used for oil extraction for edible purposes and utilized in other food formulations for future use.展开更多
Low nutrient density and bulkiness of complementary foods, early introduction of solid foods, and unhygienic practices during weaning stage of a child predispose infants to malnutrition, growth retardation, infection ...Low nutrient density and bulkiness of complementary foods, early introduction of solid foods, and unhygienic practices during weaning stage of a child predispose infants to malnutrition, growth retardation, infection and high mortality. In most West African countries, especially in Sierra Leone, the use of a variety of home-made complementary foods prepared from locally grown foodstuffs during the weaning process is popular, with products traditionally known as pap (mesh rice water) fofo from cassava, ogi, gari, akamu and couscous. Sierra Leone is one of the countries in West Africa that has been reported to have a challenging situation with regards to complementary foods, and little effort has so far been done to improve the situation. Despite these challenges, very little work has been directed towards the development of complementary foods using local foodstuffs as practiced in some other African countries. This situation has serious impact on the lives of infants in Sierra Leone, thus increasing the rate of mortality in the country. Complementary food situation in Sierra Leone was reviewed in terms of the past and present practices as well as the types of complementary foods used in Sierra Leone. Thus, the objective of this review was to discuss the complementary food situation in Sierra Leone: Nutritional problems and possible strategies. Formulation of high nutritive value home-made complementary foods in the country was recommended using traditional food processing techniques such as fermentation and germination, since these methods are simple, and could easily be employed at household and community levels without the use of sophisticated machinery. Nonetheless, it was recently reported that a product from the orange-flesh sweet potato could address the issue of complementary food in the country as it is easy to prepare, and the products are easily available in the rural area and even urban settings. Other recommendations made include: community nutrition education, the development of weaning recipe book, reduction in the workload of the suckling mother, promotion of breastfeeding and increased maternity leave period, which were suggested to be the most immediate possible strategies for the problems highlighted.展开更多
The food and nutrition situation in Burkina Faso, like most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is marked by growing food vulnerability. The majority of local dishes are being abandoned in favor of a minority ...The food and nutrition situation in Burkina Faso, like most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is marked by growing food vulnerability. The majority of local dishes are being abandoned in favor of a minority of imported cereal dishes and other ultra-processed foods. This minority of cereal foods is blamed for stunted growth in children, while ultra-processed foods are linked to chronic diseases such as hypertension, certain types of diabetes and cancer. Knowledge of the nutritional value of local foods is needed to determine their nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional values of local dishes based on millet, sorghum and cowpea in the Centre-North region. The methodology consisted of making an inventory of millet-, sorghum- and cowpea-based dishes using focus groups made up of women and men from three age groups comprising young people, adults and the elderly in the communes of Lebda and Boussouma. The dishes were reproduced, and standard biochemical methods were used for nutritional characterization. A total of 34 dishes were inventoried, including 16 millet/sorghum-based dishes, 8 cowpea-based dishes and 10 dishes composed of millet/sorghum and cowpea or leaves. The mean protein, carbohydrate, ash and iron contents per 100 g DM of the three types of dishes were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05), ranging respectively from 13.61 to 22.63 g, 70.76 to 80.88 g, 1.87 to 5.96 g and 7.67 to 12.06 mg. Those for lipid, energy and zinc were not significantly different, ranging from 5.51 to 6.56 g, from 427 to 433 Kcal and from 2.98 to 3.32 mg respectively. Cowpea-based and mixed dishes cover the nutritional requirements for protein, carbohydrates, iron, zinc and energy recommended for children and adults. The consumption of mixed dishes and cowpea-based dishes could be promoted by nutritional policy to reduce stunting and recommended to obese, hypertensive and diabetic people as part of their diet.展开更多
Food safety and hygiene practices require a multisectoral approach including food, water, sanitation, waste management, transport, education, trade, policies and programs that enable safe food preparation, storage and...Food safety and hygiene practices require a multisectoral approach including food, water, sanitation, waste management, transport, education, trade, policies and programs that enable safe food preparation, storage and service. Unsafe food can cause illness keeping people from achieving their full potential and death. This was a descriptive study that uses a mixed method approach to derive insights into the characteristics of food vendors related to demography, knowledge, practices, infrastructure, compliance and recommendation for a policymaking framework. Using the Lemeshows’ sample size formula, 473 vendors from formal (restaurants) and informal (cookri-baffa/table top) sites were interviewed and observed. We found from discussions that respondents had a good understanding on how to keep food safe. However, observed practices were poor 93% handled food with their bare hands, 83% did not cover their hair, and 76% did not wear an apron whilst handling, preparing or serving food, 61% did not keep their finger nails clean or short and 57% did not wash their hand before preparing or serving food. Over half (51%) had access to a toilet but 32% reported their use required payment and emphasized their poor condition/inadequate management. Nearly half (47%) of the vending sites did not have a handwashing facility, with soap and water available. Only 7% reported having any authority oversight of food safety. Food safety and hygiene practices in most cookri shops and restaurants was ‘poor’ with very limited surveillance system in place by competent authorities for compliance of food operators. Hand washing, clean surroundings, and covered food were the most common and emphasized practices to mitigate the risks associated with unsafe food.展开更多
