Dataset for localization and classification of Medjool dates in digital images.
Nowadays, harvesting, sorting, and packaging fruit and vegetables are still done manually, despite the hard work this represents. The features that experts commonly use to sorting the date palm fruit are size, color, shape, and texture. Recently, it has started to design and develop artificial vision systems that consider the criteria of size, color, shape, and texture to automate these processes. However, the development of these systems is complex due to the lack of labeled datasets that facilitate the creation of models to locate, recognize and classify palm date fruit. This dataset is entitled Medjool, an image dataset of different sizes and maturity levels of Medjool dates. Researchers may use this data to develop a model for automatic location, recognition, classification, and visual counting of the Medjool dates on trays taking into account their visual features such as shape, color, size, and texture. This dataset was collected from the first-round harvest at Palmeras RQ Ranch in Mexicali, Mexico. Images acquisition was performed in natural light. The dataset comprises 2,576 annotated images in two formats, YOLO and PascalVOC format. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.107116
Contamination by Aflatoxins B/G in Food and Commodities Imported in Southern Italy from 2017 to 2020: A Risk-Based Evaluation.
This study reports the results of aflatoxins B/G monitoring in food of vegetal origin, imported in Southern Italy from extra-European Union countries. From 2017 to 2020, we analyzed 1675 samples using an accredited HPLC method with fluorescence detection. We found out 295 samples (17.6%) were contaminated by aflatoxin B1, 204 by aflatoxins B/G (12.2%), while 75 (4.5%) resulted non-compliant to maximum limits set by the European Union law. Most of the batches tested were unprocessed food; the distribution of contamination levels, incidence of non-compliant samples, inference for different kinds of food are reported. The study focuses on the food more susceptible to contamination by aflatoxins; nuts are the food more controlled, showing the higher number of non-compliant samples. Our study confirms that pistachio nuts, hazelnuts and almonds are the major sources of exposure for consumers. Still, other products, such as chili pepper and Brazil nuts, need to get more information about their contamination levels. The study's findings are discussed in the perspective of the last opinion by EFSA about chronic exposure to aflatoxins. A case study to evaluate not compliance of a composed food to the European Union law is reported. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060368
Impacts of Climate Change Interacting Abiotic Factors on Growth, aflD and aflR Gene Expression and Aflatoxin B1 Production by Aspergillus flavus Strains In Vitro and on Pistachio Nuts.
Pistachio nuts are an important economic tree nut crop which is used directly or processed for many food-related activities. They can become colonized by mycotoxigenic spoilage fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus, mainly resulting in contamination with aflatoxins (AFs), especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The prevailing climate in which these crops are grown changes as temperature and atmospheric CO2 levels increase, and episodes of extreme wet/dry cycles occur due to human industrial activity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of interacting Climate Change (CC)-related abiotic factors of temperature (35 vs. 37 °C), CO2 (400 vs. 1000 ppm), and water stress (0.98-0.93 water activity, aw) on (a) growth (b) aflD and aflR biosynthetic gene expression and (c) AFB1 production by two strains A. flavus (AB3, AB10) in vitro on milled pistachio-based media and when colonizing layers of shelled raw pistachio nuts. The A. flavus strains were resilient in terms of growth on pistachio-based media and the colonisation of pistachio nuts with no significant difference when exposed to the interacting three-way climate-related abiotic factors. However, in vitro studies showed that AFB1 production was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05), especially when exposed to 1000 ppm CO2 at 0.98-0.95 aw and 35 °C, and sometimes in the 37 °C treatment group at 0.98 aw. The relative expression of the structural aflD gene involved in AFB1 biosynthesis was decreased or only slightly increased, relative to the control conditions at elevated CO, regardless of the aw level examined. For the regulatory aflR gene expression, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in 1000 ppm CO2 and 37 °C for both strains, especially at 0.95 aw. The in situ colonization of pistachio nuts resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) stimulation of AFB1 production at 35 °C and 1000 ppm CO2 for both strains, especially at 0.98 aw. At 37 °C, AFB1 production was either decreased, in strain AB3, or remained similar, as in strain AB10, when exposed to 1000 ppm CO2. This suggests that CC factors may have a differential effect, depending on the interacting conditions of temperature, exposure to CO2 and the level of water stress on AFB1 production. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060385
High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Use to Control Dried Apricot Pests, Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica, and Assessing the Qualitative Traits of Dried Pieces of Treated Apricot.
One of the new ways of warehouse pest control is the carbon dioxide treatment, which had no residues on the target products. In the present research, at first, CO2 gas was applied to control two important pest species infesting dried apricots. Dry apricots infested with adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) or Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) were exposed to CO2 gas pressures correspond to 9.1, 16.7, 23.1, 28.6, and 33.4 mol% for 24 h. The results showed higher mortality rates with increasing the gas pressures in all the experiments. The minimum and maximum losses of the pests were determined at concentrations of 9.1 and 33.4 mol%, respectively. Evaluation of CO2 gas effects on the quality characteristics of dried apricots showed no impacts on the color, brittleness, hardness, sweetness, sourness, and general acceptance of products. CO2 gas treatments at the concentration of 33.4 mol% showed no significant influences on the chemical features of dried apricots, including pH, acidity, Brix, humidity percentage, reducing sugar, and total sugar. It was concluded that CO2 gas had the potential to control T. castaneum and R. dominica in warehouses of dried apricots, without any significant impacts on product qualities. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10061190
Fraud Detection in Batches of Sweet Almonds by Portable Near-Infrared Spectral Devices.
