Search Results (2,976)

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is a legume of high nutraceutical value, widely cultivated and consumed. However, common bean production faces challenges such as water stress that severely affects its growth and yield. This study evaluated the morphological and physiological response of four native P. vulgaris accessions subjected to different irrigation treatments under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement was used, evaluating three irrigation frequencies (100%, 50%, 25%) in combination with four accessions (PER1003541, PER1003542, PER1003543, PER1003544). The results showed that with the 25% irrigation treatment, PER1003544 showed a 54.62% decrease in leaf area, while PER1003542 and PER1003543 experienced reductions of 56.56% and 59.24%, respectively. In addition, accession PER1003544 reported a smaller reduction in the number of flowers and pods, with decreases of 40.21% and 29.9%, in contrast to PER1003543, which showed decreases of 60.66% and 52.63%, respectively. Accessions PER1003541 and PER1003544 also recorded the lowest reductions in dry biomass, with 31.85% and 35.41%, respectively. Regarding yield, PER1003544 and PER1003541 experienced reductions of 59.01% and 69.79%, respectively, unlike PER1003543, which showed a 90% decrease. In relation to stomatal density, PER1003541 recorded a reduction of 28.28%, while PER1003544 had a decrease of 37.10%, and PER1003543 experienced a reduction of 47.05%; chlorophyll content showed a similar trend. Finally, PER1003544 maintained a relatively stable stomatal index, with a reduction of 29.01%, compared to PER1003543, which reduced by 60.99%. In conclusion, accession PER1003544 stands out as a promising variety for breeding programs focused on water stress tolerance, contributing to food security and agricultural sustainability in areas affected by limited water availability. However, PER1003541 would be a suitable additional option, offering farmers flexibility in their crop selection according to the specific conditions of their environment. Full article

Exceeding a healthy weight significantly elevates the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A commercially available singular constituent, available as either purified vitexin or iso-vitexin, has been associated with a decreased risk of T2DM, but its synergistic effect has not been reported yet. Vitexin and iso-vitexin were extracted using an ethanol-based solvent from mung bean seed coat (MBCE) and subsequently purified using preparative liquid chromatography (Prep-LC). Eleven mixture ratios of vitexin and/or iso-vitexin were determined for their antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities. The 1:1.5 ratio of vitexin to iso-vitexin from MBCE demonstrated the most synergistic effects for enzyme inhibition and glucose uptake in HepG2 cells within an insulin-resistant system, while these ratios exhibited a significantly lower antioxidant capacity than that of each individual component. In a gut model system, the ratio of 1:1.5 (vitexin and iso-vitexin) regulated the gut microbiota composition in overweight individuals by decreasing the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae, while increasing in Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. The application of vitexin/iso-vitexin for 24 h fermentation enhanced a high variety of abundances of 21 genera resulting in five genera of Parabacteroides, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Enterocloster, and Peptacetobacter, which belonged to the phylum Firmicutes, exhibiting high abundant changes of more than 5%. Only two genera of Proteus and Butyricicoccus belonging to Proteobacteria and Firmicutes decreased. The findings suggest that these phytochemicals interactions could have synergistic effects in regulating glycemia, through changes in antihyperglycemic activity and in the gut microbiota in overweight individuals. This optimal ratio can be utilized by industries to formulate more potent functional ingredients for functional foods and to create nutraceutical supplements aimed at reducing the risk of T2DM in overweight individuals. Full article

While Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) originates from Africa and the list of producers is topped by African countries, it is not clear whether research is developed enough to support crop promotion in the continent. Thus, this systematic review of 180 articles presents a comprehensive summary of research on Bambara groundnut (BGN) in Africa. The paper addresses bibliographical metrics, the geographic distribution of the research and themes covered (viz., food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and livelihoods). The analysis shows that BGN can help address different challenges in Africa, such as food and nutrition insecurity and poverty. However, it also highlights gaps in the research from geographical and thematic standpoints. Geographically speaking, the most important producers of BGN in Africa are not sufficiently covered in the research; instead, it is mainly carried out in Nigeria and South Africa. Thematically speaking, the gaps are related to economics and social sciences, the use of BGN in animal production, processing and marketing, irrigation, contribution to climate resilience and livelihoods, and health benefits. Collaborative research and knowledge sharing, including among producing countries and those leading the research field, are highly needed to unlock the potential of BGN and boost its contribution to sustainable development in Africa. Full article

