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Sustainable improvements in agricultural production and productivity necessitate efficient resource utilization; relay intercropping can improve crop yield and land productivity while using fewer inputs. Thus, in a three-year field trial, different cucurbit vegetable crops were tested to see if they were suitable for relay intercropping with perennial castor (Ricinus communis L.). These treatments encompassed various intercropping strategies involving castor, each paired with a different cucurbit: bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), snake gourd (Trichsanthus cucumerina), bottle gourd (Legenaria siceraria), coccinia (Trichsanthus dioica), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Castor and cucumber relay intercropping systems produced the highest castor equivalent yield (1701 kg/ha), followed by castor and ridge gourd (1596 kg/ha). Among all the cucurbit intercropping systems, the castor + cucumber relay system had the highest productivity (4.66 kg/ha/day), profitability (338.8 Rs/ha/day), and relative economic efficiency (198.5%). The best moisture-use efficiency was achieved by castor and bitter gourd relay intercropping (6.58 kg/ha/mm), followed by castor and bottle gourd relay intercropping (6.35 kg/ha/mm). There was a higher net return for relay intercropping of castor and cucumber (Rs.1,23,662/ha), followed by castor and ridge gourd (Rs.1,20,515/ha). Perennial sole castor produced 1312 kg of seeds per hectare, despite its low monetary returns of Rs 41,801/hectare. It has been found that relay intercropping between castor and ridge gourd (3.29), followed by castor and bitter gourd (3.29), produces the highest benefit-cost ratio. As a result, the relay intercropping system, which determines the competitive interaction and productivity of castor and cucurbits, can provide the greatest benefits.

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The study was conducted to determine the distribution of the common Meloidogyne species in research stations and vegetable farms in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Galled roots were collected from inoculum plots of four research stations and two vegetable farms. Identification of species was based on juvenile and female morphological characters and specific SCAR primers for Meloidogyne species. The pathogenicity of M. incognita and M. javanica was evaluated at different inoculum levels on tomato in a screenhouse study. M. incognita was the dominant species encountered in research plots, although it often occurred in mixed population with M. javanica and other unidentified species. Growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, and yield responded negatively to increasing inoculum levels for all the cultivars except Small Fry and Celebrity. Both cultivars were categorized as resistant to M. incognita and tolerant to M. javanca. The most popularly grown tomato cultivars, Ibadan Local, Roma (Roma type) and Beske were susceptible to both species of root-knot nematodes.  

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  According to increasing trend of the consumption of ready to use leafy vegetables, mainly impact of freezing on sensory attributes of the vegetables and necessity of determination of the best conditions for frozen storage of leafy vegetables, this research carried out for determination of the best frozen storage time and temperature of Allium ampeloprasum, Lepidium sativum and Stureia hortensis mixtures. This study was done at first for storage of ready to use and comminuted leafy vegetables entitled Ghormeh Sabzi mixture in -9, -12 and -18°C as well as 120, 150 and 180 days by explorer method. At second for frying of vegetables of Ghormeh Sabzi and comparison of sensory attributes of freezed vegetables at each month by experimental method. Sensory attributes all treatments containing color, taste and acceptability were evaluated and compared statistically. The results of freezing temperature in 3 times indicate that color in -18°C is the first rank (P≤0.05). Flavour has the first rank in -18°C in 120 and 150 days but flavour in 180 days in -12°C is the first rank without significant difference with -9°C and -18°C. Furthermore, acceptability in -18°C in 3 times is the first rank. The results of freezing time during 3 temperatures indicate that color, flavour and acceptability are not significantly different. The research results indicate that sensory attributes of the vegetables during 180 days frozen storage is affected by freezing temperature mainly rather than freezing time.  

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Aims: The consumption of fruits and vegetables has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors. The present study aimed to assess the effect of educational intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as its effect on blood lipid parameters, in government employees.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in two offices in Qaem Shahr. The data collection tool included a 31-item questionnaire on the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and a laboratory test to measure blood lipid parameters. The Chi-square test, t-test, paired sample t-test, and ANCOVA were used for data analysis.
Findings: The study groups significantly differed in mean fruit and vegetable consumption after the six-month intervention (p<0.001). The mean total cholesterol (p<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C; p=0.005) levels were significantly different between the groups after the intervention. The mean difference of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels showed a significant relationship with the study groups and the interaction of gender and group (p<0.001). The mean difference of total cholesterol (p=0.008) and LDL-C had a significant relationship with the study groups (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is only effective in improving the levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C, but not in lowering triglyceride and HDL-C levels. Therefore, influencing factors, such as the duration of fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as the time required to monitor their effect on these parameters, should be more closely examined.

