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Utilisation and contribution of forest resources to improve food security in dry regions of Africa
No full textThe unsustainable harvest of
forest resources in dry regions of Africa has
contributed to forest degradation and
increased the prices of forest resources in
local markets. Many people in dry regions,
especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have been
harvesting forest resources to supplement
food sources due to poor crop production as a
result of erratic rainfall. This review seeks to
explore the utilisation and contribution of
forest resources to improving food security in
the dry regions of Africa. Forest resources are
highly utilised by poor resource farmers in
rural areas as a means of poverty alleviation,
income generation and to improve human
livelihoods. Resources such as non-timber
forest products (NTFPs) contribute to human
nutrition, income generation, food sources
and to improve living standards. NTFPs, such
as honey, waxes and medicines, have been
reported to contribute income in countries,
such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and
Zimbabwe, creating more opportunities for
rural people to improve their living standards
and reduce food insecurity. These resources
contribute to hidden hunger though the
utilisation of fruit, vegetables, honey, wild
meat and edible worms, especially to the
children under five years of age. Climate
change has also created variability in the
availability of forest resources in dry regions,
and this has altered their contribution to
human livelihoods and food security
Briquette Production from Vineyard Winter Pruning Using Two Different Approaches
Full text linkWorldwide, different strategies are being developed in order to ensure optimum conditions for the development and growth of economic competitiveness, as well as for increasing the quality of life and environmental protection. All these strategies are closely linked to the development and modernization of systems for producing energy from clean and renewable sources. In this context, the present paper presents the results of research regarding the evaluation of the sustainability of briquette production using biomass resulting from vine winter pruning as the raw material. An analysis of the scientific literature indicates that nearly 8 Mt of biomass would result from the over 7.4 million hectares of vine plantations in the world, biomass that could be valorized through densification in order to produce solid biofuels with a lower calorific value of more than 17 MJ/kg. This study examines the production of briquettes from vineyard winter pruning with consideration of two types of densification technologies: baling and natural drying of the tendrils, and collection, shredding, and artificial drying of the lignocellulose debris. The quality indices and energy consumption and energy efficiency of the briquettes were evaluated to determine their feasibility as an alternative fuel source. When designing the scientific endeavor, the following aspects were considered: defining the aim and objectives of the research; designing the research algorithm; collecting, preparing, and conditioning the biomass; conducting a chemical analysis of the briquettes; and evaluating the energy consumption and energy efficiency for producing the briquettes, taking into account two drying methods (natural and artificial drying). In the meantime, some specific laboratory equipment was designed and built for the artificial drying of biomass, evaluation of mechanical durability, measurement of energy consumption, etc. Analysis of the experimental data has led to the conclusion that the agricultural waste from vine pruning can constitute an important and sustainable source of energy in the form of briquettes that fulfill most of the requirements imposed by international standards
Parasitic investigations in enteric syndrome in kids
Full text linkThe enteric syndrome is the common response of
the intestine to aggressions exerted by different etiological agents. The investigations were carried out in
the Vaslui area on 155 privately owned kids with the
aim of specifying the aetiology of persistent digestive
disorders. The kids, aged between 3 and 90 days, were
examined clinically and paraclinically. Clinically, changes in the general condition, deviation, apathy, lethargy, inappetence, refusal of food, polydipsia, isolation
from the group, abdominal bloating, diarrheal emissions with watery faeces, whitish sometimes with
streaks of blood, were observed. Paraclinically, faecal
samples were taken from each sick subject and deposited in sterile containers. The samples (50) were examined coproscopically, by qualitative (Wisconsin, Willis) and quantitative (Mc.Master) flotation methods,
to highlight specific parasitic elements (cysts, oocysts,
eggs); coproantigenic, using the Giardia Ag VetExpert
Rapid Test Kit and, in stained faecal smears by the
modified Ziehl-Neelsen method, for the identification
of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Examination and photomicrographs were done on a Leica 750 photon microscope using 100x, 200x, and Immersion magnification. Coproscopic results revealed oocysts belonging