Bioinformatics has emerged as a valuable tool for screening drugs and understanding their effects. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether in silico studies using anti-obesity peptides targeting therapeutic pathways for obesity, when subsequently evaluated in vitro and in vivo, demonstrated effects consistent with those predicted in the computational analysis. The review was framed by the question: “What peptides or proteins have been used to treat obesity in in silico studies?” and structured according to the acronym PECo. The systematic review protocol was developed and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022355540) in accordance with the PRISMA-P, and all stages of the review adhered to these guidelines. Studies were sourced from the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Heath Library, and EMBASE. The search strategies resulted in 1015 articles, of which, based on the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 7 were included in this systematic review. The anti-obesity peptides identified originated from various sources including bovine alpha-lactalbumin from cocoa seed (Theobroma cacao L.), chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.), rice bran (Oryza sativa), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), sea buckthorn seed flour (Hippophae rhamnoides), and adzuki beans (Vigna angularis). All articles underwent in vitro and in vivo reassessment and used molecular docking methodology in their in silico studies. Among the studies included in the review, 46.15% were classified as having an “uncertain risk of bias” in six of the thirteen criteria evaluated. The primary target investigated was pancreatic lipase (n = 5), with all peptides targeting this enzyme demonstrating inhibition, a finding supported both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, other peptides were identified as PPARγ and PPARα agonists (n = 2). Notably, all peptides exhibited different mechanisms of action in lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. The findings of this systematic review underscore the effectiveness of computational simulation as a screening tool, providing crucial insights and guiding in vitro and in vivo investigations for the discovery of novel anti-obesity peptides. Full article

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), a vital legume in Asia with significant nutritional benefits, is highly susceptible to Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora canescens, leading to significant yield losses. As an alternative to chemical fungicides, bio-priming with rhizobacteria can enhance plant resistance. This study explores the potential of Bradyrhizobium sp. strain DOA9 to augment resistance in mung bean against CLS via root priming. The results reveal that short (3 days) and double (17 and 3 days) priming with DOA9 before fungal infection considerably reduces lesion size on infected leaves by activating defense-related genes, including Pti1, Pti6, EDS1, NDR1, PR-1, PR-2, Prx, and CHS, or by suppressing the inhibition of PR-5 and enhancing peroxidase (POD) activity in leaves. Interestingly, the Type 3 secretion system (T3SS) of DOA9 may play a role in establishing resistance in V. radiata CN72. These findings suggest that DOA9 primes V. radiata CN72′s defense mechanisms, offering an effective bio-priming strategy to alleviate CLS. Hence, our insights propose the potential use of DOA9 as a bio-priming agent to manage CLS in V. radiata CN72, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicide applications. Full article

Endophytic bacteria from pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants play important roles in regulating plant growth, health, and nutrition. To enhance the understanding of endophytic bacteria in peas, twenty pea cultivars, two chickpeas, and two broad bean cultivars were planted into artificial soils for 4 weeks. Leaves and roots were collected from plants and sterilized. Endophytic bacterial DNAs were isolated from sterilized materials (leaves, roots, and seeds) and used as templates to detect the bacterial diversity by amplifying the 16S V3–V4 region. The Remel Tryptose Soya Agar (TSA) medium, the aluminum sec-butoxide (ASb) medium, and the yeast extract mannitol agar (YMA) medium were used to isolate bacteria from sterilized leaves and roots, respectively. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties of these isolated bacteria, such as the solubilization of phosphorus and potassium and the production of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, nitrogenase, pectinase, and cellulose, were studied in vitro. Bacterial isolates were processed for 16S rDNA gene sequencing and performed molecular identification by reconstruction of the phylogenetic tree using the neighborhood association approach in the software MEGA X. Results indicated that the majority of the bacterial communities were shared among leaves, roots, and seeds of pea plants. In both the leaves and roots of pea plants, the prominent phyla identified were Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Bacillota, with dominant genera such as Rhizobium, Bacteroides, Blautia, and Prevotella prevailing at the genus level. The samples from leaves and roots had unique dominant bacterial genera. In total, 48 endophytic bacteria strains were isolated from leaves and roots, of which 16 strains were from roots and 32 strains were from leaves. The majority of the isolates from leaves (78.13%) and roots (75%) had the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Moreover, isolates from roots also had greater ability to produce 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase (81.25%) than those from leaves (62.5%). This study demonstrated the unique distribution of endophytes in leaves and roots of pea, which can have great potential in pea production. Full article