Proteomics is a new technology that has been widely applied in the field of life and health science.It effectively addresses issues related to the impact of dietary structure on organs,tissues,and cells,as well as the...Proteomics is a new technology that has been widely applied in the field of life and health science.It effectively addresses issues related to the impact of dietary structure on organs,tissues,and cells,as well as the changes in proteins in various organs,tissues,and cells under disease conditions.The differential proteins identified through proteomics can serve as disease biomarkers and target proteins affecting health and can be used for disease diagnosis and health regulation.In this paper,the application of proteomics in the field of infl ammation in recent years was summarized,especially in the therapeutic target and mechanism of action,which opens up a new way for more effective prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of inflammation,and provides medical protection for human life and health.展开更多
The synergistic effect of organoclay(OC)and zinc oxide(ZnO)nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid)(PLA)nanocompositefilms was systematically investigated herein.After their incorporation into PLA v...The synergistic effect of organoclay(OC)and zinc oxide(ZnO)nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid)(PLA)nanocompositefilms was systematically investigated herein.After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique,the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnOfilm improved by a maximum of 86%compared to the neat PLAfilm without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength.Moreover,thefilm’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens,including gram-negative(Escherichia coli,E.coli)and gram-positive(Staphylococcus aureus,S.aureus)bacteria,was enhanced by a max-imum of approximately 98–99%compared to the neat PLAfilm.Furthermore,SEM images revealed the homo-geneous dispersion of both nano-fillers in the PLA matrix.However,the thermal stability of thefilm decreased slightly after the addition of the OC and ZnO.Thefilm exhibited notable light barrier properties in the UV-Vis range.Moreover,the incorporation of a suitable biodegradable plasticizer significantly decreased the Tg and notably enhanced theflexibility of the nanocompositefilm by increasing the elongation at break approxi-mately 1.5-fold compared to that of the neat PLAfilm.This contributes to its feasibility as an active food packa-ging material.展开更多
Food safety has become a major concern for consumers, as well as a priority for regulatory authorities. Faced with the growing industrial and domestic use of food additives, many questions are being asked and concerns...Food safety has become a major concern for consumers, as well as a priority for regulatory authorities. Faced with the growing industrial and domestic use of food additives, many questions are being asked and concerns are being felt by consumers around the world. Consumer perception defines the acceptability or rejection of food products, and has an impact on consumption patterns and behavior. To assess the level of knowledge and perception of food additives, a pilot study was carried out on a sample of 200 people in Dakar and Saint-Louis. A questionnaire was used to assess the acceptance or rejection, use and impact of food additives by consumers in Senegal. The results revealed several aspects. On the whole, the people surveyed expressed great mistrust and even rejection of these substances added to food products. This consumer perception is shared throughout the world, as indicated in numerous surveys. It also emerges from this study that, although most consumers are aware of the existence of these additives and their uses in the home, they feel that the use of these substances in industrial production is too excessive. What’s more, consumers associate food additives with numerous pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and even sexual impotence. For some of these indexed pathologies, scientific studies have reached the same conclusions, although controversy still persists. On the other hand, for some of the other adverse effects mentioned, no cause-and-effect relationship has been scientifically demonstrated. In these latter cases, it seems that negative communication, misinformation and misconceptions have a major influence on consumer perception of food additives.展开更多
The objective of this study was to examine the sorghum preservation techniques in response to climate variability and to evaluate the prevalence of aflatoxin B1 in selected sorghum stocks in Burkina Faso. The cross-se...The objective of this study was to examine the sorghum preservation techniques in response to climate variability and to evaluate the prevalence of aflatoxin B1 in selected sorghum stocks in Burkina Faso. The cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months, from October 2020 to January 2021. A questionnaire was administered to 450 sorghum farmers in order to ascertain their knowledge and practices with regard to conservation techniques. A total of 23 farmers’ stocks were sampled for the determination of aflatoxin B1 using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method and for the assessment of moisture levels using the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) method. A total of five distinct preservation techniques were identified. The most frequently utilized techniques were straw loft (49.2%) as a storage structure, pallets (36.69%) as the structure’s internal management, plastic bags (40.42%) as packaging material, panicles (64.3%) as a form of storage, and chemical products (15.22%) as preservatives. Three biotic constraints were identified: insect (51.18%), rodent (30.14%), and mold (15.38%). Three significant abiotic constraints were identified: humidity (44.6%), lack of hygiene (15.2%), and grain immaturity (10.2%). A comparative analysis reveals that the majority of these techniques and constraints exhibit notable differences between climatic zones, largely due to the influence of climatic variability. The aflatoxin B1 level exhibited considerable variation, ranging from 0 µg/kg to 2.07 ± 0.08 µg/kg DM. Of the analyzed stocks, 38% were found to be contaminated. Abiotic and biotic factors exert influence on sorghum stocks. Chemical agents are employed for their protection, and contamination by aflatoxin B1 is a further issue. However, the levels of contamination observed are not cause for concern.展开更多
The use of food additives in industrial production has the advantage of improving sensory properties, technological quality and extending the shelf life of foods. Among the most widely used additives are antioxidants,...The use of food additives in industrial production has the advantage of improving sensory properties, technological quality and extending the shelf life of foods. Among the most widely used additives are antioxidants, which prevent oxidation, browning and rancidity reactions in foods. However, the strong presence of these additives on the market is not without risks for human health, and should be controlled to guarantee food safety. Analysis of the risks associated with consumption of foods containing these additives requires, among other things, information on the frequency of use of these additives in various consumer products. The aim of this study is therefore to identify the antioxidants present in industrial food products distributed in Dakar. The methodology adopted consists of a qualitative analysis based on the identification of additives from food labels. Investigations were carried out in 9 stores, 4 superettes and 2 supermarkets located in different districts of Dakar. The results revealed the presence of 12 antioxidant additives, dominated by citric acid (53%) and ascorbic acid (29%). These studies have also highlighted the simultaneous use of several antioxidants in the same food product. Moreover, for some artificial antioxidants identified antioxydant such as BHA and BHT, health risks are associated with their consumption. The results of this study open up prospects for the development of information databases on food additives.展开更多
Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulc...Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region.Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity.Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas.However,the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage(SOCS),carbon footprint(CF),and economic benefits has received limited research attention.Therefore,we conducted an eight-year study(2015-2022)in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments[urea supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-U),slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-S),urea supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-U),and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-S)]on soil fertility,economic and environmental benefits.The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions(≥71.97%).Compared to other treatments,PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%,water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%,nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%,and net return by 6.21%-29.57%.Furthermore,PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31%and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%.After eight years,PM-S increased SOCS(0-40 cm)by 2.46%,while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%.These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility,economic gains,and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.展开更多
Cashew processing in Côte d’Ivoire focuses only on the cashew nut, to the detriment of the apple. Only a very small proportion of the apple is processed into juice. The aim of this work is to enhance the value o...Cashew processing in Côte d’Ivoire focuses only on the cashew nut, to the detriment of the apple. Only a very small proportion of the apple is processed into juice. The aim of this work is to enhance the value of cashew apples by transforming them into jam. Specifically, the aim was first to characterize the sensory properties of cashew apple jam formulations using baobab powder as a source of pectin and then to optimise the formulations. A Box-Behken design with pH, Sugar, and Baobab as factors was used to model and characterize the jam sensory descriptors, and a multivariate analysis with SensomineR was used to characterize the jam formulations. The desirability function was used to optimise the formulations. The results show globally significant regressions at the 0.05 threshold for the sensory descriptors Gelling, Brilliance, Smell, Sweetness, and (-)Astringency, with the exception of (-)Salinity. The R2 coefficients are greater than 80%. The factors studied could have effects on the sensory descriptors of cashew jam formulations. The Baobab had the main effect on the gelling, smell, and astringency of the jams. Brilliance depended on the added sugar. A product effect (p < 0.001) was observed for the descriptors Smell, Gelling, Brilliance, and Sweetness, as these allowed the panelists to find differences between the formulations. Optimum jam formulation can be achieved with 51.56% sugar and 2.12% Baobab at a pH of 3.15. Cashew apple jam using Baobab offers opportunities to add value to apples that have long been abandoned in the field. It would be important to find conditions for prolonged storage of this jam.展开更多
Increasing access to locally produced, safe, nutritious and affordable complementary foods is essential to combat micronutrient deficiencies in young children in low- and middle-income countries. Two formulations of s...Increasing access to locally produced, safe, nutritious and affordable complementary foods is essential to combat micronutrient deficiencies in young children in low- and middle-income countries. Two formulations of sweets based on jujube, baobab fruit powder and sweet potato puree were produced, and their nutritional values and sensory properties such as taste, smell, color and acceptability were assessed. The formulation containing the most jujube powder, baobab fruit and sweet potato puree gave the best nutritional value. The sweets are rich in calcium (259.80 mg/100 g), magnesium (67.98 mg/100 g), potassium (782.04 mg/100 g), vitamin C (32.37 mg/100 g), iron (6.45 g mg/100 g) and zinc (0.97 mg/100 g). Sensory tests on the two formulations showed acceptability scores ranging from 81.26% to 84.58%, well above the minimum acceptable threshold. Candies with jujube, baobab fruit powder and sweet potato puree could be an alternative for preventing micronutrient deficiencies.展开更多
Sesame is the most widely produced oilseed crop with the highest oil content (45.0%–65.0%) in Asia,Africa.The seed contains a high amount of protein (19%–35%),dietary fiber (15%–20%),carbohydrate (14%–20%),polyuns...Sesame is the most widely produced oilseed crop with the highest oil content (45.0%–65.0%) in Asia,Africa.The seed contains a high amount of protein (19%–35%),dietary fiber (15%–20%),carbohydrate (14%–20%),polyunsaturated fatty acids,and micronutrients.It also contains lignans like sesamol,sesamin,and sesamolin,which protect the oil from oxidative rancidity.The seed also provides seed cake with nutritional value after oil extraction,which is used as a biopolymer in the applications of food packaging,bakery,and confectionary industries,as well as in the preparation of edible and coating films.It can replace commercial expanded polystyrene,which is non-biodegradable in nature.Being the richest source of nutrients,sesame seeds and oilseed cakes have been implemented in different food processing industries.The present review focused on the comprehensive study of biochemical compositions,anti-nutrients,phytochemicals,and antioxidants of sesame seeds and seed cakes and their applications in foods industries.展开更多
Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vect...Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vector-borne diseases. Despite awareness campaigns, informal methods like open dumping and burning dominate. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to analyse how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control influence waste management practices and barriers to proper disposal with potential solutions. Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaires to collect data from 333 participants across ten communities in Western Area Rural (WAR). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and waste management practices. Results: While 98.2% of respondents acknowledged the importance of waste management, limited perceived behavioural control driven by financial constraints (83.8%), inadequate education (83.2%), and insufficient infrastructure (66.4%) hindered effective waste disposal ultimately linking health and environmental risks, such as flooding and marine pollution from plastic waste. Most respondents (68.8%) lacked access to formal waste services, with disposal occurring primarily via open dumping (62.9%) and burning (17.9%). Subjective norms reinforced informal disposal, as community waste-burning remained an accepted practice. Women were disproportionately affected due to economic constraints and larger household sizes. Despite these challenges, 93.1% were willing to engage in community clean-up efforts, indicating strong pro-environmental attitudes constrained by structural barriers. Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for integrated waste management strategies informed by TPB, targeting attitudes through education, reshaping social norms through community-driven initiatives, and enhancing perceived behavioural control by improving infrastructure and financial accessibility. Addressing gender disparities, strengthening public-private partnerships, and expanding recycling and composting programs can foster sustainable waste management in resource-constrained settings.展开更多
A spice formulation study in Burkina Faso was carried out using local ingredients for the benefit of households. The objective of this study was to propose some spice formulations based on local ingredients in order t...A spice formulation study in Burkina Faso was carried out using local ingredients for the benefit of households. The objective of this study was to propose some spice formulations based on local ingredients in order to reduce the use of chemical spices in the preparation of different dishes. The Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology was used for the formulation of the spices and their physicochemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics were evaluated by standardized and standard methods. The results obtained showed lipid contents (g/100 g DM) ranging from 10.41 ± 0.26 to 15.64 ± 0.68, total sugars from 4.39 ± 0.32 to 5.46 ± 0.31, protein from 3.65 ± 0.17 to 12.04 ± 0.35 and ash from 5.83 ± 0.01 to 7.02 ± 0.01. The polyphenol content ranged from 9.09 ± 1.60 to 11.33 ± 0.90, and the flavonoid content ranged from 0.65 ± 0.03 to 1.08 ± 0.13. The sensory analysis carried out showed that the spices have generally satisfactory organoleptic characteristics. These results constitute new information in the diet of populations and are an alternative to the chemical spices used in their cooking.展开更多
Microplastics(MPs)are one of the most concerning pollutants that affects the health and growth of aquatic organisms.We characterized the MPs dispersion in the milli-Q water and seawater,and evaluated the effects of MP...Microplastics(MPs)are one of the most concerning pollutants that affects the health and growth of aquatic organisms.We characterized the MPs dispersion in the milli-Q water and seawater,and evaluated the effects of MPs on the gut epithelial cells of brine shrimp using three sizes of polystyrene(PS)microbeads(0.05,0.5,and 5μm,respectively).Results show that microbeads evenly dispersed in milli-Q water,but exhibited aggregation tendency in seawater associating with the particle size.Apart from a reduced survival rate,we observed the structure changes in the gut epithelium that the smaller size of PS microbeads resulted in an increased reactive oxygen species(ROS)and higher apoptosis-related genes expression.Moreover,exposure to all size of PS microbeads led to increased green fluorescence of J-monomer,indicating the declined mitochondrial membrane potential.Therefore,exposure to PS microbeads led to significantly size-dependent toxicity on brine shrimp.Especially,0.05-μm PS microbeads were more toxic,leading to severe oxidative stress and activation of the p53-Bax-Bcl2 pathway,ultimately resulting in cellular apoptosis and gut damage.These findings are important to understand the mechanism of MPs toxicity and its potential ecological risks to marine aquatic animals.展开更多
5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)is a biological monoamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and gonads of crustaceans to induce gonadal maturation.To better understand the effects of 5-HT and its receptors on re...5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)is a biological monoamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and gonads of crustaceans to induce gonadal maturation.To better understand the effects of 5-HT and its receptors on reproductive development in Artemia,a 5-HT type 7 receptor gene(5-HT_(7Ar))was identified in parthenogenetic Artemia and characterized.Sequence analysis revealed that the open reading frame of 5-HT_(7Ar) encodes a 414-aa protein.5-HT_(7Ar) showed higher expression in both brain and ovary at early embryo stage,5-HT_(7Ar) could be detected during ovarian development and the highest expression was observed at early embryo stage.Silencing of the 5-HT_(7Ar) in Artemia at early embryo stage decreased significantly the expression level of 5-HT_(7Ar) gene and protein at late oocyte,early embryo,and late embryo stage.Moreover,silencing of the 5-HT_(7Ar) resulted in a decreased fecundity,which corresponds to abnormal oocytes during the embryo development.Artemia tended to produce nauplii after the silencing of 5-HT_(7Ar),indicating that 5-HT_(7Ar) may also involve in the determination of its reproduction mode.The findings of this study provide an insight into the regulation of reproductive development in Artemia and the function of 5-HT_(7Ar).展开更多
基金funded by a research grant from the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan-Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia(https://risprolpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/)(accessed on 13 September 2024)awarded under the Riset dan Inovasi untuk Indonesia Maju program with grant number 82/II.7/HK/2022.
文摘This study aimed to develop and characterize biodegradable packaging film from blends of two natural polysaccharides,i.e.,agar and glucomannan.The glucomannan used was derived from the specific tuber plant Amorphophallus oncophyllus(locally known as“porang”),which grows abundantly in Indonesian forests and remains underutilized.Various ratios of agar and porang-glucomannan(PG)proportions were formulated to produce a food packaging film,which was subsequently tested for its mechanical,physical,chemical,and thermal properties.The results showed that the inclusion of PG to the film formulations notably enhanced the stretchability of agar films,achieving maximum a twofold increase,while concurrently reducing their water resistance such as increased water solubility and water swelling for up to 125%and 105%,respectively.The mechanical and thermal properties,as well as the water vapor permeability of the resulting film,were significantly affected by the polymer matrix structure formed by the varying proportions of the two biopolymers.The enhancement of these properties was associated with a more solid/compact film structure,as corroborated by cross-sectional images obtained through SEM analysis.The study’s findings suggest that utilizing agar and porang biomass has significant potential for further development as an environmentally friendly food packaging material.
