Optimization of Anthocyanin Extraction from Saffron Petals with Response Surface Methodology

Optimum extraction conditions of anthocyanins from petals of saffron (Crocus sativus) using acidified ethanol as the solvent were revealed. The investigated factors were solvent to sample ratio (20:1–80:1), ethanol concentration (%), extraction temperature (25–45 °C), and time (8–24 h). Response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design was applied to determine optimum processing conditions leading to maximum extraction efficiency (mg cyanindin-3-glucoside/l). Obtained coefficients of variance showed that the linear effect of temperature was more pronounced for extraction yield than three other variables at 5 % level. Optimum extraction conditions that maximize the extracted anthocyanins were found to be a ratio of solvents to sample 20 ml/g, ethanol concentration of 25.02 %, temperature 25.8 °C, and extraction time 24 h which gave 1609.11 mg/l anthocyanins. A quadratic regression equation describing the effects of independent process variables on anthocyanin extraction from saffron petals can be used for finding optimum conditions to achieve desired extraction yield in similar conditions. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Entrepreneurial Supply Chains and Strategic Collaboration: The Case of Bagòss Cheese in Bagolino, Italy

Many small towns and communities are struggling to sustain their competitiveness in the face of increasing globalization. Yet, through entrepreneurial supply chains, some communities are organizing themselves to forge local solutions to their global challenges. The essence of entrepreneurial supply chains is its ability to facilitate alignment of all participants in the chain, eliminating moral hazard and opportunism risks. It is argued that this governance system and an ability to protect the common assets from infringement by outsiders are necessary for the success of these solutions. The research uses Bagòss cheese, produced in the small Italian village of Bagolino, to illustrate the characteristics of entrepreneurial supply chains and test the effect of the identified necessary conditions for their successful implementation.entrepreneurial supply chain, Bagòss cheese, globalization, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Q10, Q17,

Use of Agricultural Residue Feedstock In North Dakota Biorefineries

Rising prices and uncertain supplies of petroleum, together with environmental concerns regarding fossil fuel combustion, have enhanced interest in biobased products and fuels. This study analyzes the feasibility of a multi-product biorefinery that uses wheat straw as feedstock to produce ethanol, electricity, and cellulose nanofibers. Nanofibers (nanowhiskers) would be used as reinforcements in a biobased nanocomposite material that could substitute for fiberglass in many applications. The growth of a biobased industry could have major economic development implications for the Great Plains/Midwest region.biomass, biomaterials, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), economic development, ethanol, wheat straw, Agribusiness, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Feeding the rural tourism strategy? Food and notions of place and identity

The humble rural cuisine has now been thrust at the forefront of economic development strategies. This conceptual paper is a contribution to a growing critical awareness of the operations of the food industry and helps to foster a critical understanding of how, if at all, local food and its associated culture can help sustain rural tourism particularly and rural communities generally. It is inspired by literature about the international political economy of food and the many experiences of local food development, and is aware of the contrast between the structure of the industry and the hopes associated with its practice on the ground. The paper thus argues that, beyond the glamour and hype, there are those who gain, as well as those who lose, from the current food fad. While it explains the causes of the contemporary craze with food, the paper also interrogates the naı¨ve expectations often placed in food as a motor of rural development, and as the panacea for struggling rural communities. The empirical data on which this chapter is based are drawn from 18 short chapters explaining the history of various “traditional dishes” from the islands of the broad North Atlantic that feature in a recent food publication.peer-reviewe

Accelerated Internationalisation by Emerging Multinationals: the Case of White Goods Sector

