Development of a RBFNN prediction model for carrot quality based on meteorological temperatures at vegetable stations

To evaluate and predict the quality of carrots during logistics process in North China under extreme temperature conditions,quality indicator changes of carrots were investigated,and temperature-coupled quality prediction models were developed.Seven temperatures were selected from meteorological temperature data by cluster analysis to simulate the changes in extreme temperatures during the short-term transportation of carrots.No carrots rotted during the 48h storage period.Under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions,weight loss andΔE increased while the firmness and sensory evaluation(SE)decreased.The RBFNN performed better than the Arrhenius model in predicting weight loss andΔE,with R^(2)>0.97,MSE<0.009 and relative errors within±18%.The results of the predictive confidence level and standardized residual indicated the good performance of the RBFNN model.The temperature-coupled prediction models of RBFNN were promising candidates for predicting the quality of vegetable products and therefore reducing economic loss of vegetable industry.

Telomere-to-telomere carrot (Daucus carota) genome assembly reveals carotenoid characteristics

Carrot(Daucus carota)is an Apiaceae plant with multi-colored fleshy roots that provides a model system for carotenoid research.In this study,we assembled a 430.40 Mb high-quality gapless genome to the telomere-to-telomere(T2T)level of“Kurodagosun”carrot.In total,36268 genes were identified and 34961 of them were functionally annotated.The proportion of repeat sequences in the genome was 55.3%,mainly long terminal repeats.Depending on the coverage of the repeats,14 telomeres and 9 centromeric regions on the chromosomes were predicted.A phylogenetic analysis showed that carrots evolved early in the family Apiaceae.Based on the T2T genome,we reconstructed the carotenoid metabolic pathway and identified the structural genes that regulate carotenoid biosynthesis.Among the 65 genes that were screened,9 were newly identified.Additionally,some gene sequences overlapped with transposons,suggesting replication and functional differentiation of carotenoid-related genes during carrot evolution.Given that some gene copies were barely expressed during development,they might be functionally redundant.Comparison of 24 cytochrome P450 genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis revealed the tandem or proximal duplication resulting in expansion of CYP gene family.These results provided molecular information for carrot carotenoid accumulation and contributed to a new genetic resource.

Exploring the nano-fungicidal efficacy of green synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles(MgO NPs)on the development,physiology,and infection of carrot(Daucus carota L.)with Alternaria leaf blight(ALB):Molecular docking

In this research,green synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles(MgO NPs)from lemon fruit extracts and their fungicidal potential was evaluated against Alternaria dauci infection on carrot(Daucus carota L.)under greenhouse conditions.The scanning and transmission electron microscopy(SEM and TEM)and ultra-violet(UV)visible spectroscopy were used to validate and characterize MgO NPs.The crystalline nature of MgONPs was determined using selected area electron diffraction(SAED).MgO NPs triggered substantial antifungal activity against A.dauci when exposed to 50 and 100 mg L^(–1)concentrations but the higher antifungal potential was noticed in 100 mg L^(–1)under invitro conditions.In fungal inoculated plants,a marked decrease in growth,photosynthetic pigments,and an increase in phenol,proline contents,and defense-related enzymes of carrot were seen over control(distilled water).However,foliar application of MgO NPs at 50 and 100 mg L^(–1)resulted in significant improvement of plant growth,photosynthetic pigments,phenol and proline contents,and defense enzymes activity of carrots with and without A.dauci infection.Spraying of MgO NPs at 100 mg L^(–1)had more plant length(17.11%),shoot dry weight(34.38%),plant fresh weight(20.46%),and root dry weight(49.09%)in carrots when challenged with A.dauci over inoculated control.The leaf blight indices and percent disease severity were also reduced in A.dauci inoculated plants when sprayed with MgO NPs.The non-bonding interactions of Alternaria genus protein with nanoparticles were studied using molecular docking.

Assessment of effectiveness of oral supplementation of isolated fiber of carrot on metabolic parameters in mature rats

This present study was conducted to evaluate the metabolic effects of isolated fi ber of carrot supplementation in rats.Physicochemical properties of fi ber were determined.The groups were as follows:animals fed a standard diet,control group;high fi ber supplementation(70 mg);low fi ber supplementation(35 mg);for 12 weeks.Blood samples were collected at the time of sacrifi ce.The weights of heart,liver,kidneys and spleen of the experimental rats with respect to body weight were recorded.Commercial kits were used to determine serum glucose concentration,lipid profi le(cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol,triglycerides),and the two main aminotransferases glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase(GOT)/glutamate-pyruvate transaminase(GPT).A histopathological assay was performed on the heart,liver,and spleen tissues of animals.Supplementation with fi ber favors weight loss in female((242.03±23.73)-(197.81±10.45)g);and male rats((262.50±32.21)-(213.96±12.56)g and induces a decrease in glucose levels in the supplemented animals.With the exception of total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,the other lipid fractions decrease signifi cantly in rats supplemented.Fiber supplementation did not induce changes in the dissected organs of the supplemented animals.In conclusion supplementation of fiber,improves glucose control,lower plasma lipid concentrations and reduced body weight in normal rats.