基金funded by National Key Research and Development Program for Young Scientists of China(2022YFF1102900)Hebei Province High-level Talent Funding Project(C20221009)。
文摘This study established a method using gas chromatography-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(Orbitrap GC-MS)for the simultaneous determination of 70 organic pollutants across 4 categories:organochlorine pesticides(OCPs),polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs),polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),and phthalates(PAEs)in infant cereal-based supplementary foods.Techniques integrating cryogenic centrifugation and lipid and protein adsorbent(LPAS)purification were employed.The precise mass numbers of target compounds were determined by Orbitrap GC-MS in full-scan mode(Full MS),which effectively minimized matrix interferences in these foods.Method validation on rice flour samples demonstrated that the 70 compounds exhibited excellent linearity within their respective mass concentration ranges,with correlation coefficients all exceeding 0.995.The detection limits for this method ranged 0.10–1.00μg/kg,while the quantification limits varied 0.3–3.0μg/kg,meeting the established detection requirements.The average spike recovery of the 70 compounds at 3 spiked levels(5,20,and 100μg/kg)ranged 75.3%–119.3%,with relative standard deviations ranging 1.8%–10.8%.Both inter-day and intra-day precision demonstrated relative standard deviation values below 15%.This method was applied to analyze 100 samples of commercial infant cereal-based supplementary food,revealing the presence of PAEs and PAHs in 12.0%of the samples.Notably,no OCPs or PCBs were detected.The detected concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene(Ba P)and dibutyl phthalate(DBP)were(4.2±0.1)and(1.8±0.3)μg/kg,respectively.This method is straightforward,highly sensitive,and suitable for the rapid screening and confirmation of 70 organic pollutants in infant cereal-based supplementary foods.
文摘Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in females globally and has the highest mortality rate.The emergence of pharmacologic resistance in breast cancer is a significant challenge for researchers in the pursuit of effective treatment.Investigations in cancer nanotechnology have been transformed by the advancement of smart polymers,lipids,and inorganic materials.Research is now being conducted in the field of innovative nano-pharmaceutical formulations aimed at enhancing the efficacy and durability of chemotherapy.Nanotechnologybased delivery systems are beneficial for combating breast cancer due to theranostic applications,augmented drug encapsulation,decreased degradation,and minimal adverse effects.This review discusses breast cancer and its stages,various risk factors,and pathogenesis,in addition to diagnosis and treatment.Novel nanocarriers are included with the most recent findings in this area and the potential use of these nanocarriers in cancer therapy that centers on their clinical usage for improved treatment.Patents and promising clinical trial results are also explained in detail,with nanotoxicity,ethical concerns,and regulations.This study underscores the importance of treatment strategies using nanotechnology,highlighting the advancing paradigm of breast cancer care.This article examines the prospects,obstacles,and future trajectories of nanomedicines.
基金The authors would like to thank Harcourt Butler Technical University,Kanpur India for providing infrastructure,guidance,knowledge and support.
文摘Pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae,which comprises several species that has economical as well as agronomical importance.All parts of pumpkin are edible and laden with beneficial neutraceutical compounds.Pumpkin seeds are valuable source protein which can help in eradicating protein malnutrition and lipids(rich in PUFAs)contains essential as well as non essential fatty acids which prevents from various ailments like cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.Since,seeds of pumpkin are abundant in macro(magnesium,phosphorous,potassium,sodium and calcium)and micro minerals(iron,copper,manganese,zinc and selenium),they can be used as an incredible dietary supplement which in turn helps in curbing various deficiency disorders.This review enlightens the characteristics of pumpkin seeds,process of valorization of pumpkin seeds and the effect of processing on their nutritional composition which have been studied currently with the aim to use this wonder seeds for human wellbeing.Pumpkin seeds possess many bioactive compounds like polyphenols,flavonoids,phytosterols and squalene which makes it a lucrative raw material for pharmacological and food industries.Pumpkin seeds work as anti-depressant and helps majorly in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia(BHP).Daily consumption of pumpkin seeds can reduce the chances of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.Pumpkin seeds are rich in tocopherols and can be used for oil extraction for edible purposes and utilized in other food formulations for future use.
文摘Low nutrient density and bulkiness of complementary foods, early introduction of solid foods, and unhygienic practices during weaning stage of a child predispose infants to malnutrition, growth retardation, infection and high mortality. In most West African countries, especially in Sierra Leone, the use of a variety of home-made complementary foods prepared from locally grown foodstuffs during the weaning process is popular, with products traditionally known as pap (mesh rice water) fofo from cassava, ogi, gari, akamu and couscous. Sierra Leone is one of the countries in West Africa that has been reported to have a challenging situation with regards to complementary foods, and little effort has so far been done to improve the situation. Despite these challenges, very little work has been directed towards the development of complementary foods using local foodstuffs as practiced in some other African countries. This situation has serious impact on the lives of infants in Sierra Leone, thus increasing the rate of mortality in the country. Complementary food situation in Sierra Leone was reviewed in terms of the past and present practices as well as the types of complementary foods used in Sierra Leone. Thus, the objective of this review was to discuss the complementary food situation in Sierra Leone: Nutritional problems and possible strategies. Formulation of high nutritive value home-made complementary foods in the country was recommended using traditional food processing techniques such as fermentation and germination, since these methods are simple, and could easily be employed at household and community levels without the use of sophisticated machinery. Nonetheless, it was recently reported that a product from the orange-flesh sweet potato could address the issue of complementary food in the country as it is easy to prepare, and the products are easily available in the rural area and even urban settings. Other recommendations made include: community nutrition education, the development of weaning recipe book, reduction in the workload of the suckling mother, promotion of breastfeeding and increased maternity leave period, which were suggested to be the most immediate possible strategies for the problems highlighted.
