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Neuromarketing in the agri-food sector
Get PDFThe concept of neuromarketing, one of the most current and modern, is increasingly present in practical marketing
research, being used mainly in the study of consumer behavior. The concept only appeared in 1983, but in 2020 over
150 profile companies were active. Neuromarketing combines the science of the brain with the science of marketing,
and manufacturers and/or retailers use neuromarketing techniques to boost sales, encourage consumption, and make a
profit. The present work addresses the specifics of neuromarketing techniques in the agri-food field. It starts from the
fact that these techniques differ from the classic ones, in that purchase and/or consumption decisions are not made only
on rational grounds, the emotional ones predominating. The most well-known neuromarketing techniques are:
electroencephalography (EEG), eye tracking, facial coding, galvanic skin response (GSR), implicit association test
(TAI), etc. All these provide information on the processing of marketing stimuli and the making of purchase and
consumption decisions under the influence of a complex set of emotions, feelings, perceptions or values impossible to
measure with traditional quantitative methods. The aim of the paper is to create a dashboard with neuromarketing
techniques applicable in the agri-food sector, based on the foray into the literature regarding the validity and
functionality of these techniques for agri-food consumption. The assumption on which the approach of this paper is
based is that neuromarketing techniques have an extremely significant impact on the purchase and consumption
decision, and promotional actions based on such techniques, especially those that generate compulsive purchases,
contribute to the increase in unbalanced consumption
Study on the quality of toast bread assortments from a romanian profile unit and consumers´ safety
Get PDFThe consumption of bakery products has increased due to the diversity of assortments, preparation technology and taste
which determined the existence of a very large range of breads with high nutritional value. The objectives of the present
study were: determining the quality parameters of the toast bread, emphasizing the statistically significant differences
and correlations between the quality parameters and evaluation of nutritional aspects. Four assortments of toast sliced
bread-Toast Integral (T.I.), Toast Classic (T.C.), Toast Graham (T.G.) and Toast with Rye (T.R.) were analyzed. The
analyzes included: weight, humidity, acidity, porosity, elasticity, water activity. Also, the nutritional profile (content of
fats, saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugar, protein, fiber and salt) was evaluated and the results were compared
with the values declared on the label. The assortments with higher fiber content, respectively T. I., T.G. and T.R. had
higher humidity than T.C. The acidity was significantly increased in the assortments of fiber-rich breads (T.I., T.R.,
T.G.) compared to sliced white bread (T.C.). Except for the pair T.I. - T.R., the porosity constituted an element of
statistical differentiation for all the other pairs of investigated assortments. Basically, the highest porosity was T.C.
(87.13%), followed by T.R., T.I. and T.G. In T.I., the increase in weight was correlated with the decrease in porosity.
This can be an effect of baking in the tray, so in conditions of constant volume (r = -0.627). The T.C. products with
higher humidity were also characterized by higher elasticity (r = 0.582). The analyzed products were characterized by
lower fat contents and saturated fat actions compared to the values written on the package. The quality parameters of
the investigated products were characterized by low values of coefficients of variation, which suggests that
technological processes are controlled, repeatable. It is necessary to revise the labels in order to correct the nutritional
information provided to the consumer
Determination of critical value of available soil phosphorus for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in calcareous soils from Greece
No full textPhosphorus is considered as a
basic essential element for plant growth
which cannot be substituted or manufactured
and is, therefore, a scarce resource to ensure
food security; its sound management is
considered important. One of the factors that
play a significant role in its management is
the determination of the critical available
phosphorous (P) level in soil, in order to
decide whether to apply P fertilizers or not.
