Search Results (858)

This study investigated the influence of carrot cryopowder, obtained by cryogenic grinding, on the rheological, physicochemical, and structural characteristics of a structured curd product. The experiment was conducted using a three-factor Box–Behnken design, varying the mass fraction of curd (70–90%), carrot cryopowder content (2–6%), and fat content in cream (7–33%). Viscosity values ranged from 914 to 2810 mPa·s, with the highest value of (2810 mPa·s) recorded in experimental sample No. 5. The best overall characteristics were observed in this sample, which showed a β-carotene content of 2.76 ± 0.03 µg/g, while the concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folic acid were 20–31% higher compared to the control sample. The regression model (R² = 0.9164) identified the optimal formulation: 89.6% curd, 5.4% carrot cryopowder, and 31.3% fat in cream. Storage stability studies conducted over 28 days at 4 ± 1 °C demonstrated additional practical advantages. The addition of carrot cryopowder significantly reduced syneresis to 12.4 ± 1.1% on day 28 (compared to 28.7 ± 2.3% in the control), improved microbiological stability, and maintained acceptable sensory properties with an overall acceptability score of 6.8 ± 0.6 points after 28 days. FTIR analysis confirmed that the carrot cryopowder was not merely mechanically dispersed within the matrix but actively participated in the formation of new intermolecular interactions, leading to the modification of the product’s chemical structure. The obtained results showed that the incorporation of carrot cryopowder not only increased the nutritional and functional value of the curd product but also enhanced its structural stability and potential shelf life without negatively affecting the main technological indicators. Full article

The development of sustainable and efficient plant growth substrates is crucial for modern agriculture. This study assessed the potential of plant pellets formulated from various lignocellulosic residues, either with or without bamboo biochar (BB-char) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to support seed germination and early seedling growth. Four types of residues, including coconut coir (CO), corn cob (CC), leaves from the genus Dipterocarpus (DL), and teak leaves (TL), were combined with soil and paper waste to produce eight pellet formulations, with commercial peat pellets serving as a control. Chemical analyses revealed significant variation among the pellet types, with pH values ranging from 6.40 to 7.65, electrical conductivity (EC) from 3.64 to 11.62 mS cm⁻¹, and differences in organic matter, carbon, and nutrient contents [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], reflecting the influence of residue type and the addition of BB-char and AMF. Phytotoxicity screening using aqueous extracts demonstrated species-specific responses, with cucumber exhibiting high tolerance across treatments, whereas chili seeds were more sensitive. Final germination percentage (FGP) and seedling growth assays in greenhouse conditions showed that pellets derived from CC and CO, particularly when combined with BB-char and AMF (T6 and T7), enhanced shoot and root development in carrot, chili, cucumber, and tomato, approaching the performance of commercial peat pellets. In contrast, DL- and TL-based pellets resulted in lower germination and growth. These findings indicate that both the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic wastes and the combination of BB-char and AMF are important factors influencing pellet efficacy, highlighting the potential of CC- and CO-based pellets as sustainable peat alternatives for early-stage plant cultivation. Full article

Six novel pyrazole-based carbohydrazone derivatives (3a–3f) bearing structurally diverse heteroaromatic substituents were synthesized and characterized by ATR-FTIR, ¹H NMR, APT-¹³C NMR, and HRMS analyses. Their multifunctional bioactivity was evaluated using antioxidant, photoprotective, CT-DNA-associated spectroscopic response, cytotoxicity, and scratch wound closure assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging, Fe²⁺ chelation, and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assays against appropriate reference standards, while photoprotective potential was determined by spectrophotometric SPF analysis using carrot seed oil as a reference. The benzothiazole-containing derivative (3f) showed the strongest DPPH scavenging activity, FTC antioxidant capacity, and photoprotective activity, while also producing one of the most pronounced CT-DNA-associated spectroscopic responses under the experimental conditions employed. In contrast, the benzimidazole derivative (3e) displayed the highest Fe²⁺ chelating activity among the synthesized compounds. In cell-based assays, the imidazole- and thiazole-containing derivatives (3b and 3c) showed the most favorable balance between growth-inhibitory potency and selectivity toward A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells relative to HaCaT keratinocytes. Scratch assay results did not support direct anti-migratory activity under the tested conditions but indicated compound-dependent modulation of wound-closure-associated cellular responses. Overall, these findings demonstrate that heteroaromatic substitution strongly modulates redox behavior, CT-DNA-associated spectroscopic behavior, photophysical properties, and cytotoxic selectivity in pyrazole-based carbohydrazones, identifying this scaffold as a structurally tunable platform for further bioactivity optimization. Full article

