Studies of Resistance of PP/Natural Filler Polymer Composites to Decomposition Caused by Fungi
The article discusses the grain morphology of the natural filler from hazelnut and walnut shell flour. It was observed that the geometry of both meals is similar to each other and resembles uneven balls in shape. The heterogeneity and well-developed outer surface of the flour grains allow for filling the voids with the polymer matrix. The analysis of the surface of the SEM images allowed to observe the presence of natural filler flour grains in the entire volume of the produced polymer composites, uneven distribution and small agglomerates, as well as the presence of voids, distributed in the matrix and in the matrix/filler interface. As a result of the visual evaluation of the activity of microorganisms (mycelium) on the surface of the produced polymer composite materials PP/hazelnut and walnut shell flour with a different % share, different fraction, it was found that the best fungistatic effect was shown by the samples marked with the symbol hazelnut at the fraction 315-443 µm. The least fungistatic material was found to be the samples with walnut shell meal filler at the fraction 315-443 µm (F2 and F4), on which the microorganisms achieved significant growth (more than 50% of the test area). The highest value of contact angle was obtained for samples with hazelnut filler fraction 315-443 (C2 and C4), which also confirms its best fungistatic effect.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061368
Shelf-Life Evolution of the Fatty Acid Fingerprint in High-Quality Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) Harvested in Different Geographical Regions
Hazelnuts are characterized by a relatively high abundance of oleic acid and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which give this fruit a high nutritional value. As a counterbalance, such a lipid profile is more susceptible to autoxidation and/or degradation reactions under enzymatic catalysis. Lipid oxidation occurs on fatty acids (FAs), both esterified on triacylglycerols and in free form (after lipolysis), but with favorable kinetics on the latter. In this study, the quali-quantitative changes in FA profiles (both free and esterified) were monitored during the shelf life (time 0, 6, and 12 months) as a function of different drying and storage conditions and different cultivars and geographical areas. A derivatization/extraction procedure was performed to quantify the profile of free and esterified fatty acids accurately. The overall profile of the free and esterified fatty acids concurred to create a biological signature characteristic of the cultivar and of the harvest region. The free and esterified forms' characterization enabled the efficient monitoring of the effects of both the hydrolytic activity (increment in overall free fatty acids) and the oxidative process (decrease in unsaturated free fatty acids versus esterified fatty acids) over the 12 months of storage.
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10030685
AIEgens enabled ultrasensitive point-of-care test for multiple targets of food safety: Aflatoxin B 1 and cyclopiazonic acid as an example
Food safety is currently a significant issue for human life and health. Various fluorescent nanomaterials have been applied in the point-of-care test (POCT) for food safety as labeling materials. However, previous fluorescent nanomaterials can cause aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), thus reducing the detection sensitivity. Conversely, aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) are promising candidates for POCT in the food safety field because they can enhance detection sensitivity and throughput. Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), are a primary threat to human life and health and a significant food safety issue, and their on-site detection from farm to table is needed. Herein, an ultrasensitive point-of-care test was developed based on TPE-Br, a blue-emissive tetraphenylethylene derivative AIEgen. Under optimal conditions, this AIEgen-based lateral-flow biosensor (ALFB) allowed for a rapid response of 8 min toward AFB1 and CPA detection, with considerable sensitivities of 0.003 and 0.01 ng/mL in peanut matrices, respectively. In peanut matrices, the recoveries were 90.3%-110.0% for both mycotoxins, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 6%. The ALFB was further validated via UPLC-MS/MS using spiked peanut samples. AIEgens open an avenue for on-site, ultrasensitive, high-throughput detection methods and can be extensively used in point-of-care tests in food safety.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2021.113188
Expression of AhATL1, an ABA Transport Factor Gene from Peanut, Is Affected by Altered Memory Gene Expression Patterns and Increased Tolerance to Drought Stress in Arabidopsis
Arachis hypogaea abscisic acid transporter like-1 (AhATL1) modulates abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity by specifically influencing the importing of ABA into cells, and is a key player in plant stress responses. However, there is limited information on ABA transporters in crops. In this study, we found that the level of AhATL1 expression and AhATL1 distribution increased more rapidly in the second drought (D2) compared with in the first drought (D1). Compared with the first recovery (R1), the AhATL1 expression level and ABA content remained at a higher level during the second recovery (R2). The heterologous overexpression of AhATL1 in Arabidopsis changed the expression pattern of certain memory genes and changed the post response gene type into the memory gene type. Regarding the proline and water content of Col (Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh., Col-0), atabcg22, and AhATL1-OX during drought training, the second drought (D2) was more severe than the first drought (D1), which was more conducive to maintaining the cell osmotic balance and resisting drought. In summary, drought stress memory resulted in a rapid increase in the AhATL1 expression and AhATL1 distribution level, and then raised the endogenous ABA content and changed the post response gene type into the memory gene type, which enhanced the drought resistance and recovery ability.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073398
INC’s Real Power for Real People Campaign Shows the “Real Power” of Nuts and Dried Fruits to Millions Around the World
The campaign’s main video, which encourages consumers to add nuts and dried fruits to their daily diet, received over 1,750,000 views on YouTube. The INC also partnered with 30 social media influencers from 17 countries around the world, utilizing their more than 7,000,000 combined followers to further spread the message. In total, influencer posts garnered over 1,500,000 interactions and the campaign’s hashtag #ShareYourNutfruitPower gained over 330 publications.