Physico-Chemical Study of the Adsorption of Carotenoids from Carrots on Raw and Modified Kaolinites

This study focuses on the adsorption at temperatures below 70℃, of carotenoids from carrots on clay materials such as kaolinite in the raw state, activated with a 0.5 M HCl solution or treated with a sodium solution of Al+. The kinetic study of carotenoid adsorption shows that equilibrium is reached after 30 minutes and the temperature has little influence on carotenoid adsorption. On the other hand, the quantities adsorbed at equilibrium increase with the initial concentration of carotenoids. The kinetic model that best describes the experimental data is that of the pseudo-second order, adsorption is made in two time. For the carotenoid adsorption isotherms, the best correlation is obtained with the Freundlich model. The low values of the Freundlich constants indicate that the adsorption is probably of a physical type. This conclusion is confirmed by the effective desorption of carotenoids observed during desorption experiments.

Evaluation of Actual Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient in Carrot by Remote Sensing Methodology Using Drainage and River Water to Overcome Reduced Water Availability

Searching for alternative methods for traditional irrigation is World trend at days due to a reduction in water and increased of drought due to climate changes therefore farmers need use modern methods of scheduling water and minimizing water losses while also increasing yield. To meet the future increasing demands water and food there is a need to utilize alternative methods to reduce evaporation, transpiration and deep percolation of water. Any countries use recycled water (drain and sewage) and desalination water from the sea or drains to irrigate crops plus computing actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc) so as to calculate the amount of water to apply to a crop. The paper aims to assess the actual evaporation and evaporation coefficient of carrots, by planting carrots in a field and the crop was exposed to several sources of water (DW and RW) and comparing ETc, Kc and production among plots of three sites (A, B and C). The study used two types of irrigation water (drain water (DW) and river water (RW)). The results were to monthly rate and accumulated actual evapotranspiration to C (irrigation by RW only) more than A (67% RW and 33% DW) and B (17% RW and 83% DW) via 7% and 58%, respectively. The yield to C more than A and B by 17% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion the use of DW can cause a reduction in crop consumptive of carrot crops also causes a reduction in yield, crop length, root length, root size, canopy of crop, number of leaves and biomass of the plant therefore, the drainage water needs to treated before irrigating crops And making use of it to irrigate the fields and fill the shortfall in the amount of water from the river. The drain water helped on filling the water shortage due to climate changes and giving production of carrot crop but less than river water.

Advances in research on the carrot,an important root vegetable in the Apiaceae family

Carrots(Daucus carota L.),among the most important root vegetables in the Apiaceae family,are cultivated worldwide.The storage root is widely utilized due to its richness in carotenoids,anthocyanins,dietary fiber,vitamins and other nutrients.Carrot extracts,which serve as sources of antioxidants,have important functions in preventing many diseases.The biosynthesis,metabolism,and medicinal properties of carotenoids in carrots have been widely studied.Research on hormone regulation in the growth and development of carrots has also been widely performed.Recently,with the development of high-throughput sequencing technology,many efficient tools have been adopted in carrot research.A large amount of sequence data has been produced and applied to improve carrot breeding.A genome editing system based on CRISPR/Cas9 was also constructed for carrot research.In this review,we will briefly summarize the origins,genetic breeding,resistance breeding,genome editing,omics research,hormone regulation,and nutritional composition of carrots.Perspectives about future research work on carrots are also briefly provided.

Inhibitory effect of chitosan on growth of the fungal phytopathogen,Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,and sclerotinia rot of carrot

The antifungal activity of chitosan on a common fungal phytopathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and the control effect on sclerotinia rot of carrot were investigated. Mycelial growth and fungal biomass were strongly inhibited by chitosan. Using propidium iodide stain combined with fluorescent microscopy, the plasma membrane of chitosan-treated S. sclerotiorum mycelia was observed to be markedly damaged. Concomitantly, protein leakage and lipid peroxidation was also found to be significantly higher in chitosan-treated mycelia compared to the control. Chitosan provided an effective control of sclerotinia rot of carrot, with induction of activity of defense-related enzymes including polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase. These data suggest that the effects of chitosan on sclerotinia rot of carrot may be associated with the direct damage to the plasma membrane and lipid peroxidation of S. sclerotiorum, and the elicitation of defense response in carrot.