Hemp plants are precious resources for the textile industry, being considered a sustainable and more economical alternative to cotton. Sustainable dyeing processes should minimize the consumption of water, energy, and chemicals while ensuring high color intensity and reducing the pollution load of residual baths. Black carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus) is a valuable source of dyes for dyeing hemp materials because it is rich in anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, which generate colors ranging from red-orange and muted magenta to blue, depending on the pH. In this article, the dye extraction process was colorimetrically monitored for 26 days to determine the optimal fermentation/storage period that generates the most intense color during the dyeing process. The dyeing parameters tested were temperature (40–100 °C), pH (4.33–9.15), duration (1–24 h), concentration (2.5–10%), and the presence of organic acids (ascorbic and citric acids). Virgin baths and the first three residual baths were used in the dyeing process. While the results of FTIR, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the dyeing process, the CIEL*a*b* measurements quantified the characteristics of the colors obtained using virgin and residual baths. The 12 principles of green chemistry were also discussed, together with their implementation in hemp dyeing. Full article

Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) is a commercially valuable species in the Mediterranean Sea, and the development of suitable feeds for juvenile rearing remains an important challenge for full-cycle aquaculture. In this study, we evaluated two experimental formulated diets containing anchovy-processing by-products and carrot peels as main ingredients, using a commercial diet as control. The diets were tested for 84 days on three size classes of P. lividus under controlled recirculating aquaculture conditions. Growth, feed intake, somatic growth rate, feed conversion ratio, gross apparent digestibility, and nitrogen assimilation were assessed. Our results demonstrated that both experimental diets could sustain the growth of sea urchins. However, growth varied significantly across diets and size classes and the two diets showed different results in terms of somatic growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Our findings suggest that eco-friendly feeds derived from industrial waste by-products can be used for sea urchin aquaculture. However, further research is needed to optimize feeding protocols and understand the underlying mechanisms affecting growth performance and feed assimilation efficiency. The utilization of food waste in aquaculture can contribute to the conservation of overexploited sea urchin stocks and promote sustainable practices in marine resource management. Full article

Penaeus sp. shells (shrimp) were used to extract chitosan using acid and basic treatments, which were characterized by IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and elemental analysis. The degrees of deacetylation were determined to be 71.8%, 75.6%, 53.4%, and 68.6%, respectively. Likewise, viscosimetry measurements were carried out, determining an average molecular weight of chitosan 1 of 1521467.919 (g/mol). The obtained chitosan was used as a substrate in condensation reactions with 10 para-substituted benzaldehydes. The products obtained were characterized by IR, Raman, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, AE (Elemental Analysis), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). For the obtained polymers, biological assays of cytotoxicity using RAW macrophage cells and leishmanicidal activity on promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana were performed. The results show that the synthesized products do not present in vitro cytotoxicity, and that 1 (Chitosan) and 3i (Schiff Base) present leishmanicidal activity. Selected derivatives were incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol-based films and evaluated for surface topography and gas permeability. AFM revealed nanometric roughness patterns, while gas exchange studies demonstrated selective CO₂/O₂ permeability, supporting passive modified atmosphere formation in packaged carrots. Mechanical characterization revealed that the incorporation of Schiff base derivatives significantly influences tensile strength and flexibility, with certain films exhibiting enhanced elongation and mechanical performance compared to pure PVA, highlighting their potential for packaging applications. These findings confirm that chemical functionalization enhances the versatility of chitosan, allowing the design of tailored biopolymers. The synthesized derivatives show promising characteristics for the development of biodegradable films with potential applications in food packaging and antiparasitic material development. Full article

