Related developments
Begomovirus disease complex: emerging threat to vegetable production systems of Africa
Begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci and cause extreme reductions in the yields of a number of economically important vegetables such as tomato, pepper and okra in West and Central Africa. In this paper, Walter N. Leke, IIATA, Nigeria, and colleagues describe how they sequenced the viral genomes from various crops and identified two previously known begomovirus species (cotton leaf curl Gezira virus and okra yellow crinkle virus), a new recombinant begomovirus species (okra leaf curl Cameroon virus), a betasatellite (cotton leaf curl Gezira betasatellite) and new alphasatellites. Tomato and pepper plants with leaf curling were shown to contain isolates of new begomoviruses, collectively referred to as West African tomato-infecting begomoviruses (WATIBs), new alphasatellites and betasatellites. They found a close relationship between the begomoviruses that infect pepper and tomato and the weed Ageratum conyzoides, and the detection of the same alphasatellite in them supports the idea that weeds are important reservoirs for begomoviruses and their satellites. (Agriculture & Food Security, 21/01/2015)
9/03/2015
Recent progress of hyperspectral imaging on quality and safety inspection of fruits and vegetables
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a rapid, non-destructive, and chemical-free method, is now emerging as a powerful analytical tool for product inspection by simultaneously offering spatial information and spectral signals from one object. This paper focuses on recent advances and applications of HSI in detecting, classifying and visualizing quality and safety attributes of fruits and vegetables. First, the authors describe the basic principles and major instrumental components of HSI, and summarize commonly used methods for image processing, spectral pre-treatment and modelling. Most important, the authors provide morphological calibrations that are essential for non-flat objects as well as feature wavebands extraction for model simplification. Second, in spite of the physical and visual attributes (size, shape, weight, colour and surface defects), the paper reviews applications from the last decade categorized according to textural characteristics inspection, biochemical components detection, and safety feature assessments. Finally, it discusses the technical challenges and future trends of HSI. (Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 20/01/2015)
9/03/2015
Reducing post-harvest losses in South Asia's mango orchards
The biocompound hexanal – an artificially synthesized version of a natural substance produced by injured plants, could be used to reduce post-harvest losses. Scientists from Canada, India and Sri Lanka have tested the biocompound by spraying small concentrations in mango orchards and found that ripening of the fruits was delayed by three weeks, enabling farmers to earn up to 15% more for their crop. Once the crop is harvested, hexanal-sprayed mangoes also have a much longer shelf life—up to 26 days in cold storage and 17 days at room temperature. In another test, fruits retained their quality for much longer when packed in boxes of hexanal-impregnated banana fibres. (IDRC, 17/01/2015) Download the publication
9/03/2015
Recent progress of hyperspectral imaging on quality and safety inspection of fruits and vegetables
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a rapid, non-destructive, and chemical-free method, is now emerging as a powerful analytical tool for product inspection by simultaneously offering spatial information and spectral signals from one object. This paper focuses on recent advances and applications of HSI in detecting, classifying and visualizing quality and safety attributes of fruits and vegetables. First, the authors describe the basic principles and major instrumental components of HSI, and summarize commonly used methods for image processing, spectral pre-treatment and modelling. Most important, the authors provide morphological calibrations that are essential for non-flat objects as well as feature wavebands extraction for model simplification. Second, in spite of the physical and visual attributes (size, shape, weight, colour and surface defects), the paper reviews applications from the last decade categorized according to textural characteristics inspection, biochemical components detection, and safety feature assessments. Finally, it discusses the technical challenges and future trends of HSI. (Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 20/01/2015)
27/02/2015
Biosensors and food safety
This special issue of Foods is dedicated to research that addresses development and application of biosensors and novel sensors coupled with sample preprocessing, for detection, identification, and high throughput screening of food-borne microbial pathogens or toxins that are relevant to safety of food. Biosensors may include but are not limited to optical, electrical, electrochemical and others that utilise both labeling reagents/probes or with label-free interrogation approaches. This publication is edited by Arun Bhunia, Department of Food Sciences, Purdue University, USA. http://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/3/3/491 and http://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/3/3/511(Foods, 19/10/2014)
27/11/2014
Consensus documents on safety assessments of transgenic cassava
The Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) has recently released a consensus document on the biology of cassava to facilitate regulatory assessment of transgenic varieties. This is intended to encourage information sharing, promote harmonised practices, and prevent duplication of effort among countries. From time to time the OECD develops consensus documents which are used to identify elements of scientific information in the environmental safety and risk assessment of transgenic organisms common to OECD member countries and some non-members. (OECD, 09/2014)
27/11/2014
Food traceability systems: differences in willingness to pay for food safety
