Numerous studies acknowledged the importance of an adequate vegetable consumption for human health. However, current methods to estimate vegetable intake are often prone to measurement errors due to ...self-reporting and/or insufficient detail. More objective intake biomarkers for vegetables, using biological specimens, are preferred. The only concentration biomarkers currently available are blood carotenoids and vitamin C, covering total fruit and vegetable intake. Identification of biomarkers for specific vegetables is needed for a better understanding of their relative importance for human health. Within the FoodBAll Project under the Joint Programming Initiative "A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life", an ambitious action was undertaken to identify candidate intake biomarkers for all major food groups consumed in Europe by systematically reviewing the existent literature. This study describes the review on candidate biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) for leafy, bulb, and stem vegetables, which was conducted within PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published through March 2019.
In total, 65 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility for leafy vegetables, and 6 full-text articles were screened for bulb and stem vegetables. Putative BFIs were identified for spinach, lettuce, endive, asparagus, artichoke, and celery, but not for rocket salad. However, after critical evaluation through a validation scheme developed by the FoodBAll consortium, none of the putative biomarkers appeared to be a promising BFI. The food chemistry data indicate that some candidate BFIs may be revealed by further studies.
Future randomized controlled feeding studies combined with observational studies, applying a non-targeted metabolomics approach, are needed in order to identify valuable BFIs for the intake of leafy, bulb, and stem vegetables.
Minimally processed fruits and vegetables are ready-to-eat and do not require further treatment at home. These foods are usually stored in a modified atmosphere and should be maintained at ...refrigerated conditions until consumption. These fruits and vegetables can become contaminated by foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and it has been demonstrated that current industrial sanitising washing treatments do not guarantee the total elimination of the pathogen when present. Thus, it is very important to elucidate whether pathogens are able to grow or survive during storage at different conditions. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the type of produce (escarole, carrot, pineapple or melon), package gas composition (air or modified atmosphere) and temperature (5 or 25 °C) on the population dynamics of a strain of E. coli O157:H7. For vegetables, the growth in two films, which created different O2 and CO2 concentrations, and air were compared. At 25 °C, growth of E. coli O157:H7 was higher in fresh-cut carrots than in endive, reaching populations between 7.0–8.4 log cfu g−1 and 5.2–6.3 log cfu g−1 after 3 days of storage, respectively. In fruits, E. coli O157:H7 grew well in fresh-cut melon regardless of the atmospheric conditions in the package, reaching populations of 8.5 and 8.9 log cfu g−1 after 1 day of storage in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or under air conditions, respectively. No growth was observed in the fresh-cut pineapple. At 5 °C, E. coli O157:H7 did not grow but survived throughout the studied period in all tested commodities. This work emphasises the importance of strict temperature control from processing to consumption, including transportation, distribution, storage and handling in supermarkets and by consumers.
► Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth on different fresh-cut fruits and vegetables stored at different conditions is studied. ► Passive modified atmosphere did not affect growth of E. coli O157:H7. ► At 25 °C, E. coli O157:H7 grew on fresh-cut escarole, carrot and melon but not on fresh-cut pineapple. ► At 5 °C it did not grow but survived throughout the studied period in all tested commodities. ► This work underlines the importance of strict temperature control from processing to consumption.
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Increasing concerns about the possible formation of carcinogenic compounds and the emergence of new, more tolerant pathogens, have raised questions on the use of chlorine in fresh-cut produce. There ...is a growing need to investigate the efficacy of new commercial sanitizing and other alternative technologies. In the present study, the effectiveness of chlorine and other commercial sanitizer agents (Sanova, Sanoxol 20, Tsunami 100, Purac FCC 80, Citrox 14W and Catallix) was evaluated on epiphytic microorganisms and their influence on the sensory quality of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce. Different sanitizer concentrations (manufacturer's recommended dose and half of this dose) and application systems (submersion and spray) were also compared. The antimicrobial efficacy of the treatments was evaluated, initially after washing, and after 8 days of storage simulating a commercial shelf-life (3 days at 4
°C
+
5 days at 8
°C). All the tested washing solutions were more effective in reducing the microbial load than water washes, particularly in fresh-cut escarole. However, the microbial load of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce after 8 days of storage was very similar for most of the treatments despite the different application systems and concentrations of the sanitizers. Clearly epiphytic microorganisms of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce were able to grow rapidly during storage under low temperature, reaching similar or higher values than the unwashed fresh-cut produce at the day of production. The overall visual quality of fresh-cut salad leaves was scored as good or very good (≥6) after 8 days of storage, except for the product washed with Purac. Thus, despite the high number of mesophilic bacteria present in the product, between 6 and 8
log
cfu
g
−1, it was not associated with a detrimental quality. Therefore, the determination of the initial epiphytic reductions of fresh-cut products after washing with different sanitizing agents provides little information about the microbial or sensory quality of the product at the time of consumption.