 

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Enteric viruses are among those pathogens which are responsible for a significant portion of food-borne diseases. Unfortunately, robust, quantitative methods for sampling and analysis of viruses in foods are not well-established. As a result, epidemiologically determined etiologies or pathogen sources in food-borne outbreaks are rarely confirmed by routine virological analysis. In this study, MS2 coliphage was used as a model for enteric viruses. In addition, elution method of virus from the surface of vegetables by different buffers was investigated. Among ten buffers used  for elution of the coliphage,  four buffers (0.05 M glycin and 150mM NaCl, pH 9.5; 0.05 M glycin and 1%(w/v)beef extract, 3%(w/v)beef extract in pH 9.5 or 7.5) showed the highest coliphage recovery (82%, 88%, 92% and 82%  respectively). Furthermore, the coliphage concentration index using polyethylene glycol [10%(w/v)] and NaCl (0.3M) was also evaluated. Up to 80% of the inculated of coliphages were recovered and confirmed that type of buffer had no effect on the concentration index. According to our results, incubation time in solution of polyethylene glycol was an important factor in concentration index. The highest index of concentration was detected in overnight incubation at 4°C.  

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The objective of this work was to study the responses of two baby lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, namely, green Paris Island and red Sanguine, to different NaCl concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 mM). The study was conducted in a floating system and plants were harvested at the stage of 5-6 leaves, outside leaf 6-10 cm in length (25 and 31 days after sowing for green and red lettuce, respectively). Photosynthetic parameters (photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂ concentration) and yield (leaf fresh weight) as well as color [L* (lightness), C* (saturation), Hº (object’s color)], pigments (Chla, Chlb, total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins) and quality indices (appearance, freshness, taste and texture) were determined. The results indicated that, in both cultivars, leaf fresh weight was reduced at 20 mM NaCl; the reduction depended on the limited water accessibility and photosynthetic rate was suppressed in high salt concentration through stomatal limitations aiming at the retention of water but resulting in restricted availability of CO₂. Nevertheless, no limitations were observed in photosynthetic pigments and, thus, stomatal closure was the dominant factor limiting photosynthesis. On the other hand, salinity improved anthocyanin content and coloration in red lettuce and enhanced freshness in green lettuce.

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The use of chemical compounds is a very simple and effective way to protect agricultural products, against pests. Increasing the unplanned use of these pesticides is a concern, because the pesticides residue in fruits and vegetables can lead to very dangerous side effects in humans. Olive is one of the most useful and consuming fruits in the Iranian community that can be used as pickled olive. Therefore, in this study, fermentation ability to reduce residues of two commonly used pesticides, Malathion and Diazinon studied, and their changes due to product acidity, pH and salt content during the preparation and fermentation processes were meassured. The results showed that washing and debittering operations reduced Malathion and Diazinon to 73.59 and 93.38%, respectively. However, after 20 days fermentation, their reduction was 63.68% and 69.57%, and after 40 days, at the end of production, this decrease was approximately 90.5% and 97.98%, respectively. The residue of Malathion pesticide was significantly different in fermentation days; 1, 10 and 20 (P<0.05), while the mean value for Diazinon was not significant. Overall, the results showed that the fermentation process had a significant effect on Malathion residue (P<0.05) but did not affect Diazinon residue. Also, fermentation had a significant effect on the percentage of salt, pH and acidity (P<0.05). At the end of the fermentation process, no mould growing was observed, but the yeast grow was showed (CFU/g 1450), much lower than the number that could affect the quality of the product. Generally, the fermentation process effectively reduced the amount of residual pesticides, and the operations carried out in the production of pickled olives are more effective to reduce the amount of pesticide residues than the fermentation process itself.

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Despite the relative success of different chemical compounds to improve meat tenderness, adverse effects caused by the use of these compounds on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of meat, have led to restrictions on their use on an industrial scale. Therefore, in order to prevent these undesirable chemical effects, the application of some natural tenderizers has been considered. Natural meat tenderizers, are substances in those fruits and vegetables containing proteolytic enzymes such as cysteine protease, serine protease, metalloprotease and aspartic proteases. In this paper major biochemical changes that have led to meat tenderness, as well as proper plant sources used in tenderizing process have been reviewed.