The emergence of a "second wave" of developing-country multinational enterprises (MNEs) in a variety of industries is one of the characterizing features of globalization. These new MNEs did not delay their internationalisation until they were large, as did most of their predecessors, and often become global as a result of direct firm-to-firm contracting. Many grow large as they internationalise conversely, they internationalise in order to grow large. This is a striking pattern which, if confirmed, indicates that enterprises from developing countries have pursued distinctive approaches to internationalisation. It is a further interesting hypothesis to investigate to what extent such firms, born as suppliers of established incumbents, have leveraged on their "latecomer" status to accelerate their internationalisation. This paper documents how emerging MNEs may follow quite different patterns to reach, or at least approach, global competitiveness. In particular, it investigates how three latecomer MNEs pursued global growth through accelerated internationalisation combined with strategic and organizational innovation. Haier (China), Mabe (Mexico) and Arcelik (Turkey) emerged as Dragon Multinationals in the large home appliances (so-called "white goods") industry. This is a producer-driven global value chain, characterized by mature technology and rapid delocalization to developing countries, where not only input costs are lower, but demand growth rates are higher - giving a decided latecomer advantage to these MNEs. Haier, Mabe and Arçelik leveraged their strategic partnership with established MNEs to upgrade their operations, evolving from the production of simple goods, into new product lines developed through their own design, branding and marketing capabilities. The recipe of their success has been the ability to treat global competition as an opportunity to build capabilities, move into more profitable industry segments, and adopt strategies that turn latecomer status into a source of competitive advantage. At the same time, their experiences show that there are many strategies and trajectories for going global.Internationalisation; latecomer; MNEs; white goods; Haier; Arcelik; Mabe

AGRICULTURAL VALUE ADDED: PROSPECTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA

Introduction: This report provides an overview of the important factors affecting investments in agricultural value-added ventures. The introductory section outlines current research on factors important in the location of economic activity. Research applied to specific agricultural value-added ventures, such as food manufacturing and livestock feeding and finishing operations, are discussed. A listing of resources available to entrepreneurs considering value-added investments concludes the introductory section. Following the introductory section are short overviews of industries that already have, or may have, potential for increasing economic activity in the state. All are based on the important foundation of agriculture in the state's economy or upon the natural resource base giving the state a comparative advantage in investments in alternative energy or resource-based recreation.Agribusiness,

BIOREFINERIES USING AGRICULTURAL RESIDUE FEEDSTOCK IN THE GREAT PLAINS

Rising prices and uncertain supplies of petroleum, together with environmental concerns regarding fossil fuel combustion, has enhanced interest in biobased products and fuels. The work reported here analyzes the feasibility of a multi-product biorefinery using wheat straw as feedstock that produces ethanol, electricity, and cellulose nanofibers. The nanofibers (nanowhiskers) would be used as reinforcements in a biobased nanocomposite material that could substitute for fiberglass in many applications. The analysis indicates that, at 2005 prices and costs, the biorefinery would be marginally profitable. Anticipated advances in bioprocessing technology would enhance profitability. The facility would also make a substantial contribution to the biorefinery site area economy, as a high percentage of operating expenses would be payments to local entities. The growth of a biobased industry could have major economic development implications for the Great Plains/Midwest region.biomass, biomaterials, ethanol, wheat straw, cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW), economic development, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Strengthening livelihood resilience in upper catchments of dry areas by integrated natural resources management

The Livelihood Resilience project evolved around the hypothesis that better integrated management can improve the livelihoods of poor farming communities and increase the environmental integrity and water productivity of upstream watersheds in dry areas. This hypothesis was tested by researchers from different Iranian research and executive organizations and farming communities in two benchmark research watersheds in upper Karkheh River Basin in Iran, under the guidance of the ICARDA scientists. Participatory technology development, water, soil, erosion, land degradation and vegetation assessments, livelihood, gender and policy analyses, and integrated workshops delivered a set of principles for watershed management in dry areas

Biotech Innovation in Europe's Food and Drink Processing Industry: Promise, Barriers and Exploitation

Early optimism about the potential of biotechnology to contribute to "the production of food with improved quality and nutritional content" (ACOST, 1990) has waned in the face of consumer resistance to the use of genetically modified organisms in food. The European food and drink sector has not abandoned biotechnology, however, but it is being very selective in its use. Some of the current applications of biotechnology were not recognized in early predictions about the application of biotechnology to the food and drink sector.

City sustainable governance and city marketing monitoring system : a meta-analysis

According to the maxim “you can only manage what you can measure” so the “explosion of interest in the quality of governance is driving an explosive growth in the use of governance indicators” (Arndt and Oman, 2006, p.11). The author suggests the adoption of an integrated approach (Braun, 2008) in order to measure the most relevant indicators resulting from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) adopted by the UN member states in the year 2000 and the “Right to the city” paradigm, the inclusive and sustainable city model. This paper develops a meta-analysis of city governance indicators systems and aims to discuss the role of strategic planning and territorial marketing adding a new dimension or category (UN-Habitat, 2010): the city marketing/branding indicators system.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi