Regulated Power Supply with High Power Factor for Hyperspectral Imaging Applications

Illumination is a crucial factor in hyperspectral imaging systems. In this respect, this work is focused on analyzing the influence of the light power source in acquiring hyperspectral images. To this end, a custom regulated power supply was designed and developed. This power supply was then integrated into a hyperspectral acquisition system, and several light stability measurements were conducted. Finally, several parameters related to the stability of the light produced by those systems were extracted using image analysis techniques, and a statistical comparison among the different power supplies was performed. Two commercial power supplies were also analyzed under the same experimental conditions and compared with the proposed power supply. The hyperspectral measurements were conducted using light transmission and reflectance. The results indicate that the proposed power supply performs better than or at least as well as commercial power supplies in terms of light stability. Additionally, this study shows the impact of power supply design on the stability and quality of hyperspectral illumination, especially concerning the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across different spectral bands. It is shopublishedVersio

Non-contact interactance NIR spectroscopy for estimating TSS and sensory sweetness in conveyor-belt transported cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum ’Piccolo’)

Sweetness in tomatoes is a crucial quality feature, especially for high-cost varieties. Without efficient measurements, producers cannot guarantee sweetness, which may lead to low repurchase rates and increased food waste. In this article we report how total soluble solids (TSS), a measure for total sugar content, can be measured in cherry tomatoes using non-contact near-infrared (NIR) interactance spectroscopy. A prototype system working in the wavelength range 760–1080 nm was tested and compared with a commercial handheld NIR reflection instrument operating in the range of 909–1676 nm. The instruments were calibrated using data collected from 200 tomatoes and tested on 5 independent sets harvested over the next 14 months, a total of 611 single tomatoes and 22 tomato trusses. TSS for single tomatoes was in the range 5.3–14 %. NIR interaction obtained typical standard errors of prediction in the range 0.38–0.52 %, significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to NIR reflection (0.70–0.98 %). Approximately the same accuracy was obtained by interaction measurements on tomatoes moving on a conveyor belt, both in lab (0.47–0.53 %) and in industry (0.39 %). Whole tomato trusses were measured in movement, and TSS could successfully be measured in each tomato on the truss. Three of the test sets were subjected to sensory analysis performed by a trained panel of 10 assessors, revealing high correlations (0.88 – 0.99) between sensory sweetness and NIR estimated TSS. The results demonstrate that a carefully designed NIR interaction instrument can be used for rapid and non-contact monitoring and sorting of cherry tomatoes according to sweetness.publishedVersio

Impact of digested Calanus finmarchicus hydrolysates on the regulation of glucose metabolism through incretin secretion and dpp-iv inhibition

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Protocol: Assessment of the shelf-life for table eggs

In connection with regulatory development under the European Commission and the preparation of a possible text adapted to/influencing of new changes in the animal hygiene regulations, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has commissioned a knowledge summary and risk assessment related to the shelf life of table eggs in Norway. VKM's Panel for Biological Hazards has established a project group which has developed a protocol for the assessment. The same project group will prepare a draft for the assessment. The assessment will be approved by the Panel of Biological Hazards and is scheduled to be published in January 2025.Protocol: Assessment of the shelf-life for table eggspublishedVersio

The Local Turn in a Global Sea: Identifying Sustainability Trade-Offs in Regionalized Marine Aquaculture Systems

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Enhanced fish performance and biosecurity by manipulation of the natural microbiome of Atlantic salmon

The project aimed to enhance Atlantic salmon's performance and biosecurity by manipulating their microbiome. The study investigated whether specific seawater bacteria from healthy salmon skin could improve smolts' survival after seawater transfer. Scale-explants were used to study host-bacterial interactions. Although some bacteria showed probiotic potential, they did not significantly reduce mortality or improve fish health and welfare when challenged with Moritella viscosa or after seawater transfer. The study emphasized the importance of removing fish with winter ulcer disease and the complexity of skin mucus layer colonization.Enhanced fish performance and biosecurity by manipulation of the natural microbiome of Atlantic salmonpublishedVersio

FishPoll – a serious game about sharing moving fish stocks under climate change

oai:nofima.brage.unit.no:11250/3213320Climate change is driving shifts in fish stock distributions, creating challenges for transboundary fisheries governance and quota allocation. Traditional negotiation processes often fail to achieve consensus among stakeholders, leading to geopolitical tensions and unsustainable resource use. To address this, we introduce FishPoll, an innovative serious game designed to simulate the complexities of quota negotiations under changing ecological conditions in a fictional scenario. FishPoll provides a structured, yet flexible, role-playing environment where participants take on the roles of coastal state representatives, negotiating catch allocations based on shifting stock distributions. The game incorporates a dynamic “sliding scale” mechanism that transitions quota allocation from historical rights to zonal attachment, offering a realistic and interactive framework for decision-making. Through structured gameplay and facilitated discussions, FishPoll simulates quota negotiations to illustrate the consequences of participants failing to reach consensus. Thereby, the game fosters collaborative problem-solving, policy exploration, and stakeholder engagement in fisheries management. Furthermore, it encourages discussions about allocation agreements. Playtesting with scientists and policymakers demonstrated that FishPoll enhances understanding of allocation challenges, stimulates constructive dialogue, and serves as a practical tool for research, education, and stakeholder training. Hence, FishPoll may contribute to the discourse on the tragedy of the commons while offering a valuable addition to previous intervention games. FishPoll represents a novel application of serious gaming in fisheries governance, bridging the gap between scientific modelling and real-world negotiation dynamics.publishedVersio

