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The development of base metal electrodes that can act as active and stable oxygen generating electrodes in water electrolysis systems, especially at low pH levels, remains a challenge. The use of suspensions as electrolytes for water splitting has until recently been limited to photoelectrocatalytic approaches. A high current density (j=30 mA/cm2) for water electrolysis has been achieved at a very low oxygen evolution reaction (OER) potential (E=1.36 V vs. RHE) using a SnO2/H2SO4 suspension-based electrolyte in combination with a steel anode. More importantly, the high charge-to-oxygen conversion rate (Faraday efficiency of 88% for OER at j=10 mA/cm2 current density). Since cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that oxygen evolution starts at a low, but not exceptionally low, potential, the reason for the low potential in chronoamperometry (CP) tests is an increase in the active electrode area, which has been confirmed by various experiments. For the first time, the addition of a relatively small amount of solids to a clear electrolyte has been shown to significantly reduce the overpotential of the OER in water electrolysis down to the 100 mV region, resulting in a remarkable reduction in anode wear while maintaining a high current density.
Water retention properties of wood fiber based growing media and their impact on irrigation strategy
(2024)
Distribution of water and air in growing media during ebb-and-flow irrigation depends on water storage properties (water retention curve) and water transport properties (hydraulic conductivity) of the materials. Growing media with their high number of coarse pores are known to exhibit strong hysteresis, i.e., differences in the water retention properties during drying and wetting cycles. To account for potential ecological disadvantages of peat, wood fibers are commonly used as substitutes for peat in growing media. However, the wood fibers generally have higher air capacities and hydraulic conductivities and lower water capacities compared to peat which may results in necessary adaptions of the irrigation strategy. Tools to optimize irrigation systems are physically based water transport models, such as HYDRUS-1D, which is commonly used to describe water transport in soils, but not often for growing media. In this study, white peat and pure wood fibers were used to describe differences in their water retention behavior. Water retention curves (drying cycles) and hydraulic conductivities were measured with standard analytical procedures. Hysteresis of the water retention curves was analytically determined based on their capillary rise properties. The results were used with a modified HYDRUS-1D model to test model quality against measured water contents during ebb-and-flow irrigation cycles and to optimize the irrigation strategy for the different materials. The results showed that the model quality was sufficiently good only if the strong hysteresis of the water retention curves was considered during the simulation process. Different strategies were tested to modify ebb-and-flow irrigation (irrigation frequency, irrigation duration and irrigation height) in that way that the water suction in the root zone was similar to that of the peat material. Simulation results showed that significant improvements could only be reached by increasing the flooding depth in ebb-and-flow systems to ensure an optimum water supply of plants in the wood fiber based growing media.
Wood fibers can contribute to replacing peat in growing media and thus help to protect peatlands. As domestic, renewable raw materials, they represent a sustainable option for this purpose. To date, however, wood fibers are usually used as a peat substitute at a maxi-mum of 30% (v/v). A main reason for this limitation is the insufficient microbial stability of wood fibers, which favors nitrogen immobilization and can thus impair nitrogen supply of plants. To address this drawback, in this study wood fibers were subjected to different thermal or thermal-hydrolytic treatments. Seedling tests with napa cabbage were conducted to determine whether treated wood fibers were free of phytotoxic substances. Mixtures with 50% (v/v) wood fiber and white peat each were used. In addition, three wood fiber varieties were evaluated in the cultivation of petunia. Two wood fiber proportions (30 and 60% v/v) and two nitrogen fertilization rates (common and increased supply) were included in each case. In the seedling trial with napa cabbage, no phytotoxic effects were detectable in any of the wood fiber variants investigated. However, when cultivating petunias, both shoot mass growth and number of flowers decreased with increasing wood fiber content. In substrates with a wood fiber content of 60% (v/v), plant development was inhibited so severely that the petunias no longer achieved marketable quality. Increased nitrogen fertilization was able to compensate for this negative effect only in few cases. This suggests that other factors than nitrogen limited plant growth in wood fiber-rich substrates. Among others, physical proper-ties such as the lower water capacity of wood fibers may be a cause. More in-depth investigations are still required in this regard.
Enhancing the nutritional value of pears through agronomic biofortification with iodine (Abstract)
(2024)
Introduction: Patients undergoing revision total hip surgery (RTHS) have a high prevalence of mild and moderate preoperative anemia, associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions (ABT) and postoperative complications in preoperatively mild compared to moderate anemic patients undergoing RTHS who did not receive a diagnostic anemia workup and treatment before surgery. Methods: We included 1,765 patients between 2007 and 2019 at a university hospital. Patients were categorized according to their severity of anemia using the WHO criteria of mild, moderate, and severe anemia in the first Hb level of the case. Patients were grouped as having received no ABT, 1–2 units of ABT, or more than 2 units of ABT. Need for intraoperative ABT was assessed in accordance with institutional standards. Primary endpoint was the compound incidence of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included major/minor complications and length of hospital and ICU stay. Results: Of the 1,765 patients, 31.0% were anemic of any cause before surgery. Transfusion rates were 81% in anemic patients and 41.2% in nonanemic patients. The adjusted risks for compound postoperative complication were significantly higher in patients with moderate anemia (OR 4.88, 95% CI: 1.54–13.15, p = 0.003) but not for patients with mild anemia (OR 1.93, 95% CI: 0.85–3.94, p < 0.090). Perioperative ABT was associated with significantly higher risks for complications in nonanemic patients and showed an increased risk for complications in all anemic patients. In RTHS, perioperative ABT as a treatment for moderate preoperative anemia of any cause was associated with a negative compound effect on postoperative complications, compared to anemia or ABT alone. Discussion: ABT is associated with adverse outcomes of patients with moderate preoperative anemia before RTHS. For this reason, medical treatment of moderate preoperative anemia may be considered.
Background
Beta-blocker (BB) therapy plays a central role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. An increasing number of patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoe noncardiac surgery, where opioids are an integral part of the anesthesiological management. There is evidence to suggest that short-term intravenous BB therapy may influence perioperative opioid requirements due to an assumed cross-talk between G-protein coupled beta-adrenergic and opioid receptors. Whether chronic BB therapy could also have an influence on perioperative opioid requirements is unclear.
Methods
A post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data from a multicenter observational (BioCog) study was performed. Inclusion criteria consisted of elderly patients (≥ 65 years) undergoing elective noncardiac surgery as well as total intravenous general anesthesia without the use of regional anesthesia and duration of anesthesia ≥ 60 min. Two groups were defined: patients with and without BB in their regular preopreative medication. The administered opioids were converted to their respective morphine equivalent doses. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the morphine-index to identify independent predictors.
Results
A total of 747 patients were included in the BioCog study in the study center Berlin. 106 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 37 were on chronic BB. The latter were preoperatively significantly more likely to have arterial hypertension (94.6%), chronic renal failure (27%) and hyperlipoproteinemia (51.4%) compared to patients without BB. Both groups did not differ in terms of cumulative perioperative morphine equivalent dose (230.9 (BB group) vs. 214.8 mg (Non-BB group)). Predictive factors for increased morphine-index were older age, male sex, longer duration of anesthesia and surgery of the trunk. In a model with logarithmised morphine index, only gender (female) and duration of anesthesia remained predictive factors.
Conclusions
Chronic BB therapy was not associated with a reduced perioperative opioid consumption.
The objective of this article is to prepare for the initial certification according to IFS Global Markets Food V3 at the Landshuter Brauhaus AG private brewery at the Ellermühle site, which is expected in August 2025, and to create the basis for a potential follow-up certification according to IFS Food. The IFS Global Markets Food Program V3 is a standardized, voluntary and non-accredited assessment program for food companies, both for retail and manufacturer brand products (IFS 2023, p. 10 f.). It is based on the specifications of the Global Markets Program developed in 2008 (GFSI 2023a; VDOE 2020, p. 620).
The methodology of the target/actual analysis was used to work on the topic in order to be able to carry out a conformity check with regard to the requirements of IFS Global Markets Food V3 (see Appendix 3; IFS 2023). Observations, document analyses and employee surveys were carried out to obtain the most meaningful information possible. These have been recorded and evaluated within the target-performance analysis. A total of 65 deviations (equivalent to 53.7%) were identified at the basic level, and 60 deviations (equivalent to 82.2%) at the intermediate level. These were either processed as directly implemented corrective actions or formulated as recommendations for continuous improvement in the form of an action plan (see Appendix 15). The presentation of the action plan shows the deviations, the resulting measures, the associated responsibilities, the time period with the starting point and end point of the measures, and the current status. In addition a subdivision into "Basic" and "+Intermediate" was made for a better overview in the subsequent processing by the brewery.
A review as well as assessment of relevant requirements with regard to processes and significant violations after completion of the new building and commissioning at the Ellermühle site with regard to correlation with a potential "major" rating is recommended on the part of the operations manager or brewmaster (IFS 2023, p. 30).
The demands placed on companies in terms of up-to-date quality and sustainability management as well as health and safety measures are high and are becoming increasingly complex. Increased legal requirements, additional industry standards and derived customer requirements constantly present companies and value chains with new challenges. The integrated approach to the implementation of these different requirements has already taken place in companies in recent years. However, small businesses still find it difficult to face the complexity of requirements on their own without an accompanying consultation. Qualint is a support tool, which is currently available in the 3rd version. The tool supports companies in setting up and continuously developing their integrated management system with coordinated hybrid service bundles. The focus is on combining the fields of action of quality, environmental and sustainability management as well as occupational safety and health.The article illustrates how quality management can be used as a basis for building up digital and organizational structures in companies and value chains. The focus is on sustainability aspects and ethical requirements that are closely related to people, such as occupational health and safety. Compliance with human rights is required in ISO 26000 and is also part of occupational safety and health. Furthermore, compliance with human rights and corresponding working conditions is also regulated by the new Supply Chain Duty Act (LkSG). It shows how demands on companies have grown and how the consulting tool Qualint has developed accordingly.
