Detection of Adenovirus in Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Wastewater and Manure from Irrigated Farms in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Enteric viral pathogens are responsible for numerous epidemics associated with the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetable, whether raw or minimally processed. The aim of the present study was to assess agricultural practices and the presence of adenovirus (AdV) in fruits and vegetables, manure and irrigation wastewater sampled in the urban and peri-urban perimeters of Ouagadougou. A total of 286 samples including 30 lettuces, 42 tomatoes, 30 carrots, 30 strawberries, 74 manures and 80 wastewater samples were collected from four market garden sites in and around Ouagadougou. Nested PCR was performed with specific primers to detect adenoviruses (AdVs). A face-to-face survey was carried out using a questionnaire on market garden production practices. Overall, adenoviruses prevalence was 5.9% [IC95, 3.2% - 8.7%] in all samples analyzed. It was specifically 7.14% (3/42) from tomatoes, 6.7% (2/30) from lettuces, 20% (6/30) on strawberries and 7.5% (6/80) in irrigation water. The survey showed that irrigation water came from untreated sources (dam, well, canal) and then 52% of farms used untreated manure. No farms have implemented measures to limit access by domestic and wild animals. This work shows the presence of human adenoviruses in surface irrigation water and fresh produce, which is of concern when fresh produce is consumed raw. To reduce the public health risks associated with consuming these foods, it is essential to follow good hygiene and cultivation practices.

Development status and prospect of cold chain logistics of fruits,vegetables,and agricultural products based on intelligent technology

The cold chain in the production area of fruits and vegetables is the primary link to reduce product loss and improve product quality,but it is also a weak link.With the application of big data technology in cold chain logistics,intelligent devices,and technologies have become important carriers for improving the efficiency of cold chain logistics in fruit and vegetable production areas,extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables,and reducing fruit and vegetable losses.They have many advantages in fruit and vegetable pre-cooling,sorting and packaging,testing,warehousing,transportation,and other aspects.This article summarizes the rapidly developing and widely used intelligent technologies at home and abroad in recent years,including automated guided vehicle intelligent handling based on electromagnetic or optical technology,intelligent sorting based on sensors,electronic optics,and other technologies,intelligent detection based on computer vision technology,intelligent transportation based on perspective imaging technology,etc.It analyses and studies the innovative research and achievements of various scholars in applying intelligent technology in fruit and vegetable cold chain storage,sorting,detection,transportation,and other links,and improves the efficiency of fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics.However,applying intelligent technology in fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics also faces many problems.The challenges of high cost,difficulty in technological integration,and talent shortages have limited the development of intelligent technology in the field of fruit and vegetable cold chains.To solve the current problems,it is proposed that costs be controlled through independent research and development,technological innovation,and other means to lower the entry threshold for small enterprises.Strengthen integrating intelligent technology and cold chain logistics systems to improve data security and system compatibility.At the same time,the government should introduce relevant policies,provide necessary financial support,and establish talent training mechanisms.Accelerate the development and improvement of intelligent technology standards in the field of cold chain logistics.Through technological innovation,cost control,talent cultivation,and policy guidance,we aim to promote the upgrading of the agricultural industry and provide ideas for improving the quality and efficiency of fruit and vegetable cold chain logistics.

Bee pollination in vegetables:current status,challenges and prospects

Vegetables are very important for human health in the era of nutritional security because they are rich in vitamins,minerals,phytochemicals,and dietary fibers.Inadequate pollination due to the decline of pollinators is a major obstacle in achieving high productivity of vegetables that adversely affects the quality and quantity of seed production of vegetables.Bee pollination influences the profitability and productivity of several horticultural crops,especially vegetables.Bee pollination significantly increases crop quality and yield,and it also has widespread nutritional and monetary advantages.Bees encounter various obstacles that might negatively impact their quality of life,such as habitat destruction,effects of agrochemicals,insect-pest and diseases,and changing weather scenarios.The inadvertent usage of agrochemicals contaminates the vegetables and the bee products that are eventually consumed by humans.To meet the pollination demand of cross-pollinated vegetables like cucurbits and cole crops,3−5 bee colonies/hectare are sufficient.Aspects like colony conditions,beehive densities,distribution,and time of placement of bee colonies must be considered to improve bee pollination.Bees are recognized as the most important pollinators because of their effectiveness and wider availability across the globe.To ensure food security,nutritional security,and to preserve biodiversity,bee pollination must be enhanced and given prime importance in vegetables.The integrated pollination technique,which recently arose but is in the infancy stage,links wild and managed bees on more bee-friendly farmlands to provide reliable and sufficient pollination.