Since several soil and plant factors affect the
value of the critical available soil P, it is
considered necessary to carry out special
experiments, in order to determine the soil
critical P value for an area and a specific
crop. The purpose of the present study was
to establish critical soil and plant P values
for wheat. A greenhouse pot experiment was
performed on seven representative
calcareous soils from the Thessaly plain in
central Greece. The soils were deficient in
available P and so they were fertilized with
various rates of P. At appropriate stages, the
above-ground plant parts were harvested and
analysed for basic nutrients, including P. At
the same time, soil samples were also taken
and analysed for available P. The Cate and
Nelson technique was applied, to determine
critical values of both soil and wheat tissue
P values. It was found that the critical soil P
is 11 mg P kg-1 and the critical value for
wheat tissue is 0.24% P dry matter
Practice of green cover crops, with benefits for increease of soil properties and the value of bee production
No full textNumerous studies have demonstrated the importance of proper cover crop management for optimized benefits to soil
physical, chemical and biological properties. Cover crops can increase soil carbon and nitrogen as well as other
nutrients and improve their cycling within cropping systems. Cover crops have the potential to provide many benefits to
soil health in various cropping systems and climates and to obtain various organic agricultural products demanded in the
market at low cost. The potential of cover crops to maintain and build soil fertility can allow a reduced dependence on
synthetic fertilizer inputs. The research undertaken aims to identify, study and put into practice alternative sources of
food (nectar and pollen) for bees and other pollinating insects by introducing new crops into the agricultural circuit,
which meet the agro-environmental conditions, in the situation of limiting food sources for these, due to the expansion
of monocultures and crops with diminished honeydew qualities and with a shorter flowering period
On-farm milk culturing for bovine mastitis management
Get PDFBovine mastitis is the most common reason for antibiotic usage in dairy cows, its costs being estimated at more than
$350 per mastitis case. Accurately identifying the bacterial species at the core of a mastitis infection may help narrow
down treatment choices and cut down on the overuse of antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the
prevalence of etiological agents in milk samples from cows with clinical mastitis using commercially available culture
plates (ClearMilk, LabMediaServis, Czech Republic). Briefly, milk samples were collected from udder quarters with
clinical mastitis and were aerobically cultured using the on-farm culture system. If two prominent mastitis pathogens
were identified, the sample was labelled as "mixed growth," and if three or more pathogens were observed, it was
labelled as "contaminated". Our results indicate that ClearMilk might be an useful on-farm milk culturing tool for
detecting pathogens linked with bovine mastitis
Mixture support for essential elements and its effect on Zn and Cd sorption
No full textZinc and Cadmium are elements similar in chemical properties but different in mobility and availability, used as stress
factors and contaminants. The aim of the study was to establish the sorption capacity of Zn (II) and Cd (II) on a nutrient
mixture, the conditions under which the process is maximal and the changes that undergo in the chemical composition
of the mixture. The mixture consists in eutrophic peat and compost (60:40%), which contains in addition to organic
matter, macronutrients (N, P, K) and certain content of inorganic contaminants (Ni, Pb, Co, Cd, Zn). The parameters
that influence the sorption process on nutrient mixture were: initial solution pH (1.0-9.0), contact time (0-1200 min), Zn
and Cd concentrations (50-250 mg/l) and organic matter content (52%). The results show that certain characteristics
such as phosphorus and potassium content did not change significantly, while the organic matter content decreased to
45%. The humic acids from the organic matter composition caused a significant immobilization of Zn (II) and only a
slight immobilization of Cd (II). The values of Cd and Zn from nutritive solution are higher (42.24 mg/kg Zn and 11.69
mg/kg C) than accessible fraction (19.26 mg/kg Zn and 1.4675 mg/kg Cd). The heavy metals content decreases with the
increase of pH (5.0 mg/kg Cd, 3.0 mg/kg Zn). The content of accessible fraction reveal reduced values of Cd and Zn
that does not represent a threat for human health. These organic materials improve soil fertility, can change the
availability of heavy metals and increase crop production
Applicability of thoracic non-cardiac ultrasonography in the diagnostic protocol of acute dyspnoea in feline patients
Get PDFLung ultrasonography (LUS) is a non-invasive and rapid method used for the diagnostic of respiratory diseases in all
mammals. The changes in clinically observed respiratory patterns can be correlated with the modifications observed
during transthoracic ultrasonography, thus the clinician can select an appropriate protocol for managing the animals with
respiratory distress. The aim of this study is to emphasize the clinical utility of lung ultrasonography when dealing with
cats in an emergency setting. Cats presented with respiratory distress were retrospectively reviewed and classified based
on the aetiology of the disease. Lung ultrasonography was performed using the thoracic fast protocol (T-FAST). Vet
BLUE ultrasonography and chest radiography were performed only when the clinical status of the patient was suitable
for these diagnostic methods. Thirty-nine cats met the inclusion criteria. The presence of free fluid, B-lines, shred sign,
nodule sign, organ sign and barcode sign have been assessed for each patient. Based on the findings, a differential
diagnostic and a management protocol had been proposed. Lung ultrasonography is a non-invasive, stress-free and fast
examination with high sensibility and specificity for diagnosing cats with breathing difficulty
Research on the quality and safety of poultry meat obtained in an intensive and traditional system – a review
Get PDFPoultry meat occupies an important place in the human diet, due to the fact that it is easily prepared and at low cost in
the market compared to other sources of protein of animal origin, having nutritional and dietary characteristics.
