Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Green Gram (MH-421) in Sirsa District of Haryana State

Pulses are one of the important food crops globally due to higher protein content. In India,they are also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting for a large part ofthe exports. Cluster frontline demonstrations on moong bean crop covering 110 ha areaunder variety MH-421 were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra at 110 locations in Sirsadistrict of Haryana state during four consecutive years viz. 2016 to 2019. The technologicalgaps were identified in existing crop production technology through farmers meetings andgroup discussions. The findings showed significant increase in the average yield ofdemonstrated plot (23.1%) over the farmer’s plot of moong bean crop. Average yield ofdemonstration plots was recorded higher by 26.90 per cent, 20.50 per cent, 20.00 per centand 25.00 per cent in years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The extension gapwas 2.02 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha while technology gap was 2.48 q/ha,3.20 q/ha, 3.00 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Duringthese four years yield increase in demonstrations plots expressed as additional incomeover check plots accounted for Rs. 11300/ha, Rs. 900/ha, Rs. 6200/ha and Rs.14400/haduring various years.

IN-SITU MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CASSAVA LANDRACES (MANIHOTESCULENTACRANTZ) FROM COTE DIVOIRE

Cassava provides food security for millions of people worldwide. In Cote dIvoire, it is the second most important food crop. The objective of this study is to evaluate the structure and genetic variability of certain qualitative traits in targeted cassava landracesin order to identify the most widespread cassava landraces. Thus, prospecting missions were carried out in different regions of Cote dIvoire to characterize cassavalandraces, from which 180 cassava landrace accessions were characterized using14 morphological markers. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) showed that among the 14 markers, 10 were relevant fordescribing the total variability within accessions. In addition, the Hierarchical Ascending Classification (HAC) grouped the Ivorianlandraces into five homogeneous groups and also revealed that this morphological diversity is not structured according to the landracesgeographical origin. The study highlighted 131 distinct cultivars among the 180 accessions characterized. Moreover, of the 131 distinct cultivars, four were the most widespread. These are the local cultivars: Yace, Six mois, Blêbou and Trogla. Thus, the study has definitively shown that breeders have a wide choice of parents for developing improved cassava cultivars adapted fromthe populations found in Cote dIvoire.

Evaluation of Oxidation Process by Ozonation and Glucose Oxidase Enzyme on the Degradation of Benzoquinone in Wheat Flour

Background: Wheat flour is an important food ingredient for humans, which is the basic ingredient of bread and other bakery products. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of adding Glucose Oxidase (GOX), and exposure to ozone gas on methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone (MBQ), and ethyl-1, 4-benzoquinone (EBQ) secreted by Tribolium castaneum in flour. Methods: The flour contaminated by MBQ and EBQ was treated with ozone gas at (10, 20, and 40 ppm) with exposure times (15, 30, and 45 min). Similarly, GOX was added to flour at (10, 15, and 20 ppm), leaving the dough for periods between 10 and 45 min after treatments. The MBQ and EBQ determined by HPLC, and the UV-Visible Spectrophotometer and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to describe the changes that occurred in the main structure of EBQ after ozonation at 40 ppm for 45 min. Results: The results indicated that adding GOX enzyme to the flour at level 20 ppm degrade the MBQ to 13.7, 20.23, and 39.6 after 15, 30, and 45 min from mixing time, respectively. On the other hnad, the EBQ degrades to 13.6, 18.9, and 35.9%. In contrast, the percentages of degradation of MBQ and EBQ increases after ozonation at 40 ppm for 45min were 84.1 and 78.8%, respectively. The results obtained by UV–vis spectroscopy and FTIR reflect that many oxidation products formed as aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. Conclusion: In general, ozonation was a reliable treatment for the degradation of benzoquinone in flour.

Effect of domestic freezing on the viability of Toxoplasma gondii in raw and dry-cured ham from experimentally infected pigs

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which is an important food borne zoonosis. Eating undercooked meat of infected animals has been considered the major transmission route of T. gondii to humans. The present study evaluates the efficacy of domestic freezing on the inactivation of T. gondii bradyzoites in raw and dry-cured ham. Meat (raw and dry-cured ham) of a pig experimentally orally inoculated with 4,000 oocysts of T. gondii VEG strain was subjected to domestic freezing of -20 ºC at different days. The effect was evaluated by bioassay in mice followed by qPCR. In raw ham and dry-cured ham, temperature of -20 ºC for 7 and 14 days respectively did not inactivate T. gondii . More studies are needed to find the right temperature and time needed to render the bradyzoites non-infectious for human. Meanwhile, the recommendations of freezing to inactivate T. gondii in raw or dry-cured meats must be revisited considered that it does not reduce the risk of infection.

Effect of processing on vitamin A and some mineral contents of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds are important food materials used by most Nigerian families due to their delicious taste, aroma and appeal. In this study, changes between chemical composition of processed and unprocessed pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima) was investigated. The nutritional compositions were analyzed by standard methods. The vitamin A contents 36.83 μg/100g and 33.72 μg/100g respectively. The copper, zinc, magnesium,phosphorus and iron contents of processed seeds were; 0.063, 0.43, 47.67, 58.19 and 610.77 ppm respectively while the values for unprocessed were; 0.047, 0.41, 36.73, 58.45 and 211.19 ppm respectively with significant difference between the processed and unprocessed. The finding suggests that pumpkin seed is rich in this vitamin and minerals. If utilized efficiently. It can also ameliorate micronutrients deficiency problem in population of all age groups.