Carrot pomace (CP) represents a promising source of dietary fiber with potential applications in functional food systems. This study investigated the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis (Pectinex^® Ultra Tropical, Celluclast^® 1.5 L, and Viscozyme^® L) on the chemical composition, technological, and functional properties of CP. The untreated CP was characterized by a high total dietary fiber (TDF) content, predominated by insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), with a soluble dietary fiber (SDF)/IDF ratio of 1:1.6. Enzymatic treatment significantly reduced TDF and IDF (up to 54.1% and 58.5%, respectively) while increasing reducing sugars by 2.3–3.4-fold and changing the SDF/IDF ratio to 1:1.2–1.5. Technological properties were altered, with decreased oil-retention capacity and color intensity, whereas water-solubility index increased, and water-swelling capacity was enzyme-dependent. Emulsion stability was enhanced in enzymatically treated samples. Total phenolic content increased in the soluble fraction (up to 21.8%). Functional properties, including cholesterol-binding, sodium cholate-binding, and glucose-adsorption capacities, were significantly influenced by enzymatic modification and pH conditions (for cholesterol-binding capacity). Prebiotic activity varied depending on enzyme treatment, and Celluclast^®-modified CP demonstrated the highest prebiotic index, exceeding that of inulin for selected strains. Overall, enzymatic hydrolysis effectively modulated the structural and functional properties of CP, highlighting its potential as a value-added ingredient for the formulation of functional and prebiotic food products. Full article

Despite accounting for less than 0.03% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) face existential threats to their environment, livelihoods, and regional stability due to their heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels and disproportionate climate vulnerability. To address this “Justice Paradox,” this study utilises a Nexus Mapping framework to qualitatively synthesise the non-linear causal pathways between climate stressors and energy system vulnerabilities. Through an integrative thematic synthesis of literature and regional policy documents, the research identifies systemic bottlenecks, including the “fiscal trap” of post-disaster reconstruction, the “demand-utility paradox” of rising temperatures, and the logistical premiums of archipelagic energy distribution. The analysis suggests that energy decarbonisation represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen climate security across four dimensions: human, national, international, and ecological. To facilitate a secure transition, the study proposes a comprehensive “policy mix” of regulatory standards (sticks), economic de-risking through mechanisms such as Sovereign Green Bonds (carrots), and the institutionalisation of local technical sovereignty (sermons). This research offers an interpretive analytical framework for Pacific policymakers, arguing that decentralised, modular renewables may serve as a strategic shield against climatic instability and support the preservation of regional statehood. Full article

Postharvest quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.) is determined by the interaction between genotype and storage environment, yet systematic comparative evidence across pigmented genotypes with contrasting biochemical profiles remains scarce. This study evaluated the postharvest behavior of five carrot genotypes (6KUR, 14BER, yellow, white, and purple) under refrigeration (4 °C) and room temperature (15 °C) over 30 days, integrating physicochemical, spectral, and consumer-based assessment. Variables included color, fresh weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and β-carotene quantification by spectrophotometry. Non-destructive monitoring was performed using Vis/NIR reflectance (350–1900 nm) with spectral indices sensitive to anthocyanin and carotenoid content (CRI1, CRI2, mARI) and tissue structural integrity (NDVI), and consumer perception (~60 participants per evaluation) was characterized through natural language processing of open-ended responses. Refrigeration significantly reduced β-carotene degradation (~15–20% loss vs. 50–60% at room temperature) and better preserved overall quality across genotypes. Purple carrots demonstrated superior postharvest stability across multiple traits, whereas white carrots showed the greatest susceptibility to quality loss. Spectral indices exhibited genotype-dependent temporal variation, particularly in pigmented roots, supporting their potential for non-destructive pigment monitoring during storage. Consumer descriptors reflected a progressive decline in desirable sensory attributes under both conditions. These findings support the integration of physicochemical, spectral, and sensory approaches for comprehensive postharvest characterization of genotypically diverse carrot germplasm, and identify priority genotypes and trait combinations for future predictive modeling studies. Full article