Optimizing Household Wastes (Rice, Vegetables, and Fruit) as an Environmentally Friendly Electricity Generator

The high consumption of electricity and issues related to fossil energy have triggered an increase in energy prices and the scarcity of fossil resources.Consequently,many researchers are seeking alternative energy sources.One potential technology,the Microbial Fuel Cell(MFC)based on rice,vegetable,and fruit wastes,can convert chemical energy into electrical energy.This study aims to determine the potency of rice,vegetable,and fruit waste assisted by Cu/Mg electrodes as a generator of electricity.The method used was a laboratory experiment,including the following steps:electrode preparation,waste sample preparation,incubation of the waste samples,construction of a reactor using rice,vegetable,and fruit waste as a source of electricity,and testing.The tests included measuring electrical conductivity,electric current,voltage,current density,and power density.Based on the test results,the maximum current and voltage values for the fruit waste samples were 5.53 V and 11.5 mA,respectively,with a current density of 2.300 mA/cm^(2) and a power density of 12.719 mW/cm^(2).The results indicate the potential for a future development.The next step in development involves determining the optimum conditions for utilizing of rice,vegetable,and fruit waste.The results of the electrical conductivity test on rice,vegetable,and fruit waste samples were 1.51,2.88,and 3.98 mS,respectively,with the highest electrical conductivity value found in the fruit waste sample.

Determination of Coumoxystrobin Residue in Vegetables by QeEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a method for determining residual coumoxystrobin in vegetables using QeEChERS-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(QeEChERS-LC-MS/MS).[Methods]The sample was extracted by acetonitrile,and the extract was purified by QeEChERS,concentrated by nitrogen blowing,and then detected.[Results]Coumoxystrobin had a good linear relation in the range of 0.01-10.0 mg/kg,and the linear equation was y=4686.92×x+5683.28,R^(2)=0.999.The limit of detection was 0.001 mg/kg,and the limit of quantitation was 0.003 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method has the advantages of convenient and fast operation and stable detection process,and can provide technical support for the supervision and monitoring of coumoxystrobin.

Rapid screening of 420 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables using ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry

A new method for screening and identification 420 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)were developed.The samples were extracted with acetonitrile/acetic acid(99:1,V/V),and clean-up by SinChERS-Nano(single-step,cheap,effective,rugged,safe,nano)column,determined by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.The accurate mass database and MS/MS database which contains 420 pesticides were established,the automatic retrieval of detection results was carried on according to the accurate mass,retention time,isotope ratio,ion fragment information,and so on.Method verification was performed on leeks samples.The results showed that 420 pesticides had good linearity in the range of 0.1-100μg/L,and the correlation coeffificients(R2)was greater than 0.990.The limits of detections(LODs)and limits of quantifications(LOQs)of 420 pesticides were in range of 0.05-2.0 and 0.1-5.0μg/L,respectively.The average spike recoveries at 3 levels were 70.1%to 119.7%,and the relative standard deviations(RSD)were lower than 20%(n=6).With this method,a survey of pesticide residues was conducted for 110 samples of 10 different fruits and vegetables,which provided scientific data for ensuring pesticide residue safety of the fruits and vegetables consumed daily by the public.This method was simple,sensitive and accurate,and could be used for rapid screening of 420 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.

Selected fermented indigenous vegetables and fruits from Malaysia as potential sources of natural probiotics for improving gut health

In the Peninsular Malaysia and Northern Borneo island of Malaysia, various rich indigenous leafy vegetables and fruits grow and contribute to the nutritional and dietary values of the population. They have high water contents, thus, naturally vulnerable to rapid food spoilage. Food preservation and processing play a vital role in the inhibition of food pathogens in fruits and vegetables that are prevalent in Malaysia. Lactic acid fermentation is generally a local-based bioprocess, among the oldest form and well-known for food-processing techniques among indigenous people there. The long shelf life of fermented vegetables and fruits improves their nutritional values and antioxidant potentials. Fermented leaves and vegetables can be utilized as a potential source of probiotics as they are host for several lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus confusus, Weissella paramesenteroides, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus pentosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These strains may be more viable in metabolic systems whereby they can contribute to a substantial increase in essential biologically active element than industrial starter cultures. This review is aimed to address some essential fermented fruits and vegetables in Malaysia and their remarkable reputations as a potential sources of natural probiotics.

