Research Publications (Food Safety)

Global climate change and the expected increase in temperature are altering the relationship between geography and grapevine (V. vinifera) varietal performance, and the implications of which are yet to be fully understood. We investigated berry phenology and biochemistry of 30 cultivars, 20 red and 10 white, across three seasons (2017–2019) in response to a consistent average temperature difference of 1.5°C during the growing season between two experimental sites.

Vegetables in Cambodia are commonly sold in informal markets lacking food safety standards and controls. Currently, data on microbial contamination of vegetables in Cambodian informal markets are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate Salmonella enterica and indicator organisms (generic Escherichia coli and coliforms) on the surface of fresh vegetables sold in informal markets in Cambodia.

Author(s): Mehmet Ali Sarıdas

Background We investigated whether the incidence of death following myocardial infarction (MI) varied by season and latitude in the Swedish population. Methods We studied deaths following MI from January 1987 to December 2009, using the Swedish National Cause of Death Register. County of residence was used to determine latitude and population density.

Influent wastewater and effluent wastewater at the Rya treatment plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, were continuously monitored for enteric viruses by quantitative PCR (qPCR) during 1 year. Viruses in effluent wastewater were also identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in samples collected during spring, early summer, and winter. Samples of incoming wastewater were collected every second week.

BACKGROUND In maritime growing environments, blueberry yield often exhibits excessive season‐to‐season variation, associated with poorly adapted photosynthetic responses to low light conditions.1 It is therefore necessary to develop methods that stabilise yield whilst maintaining or improving fruit quality.

by Casper C. Nyamukanza, Allan Sebata

Peas are highly seasonal and perishable in nature, thereby requiring suitable preservation methods to be available throughout the year. Osmotic drying is one of the suitable methods for preserving perishable and semi‐perishable produce. Osmotic drying of green peas was carried out in ternary solutions of water, sodium chloride (NaCl), and sucrose having different solution concentrations and osmotic temperatures.

Between 2012 and 2018 we mapped near‐peak seasonal snow depths across two swaths covering 126 km2 in Northern Alaska using aerial structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry and lidar surveys. The surveys were validated by over a hundred thousand ground‐based depth measurements.

The volume of water stored in seasonal wetlands is a fundamental but difficult to measure variable for developing a physical understanding of wetland behavior. For seasonal wetlands that are a major source of water for rice and fish production, this physical understanding is key to planning for water‐food security and ecosystem services. This study quantified variations in volumetric storage for the numerous seasonal wetlands of northeastern Bangladesh, locally known as ‘haors’.

Despite continued efforts to improve biosecurity protocols, Campylobacter continues to be detected in the majority of commercial chicken flocks across Europe. Using an extensive data set of Campylobacter prevalence within a chicken breeder flock for over a year, multiple Bayesian models are presented to explore the dynamics of the spread of Campylobacter in response to seasonal variation, species-specificity, bird health, and total colonization prevalence.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to biomonitor the tolerance level of roadside plant species towards mitigation of air pollution for the development of greenbelt. The leaves of four plant species (Azadirachta indica, Ficus benghalensis, Melia azedarach and Polyalthia longifolia) were collected from 41 sampling sites of Bathinda city during summer and winter seasons. Seasonal variation in APTI and API was determined in selected plants.

River runoff is estimated as a water budget residual using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) terrestrial water storage time series, ERA5 reanalysis data, and precipitation observations for January 2003 through December 2015 for the Obidos upstream drainage basin and for the entire Amazon basin.

by Linlin Zhao, Sarah Richards, Franziska Turck, Markus Kollmann

by Charles-André Timmerman, Paul Marchal, Margaux Denamiel, Clémence Couvreur, Pierre Cresson

Abstract

Aims

Mediterranean shrublands adjacent to urbanization experience nitrogen deposition and exotic grass invasions which likely have downstream consequences for carbon and nitrogen emissions from soils. We tested a hypothesis that soil wetting produces trace gas pulses modified by seasonal wetting history, grass litter availability, and cover type in these systems.

Background and Aims An understanding of the dynamics of the components of evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements in response to climate variation and change is essential to manage vineyards sustainably.

The present study was conducted to utilize the sapota fruit wasted during seasonal glut for the production of wine. Being rich in sugars, sapota is a suitable raw material for fermentation which is an efficient method for the preservation of the nutritional, antioxidative, and functional properties of this fruit.

Is regeneration by seed required to maintain species richness and productivity in grasslands? Our experiment in semi‐natural grassland crossed seed addition with precipitation exclusion in summer and spring. We show that seed deficiency limits productivity, and seed augmentation compensates a negative effect of spring drought on species diversity. Enhancing the supply of local seeds would therefore assist in mitigating negative drought impacts.

Microbial ecology and activity in wine production influences grapevine health and productivity, conversion of sugar to ethanol during fermentation, wine aroma, wine quality and distinctiveness. Fungi in the vineyard ecosystem are not well described.

BACKGROUND Seasonal persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) crops have steadily increased in Spain; this has been linked to a significant increase in the postharvest production waste. Therefore, development of valorized products is of great interest. In this study, a hot air‐drying technique was used to obtain persimmon snacks.

Sweet pepper purees (red, yellow and green) were examined for FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), chemical, bioactive, color and rheological parameters. FTIR technique was used to evaluate the functional groups. FTIR wave numbers are associated with the absorption bands that depicted the presence of several phytocompounds in the purees.

Aims: Domestic violence is a major health concern and a largely hidden crime. It is estimated that authorities receive information in only a minority of cases. This study investigated seasonal patterns in seeking help for domestic violence by employing Google data. Methods: We utilised monthly Google search data and police calls made in Finland in 2017 to analyse seasonal variation in seeking help for domestic violence.

Aims: This study aimed to describe the demographic and geographic patterns of campylobacteriosis in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden during 2000–2015. Methods: All Campylobacter infections notified to national authorities in the four countries during the study period were included. Background data for each notification consisted of patient age, sex, geographical location, presumed origin of infection and date of sample taken or date of sample received in the laboratory.