The development of non-precious metal-based electrodes that actively and stably support the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis systems remains a challenge, especially at low pH levels. The recently published study has conclusively shown that the addition of haematite to H2 SO4 is a highly effective method of significantly reducing oxygen evolution overpotential and extending anode life. The far superior result is achieved by concentrating oxygen evolution centres on the oxide particles rather than on the electrode. However, unsatisfactory Faradaic efficiencies of the OER and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) parts as well as the required high haematite load impede applicability and upscaling of this process. Here it is shown that the same performance is achieved with three times less metal oxide powder if NiO/H2 SO4 suspensions are used along with stainless steel anodes. The reason for the enormous improvement in OER performance by adding NiO to the electrolyte is the weakening of the intramolecular O─H bond in the water molecules, which is under the direct influence of the nickel oxide suspended in the electrolyte. The manipulation of bonds in water molecules to increase the tendency of the water to split is a ground-breaking development, as shown in this first example.
Response of petunia to wood fibre amended peat substrate under ebb-and-flow irrigation (Abstract)
(2024)
Hyperhydricity (HH) is one of the most important physiological disorders that negatively affects various plant tissue culture techniques. The objective of this study was to characterize optical features to allow an automated detection of HH. For this purpose, HH was induced in two plant species, apple and Arabidopsis thaliana, and the severity was quantified based on visual scoring and determination of apoplastic liquid volume. The comparison between the HH score and the apoplastic liquid volume revealed a significant correlation, but different response dynamics. Corresponding leaf reflectance spectra were collected and different approaches of spectral analyses were evaluated for their ability to identify HH-specific wavelengths. Statistical analysis of raw spectra showed significantly lower reflection of hyperhydric leaves in the VIS, NIR and SWIR region. Application of the continuum removal hull method to raw spectra identified HH-specific absorption features over time and major absorption peaks at 980 nm, 1150 nm, 1400 nm, 1520 nm, 1780 nm and 1930 nm for the various conducted experiments. Machine learning (ML) model spot checking specified the support vector machine to be most suited for classification of hyperhydric explants, with a test accuracy of 85% outperforming traditional classification via vegetation index with 63% test accuracy and the other ML models tested. Investigations on the predictor importance revealed 1950 nm, 1445 nm in SWIR region and 415 nm in the VIS region to be most important for classification. The validity of the developed spectral classifier was tested on an available hyperspectral image acquisition in the SWIR-region.
Dairy farming has been the subject of public debate on animal welfare for a number of years now. Animal welfare discussions on dairy farming often include the demand for more nature connectedness in this area. This study focuses on the divergent perspectives of consumers and scientists on the importance of more nature connectedness for animal welfare strategies in German dairy farming. Within Europe, Germany is the main producer of cow’s milk and an important industry in many rural areas in Germany is dairy farming. The insights presented are based on qualitative interviews with dairy farming and livestock researchers from Germany and Austria. A key finding of this study is that we need to look more closely at the actual content of nature claims in animal welfare debates. The scientists interviewed tend to see idealized conditions in animal welfare discussions with images of nature which in fact seldom lead to improved conditions in dairy farming and, even then, only to a limited extent. The scientists interviewed rate calls for more nature connectedness in dairy farming from the nonagricultural public as anti-modern, complexity-reducing, and normative. Nevertheless, some of the scientists interviewed did have valuable insights into the nonagricultural public’s criticism of dairy farming practices. These scientists argued, however, that animal welfare needs to differentiate between nature connectedness and the innate needs of cattle when it comes to animal welfare strategies. An important conclusion of the study is that more discussion formats are needed to promote the exchange of ideas between different social groups attempting to understand animal welfare in dairy farming.
Background
The current development of sensor technologies towards ever more cost-effective and powerful systems is steadily increasing the application of low-cost sensors in different horticultural sectors. In plant in vitro culture, as a fundamental technique for plant breeding and plant propagation, the majority of evaluation methods to describe the performance of these cultures are based on destructive approaches, limiting data to unique endpoint measurements. Therefore, a non-destructive phenotyping system capable of automated, continuous and objective quantification of in vitro plant traits is desirable.
Results
An automated low-cost multi-sensor system acquiring phenotypic data of plant in vitro cultures was developed and evaluated. Unique hardware and software components were selected to construct a xyz-scanning system with an adequate accuracy for consistent data acquisition. Relevant plant growth predictors, such as projected area of explants and average canopy height were determined employing multi-sensory imaging and various developmental processes could be monitored and documented. The validation of the RGB image segmentation pipeline using a random forest classifier revealed very strong correlation with manual pixel annotation. Depth imaging by a laser distance sensor of plant in vitro cultures enabled the description of the dynamic behavior of the average canopy height, the maximum plant height, but also the culture media height and volume. Projected plant area in depth data by RANSAC (random sample consensus) segmentation approach well matched the projected plant area by RGB image processing pipeline. In addition, a successful proof of concept for in situ spectral fluorescence monitoring was achieved and challenges of thermal imaging were documented. Potential use cases for the digital quantification of key performance parameters in research and commercial application are discussed.
Conclusion
The technical realization of “Phenomenon” allows phenotyping of plant in vitro cultures under highly challenging conditions and enables multi-sensory monitoring through closed vessels, ensuring the aseptic status of the cultures. Automated sensor application in plant tissue culture promises great potential for a non-destructive growth analysis enhancing commercial propagation as well as enabling research with novel digital parameters recorded over time.
Iron deficiency is a global issue and can lead to a variety of clinical pictures. The biofor-tification of vegetables with iron could complement the existing portfolio of iron-rich products, thus improving iron supply in the long term. In order to determine whether the iron-biofortified vegetables could meet this demand and would address appropriate target groups, a quantitative online survey was conducted in Germany. Based on 1000 consumer responses, a cluster analysis was performed. The results showed a four-cluster solution. The first cluster was holistically engaged, the second was fitness-affine but health unconcerned, the third cluster consists frugal eaters with a focus on medical prevention, and the fourth cluster are hedonists. No cluster focused its consumption on iron-enriched products, but instead all developed an individual mix of the three product groups.
The mineralization of soil organic nitrogen (N) and crop residues can significantly contribute to the N supply of vegetable crops. However, short-term mineralization dynamics are difficult to predict. On the other hand, fast-growing crops like spinach are highly sensitive to N shortage. Therefore, in situ soil columns have been tested to estimate the actual N supply via mineralization in field-grown spinach. In ten fertilization trials covered soil columns (20 cm in diameter) were driven into the soil to a depth of 30 cm at the start of the cultivation. Eight columns were repeated in three blocks within a total trial area of 0.10 to 0.25 ha. Net N mineralization was derived by subtracting the soil mineral N concentration (Nmin) in the upper 30 cm before installation from the concentration inside the columns at harvest. For comparison, a balance sheet was calculated for spinach plots receiving no N fertilization (zero plots) as well as fertilized plots and used as a proxy for net N mineralization. In this approach the initial Nmin concentration in the upper 30 cm of the soil, the N supply via irrigation, and fertilization as well as the total aboveground N uptake by spinach and the Nmin residue were considered. By using soil columns, N mineralization was determined with a mean coefficient of variation of 18%. A higher spatial variability of up to 43% was observed when spinach was grown as a second crop. The average net N mineralization rate ranged between 2 kg ha‑1 week‑1 (0-30 cm) in winter-grown spinach and 3-7 kg ha‑1 week‑1 (0-30 cm) in the other seasons. Nitrogen mineralization measured by the soil columns was qualitatively confirmed with the data obtained by the balance sheet. Soil columns enable repeated samplings during the spinach cultivation. In this way, top dressing rates can be adjusted to the actual N supply.
Spinach is a nitrogen (N)-demanding crop characterized by a shallow root architecture. Especially in the first weeks after sowing, significant N uptake is limited to the uppermost few centimetres of the soil. However, base fertilization is usually based on the soil mineral N (Nmin) concentration in the upper 30 cm. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether the soil sample depth for calculating the base N fertilization can be reduced to the 0-15 cm layer. In seven field trials, conducted during spring, summer and autumn seasons, either a low or high base fertilization dose was applied at sowing. Until top dressing, soil samples were frequently taken in the upper 0-15 and 15-30 cm layers to determine the average Nmin concentration in each layer. Top dressing was applied when the first true leaves had unfurled. With this fertilizer application, the total N supply was aligned between both treatments based on the Nmin concentration in the upper 30 cm of the soil. Aboveground fresh and dry masses were determined after reaching a fresh mass yield of 15-20 t ha‑1 and related to the mean Nmin concentration in the first 3 to 4 weeks of cultivation between sowing and top dressing. It was shown that the Nmin concentration in the upper 0-15 cm of the soil highly reflects the base fertilization rate. By contrast, the Nmin concentration in the 15-30 cm layer remained unaffected. However, the Nmin concentration of both top soil layers can affect fresh and dry mass yield at harvest. Therefore, the entire 0-30 cm soil layer should be considered when calculating the base N fertilization rate in field-grown spinach. Measurements revealed that spinach fresh and dry masses were increased until the N availability of between 54 and 59 kg ha‑1 (0-30 cm) was reached at the seedlings stage, respectively.
Primary Liver Cancers : Connecting the Dots of Cellular Studies and Epidemiology with Metabolomics
(2023)
Liver cancers are rising worldwide. Between molecular and epidemiological studies, a research gap has emerged which might be amenable to the technique of metabolomics. This review investigates the current understanding of liver cancer’s trends, etiology and its correlates with existing literature for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatoblastoma (HB). Among additional factors, the literature reports dysfunction in the tricarboxylic acid metabolism, primarily for HB and HCC, and point mutations and signaling for CCA. All cases require further investigation of upstream and downstream events. All liver cancers reported dysfunction in the WNT/β-catenin and P13K/AKT/mTOR pathways as well as changes in FGFR. Metabolites of IHD1, IDH2, miRNA, purine, Q10, lipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, acylcarnitine, 2-HG and propionyl-CoA emerged as crucial and there was an attempt to elucidate the WNT/β-catenin and P13K/AKT/mTOR pathways metabolomically.