One of the key challenges for the almond industry is how to detect the presence of bitter almonds in commercial batches of sweet almonds. The main aim of this research is to assess the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) by means of using portable instruments in the industry to detect batches of sweet almonds which have been adulterated with bitter almonds. To achieve this, sweet almonds and non-sweet almonds (bitter almonds and mixtures of sweet almonds with different percentages (from 5% to 20%) of bitter almonds) were analysed using a new generation of portable spectrophotometers. Three strategies (only bitter almonds, bitter almonds and mixtures, and only mixtures) were used to optimise the construction of the non-sweet almond training set. Models developed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) correctly classified 86-100% of samples, depending on the instrument used and the strategy followed for constructing the non-sweet almond training set. These results confirm that NIR spectroscopy provides a reliable, accurate method for detecting the presence of bitter almonds in batches of sweet almonds, with up to 5% adulteration levels (lower levels should be tested in future studies), and that this technology can be readily used at the main steps of the production chain. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10061221
Brief COVID-19 Update: June 23, 2021
The global vaccination campaign is underway with a rate of roughly 39.7 million doses a day. More than 2,412 million vaccine doses have been administered and it is estimated that 17.1% of the global population is fully vaccinated, according to Bloomberg, but inequitable vaccination is still a threat.
WHO’s global targets are to vaccinate at least 10% of the population of every country by September, at least 40% by the end of 2021, and 70% by the middle of next year. “The global failure to share vaccines equitably is fueling a two-track pandemic that is now taking its toll on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people” claimed Dr. Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director General during a media briefing on June 18. In addition, he thanked the vaccine donations announced by the G7 and countries, and urged others to follow suit. “Vaccines donated next year will be far too late for those who are dying today, or being infected today, or at risk today” he added.
In the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 52% of the total population have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 42.6% have been fully vaccinated (June 10).
In Europe, the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted has been updated. Member States should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries: Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Republic of North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United States of America and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).
EU-US Suspension of Tariffs Over Aircraft Dispute
The EU list of US origin products that had been considered for additional import duties included:
- fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts "corylus spp.", shelled (CN: 08022200)
- fresh or dried pistachios, shelled (CN: 08025200)
- nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled (excl. coconuts, brazil nuts, cashew nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts "castania spp.", pistachios, pecans, areca "betel" nuts, cola nuts, pine nuts and macadamia nuts) (CN: 08029085)
- fresh or dried dates (CN: 08041000)
- sultanas (CN: 08062030)
- dried grapes (excl. currants and sultanas) (CN: 08062090)
- dried prunes (CN: 08132000)
- groundnuts, in shell (excl. seed for sowing, roasted or otherwise cooked) (CN: 12024100)
- groundnuts, shelled, whether or not broken (excl. seed for sowing, roasted or otherwise cooked) (CN: 12024200)
EU-US Suspension of Tariffs Over Aircraft Dispute
The EU list of US origin products that had been considered for additional import duties included:
- fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts "corylus spp.", shelled (CN: 08022200)
- fresh or dried pistachios, shelled (CN: 08025200)
- nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled (excl. coconuts, brazil nuts, cashew nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts "castania spp.", pistachios, pecans, areca "betel" nuts, cola nuts, pine nuts and macadamia nuts) (CN: 08029085)
- fresh or dried dates (CN: 08041000)
- sultanas (CN: 08062030)
- dried grapes (excl. currants and sultanas) (CN: 08062090)
- dried prunes (CN: 08132000)
- groundnuts, in shell (excl. seed for sowing, roasted or otherwise cooked) (CN: 12024100)
- groundnuts, shelled, whether or not broken (excl. seed for sowing, roasted or otherwise cooked) (CN: 12024200)
Brief COVID-19 Update: June 23, 2021
The global vaccination campaign is underway with a rate of roughly 39.7 million doses a day. More than 2,412 million vaccine doses have been administered and it is estimated that 17.1% of the global population is fully vaccinated, according to Bloomberg, but inequitable vaccination is still a threat.
WHO’s global targets are to vaccinate at least 10% of the population of every country by September, at least 40% by the end of 2021, and 70% by the middle of next year. “The global failure to share vaccines equitably is fueling a two-track pandemic that is now taking its toll on some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people” claimed Dr. Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director General during a media briefing on June 18. In addition, he thanked the vaccine donations announced by the G7 and countries, and urged others to follow suit. “Vaccines donated next year will be far too late for those who are dying today, or being infected today, or at risk today” he added.
In the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 52% of the total population have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 42.6% have been fully vaccinated (June 10).
In Europe, the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted has been updated. Member States should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries: Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Republic of North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United States of America and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).