文摘The food and nutrition situation in Burkina Faso, like most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is marked by growing food vulnerability. The majority of local dishes are being abandoned in favor of a minority of imported cereal dishes and other ultra-processed foods. This minority of cereal foods is blamed for stunted growth in children, while ultra-processed foods are linked to chronic diseases such as hypertension, certain types of diabetes and cancer. Knowledge of the nutritional value of local foods is needed to determine their nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional values of local dishes based on millet, sorghum and cowpea in the Centre-North region. The methodology consisted of making an inventory of millet-, sorghum- and cowpea-based dishes using focus groups made up of women and men from three age groups comprising young people, adults and the elderly in the communes of Lebda and Boussouma. The dishes were reproduced, and standard biochemical methods were used for nutritional characterization. A total of 34 dishes were inventoried, including 16 millet/sorghum-based dishes, 8 cowpea-based dishes and 10 dishes composed of millet/sorghum and cowpea or leaves. The mean protein, carbohydrate, ash and iron contents per 100 g DM of the three types of dishes were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05), ranging respectively from 13.61 to 22.63 g, 70.76 to 80.88 g, 1.87 to 5.96 g and 7.67 to 12.06 mg. Those for lipid, energy and zinc were not significantly different, ranging from 5.51 to 6.56 g, from 427 to 433 Kcal and from 2.98 to 3.32 mg respectively. Cowpea-based and mixed dishes cover the nutritional requirements for protein, carbohydrates, iron, zinc and energy recommended for children and adults. The consumption of mixed dishes and cowpea-based dishes could be promoted by nutritional policy to reduce stunting and recommended to obese, hypertensive and diabetic people as part of their diet.
文摘Food safety and hygiene practices require a multisectoral approach including food, water, sanitation, waste management, transport, education, trade, policies and programs that enable safe food preparation, storage and service. Unsafe food can cause illness keeping people from achieving their full potential and death. This was a descriptive study that uses a mixed method approach to derive insights into the characteristics of food vendors related to demography, knowledge, practices, infrastructure, compliance and recommendation for a policymaking framework. Using the Lemeshows’ sample size formula, 473 vendors from formal (restaurants) and informal (cookri-baffa/table top) sites were interviewed and observed. We found from discussions that respondents had a good understanding on how to keep food safe. However, observed practices were poor 93% handled food with their bare hands, 83% did not cover their hair, and 76% did not wear an apron whilst handling, preparing or serving food, 61% did not keep their finger nails clean or short and 57% did not wash their hand before preparing or serving food. Over half (51%) had access to a toilet but 32% reported their use required payment and emphasized their poor condition/inadequate management. Nearly half (47%) of the vending sites did not have a handwashing facility, with soap and water available. Only 7% reported having any authority oversight of food safety. Food safety and hygiene practices in most cookri shops and restaurants was ‘poor’ with very limited surveillance system in place by competent authorities for compliance of food operators. Hand washing, clean surroundings, and covered food were the most common and emphasized practices to mitigate the risks associated with unsafe food.
基金funded by National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFF1100300).
文摘Proteomics is a new technology that has been widely applied in the field of life and health science.It effectively addresses issues related to the impact of dietary structure on organs,tissues,and cells,as well as the changes in proteins in various organs,tissues,and cells under disease conditions.The differential proteins identified through proteomics can serve as disease biomarkers and target proteins affecting health and can be used for disease diagnosis and health regulation.In this paper,the application of proteomics in the field of infl ammation in recent years was summarized,especially in the therapeutic target and mechanism of action,which opens up a new way for more effective prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of inflammation,and provides medical protection for human life and health.
基金Prince of Songkla University(PSU),Hat Yai,Songkhla,Thailand(Grant Number AGR581246S).
文摘The synergistic effect of organoclay(OC)and zinc oxide(ZnO)nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid)(PLA)nanocompositefilms was systematically investigated herein.After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique,the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnOfilm improved by a maximum of 86%compared to the neat PLAfilm without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength.Moreover,thefilm’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens,including gram-negative(Escherichia coli,E.coli)and gram-positive(Staphylococcus aureus,S.aureus)bacteria,was enhanced by a max-imum of approximately 98–99%compared to the neat PLAfilm.Furthermore,SEM images revealed the homo-geneous dispersion of both nano-fillers in the PLA matrix.However,the thermal stability of thefilm decreased slightly after the addition of the OC and ZnO.Thefilm exhibited notable light barrier properties in the UV-Vis range.Moreover,the incorporation of a suitable biodegradable plasticizer significantly decreased the Tg and notably enhanced theflexibility of the nanocompositefilm by increasing the elongation at break approxi-mately 1.5-fold compared to that of the neat PLAfilm.This contributes to its feasibility as an active food packa-ging material.
文摘Food safety has become a major concern for consumers, as well as a priority for regulatory authorities. Faced with the growing industrial and domestic use of food additives, many questions are being asked and concerns are being felt by consumers around the world. Consumer perception defines the acceptability or rejection of food products, and has an impact on consumption patterns and behavior. To assess the level of knowledge and perception of food additives, a pilot study was carried out on a sample of 200 people in Dakar and Saint-Louis. A questionnaire was used to assess the acceptance or rejection, use and impact of food additives by consumers in Senegal. The results revealed several aspects. On the whole, the people surveyed expressed great mistrust and even rejection of these substances added to food products. This consumer perception is shared throughout the world, as indicated in numerous surveys. It also emerges from this study that, although most consumers are aware of the existence of these additives and their uses in the home, they feel that the use of these substances in industrial production is too excessive. What’s more, consumers associate food additives with numerous pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and even sexual impotence. For some of these indexed pathologies, scientific studies have reached the same conclusions, although controversy still persists. On the other hand, for some of the other adverse effects mentioned, no cause-and-effect relationship has been scientifically demonstrated. In these latter cases, it seems that negative communication, misinformation and misconceptions have a major influence on consumer perception of food additives.
