Tryptophan synthase (TRPS) is a complex enzyme responsible for tryptophan biosynthesis. It occurs in bacteria, plants, and fungi as an αββα heterotetramer. Although encoded by independent genes in ...bacteria and plants, in fungi, TRPS is generated by a single gene that concurrently expresses the α and β entities, which are linked by an elongated peculiar segment. We conducted 1 µs all-atom molecular dynamics simulations on Hemileia vastatrix TRPS to address two questions: (i) the role of the linker segment and (ii) the comparative mode of action. Since there is not an experimental structure, we started our simulations with homology modeling. Based on the results, it seems that TRPS makes use of an already-existing tunnel that can spontaneously move the indole moiety from the α catalytic pocket to the β one. Such behavior was completely disrupted in the simulation without the linker. In light of these results and the αβ dimer’s low stability, the full-working TRPS single genes might be the result of a particular evolution. Considering the significant losses that Hemileia vastatrix causes to coffee plantations, our next course of action will be to use the TRPS to look for substances that can block tryptophan production and therefore control the disease.
As one of the most popular drinks in the world, coffee has limitations in its complex and opaque supply chain. Consumers have difficulty verifying coffee quality according to the price they pay. ...However, innovative technologies such as blockchain emerge with the potential to support the coffee supply chain to be more transparent and traceable. Blockchain technology is a distributed database that allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping, which makes it an ideal tool for tracking the movement of coffee beans throughout the supply chain, from farmers to roasters to retailers. Each step in the coffee supply chain could be logged and tracked using blockchain, thus supporting greater transparency. Traceability would make it easier to identify and track any issues or irregularities in the supply chain. We propose a model to transform a coffee industry supply chain business process into a blockchainable workflow. In addition, an application was developed to allow each stakeholder in the supply chain to contribute to the data collection and monitor the status of each coffee batch. The application prototype was implemented and evaluated in one of the coffee industries in Indonesia. This research will benefit farmers in getting fair prices and end-consumers getting quality assurance.
The coffee industry faces coffee leaf rust caused by Hemileia vastratix, which is considered the most devastating disease of the crop, as it reduces the photosynthetic rate and limits productivity. ...The use of plant resistance inducers, such as chitosan, is an alternative for the control of the disease by inducing the synthesis of phytoalexins, as well as the activation of resistance genes. Previously, the effect of chitosan from different sources and physicochemical properties was studied; however, its mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. In this work, the ability of food-grade high-density chitosan (0.01% and 0.05%) to control the infection caused by the pathogen was evaluated. Subsequently, the effect of high-density chitosan (0.05%) on the induction of pathogenesis-related gene expression (GLUC, POX, PAL, NPR1, and CAT), the enzymatic activity of pathogenesis-related proteins (GLUC, POX, SOD, PPO, and APX), and phytoalexin production were evaluated. The results showed that 0.05% chitosan increased the activity and gene expression of ß-1,3 glucanases and induced a differentiated response in enzymes related to the antioxidant system of plants. In addition, a correlation was observed between the activities of polyphenol oxidase and the production of phytoalexin, which allowed an effective defense response in coffee plants.
Coffee has proven to be highly sensitive to climate change. Because coffee plantations have a lifespan of about thirty years, the likely effects of future climates are already a concern. ...Forward-looking research on adaptation is therefore in high demand across the entire supply chain. In this paper we seek to project current and future climate suitability for coffee production (
Coffea arabica
and
Coffea canephora
) on a global scale. We used machine learning algorithms to derive functions of climatic suitability from a database of geo-referenced production locations. Use of several parameter combinations enhances the robustness of our analysis. The resulting multi-model ensemble suggests that higher temperatures may reduce yields of
C. arabica,
while
C. canephora
could suffer from increasing variability of intra-seasonal temperatures. Climate change will reduce the global area suitable for coffee by about 50 % across emission scenarios. Impacts are highest at low latitudes and low altitudes. Impacts at higher altitudes and higher latitudes are still negative but less pronounced. The world’s dominant production regions in Brazil and Vietnam may experience substantial reductions in area available for coffee. Some regions in East Africa and Asia may become more suitable, but these are partially in forested areas, which could pose a challenge to mitigation efforts.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical parameters of the Vietnam coffee industry and develop a comprehensive structural relationship to rank them for effective sustainable ...development.
Design/methodology/approach
The team of ten experts, having experience of over eight years in the field of various coffee industries in Vietnam, was created to give scores to multiple parameters. Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) technique is used to develop the model for fifteen key parameters and then to rank them.
Findings
From the data analysis and results, marketing and brand innovation, product quality, strategic planning and implementation have emerged as top three key parameters while new technology development, supply chain and logistics management, and alliance-joint venture are identified as the bottom three parameters. The findings provide a rank of parameters that help to other coffee industries to identify their key parameters. Besides, the key parameters defined as necessary inputs show the firms more active and well-prepared comprised of ten companies.