Twelve family members with tetramine poisoning after consumption of vegetables grown in polluted soils

The main toxic component of tetramine is tetramethylenedisulfotetramine(TETS).It is a sulfonamide derivative without special antidote,tasteless and tasteless,with high toxicity and high mortality.[1]It was first discovered by a German scientist Hagen in 1949.Although its use has been banned worldwide due to its high toxicity and mortality rate,it is still available in certain countries and has led to cases of intentional and unintentional poisoning.Tetramine blocksγ-neurons,leading to dizziness,fatigue,nausea,vomiting,convulsions,and other symptoms.[2-4]Due to the lack of recognized effective antidotes,many poisoned people suff ocate and die as a result of continuous spasms of the respiratory muscles.[5-7]Tetramine poisoning sometimes occurs,but it is rare for vegetables grown in tetraminecontaminated soil to cause group poisoning after being eaten.

Filtration assisted pretreatment for rapid enrichment and accurate detection of Salmonella in vegetables

Rapid detection of target foodborne pathogens plays more and more significant roles in food safety,which requires the efficiency,sensitivity,and accuracy.In this research,we proposed a new st rategy of isothermal-molecular-amplification integrated with lateral-flow-strip for rapid detection of Salmonella without traditional enrichment-culture.Th e designed syringe-assisted-filtration can contribute to simultaneous collection and concentration of target bacterium from vegetable samples in just 3 min,resolving the drawbacks of traditional random sampling protocols.After simple and convenient ultrasonication,samples can be directly amplified at 39℃ in 25 min and the amplicons are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed with the designed lateral-flow-strip in 5 min.Finally,satisfied results have been achieved within 40 min,which greatly improve the efficiency while the accuracy is also guaranteed.Furthermore,all detection steps can be completed under instrument-free conditions.This method will hold great promise for target pathogen detection in the resource-limited district,or for emergency on-site identification.

The Status of Vegetables Research in Malawi, Capacity, Progress, Gaps, and Way Forward—A Scoping Review

Vegetables are key to nutrition and economic security, especially for developing societies. Research in vegetables has been historically key. From early domestication efforts to modern-day breeding and value addition, research has enabled vegetable productivity to support the nutritional and economic needs of societies. Impactful research, however, requires competent research capacity and a guiding framework, in a continuously changing socio-climatic world. Vegetable research appraisal in Malawi, especially regarding capacity, focus, and a guiding framework, is lacking. By using 5 search engines and 506 analyzed publications, this review sought to first examine the existing research capacity in Malawi and assess the vegetable research focus in terms of both value chain analysis themes and specific vegetable tax. This approach allowed for the isolation and flagging out of key emerging issues from existing research that positively contextualize future vegetable research direction in Malawi. It has been found that Malawi has adequate institutional and expertise capacity to further vegetable research. The identified challenges include local funding and infrastructural capacity to leverage donor funding. Three key emerging issues of climate change, modeling, and biofortification in vegetable crops have been identified. It is suggested that, with Malawi facing the climate change challenge, research focus in these areas, will enhance not only nutritional and economic security, but also overall climate change readiness. Key to climate change readiness is the involvement of indigenous vegetable production. As a package, vegetable cultivation can play a critical role in contributing to the achievement of pillar 1 of the Malawi vision 2063, which seeks to leverage agricultural productivity and commercialization with a focus on climate change resilience.

Strategies for High-quality Development of Greenhouse Vegetables in Zibo City,Shandong Province

This investigation report got a clear picture of the general situation of the development of greenhouse vegetable industry in Zibo,and found out the existing problems such as frequent harmful weather,few special varieties and high-grade varieties of greenhouse vegetables,fragmentation of new technology promotion of greenhouse vegetables,low level of intensive seedling raising of vegetables,backward level of facility planting structure and equipment,etc.This paper puts forward the strategies for the future high-quality development of vegetables:promoting the adjustment of vegetable planting structure,rationally arranging vegetables for rotation,strengthening vegetable technical guidance,and innovating vegetable consumption patterns.

