85 research outputs found
Sustainability for Food Consumers: Which Perception?
No full textA sustainable future for the community is one of the objectives established by the European Union Agenda 2030. Furthermore, sustainable consumption has been identified as one of the possible trajectories for sustainable development. It is for this reason that food production, distribution and consumption ways cannot be overlooked for sustainability achievement, as well as the consumer’s related perception. In this research the Best–Worst scaling methodology was adopted to explore the priorities declared by a sample of 801 consumers among 12 different sustainability definitions selected from the scientific literature. The choice experiment was carried out through face-to-face interviews during two food and wine events closely related to the sustainability theme in the food sector. The respondents considered as sustainability priority definition the “preservation of natural resources”, followed by “decent working conditions” and “accessibility for everyone to healthy and safe food”. Moreover, 5 consumer’s clusters were identified according to the priorities assigned to the different sustainability definitions, as well as to individuals socio-demographic characteristics. The description of the priorities assigned by the clusters to the different sustainability definitions have also been described as guidelines for consumer attitudes towards the different sustainability dimensions (environmental, social, economic and governance)
Consumer Preference Heterogeneity Evaluation in Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing Decisions Using the Best-Worst Approach
No full textThis study assesses consumer preferences during fruit and vegetable (FV) sales, considering the sociodemographic variables of individuals together with their choice of point of purchase. A choice experiment was conducted in two metropolitan areas in Northwest Italy. A total of 1170 consumers were interviewed at different FV purchase points (mass retail chains and open-air markets) using a paper questionnaire. The relative importance assigned by consumers to 12 fruit and vegetable product attributes, including both intrinsic and extrinsic quality cues, was assessed by using the best-worst scaling (BWS) methodology. The BWS results showed that "origin", "seasonality", and "freshness" were the most preferred attributes that Italian consumers took into account for purchases, while no importance was given to "organic certification", "variety", or "brand". Additionally, a latent class analysis was employed to divide the total sample into five different clusters of consumers, characterized by the same preferences related to FV attributes. Each group of individuals is described on the basis of sociodemographic variables and by the declared fruit and vegetable point of purchase. This research demonstrates that age, average annual income, and families with children are all discriminating factors that influence consumer preference and behavior, in addition to affecting which point of purchase the consumer prefers to acquire FV products from
Forging a Sustainable Agricultural Future: Tradition and Innovation in Shaping Acceptance of Insect-Based Foods
No full textThis study investigates the potential for a sustainable future in agriculture, examining how the
interplay between tradition and innovation influences the acceptance of insect-based foods. As
global demand for alternative protein sources rises, it is important to understand how individuals’
attitudes toward traditional “disgusting” dishes and their sensitivity to environmental sustainability
interact to shape attitudes toward new insect-derived products.
The main research aim was to identify profiles of consumers possessing different attitudes toward
traditional “disgusting” dishes and new insect-derived products. A survey of 1402 Italian
participants was thus conducted to detect the relationships between i) opinions toward traditional
“disgusting” food and insects-containing food, and ii) orientation toward both environmental
issues and traditional food. A Cluster Analysis was performed on the basis of a previous Principal
Component Analysis (PCA) in order to identify distinct consumers’ profiles based on their
environmental concern and food system opinions. The four emerged clusters, - i.e. Earth-Balance
responsibles, Green consumers, Indifferents and Selective eco-conscious consumers - differ for
socio-demographic features and attitudes toward traditional “disgusting” food and insect-based
alternatives, that were detected through a photo-choice task including 10 traditional Italian foods
and 11 insect-based options. Correlation and Correspondence analyses verified the relationship
between preferences for traditional foods and their insect-based counterparts within each cluster.
Results show that environmental concern toward food systems influenced the acceptability of
insect-based foods differently across the identified clusters. Additionally, socio-demographic
features and ties to culinary traditions significantly influenced innovative food choices.
In sum, this study provides insights for the sustainable integration of insect-based foods into
mainstream dietary choices, emphasizing the crucial role of a harmonious blend of tradition and
innovation in this evolving landscape. Furthermore, care for the visual aspects is suggested for
product development within the emerging insect-based foods market
“Local Production”: What Do Consumers Think?