Optimization of Fermentation Process of Carrot Juice by Probiotics and Analysis of Aroma Components

Carrot juice was fermented by probiotic Lactobacillus casei( CTCF-LC1) and Lactobacillus reuteri( CTCF-LT1) with sensory score as the main evaluation index,and the fermentation process was optimized by single factor and response surface experiments.The optimum ratio of fermentative strains CTCF-LC1∶ CTCF-LT1 was 1∶ 1,fermentation time was 8 h,inoculum size was 3.1% and fermentation temperature was26.6℃.Under the optimum conditions,the sensory score of fermented carrot juice was 91.3,pH was 4.50,total acid content was 3.73 g/L,total sugar content was 54.25 g/L,and reducing sugar content was 28.41 g/L.The carrot juice has bright orange color and stable state.It not only has the fresh flavor of fruit and vegetable juice,but also has the unique aroma from lactic acid bacteria fermentation,as well as soft and even taste,moderate acidity and sweetness.The changes of aroma components of carrot juice before and after fermentation were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction( HSPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry( GC-MS).After fermentation,substances with medicinal flavor components were reduced,and a lot of floral and fruit-scented substances were produced,such as methyl myristate,β-pinene,phenylethanol,and geraniol.Therefore,the results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the development of fermented fruit and vegetable juice products with unique flavor substances.

Effect of Carrot and Pumpkin Pulps Adding on Chemical, Rheological, Nutritional and Organoleptic Properties of Ice Cream

Ice cream manufactured using a substantial amount of pumpkin pulp (PP) and carrot pulp (CP) has a high organoleptic acceptability. PP and CP were added to typical control ice cream (TC) up to 20%. Through adding PP and CP, natural flavor, unique color, and health-promoting constituents were presented. The resultant ice cream was subjected to chemical, rheological, nutritional, and organoleptic properties investigation. Results revealed that dry matter especially SNF in both PPand CP-ice creams were increased significantly. Accordingly, ash, fiber, and available carbohydrates contents were significantly increased whereas opposite result was recorded for crude protein as a result of PP and CP substitution. The ice cream containing high PP and CP contents had higher melting resistance and lower overrun %. Health beneficial phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids (TF), flavonols (TFL), and vit. C were commonly detected in PP and CP-ice creams, reflecting the attributes of PP and CP ingredients. PP and CP-ice cream had the valuable content of TPC, vit. C and antioxidant capacity. However, only ice cream made with 15% of PP and CP was highly accepted than others. Therefore, it is possible to use a substantial amount from PP and CP to produce ice cream up to 15% with retained much of natural color, unique vit. C, TPC, carotenoids, TF, TFL contents as well as valuable antioxidant capacity. Health beneficial compounds and organoleptic attributes of prepared ice cream formulas were encouragingly the commercial possibility of using PP and CP for scaling up further.

Time of Application of <i>S</i>-Metolachlor Affects Growth, Marketable Yield and Quality of Carrot and Red Beet

Tolerance of carrot and red beet to s-metolachlor at three application timings—pre-emergence to crop (PRE), early postemergence (crop at two to four leaf stage-EPOST), and late postemergence (crop at five to seven leaf stage-LPOST) —was determined from 2008 to 2010. LPOST applications of s-metolachlor reduced carrot above ground plant dry weight, marketable yield and grower payment, but did not affect carrot length. PRE and LPOST applications of s-metolachlor reduced red beet above ground plant dry weight, total marketable yield, yield of No. 2 and No. 3 red beet, and grower payment. Our findings indicate that while carrot may be tolerant to PRE applications of s-metolachlor, applications made after the 5 leaf stage reduced plant dry weight enough to impact marketable yield and grower payment. In red beet, the potential reduction in growth, yield and grade would not justify the utility of a PRE or LPOST applica- tion timing.