Moreover, the INC developed a toolkit which enabled INC members to join in and share the Real Power for Real People concept in their own markets. Over 80 INC members signed up to help to spread the goodness of nuts and dried fruits.
INC Executive Director, Goretti Guasch said of the campaign, “Immunity has been pushed to the forefront of all conversations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am thrilled to see the success this campaign has had in positioning nuts and dried fruits as a healthy option for consumers. We are looking forward to what next year will bring and how we can expand on this message.”
INC’s Real Power for Real People Campaign Shows the “Real Power” of Nuts and Dried Fruits to Millions Around the World
The campaign’s main video, which encourages consumers to add nuts and dried fruits to their daily diet, received over 1,750,000 views on YouTube. The INC also partnered with 30 social media influencers from 17 countries around the world, utilizing their more than 7,000,000 combined followers to further spread the message. In total, influencer posts garnered over 1,500,000 interactions and the campaign’s hashtag #ShareYourNutfruitPower gained over 330 publications.
Moreover, the INC developed a toolkit which enabled INC members to join in and share the Real Power for Real People concept in their own markets. Over 80 INC members signed up to help to spread the goodness of nuts and dried fruits.
INC Executive Director, Goretti Guasch said of the campaign, “Immunity has been pushed to the forefront of all conversations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am thrilled to see the success this campaign has had in positioning nuts and dried fruits as a healthy option for consumers. We are looking forward to what next year will bring and how we can expand on this message.”
USDA FAS 2020 US Agricultural Export Yearbook
Export value to China-mainland, India and Canada was increased by 23%, 11% and 6% from 2019, respectively. However, this was offset by lower sales to China Hong Kong (-61%), the United Arab Emirates (-30%), Turkey (-27%) and the European Union + the United Kingdom (-8%).
In spite of record crops putting downward pressure on unit values, particularly for almonds (the unit value of almonds dropped around 20%), disruptions due to retaliatory tariffs and restrictive phytosanitary requirements, US exports continue to dominate the global almond, pistachio and walnut markets and they are expected to maintain its share worldwide. Exports to India keep increasing due to strong consumer demand for almonds, and to a lesser extent, walnuts, while Central and South America are potentially growing markets.
USDA FAS 2020 US Agricultural Export Yearbook
Export value to China-mainland, India and Canada was increased by 23%, 11% and 6% from 2019, respectively. However, this was offset by lower sales to China Hong Kong (-61%), the United Arab Emirates (-30%), Turkey (-27%) and the European Union + the United Kingdom (-8%).
In spite of record crops putting downward pressure on unit values, particularly for almonds (the unit value of almonds dropped around 20%), disruptions due to retaliatory tariffs and restrictive phytosanitary requirements, US exports continue to dominate the global almond, pistachio and walnut markets and they are expected to maintain its share worldwide. Exports to India keep increasing due to strong consumer demand for almonds, and to a lesser extent, walnuts, while Central and South America are potentially growing markets.
Iranian Pistachio YTD Shipment Report
The Far East has been the largest market through March, accounting for 69,400 MT, almost three times over the previous year for the same period. Exports bounded for the Indian subcontinent were also increased by 64%, reaching 17,700 MT.
Although open in-shell pistachios account for around 80% of Iranian international exports, demand for natural kernel is increasing: year-to-date kernel shipments have reached 12,900 MT (in-shell equivalent), 41% above the previous 4 years average.
Monitoring EU Agri-food Trade: Developments January-December 2020
In 2020 compared to 2019, the categories i) Fruit, fresh or dried (excluding citrus and tropical fruit) and ii) Preparations of vegetables, fruit or nuts reported gains of €491 million, 8.8% and €218 million, 6.4%, respectively.
One of the top origins, for which the value of EU27 agri-food imports increased in 2020, was Turkey (+€456 million, an 11% from 2019 - nuts and citrus fruits, preparations of vegetables and fruit).