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Endivija (
Cichorium endivia
L.) je povrtna vrsta čije se potrebite količine sjemena u Hrvatskoj svake godine povećavaju zbog sve većeg broja vrtlara hobista. Posljednjih nekoliko godina u ...laboratorijima za kontrolu kvalitete poljoprivrednog sjemena zapaženo je da sjeme endivije neovisno o sorti ima nisku energiju klijanja i klijavost. Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitati navedene pokazatelje kvalitete sjemena endivije različitim metodama koje se koriste kod ispitivanja klijavosti povrtnih kultura. Korištena je metoda na filtar- papiru s četiri tretmana 1) vlaženje podloge destiliranom vodom, 2) vlaženje podloge 0,2%-tnom otopinom KNO3, 3) prethodno hlađenje + vlaženje podloge destiliranom vodom, 4) prethodno hlađenje + vlaženje podloge 0,2%-tnom otopinom KNO3. Ispitivanje je provedeno u laboratoriju za kontrolu kvalitete poljoprivrednog reprodukcijskog materijala Visokog gospodarskoga učilišta u Križevcima. Nakon provedenog ispitivanja rezultati pokazuju da su najvišu energiju klijanja i klijavost sjemena imali uzorci kod kojih je korišten predtretman prethodno hlađenje i destilirana voda, a značajno nižu energiju i klijavost sjemena imali su uzorci kod kojih je korištena metoda vlaženja podloge s 0,2%-tnom otopinom KNO3.
Endive (
Cichorium endivia
L.) is a vegetable species whose needs for seed quantity increase each year due to the growing number of hobby gardeners. Furthermore, in the last few years, it has been observed in control laboratories for seed quality that endive, regardless of its variety, has low germination energy and seed germination. The aim of this study is to examine the germination energy and seed germination of endive applying various methods used in the examination of vegetable species. The study was conducted in the laboratory for quality control of agricultural reproductive material at Križevci College of Agriculture. Energy and seed germination were tested by a four-treatment paper filter method. The first two treatments were comprised of wetting the substrate with distilled water and 0,2% KNO3, while the other two treatments were a combination of both, along with a prior pre-cooling treatment. The highest seed germination and germination energy was evidenced in samples using pretreatment pre-cooling and distilled water, while samples that were treated with a 0,2% KNO3 wetting method, as prescribed by the Ordinance of sampling methods and seed quality testing (OG 99/08) showed significantly lower energy and seed germination. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the best method for testing germination energy and seed germination was the paper filter method with wetting of the substrate with distilled water and applying precooling as a pre-treatment.
Brussels chicory, a typical vegetable in Mediterranean diets, has been recently reported to stabilize advanced atherosclerotic plaques in the brachiocephalic artery of apoE-deficient (
) mice. ...Herein, we investigated whether Brussels chicory can stabilize advanced plaques in the aorta via improving oxidative stress. Thirty week old
mice were fed the AIN-93G diet or supplemented with 0.5% freeze-dried Brussels chicory for twenty weeks. Aortic plaque size and stability, aortic relaxation, monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelium, free radicals, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic factors involved in free radical production and elimination in aorta and serum were measured. Brussels chicory consumption did not alter aortic plaque size, however, it stabilized aortic plaques, promoted aortic relaxation, and also inhibited monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelium. Moreover, this administration reduced oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content in aortic plaques, associated with inhibited aortic NADPH oxidase (NOX) and uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-mediated free radical production. However, Brussels chicory consumption did not appreciably alter aortic and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, aortic glutathione (GSH), as well as serum non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as bilirubin, uric acid, and GSH. Collectively, improved oxidative stress might contribute to the atheroprotective effect of Brussels chicory, supporting the prospect of the antioxidant therapy in advanced atherosclerosis progression.
► We included 40 toddlers in a randomized intervention study, cross over design. ► We measured vegetable intake and preference before and after conditioning with energy. ► We find an effect of mere ...exposure on intake in both conditions, stable over time. ► We find a shift in liking for vegetable paired with high energy, supporting FNL. ► Mere exposure is a powerful learning mechanism to promote vegetables in children.
Children’s consumption of vegetables is still below recommendations. Since preference is the most important predictor of children’s intake and most children dislike vegetables, new strategies are needed to increase their preferences for vegetables. Flavour nutrient learning (FNL) could be an effective mechanism to change preferences. Forty healthy toddlers were included in a randomized intervention study. During an intervention period of 7weeks, they consumed vegetable soups (endive and spinach) twice per week. Half of the group received a high-energy variant of one soup (e.g. HE spinach) and a low energy variant of the other (LE endive), whereas for the other half the order was reversed (HE endive, LE spinach). Primary outcome measures were preference and ad libitum consumption (with a maximum of 200g) of both vegetable products (LE), measured before, shortly after the intervention period, and 2 and 6months following conditioning to assess longer-term effects. After completion of the intervention period, 28 children (14 girls and 14 boys, age 35months; SD±8.3) met criteria for FNL to occur, and were included in further data analysis. Results showed a significant increase (∼58g) in ad libitum intake for both vegetable soups (stable over time), but irrespective of the energy content. This indicates a robust effect of mere exposure on intake, but no FNL. For preference, however, results showed a significant shift in liking for the vegetable soup consistently paired with high energy, supporting FNL.