In this study, phenol adsorption from aqueous solutions was investigated using a carbonized adsorbent derived from a 1:1:1 mixture of banana, carrot, and potato peels, representing a major fraction of municipal bio-waste in Serbia. The material (CARB_BCP) was characterized by pH_pzc, SEM, FTIR, and BET analyses. The results indicated a highly porous structure with developed micro- and mesoporosity and a high specific surface area (S_BET = 483 m²/g). FTIR confirmed the formation of a stable aromatic carbon structure, while the high pH_pzc value (10.55) suggested a limited role of electrostatic interactions. Adsorption experiments performed at an initial phenol concentration of 1858 mg/L, room temperature, and an adsorbent dose of 0.1 g achieved a removal efficiency of 20.5%. The Langmuir model provided the best fit, indicating monolayer adsorption, with good agreement between theoretical (≈187 mg/g) and experimental (≈190 mg/g) capacities. Kinetic analysis followed the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting chemisorption as the rate-controlling step. The adsorption mechanism was mainly governed by π–π interactions, hydrophobic effects, and hydrogen bonding. These results demonstrate that CARB_BCP, derived from biodegradable waste, is a promising low-cost adsorbent for wastewater treatment. Full article

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of enriching carrot slices by NFC (not from concentrate) juices from chokeberry (CH), sea buckthorn (SB), cherry (CHE) and carrot (CA) before microwave-vacuum (MVD) and freeze-drying (FD) carrot on the physicochemical and thermal properties. While water activity (AW) was not dependent on enrichment treatment but only on drying method, NFC juices significantly enriched carrot slices with biocomponents. Freeze-dried samples, as a reference, had significantly lower AW than those dried by the MVD method. Both FD and MVD-dried samples had comparable polyphenol content and DPPH antioxidant activity (AA), but the MVD-dried samples exhibited higher ABTS antioxidant activity. Carrot enrichment in chokeberry and cherry juices resulted in up to six and 10 times higher TPC than in the raw material. In addition, samples enriched in these juices and dried with FD proved to be the most stable in terms of water state and glass transition temperature (61.4 and 69.6 °C) and water activity (approx. 0.10). In FTIR analysis, all samples exhibited similar spectral shapes, indicating similar chemical composition and functional group composition. Only in the spectral region below 900 cm⁻¹ were unique molecular vibrations induced by various organic compounds present. Enriching carrot in juices and MVD can lead to increased hardness (Fmax and breaking work), although this is associated with increased crispness, resulting from the microstructure with a large number of small pores, especially in MVD samples enriched with cherry, chokeberry, and carrot juices, with scores of 8.0–8.4 In this respect, the average crispness rating of the MVD samples (7.2) exceeded that of the FD samples (6.8). If there is a requirement for crunchiness in the future production of dried vegetables as snacks, changes in hardness should be prioritized, along with color and biocomponent content. Full article

The sources of natural lycopene are diverse, and lycopene from different sources may have differences in functional characteristics and bioavailability. In this study, lycopene was extracted from tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red guavas, carrots, and watermelons by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and the structures were characterized. The differences in their in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacities and anti-inflammatory capacity in vivo were compared. The results showed that under the extraction conditions of this experiment (sample: ethyl acetate: 1:5 m/v, 40 °C, 600 W, 40 kHz, 30 min), lycopene (primarily all-trans structure) from different sources could be effectively extracted from the above five raw materials. The concentration of lycopene extracted from the four samples except tomatoes (14.03 ± 1.08 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW)) was about 30 mg/100 g FW. The analysis of the in vitro antioxidant capacity of lycopene from five different sources showed that the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging rates and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) concentration of the red guava lycopene-rich sample were significantly higher than those of the other four sources of lycopene. Based on the in vitro performance of lycopene from five sources, further in vivo experiments (using only the tomato and red guava groups) also found that compared with lycopene from tomatoes, lycopene-rich extract from red guavas could significantly increase the antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant capacity in the serum, liver and gastrocnemius muscle (GAS) of mice; reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; and also increase the expression of antioxidant-related genes (GPx, CAT, SOD1, etc.) in the liver and GAS of mice by regulating the Nrf-2/keap1 signaling pathway. In addition, mice in the guava-derived lycopene-rich group had lower serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In summary, these results indicated that the lycopene-rich extract derived from red guava demonstrated higher antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo as well as enhanced anti-inflammatory capabilities within the body, providing an important reference for its application in the food industry and functional foods. Full article