In a paper presented at the 2014 International Conference on Food Security and Nutrition, Francesca V. Hansstein of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China, investigates recent findings on consumer knowledge and attitudes towards food traceability across the European Union (EU), China, and North America. A critical review of academic articles published between 2003 and 2013 was performed and a total of sixteen studies were selected. Results indicated that consumers are paying increasing attention to food safety and quality but they are still unfamiliar with the concept of traceability, especially in China. Willingness to pay for food safety differs across countries and segments of population. Age, education, income and food safety concerns are the factors that mostly influence consumer acceptance of traceability and its attributes. Hansstein recommends that both producers and policy makers should work together to increase consumer awareness about the benefits offered by Food Traceability Systems. (AgEcon Search, 2014)
30/06/2014
Information technology applied to the process of traceability in the wheat supply chain
The adoption of traceability systems in the food chain is a market differentiator for manufacturing firms. It is appreciated by consumers and is increasingly common after the occurrence of certain problems related to food consumption. Legislation, quality standards and best practices now govern the traceability process. This paper by Monica Sherer and Maria Gomes of UEPG, Brazil, addresses the main regulations that establish procedures for ensuring the safety of food in terms of traceability, and also presents the evolution of information technologies in this area. Although, the latter are still being developed, there are still many opportunities for growth and innovation. As a result, it is possible to see the commonalities between the models of traceability, and also to identify the points of the supply chain of wheat in which the processes are focused. (African Journal of Agricultural Research, 24/04/2014)
30/06/2014
The use of indigenous ecological resources for pest control in Africa
David Grzywacz of the Natural Resource Institute (University of Greenwich, UK) and colleagues investigated two examples of crop protection practices in Africa that harness locally available biological resources. The researchers examined the use of the pesticidal plant Tephrosia vogelii, and the harvesting of the endemic insect virus Spodoptera exempta (SpexNPV). Both of these can be produced locally and have shown promise in trials as inexpensive and effective tools for pest control. Their use is currently being scaled up and evaluated by researchers on the continent. This focus on these unconventional crop protection systems illustrates the need to explore further the potential of locally-available natural resources to replace expensive imported agricultural inputs. The authors of the paper argue that the countries’ regulatory environment must evolve to facilitate the registration of new products and the establishment of supply chains that benefit the local producers and help them improve upon the production methods. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12571-013-0313-5 (Food Security, 02/2014)
13/05/2014
Global network combats food contamination
The EU-funded MycoRed research project set out to develop a range of production and handling methods which will reduce both pre- and post-harvest contamination in the cereal feed and food chains. MycoRed covers issues ranging from the optimisation of plant resistance and fungicide use, to novel post-harvest and storage practices and the design and application of new food processing technologies. In addition to cereals, specific technologies have been designed to be integrated along the food/feed chains associated to wheat, maize, grape, nuts and dried fruits. Relevant documentation can be found on the project's website. http://www.mycored.eu/ (MycoRed project, 03/2014)
13/05/2014
Efficacy of some spices as sorghum grain protectants
Mohammed Suleiman, at the Department of Biology, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Nigeria, carried out a series of experiments to determine the efficacy of three edible spices – garlic (Allium sativum L.), chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), and ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) against the weevil Sitophilus zeamais reared on sorghum grains. All the spices applied at varying amounts resulted in 100% adult mortality, showing similar effects to the conventional insecticide Permethrin. The strong aroma and contact toxicity of the spices give them the protectant properties looked for in natural pest management strategy. http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-abstract/27D9A1244784 (African Journal of Agricultural Research, 02/2014)
28/03/2014
Technology developed in Mexico capable of identifying the papaya pathogens in one day
Laura Silva Rosales and her team at the Laboratory of Virus-Plant Interactions at the Center of Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Mexico, designed a method capable of identifying the virus of the ringed spot (PRSV) and the mosaic virus (PapMV), two pathogens which leave ring marks in the skin of the papaya fruit and cause softening of the fruit. The system is comprised of detection cartridges (plastic tubes filled with reactive) that are deposited in a sample of a leaf. The team is already working on a field device that would give test results in just an hour. Such a technology would help papaya producers save time and money in their efforts to comply with sanitation laws of other countries in order to export the fruit. http://phys.org/news/2014-01-mexican-technology-papaya-production-virus.html(Phys.org, 06/01/2014)
27/01/2014
The weaver ant: an effective biological control agent in mango plantations
Research by CIRAD and IITA aimed to control fruit flies infestation in West Africa’s mango plantations found that weaver ants are a natural and effective biological control method against fruit flies. In-depth studies confirmed the ants’ impact on the structure and composition of plant-eating pests. These studies also showed that they prey mainly on larvae, as they leave infested fruits, and rarely on adults. However, this is not their only mode of action. The scientists discovered that they have a repellent effect on fruit flies: after ants have been on mangoes, fruit flies turn away from them and lay much fewer eggs. This phenomenon of repulsion, which was confirmed in the laboratory and in the field, is caused by physical (micro-spots) and chemical (pheromones) signals left by ants. http://www.cirad.fr/en/research-operations/research-results/2013/comment-les-producteurs-de-mangues-pourraient-ils-se-passer-des-fourmis-tisserandes (CIRAD, 10/2013)