No full textSince the mid-1990s, there has been a growing interest among consumers and producers in downscaling to a local level the length of the agri-food chains as a solution for fairer and more sustainable food production systems. From the point of view of consumption, the attribute “local” is assuming an important role in defining food purchasing preferences, both in terms of expectations of product quality and in terms of its perceived relevance in determining the supply chain sustainability. This research aims to define how individuals’ perception of local production influences the definition of “local” among consumers based on a survey submitted to a sample of 500 consumers in North-Western Italy. The paper provides: (i) a semantic map built on keywords adopted by the respondents to describe local production; (ii) a categorization of food consumers divided in clusters on the basis of their eating styles; and (iii) a characterization of consumers clusters according to the preferences and knowledge expressed towards local production. The results show that consumers’ awareness and attitudes towards the concept of the “local” are influenced by the joint effect of their socio-demographic profile and their food consumption style, with some unexpected evidences that would deserve to be deepen with further research. However, given this uncertainty, three main traits seem to characterize the consumers attitude towards the “local”: a positive relation among the dimensions of environment, local development and product quality and the strength of the link between local production and the reduction of the length of the supply chain. Ultimately, territoriality is perceived as an index of higher product quality (seasonal, therefore fresh and genuine)
Are Local Dairy Products Better? Using Principal Component Analysis to Investigate Consumers’ Perception towards Quality, Sustainability, and Market Availability
No full textSIMPLE SUMMARY: The perception of the local production concept significantly varies depending on the weight given to each defining component (e.g., quality and sustainability), which in turn depends both on the considered food product and on the consumers’ characteristics. In this research, a survey was conducted to investigate the consumer preferences for milk and cheese quality aspects and their perception of sustainability descriptors of local dairy products. In addition, the effect of socio-demographic variables on consumer preferences and attitudes definition was also explored. From the Principal Component Analysis, four main components were defined (Responsive to quality attributes, Local is better, Local is sustainable, and Availability request), combining the consumer answers about milk and cheese quality preferences and the sustainability and availability opinion. The obtained results highlight the importance of product quality aspects in the considered geographical area (South-East Italy), which is strictly linked to traditional dairy production. Higher availability and visibility of local dairy products on the market were requested by the considered consumer sample. In addition, our results showed that gender, age, place of residence, educational level, and family size significantly affected the local dairy products consumption orientation definition. These findings will support the development of more efficient and transparent communication among dairy producers and consumers in the selected market. ABSTRACT: Consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits of local foods in terms of quality, sustainability, animal welfare, and safety. This research addresses two main questions: (i) is the perception towards sustainability aspects of local dairy products related to individuals’ preferences for milk and cheese quality aspects? (ii) are these perceptions related to people’s socio-demographic characteristics? For this purpose, a choice experiment was conducted online in Apulia (South-East Italy) involving a sample of 543 respondents. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to analyze the consumer opinion related to dairy products’ quality attributes, sustainability, and availability on the market. From the PCA, four main components (accounting the 64.5% of the total explained variance) were defined, highlighting non-overlapping choice styles of consumers, distinguished by attitudes primarily based on quality attributes of dairy products rather than sustainability characteristics or perceived higher quality of local products. Furthermore, the Availability request component described the consumer need for higher availability and/or visibility of local dairy products on the market. The effect of gender, age, and educational status of individuals emerged as significantly important for the resulting component definitions. The obtained results clearly suggest the need to increase the efficiency of communication strategies concerning local dairy products, as well as local dairy products’ availability and visibility on the markets
The role of socio-demographic variables and buying habits in determining milk purchasers' preferences and choices
No full textEmerging new purchasing behaviors have been reflected in the sales trends of dairy products, mainly in cow milk consumption. This study aimed to investigate the preferences of milk purchasers toward different product attributes, by considering both individuals' socio-demographic characteristics (SD) and milk purchasing habits (PH) as independent variables in the milk consumption model definition. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,216 residents in Northwest Italy. The application of the Best-Worst scaling (BWS) methodology to define the purchasers' declared preferences toward a set of 12 milk attributes, showed that milk origin and expiry date are the most important attributes for milk choice in the decision-making process. The correlation analysis showed that the SD and milk purchasing habits variables affect the definition of stated preferences heterogeneously between the intrinsic, extrinsic, and credence attributes
Valuing consumer preferences and motivations for plant-based beverages: A CUB model analysis
