Quality Factors Influencing Consumer Demand for Small Fruit by Focus Group and Sensory Test

The market of berries is a niche of high value in Italy. Small fruit\u2019s healthy properties are well known in the international market, but little is known about the reason for a low commercialization rate of fresh small fruit in Italy. The objective of this study was to assess consumer preferences in Italy for selected berry species. Moreover, the study aims to identify the relevant attributes of berries that affect the demand for this produce according to consumers and to compare these attributes. We assessed relevant attributes affecting the demand for fresh berries for different consumers\u2019 profiles and compared berries\u2019 attributes rankings. The results reveal high concordance between blackberries and raspberries; price is the attribute that constrains more purchases because it is deemed too high. Consumers prefer small fruit because of the rising interest in their nutraceutical value, and they have a higher willingness to pay because of this important attribute

Planting Date and Different N-Fertilization Rates Differently Modulate Agronomic and Economic Traits of a Sicilian Onion Landrace and of a Commercial Variety

The onion is one of the most widespread bulb vegetables worldwide. Onion cultivation is common in Sicily, as is the use of local genotypes. Cultivation practices are of particular interest in optimizing yield, quality, and profits. The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic response of a Sicilian landrace (Bianca Calda di Comiso, coded L1) and a commercial variety (Bianca di Maggio, coded V1) to different planting dates and N fertilization rates. An economic appraisal was also performed. The two genotypes were assessed using an experimental split-split-plot design with four levels of nitrogen rates (0, 80, 160, and 220 kg N ha−1) and two different planting dates (8 October 2005 to 9 October 2006 for the early planting date, and 27 December 2005 to 30 December 2006 for the traditional planting date). The marketable yield and production parameters were significantly influenced by the nitrogen dose: higher doses led to a higher total yield, with yield peaks above 60 t ha−1 and the marketable yield ranging from 23% to 54%. Simultaneously, decreases in the firmness (from 7% to 19%) and scale content (from 1% to 3%) were also reported. The L1 landrace showed a higher production than the V1 variety. The crop year did not significantly affect the results, and the traditional planting date appeared to be the most suitable choice in obtaining the best agronomic response. Economic analysis showed that the L1 landrace, with high-N application treatments, produced greater net benefits and marginal rates of return. Thus, the L1 landrace exposed to the highest dosages of nitrogen (160 or 220 kg ha−1) and transplanted during the traditional planting period is the best choice from agronomic and economic points of view

Vasospastic angina and scombroid syndrome: a case report

Scombroid syndrome is a fish poisoning characterised by the onset of symptoms compatible with a pseudoallergic reaction; it is rarely also responsible of signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndromes, as demonstrated in this case repor

Estimation of Role of Sicilian Region on Production of Quality Wines. A Comparison between the Best Sicilian and Italian Wines by Using Influential Wine Guides

Abstract Sicilian region (Southern Italy) has always been the larger Italian wine producer, because of their terroir (i.e. climate, soil and cultivar) and the extension of the vineyard area. For a long time, in the past, Sicilian vineyards produced only wine for blending or for bulk wine consumption. However, the quality of wine production in the Sicilian region has raised significantly over the past years, due to numerous factors, including, primarily, the development of manufacturing techniques, the major business investments of wineries, and the better legislation for protection of quality wines. These factors, combined with producers' targeted marketing strategies and actions, have greatly enhanced the competitiveness of the wine industry in Sicily. That is confirmed, also, by the increasing demand, in the international market, for wines "Made in Sicily". Sicilian wine producers' commitment for improving quality of their wines has had a positive feedback from consumers and from experts in the wine sector. In fact, during the last ten years, Sicilian wines have increased progressively the number of awards and prizes obtained nationally and internationally. Therefore the objective of this paper is to measure the quality level of Sicilian wine productions through the study of the rankings and prizes assigned by the most important domestic wine guides, i.e. Bibenda, L'Espresso, Gambero Rosso, Luca Maroni, Slow Wine and Veronelli (vintages 2014 and 2015), in order to know the role of the Sicilian region in the national and international framework of quality wines. In Italy, the high level wine guides are considered important indicators to know quality wines and best Italian cellars; therefore they may be used as an excellent assessment tool as well as mean of information and communication. By analysing rankings stated in the above guides, we compared the Sicilian wines with those of the other Italian regions that historically produce labels and wines of high quality. The results show that the Sicilian region has become a leader on the national wine market