Experimental Study and Modeling of a Convective Dryer for Fruits and Vegetables

The present work deals with the study of the thermal performances of a convective dryer for fruits and vegetables. This dryer, operating with energy generated from the combustion of biomass in a boiler connected to a water/air heat exchanger could be a solution to the problematic of energy related to drying. An experimental and theoretical study is carried out on the temperature profile inside the dryer. For this purpose, 10.3 kg of tomatoes were dried on the experimental setup. The operation lasted about 16 hours and reduced the moisture content from 93.8% to 12% in wet basis. The overall thermal efficiency of the convective dryer during the trial is 10.76%. For the theoretical study, the dryer components (boiler, water/air exchanger and drying chamber) are first modeled individually;the different sub-programs are then coupled to form the convective dryer program. The method of global heat balances combined with the one called “ε-NUT” is used. The set of equations is discretized using the implicit method of finite differences, then solved with the Gauss algorithm in Fortran 90. The theoretical results obtained are in good agreement with those measured.

Levels of Heavy Metals in Some Vegetables and Human Health Risk Assessment in Loumbila Area, Burkina Faso

Contamination by heavy metals of soil, water and agricultural products is currently a major problem of environmental pollution in the world. The consumption of plants contaminated with heavy metals can be the cause of diseases such as cancers, the number of cases of which is only growing. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in plants from the vegetable farm of LOUMBILA and the assessment of health risks linked to the consumption of plants. In this paper, the concentration of heavy metal in vegetable was measured using the model AANALYST 200 flame atomic absorption spectrometer from PERKIN ELMER. The level of Zn in the vegetables from Loumbila vegetable farms ranged between 42.95 mg/kg and 78 mg/kg. The concentrations of Zn in the studies vegetables were higher than the permissible levels set by FAO/WHO (20 mg/kg). The concentration Pb in vegetables varied from 1.73 mg/kg to 27.02 mg/kg. All concentrations of Pb in vegetable were higher than the permissible levels set by FAO/WHO (0.3 mg/kg). Daily intake of Ni, Cr and Pb was higher than the MTDI, so consumption of vegetables from Loumbila vegetable farms can lead to health problems related to Ni, Cr and Pb. In vegetables from LOUMBILA, the estimated daily intake decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr. The Hazard index values for carrot, onion, lettuce, green bean and onion leaves were greater than (>) one (1) which indicates that there might be a potential health risk to those consuming these vegetables. The Target Cancer Risk (TCR) analysis also revealed the potential cancer risk induced by Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr and Pb due to the consumption of carrot, onion leaves, onion, lettuce, green bean, and bell pepper because their TCR values were above the threshold.

Multi-Task Timing Assignment Algorithm for Intelligent Production of Vegetables in Open Field

Vegetable production in the open field involves many tasks,such as soil preparation,ridging,and transplanting/sowing.Different tasks require agricultural machinery equipped with different agricultural tools to meet the needs of the operation.Aiming at the coupling multi-task in the intelligent production of vegetables in the open field,the task assignment method for multiple unmanned tractors based on consistency alliance is studied.Firstly,unmanned vegetable production in the open field is abstracted as a multi-task assignment model with constraints of task demand,task sequence,and the distance traveled by an unmanned tractor.The tight time constraints between associated tasks are transformed into time windows.Based on the driving distance of the unmanned tractor and the replacement cost of the tools,an expanded task cost function is innovatively established.The task assignment model of multiple unmanned tractors is optimized by the consensus based bundle algorithm(CBBA)with time windows.Experiments show that the method can effectively solve task conflict in unmanned production and optimize task allocation.A basic model is provided for the cooperative task of multiple unmanned tractors for vegetable production in the open field.

