Oxidative Stress Associated with Chilling Injury in Immature Fruit: Postharvest Technological and Biotechnological Solutions

Immature, vegetable-like fruits are produced by crops of great economic importance, including cucumbers, zucchini, eggplants and bell peppers, among others. Because of their high respiration rates, associated with high rates of dehydration and metabolism, and their susceptibility to chilling injury (CI), vegetable fruits are highly perishable commodities, requiring particular storage conditions to avoid postharvest losses. This review focuses on the oxidative stress that affects the postharvest quality of vegetable fruits under chilling storage. We define the physiological and biochemical factors that are associated with the oxidative stress and the development of CI symptoms in these commodities, and discuss the different physical, chemical and biotechnological approaches that have been proposed to reduce oxidative stress while enhancing the chilling tolerance of vegetable fruits

Development of Vegetable Seeds Incorporated Cookies: Nutrient Composition, Functional Properties, Mineral Analysis and Sensory Evaluation

Jackfruit and Okra are popular fruit crops grown in India. The seeds are the by-product obtained during the processing of these crops. Jackfruit seed possess disposal problem if not handled properly. Scientific data shows that jackfruit and okra seed powder has various health benefits like prevent cancer, lowers the risk of heart disease, improves digestive system, boost immunity in the body, maintains blood glucose levels and helps to increase bone mineral density. The seeds of these crops are particularly a rich source of proteins, starch, minerals and dietary fibres along with phytonutrients. The present study was designed to investigate proximate composition, functional properties and mineral analysis of the best composite flour. Randomization of variables were done along with their nutrient composition. The flour having the highest nutritional value was selected as the best composite flour. Sensory evaluation of the developed food product by incorporating Okra seed flour, Jackfruit seed flour and Wheat flour was also done. After that physical properties of the most acceptable food product were carried out. Results for proximate composition revealed that jackfruit seed flour had an appreciable amount of moisture and protein i.e. 9.08±0.6 and 5.12±0.43 and low amount of fat i.e. 3.6±0.3. While okra seed flour possesses a high amount of moisture and ash i.e. 6.7±0.07 and 6.61±0.4. Estimation of functional properties revealed that water absorption capacity i.e. 1.68±0.051 and oil absorption capacity i.e. 1.81±0.057 of the composite flour was high but the bulk density 0.95±0.02 was very low. Mineral analysis depicted the presence of higher amount of calcium i.e. 3.49±0.02 and iron i.e. 2.71±0.01 but low amount of potassium i.e. 1.46±0.02 in the best composite flour. Sensory evaluation of the product developed (Cookies) was carried out using 9-point hedonic scale with various attributes in four concentrations i.e. 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% and were compared with the standard. Sensory evaluation revealed that up to the level of 5% the developed products were more acceptable than standard. The physical properties with 5% level of incorporation were carried out. Results depicted that oil absorption capacity was high i.e. 4.88±0.02 and good amount in dispersibility i.e. 4.01±0.01 water absorption capacity i.e. 3.74±0.01 but low amount of percent solubility i.e. 1.66±0.01. Thus, the results signify that okra and jackfruits seeds are a good source of various nutrients, functional and mineral properties

Crowdsourcing vegetables for farmers’ livelihood improvement: a novel collaborative pilot in Uganda. Resilient seed systems for climate change adaptation and sustainable livelihoods in the East Africa sub-region project progress report

The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT is implementing a Dutch-supported project entitled: Resilient seed systems for climate change adaptation and sustainable livelihoods in the East Africa sub-region. This work aims to boost timely and affordable access to good-quality seed for a portfolio of crops / varieties for millions of women and men farmers’ and their communities across East Africa. East West Seed (EWS) and the Alliance, in collaboration with the Wageningen Center for Development Innovation, the World Vegetable Centre and National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)-Uganda, are combining the EWS farmer training approach and the Alliance’s crowdsourcing methodology in a small pilot initiative on vegetables in Uganda. The targeted portfolio of vegetables include traditional (e.g. green leafy vegetables) and modern ones (e.g. tomato, onion, sweet pepper, cabbage, pumpkin) based on farmers’ interests and marketing opportunities, sourced from EWS, the World Vegetable Centre and farmers’ own gardens. The main objective is to strengthen farmers’ capacity to make better use of crop (vegetable) diversity for multiple livelihood purposes. Based on a situational analysis in the Hoima area, 13 farmers were selected to take part in the pilot. They received training in the various aspects of vegetable management from the EWS Knowledge Transfer team in Uganda. The ultimate aim is scale the pilot to about 1,000 farmers. The main research questions for this initiative are: • What are the promising vegetable varieties that smallholder farmers could integrate in their production system? • How do social and gender variables influence crop/variety selection? • What organizational form can best support the testing and adoption of vegetable new species and varieties

Vegineco, farming systems research in outdoor vegetables

Information on the EU Vegineco project: ”Development of sustainable vegetable farming systems focusing on high quality production and minimum environmental impact.

