Aflatoxins are mainly produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus, which are found in diverse agricultural crops. In many lower-income countries, aflatoxins pose serious public health issues ...since the occurrence of these toxins can be considerably common and even extreme. Aflatoxins can negatively affect health of livestock and poultry due to contaminated feeds. Additionally, they significantly limit the development of international trade as a result of strict regulation in high-value markets. Due to their high stability, aflatoxins are not only a problem during cropping, but also during storage, transport, processing, and handling steps. Consequently, innovative evidence-based technologies are urgently required to minimize aflatoxin exposure. Thus far, biological control has been developed as the most innovative potential technology of controlling aflatoxin contamination in crops, which uses competitive exclusion of toxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones. This technology is commercially applied in groundnuts maize, cottonseed, and pistachios during pre-harvest stages. Some other effective technologies such as irradiation, ozone fumigation, chemical and biological control agents, and improved packaging materials can also minimize post-harvest aflatoxins contamination in agricultural products. However, integrated adoption of these pre- and post-harvest technologies is still required for sustainable solutions to reduce aflatoxins contamination, which enhances food security, alleviates malnutrition, and strengthens economic sustainability.
•Evidence of adverse effect of aflatoxins on human health and trade participation.•Highlighting recent pre- and post-harvest technologies to prevent aflatoxin contamination.•Expressing the need for a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to manage aflatoxin contamination.•Providing some suggestions to guide research and policies to address aflatoxin contamination.
In response to growing food demand, edible insects are perceived as an opportunity to alleviate food insecurity. With its wide edible insects' biodiversity, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of ...Africa's most critical entomophagous. This study aimed at giving a first insight on inventory showing diversity, perception, consumption, availability, host plants, harvesting techniques and processing techniques of edible insects in South-Kivu, DRC. It recorded twenty-three edible insects belonging to nine families and five orders, some of which are consumed in the larval, adult, egg and pupa stages. Rhyncophorus phoenicis, Alphitobius diaperinus, Macrotermes subhyalinus and Acheta domesticus were the most preferred edible insects in Fizi Territory, Ruspolia differens and Apis mellifera larvae in Kabare Territory, Imbrasia oyemensis, Imbrasia epimethea, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhyncophorus phoenicis in Mwenga Territory, Ruspolia differens, Macrotermes subhyalinus, Gryllotalpa africana, Nsike, Nomadacris septemfasciata and A. mellifera larvae in Walungu Territory. Ruspolia differens, I. oyemensis, A. mellifera larvae, G. africana and Nsike, were preferred for their taste. Acheta domesticus, A. diaperinus and A. mellifera larvae were abundant throughout the year, while others were only available for 9 months or less per year. Numerous plants have been recorded as their hosts, including plants used for food and income. Harvesting strategies and period, processing methods and preservation techniques depend on insect species, local knowledge and practices. These findings suggest similar and thorough studies on entomophagy across the country while encouraging the rearing of edible insects to address their existing high demand and environmental concerns.
Abstract This study investigates the environmental impact of burning herbicide-contaminated biomass, focusing on atrazine (ATZ) and diuron (DIU) sprayed on rice straw prior to burning. Samples of ...soil, biomass residues, total suspended particulate (TSP), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM 10 ), and aerosols were collected and analyzed. Soil analysis before and after burning contaminated biomass showed significant changes, with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) initially constituting 79.2% and decreasing by 3.3 times post-burning. Atrazine-desethyl, sebuthylazine, and terbuthylazine were detected post-burning. In raw rice straw biomass, terbuthylazine dominated at 80.0%, but burning ATZ-contaminated biomass led to the detection of atrazine-desethyl and notable increases in sebuthylazine and terbuthylazine. Conversely, burning DIU-contaminated biomass resulted in a shift to 2,4-D dominance. Analysis of atmospheric components showed changes in TSP, PM 10 , and aerosol samples. Linuron in ambient TSP decreased by 1.6 times after burning ATZ-contaminated biomass, while atrazine increased by 2.9 times. Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzoaanthracene (BaA), benzoapyrene (BaP), and benzobfluoranthene (BbF), increased by approximately 9.9 to 13.9 times after burning ATZ-contaminated biomass. In PM 10 , BaA and BaP concentrations increased by approximately 11.4 and 19.0 times, respectively, after burning ATZ-contaminated biomass. This study sheds light on the environmental risks posed by burning herbicide-contaminated biomass, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices and effective waste management. The findings underscore the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate environmental contamination and protect human health.