Kinetics of Extraction of <i>β</i>-Carotene from Tray Dried Carrots by Using Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technique

β-carotene acts as an antioxidant and is receiving growing interest due to its ability as protecting agent against heart diseases, cancer and strengthening effect on red blood cells. The main aim of this work was to study the kinetics of the supercritical fluid extraction of β-carotene from tray dried carrots at 40℃, 50℃ and 55℃ and 30, 35 and 40 MPa at SC-CO2 flow rate of 2.0 L/min for extraction time of up to 6 h. It was observed that the concentration of β-carotene in the extract increased with pressure, temperature and extraction time. The results indicated that yield was found to be maximum at 45℃ and 35 MPa at 2 L/min SC-CO2 flow rate. Concentration of β-carotene in the extract increased with SC-CO2 flow rate. Weibull distribution model described adequately the kinetics of extraction of β-carotene from carrots.

Elevated Root-Zone Temperature Modulates Growth and Quality of Hydroponically Grown Carrots

Air and soil temperatures strongly influence the growth and quality of crops. However, in root vegetables, such as carrot, few experiments aimed at regulating growth and quality by manipulating root-zone temperature have been reported. We investigated the effect of root-zone temperatures (20&degC, 25&degC, 29&degC, and 33&degC) on carrot growth and components using a hydroponic system. High root-zone temperatures for 14 days reduced shoot and rootgrowth and water content. In contrast, total phenolic compounds and soluble-solid content increased in tap roots under high-temperature treatment. Root oxygen consumption was upregulated after 7 days under high-temperature treatment. These results suggest that high root-zone temperatures induce drought-like stress responses that modulate carrot biomass and components. High root-zone temperature treatments administered to hydroponically grown crops may be a valuable tool for improving and increasing the quality and value of crops.

细胞转化获得转白细胞介素-4基因胡萝卜(Daucus carrot)

本研究以胡萝卜‘开拓者’无菌苗胚轴诱导的愈伤组织经振荡培养获得悬浮培养细胞为受体材料,以卡那霉素抗性基因为选择标记基因,对农杆菌介导的胡萝卜细胞遗传转化体系进行了优化。结果表明：悬浮细胞预培养1-3d,胡萝卜细胞与农杆菌细胞比例为1：10或1：100,共培养时间为1-3d时,转化效率较高;但以悬浮细胞预培养1d,胡萝卜细胞与农杆菌细胞比例为1：10,共培养时间为1d时,可得到较多的转化苗。共获得抗性苗290株,经PCR检测66株扩增出特异性条带;部分阳性植株经PCR-Southern检测,初步证明目的基因已转入到胡萝卜中,并收获了转基因胡萝卜。

Identifying candidate genes involved in trichome formation on carrot stems by transcriptome profiling and resequencing

Trichomes are specialized structures developed from epidermal cells and can protect plants against biotic and abiotic stresses.Trichomes cover carrots during the generative phase.However,the morphology of the carrot trichomes and candidate genes controlling the formation of trichomes are still unclear.This study found that carrot trichomes were nonglandular and unbranched hairs distributed on the stem,leaf,petiole,pedicel,and seed of carrot.Resequencing analysis of a trichome mutant with sparse and short trichomes(sst)and a wild type(wt)with long and dense trichomes on carrot stems was conducted.A total of 15396 genes containing nonsynonymous mutations in sst were obtained,including 42 trichomerelated genes.We also analyzed the transcriptome of the trichomes on secondary branches when these secondary branches were 10 cm long between wt and sst and obtained 6576 differentially expressed genes(DEGs),including 24 trichome-related genes.qRT-PCR validation exhibited three significantly up-regulated DEGs,20 significantly downregulated,and one with no difference.We considered both the resequencing and transcriptome sequencing analyses and found that 12 trichome-related genes that were grouped into five transcription factor families containing nonsynonymous mutations and significantly down-regulated in sst.Therefore,these genes are potentially promising candidate genes whose nonsynonymous mutations and down-regulation may result in scarce and short trichomes mutation on carrot stems in sst.