Semi-natural grasslands (SNGs) are an essential part of European cultural landscapes. They are an important habitat for many animal and plant species and offer a variety of ecological functions. Diverse plant communities have evolved over time depending on environmental and management factors in grasslands. These different plant communities offer multiple ecosystem services and also have an effect on the forage value of fodder for domestic livestock. However, with increasing intensification in agriculture and the loss of SNGs, the biodiversity of grasslands continues to decline. In this paper, we present a method to spatially classify plant communities in grasslands in order to identify and map plant communities and weed species that occur in a semi-natural meadow. For this, high-resolution multispectral remote sensing data were captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in regular intervals and classified by a convolutional neural network (CNN). As the study area, a heterogeneous semi-natural hay meadow with first- and second-growth vegetation was chosen. Botanical relevés of fixed plots were used as ground truth and independent test data. Accuracies up to 88% on these independent test data were achieved, showing the great potential of the usage of CNNs for plant community mapping in high-resolution UAV data for ecological and agricultural applications.
Advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing have propelled research into the human microbiome and its link to metabolic health. We explore microbiome analysis methods, specifically emphasizing metabolomics, how dietary choices impact the production of microbial metabolites, providing an overview of studies examining the connection between enterotypes and diet, and thus, improvement of personalized dietary recommendations. Acetate, propionate, and butyrate constitute more than 95% of the collective pool of short-chain fatty acids. Conflicting data on acetate’s effects may result from its dynamic signaling, which can vary depending on physiological conditions and metabolic phenotypes. Human studies suggest that propionate has overall anti-obesity effects due to its well-documented chemistry, cellular signaling mechanisms, and various clinical benefits. Butyrate, similar to propionate, has the ability to reduce obesity by stimulating the release of appetite-suppressing hormones and promoting the synthesis of leptin. Tryptophan affects systemic hormone secretion, with indole stimulating the release of GLP-1, which impacts insulin secretion, appetite suppression, and gastric emptying. Bile acids, synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and subsequently modified by gut bacteria, play an essential role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins, but they also interact directly with intestinal microbiota and their metabolites. One study using statistical methods identified primarily two groupings of enterotypes Bacteroides and Ruminococcus. The Prevotella-dominated enterotype, P-type, in humans correlates with vegetarians, high-fiber and carbohydrate-rich diets, and traditional diets. Conversely, individuals who consume diets rich in animal fats and proteins, typical in Western-style diets, often exhibit the Bacteroides-dominated, B-type, enterotype. The P-type showcases efficient hydrolytic enzymes for plant fiber degradation but has limited lipid and protein fermentation capacity. Conversely, the B-type features specialized enzymes tailored for the degradation of animal-derived carbohydrates and proteins, showcasing an enhanced saccharolytic and proteolytic potential. Generally, models excel at predictions but often struggle to fully elucidate why certain substances yield varied responses. These studies provide valuable insights into the potential for personalized dietary recommendations based on enterotypes
SimBO is a flexible framework for optimizing discrete event-driven simulations (DES) using sequential optimization algorithms. While specifically designed for Bayesian Optimization (BO) in the context of DES, SimBO can be applied to any black-box problem with other optimization algorithms. The framework consists of four encapsulated components - the black-box problem, the sequential optimization algorithm, a database for experiment configuration and results, and a web-based graphical user interface - that communicate via well-defined interfaces. Each component can be run in different environments, allowing for cooperation between different hardware- and software configurations. In our research context, SimBO’s architecture enabled BO algorithms to be run on a high-performance cluster with GPU support, while the simulation is executed on a local Windows machine using the Simio simulation software. The framework’s flexibility also makes it suitable for evolving from a research-focused tool to a production-ready, cloud-based optimization tool for modern algorithms.
Iron deficiency is still widespread as a major health problem even in countries with adequate food supply. It mainly affects women but also vegans, vegetarians, and athletes and can lead to various clinical pictures. Biofortification of vitamin C-rich vegetables with iron may be one new approach to face this nutritional challenge. However, so far, little is known about the consumer acceptance of iron-biofortified vegetables, particularly in developed countries. To address this issue, a quantitative survey of 1000 consumers in Germany was conducted. The results showed that depending on the type of vegetable, between 54% and 79% of the respondents were interested in iron-biofortified vegetables. Regression analysis showed a relationship between product acceptance, gender, and area of residence. In addition, relationships were found between consumer preferences for enjoyment, sustainability, and naturalness. Compared to functional food and dietary supplements, 77% of respondents would prefer fresh iron-rich vegetables to improve their iron intake. For a market launch, those iron-rich vegetables appear especially promising, which can additionally be advertised with claims for being rich in vitamin C and cultivated in an environmentally friendly way. Consumers were willing to pay EUR 0.10 to EUR 0.20 more for the iron-biofortified vegetables.
Within the consortium “Experimentation Field Agro-Nordwest”, a practical concept for knowledge and technology transfer of digital competence in agriculture was created. For this purpose, the web-based e-learning system “SensX” was set up, consisting of videos, presentations and instructions. In addition, the classical e-learning concept was extended by data sets, student experiments and sensor data of plants acquired by a remote phenotyping robot. This resulted in a massive open online course (MOOC), which was tested with agricultural and biotechnology students in higher education at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück over two years. The evaluation process of “SensX” included an empirical survey, qualitative interviews of the participating students by an external institution and an evaluation of the concept by the lecturers.
Computer-image processing becomes more and more important in the analysis of data in biological and agricultural research and practice. However, robust image processing is highly de pendent on the histogram analysis algorithms used and the quality of the data being processed. The algorithm presented here aims to improve the accuracy of the classification of image data generated under complex boundary situations and inconsistent lighting conditions. Using the example of the determination of nitrogen content of tomato leaves and the qualitative determination of starch con tent of apples on the basis of color image processing, we showed that the developed algorithm is able to perform a robust classification and represents an improvement to simple histogram analysis.
This textbook provides a comprehensive foundation of food physics by addressing the physical properties of food, food ingredients, and their measurements. Physical properties of food play a key role in all fields where modern technological processes are applied for the generation of food raw materials and the production of food. The determination of the physical properties of food and related products is a pre-requisite for product and process development, production engineering and automation in today’s food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, as well as related quality control activities.
Following the success of its first edition published in 2007, the book has been updated to reflect recent industrial applications of novel physical food processing technologies. Each chapter begins with basic principles and progresses to a comprehensive coverage of the topic. The authors enriched this second edition with several didactic elements, including definition boxes, examples, and chapter-end summaries.
This textbook helps readers to build up their knowledge of the important aspects surrounding the physical properties of foods and food ingredients. It is also an essential resource for students of food science and technology to complement textbooks in food chemistry and food microbiology, as well as for food and chemical engineers, technologists, and technicians in the food industry.
Diet can influence healthy aging through anti- or proinflammatory effects, partly by modulating the gut microbiome composition. This study investigated the relationships between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), the gut microbiome, and nutritional status in elderly individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 114 home-dwelling individuals aged over 70 years. The Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) was calculated from 3-day food diaries, and blood samples were taken to measure micronutrient status, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance, and fecal gut microbiome composition was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The participants were categorized into maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet (AD) and a pro-inflammatory diet (PD) based on the median E-DII score. The associations of E-DII groups with blood markers and microbial diversity and composition were examined using the analysis of covariance, permutational analysis of variance, and multivariate linear models. Results: The AD (n = 57, 76 ± 3.83 years) and PD (n = 57, 75 ± 5.21 years) groups were similar in age but differed in sex distribution, with a higher proportion of females in the AD group (p = 0.02). When compared to the PD group and adjusted for sex, the AD group had a lower body mass index, fat mass, fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance), fasting triglycerides, and serum uric acid concentration (all p < 0.05), with higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein, red-blood-cell folate (RBC), and Omega-3 index (all p < 0.05). While the microbial diversity and composition did not differ between the DII groups, folate concentrations were negatively associated with Agathobacter and positively associated with Bacteroides abundance (both q = 0.23). Lower uric acid concentrations were associated with a higher abundance of Bifidobacterium (q = 0.09) and lower abundance of Phocaeicola (q = 0.11). Discussion: The study suggests that following an anti-inflammatory diet is associated with improved nutritional status in the elderly. Dietary blood markers, rather than E-DII, were found to be associated with the gut microbiome, suggesting a potential link between the microbiome and changes in nutritional markers independent of diet. Further studies are needed to explore the causal relationship between dietary inflammatory potential, gut microbiome, and healthy aging.
Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades (Dr. rer. nat.)
Universität Osnabrück
Fachbereich Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaften
Institut für Geographie
in Kooperation mit der Hochschule Osnabrück
Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften und Landschaftsarchitektur
In a protein reduction feeding trial (Study 1) on a commercial broiler farm in northern Germany, it was attempted to be shown that research results from station tests on protein reduction can be transferred to agricultural practice. In a second study, the limits of the N reduction were tested in a research facility. In Study 1, commercial standard feeds were fed to the control group (variant 1:210,000 animals; n = 5 barns). In the test group (variant 2:210,000 animals; n = 5 barns), the weighted mean crude protein (CP) content was moderately reduced by 0.3%. The nitrogen reduction in the feed did not affect performance (feed intake (FA), daily gain (DG), feed conversion (FCR)), but nitrogen conversion rate increased from approx. 61% to approx. 63%. The solid litter weight was reduced by 12% and nitrogen excretion by 9% (p < 0.05). Significantly healthier footpads were due to lower water intake (−4%; p < 0.05) and a numerically drier bedding. In Study 2, responses of treatments (1250 broiler per variant; n = 5) showed that sharper N-lowering (−1.5% CP; weighted average) did not impair performance either, but N-conversion improved and N-excretions decreased significantly. Converted to a protein reduction of one percentage point, the N excretions were able to be reduced by 22% in Study 1 and 18% in Study 2. Feeding trials in the commercial sector, such as the present Study 1, should convince feed mills and farmers to allow the latest scientific results to be used directly and comprehensively in commercial ration design.
Duckweed is gaining attention in animal nutrition and is considered as a potential alternative protein source for broiler chickens. In order to evaluate the nutritional value of duckweed, three individual batches were investigated. They consisted of a mixture of Lemna minuta and Lemna minor (A, 17.5% crude protein), Spirodela polyrhiza (B, 24.6% crude protein) and Lemna obscura (C, 37.0% crude protein). Treatment diets contained 50% batch A, 50% batch B, and 25, 50 and 75% of batch C. All diets were fed to broiler chickens (Ross 308) from an age of 21 to 27 days. Diets with a share of 50 and 75% of batch C led to decreased feed intake (109.3 and 74.9 g/day, respectively) compared to the control. Standardized ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids differed significantly between duckweed batches, at values for methionine between 49.9 and 90.4%. For all amino acids, batch A consistently had the lowest and batch C the highest digestibility. Batches had different tannin contents of 2943, 2890 and 303 mg/kg for batches A, B and C, respectively. The apparent ileal digestibility of phosphorus differed significantly between all batches (50.8–78.9%). Duckweed can be used as a protein feed for broiler chickens. However, a defined and stable biomass composition optimized for the requirements of broiler chickens is needed.