Design and Development of Web-based Expert System for the Diagnosis of Disease and Pests of Fruits and Vegetables

According to the requirements of agricultural production and usem, taking diagnosis and decision-making of prevention for common diseases and pests in fruits and vegetables in southern China as the core, with communication and sharing as principle, adopted diagnosis, inquiries and guiding prevention of diseases and pests in fruits and vegetables as purpose, expert examination system of plant disease and pests in fruits and vegetables based on Web highly integrates the knowledge and prevention techniques of common diseases and pests for main fruit and vegetable in south China. In this system, the users can browse and inquiry the information about the fruit and vegetable diseases and pests, as well as their diagnosis and control. The implementation of the system plays an active role in promo- ting plant protection knowledge and guiding farms to scientifically control diseases and pests in fruits and vegetables

Nutritional Value and Planting Techniques of Several Wild Vegetables in Composite

The nutritional components and utilization value of such 6 wild vegetables as Gynura divaricata, Kalimeris indica, Artemisia argyi H. Lev. ＆ Vaniot, Artemisia selengensis, Lysimachia clethroides and Taraxacum mongolicum were introduced, so as to promote the development and utilization of wild vegetable resources. The culture management of these 6 wild vegetables was also introduced, so as to provide reference for culture of wild vegetables.

Agricultural Application of Multi-functional Leaf Vegetables Light-conversion Film

[Objective] The aim was to detect property of light-conversion agricultural films in order to resolve problems existing of greenhouses and in cultivation of out- of-season vegetables. [Method] Light-conversion films and common films were com- pared in terms Of light, air and soil temperatures. [Result] Vegetable greenhouse performed better in transmission of light, which would also improve air and soil tem- perature. [Conclusion] The comprehensive properties of vegetable light-conversion films proved better compared with common greenhouse, which improves light condi- tions for crops.

Tolerance and Cumulative Effect of Zinc Pollution of Three Vegetables in Central China

[Objective] The aim was to study the differences of tolerance and cultivate effect of Zn pollution in three vegetables in central China. [Method] Seed germination tests and pot experiments of radish （Raphanus Sativus L.）,pakchoi（Brassica campestris ssp. Chinensis） and edible amaranth （Amaranthus mangostanus） under Zn stress with different concentrations were carried out,to study the effects of different treatments on seed germination rates,seedling growth,biomass and Zn contents of vegetables. [Result] Zn stress with concentration of 2 000 mg/L had no significant influence on seed germination rates of pakchoi and radish,but had significant influences on seed germination rate of amaranth. Zn stress with concentrations of 500 and 2 000 mg/L had significant influence on seedling growth of the three vegetables. The tolerance of radish to excessive Zn toxicity was stronger than that of pakchoi and amaranth. In addition,Zn contents in edible part of the 3 vegetables in each treatment were lower than standard of food hygiene of China. When the added Zn was 100-1 000 mg/kg soil,the Zn contents in radish shoot and root parts were both lower than that in pakchoi and amaranth. [Conclusion] Radish had better tolerance on Zn pollution than pakchoi and amaranth,and was more suitable to be planted in Zn-contaminated soils than the other two vegetables in central China to reduce Zn contamination risk in food chain.

Progress on Light-controlled Preservation Technology of Postharvest Vegetables

Preservation technology of light control has received the widespread atten- tion for its safety, green, environmental-protection, high efficiency. It has become the hotspot in the area of postharvest vegetables preservation. It could mainly be divid- ed into three categories： LED preservation, UV preservation and radiation preserva- tion. This paper systematically reviewed the mechanisms of different preservation technology of light control, summarized the research progress of light-controlled tech- nology in the physiological characteristics regulation, maintenance of nutritional quali- ty and microbial control of postharvest vegetables at home and aborad, and prospected the further studies on preservation technology for postharvest vegetables.

Experimental Study on Key Techniques for Indoor Cultivation of Sprout Vegetables in Families

This paper introduced the advantages of planting sprout vegetables in family rooms,expounded assembly principle of indoor cultivating device and the key techniques for indoor cultivating sprout vegetables in families.In the experiment,we assembled a set of indoor cultivating device for sprout vegetables,and summarized the indoor cultivating techniques of sprout vegetables in families.The indoor planting device was suitable for family members to cultivate sprout vegetables in the living rooms,kitchen,balcony and other corner space by using their spare time.It could not only provide high-quality vegetables for families,but also beautify the indoor environments of family rooms,and increase the oxygen content in rooms.This set of indoor cultivating device and techniques was suitable for planting various sprout vegetables(e.g.radish seedling,water spinach seedling,pea seedling,pine willow seedling,sunflower seedling and various bean seedlings,etc.).This is a set of high-efficient spatial planting technique in families,and also an effective way to increase organic vegetable supply for family.