Practical implications
The key parameters of the success of any organization are essential contributions. Aiming to improve organizational performance, metrics should be identified as the source of strength to achieve high productivity, profitability and sustainable business performance.
Originality/value
The emphasis of study on key parameters will help organizations to achieve competitive advantage and high productivity for high sustainability in an organizational context.
Conventional methodology in the field for the sampling of coffee leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, has proven to be impractical. This paper proposes a method for the early detection of this ...disease, which is the most significant pathogen of coffee plants worldwide, using multispectral images acquired using a Mapir Survey3W camera and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For this purpose, 160 coffee seedlings of the coffee cultivar ‘Mundo Novo’ were inoculated with urediniospores of H. vastatrix and compared with 160 control (non-inoculated) seedlings to determine the most favorable interval for distinguishing healthy and infected plants. The 320 seedlings were placed on a dark surface to perform the imaging flights. In vitro analyses of the physiological parameters of 20 specimens were then performed for each condition (inoculated/non-inoculated) to obtain the hyperspectral curves, and this process was repeated three times at 15, 30, and 45 days after inoculation (DAI). Based on the simulated hyperspectral curves, a discrepancy between the red and near-infrared (NIR) bands was identified at 15 DAI, with the inoculated plants showing greater absorption in the red band and a greater spectral response in the NIR band. Thus, multispectral images were able to distinguish H. vastatrix infection in coffee seedlings at an asymptomatic stage (15 DAI) using a support vector machines (SVM) algorithm. Detection accuracy was 80% and the Kappa index of agreement was moderate (0.6). The early detection of this pathogen in the field using low-cost technology can be an important tool for the monitoring of coffee leaf rust and, consequently, a more sustainable management of the pathogen, causing farmers to make applications of chemical fungicides only when necessary.
Coffee is one of the most important globally traded commodities and substantially contributes to the livelihoods of millions of smallholders worldwide. As a climate-sensitive perennial crop, coffee ...is likely to be highly susceptible to changes in climate. Using a systematic approach, we explore evidence from the published academic literature of the influence of climate change and variability, specifically drought, on coffee production. A number of mostly negative impacts were reported in the current literature, including declines in coffee yield, loss of coffee-optimal areas with significant impacts on major global coffee-producing countries and growth in the distribution of pest and disease that indirectly influence coffee cultivation. Current research also identified positive effects of climate change such as increases in coffee-producing niche, particularly in areas at higher altitudes; however, whether these gains might offset losses from other production areas requires further investigation. Other advantages include increases in pollination services and the beneficial effects of elevated carbon concentration, leading to potential yield improvements. Future priorities should focus on major coffee-growing regions projected to be adversely affected by climate change, with specific attention given to potential adaptation strategies tailored to particular farming conditions such as relocation of coffee plantations to more climatically suitable areas, irrigation and agroforestry. The majority of studies were based in the Americas and concentrated on Arabica coffee. A broader spread of research is therefore required, especially for the large growing regions in Asia and for Robusta coffee, to support sustainable production of the global coffee industry.
Coffee has been grown on Java for the commercial market since the early eighteenth century, when the Dutch East India Company began buying from peasant producers in the Priangan highlands. What began ...as a commercial transaction, however, soon became a system of compulsory production. This book shows how the Dutch East India Company mobilised land and labour, why they turned to force cultivation, and what effects the brutal system they installed had on the economy and society.
Coffee, one of the most popular beverages in the world, contains many bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was a comparative evaluation of the content of bioactive compounds in organic and ...conventional coffee (
Coffea arabica)
originating from Brazil during 12 months storage. The content of the polyphenolic compounds was determined using HPLC analysis. The obtained results indicate that organic or conventional production and roasting conditions (light, medium, dark roast) affect the polyphenolic compounds of coffee. The highest content of total polyphenolic compounds was determined in coffees roasted in light and medium roasting conditions. Furthermore, organic coffee beans showed higher content of bioactive compounds (total phenolic, phenolic acids and flavonoids) than conventional coffee beans. During 12 months storage a decrease in polyphenolic compounds is observed and it is connected with the degradation of chlorogenic acid, which influences total bioactivity. Moreover, the highest caffeine content was observed in light and medium roasted coffee and after storage an increase in caffeine content was observed only in organic coffee beans.
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Research on the synthesis of activated carbon from coffee industrial waste has been successfully carried out using the pretreatment method. Samples are carried out by varying the ...calcination temperature (600 °C; 700 °C; 800 °C). Samples were tested for iodine to determine the surface area of activated carbon, characterized by Optical Microscopy (OM), conductivity behavior was studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) testing to determine electrochemical performance. Iodine test results produce the highest surface area of 2614 m2/gr. Based on the morphological results using OM, the surface morphology looks relatively homogeneous. A lithium-ion capacitor cell with sample C1 as a carbon cathode synthesized by the steam hydrothermal method has the smallest semicircle with the highest conductivity of 14 × 10−5 S/cm and a specific capacitance of 31.25 F/g which indicates better electrochemical performance than other cells.
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