Practical School Nutrition Program May Reduce Food Neophobia

The study’s purpose was to evaluate an intervention to reduce fruit and vegetable food neophobia and influence attitudes and behaviors among children using a four-month, non-experimental, before-and-after intervention. Participants were children aged 5–11 years in an intervention school (IS) and a control school (CS). Children were offered fruit or vegetable samples weekly utilizing school-specific psychosocial and educational practices to encourage participation. The outcomes of interest included attitudes measured using a written survey-based food neophobia scale (FNS), behavioral observations, and an oral survey. The post-intervention IS FNS score was significantly lower compared to pre-intervention (p = 0.04). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant overall effect of time (p = 0.006). School type-time interaction was not significant (p = 0.57). Pre-intervention observational data showed the proportions finishing and taking another fruit and vegetable sample were higher in the CS (p < 0.001 for both). Post-intervention, the proportions taking the vegetable (p = 0.007) and the fruit (p < 0.001) were higher in the IS. The percentage tasting the vegetable was higher in the CS (p = 0.009). Offering samples of produce in school lunchrooms may reduce food neophobia. This intervention is an inexpensive program that volunteers can quickly implement.

Variations in the effects caused by magnetic field on chlorophyll, nitrogen, calcium, and iron contents in species of vegetable plants

The rates of reduction in chlorophyll and nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium and iron with the distance or range of source of Magnetic Field (MF) had not been considered. In this work, patterns of damage or reduction caused by a magnetic field on two different species of vegetables were studied. The first group was planted in an environment without the influence of MF, while the second group was subjected to high MF under the 330 kV electric lines. The magnetometer was used to measure the MF intensities. The chlorophyll content of each vegetable sample was determined on the field with a portable chlorophyll meter. The dried harvested samples of two different vegetable species were analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) to assess the concentrations of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) in the samples. Results of elemental concentrations were subjected to statistical analysis to appraise the relationships between the measured variables as responses to high MF. It was observed that the effects of high MF are stronger on spinach vegetable than Lagos spinach. This suggested that the effects of MF on plants are not only MF intensity dependent, but also species-dependent. Keywords: Magnetic field; Exposure; Regression analysis; Power transmission; Chlorophyll; Iron

Comparative Assessment of Nitrate Concentrations in Vegetables Grown on Commercial and Subsistence Farms in the Saratov Region

Background: Food safety is one of the prerequisites for a healthy diet of the population of the Russian Federation. At the same time, successful functioning of modern agricultural complexes is almost impossible without a widespread use of various agrochemicals, including nitrogen-containing fertilizers. The objective of our study was to conduct a comparative assessment of the nitrate content of vegetables grown on commercial and subsistence farms located in industrially contaminated areas of the region and used as local food. Materials and methods: The research was carried out in the summer and autumn periods of 2017–2019 in a number of polluted areas of the Saratov Region. Nitrate concentrations in local vegetables were measured by a potentiometric method. Results: We established that the nitrate content of vegetables grown in most environmentally disadvantaged areas varied greatly. Concentrations of this contaminant depended on the type of vegetables, growing conditions and region; yet, they did not exceed the maximum permissible level in any vegetable sample tested. At the same time, the level of nitrates in crops grown on commercial farms was significantly higher than that in vegetables grown in private gardens (p < 0.05) due to a more extensive application of nitrate fertilizers in the form of commercially produced ammonium nitrate. Private gardeners, on the opposite, use biomass species, usually legumes, contributing to a better conversion of nitrates into proteins and preventing their excessive accumulation in the produce.