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In this study, we try to evaluate the effect of ionic strength, pH and temperature of washing solutions on nitrate percentage in many leafy and root vegetable. For this purpose three edible solutions including NaCl as high ionic strength solution, baking soda (NaHCO₃) as basic solution and vinegar as acidic solution selected as nitrate losing agents for leafy vegetables (mint, basil, savory, tarragon, parsley, coriander, cress, radish and chives) and the effect of temperature evaluated using warm water (70 -100 ˚C) on nitrate percentage in root vegetables (potato and onion). Nitrate percentage in vegetables changed with different patterns. High ionic strength increased leafy vegetable nitrate percentage in wide rang (20.25 - 85 %(w/w)), pH increasing by baking soda solution increased nitrate percentage of group 1(Mint & Basil) leafy vegetables (33 %(w/w)) and decreased it in other groups partially (0.22 - 6.2 %(w/w)). However, pH decreasing by vinegar solution decreased nitrate percentage in all cases (14.6 - 41 %(w/w)). Optimum concentration of vinegar solution and treatment time in this solution, for maximum nitrate losing were 20 % (w/w) and 10 minutes, respectively. In the second part of this study, effect of solution temperature on nitrate percentage of root vegetables (potato and onion) was evaluated. Results show by this pretreatment nitrate percentage decreased 68.6 %(w/w) about potato and 26.6% (w/w) about onion. The important advantage of this study is vegetables nitrate percentage decrease, while the freshness and safety of these products preserved.  

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Fresh vegetables are important sources of nutrients, vitamins and fiber and their consumption, especially in raw form, has increased in recent years due to special attention to improving the health of society. Today, despite the use of strict disinfection methods in vegetable and salad factories, The problem of microbial contamination, especially Escherichia coli mesophilic bacteria, remains in the summer. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of interstitial contamination of vegetables with coliforms and specifically Escherichia coli. In this study, iceberg lettuce and non-disinfected vegetable samples were used as control samples and 4 samples of disinfected lettuce and vegetables were randomly sampled from the production line. Samples were inoculated into the relevant culture medium after disinfection with peracetic acid solution and calcium hypochlorite and then final rinsing with water. To evaluate the surface contamination, after 1, 5 and 20 minutes and also to examine the interstitial contamination Finely chopped face After 20 minutes, a specific test for Escherichia coli was performed. The growth of this bacterium was observed in control samples and very finely chopped vegetable samples. The results of this study indicate the accuracy and adequacy of the disinfection process and the lack of surface contamination and the possibility of interstitial contamination and absorption of this bacterium through the roots and vessels of the plant.

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The aim of this research was to produce a diet beverage based on aloe vera and investigate its physicochemical, microbiological, antioxidant, and sensory properties. To achieve this goal, aloe vera gel at concentrations of 5%, 5.7%, and 10% underwent heat treatment at 80°C for 30 minutes (Treatment A) and 90°C for 3 minutes (Treatment B). Aspartame was added at concentrations of 100, 150, and 200 ppm, and the beverages were stored for a period of 31 days. The study was conducted using a fractional factorial design with 34 samples under investigation. Optimization was performed based on a maximum amount of 10 gr of aloe vera, 200 ppm of aspartame, and a minimum amount of 5 gr of aloe vera and 100 ppm of aspartame. The use of the sweetener aspartame was highly effective in improving the taste of the beverage, as it provides a much sweeter sensation compared to saccharide sugars and is beneficial for diabetic patients. Based on the microbiological test results, the heat treatment (pasteurization) was successful. Furthermore, sensory evaluation showed improvements in taste, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel with the addition of aloe vera gel to the samples with no undesirable characteristics observed. After determining the models and variable combinations using the Design Expert software, an optimized sample was introduced, containing 200 ppm of aspartame, 10 gr of aloe vera, and the optimized pasteurization process, which was Treatment B for 30 minutes. The results of this study indicate that a vegetable-based diet beverage containing aloe vera can be successfully produced as a beneficial product with desirable sensory characteristics that are acceptable to consumers.

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Vibrio cholerae is one of the important human pathogens that is transmitted through contaminated water and food. In Qom province, due to special weather conditions, diseases caused by Vibrio cholerae are endemic. The aim of this study was the prevalence of Vibrio cholerae in water and vegetables of Qom province and the presence of two virulence genes, hlyA and toxR. During two years (2020-2021), 120 samples of agricultural water (70) and vegetables (50) in Qom province were collected. The samples were cultured on specific media. Suspicious colonies were evaluated by Gram staining and biochemical tests and the serotype Vibrio cholerae was identified by serology test. Finally, Then, the presence of virulence genes was investigated by PCR method and also the antibiotic resistance pattern by disk diffusion method was evaluated in the isolates.  Vibrio cholera bacteria were isolated from 17 samples (16.14%), all of which were Non-O1. The rate of contamination of water and vegetables was 28.14% (10 cases) and 14.00% (7 cases), respectively. In molecular evaluation, the abundance of virulence genes including: toxR (88.32%), rtxA (58.82%), hlyA (47.05%), chxA (5.88%), and 100% of isolates did not have ctxA, ace and tcpA genes. The most antibiotic resistance is related to ampicillin and amoxicillin (34.29%), followed by cefuroxime (17.46%), imipenem (11.76%), and cefoxitin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (5.88%). The results of this study showed that Vibrio cholerae Non-O1 is present in water and vegetables of Qom province, and as an important source of disease for humans therefore, continuous health monitoring of water and vegetables and proper disinfection of these foods is very important.