Effect of wheat production system components on food preference in rats

In the study presented the effects of two major system components - fertility management and crop protection - were tested in a rat preference test for the first time. Wheat samples produced under 4 combinations of these management factors: -a) organic fertility and crop protection management, b) organic fertility management and conventional crop protection c) conventional fertility management and organic crop protection and d) conventional fertility management and crop protection - generated in the Nafferton factorial systems comparison (NFSC) trial at Newcastle University, were used as experimental diets. Results showed that the organically fertilised wheat was preferred by rats (P = 0.001) while the organic crop protection resulted in reduced wheat consumption (not significant). This might indicate that the rats did not sense or did not select against possible traces of plant protection agents but responded more clearly to differences that were caused by the fertility management

Sensory evaluation of processed wheat from a defined field- trial (QualityLowInputFood)

The integrated project QualityLowInputFood (QLIF) aims to improve quality, ensure safety and reduce costs along the organic and “low input” food supply chains. Beside safety, freshness, general health benefits as well as nutritional value, one reason for consumers demanding organic foods are more tasty products (Bourn/Prescott 2002). Therefore it is important to evaluate how the sensory attributes such as taste, flavour and texture of fresh and processed products are influenced by the different management systems. For sensory evaluation, in crop year 2005 seven wheat samples were assessed by a trained sensory panel, each with 4 field replicates (in total = 28 samples). The wheat samples were processed to wholemeal bread and biscuits for evaluation. A descriptive panel (12 persons) was well trained according DIN 10967 as well as for quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). This method enables to show a complete product profile with all sensory characteristics and their intensity in appearance, aroma, texture, mouthfeel and flavour attributes. For wholemeal-bread, results in crop year 2005 showed no significant differences between the different farming systems. The influence of varieties were higher than farming management effects. The varieties “Paragon”, “Zebra” and “Fasan” were significant different to “Monsun” in texture attributes

The antioxidant compounds in rat experimental diets based on plant materials from organic, low-input and conventional agricultural systems

Results presented in this paper are part of a study that investigates the effect of four production systems on health effects in rats. This study was aimed to evaluate differences in the levels of flavonols, total polyphenols, beta-carotene and lutein which are well known antioxidants in four rat feeds. Raw plant materials were produced according to four different agricultural systems: organic farming (without synthetic pesticides and mineral fertilizers), low-input 1 (organic plant protection was used in combination with mineral fertilizers), low input 2 (conventional pest management and organic fertilizers were used) and conventional farming (synthetic pesticides and mineral fertilizers were used). The results indicate that rat feed prepared from the organically produced plants contained more antioxidant compounds, especially total polyphenols, flavonols and lutein. Rat feed produced for feeding experiments varied significantly in a series of key phytochemicals and therefore have the potential to produce different health effects in the subsequent feeding trials

Effect of organic and conventional crop production systems on food quality and safety

A range of comparative studies have recently been carried out to compare the composition of foods produced in organic, “low input” and conventional production systems. This paper will review the currently available information on nutritional differences between organic and non-organic crops. It will also describe the Nafferton Factorial Systems Experiment which was established as part of the IP Quality-LowInputFood to study the effect (and interactions between) (a) rotational design, (b) fertility management and (c) crop protection regimes on crop quality and safety