文摘The objective of this study was to examine the sorghum preservation techniques in response to climate variability and to evaluate the prevalence of aflatoxin B1 in selected sorghum stocks in Burkina Faso. The cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months, from October 2020 to January 2021. A questionnaire was administered to 450 sorghum farmers in order to ascertain their knowledge and practices with regard to conservation techniques. A total of 23 farmers’ stocks were sampled for the determination of aflatoxin B1 using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method and for the assessment of moisture levels using the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) method. A total of five distinct preservation techniques were identified. The most frequently utilized techniques were straw loft (49.2%) as a storage structure, pallets (36.69%) as the structure’s internal management, plastic bags (40.42%) as packaging material, panicles (64.3%) as a form of storage, and chemical products (15.22%) as preservatives. Three biotic constraints were identified: insect (51.18%), rodent (30.14%), and mold (15.38%). Three significant abiotic constraints were identified: humidity (44.6%), lack of hygiene (15.2%), and grain immaturity (10.2%). A comparative analysis reveals that the majority of these techniques and constraints exhibit notable differences between climatic zones, largely due to the influence of climatic variability. The aflatoxin B1 level exhibited considerable variation, ranging from 0 µg/kg to 2.07 ± 0.08 µg/kg DM. Of the analyzed stocks, 38% were found to be contaminated. Abiotic and biotic factors exert influence on sorghum stocks. Chemical agents are employed for their protection, and contamination by aflatoxin B1 is a further issue. However, the levels of contamination observed are not cause for concern.
文摘The use of food additives in industrial production has the advantage of improving sensory properties, technological quality and extending the shelf life of foods. Among the most widely used additives are antioxidants, which prevent oxidation, browning and rancidity reactions in foods. However, the strong presence of these additives on the market is not without risks for human health, and should be controlled to guarantee food safety. Analysis of the risks associated with consumption of foods containing these additives requires, among other things, information on the frequency of use of these additives in various consumer products. The aim of this study is therefore to identify the antioxidants present in industrial food products distributed in Dakar. The methodology adopted consists of a qualitative analysis based on the identification of additives from food labels. Investigations were carried out in 9 stores, 4 superettes and 2 supermarkets located in different districts of Dakar. The results revealed the presence of 12 antioxidant additives, dominated by citric acid (53%) and ascorbic acid (29%). These studies have also highlighted the simultaneous use of several antioxidants in the same food product. Moreover, for some artificial antioxidants identified antioxydant such as BHA and BHT, health risks are associated with their consumption. The results of this study open up prospects for the development of information databases on food additives.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32071980)the Key Projects of Shaanxi Agricultural Collaborative Innovation and Extension Alliance(No.LMZD202201)+1 种基金the Key R&D Project in Shaanxi Province(No.2021LLRH-07)Shaanxi Natural Scientific Basic Research Program project(No.2022JQ-157).
文摘Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region.Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity.Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas.However,the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage(SOCS),carbon footprint(CF),and economic benefits has received limited research attention.Therefore,we conducted an eight-year study(2015-2022)in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments[urea supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-U),slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-S),urea supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-U),and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-S)]on soil fertility,economic and environmental benefits.The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions(≥71.97%).Compared to other treatments,PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%,water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%,nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%,and net return by 6.21%-29.57%.Furthermore,PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31%and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%.After eight years,PM-S increased SOCS(0-40 cm)by 2.46%,while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%.These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility,economic gains,and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.
文摘Cashew processing in Côte d’Ivoire focuses only on the cashew nut, to the detriment of the apple. Only a very small proportion of the apple is processed into juice. The aim of this work is to enhance the value of cashew apples by transforming them into jam. Specifically, the aim was first to characterize the sensory properties of cashew apple jam formulations using baobab powder as a source of pectin and then to optimise the formulations. A Box-Behken design with pH, Sugar, and Baobab as factors was used to model and characterize the jam sensory descriptors, and a multivariate analysis with SensomineR was used to characterize the jam formulations. The desirability function was used to optimise the formulations. The results show globally significant regressions at the 0.05 threshold for the sensory descriptors Gelling, Brilliance, Smell, Sweetness, and (-)Astringency, with the exception of (-)Salinity. The R2 coefficients are greater than 80%. The factors studied could have effects on the sensory descriptors of cashew jam formulations. The Baobab had the main effect on the gelling, smell, and astringency of the jams. Brilliance depended on the added sugar. A product effect (p < 0.001) was observed for the descriptors Smell, Gelling, Brilliance, and Sweetness, as these allowed the panelists to find differences between the formulations. Optimum jam formulation can be achieved with 51.56% sugar and 2.12% Baobab at a pH of 3.15. Cashew apple jam using Baobab offers opportunities to add value to apples that have long been abandoned in the field. It would be important to find conditions for prolonged storage of this jam.
文摘Increasing access to locally produced, safe, nutritious and affordable complementary foods is essential to combat micronutrient deficiencies in young children in low- and middle-income countries. Two formulations of sweets based on jujube, baobab fruit powder and sweet potato puree were produced, and their nutritional values and sensory properties such as taste, smell, color and acceptability were assessed. The formulation containing the most jujube powder, baobab fruit and sweet potato puree gave the best nutritional value. The sweets are rich in calcium (259.80 mg/100 g), magnesium (67.98 mg/100 g), potassium (782.04 mg/100 g), vitamin C (32.37 mg/100 g), iron (6.45 g mg/100 g) and zinc (0.97 mg/100 g). Sensory tests on the two formulations showed acceptability scores ranging from 81.26% to 84.58%, well above the minimum acceptable threshold. Candies with jujube, baobab fruit powder and sweet potato puree could be an alternative for preventing micronutrient deficiencies.