The Potential of Sorghum Plants in Lamunde Village Tinondo District East Kolaka Regency

Sorghum is one of the most important food crops globally, which has become the fifth food crop after wheat, rice, corn, and barley. Sorghum has excellent potential to be developed in Indonesia because it has wide adaptability, especially on dry land, and produces high productivity. This study aims to determine the possibility of sorghum plants in Lamunde Village, Tinondo District, East Kolaka Regency. The population in this study were sorghum farmers, totaling 25 people, using the method census or saturated sampling, which took the entire population as a sample so that 25 people were obtained as research samples. Data analysis used SWOT analysis using IFE (Internal Factors Evaluation) Matrix, EFE Matrix (External Factors Evaluation), and IE Matrix (Internal External). The results showed that the strategy that needs to be applied for sorghum farmers in seeing the potential for the development of sorghum plants in Lamunde Village is a strategy of concentration through vertical integration. Growth through engagement can be achieved through vertical integration by taking over the function of suppliers, namely sorghum farmers, or by taking over the tasks of distributors, namely buyers of sorghum production, either in the form of wholesalers or collectors and companies.

Diversity of Lepidoptera in urban parks at Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia

Urban parks are a valuable habitat for Lepidoptera, which are often neglected despite their potential role as pollinators and important food source for small animals. Lepidoptera in urban parks in Pasir Gudang are still under-studied. Yet, there is no publication on Lepidoptera in these urban parks. The objectives of this study were to determine and to compare the diversity of Lepidoptera in three urban parks (Laman Rekreasi Sungai Buluh, Tasik Dahlia and Taman Bandar) at Pasir Gudang, Johor. Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method was used to capture the Lepidoptera from February 2021 until April 2021. Four sampling sessions were conducted for each study site. A total of nine species from 117 individuals comprised of family Pieridae (43%), Nymphalidae (29%) and Lycaenidae (28%) were recorded from this study. The most abundant species were Zizula hylax and Elymnias hypermnestra, while Leptosia nina was the least abundant. The results from this study showed that the diversity of Lepidoptera have established in these three urban parks. Diversity of Lepidoptera in Tasik Dahlia was significantly lower compared to the other two study sites. The findings from this study could be useful as a baseline data for future research and conservation management of the order Lepidoptera around the urban parks and indirectly can support the sustainable development of the urban parks.

Research and Progress on the Mechanism of Iron Transfer and Accumulation in Rice Grains

Iron (Fe) is one of the most important micronutrients for organisms. Currently, Fe deficiency is a growing nutritional problem and is becoming a serious threat to human health worldwide. A method that could help alleviate this “hidden hunger” is increasing the bioavailable Fe concentrations in edible tissues of major food crops. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of Fe accumulation in different crop tissues will help to develop crops with higher Fe nutritional values. Biofortification significantly increases the concentration of Fe in crops. This paper considers the important food crop of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as an example and highlights recent research advances on the molecular mechanisms of Fe uptake and allogeneic uptake in different tissues of rice. In addition, different approaches to the biofortification of Fe nutrition in rice and their outcomes are described and discussed. To address the problems that occur during the development and application of improving nutritional Fe in rice, technical strategies and long-term solutions are also proposed as a reference for the future improvement of staple food nutrition with micronutrients.

A Review of Microbial Decontamination of Cereals by Non-Thermal Plasma

Cereals, an important food for humans and animals, may carry microbial contamination undesirable to the consumer or to the next generation of plants. Currently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) is often considered a new and safe microbicidal agent without or with very low adverse side effects. NTP is a partially or fully ionized gas at room temperature, typically generated by various electric discharges and rich in reactive particles. This review summarizes the effects of NTP on various types of cereals and products. NTP has undisputed beneficial effects with high potential for future practical use in decontamination and disinfection.

Antibiotic Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Cambodian Fish Paste Product

Fish paste product is considered an important food in Cambodia. However, the status of antimicrobial susceptibility of microbes in this product are a concern. This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Cambodian fish paste and to investigate their resistant property of antibiotics. Fifteen LABs were isolated with cell forms of 14 as cocci and 1 as rods. Isolates of the bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus piscifermentans (14 strains) and Lactobacillus plantarum (1 strain). Using the disk diffusion method, the resistance was investigated of the 15 LAB isolate strains to eight clinically crucial antibiotics: penicillin (Pen), ampicillin (Amp), erythromycin (Ery), tetracycline (Tet), vancomycin (Van), streptomycin (Str), sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim (Sul) and metronidazole (Met). It was found that all 15 LAB isolates were resistant to Met. One isolate strain was resistant to Pen, Amp, Tet, Str and Sul. Furthermore, 7 and 2 isolate strains were resistant to Tet and Van, respectively. All 15 isolate strains were sensitive to Str and Ery. The LAB isolate strains were sensitive to Pen, Amp, Sul (14 strains), Tet (6 strains) and Van (13 strains). These results showed that 14 of the LAB isolate strains were sensitive to 5 antibiotics (Pen, Amp, Ery, Str and Sul) and could be considered as strains for utilization as starter culture for fish fermentation. Additionally, these finding will be conduct to assess the antibiotic resistance incidences of LABs in Cambodian fermented foods.