Easy and inexpensive methods for measuring ammonia emissions in multi-plot field trials allow the comparison of several treatments with liquid manure application. One approach that might be suitable under these conditions is the dynamic tube method (DTM). Applying the DTM, a mobile chamber system is placed on the soil surface, and the air volume within is exchanged at a constant rate for approx. 90 s. with an automated pump. This procedure is assumed to achieve an equilibrium ammonia concentration within the system. Subsequently, a measurement is performed using an ammonia-sensitive detector tube. Ammonia fluxes are calculated based on an empirical model that also takes into account the background ammonia concentration measured on unfertilized control plots. Between measurements on different plots, the chamber system is flushed with ambient air and cleaned with paper towels to minimize contamination with ammonia. The aim of this study was to determine important prerequisites and boundary conditions for the application of the DTM.
We conducted a laboratory experiment to test if the ammonia concentration remains stable while performing a measurement. Furthermore, we investigated the cleaning procedure and the effect of potential ammonia carryover on cumulated emissions under field conditions following liquid manure application. The laboratory experiment indicated that the premeasurement phase to ensure a constant ammonia concentration is not sufficient. The concentration only stabilized after performing more than 100 pump strokes, with 20 pump strokes (lasting approximately 90 s) being the recommendation.
However, the duration of performing a measurement can vary substantially, and linear conversion accounts for those differences, so a stable concentration is mandatory. Further experiments showed that the cleaning procedure is not sufficient under field conditions. Thirty minutes after performing measurements on high emitting plots, which resulted in an ammonia concentration of approx.
10 ppm in the chamber, we detected a residual concentration of 2 ppm. This contamination may affect measurements on plots with liquid manure application as well as on untreated control plots. In a field experiment with trailing hose application of liquid manure, we subsequently demonstrated that the calculation of cumulative ammonia emissions can vary by a factor of three, depending on the degree of chamber system contamination when measuring control plots. When the ammoni background values were determined by an uncontaminated chamber system that was used to measure only control plots, cumulative ammonia emissions were approximately 9 kg NH3-N ha1.
However, when ammonia background values were determined using the contaminated chamber system that was also used to measure on plots with liquid manure application, the calculation of cumulative ammonia losses indicated approximately 3 kg NH3-N ha1. Based on these results, it can be concluded that a new empirical DTM calibration is needed for multi-plot field experiments with high-emitting treatments.
The BBI is a first step toward putting biodiversity conservation into practice in the OHC context. The results are consistent with studies related to nutrition However, the results also show that there is room for improvement and that there are further areas to be addressed. It is also clear that commercial kitchens currently have only limited room for maneuver. If OHC is to become more biodiversity-friendly, greater transparency is needed in terms of origin labels and species/variety identifiers, and a wide range of options will also be required in terms of procurement. That being the case, it is essential to focus on the entire value chain. Furthermore, in addition to the initial recommendations, much more knowledge is required about the impacts of farming methods and heritage varieties and species, as well as about the use of fish, other marine animals and game meat. In principle, however, the BBI can already be implemented in commercial kitchens by identifying recipe optimizations that kitchens can feasibly implement, that align with their budgets, and that maintain acceptance among patrons. In addition, this approach has the potential to be integrated into the assessment framework of the NAHGAST calculator, making it readily accessible and free for OHC facilities to use. In the OHC context in particular, this could be leveraged to drive sustainable change in the food system.
The influence of moderate electric fields (MEF) on thermally induced gelation and network structures of patatin enriched potato protein (PPI) was investigated. PPI solutions with 9 wt% protein (pH 7) and 25 mM NaCl were heated from 25 to 65 °C via OH (3–24 V/cm) or conventional heating (COV) at various come-up (240 s and 1200 s) and holding times (30 s and 600 s). Self-standing gels were produced but less proteins denatured when heated via OH. Further, SDS-PAGE and GPC measurements revealed more native patatin remaining after OH treatment. Scanning electron microscopy showed OH gels to have more gap-like structures and frayed areas than COV treated gels which resulted in lower water holding capacity. On molecular scale, less hydrophobic interactions were measured within the protein network and FTIR trials showed the MEF to affect beta-sheet structures. OH gels further showed lower rigidity and higher flexibility, thus, gelling functionality was affected via OH.
Plant-based proteins are rapidly emerging, while novel technologies are explored to offer more efficient extraction processes. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) and temperature on the extraction of soluble proteins from nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L.) and identify an optimal operational range for the highest yield of soluble proteins. Extractions and kinetic modeling were conducted with whole and ground dried leaves at different temperatures (30–70 °C) and specific energy of PEF (0–30 kJ kg−1) with extraction times of up to 60 min. The influence of temperature and specific energy on the soluble protein extraction yields was investigated and modeled using composite central design and response surface methodology. The experimental results were fitted to Peleg's kinetic model, which satisfactorily described the extraction process (R2 > 0.902), and PEF treated samples resulted in a higher soluble protein yield and shortened processing time. Response surface methodology showed that the linear effect of temperature and quadratic effect of PEF (p < 0.01) were highly significant for protein yield. In the optimized PEF-extraction region (specific energy between 10 and 24 kJ kg−1, and 70–78 °C), soluble protein yield was higher than 60% after 5 minutes of extraction. The achieved results are relevant for developing processes for PEF assisted extraction of soluble proteins from leaves. Understanding the effects of PEFs and process parameters is crucial to obtain high protein yields, while requiring low energy and short processing time.
The kiwifruit processing industry is focused on product yield maximization and keeping energy costs and waste effluents to a minimum while maintaining high product quality. In our study, pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment enhanced kiwifruit processing to facilitate peelability and specific peeling process and enhanced valorization of kiwifruit waste. PEF optimization was applied to obtain the best treatment parameters. A 32 factorial design of response surface methodology was applied to find the effect of time elapsed after PEF treatment and the PEF-specific energy input on specific peeling force and kiwifruit firmness as response criteria. Under the optimized condition, the specific peeling force decreased by 100, and peelability increased by 2 times. The phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of PEF-treated kiwifruit bagasse were 5.1% and 260% richer than the control sample. Overall, the optimized PEF pretreatments incorporated into kiwifruit processing led to decreased energy demand and increased productivity.
Ohmic heating (OH) is an alternative sustainable heating technology that has demonstrated its potential to modify protein structures and aggregates. Furthermore, certain protein aggregates, namely amyloid fibrils (AF), are associated with an enhanced protein functionality, such as gelation. This study evaluates how Ohmic heating (OH) influences the formation of AF structures from ovalbumin source under two electric field strength levels, 8.5 to 10.5 and 24.0–31.0 V/cm, respectively. Hence, AF aggregate formation was assessed over holding times ranging from 30 to 1200 sunder various environmental conditions (3.45 and 67.95 mM NaCl, 80, 85 and 90 °C, pH = 7). AF were formed under all conditions. SDS-PAGE revealed that OH had a higher tendency to preserve native ovalbumin molecules. Furthermore, Congo Red and Thioflavin T stainings indicated that OH reduces the amount of AF structures. This finding was supported by FTIR measurements, which showed OH samples to contain lower amounts of beta-sheets. Field flow fractioning revealed smaller-sized aggregates or aggregate clusters occurred after OH treatment. In contrast, prolonged holding time or higher treatment temperatures increased ThT fluorescence, beta-sheet structures and aggregate as well as cluster sizes. Ionic strength was found to dominate the effects of electric field strength under different environmental conditions.
Olive oil holds significant importance in the European diet and is renowned globally for its sensory attributes and health benefits. The effectiveness of producing olive oil is greatly influenced by factors like the maturity and type of olives used, as well as the milling techniques employed. Generally, mechanical methods can extract approximately 80% of the oil contained in the olives. The rest 20% of the oil remains in the olive waste generated at the end of the process. Additionally, significant amounts of bioactive compounds like polyphenols are also lost in the olive pomace. Traditionally, heat treatment, enzymes, and other chemicals are used for the enhancement of oil extraction; however, this approach may impact the quality of olive oil. Therefore, new technology, such as pulsed electric field (PEF), is of great benefit for nonthermal yield and quality improvements.
Die Autoren präsentieren einen innovativen Ansatz für Circular Economy (CE)-Strategien mit hohem Umweltpotenzial. Dieser Ansatz betont Verweigerung, Umdenken und Reduzieren, indem die Perspektive vom Verbraucher auf soziale Praktiken verschoben wird. Dabei wird Suffizienz als Schlüsselkonzept eingeführt, das entscheidend ist, um Umweltbelastungen durch CE zu reduzieren und die Transformation des Produktions- und Konsumsystems zu fördern. Die Autoren betonen, dass nachhaltige Kreislaufwirtschaft ohne Suffizienz nicht möglich ist.
Die Studie berichtet über einen Fall, in dem die Über-Verfügbarkeit durch das Konzept der Genügsamkeit ersetzt wurde. Die Autoren beobachten, wie Suffizienz in die Lebensstile der Teilnehmer integriert wird, insbesondere durch einen Farmboxing-Ansatz. Obwohl die Verallgemeinerung des Falls begrenzt ist, zeigt die Studie das Potenzial niedrigschwelliger Einführungen von Suffizienz, wie beispielsweise öffentlicher Raum für gärtnerische Aktivitäten.
Die Autoren betonen jedoch die Notwendigkeit weiterer empirischer Arbeit, um die Bedeutung von Suffizienz in verschiedenen sozialen Praktiken zu verstehen. Sie schlagen vor, dass der Zeitpunkt für solche Forschungen günstig ist, angesichts aktueller globaler Entwicklungen und der steigenden Nachfrage nach Strategien zur Ressourcenverringerung.
Die Studie identifiziert Herausforderungen, darunter unklare Faktoren, die nicht berücksichtigt wurden, wie die Rolle des sozialen Umfelds und die Übertragbarkeit der Ergebnisse auf andere Lebensbereiche. Die Autoren planen bereits eine Folgestudie mit quantitativen und qualitativen Analysen sowie Lebenszyklusanalysen.