Microwave Dried Carrot Pomace as a Source of Fiber and Carotenoids

Carrot pomace is a major by-product obtained during the industrial juice extraction process, which is discarded contributing to environmental pollution. This residue is rich in fiber, and contains high amounts of carotenoids and phenolic compounds that could contribute to its application as functional ingredient, improving the quality of foods and helping to reduce the environmental problem. In this study, carrot pomace powders obtained by microwave or hot air drying were incorporated into cookies in order to improve their phytochemical content. Cookies were prepared using a traditional cookie recipe substituting 30% of the wheat flour for either of the carrot pomace powders. Fiber, carotenoids and phenolic compounds were determined;image analysis and acceptability of the cookies were also conducted. The substitution of 30% of wheat flour for carrot pomace powders increased 3.7 fold the total dietary fiber of cookies, from 7.13 g/100gto26.44 g/100g;accounting the 7.4% of fiber daily intake with the consumption of one cookie (7 g). A similar pattern was found in the content of carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Carrot pomace dried with microwaves had the highest amount of these bioactive compounds. β-carotene, epicatechin, gallic and ferulic acids were identified in cookies with microwave carrot pomace powder. The cookies incorporated with carrot pomace powders exhibited improved antioxidant properties because of the increase in the phytochemical content. Acceptable cookies with appealing orange color were obtained. The results indicated that the replacement of wheat flour for carrot pomace powders yielded dietary fiber enriched cookies with improved carotenoid content.

Carrot Juice

The bottled carrot juice produced by the Kuming Hongda Foodstuffs Corporation is a quality natural drink that uses the best quality, carotene-rich carrots as the main ingredient and advanced high temperature and instantaneously sterilizing technology. The nutrition, taste and colour of carrots are preserved in the juice as

Temperature Effect on the Viscosity of Commercial Carrot Puree

Temperature effect was evaluated over the viscosity of commercial carrot puree in the range 30 to 60 ℃, using aBrookfield viscometer, model 4535, Lab-Line instruments. In order to perform the viscosity tests, 28 specimens of carrot puree froma local market were used. Totally, 72 tests （each one with a couple replicas） were performed during five minutes, using fourtemperatures （30, 40, 50 and 60 ℃）, six shear rates （0.26, 0.52, 1.05, 2.09, 5.24 and 10.47 s1） and three spindles （4, 5 and 6）.Statistical analysis was performed using LSD and Duncan tests with a confidence interval of 95% （p value of 0.05）. In the currentstudy, it was observed that an increase in the temperature triggers a reduction in the viscosity of the carrot specimens analyzed,although the samples tested at 60℃ were deviated from this trend, which may be due to denaturation of the starch containing carrotsamples at such temperature. Multiple biochemical and micro-structural changes inside the food specimens may begin to occur belowand over the physiological range （20-45 ℃）. Experimental data were analyzed with Power Law model in order to obtain the bestfitted parameters as a function of shear rate： It was observed that the consistent index （k） decreased with an increment in thetemperature; while all the values of parameter ＂n＂ lesser than one, which means that the puree samples behaved as a pseudo-plasticfluid. Besides that, an Arrhenius model was used to fit the parameters as a function of temperature： Parameter A was lower usingtheexperimental data at shear rates of 10.47 s-1. The modeling performed may be helpful for the appropriate selection of some processvariables, as the shear rate and operation temperature, used for the production of carrot puree; all this is in order to obtain the finishedproduct with the desired consistency.

Carrot-Weed: A Noxious Plant That Threatens Biodiversity in Africa

Carrot-weed (Parthenium hysterophorous L.) is a flowering plant of the Asteraceae family (tribe: Heliantheae). The weed became famous due to its notorious invasive role in the environment and agricultural fields. The plant has arisen as the seventh most disturbing weed globally. In Africa, the weed is spreading very fast and information on its biology, impact, and management is scarce. Therefore, this review provides general information about the carrot weed’s current distribution status and its impact on agricultural crops, animals and human health in Africa. The review also highlights areas for research in managing this noxious weed in the African habitats.

Calculating the Yield, Water Utilize Efficiency and Water Productivity for Carrot Crop under Climate Change Effects

The present work analyzed the yield, water utilize efficiency and water productivity for carrot Crop under climate change effects. In this research, river water was used with irrigation ratios with drain water to irrigate the carrots (Daucus carota L.) crop during the winter growing season 2021-2022 in free field and utilizing furrow irrigation method with calculation the water use efficiency and water productivity to three sites. The study was conducted in the three sites in the Babil province in Town of Sadat-AlHindya reached 80 km from Baghdad city. Site 1 was used 33% drain water and 67% river water while site 2 was used 83% drain water and 17% river water but the site 3 was used 100% river water. The reduction of yield in site 1 was 17.3% and in site 2 was 75%. The reducing of WUE in site 1 was 23% and in site 2 was 77%. The decrease of WP in site 1 was 22.98% and in site 2 was 82.28%. The value of water stress coefficient (Ks) because irrigation by water salanity and soil salanty was 0.83, 0.78 and 0.92 in site 1,site 2 and site 3, respectively, water salanity and soil salanty reduction in productivity by 9%, 14% and 7% in production of site 1, site 2 and site 3, respectively in every irrigating.