This critical review examines the release of pesticides from agricultural practices into the air, with a focus on volatilization, and the factors influencing their dispersion. The review delves into ...the effects of airborne pesticides on human health and their contribution to anthropogenic air pollution. It highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary research encompassing science, technology, public policy, and agricultural practices to effectively mitigate the risks associated with pesticide volatilization and spray dispersion. The text acknowledges the need for more research to understand the fate and transport of airborne pesticides, develop innovative application technologies, improve predictive modeling and risk assessment, and adopt sustainable pest management strategies. Robust policies and regulations, supported by education, training, research, and development, are crucial to ensuring the safe and sustainable use of pesticides for human health and the environment. By providing valuable insights, this review aids researchers and practitioners in devising effective and sustainable solutions for safeguarding human health and the environment from the hazards of airborne pesticides.
•Packaging materials had a significant effect on the storage dynamics of dried papaya.•Moisture and water activity increased significantly during storage in both packaging materials.•Antioxidant ...content and capacity decreased during storage, dependent on time and packaging.•Water vapor permeability of packaging materials affected the moisture content during storage.•Oxygen transmission rate of the packaging material affected the browning kinetics during storage.
Papaya has been identified as a valuable source of nutrients and antioxidants, which are beneficial for human health. To preserve the nutritional properties after drying, appropriate storage specifications should be considered. This study aimed to investigate the quality and stability of air-dried papaya in terms of quality dynamics and behavior of bio-active compounds during storage for up to 9months in two packaging materials: aluminum laminated polyethylene and polyamide/polyethylene. Samples with moisture content (MC) of 0.1328gg−1 and water activity (aw) of 0.5 were stored at 30°C and relative humidity (RH) of 40–50%. The MC, aw, degree of browning (DB) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content were found to notably increase as storage progressed. On the contrary, there was a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS), total phenolic (TP) and ascorbic acid (AA) contents. Packaging in aluminum laminated polyethylene under ambient conditions was found to better preserve bio-active compounds and retard increases in MC, aw and DB, when compared to polyamide/polyethylene.
Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral technology offers a non-destructive and efficient approach to monitoring plant health and stress responses by analyzing reflectance data across ...various wavelengths. This study integrates UAV-based multispectral imagery with ground-measured sample data to evaluate the impact of atrazine (ATR) on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and anthocyanins in Red Cos lettuce. The results indicate a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ATR concentration in lettuce with soil application, leading to notable reductions in pigment concentrations. Heatmap analysis reveals that EVI shows the strongest negative correlations with pigment classes (coefficients ranging between −0.75 to −0.85), while NDVI, GNDVI, and BNDVI exhibit the strongest positive correlations with pigments (coefficients > 0.75). These findings highlight the potential of this innovative technique in predicting pigment concentrations and emphasize its importance in monitoring pesticide effects for sustainable agriculture.
This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a multi-sensor approach for predicting shrinkage of papaya during drying using computer vision methods in combination with optical scattering analysis of ...light at 650 nm. The top-side area and total surface area derived from computer vision were analyzed, while the illuminated area and light intensity from optical scattering images were used to interpret photon migration in the fruit tissue. The relationship between moisture content and shrinkage in terms of volume and area reduction during drying was satisfactorily explained by a linear model. The results demonstrated that the prediction of papaya shrinkage during drying from top and total surface areas of the sample was possible, but can potentially be improved. Multivariate correlations of computer vision parameters and optical scattering properties showed the enhanced performance for shrinkage prediction. This multi-sensor approach could possibly be applied as a fast, accurate and non-invasive technique for in-line quality control to monitor shrinkage in the production of dried fruits.
•Increased air temperature resulted in intensified shrinkage of papaya during drying.•Displacement method to quantify shrinkage is impractical for in-line purposes.•Shrinkage prediction of papaya by image-based measurements was viable.•Performance of regression models was improved via a multi-sensor approach.•Combined optical systems may be practical in fruit drying for shrinkage monitoring.