Microbial and Parasitic Contamination of Fresh Raw Vegetable Samples and Detection of the BlaTEM and BlaCTX-M Genes from E. coli Isolates

A total of 100 fresh-raw vegetable samples were collected from the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts of Nepal to evaluate microbial and parasitic contamination, presence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and detect the blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes among the Escherichia coli isolates. This study revealed that the prevalence of Giardia cysts was highest (100%) and Hookworm and Entamoeba coli were lowest (1% each). Coliforms were isolated from every raw vegetable sample. A total of 178 bacterial isolates were isolated among which 57 isolates were identified as E. coli, out of which 33 were Multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates. The high rate of resistance was found towards amoxicillin/clavulanate, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. The 10 E. coli isolates tested positive in an ESBL screening, out of which 4 were confirmed as ESBL producers by a combined disc test. Out of these 4 confirmed ESBL E. coli, one was found to carry both the blaTEM gene and blaCTX-M genes by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. One isolate has only the blaTEM gene, while other isolate harboured only blaCTX-M genes.

Source of Cadmium (Cd) In Soils and Its Transfer to Rice and Vegetables: Karotia Union, Tangail

Cadmium is a trace element which is not essential for human being. High cadmium concentration in some rice samples in Bangladesh was reported than that of other countries. This study was carried out to find out the Cd concentration fertilizers, soils, rice and vegetables and along with other chemical properties of Karotia union, Tangail sadar upazila, Tangail. A total of 29 samples were collected among the 14 soils from 7 stations at 0-15 cm and 16-30 cm depth respectively, 5 vegetables, 5 rice and also 4 different countries TSP fertilizers from local market. The Cd concentration values of all soil samples were found between 0.97 to 1.73 mg/kg (0-15 cm) and 0.53 to 0.83 mg/kg (16-30 cm), respectively and the vegetable sample values were found between 0.053 mg/kg to 0.123 mg/kg (d.w.).The rice sample values were found between 0.05 mg/kg to 0.096 mg/kg (d.w.). The fertilizer sample values were found between 20.67 to 92.33 mg/kg. The soil pH values obtained 7.06 to 7.70 (0-15 cm) and 7.48 to 7.88 (16-30 cm) which indicated that the study area soils were neutral to moderately alkaline. The EC values of all soil samples were between 47.67 to 82.67dSm-1 (0-15cm) and 33.33 to 58.33dSm-1 (16-30 cm). The organic matter content of all soils ranged from 0.789 to 0.905% and 0.351 to 0.869% at (0-15 cm and 16-30 cm), respectively. The available sodium (Na) values of soils were found between 1.84 to 1.92 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.83 to 1.90 ppm (16-30 cm), respectively. The available potassium values ranged from 1.81 to 1.96 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.84 to 1.97 ppm (16-30cm), respectively. The available calcium values of all soil samples were 1.92 to 1.97 ppm (0-15 cm) and 1.91 to 1.96 ppm (16-30 cm), respectively.

Cohnella fermenti sp. nov., isolated from a fermentation process

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile with peritrichous flagella, rod-shaped bacterium, designated CC-MHH1044T, was isolated from a preserved vegetable sample. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was applied to the isolates in order to clarify its taxonomic position. Growth of the strain CC-MHH1044T occurred at 15–50 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %, w/v). The genome of strain CC-MHH1044T consisted of 8.5 Mb and the genomic DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that CC-MHH1044T belonged to the genus Cohnella and showed a close relationship with the type strains of Cohnella damuensis (96.2 %) and Cohnella panacarvi (95.9 %), and lower sequence similarity to other species. Average nucleotide identity values calculated from whole-genome sequencing data proved that CC-MHH1044T represents a distinct Cohnella species. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>5 %) included iso-C14 : 0(7.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 (6.4 %), anteiso-C15 : 0(40.3 %), C16 : 0 (6.6 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (27.0 %). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified phospholipid and glycolipid. The major polyamine was spermidine. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaqinone 7 (MK-7). Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, we conclude that strain CC-MHH1044T represents a novel member of the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella fermenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-MHH1044T (=BCRC 81147T=JCM 32834T).