The Scientific Evidence of the Beneficial Properties of Chestnuts, Nuts and Almonds
During an event hosted by ABNC - Brazilian Association of Nuts, Chestnuts and Dried Fruits, last April 27th., Brazilian experts presented the results of their studies.
During the webinar promoted by ABNC, Dr. Euler Ribeiro, Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Geriatrician and Rector of the Open University Foundation of the 3rd Age (UNATI), accompanied by Dr. Ivana Beatrice M. da Cruz, Director of Biogenomics Research at the University of Santa Maria-RS, presented data on "The Scientific Evidence of the Beneficial Properties of Chestnuts, Nuts and Almonds".
The studies started in 2008 when the Open University of the State of Amazonas carried out a major research project to evaluate the lifestyle, health, and longevity indicators of the elderly who lived in the highly urbanized area of Manaus, and riverside citizens of Maués, a municipality that has 175 communities distributed on the banks of rivers and streams.
At the beginning of the research, Maués had almost twice the number of long-lived elderly - over 80 years old - compared to other municipalities in the Amazon, and the first comparative study found that this population had a lower prevalence of obesity, diabetes, stroke, cancer and hypertension, and other diseases. Based on these data, the researchers began to investigate four major factors that impact health and longevity: genetics, functional fitness related to physical activity, stress, and nutrition and found little genetic influence, but excellent functional fitness.
Then, the researchers began to investigate the influence of the Amazon Diet, based on the consumption of cassava and corn by-products, as well as a wide variety of fish, on the health and longevity of these riverside dwellers. At that time, it was found that this riverside population also consumed a wide variety of fruits, a fact that led to a survey of scientific evidence related to 20 Amazonian fruits, which gave rise to the book “Dieta Amazônica”, authored by Dr. Euler Ribeiro and Dr. Ivana Beatrice. The publication, in addition to stimulating countless Brazilian and international studies on the subject, brought a new view on the foods consumed in the forest that started to be recognized as part of the “Amazon Diet”.
Brazil nut
From 2016, researchers began to develop studies on Brazil nuts, one of the most popular fruits in the Amazon region, recognized for its nutritional characteristics, consumed fresh or in the form of flour, milk, and oil. The daily consumption of 2 Brazil nuts, rich in macro, micronutrients, and bioactive molecules, provides an energy value of 38.8 calories, less than a glass of skim milk or an apple, for example, and, due to its high concentration of fat, the nut promotes high satiety without affecting body weight. The researchers also highlight fat as one of the main nutritional components of this nut, which contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids beneficial for health, such as omega 3, which has anti-inflammatory properties and represents 7% of the total fat of the fruit.
Regarding proteins, Brazil nuts are an excellent source of essential amino acids, such as leucine, which stimulates muscle protein synthesis and helps prevent muscle atrophy, common in the elderly, and methionine, which strengthens the immune system. The fruit is also rich in important bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, phytosteroids, phytates, and tocopherol that have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the consumption of two nuts contributes to the daily intake of micronutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Selenium
One of the most well-known and important elements of Brazil nuts is selenium, found in great concentration, mainly in the peel that surrounds the innermost part of the fruit and which, according to epidemiological and experimental evidence, plays an important role in human health.
However, the researchers warn that these studies reinforce the idea that both poor and excessive daily intake of selenium are not beneficial for health, stressing that the daily consumption of two Brazil nuts would be the best option for maintaining the level, particularly when compared to supplements available in pharmacies, avoiding the risks of an inadequate concentration in the body.
Another highlight of the discussion was the relationship of the potential effect of selenium on viral infection caused by Covid-19. Quoting articles published by Norwegian researchers claiming that an adequate supply of some micronutrients, such as selenium, is essential to enhance strength against other infections and decrease inflammation, as well as specialists from the United States, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, who demonstrated the immunomodulating effects of selenium and fatty acids to fight Covid-19, this supplementation is deemed to help to protect against the new coronavirus.
Supporting this case, the researchers also presented data from an experimental study carried out by professionals from China and the United States showing a strong inhibitory effect of selenium on the enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to mature within cells and spread, and an analysis carried out in Germany - which compared patients who survived and those who died from Covid-19 - that found that those who died had a lower concentration of selenium in their blood.
Based on this evidence, the researchers suggest that the consumption of chestnuts, walnuts, and almonds proves to be a good dietary strategy to strengthen the immune system in the fight against Covid-19.
Nuts and health
The potential effect of nuts on human health and longevity was also addressed by Dr. Euler and Dr. Ivana Beatrice. Source of bioactive molecules, such as micronutrients, lipids, and polyphenols, among others, nuts prevent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases improving the blood lipid profile without affecting body weight or blood pressure, according to international clinical trials, and contribute to improving cognitive function and memory, as well as reducing the risk of diabetes.
Other benefits have also been pointed out in international studies, such as the action on gastrointestinal disorders, chronic inflammation, and also the antitumor potential of the nut, due to its intrinsic chemical composition, in the fight against breast and prostate cancer, among others.
In their final remarks, experts reinforced the characteristics of chestnuts, nuts, and almonds as great allies for maintaining health and quality of life throughout human aging.