The sustainability of coffee production is a concern for producers around the world. To be sustainable, it is necessary to achieve satisfactory levels of coffee productivity and quality. Pests and diseases cause reduced productivity and can affect the quality of coffee beans. To ensure sustainability, producers need to monitor pests that can lead to substantial crop losses, such as the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), which belongs to the Lepidoptera order and the Lyonetiidae family. This research aimed to use machine learning techniques and vegetation indices to remotely identify infestations of the coffee leaf miner in coffee-growing regions. Field assessments of coffee leaf miner infestation were conducted in September 2023. Aerial images were taken using remotely piloted aircraft to determine 13 vegetative indices with RGB (red, green, blue) images. The vegetation indices were calculated using ArcGis 10.8 software. A comprehensive database encompassing details of coffee leaf miner infestation, vegetation indices, and crop data. The dataset was divided into training and testing subsets. A set of four machine learning algorithms was utilized: Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD). Following hyperparameter tuning, the test subset was employed for model validation. Remarkably, both the SVM and SGD models demonstrated superior performance in estimating coffee leaf miner infestations, with kappa indices of 0.6 and 0.67, respectively. The combined use of vegetation indices and crop data increased the accuracy of coffee leaf miner detection. The RF model performed poorly, while the SVM and SGD models performed better. This situation highlights the challenges of tracking coffee leaf miner infestations in fields with varying ages of coffee plants, different cultivars, and other environmental variables. Full article

Phaseolus lunatus L. is a species of landrace bean widely cultivated in Northeast Brazil. The integration of new technologies in the agricultural sector has highlighted the significance of seed images analysis as a valuable asset in the characterization process. The objective was to assess the morphology of 18 P. lunatus varieties gathered from four states in the Brazilian Northeast. To achieve this, 100 seeds from each variety were utilized, and their images were acquired using a flatbed scanner with a digital resolution of 400 dpi. Subsequently, the images were processed using the ImageJ software package for analyzing seed size, shape and color characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software applying stepwise Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The overall accuracy rate for correct identification was 80.5%. Among the varieties, the lowest classification percentage was attributed to the ‘Coquinho Vermelha’ variety (39%), while the highest rates were observed for ‘Fava Roxa’ and ‘Fava de Moita’ (98%). The morpho-colorimetric classification system successfully discriminated the varieties of P. lunatus produced in the northeastern region of Brazil, highlighting the -+*/high degree of diversity within them. In particular, seeds with uniform coloring or clearly defined secondary color patterns were easier to classify. The varieties showed low correlation, forming distinct groups based on background color, secondary color, or seed size. Full article

Ecosystems that experience elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) are crucial interfaces where intricate interactions between plants and microbes occur. This study addressed the impact of eCO₂ and a N supply on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) growth and the soil microbial community in auto-controlled growth chambers. In doing so, two ambient CO₂ concentrations (aCO₂, daytime/nighttime = 410/460 ppm; eCO₂, 550/610 ppm) and two N supplement levels (without a N supply—N0—and 100 mg N as urea per kg of soil—N100) were applied. The results indicated that eCO₂ mitigated the inhibitory effects of a N deficiency on legume photosynthesis and affected the CO₂ assimilation efficiency, in addition to causing reduced nodulation. While the N addition counteracted the reductions in the N concentrations across the faba beans’ aboveground and belowground plant tissues under eCO₂, the CO₂ concentrations did not significantly alter the soil NH₄⁺-N or NO₃⁻-N responses to a N supply. Notably, under both aCO₂ and eCO₂, a N supply significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrososphaeraceae and Nitrosomonadaceae, while eCO₂ specifically reduced the Rhizobiaceae abundance with no significant changes under aCO₂. A redundancy analysis (RDA) highlighted that the soil pH (p < 0.01) had the most important influence on the soil microbial community. Co-occurrence networks indicated that the eCO₂ conditions mitigated the impact of a N supply on the reduced structural complexity of the soil microbial communities. These findings suggest that a combination of eCO₂ and a N supply to crops can provide potential benefits for managing future climate change impacts on crop production. Full article