Abschließend schlagen die Autoren vor, klare Definitionen für Wiederverwendung, Umdenken und Reduzierung zu entwickeln, basierend auf empirischen Daten und Beispielen sozialer Praktiken. Sie fordern auch dazu auf, Theorien sozialer Praktiken auf andere CE-Strategien anzuwenden, da soziale Praktiken nicht auf privaten Konsum beschränkt sind.
The present study aims to compare the effects of maternal and offspring treatment with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) and vitamin D3 on vitamin D status, mineral homoeostasis, bone metabolism and locomotion in the offspring. Either vitamin D3 (50 μg/kg diet) or 25-OHD3 (50 μg/kg diet) was supplemented to the gestation and lactation diets of 49 multiparous sows and/or to the diets of their growing offspring. Treatment of the sows did not affect plasma concentrations of 25-OHD3 of the offspring. Pigs fed 25-OHD3 had higher plasma concentrations of 25-OHD3 than pigs that received vitamin D3 during rearing and fattening. However, neither plasma concentrations of calcium, phosphate and bone markers during the observation period nor bone ash and bone mineral density at slaughter were clearly affected by the treatment. Maternal and offspring treatment with 25-OHD3 instead of vitamin D3 resulted in a slight reduction in the prevalence of leg swelling. In addition, more pigs walked with even steps and normal stride length. Further studies are needed to test whether the slight effects observed in the present experiment are reproducible and of relevance for animal health and welfare. In that case, the underlying mechanisms should be revealed in order to take advantage of potentially beneficial influences especially under certain feeding regimes.
Novel foods by process are a special case in the catalogue of the ten novel food categories according to Article 3 (2) point (a) of the Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, since the other nine categories derive their assessment as possible novel foods from their purely substantial properties. In the case of novel foods by process, the problem of dealing with the reference date of 15 May 1997, which is in the end a random reference date, is particularly significant. It would make more sense to have a dynamic reference date that ‘moves along the timeline’ or at least is reset from time to time and is more up-to-date. The characteristic that a process causes ‘significant changes in the composition or structure of the food, affecting its nutritional value, metabolism or level of undesirable substances’ must be understood in such a way that it is only a question of the generation of undesirable substances through the application of the process, but not their reduction, e.g. the reduction of undesirable microorganisms. Finally, the question also arises as to how the assessment of the process technology relates to the assessment of a food in the context of a novel food by composition category. This concerns the exemption for foods that have a history of use as safe foods, which, according to the view taken here, must also be interpreted into the category of novel foods by process.
Leftovers lovers vs. haters: A latent class analysis on dinner leftover management behaviours
(2023)
Die Studie untersucht die Heterogenität im Umgang mit Speiseresten in Haushalten, insbesondere unter Verwendung von Mahlzeitensets mit angepassten Portions- und Zutatengrößen. Durch eine latenten Klassenanalyse werden Verbrauchersegmente identifiziert, wobei die positive Einstellung zu Essensresten und bewusster Umgang damit untersucht werden. Die Studie analysiert auch die Auswirkungen von Emotionen, persönlichen Normen, Intentionen und Essensbeschaffungsroutinen auf die Zugehörigkeit zu einem Resteverwertungssegment. Daten von 868 Haushalten aus sechs Ländern zeigen fünf Verbrauchersegmente mit Unterschieden in der Menge der Essensreste. Mahlzeitensets haben heterogene Auswirkungen, indem sie in einigen Segmenten die Menge der Essensreste verringern, in anderen jedoch nicht. Die Ergebnisse bieten neue Erkenntnisse über die Vielfalt im Umgang mit Speiseresten und liefern Implikationen für Theorie und Politik zur Reduzierung von Lebensmittelverschwendung im Haushalt.
BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) is an acute and common complication after surgery that can increase morbidity and mortality. Few previous studies with inconsistent findings have examined the association of preoperative pain and POD. Our purpose is to investigate the association of preoperative chronic pain and POD.
METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 200 patients ≥ 18 years scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia in a tertiary care hospital. POD was defined as meeting diagnostic criteria during the study visits (according to delirium screening tests and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), or by diagnosis of the responsible physicians. Chronic pain was defined as pain lasting six months or longer. Features of chronic pain were assessed with the German Pain Questionnaire, including the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Associations with POD were assessed using logistic regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors.
RESULTS: Thirty-nine (22%) out of 176 patients developed POD. Chronic pain was not associated with POD after adjustment for ASA physical status, duration of anesthesia and DASS-21 Anxiety score (Odds ratio [OR], 95%-Confidence Interval [CI], 2.216 [0.968;5.070], P=0.060). A subgroup analysis of chronic pain patients revealed that current pain intensity was higher in patients with POD.
CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chronic pain was no independent predictor for POD. Current pain intensity was higher in chronic pain patients with POD. This indicates that certain features of pain might be influential. Further research is needed to examine different forms of preoperative pain and their possible influence on POD.
Introduction Postoperative delirium (POD) is seen in approximately 15% of elderly patients and is related to poorer outcomes. In 2017, the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss) introduced a ‘quality contract’ (QC) as a new instrument to improve healthcare in Germany. One of the four areas for improvement of in-patient care is the ‘Prevention of POD in the care of elderly patients’ (QC-POD), as a means to reduce the risk of developing POD and its complications.
The Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in Health Care identified gaps in the in-patient care of elderly patients related to the prevention, screening and treatment of POD, as required by consensus-based and evidence-based delirium guidelines. This paper introduces the QC-POD protocol, which aims to implement these guidelines into the clinical routine. There is an urgent need for well-structured, standardised and interdisciplinary pathways that enable the reliable screening and treatment of POD. Along with effective preventive measures, these concepts have a considerable potential to improve the care of elderly patients.
Methods and analysis The QC-POD study is a non-randomised, pre–post, monocentric, prospective trial with an interventional concept following a baseline control period. The QC-POD trial was initiated on 1 April 2020 between Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German health insurance company BARMER and will end on 30 June 2023. Inclusion criteria: patients 70 years of age or older that are scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring anaesthesia and insurance with the QC partner (BARMER). Exclusion criteria included patients with a language barrier, moribund patients and those unwilling or unable to provide informed consent. The QC-POD protocol provides perioperative intervention at least two times per day, with delirium screening and non-pharmacological preventive measures.
Ethics and dissemination This protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (EA1/054/20). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at national and international conferences.
In recent years, ISO, IFS, BRC and FSSC 22000 standards in the areas of quality, environment and occupational health and safety have been increas-ingly implemented in companies in various industries. The main focus of these developed standards are the processes. But the past shows that the factor human is another very important factor, which should be much more in the middle in organization. The new developed guideline has the human factor in the foreground. In particular, the attitude and awareness of occupational safe-ty and health protection in the behaviour of employees at all levels of the or-ganisation are at the centre of consideration.
Inspired by this approach, a group of experts from the fields of quality scienc-es, standardisation and certification as well as consulting for system-relevant companies in the agricultural and food industry came together to form a committee during the Corona crisis in spring 2020. The common goal is to develop a new standard. The first step is to establish criteria for a guideline.
and establish an evaluation system for several pillars of a House of Total Safety Culture (HSC) tailored to the entire value chains of the agri-food sec-tor. In addition, the essential building blocks of the guideline must be defined. The attitude of managers and employees, their behaviour and their compe-tence form the roof of the standard. The integrated management system with a continuous improvement process forms the foundation of the House of To-tal Safety Culture across the company in value chains. Qualification and communication are the main pillars and thus further elements of the HSC. Particular attention is paid to the fields of action of occupational safety and health protection, food safety, animal and environmental protection as well as sustainability and digitisation. They form the four inner pillars of the House of Total Safety Culture. The design of the respective certification levels is con-sidered as a “construction phase”. As part of the standardisation process, the coordination of the respective requirements for safety culture has not yet been completed. This article first provides an overview of the state of knowledge in relation to the established standards and norms of the agri-food industry with special consideration of the Safety Culture Ladder model. The procedure for developing and establishing the new guideline is then ex-plained. For this purpose, the composition of the expert forum is presented before the concrete steps to establish the guideline are presented. The model of the House of Total Culture is presented below. Building on this, the proce-dure for assessing the degree of maturity and possible concepts of continuing training are explained before the conclusion of this article.
A brief questionnaire for measuring alarm fatigue in nurses and physicians in intensive care units
(2023)
When exposed to hundreds of medical device alarms per day, intensive care unit (ICU) staff can develop “alarm fatigue” (i.e., desensitisation to alarms). However, no standardised way of quantifying alarm fatigue exists. We aimed to develop a brief questionnaire for measuring alarm fatigue in nurses and physicians. After developing a list of initial items based on a literature review, we conducted 15 cognitive interviews with the target group (13 nurses and two physicians) to ensure that the items are face valid and comprehensible. We then asked 32 experts on alarm fatigue to judge whether the items are suited for measuring alarm fatigue. The resulting 27 items were sent to nurses and physicians from 15 ICUs of a large German hospital. We used exploratory factor analysis to further reduce the number of items and to identify scales. A total of 585 submissions from 707 participants could be analysed (of which 14% were physicians and 64% were nurses). The simple structure of a two-factor model was achieved within three rounds. The final questionnaire (called Charité Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire; CAFQa) consists of nine items along two scales (i.e., the “alarm stress scale” and the “alarm coping scale”). The CAFQa is a brief questionnaire that allows clinical alarm researchers to quantify the alarm fatigue of nurses and physicians. It should not take more than five minutes to administer.