Electrochemical micro analytical device interfaced with portable potentiostat for rapid detection of chlorpyrifos using acetylcholinesterase conjugated metal organic framework using Internet of things

An Electrochemical micro Analytical Device (EµAD) was fabricated for sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos in the food chain. Gold microelectrode (µE) modified with Zinc based Metal Organic Framework (MOF-Basolite Z1200) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme served as an excellent electro-analytical transducer for the detection of chlorpyrifos. Electrochemical techniques such as Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) were performed for electrochemical analysis of the developed EµAD. The sensor needs only 2 µL of the analyte and it was tested within the linear range of 10 to 100 ng/L. The developed EµAD’s limit of detection (LoD) and sensitivity is 6 ng/L and 0.598 µ A/ng L−1/mm2 respectively. The applicability of the device for the detection of chlorpyrifos from the real vegetable sample was also tested within the range specified. The fabricated sensor showed good stability with a shelf-life of 20 days. The EµAD’s response time is of 50 s, including an incubation time of 20 s. The developed EµAD was also integrated with commercially available low-cost, handheld potentiostat (k-Stat) using Bluetooth and the results were comparable with a standard electrochemical workstation.

Microbiological Quality and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Microorganisms Associated with Stored Vegetables in Port Harcourt

Aim: Vegetables are good sources of nutrients such as minerals, oil, vitamins and carbohydrates and are used in preparing different delicacies such as soups and salads. This study was aimed at investigating the microbiological quality and antibiotic resistance pattern of microorganisms associated with stored vegetables in raffia baskets. Methodology: The vegetables were obtained from the Nigerian Stored Products Research institute (NSPRI) farm in Port Harcourt. Ten grams (10 g) each of fresh vegetables were homogenized differently in 90ml of sterile diluent. Aliquot (0.1 ml) of 10-3 and 10-5 dilutions of each vegetable sample was plated on nutrient agar plates and incubated at 37ºC for 24hours. Identified isolates were standardized using the 0.5 McFarland standard. This was done by transferring colonies of the test isolates into sterile 4 mL normal saline and comparing the turbidity of the isolate in the test tubes with the already prepared 0.5 McFarland. The disc diffusion method was used in determining the susceptibility pattern of the microorganisms against the antibiotics. In this method, the standardized inoculums were seeded aseptically on freshly prepared Mueller Hinton agar plates. Whatman discs which have been impregnated with different concentrations of the antibiotics were placed on the seeded plates and incubated at 37ºC for 18-24 hours. Results: Zones of clearance or inhibition on plates were recorded. The genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Bordetella, Staphylococcus, Myroides, Escherichia, Serratia, Micrococcus and Acetobacter were identified as predominant microbes from the vegetables. Conclusion: Despite the high level of resistance to the antibiotics, Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin were the most effective and preferred drugs of choice for treatment of infections arising from the consumption of these vegetables. Adequate heating and blanching of vegetables is required at all times to prevent food poisoning.

ANALYSIS OF FENPROPATHRIN, LAMBDA-CYHALOTHRIN, AND CHLOROTHALONIL IN POTATO AND TOMATO SAMPLES USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH AN ELECTRON CAPTURE DETECTOR

Objective: This study aimed to analyze pesticide contents in potato and tomato samples.Methods: In the present study, we determined the presence of the pesticides fenpropathrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and chlorothalonil in conventionaland organic potatoes and tomatoes using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector and validated the associated methods.Acetone-based extraction was performed using the Dutch mini-Luke method with minimal weights and volumes.Results: Validation tests showed a range of 70–120% and precision of ≤20%, and linearity tests on the three standard pesticides gave r values of≥0.9990 for all three pesticides. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation values showed high sensitivity, although in vegetable sample analyses,none of the three pesticides were detected.Conclusion: Our data show that the chosen method for analysis of the pesticides fenpropathrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and chlorothalonil in potatoesand tomatoes is valid and that the marketed potatoes and tomatoes meet the SNI 7313: 2008 standard for “Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residues onAgricultural Products” and the associated Japanese standards