17/12/2013
Understanding resistance biology for sustainable agriculture
A seminar organised by PlantLink, a plant sciences research network of Swedish universities, reviewed key concepts related to the use of resistance biology in a sustainable agriculture. Questions discussed were; what is to be done on the pathogen side to limit future spread of disease and decrease pathogenicity, what future desirable traits for resistant crops can be and how they should be generated as well as the presenters’ visions of combining integrated pest management (IPM), conventional pesticide use and plant biotechnology. This web page provides a short summary of the main speakers’ notes. http://www.plantlink.se/en/news/news/245-plantlink-newsletter-november-2013(PlantLink, 16/10/2013)
10/12/2013
Shielded application technology reduces herbicide runoff in furrow-irrigated sugarcane plantations
Scientists from CSIRO, Australia, trialled a new technique for applying herbicides to raised beds of furrow irrigated sugarcane by using a specially adapted shielded sprayer. The technique minimises the likelihood of herbicides such as diuron, atrazine, ametryn and hexazinone coming into contact with irrigation water. The conventional application of herbicides in furrow-irrigated sugarcane production is to broadcast spray across the whole field using boom sprayers. By using shielded sprayers, runoff of highly soluble herbicides showed a 90% reduction. http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/Herbicide-runoff-reduced-to-Great-Barrier-Reef.aspx (CSIRO, 16/10/2013)
10/12/2013
Study finds pesticide regulation in California is flawed
The report, Risk and Decision: Evaluating Pesticide Approval in California, of University of California, Los Angeles, identifies a variety of deficits in the California Department of Pesticide Regulation registration process and makes recommendations to improve pesticide regulation in the state. The authors examined the risk-governance approach used during the approval process, comparing it to best practices in regulatory settings, including risk-assessment practices developed by the National Research Council. Recommendations made can also apply to similar agencies in ACP countries: develop comprehensive testing datasets, perform cumulative risk assessments, better utilise the peer-reviewed literature. http://phys.org/news/2013-09-pesticide-california-flawed-ucla.html (Phys.org, 23/09/2013)
5/11/2013
Spread of crop pests threatens global food security as Earth warms
A new study has revealed that global warming is resulting in the spread of crop pests towards the North and South Poles at a rate of nearly 3 km a year. The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change and carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford, shows a strong relationship between increased global temperatures over the past 50 years and expansion in the range of crop pests. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-09/uoe-soc082913.php (EurekAlert, 01/09/2013)
20/09/2013
New processing technologies that reduce bacteria, spores and insects from food products
CSIRO, the Australian scientific and industrial research organisation, offers a succinct description of state-of-the-art food-processing technologies used in the treatment of export products. 'Cool plasma', for example, is a ionised gas containing reactive particles used to inactivate pests on the surface. Somewhat similar are 'low energy electron beams' which inactivate bacteria, spores, fungi and insects through ionisation of the molecules in the pest.' Microwave processing' relies on large scale, high-power microwaves to disinfest fresh produce and grains. 'Ultrasound' is generated by vibrating plates to create water vapour cavitation bubbles that explode to kill pests and remove cracks and crevices on the products. Taking advantage of gentler processing methods resulting in more fresh-like quality, the techniques are already in use around the world. http://csironewsblog.com/2013/08/13/emerging-tech-creating-a-safer-food-chain/ (CSIRO, 13/08/2013)
20/09/2013
Newly completed genome sequences of food-borne disease-causing micro-organisms
The 100K Genome Project, led by the University of California, Davis, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, has added 20 newly completed genome sequences of food-borne disease-causing micro-organisms to its public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The newly deposited sequences include several isolates of Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and Vibrio, as well as a full characterisation of their epigenomes: the genomes were determined using Single Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing, a proprietary technology. http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10660 (UC Davis, 22/07/2013)
20/09/2013
Priority Integrated Pest Management (IPM) research needs identified
The Collaborative Working Group (CWG) on IPM, working under the umbrella of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR), has identified 13 key priority research and extension needs for IPM in the European Union following an extensive survey, telephone interviews, and expert discussions. The CWG has identified priority topics for potential joint actions between EU Member States, encompassing research, extension and knowledge management. Priorities fall into seven categories: Developing relevant and science-based indicators; Optimising pest monitoring systems and decision support; Designing cropping systems that prevent or minimise pest pressure; Diversifying direct control methods; managing pest evolution; social aspects, economics and assessment; and Facilitating extension for IPM. The report is available from the link below. (Endure Network, 14/05/2013)
2/07/2013
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