The dissolution of Ca and Mg in soil and their translocation in plants from different families when using different doses of liming materials of industrial waste origin have not yet been sufficiently studied. In this study, the influence of increasing doses of ameliorants of carbonate (dolomite flour—DF) and silicate (blast furnace slag—BFS) natures on the change in acid–base properties of soddy-podzolic light loamy soil, yield, and chemical composition of plants of the families Gramíneae (spring wheat), Brassicáceae (spring rapeseed), and Leguminósae (vetch and beans) was studied in five-year pot experiments. In the five-year experiments, the ameliorant of a carbonate nature showed greater effect on soil acid–base properties than that of a silicate nature. A return to the initial state of soil pH was not established in any of the treatments. Both ameliorants showed similar effects on wheat straw biomass, but DF had a greater positive effect on wheat grain yield than BFS. Regardless of the dose of DF applied, the accumulation of Ca and Mg by the plants throughout the study period was higher than when BFS was applied. Among the studied plants, those of the family Brassicáceae were the most responsive to liming and, at the same time, showed high ecological adaptability. Differences in the effects of the two ameliorants on the soil chemical properties were more significant than differences in their effects on plant productivity. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of buttermilk, a by-product of butter production, in ice cream. Butterfly pea flower, which provides natural coloring and antioxidant properties, was added to buttermilk for investigating its improving effect on the techno-functional and sensory attributes of ice cream. Ice cream mixes were prepared with varying buttermilk concentrations (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%) as the first factor of the research. In addition, the effect of fermentation was also investigated as the second factor of the experiment. The ingredients included buttermilk, milk, cream, sucrose, dextrose, locust bean gum, butterfly pea flowers, and vanilla extract. The preparation involved the extraction of the butterfly flowers, fermentation in case of the fermented samples, homogenization, pasteurization, freezing, and hardening. Quality attributes such as dry matter content, pH, color, rheological properties of the ice cream mixes, overrun, melting properties, and ice cream hardness were analyzed to determine the maximal substitution level of milk by buttermilk without compromising ice cream quality. Our results explore the impact of buttermilk content and fermentation on the techno-functional properties of ice cream. As buttermilk concentration increased, dry matter content decreased, ranging from 34.4 g/100 g at 0% buttermilk to 31.9 g/100 g at 100% buttermilk. pH levels were lower in the fermented samples, decreasing from 6.5 in the non-fermented to 4.6 in the fermented samples. L* decreased with higher buttermilk content, while a* and b* values increased slightly. The butterfly pea flower provided a blue hue across all samples; the blue hue increased by 20% with a higher buttermilk content. Increasing the buttermilk concentration led to a 40% decrease in the yield stress and consistency coefficient, indicating a less viscous mix. The flow behavior index slightly increased, suggesting a more Newtonian-like flow at higher buttermilk levels. Overrun decreased with a higher buttermilk content, from 45% at 0% buttermilk to 30% at 100% buttermilk, indicating reduced air incorporation. The meltdown rate increased with a higher buttermilk content, meaning the ice cream melted more rapidly. The hardness of the ice cream decreased as buttermilk concentration increased, from 15 N at 0% buttermilk to 10 N at 100% buttermilk. The fermented sample groups were on average 44% harder than the non-fermented sample groups. The findings suggest that up to 100% of buttermilk can effectively replace milk in ice cream formulations without compromising quality, providing a sustainable and health-beneficial use for this dairy by-product. Full article

Carob pulp flour has antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, is naturally sweet, and is rich in fibers. It is obtained from carob pod pulp from the evergreen tree Ceratonia siliqua L., which is grown in Mediterranean areas and is known for locust bean gum production. Despite its valuable effects on health, such as the modulation of the glycemic index, this ingredient has a tremendous impact on technological and hedonic features, mainly on color, flavor, and texture. In this paper, the qualitative features and consumers’ acceptance of a carob-based gluten-free bakery product where rice flour was substituted at 40% with carob pulp flour were studied. A panel group of experts described the bread as dark, quite dense, sweet, aromatic, and with a limited bubble dispersion. On the other hand, the sensory assessment and the willingness to pay of consumers were assessed in two groups (a fully informed one about heathy attributes of the food and a blind one). The results indicated a moderate appreciation of the overall quality of the product (average score between 4 and 5 points on a 9-point Likert scale). The information about the food’s healthy properties and the ability to maintain a low glycemic index did not enhance the consumers’ perception of the product, while previous knowledge and involvement in the product consumption were perceived to have primary importance regarding the final consumers’ choice. Finally, an accelerated shelf-life test was run on the packaged snack to evaluate the general quality and stability. The protective packaging helped in limiting bread decay and maintaining the textural characteristics. Full article