Recording of Low-Oxygen Stress Response Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence Kinetics in Apple Fruit
(2023)
Long-term storage of apples (Malus x domestica, Borkh.) is increasingly taking place under Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA). The oxygen level is lowered to ≤ 1 kPa O2 and the apples are stored just above the Lower Oxygen Limit (LOL). Low oxygen stress during controlled atmosphere storage can lead to fermentation in apples if oxygen levels are too low. Chlorophyll fluorescence can be used to detect low-oxygen stress at an early stage during storage. The currently available non-imaging fluorescence systems often use the minimal fluorescence (Fo) parameter. In contrast, the use of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics is insufficiently described. Therefore, this study aimed to gain more knowledge about the response of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics to low oxygen stress in apples using a fluorescence imaging system. The results show that the kinetic fluorescence curves differ under aerobic and fermentation conditions. The fermentative conditions initiated a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon application of the saturation pulses during exposure to actinic light. This result was made at 18 °C and 2 °C ambient temperatures. Interestingly, the kinetic curve changed at 2 °C before fermentation products accumulated in the apples. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) decreased under fermentation conditions in the dark phase after relaxation. Upon entering the dark relaxation phase after Kautsky induction, ɸPSII began to increase. Under atmospheric oxygen conditions, ɸPSII reached values of 0.81 to 0.76, while under fermentation, ɸPSII values ranged from 0.57 to 0.44.
Background
The aim of this qualitative study was to identify a practice level model that could explain a sustained change in nutritional behavior.
Methods
The study used three data inputs from four interviewees, one merged input from a married couple, as narrative interviews. The interviews were analyzed using grounded theory.
Results
Coexistence of a certain suffering and a triggering episode lead to the decision to change nutritional life-style by all interviewed. Maintenance of the self-determined newly learned nutritional behavior was supported by subject-related intrinsic motivation, the ability to reflect, and a low expectation of success from the behavioral change. Environment-related factors were identified as support from life-partner and peers. Subjects reported that the sustained nutritional behavior change impacted their holistic health through subject-perceived improved life quality, increase in the number of social contacts, and a change in personal attitudes and perception. The analysis remains limited, and at best hypothesis generating, in that only three data inputs from four interviewees were used.
Conclusion
In this hypothesis-generating narrative interview study of four study subjects, volition, personal decision making, and long-term motivation (though not external determination) seemed to sustain a change in newly learned nutritional behavior.
Farmland bird populations are in a deep crisis across Europe. Agri-environment schemes (AES) were implemented by the European Union to stop and reverse the general decline of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. In Germany, flower strips are one of the most common AES. Establishing high-quality perennial wildflower strips (WFS) with species-rich native forb mixtures from regional seed propagation is a recent approach, for which the effectiveness for birds has not yet been sufficiently studied. We surveyed breeding birds and vegetation on 40 arable fields with WFS (20 with single and 20 with aggregated WFS) and 20 arable fields lacking WFS as controls across Saxony-Anhalt (Germany). Additionally, vegetation composition, WFS quantity and landscape structure (e.g. distance to nearest woody element) were considered in our analyses. All WFS were established with species-rich native seed mixtures (30 forbs) in agricultural practice as AES. Arable fields with WFS had a higher species richness and territory density of birds than controls, confirming the effectiveness of this AES. A forb-rich vegetation was the main driver promoting birds. Flower strip quantity at the landscape level had positive effects only on bird densities, but also single WFS achieved benefits. A short distance from WFS to woody elements increased total bird species richness. However, the density of farmland birds, which are target species of these AES, were negatively affected by the proximity and proportion of woody elements in the vicinity. The effect of the proportion of non-intensively used open habitats and overall habitat richness was unexpectedly low in the otherwise intensively farmed landscape. Species-rich perennial WFS significantly promoted breeding birds. Successful establishment of WFS, resulting in high-quality habitats, a high flower strip quantity as well as implementation in open landscapes were shown to maximise the effectiveness for restoring declining and AES target farmland birds.
Adventitious root (AR) formation is the basis of vegetative propagation in rose, be it via stem cuttings or via stenting. During this process, wounding plays a pivotal role since cell reprogramming takes place at the tissue adjacent to the wound. We investigated the effects of wounding on AR formation on leafy single-node stem cuttings of the rose rootstock R. canina ‘Pfänder’ (codes R02-3 and R02-6) and the cut rose cultivar Rosa ‘Tan09283’ (Registration name ‘Beluga’). Laser wounding treatments were based on the assisted removal of tissue layers located in the bark. The positioning of wounding was studied based on two marking directions: along the cutting base (strip pattern) and around the cutting base (ring pattern). Additionally, the effects of external supply of indole-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg L-1) on rootingwere analyzed. Results showedthat inorder toremovespecific tissue layers, the calculation of the laser energy density (J cm-2) in terms of cutting diameter was necessary. Interestingly, the application of energy densities from 2.5 J cm-2 up to approximately 8.5 J cm-2 were sufficient to expose the tissue layers of epidermis up to regions of phloem. Regarding AR formation for R. canina ‘Pfänder’, characterized by a low rooting response, an increase in the rooting percentage was registered when the laser treatment eliminated the tissue up to phloem proximities. Analysis of the nodal position showed that bud location was a preferential place for AR formation independently of wounding treatment. In case of Rosa ‘Tan09283’, laser treatments did not reduce its high rooting capacity, but an apparent reduction in rooting quality due to an investment in tissue healing was observed when wounding reached deeper layers such as parenchyma and sclerenchyma. Results also showeda strongARformation directly fromwounded regions in case of Rosa ‘Tan09283’ specifically when the woundwas located below the axillary bud. In conclusion, wounding by assisted-elimination of layers by laser can induce positive effects on AR formation of single-node stemcuttings of the rose if energy applied is able to expose phloemproximities,a longitudinalorientation, and relative position to the axillary bud are considered.
In open-field vegetable production, high quantities of soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) and N-rich crop residues often remain in the field at harvest. After the harvest of crops in autumn, this N can lead to considerable nitrate (NO3−) losses during the subsequent winter leaching period. In four field trials, different tillage depths (3–4, 10, 30 cm) and dates (early autumn, late autumn, early spring) were investigated to reduce N losses after growing spinach in the autumn. In a further treatment, the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) was directly applied to the crop residues. Potential N losses were calculated by a balance sheet approach based on Nmin concentration (0–90 cm), measured N mineralization and N uptake by catch crops. By postponing the tillage date from early to late autumn or spring, resprouting spinach stubbles acted as a catch crop, reducing N losses by up to 61 kg ha−1. However, if the spinach biomass collapsed, the N losses increased by up to 33 kg ha−1 even without tillage. The application of DMPP as well as the tillage depth were less effective. Overall, postponing tillage to spring seems to be the most promising approach for reducing N losses during the off-season.
The production of food-grade substances and complex biocatalysts used as additives or active ingredients – mainly for food applications – can be achieved in the eukaryotic expression system of Aspergillus niger. Food proteins or food enzymes e.g., casein, ovalbumin, phytase or glucoamylase are highly complex polymers. Most of them could be used as nitrogen or energy source for animals and humans, while others are industrial relevant biomass-degrading enzymes used for biological waste processing and food production.
However, the successful production of novel recombinant proteins can be challenging, resource- and time consuming. Therefore, A. niger mutant libraries are needed to understand the “adjusting screws” to produce high yields of recombinant proteins, preferably even in a kind of generic, transferable system. In order to establish a universal and multipurpose expression platform, there is the need to overcome the lack of high throughput assays first.
To tackle this problem, we designed a modular, quantitative and feasible high-throughput screening system to express and screen recombinant proteins regarding their stability and functionality in A. niger. For this purpose a dual-luciferase reporter gene system, which is applicable in small scale will be established for A. niger. After the generation of an A. niger secretion mutant library, the system will be transferred and tested to other proteins of interest. The technology can be integrated into bio-regenerative life support systems for the autonomous production of e.g., food, food additives and food enzymes on earth as well as in deep-space.
A project was initiated to apply dietary CP reduction under commercial conditions. The main objective was to demonstrate and validate that dietary CP can be reduced without compromising broiler performance in a production system which is already rather efficient. In addition, we wanted to demonstrate the potential of dietary CP reduction on reducing N-excretions especially in the context of German revised regulations and monitoring attempts. Finally, as previous research suggested, few further aspects such as impact of dietary CP reduction on litter quality and quantity, footpad health, change of ingredient inclusion levels and related impact on sustainability impact factors were evaluated.
Perceptions of German consumers regarding methods for fortifying foods with iodine (Abstract)
(2022)
Taking the transdisciplinary research study “Green fingers for a climate resilient city”, funded by the German Ministry of education and research (BMBF), as an example, this paper follows the hypothesis that processes of landscape planning and designing multifunctional green spaces and processes of co-creation need to be combined to stimulate climate resilient city transformation. The findings are that efforts to combine these processes benefit from making complex climate-resilient city planning accessible for people of different professional backgrounds. The paper showcases how storytelling (Schmidt 2019), mapping (Langner 2009) and guided walks (Schultz 2019) are means to mutually engage with, perceive and understand multifunctional green spaces, inspire ownership, and build capacity for the city’s climate-resilient transformation.
When the ECLAS Conference took place in 1972 western societies were undergoing profound change: They transformed from industrial to postindustrial societies – the so-called service societies. 50 years later, the knowledge society is emerging: Knowledge is considered the key resource of this era. Digitalization and widespread dissemination of ICT allow information to be obtained anywhere anytime. This has severe implications for individual lifestyles and everyday practices. Different aspects of living, learning and working are no longer bound to physical limitations but can be enhanced by or even transferred to the virtual space. So being on the move today means travelling in hybrid spaces. We call this the space and practice “en route”.
At the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück we explore the following questions:
What does “en route” mean and look like in landscapes of higher education?
How is it perceived individually?
(How) can landscape architecture shape it?
Our transdisciplinary research project EN ROUTE aims to meet current challenges at universities (e.g. digitalisation, sustainable development) with a comprehensive understanding of space and practices “en route”. In a transdisciplinary process, researchers from various disciplines – landscape architecture, geography, urban planning, business administrations and marketing, energy technology and computer science – develop concepts and strategies for sustainable and digital mobility in the higher education sector. New “EN ROUTE” types provide insights into the individual production and utilization of spaces “en route”.
The campuses of the University of Applied Science Osnabrück as well as the virtual and physical space network of its members serve as research example. Initial findings will be presented at the conference. While the ECLAS conference in 1972 focused on physical scales, landscape architecture has to reflect them critically and ask: What could be an innovative understanding of spaces “en route”?
The contribution follows the hypothesis that the concept of transformative resilience can be a driver in transdisciplinary processes bringing together landscape planning and landscape design. Combining processes of generating, structuring and spatializing knowledge on landscape functions and designing visions for sustainable landscapes on different scales benefits from the creative use of mappings.