Currently, there is a consumer tendency to turn to meat obtained in a traditional system, to the detriment of that
obtained in an industrial system. The motivation for this trend is represented by the suspicion of the presence of growth
hormones and antibiotics in meat, the welfare and protection of birds, but also the impact of intensive farms on the
environment. The traditional system is geared towards slow, open-air growth with late slaughter and discretionary
feeding. The consumption of poultry products from free range or organic production systems has increased in recent
years in various countries. Meat products from free range systems have been associated with improved flavor and high
nutritional value by consumers, lower fat content and higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals in meat products.
In addition, free-range broiler production systems can have a positive impact on animal welfare. This paper addresses
the different aspects that influence the quality and safety of poultry meat obtained in an intensive system compared to
the traditional one, such as the presence of microbial contamination with Salmonella and Campylobacter, the effects of
thermal stress on the quality of the meat, the presence of pectoral myopathies, but also the presence of pesticide residues
and antibiotics
The influence of growth agents on the quality of bakery products
No full textSaccharomyces cerevisiae or bakery yeast is tha main leavening agent used in bakery products obtaining, being the
responsible for the CO2 generation thus ensuring the distinctive aerated structure of the dough. However, the role of
yeast in dough is not limited to the gas production. Yeast cells are also partly responsible for the flavor of bread and can
influence the rheological characteristics of the dough. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of fresh or dry
yeast and of the different type of flour used (000/ 650/ 650+1350 variants). The same manufacturing recipe was used
for all experimental variants. The bakery products investigated were coded according to the type of yeast used adding a
numerical code specific to the type of flour used as follows: 000, 650 or 1350. The experimental variants were obtained
with 100% superior flour (type 000), 100% white flour (650 type) or 50% white flour (650 type) + 50% wholemealflour (type 1350). The main objectives were the evaluation of the sensorial characteristics and the physical-chemical
parameters of the bread samples obtained as well as the analysis of the quality of the yeast used. The results obtained
showed that the experimental variant DYPk, even if it involved a longer fermentation period, gave the most appreciable
quality results of the bakery products, namely: the shape of the products well contoured, not flattened and the
appropriate volume. The pores were uniformly developed, the crumb was elastic, mellow, well bound to the shell. The
experimental variant obtained with superior flour 000 for which the growth agent used was in dry form coded with
DYPk showed the best quality characteristics with less changed even after 10 days of samples storage under refrigerated
conditions
Research on the optimization of the industrial hemp cultivation technology for the full use of biomass
No full textThe main purpose of the research was to identify the optimal technology for cultivating industrial hemp, so that the
obtained biomass can be fully processed at the farm level, without special equipment in this regard. The variety used in
the experiment was Zenit, created by the Agricultural Research and Development Station Secuieni, Neamt county.
Within the cultivation technology, three technological variants were tested: uncut plants, plants cut once and plants cut
twice ("Secuieni" method of hemp cultivation). The optimal technological variant for the full use of hemp biomass was
the cultivation technology with a single cut, where the production of grains and biomass ensured the best economic
efficiency of the hemp culture