Biochar (B) has low nutrient content and is recalcitrant to biodegradation. Supplementing B with a fast-releasing nutrient source may improve soil fertility and physical conditions and increase crop productivity. A three-season field study was conducted on sandy loam and sandy clay loam textured soils to investigate the effect of B mixed with livestock manure (LM) on soil properties (pH, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total Nitrogen (TN), available Phosphorus (Avail P)), and French bean yield (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Rwanda. The study used a factorial randomized block design with four replications. Treatments comprised three levels of B (0, 1, and 3 t/ha) and three levels of LM (0, 1, and 3 t/ha). Biochar was used from S. sesban, G. sepium, A. angustissima, Eucalyptus, and Grevillea sp., prepared using a drum kiln, while LM was prepared using the pit method. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Tukey (HSD) function at p < 0.05, and linear mixed-effects model were performed in R software version 4.3.3 (R Core Team, 2024). The analysis showed that the treated plots significantly increased French bean yield compared to the control plots, with the highest value found in plots treated with 3 t/ha. The combined plots showed an increased yield compared to sole Biochar or manure. The seasonal increase has been observed, with percentage increases recorded as follows: 16%, 33.56%, 173.06% in sole B plots; 40.28%, 14.43%, and 11.76% in sole LM plots and 125%, 156%, and 209.8% in B + LM plots for season 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Furthermore, the results indicated that the application of B alone or combined with LM significantly enhanced soil pH, OC, TN, avail P, and CEC with the pH ranging from 6.77 to 5.43 for B alone, 6.7–5.35 for LM alone, 8.53–6.06 for B-LM plots, and 4.34–3.78 for control plots. Applying Biochar, either alone or in combination with LM, at a low rate demonstrated positive effects on French bean yield and soil nutrients in smallholder farmers. This study encourages using natural materials such as B and LM to improve soil fertility and increase vegetable production while reducing chemical fertilizers that can cause pollution and damage the environment. Full article

Due to its low dietary impact and bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, white kidney bean extract is an attractive raw material for fermented drinks. It can be utilized either on its own or blended with cow’s milk, offering a promising solution to help meet dairy product demand during mid-season shortages. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the physicochemical characteristics, sensory properties, and microbiological profile of fermented milk-like drinks made from white kidney bean extract, cow’s milk and their blends during 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Three blends of fermented milk-like drinks (FMLDs) were prepared from different ratios of cow’s milk (CM) and kidney bean extract (BE): FMLD1 (CM 30%:BE 70%); FMLD2 (CM 50%:BE 50%), FMLD3 (CM 70%:BE 30%), along with plain fermented kidney been extract (FBE; CM 0%:BE 100%), and plain fermented cow’s milk (FCM; CM 100%:BE 0%). The mixtures were pasteurized at 92 °C for 25 min and fermented with a probiotic-type starter culture (S. thermophilus, B. bifidum, L. acidophilus) at 43 °C. FBE exhibited the lowest levels of carbohydrates (2.14%), fat (0.11%), and protein (1.45%) compared to fermented cow’s milk and blends. The FBE and the fermented blends with a higher ratio of bean extract had lower viscosity and lactic acid contents, greener hue, more pronounced aftertaste and off-flavors, and received lower overall acceptability scores. Although the FCM had higher counts of S. thermophilus and L. acidophilus, the FBE displayed significantly higher counts of B. bifidum. This study demonstrated the potential of using white kidney bean extract and its blends with cow’s milk to create unique fermented products with a lower dietary impact, highlighting the importance of further optimizing the formulations to enhance sensory qualities and reduce the beany off-flavors in the products with added kidney bean extract. Full article

Greenhouse cultivation is one of the current strategies to address the challenges of food production, sustainability, and food quality. Similarly, the use of technological tools to automate greenhouse environments through a set of sensors and actuators allows for the control and improvement of processes within this environment. This document presents data collected from the sensors and actuators of two identical greenhouse environments, one with the cultivation of stringless blue lake beans and the other without cultivation. The aim is that this dataset will provide a broader characterization of the behavior of climatic variables inside greenhouse environments and how they are impacted by control actions, subsequently contributing to the development of new research on implementations of or improvements to control, supervision, management, and automation actions in greenhouse environments. Full article