to species of the Eimeria genus, with a medium intensity (OPG: 500-1000), and a prevalence of 24%. Coproantigenic, the species Giardia duodenalis was identified in kids, with a prevalence of 14%. In smears,
Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in kids, with a
prevalence of 26 %. The associated evolution of the
three parasite genera was found in 10% of the examined samples. These results confirm the multiple
parasitic aetiology of enteric syndrome in kids and the
negative results obtained in antibiotic therapy. Attention is also drawn to the omission of the parasitic aetiology of the digestive syndrome, which affects young
animals in their first months of life, with important economic losses
Bioactive Components, Applications, Extractions, and Health Benefits of Winery By-Products from a Circular Bioeconomy Perspective: A Review
Full text linkSignificant waste streams produced during winemaking include winery by-products such as pomace, skins, leaves, stems, lees, and seeds. These waste by-products were frequently disposed of in the past, causing resource waste and environmental issues. However, interest has risen in valorizing vineyard by-products to tap into their latent potential and turn them into high-value products. Wine industry by-products serve as a potential economic interest, given that they are typically significant natural bioactive sources that may exhibit significant biological properties related to human wellness and health. This review emphasizes the significance of winery by-product valorization as a sustainable management resource and waste management method. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive analysis of the potential of winery by-products as a source of bioactive compounds, extraction techniques, health benefits, and applications in various sectors. Chemical components in winery by-products include bioactive substances, antioxidants, dietary fibers, organic acids, and proteins, all of which have important industrial and therapeutic applications. The bioactives from winery by-products act as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer agents that have proven potential health-promoting effects. Wineries can switch from a linear waste management pattern to a more sustainable and practical method by adopting a circular bioeconomy strategy. Consequently, the recovery of bioactive compounds that function as antioxidants and health-promoting agents could promote various industries concomitant within the circular economy
The Potential of Grape Polyphenols Additive in Pig Nutrition: Chemical Structure, Bioavailability and Their Effect on Intestinal Health of Pigs
Full text linkThe recognition of the necessity for employing natural additives in animal feed has grown alongside the ban on antibiotics in the animal feed sector. Grapes, as well as by-products of the wine-making industry (grape marc and seed extracts), possess biologically active chemical constituents that can be used to improve animal production by incorporating them into animal feed. Grapes are a valuable resource of polyphenols, especially flavonoids, stilbenes and phenolic acids, most of them showing therapeutic or health-promoting properties. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the impact of polyphenols on animal gut health. The first section of the review discusses the chemical structure of the major polyphenols in grapes and the polyphenols’ bioavailability and metabolism in pigs. The second and major part of the review reviews the results of investigations into the antioxidant, antimicrobial and prebiotic effects of grape polyphenols in pig diets, as well as their regulation of intestinal barrier functions through signalling pathways and intestinal responses. All of this is supported by previous research, findings and conclusions. There are fewer recorded pig studies, but the inclusion of up to 9% grape by-products resulted in improved performance with an increased mean daily gain. Ultimately, this analysis concluded that supplementation of pigs with grape phenolic compounds as natural feed additives enhanced their antioxidant capacity, improved humoral and cellular immune responses, and promoted gut ecosystem biodiversity and the overall production performance in pigs
Enhancing maize productivity with infield rainwater harvesting techniques and cattle manure in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe
Full text linkSoil fertility and moisture management can be sustainable ways to improve crop production in low rainfall areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of infield rainwater harvesting and cattle manure on maize yield, rainwater use efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and the value–cost ratio. The experiment used a split plot design with three in situ rainwater harvesting (IRWH) techniques (planting pits, infiltration pits, and conventional tillage (as a control)) as the main treatment factor and cattle manure as the sub-plot factor at four levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 t ha−1). The interactive effects of IRWH, cattle manure, and season were significant among all parameters measured (p<0.05). The highest maize grain yield (3990 kg ha−1) was obtained from the planting pits with 10 t ha−1cattle manure in the 2022/23 cropping season. Maize stover yield increased with an increase in cattle manure, with the highest yield of 6450 t ha−1 at 10 t ha−1 cattle manure. Rainwater use efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) increased by an average of 2.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 from 0 to 2.5 t ha−1. Agronomic use efficiency significantly decreased with the increasing application rate of cattle manure (p<0.05). The interaction of planting pits and 2.5 t ha−1 cattle manure had the highest cost ratio of 6.66 in the 2022/23 season. The interaction between planting pits and 10 t ha−1 cattle manure resulted in higher maize yields and rainwater use efficiency. However, it is recommended that smallholder farmers use planting pits and 2.5 t ha−1 cattle manure to obtain higher yield increments and high profits in high-risk climates