Solid-Liquid Equilibria Modelling for triacylglycerols exhibiting multiple solid phases

Important end-use properties of vegetable oils based edible products are strong related to the equilibrium between a solid crystalline network and a liquid phase. This work presents the available literature development of solid-liquid equilibrium in triacylglycerol systems and highlights how it can be coupled with a Computer-Aided Mixture and Blend Design framework, for design new mixtures/blends with improved properties allowing a better use of renewable resources as vegetable oils. Stability tests were implemented as they are an essential step for powerful solid liquid equilibrium resolution and some results were presented for a four component triacylglycerol mixture in different temperatures and composition

CONVERDS: The Collaborative Network for Vegetable Research and Development in the Southern Africa Region: Joint Project Proposal

Project proposal for a Collaborative Network for Vegetable Research and Development in the Southern Africa Region (CONVERDS). The proposal followed a decision by the CGIAR in May 1989 to commence internationalizing vegetable research in sub-Saharan Africa. The CGIAR Secretariat organized a project identification mission carried out by AVRDC, ISNAR, and the Southern African Center for Cooperation in Agricultural Research (SACCAR). The proposal was the subject of a regional workshop in Arusha, Tanzania in July 1990. Details of the workshop are contained in Annex I. The document details the network's mandate, objectives, and governance and management structure, as well as functions, priorities, and expected outputs.Agenda document, TAC 53

THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION FOR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of vegetable production to enhance the declining farm income of limited resource farmers. A survey of 60 limited resource farmers in south central Alabama was undertaken to carry out this evaluation. Results of the survey show that 95% of the farmers had an annual farm income of less than $12,000. Linear programming methodology was applied to perform a whole-farm analysis of a representative farm developed from the data. The overall results show that vegetable production will significantly increase the annual income of these farmers. Some specific conclusions are that: (a) the total return from vegetable production depends on vegetable mixes; (b) vegetable production is labor intensive and sensitive to change in labor cost, implying that an increase in minimum wage might affect the return from vegetable production; and (c) development of labor-saving technology in vegetable production could be considered as a long-term solution to increase the returns of vegetable producers.enterprise budget, farm analysis, farm income, limited resource farmers, linear programming, minimum wage, vegetable production, Production Economics,

Will European agricultural policy for school fruit and vegetables improve public health? A review of school fruit and vegetable programmes.

BACKGROUND: For the first time, public health, particularly obesity, is being seen as a driver of EU agricultural policy. In 2007, European Ministers of Agriculture were asked to back new proposals for school fruit and vegetable programmes as part of agricultural reforms. In 2008, the European Commission conducted an impact assessment to assess the potential impact of this new proposal on health, agricultural markets, social equality and regional cohesion. METHODS: A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to promote fruit and/or vegetable consumption in children in schools, to inform the EC policy development process. RESULTS: School schemes are effective at increasing both intake and knowledge. Of the 30 studies included, 70% increased fruits and vegetables (FV) intake, with none decreasing intake. Twenty-three studies had follow-up periods >1 year and provide some evidence that FV schemes can have long-term impacts on consumption. Only one study led to both increased fruit and vegetable intake and reduction in weight. One study showed that school fruit and vegetable schemes can also help to reduce inequalities in diet. Effective school programmes have used a range of approaches and been organized in ways which vary nationally depending on differences in food supply chain and education systems. CONCLUSIONS: EU agriculture policy for school fruits and vegetables schemes should be an effective approach with both public health and agricultural benefits. Aiming to increase FV intake amongst a new generation of consumers, it will support a range of EU policies including obesity and health inequalities

Biodiesel and vegetable oil market in European Union: some evidences from threshold cointegration analysis

In this paper we analyse the long-run relationships between vegetable oils prices and conventional diesel price in EU during the period 2005- 2007. We utilise recent developments on threshold cointegration approach to investigate if asymmetric dynamic adjusting processes exist among rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil and diesel prices. The results suggest that the two-regime threshold cointegration model exist only in favour of rapeseed oil-diesel price pair. Therefore, this vegetable oil price adjusts rapidly to its long run equilibrium, determined by fossil diesel prices, in an asymmetric manner when the divergence between the two prices is above a critical threshold. Consequently, rapeseed oil seems to be particularly exposed to exogenous shocks deriving from global political scenarios, suggesting to redefine the high quota (80%) of EU biodiesel produced by this vegetable oil through a sustainable development of international trade.Vegetable oils market, Biodiesel price, Threshold cointegration., Marketing, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Horticultural Studies 1998

Horticulture connects with people in many ways including an enhanced awareness concerning the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet. The health benefits of such a diet is gaining wide recognition throughout the public and will likely provide tremendous opportunities for research, education and business development. Significant faculty additions and programmatic efforts were made to the university’s fruit and vegetable programs in 1998