文摘Sesame is the most widely produced oilseed crop with the highest oil content (45.0%–65.0%) in Asia,Africa.The seed contains a high amount of protein (19%–35%),dietary fiber (15%–20%),carbohydrate (14%–20%),polyunsaturated fatty acids,and micronutrients.It also contains lignans like sesamol,sesamin,and sesamolin,which protect the oil from oxidative rancidity.The seed also provides seed cake with nutritional value after oil extraction,which is used as a biopolymer in the applications of food packaging,bakery,and confectionary industries,as well as in the preparation of edible and coating films.It can replace commercial expanded polystyrene,which is non-biodegradable in nature.Being the richest source of nutrients,sesame seeds and oilseed cakes have been implemented in different food processing industries.The present review focused on the comprehensive study of biochemical compositions,anti-nutrients,phytochemicals,and antioxidants of sesame seeds and seed cakes and their applications in foods industries.
文摘Background: Waste management in Western Area Rural (WAR), Sierra Leone, is plagued by infrastructural and socioeconomic challenges, leading to environmental and health hazards such as flooding, air pollution, and vector-borne diseases. Despite awareness campaigns, informal methods like open dumping and burning dominate. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to analyse how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control influence waste management practices and barriers to proper disposal with potential solutions. Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaires to collect data from 333 participants across ten communities in Western Area Rural (WAR). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and waste management practices. Results: While 98.2% of respondents acknowledged the importance of waste management, limited perceived behavioural control driven by financial constraints (83.8%), inadequate education (83.2%), and insufficient infrastructure (66.4%) hindered effective waste disposal ultimately linking health and environmental risks, such as flooding and marine pollution from plastic waste. Most respondents (68.8%) lacked access to formal waste services, with disposal occurring primarily via open dumping (62.9%) and burning (17.9%). Subjective norms reinforced informal disposal, as community waste-burning remained an accepted practice. Women were disproportionately affected due to economic constraints and larger household sizes. Despite these challenges, 93.1% were willing to engage in community clean-up efforts, indicating strong pro-environmental attitudes constrained by structural barriers. Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for integrated waste management strategies informed by TPB, targeting attitudes through education, reshaping social norms through community-driven initiatives, and enhancing perceived behavioural control by improving infrastructure and financial accessibility. Addressing gender disparities, strengthening public-private partnerships, and expanding recycling and composting programs can foster sustainable waste management in resource-constrained settings.
文摘A spice formulation study in Burkina Faso was carried out using local ingredients for the benefit of households. The objective of this study was to propose some spice formulations based on local ingredients in order to reduce the use of chemical spices in the preparation of different dishes. The Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology was used for the formulation of the spices and their physicochemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics were evaluated by standardized and standard methods. The results obtained showed lipid contents (g/100 g DM) ranging from 10.41 ± 0.26 to 15.64 ± 0.68, total sugars from 4.39 ± 0.32 to 5.46 ± 0.31, protein from 3.65 ± 0.17 to 12.04 ± 0.35 and ash from 5.83 ± 0.01 to 7.02 ± 0.01. The polyphenol content ranged from 9.09 ± 1.60 to 11.33 ± 0.90, and the flavonoid content ranged from 0.65 ± 0.03 to 1.08 ± 0.13. The sensory analysis carried out showed that the spices have generally satisfactory organoleptic characteristics. These results constitute new information in the diet of populations and are an alternative to the chemical spices used in their cooking.
基金Supported by the Program of Sustainable Development and Protection of Artemia Resources in Yuncheng Salt Lake of China(No.YHYJ-2023005)。
文摘Microplastics(MPs)are one of the most concerning pollutants that affects the health and growth of aquatic organisms.We characterized the MPs dispersion in the milli-Q water and seawater,and evaluated the effects of MPs on the gut epithelial cells of brine shrimp using three sizes of polystyrene(PS)microbeads(0.05,0.5,and 5μm,respectively).Results show that microbeads evenly dispersed in milli-Q water,but exhibited aggregation tendency in seawater associating with the particle size.Apart from a reduced survival rate,we observed the structure changes in the gut epithelium that the smaller size of PS microbeads resulted in an increased reactive oxygen species(ROS)and higher apoptosis-related genes expression.Moreover,exposure to all size of PS microbeads led to increased green fluorescence of J-monomer,indicating the declined mitochondrial membrane potential.Therefore,exposure to PS microbeads led to significantly size-dependent toxicity on brine shrimp.Especially,0.05-μm PS microbeads were more toxic,leading to severe oxidative stress and activation of the p53-Bax-Bcl2 pathway,ultimately resulting in cellular apoptosis and gut damage.These findings are important to understand the mechanism of MPs toxicity and its potential ecological risks to marine aquatic animals.
基金Supported by the Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry(Tianjin University of Science&Technology),Tianjin,China(No.202302)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32460154)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023MD734227)。
文摘5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)is a biological monoamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and gonads of crustaceans to induce gonadal maturation.To better understand the effects of 5-HT and its receptors on reproductive development in Artemia,a 5-HT type 7 receptor gene(5-HT_(7Ar))was identified in parthenogenetic Artemia and characterized.Sequence analysis revealed that the open reading frame of 5-HT_(7Ar) encodes a 414-aa protein.5-HT_(7Ar) showed higher expression in both brain and ovary at early embryo stage,5-HT_(7Ar) could be detected during ovarian development and the highest expression was observed at early embryo stage.Silencing of the 5-HT_(7Ar) in Artemia at early embryo stage decreased significantly the expression level of 5-HT_(7Ar) gene and protein at late oocyte,early embryo,and late embryo stage.Moreover,silencing of the 5-HT_(7Ar) resulted in a decreased fecundity,which corresponds to abnormal oocytes during the embryo development.Artemia tended to produce nauplii after the silencing of 5-HT_(7Ar),indicating that 5-HT_(7Ar) may also involve in the determination of its reproduction mode.The findings of this study provide an insight into the regulation of reproductive development in Artemia and the function of 5-HT_(7Ar).