Development of innovative functional foods is a key sports nutrition strategy to enhance physical performance, support recovery, and promote overall health. Plant-based protein-rich products have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal-protein sources, offering nutritional benefits and reducing environmental impact. This study aimed to develop high-protein plant-based cookies using a conventional formulation enriched with carrot, broccoli, and legume flour, and to evaluate their effects in a preclinical model. The nutritional composition was determined using standard food analysis methods and microbiological assays were conducted to ensure safety. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either a standard diet group or a cookie-supplemented group. The intervention consisted of daily administration of cookies at a dose of 5.3 g/kg body weight for 15 days. Physiological and biochemical parameters, including body weight, glucose, lipid profile, renal function, muscle thickness, and grip strength, were assessed. Despite no significant differences in glucose and lipid profiles between groups, increased muscle thickness (pubococcygeus and gastrocnemius), improved grip strength and higher levels of urea and creatinine were observed in the supplemented group. These findings indicate that high-protein plant-based cookies are safe in preclinical conditions and may promote functional benefits such as enhanced muscle strength and lean mass development. Therefore, they represent a promising and sustainable functional food for sports nutrition applications. Full article

This study explored the impact of ethanol as a co-solvent in supercritical fluid extraction on the recovery of bioactive compounds from carrot seeds and assessed the resulting extracts for antimicrobial, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potential. Ethanol supplementation significantly improved extraction performance, with the yield increasing from 110 mg in the absence of ethanol to 134 mg at 5% ethanol, followed by a slight decrease to 132 mg at 10%. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed pronounced phytochemical enrichment at 5% ethanol, particularly for chlorogenic acid (1541.24 µg/g), gallic acid (1279.27 µg/g), and hesperetin (1513.68 µg/g), indicating enhanced recovery of phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The 5% ethanol extract demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, producing inhibition zones of 19 mm against Enterococcus faecalis, 26 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 25 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, and 29 mm against Candida albicans. Values of both minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were markedly reduced, while antibiofilm activity reached 93.11% for E. faecalis and 91.00% for K. pneumoniae. The extract also exhibited potent inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values of 7.74 and 13.37 µg/mL, against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, correspondingly, as well as strong butyrylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 2.51 µg/mL), highlighting promising α-amylase/α-glucosidase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potential. Molecular docking further supported these findings, showing that chlorogenic acid bound more strongly than vanillin to OmpK36, lysosomal acid-α-glucosidase, and butyrylcholinesterase, with docking scores ranging from −6.1 to −6.9 kcal/mol. These findings identify ethanol-modified supercritical fluid extraction as a sustainable and effective green strategy for improving the recovery of carrot seed bioactives and enhancing their multifunctional in vitro biological properties. Notably, this study provides the first comprehensive evidence that 5% ethanol modification selectively enriches key phenolic constituents, including chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and hesperetin, in carrot seed extracts, with corresponding enhancement of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Full article

Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used in agriculture. However, their broader effects on plant lipid metabolism remain insufficiently characterized beyond their canonical target, the shikimate pathway. In this study, we evaluated tissue-specific lipidomic responses of carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants grown under controlled conditions following sublethal foliar exposure to a commercial glyphosate-based herbicide formulation. Leaves, leaf stalks, and roots were harvested 30 days after application, and lipid extracts were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to assess treatment-related differences. Morphological parameters showed no major visible symptoms, although minor changes in shoot architecture were observed. Untargeted lipidomic profiling revealed treatment-associated, tissue-specific alterations in lipid composition. In leaves, changes were detected in free fatty acids, tocopherols, and galactolipids, whereas leaf stalks and storage roots showed alterations mainly affecting phospholipid and glycerolipid classes. In summary, lipid profiles indicated shifts in the relative abundance of membrane- and storage-related lipid species. These results suggest that sublethal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide formulation may be associated with measurable lipidomic differences in carrot tissues, highlighting the sensitivity of untargeted lipidomic profiling for detecting metabolic responses to agrochemical exposure. Full article