The Correlation between Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines in Wines without Added Sulfur Dioxide
Full text linkIn classical methods of wine production, amino acids play a critical role, as they are fundamental to all types of fermentation. Beyond their consumption in fermentative processes, amino acids undergo several transformations, such as decarboxylation, which produces biogenic amines. These biogenic amines can increase under certain conditions, such as the presence of spoilage bacteria or during malolactic fermentation. Alternative methods of vinification were applied, using sulfur dioxide as a preservative (+SO2) and methods without added sulfites. Alternative methods of vinification were applied using sulfur dioxide as a preservative (+SO2) and methods without added sulfite (−SO2). Monitoring was conducted for Cabernet Sauvignon red (CS), Cabernet Sauvignon rosé (CSR), Fetească regală still (FR), and Fetească regală frizzante (FRF). Alternative procedures employed the use of Pichia kluyveri for its ability to block the oxidation reactions of grapes, malolactic fermentation for all wines without sulfur dioxide (−SO2) to ensure superior stability, and the use of several tannin mixtures to avoid oxidation reactions. Correlations were considered between the amino acids and biogenic amines that have a direct relation through decarboxylation or deamination. The pH of the wines, total acidity, and volatile acidity as principal factors of microbiological wine evolution remained constant. The highest mean concentrations of the detected biogenic amines were putrescine at 23.71 ± 4.82 mg/L (CSRSO2), tyramine at 14.62 ± 1.50 mg/L (FR-SO2), cadaverine at 4.36 ± 1.19 mg/L (CS-SO2), histamine at 2.66 ± 2.19 mg/L (FR + SO2), and spermidine at 9.78 ± 7.19 mg/L (FR + SO2). The wine conditions ensured the inhibition of decarboxylases, but some correlations were found with the corresponding amino acids such as glutamine (r = −0.885, p < 0.05) (CSR-SO2), tyrosine (r = −0,858, p < 0.05) (FR-SO2), lysine (r = −0.906, p < 0.05) (FR-SO2), and histamine (r = −0.987, p < 0.05) (CSR-SO2). Multivariate analysis was performed, and no statistical differences were found between samples with (+SO2) and without added sulfur dioxide (−SO2). The vinification conditions ensured the wines’ stability and preservation and the conditions of producing biogenic amines at the lowest levels in order to not interfere with the olfactive and gustative characteristics
Vitamin B12 Ameliorates Pesticide-Induced Sociability Impairment in Zebrafish (Danio rerio): A Prospective Controlled Intervention Study
Full text linkConstant exposure to a variety of environmental factors has become increasingly problematic. A variety of illnesses are initiated or aided by the presence of certain perturbing factors. In the case of autism spectrum disorder, the environmental component plays an important part in determining the overall picture. Moreover, the lack of therapies to relieve existing symptoms complicates the fight against this condition. As a result, animal models have been used to make biomedical research easier and more suited for disease investigations. The current study used zebrafish as an animal model to mimic a real-life scenario: acute exposure to an increased dose of pesticides, followed by prospective intervention-based therapy with vitamin B12 (vit. B12). It is known that vit. B12 is involved in brain function nerve tissue, and red blood cell formation. Aside from this, the role of vit. B12 in the redox processes is recognized for its help against free radicals. To investigate the effect of vit. B12, fish were divided into four different groups and exposed to a pesticide mixture (600 μg L−1 fipronil + 600 μg L−1 pyriproxyfen) and 0.24 μg L−1 vit. B12 for 14 days. The impact of the compounds was assessed daily with EthoVision XT 11.5 software for behavioral observations, especially for sociability, quantified by the social interaction test. In addition, at the end of the study, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The results showed significant improvements in locomotor activity parameters and a positive influence of the vitamin on sociability. Regarding the state of oxidative stress, high activity was found for SOD and GPx in the case of vit. B12, while fish exposed to the mixture of pesticides and vit. B12 had a lower level of MDA. In conclusion, the study provides new data about the effect of vit. B12 in zebrafish, highlighting the potential use of vitamin supplementation to maintain and support the function of the organism