No full textFood consumption trends have evolved significantly in recent years due to increased attention to environmental sustainability and the search for nutritionally balanced, health-beneficial food. In this context, plant-based beverages (PBBs) represent a rapidly growing segment. This study analyses the PBBs preferences and motivations of consumption, studying how socio-demographic characteristics influence purchase drivers and identifying the role of certification-related eating styles and habits in the importance attributed to PBBs characteristics. An online questionnaire was conducted in the South-East of Italy with a sample of 233 respondents. A methodology utilising a Combination of Uniform and Shifted Binomial random variables, the CUB model, was employed to assess consumers' perceptions across two key dimensions: feeling and uncertainty. Results suggest that the two most important PBBs attributes considered in the decision-making process were taste and expiration date; the main reasons for PBBs consumption were the presence of vitamins and minerals and beneficial health ingredients. Moreover, considering socio-demographic characteristics and the consumption habits as covariates, different profiles of consumers of this product emerged. This research fill gaps in the literature on consumer characterisation of PBBs and offers a broader perspective, including the examination of attributes where consumers are uncertain about the level of importance they attach
Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine on Endometriosis-Related Pain, Size Reduction of Ovarian Endometriomas, and Fertility Outcomes
No full textBackground: Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease, whose pivotal symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Besides the usual medical treatments, recent evidence suggests there are potential benefits of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on endometriotic lesions and pain. The primary objective of this prospective single-cohort study was to confirm the effectiveness of NAC in reducing endometriosis-related pain and the size of ovarian endometriomas. The secondary objective was to assess if NAC may play a role in improving fertility and reducing the Ca125 serum levels. Methods: Patients aged between 18–45 years old with a clinical/histological diagnosis of endometriosis and no current hormonal treatment or pregnancy were included in the study. All patients received quarterly oral NAC 600 mg, 3 tablets/day for 3 consecutive days of the week for 3 months. At baseline and after 3 months, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and CPP were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale score (VAS), while the size of the endometriomas was estimated through a transvaginal ultrasound. Analgesics (NSAIDs) intake, the serum levels of Ca125 and the desire for pregnancy were also investigated. Finally, the pregnancy rate of patients with reproductive desire was evaluated. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were recruited. The intensity of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and CPP significantly improved (p < 0.0001). The use of NSAIDs (p = 0.001), the size of the endometriomas (p < 0.0001) and the serum levels of Ca125 (p < 0.0001) significantly decreased. Among the 52 patients with reproductive desire, 39 successfully achieved pregnancy within 6 months of starting therapy (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Oral NAC improves endometriosis-related pain and the size of endometriomas. Furthermore, it decreases Ca125 serum levels and may improve fertility in patients with endometriosis
Large-Scale and Online Retailer Assortment: The Case of Plant-Based Beverages as Alternatives to Cow’s Milk
No full textThis research analysed the size and depth of assortment and the marketing strategies of communications around plant-based beverages (PBBs) on the Italian market. Sales of PBBs have increased over the last year due to their use as a substitute for cow’s milk and also thanks to their popularity in online distribution. This study compares the characteristics of the PBB assortment sold across 65 large-scale retail stores and on 74 websites. The comparison was made considering 15 product categories defined by main ingredient, packaging type, specialty, and claims found on labels. An ordered logit regression analysis was performed to understand how key product features positively or negatively influence the selling price. The results showed that online sales focus on describing plant-based beverages with characteristics that are closer to new consumer preferences (with labels such as “free from” products, “naturalness” of the product, and “health” characteristics). In both distribution channels, there were few products with packaging information related to nutritional characteristics, health benefits, and environmental sustainability, in contrast to the needs expressed by baby food purchasers. Additionally, the price analysis showed unexpected results: in fact, some products for which, according to the literature, consumers would be willing to pay a premium price, instead showed a lower retail price than the average price. These results could represent a concrete tool to improve the efficiency of promotional campaigns and communication strategies for baby food, optimising communication according to consumer needs
Metal-Complexes Bearing Releasable CO Differently Modulate Amyloid Aggregation
No full text: Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with an uncontrolled amyloid aggregation. Hence, many studies are oriented to discover new compounds that are able to modulate self-recognition mechanisms of proteins involved in the development of these pathologies. Herein, three metal-complexes able to release carbon monoxide (CORMs) were analyzed for their ability to affect the self-aggregation of the amyloidogenic fragment of nucleophosmin 1, corresponding to the second helix of the three-helix bundle located in the C-terminal domain of the protein, i.e., NPM1264-277, peptide. These complexes were two cymantrenes coordinated to the nucleobase adenine (Cym-Ade) and to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cym-Cipro) and a Re(I)-compound containing 1,10-phenanthroline and 3-CCCH2NHCOCH2CH2-6-bromo-chromone as ligands (Re-Flavo). Thioflavin T (ThT) assay, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) indicated that the three compounds have different effects on the peptide aggregation. Cym-Ade and Cym-Cipro act as aggregating agents. Cym-Ade induces the formation of NPM1264-277 fibers longer and stiffer than that formed by NPM1264-277 alone; irradiation of complexes speeds the formation of fibers that are more flexible and thicker than those found without irradiation. Cym-Cipro induces the formation of longer fibers, although slightly thinner in diameter. Conversely, Re-Flavo acts as an antiaggregating agent. Overall, these results indicate that metal-based CORMs with diverse structural features can have a different effect on the formation of amyloid fibers. A proper choice of ligands attached to metal can allow the development of metal-based drugs with potential application as antiamyloidogenic agents
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