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In recent decades, people have blindly pursued increased yield; the excessive use of fertilizer not only causes the widespread waste of resources but also puts great pressure on environmental ...protection. In this study, to find out the optimum nitrogen application to endive crops under hydroponic conditions, this experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities under different nitrogen supply levels, and to fit the equations between nitrogen supply levels and aboveground dry matter accumulation, the aboveground nitrogen accumulation, and the yield of endive crops. The results showed that the activities of the key enzymes of nitrogen metabolism were higher at nitrogen supply concentrations of 8 and 11 mmol·L−1. The dry matter and nitrogen accumulation of endive at different nitrogen supply levels were analyzed with the logistic model; the theoretical yield was found to be the highest at 9.935~11.448 mmol·L−1 of nitrogen application in the two different fertility trials by function fitting.
The paper discusses the results of the study of the effect of climatic factors on the yield and biometric indicators of various varieties of endive chicory (Cichorium endivia (L.)) over a two-year ...study grown in the summer-autumn period in the plastic greenhouses on the experimental plots of the St. Petersburg Agrarian University, Pushkin, Russia. The plants of the genus Chicory are known and valued for their unique medicinal and nutritional properties. Total of 14 varieties of domestic and foreign Cichorium endivia breeding were studied. The study was carried out in 2015 and 2016years that were sharply differed in the amount of precipitation and temperature. The climate of Leningrad region is characterised with humid and long-lasting cold season. The aim of the research was to identify the variety of endive chicory that is most suitable and tolerant for the climatic conditions of Leningrad region, Russia. During the growing season the plant biometric parameters such as plant height (cm), rosette diameter of leaves (cm), and number of leaves (pieces) were measured. During harvesting, additional parameters such as biomass of plants and leaves, the area of the assimilation surface were determined. The decrease in plant biometric parameters during the phenological observations in September 2016 was associated with an increased amount of precipitation in July-August. The results showed that the variety "Broad Betavian fullhearted" was the most sensitive to the adverse effects of weather, showing the largest variation in biometrics over the studied years. In plants of this variety the mass of leaves decreased by 9.2 times, the area of the assimilation surface was reduced by 11.6 times, while the crop shortfall in 2016 was almost 90%. The varieties "Green curled" and "Scarola bionda" were the most tolerant to weather conditions. These varieties were characterized by the maximum yield in both years of research: "Green curled"-7.90 kg/m 2 and 2.87 kg/m 2 , "Scarola bionda"-8.06 kg/m 2 and 2.84 kg/m 2 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Generally, the result of the study showed that most of the studied varieties were sensitive to the amount of precipitation and the number of sunny days. The study made it possible to identify the most sensitive and most tolerant varieties of endive chicory for growing in the Leningrad region.
Quality changes of fresh endives were related to packaging condition and development of the internal atmosphere composition. Three packaging conditions were tested at 20
°C: a macroperforated ...oriented polypropylene (OPP) pouch considered as “unmodified atmosphere packaging” (UAP) and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) pouch with or without an individual oxygen scavenger sachet to create active or passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), respectively. With a steady modified atmosphere composed of 3 and 4.5
kPa of O
2 and CO
2, respectively, the effect of passive MAP on colour changes in endives was similar to that of UAP. Benefit of MAP of endives was obtained by using an O
2 scavenger, i.e. active MAP, that did not change O
2 and CO
2 partial pressure during the steady state period, compared to passive MAP, but induced a 50% reduction of the transient period. This reduction led to an important delay in greening and browning of endives.
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Soil contaminated with cadmium presents a potential hazard for humans, animals and plants. The latter play a major role in the transfer of cadmium to the food chain. The uptake of cadmium and its ...accumulation by plants is dependent on various soil, plants and environmental factors. In order to identify soil properties with statistically significant influence on cadmium concentration in vegetables and to reduce the collection of data, time and costs, regression models can be applied. The main objective of this research was to develop regression models to predict the concentration of cadmium in 9-vegetable species: zucchini, tomato, cabbage, onion, potato, carrot, red beet, endive and chicory, based on soil properties. Soil samples were collected from 123 home gardens of the Municipality of Celje and 59 of these gardens were also included in vegetable sampling. The concentration of elements (e.g. arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc) in the samples was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Single (for cabbage, potato, red beet and chicory) and multiple (for tomato, onion, carrot and endive) linear regression models were developed. There was no statistically significant regression model for zucchini. The most significant parameter for the influencing the cadmium concentration in vegetables was the concentration of cadmium in soil. Other important soil properties were the content of organic matter, pH-value and the concentration of manganese. It was concluded that consuming carrots, red beets, endives, onions, potatoes and chicory which are grown in gardens with Cd concentrations (mgkg−1 DW) above 2.4, 3.2, 6.3, 7.9, 8.3 and 10.9, respectively, might represent an important contribution to dietary Cd exposure.
•High Cd concentrations were determined in selected root and leafy vegetables.•Single and multiple regression models were developed to predict Cd concentrations.•Important model parameters were Cd and Mn concentrations, pH-value and organic matter.•Intake of two-thirds of contaminated selected vegetables may increase Cd exposure.
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