Quality parameters and storage stability of the Norwegian red sea cucumber (Parastichopus tremulus)

Quality parameters and storage stability were evaluated through biochemical, textural, and microbial analyses of the Norwegian red sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus at two different storage temperatures (0 °C and 4 °C) over 17 days. During storage, the pH decreased from 7 to 6.3, the texture became softer decreasing from 47.3 to 0.3 N, while K-value increased from 4 to 52 %, microbial counts increased from 2 to 8 log cfu/g and formation of volatiles increased. After storage for 7 days at 0 °C and 5 days at 4 °C, the microbial counts exceeded the acceptability for consumption (7 log cfu/g). Microorganisms such as Flavobacterium and Psychrobacter were the main specific spoilage organisms contributing to the deterioration. Prolonged storage favored the Polaribacter and Marinomonas proliferation regardless of storage temperatures. The free amino acid concentration increased from 24 to 86 mg/100 g at both storage temperatures, probably resulting from the autolysis degradation. The pH decrease could be attributed to the production and dissolution of volatile compounds during storage. Odor-active compounds such as aldehydes (decanal, 2,4-decadienal, nonanal), ketones (1-octen-3-one, 1-penten-3-one), alcohols (1-octen-3-ol, 2-heptanol), aromatics (p-cresol and phenol), indoles (indole) and sulfides (dimethyl disulfide and trisulfide) showed increasing levels with storage time, with the highest levels found in the samples stored at 4 °C. This is the first study that demonstrate the quality changes on molecular and microbial level occurring during cold storage of sea cucumber P. tremulus. These results can be used for evaluating the shelf-life limiting factors of such species.publishedVersio

The nasal microbiota of two marine fish species: diversity, community structure, variability and first insights into the impacts of climate change-related stressors

Vertebrate nasal microbiota (NM) plays a key role in regulating host olfaction, immunity, neuronal differentiation, and structuring the epithelium. However, little is known in fish. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the NM in two marine fish species, the European seabass and the Atlantic cod. Given its direct contact with the environment, fish NM is likely influenced by seawater. We analysed the community structure, specificity regarding seawater, and interindividual variability of 32 to 38 fish reared under ambient conditions. Additionally, we conducted a simulated laboratory experiment to investigate the influence of acidification and a simplified heatwave on cod NM (3 fish per replicate). High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed species-specific NM communities at the genus level with Stenotrophomonas and Ralstonia dominating seabass and cod NM, respectively. This suggests potential habitat- or physiology-related adaptations. The most abundant bacterial genera in seabass NM were alThe nasal microbiota of two marine fish species: diversity, community structure, variability and first insights into the impacts of climate change-related stressorsacceptedVersio

Quality Inspection Guidelines for Norwegian wild bluefin tuna

This document serves as a comprehensive industry guideline for quality inspection of Norwegian bluefin tuna on land, with the aim of providing a shared understanding and standardized framework for evaluating and communicating quality. Different parts of bluefin tuna are used to evaluate different quality attributes including appearance, colour, fat content, freshness and the presence of yake (burnt tuna syndrome). To each attribute, a grading scale of 1-5 is employed to allow numerical evaluation in this guideline. The most critical items are colour, fat content and the occurrence of yake, with the remaining attributes serving as supplementary evaluations. The fish should be placed on a well-lit platform to allow visual inspection of whole body. In some circumstances inspection may be done at landing or during packing. It is standard practice to assess all items at once (or within a short timeframe) ensuring that both freshness and quality attributes are considered during the inspection. Visual inspection involves the assessment of fish body for freshness, shape and any damage or defects. The quality evaluation of half-moon sample primarily focuses on the colour and fat content. (刺棒) is a tool used to detect two major quality effects of tuna fish, yake and mure and to assess the colour of the red meat of the fish. Finally, the body temperature of the fish is a highly effective indicator of storage condition, yake, and overall freshness. Scoring criteria for evaluation of each quality attribute is provided. The market price of individual tuna fish is heavily influenced by the supply-demand balance and preferences of potential buyers and respective markets. No matter how highly rated a fish is by quality inspection, it cannot fetch a high price in a market with excessive supply. Nonetheless, it is possible to elevate the position of the Norwegian tuna, through rigorous and proper evaluations, by providing consistently exceptional quality through high standards of handling and processing. To achieve this, collaboration among fishermen, processors, and distributors is crucial. In this regard creating common evaluation framework and language is vital for aligning with market expectations, facilitating B2B communication and fostering continuous growth within the bluefin tuna industry.publishedVersio