Taking the transdisciplinary research study “Green fingers for a climate resilient city”, funded by the German Ministry of education and research (BMBF), as an example, this paper follows the hypothesis that processes of landscape planning and designing multifunctional green spaces and processes of co-creation need to be combined to stimulate climate resilient city transformation. The findings are that efforts to combine these processes benefit from making complex climate-resilient city planning accessible for people of different professional backgrounds. The paper showcases how storytelling (Schmidt 2019), mapping (Langner 2009) and guided walks (Schultz 2019) are means to mutually engage with, perceive and understand multifunctional green spaces, inspire ownership, and build capacity for the city’s climate-resilient transformation.
Duckweeds are fast-growing and nutritious plants, which are gaining increased attention in different fields of application. Especially for animal nutrition, alternative protein sources are needed to substitute soybean meal. The current bottleneck is the standardized production of biomass, which yields stable quantities of a defined product quality. To solve this problem, an indoor vertical farm (IVF) for duckweed biomass production was developed. It consists of nine vertically stacked basins with a total production area of 25.5 m2. The nutrient solution, a modified N-medium, re-circulated within the IVF with a maximum flow rate of 10 L min−1. Nutrients were automatically added based on electrical conductivity. In contrast, ammonium was continuously supplied. A water temperature of 23 °C and a light intensity of 105 μmol m−2 s−1 with a photoperiod of 12:12 h were applied. During a 40-day production phase, a total of 35.6 kg of fresh duckweed biomass (equals 2.1 kg of dried product) was harvested from the IVF. On average, 0.9 kg day−1 of fresh biomass was produced. The dried product contained 32% crude protein (CP) and high levels of proteinogenic amino acids (e.g. lysine: 5.42 g, threonine: 3.85 g and leucine: 7.59 g/100 g CP). Biomass of this quality could be used as a protein feed alternative to soybean meal. The described IVF represents a modular model system for duckweed biomass production in a controlled environment and further innovations and upscaling processes.
25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) formed via hepatic hydroxylation from vitamin D, cholecalciferol, represents the precursor of the biologically active vitamin D hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Due to a higher absorption rate and the omission of one hydroxylation, dietary supplementation of 25-OHD3 instead of vitamin D3 is considered to be more efficient as plasma concentrations of 25-OHD3 are increased more pronounced. The present review summarises studies investigating potential beneficial effects on mineral homeostasis, bone metabolism, health status and performance in sows, piglets and fattening pigs. Results are inconsistent. While most studies could not demonstrate any or only a slight impact of partial or total replacement of vitamin D3 by 25-OHD3, some experiments indicated that 25-OHD3 might alter physiological processes when animals are challenged, for example, by a restricted mineral supply.
To investigate the influence of two dietary sources of vitamin D on the vitamin D status, bone metabolism, welfare and birth progress of gestating and lactating sows, forty-nine multiparous sows were randomly assigned to one of two diets: “CON” (n = 25; 50 μg vitamin D3/kg feed) and “HYD” (n = 24; 50 μg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol/kg feed). The basal diets were protein- and phosphorus-reduced. The trial started on day 3 ante insemination of the sows and ended with weaning of the piglets on day 28 postpartum. Dietary supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol resulted in improved maternal vitamin D status (p < 0.001), fewer gait changes (p < 0.01) and longer standing time after feeding (day 5 ante partum; p < 0.05) compared to vitamin D3. However, the bone markers CrossLaps and osteocalcin were not affected. Overall, the present results suggest that sows fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol instead of vitamin D3 showed improved locomotion and stance strength. However, this outcome is probably not related to altered bone metabolism. The underlying mechanisms must be investigated in further studies.
Duckweeds can be potentially used in human and animal nutrition, biotechnology or wastewater treatment. To cultivate large quantities of a defined product quality, a standardized production process is needed. A small-scale, re-circulating indoor vertical farm (IVF) with artificial lighting and a nutrient control and dosing system was used for this purpose. The influence of different light intensities (50, 100 and 150 µmol m−2 s−1) and spectral distributions (red/blue ratios: 70/30, 50/50 and 30/70%) on relative growth rate (RGR), crude protein content (CPC), relative protein yield (RPY) and chlorophyll a of the duckweed species Lemna minor and Wolffiella hyalina were investigated. Increasing light intensity increased RGR (by 67% and 76%) and RPY (by 50% and 89%) and decreased chlorophyll a (by 27% and 32%) for L. minor and W. hyalina, respectively. The spectral distributions had no significant impact on any investigated parameter. Wolffiella hyalina achieved higher values in all investigated parameters compared to L. minor. This investigation proved the successful cultivation of duckweed in a small-scale, re-circulating IVF with artificial lighting.
Complete diets for laying hens are usually offered in meal form. This form initially promotes the laying hens’ natural feed intake behavior and allows them to satisfy their pecking behavior. At the same time, it can also cause difficulties, because it consists of different particles and is not a homogeneous unit. A homogeneous mixture is essential to ensure that each laying hen in the flock can meet its nutritional needs. If feed exhibits a wide particle size distribution, this can promote feed segregation during transport and selective feed intake behavior of laying hens. These two processes sometimes lead to significant differences between the composition of the feed produced and the composition of the feed that is finally ingested by the laying hens. Multi-stage sampling can be used to investigate progressing differences in feed composition. In this study, samples of different complete diets for laying hens (n = 76) were collected from ten organic farms in Germany to examine their particle size distributions (dry sieve analysis). Samples were taken at four different locations (V1 = loading, V2 = silo, V3 = at the beginning of the feed chain, V4 = at the end of the feed chain) in each farm. There was a tendency for V1 and V2 to be characterized by high proportions of particles between 1400 and 3150 µm (V1 = 61.2%, V2 = 43.5%). V3 and V4 consisted mainly of particles of size 500–800 µm and 200–400 µm, respectively. The lowest proportions across all variants were in the range above 3150 µm (V1 = 2.20%, V2 = 1.30%, V3 = 1.00%, V4 = 0.400%) and between 400 and 500 µm (V1 = 2.50%, V2 = 4.50%, V3 = 5.70%, V4 = 6.60%). The mean value comparison of the proportions of sieve mesh sizes from 200 to 1000 µm resulted in: V1 < V2 < V3 < V4; and of sieve mesh sizes between 1400 and 2000 µm in: V1 > V2 > V3 > V4. This observation can be explained by segregation of the feed during transport and a selective feeding behavior of the laying hens. However, trends were discontinuous and varied between the farms. Deviations from the guideline values were found in particular for particle sizes in the range of 1000 to 1400 µm.
Technological support options for the usage of Brazilian Açaí berries in the European Food Market
(2022)
The highly perishable fruit açaí grows on palm trees in northern Brazil and is colloquially known as a berry with high nutritional value. The seed of the drupe makes up around 85 percent of the fruits weight and only the pulp around the seed is used for human consumption. The manufacturing step after harvest includes the pulping and the preservation of the fruit. The preservation step is necessary, because the açaí pulp contains a high microbial load. There are several preservation processes including the use of chlorinated or ozonated water, alcoholic fermentation, pasteurization, freezing or dehydration. Those techniques are overall not very gentle and have the potential to leave residues in the final product, which can change its typical sensorial characteristics. Therefore, an experiment was conducted, to see if a relatively new gentle preservation method called PEF can reduce the microbial load in an açaí- smoothie.
For this purpose, a PEF-machine was built and verified based on the paper from HEINZ ET AL. [2003]. The self-built machine works efficiently, when there is a reduction of microorganisms like Escherichia coli in apple juice due to the induced Pulsed Electric Fields. If this is the case, the described experiment with açaí-smoothie can be carried out with the self-built PEF- machine. In this experiment the results of the validation of this PEF-machine were not comparable to those from the paper from HEINZ ET AL. [2003]. So, the self-built PEF-machine in Brazil did not work sufficiently. Hence, the experiment which should show that a reduction of microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, in açaí-smoothie with PEF is possible, was performed in Germany. It was accrued out at ELEA with using the PEFPilotTM Dual. This experiment confirmed the assumption, that microorganisms can be reduced in açaí-smoothie with PEF. Escherichia coli was reduced by 2 logs, Saccharomyces cerevisiae by 3 logs and Lactobacillus plantarum by 6 logs. And a comparison between PEF and the known preservation methods for açaí showed that it can be a compatible alternative.
Moreover, the topic, how açaí fits into the European Food Market is answered within this paper. When offering açaí food products to the European population, ideas can be originated from the well-working Brazilian market. It can be helpful to mix açaí with known European fruits for a better acceptance by the people. Then açaí can help to meet the Europeans needs of the current time for fresh and healthy food, especially when preserved with PEF. Furthermore, it is important to work towards a sustainable supply chain system from the cultivation until the unloading at the destination in Europe. Sustainability is important for the integration in the European market, not only for environmental protection, but also in terms of social stability and marketing purposes. In addition, access requirements, further food-related regulations, and the seasonality of açaí present a major hurdle.
Building on this thesis, further papers shall be written, not only in the field of the preservation of the açaí pulp with PEF, but also in the direction of combined preservation methods for açaí, the sustainable usage of the açaí seeds, product innovations containing the Brazilian fruit or various market research.
Applications of pulsed electric fields for processing potatoes: Examples and equipment design
(2022)
In the last two decades, pulsed electric fields (PEF) have successfully been introduced into the food industry, as one of the most promising and "game changing" technologies. This review is devoted to the recent applications of pulsed electric fields used in processing potatoes. The potato processing market size was estimated to be ca. USD 24.83 billion (2018) and with an annual growth rate of 5.2%. The physicochemical characteristics of potatoes and the specificity of potato processing lines makes a pulsed electric field very versatile and flexible allowing one to achieve different technological aims by its implementation into technological lines. In this paper, a short analysis of the potato structure and its nutritional properties, applications of moderate electric fields, ohmic heating, and pulsed electric fields are presented. Moreover, the basic electroporation effects, metabolic responses, texture modification and different PEF assisted processes applied to the potato are discussed. Finally, some examples of commercial applications and a brief description of the available equipment for the PEF processing of potatoes are presented.
The impact of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing pre-treatment on the texture and kinetics of in vitro starch digestibility of French fries made from two potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) containing dry matter content ranging from 19 to 22% was investigated. Whole and steam-peeled potato tubers were treated with a pilot scale PEF unit (electric field strength of 1.1 and 1.9 kV/cm with energy input <10 kJ/kg or ∼50 kJ/kg). This trial was carried out in a commercial French-fry plant using an industrial scale cutter, blancher, fryer and blast-freezer to prepare the frozen par-fried French fry samples. After subsequent final batch frying of the frozen fries, at 180 °C for 3 min to mimic the typical preparation practice at restaurant, retail and household, the outer crust of the fries produced from PEF-treated potatoes was significantly harder (9.4–16.3 N) than crust produced from untreated potatoes (6.9–8.5 N). High intensity (1.9 kV/cm with energy input ∼50 kJ/kg) PEF processing was found to cause defects (i.e. hollowness in the internal core) in the fries. A fractional conversion model was a good fit for the starch digestion kinetics of all French fry samples during the small intestinal phase (based on standardised INFOGEST static in vitro digestion assay). A lower % of total starch hydrolysis was predicted for French fries produced from high dry matter (>21%) tubers pretreated with PEF at electric field strength of 1.9 kV/cm. The findings generated in this study demonstrate PEF pretreatment may influence the texture of French fries and the extent of starch digestion that occurs.
The impact of pulsed light (PL) treatment on naturally occurring microorganisms, mycotoxins, and on physicochemical properties in red pepper powder was investigated. Powder samples were exposed to different PL treatments up to 61 pulses, with fluence ranging from 1.0 to 9.1 J/cm2. The highest fluence applied (9.1 J/cm2, 61 pulses, 20 s) resulted in 2.7, 3.1, and 4.1 log CFU/g reduction of yeasts, molds, and total plate counts (TPC), where initial microbial loads were 4.6, 5.5, and 6.5 log CFU/g, respectively. At the same fluence intensity, a maximum reduction of 67.2, 50.9, and 36.9% of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), total aflatoxins (AF), and ochratoxin A (OTA) were detected, respectively. Proportional increase in temperature of the samples was observed from the absorbed PL energy, reaching maximum of 59.8°C. The inactivation of investigated microorganisms and mycotoxins followed first-order kinetics (R2 > 0.95). The fluence intensity at 6.9 and 9.1 J/cm2 did not cause degradation, but rather a significant (p < .05) and apparent increase of total phenols. Total color difference (ΔE*) revealed only “slight differences,” compared to the untreated sample. In conclusion, higher reduction of microbial load and mycotoxins in red pepper powder could be achieved, when higher treatment intensity was applied. This suggests the PL as a potential technology for decontamination of red pepper powder and other spice powders.
Among all nonthermal food processing technologies, high intensity pulsed electric fields (PEF) is one of the most appealing due to its short treatment times and reduced heating effects. Its capability to enhance extraction processes and to inactivate microorganisms at temperatures that do not cause any deleterious effect on flavor, color or nutrient value of foods opens interesting possibilities for the food processing industry.
This new and revised edition of Pulsed Electric Fields Technology for the Food Industry presents the information accumulated on PEF over the last decade by experienced microbiologists, biochemists, food technologists and electrical and food engineers. With insight into current applications of PEF across the food industry, this text offers a comprehensive and up to date resource on PEF application in the food industry from the scientific fundamentals to its use in various food types to environmental and regulatory aspects. For researchers and industry professionals seeking a single source containing all of the relevant and up to date information on PEF in foods, look no further than this essential text.
Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit dem bundesweiten Niveau der Treibhausgas (THG)-Emissionen und des Ressourcenverbrauchs in der deutschen Gemeinschaftsverpflegung im Segment "Business" und deren Einsparpotenziale durch verschiedene Szenarien der ungestützten und gestützten Rezeptüberarbeitung. Unter "ungestützt" verstehen wir in dieser Arbeit die intuitive Optimierung von Rezepten durch die Mitarbeiter von Betrieben der Gemeinschaftsverpflegung. Die "unterstützten" Ansätze mussten dagegen bestimmte Zielvorgaben erfüllen, zum Beispiel der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährung; engl. Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährung oder das nachhaltige Niveau. Konkret Konkret wird getestet, wie sich (A) eine ungestützte Rezeptüberarbeitung, (B) eine Rezeptüberarbeitung auf Basis von Ernährungsempfehlungen und (C) eine Rezeptüberarbeitung mit wissenschaftlicher Begleitung die Umweltauswirkungen eines Gerichtes beeinflussen. Als methodischer Rahmen diente eine Online-Befragung von Unternehmen der Gemeinschaftsverpflegung sowie eine Szenarioanalyse auf Menüebene und auf nationaler Ebene durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse basieren zum einen auf empirischen Daten und zum anderen auf Hochrechnungen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die die bundesweite Umsetzung der Rezepturüberarbeitung nach wissenschaftlichen Vorgaben - wie konkrete Zielvorgaben für die THG Emissionen pro Portion - bis zu 44% des Ressourcenverbrauchs in der deutschen Betriebsgastronomie einsparen kann (das entspricht 3,4 Millionen Tonnen Ressourcen pro Jahr) und bis zu 40 % der THG-Emissionen (0,6 Millionen Tonnen THG-Emissionen pro Jahr) einsparen.
The study aimed to investigate inactivation of naturally occurring microorganisms and quality of red pepper paste treated by high pressure processing (HPP). Central composite rotatable design was employed to determine the impacts of pressure (100–600 MPa) and holding time (30–600 s). HPP at 527 MPa for 517 s reduced aerobic mesophilic bacteria count by 4.5 log CFU/g. Yeasts and molds counts were reduced to 1 log CFU/g at 600 MPa for 315 s. Total phenols, carotenoids and antioxidants activity ranged from 0.28 to 0.33 g GAE/100 g, 96.0–98.4 mg βc/100 g and 8.70–8.95 μmol TE/g, respectively. Increase (2.5–6.7%) in these variables was observed with increasing pressure and holding time. Total color difference (ΔE∗) values (0.2–2.8) were within the ranges of ‘imperceptible’ to ‘noticeable’. Experimental results were fitted satisfactorily into quadratic model with higher R2 values (0.8619–0.9863). Optimization process suggested treatment of red pepper paste at 536 MPa for 125 s for maximum desirability (0.622). Validation experiments confirmed comparable percentage of relative errors. Overall, this technique could be considered as an efficient treatment for the inactivation of microorganisms that naturally occur in red pepper paste with minimal changes in its characteristics.
Der Schwerpunkt des vorliegenden Papiers liegt auf der Nachfrageseite. In realen Labors verwenden wir einen standardisierten empirischen Ansatz, um verschiedene Nudging-Maßnahmen aus dem Bereich der physischen Umwelt und des Entscheidungsprozesses der Verbraucher zu vergleichen. Wir vergleichen die Auswirkungen ein und derselben Maßnahme in verschiedenen Umgebungen und die Auswirkungen verschiedener, aufeinander folgender Nudging-Maßnahmen in derselben Umgebung. Die Daten wurden in acht Betriebs- und Schulkantinen in Deutschland in zwei Projektdurchläufen (2016/2017; 2019/2020) erhoben. Es wurde ein ähnliches Interventionskonzept angewandt. Die Vergleichbarkeit wurde durch eine harmonisierte Speisekarte gewährleistet. Die erste Iteration des Projekts ergab, dass nur ein Nudge (oberste Menüposition, +22,5 %) zu einem signifikanten Anstieg der Wahl nachhaltiger Lebensmittel führte, während die Ergebnisse der zweiten Iteration zeigten, dass alle Nudge-Interventionen (beste Thekenposition, +11,6 %; oberste Menüposition, +6,9 %; Etikett plus Informationen, +15,9 %) die Wahl der Verbraucher positiv beeinflussten. Mögliche Erklärungen wie die striktere Einhaltung des Versuchsplans in den Cafeterien, aber auch gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen wie das Aufkommen der Fridays for Future-Bewegung werden diskutiert. Da die Ergebnisse je nach Standort und Umfeld variieren, legen unsere Ergebnisse nahe, dass Nudges situativen Bedingungen angepasst werden müssen, um die höchste Wirksamkeit zu erzielen.
The present study investigates properties of heat-induced, self-standing gels of globular proteins. Native egg white protein (EWP) with 9,8 wt% protein and 0,395 wt% NaCl content was adjusted to pH = 7,0 and heated from 25 to 85 °C via Ohmic heating (OH) and conventional heating (COV) with respective come-up times (CUT, 240 and 1200 s) and holding times (HOLD, 30 and 900 s). Gels heated under OH showed lower denaturation levels and less water holding capacity. When HOLD was short, the firmness of OH gels exceeded COV gel firmness but deceeded at long HOLD. Similarly, at short HOLD OH samples presented higher hydrophobic interactions whereas at long HOLD COV gels showed more hydrophobic interactions. This correlated with changes of intermolecular beta-sheet structures which increased with HOLD at COV but decreased or remained unchanged during OH. Furthermore, as an SDS-PAGE revealed the main EWP, ovalbumin, did not fully denature when heated via OH, this lead to the assumption that the oscillatory electric field partially interferes the complete denaturation and development of intermolecular beta-sheet structures and hydrophobic interactions during thermal gelation of this protein. Scanning electron microscopy also showed deviances in network structures between OH and COV as COV gels exhibited a denser and OH gels a more open and porous network structure.
Currently, the modelling of drying processes of plant tissues pre-treated by pulsed electric field (PEF) is following experimentally identified curves or separate heat and mass transfer and diffusion models with different levels of accuracy. This research had two major objectives: mathematical modeling and control of drying process of different vegetables pretreated by PEF during convective drying. The mathematical modeling was based on Luikov's heat and mass transfer model along with properties of different vegetables. Computer modelling was done using the difference method for predicting moisture and the temperature potentials of untreated and PEF-treated vegetables. The formulation and the solution procedures were applied to simulate the simultaneous heat and mass transfer in selected vegetables subjected to the convective drying. Suggested model had a good correlation with experimental results. Moreover, cell disintegration index can be used as a controllable parameter in heat and mass transfer models to predict drying behavior of potato, onion, and carrot tissues. Obtained drying models can be used as a mathematical tool to predict drying behavior for various types of agricultural products pre-treated by pulsed electric field.