This study addresses a significant gap in research by exploring the integration of nano-biochar (NBC) into porous concrete (PC) to enhance water purification capabilities while also evaluating its ...impact on the material's physical and mechanical properties. NBC was added in varying weights (0%–100%) to the binder material. Notably, beyond 10% NBC content, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in porosity and compressive strength. Microstructural analyses using SEM, XRD, and FTIR revealed the incorporation of C–S–H within NBC pore structures. At 50% NBC content, substantial removal efficiencies (p < 0.05) were observed for manganese (Mn), nitrate (NO3−), total phosphorus (TP), and atrazine (AZ), reaching values of 97.4%, 93.9%, 97.3%, and 52.9%, respectively. Linear regression models revealed significant relationships between the degree of NBC enhancement and the efficiency of Mn and AZ removal. The logarithmic function provided the most accurate predictions for the quantity of NO3− and TP adsorbed by PC. These findings demonstrated that NBC-enhanced PC offers improved environmental remediation and provides guidelines for optimizing its composition for specific pollutants. Balancing mechanical and environmental performance, highlighting its potential as a sustainable construction material that meets both structural and pollution control needs is recommended.
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•The incorporation of NBC in PC resulted in considerable changes of PC properties.•Increasing NBC content led to a notable decrease in porosity and compressive strength.•The presence of C–S–H within the pores decreased as NBC content increased.•NBC-enhanced PC exhibited improved removal efficiency for MN, NO3−, TP, and AZ.•NBC-enhanced PC represents a cost-effective and efficient solution for water contaminant removal.
Poor energy and nutrient-dense complementary food for infants have resulted in malnutrition and poor growth. Some processes are known to improve the nutritional value while reducing the antinutrient ...factors in food formulations. Maize-soybean-based composite flours from nixtamalized maize and heat-treated soybean were used to formulate six composite flours (CFs). The proximate composition, mineral content, antinutritional effect, mineral molar ratios, and mycotoxin level were investigated. The nixtamalization of maize and the heat treatment of soybean substantially improved the nutritional properties of the CFs. The pH value varied with the nixtamalization process, from 6.82 ± 0.7 to 9.32 ± 0.4. The energy content of the complementary foods was in the range of 354.77 ± 3.2 to 429.56 ± 4 kcal, meeting the minimum standard set for a cereal-based
CF
, which is 400 kcal. The protein values of the CFs (9.48 ± 0.3 to 13.92 ± 1.92%) on a dry weight basis were slightly below 15% of the recommended levels set by Codex. The antinutrient levels were reduced with nixtamalization and heat treatment. The molar ratio of phytate to minerals (calcium, zinc, and magnesium) was lower than the reported critical value, except for phytate to iron, where only whole maize, nixtamalized maize, and composite flour 3 (CF3) had a molar ratio that exceeded the reported critical value of 1. Although all composite flours were contaminated with mycotoxin, aflatoxin content in CFs ranged from 1.35 ± 0.67 to 13.8 ± 0.29 g/kg and from 0.3 ± 0.07 to 0.63 ± 0.015 mg/kg for fumonisin. Only the control and CFs made from the untreated maize did not meet the EU regulatory threshold (4.0 g/kg) for total aflatoxins and total fumonisin (4 mg/kg). The soybeans were not contaminated with the mycotoxins. The composite flour 5 (Composite flour 25% HS + 75% NixM) can be considered the best composite flour with regard to its nutritional properties, mineral, antinutrient, and mycotoxin content. These findings have shown that nixtamalization and heat treatment can improve the nutritional properties and food safety of composite flours.
The transformation of value-added solar-dried banana to banana syrup, which contains very high levels of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), is attractive. It has promising economic potential for the ...nutraceutical and functional food industry. In this study, the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used for the detection of 1-kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3), 1
F
-fructofuranosylnystose (GF4), and total FOS in solar-dried banana syrup in the spectral region of 4000–12,000 cm
−1
. Partial Least Squares (PLS) were applied to build the regression models. Considering the highest coefficient of determination (R
2
) and the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) of prediction, the prediction model of GF2 and GF3 yielded the greatest when original spectra at the optimization wavelength region was used. At the same time, the SNV procedure exhibited the best for the prediction model of GF4 and total FOS. Therefore, NIR spectroscopy with the PLS technique can be suitably applied for the rapid detection of FOS in solar-dried banana syrup.
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