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Nath B, Chen G, O’Sullivan CM, Zare D. Research and Technologies to Reduce Grain Postharvest Losses: A Review. Foods 2024; 13:1875. [PMID: 38928816 PMCID: PMC11202419 DOI: 10.3390/foods13121875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Reducing postharvest losses offers a significant opportunity to enhance food availability without requiring extra production resources. A substantial portion of cereal grain goes to waste annually due to a lack of science-based knowledge, unconscious handling practices, suboptimal technical efficiency, and inadequate infrastructure. This article extensively reviews losses occurring during postharvest operations across various crops, examining diverse postharvest operations in different countries. Recent advancements in postharvest technology research are thoroughly discussed. The primary obstacles and challenges hindering the adoption and implementation of postharvest technologies are also explored. The appropriate postharvest technology relies on specific factors, including the kind of crops, production locales, seasons, and existing environmental and socioeconomic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidhan Nath
- School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia;
| | - Guangnan Chen
- School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia;
| | - Cherie M. O’Sullivan
- Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Dariush Zare
- Senior Research Fellow, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia;
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Mandal M, Roy A, Das S, Rakwal R, Agrawal GK, Singh P, Awasthi A, Sarkar A. Food waste-based bio-fertilizers production by bio-based fermenters and their potential impact on the environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141539. [PMID: 38417498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Increasing food waste is creating a global waste (and management) crisis. Globally, ∼1.6 billion tons of food is wasted annually, worth ∼$1.2 trillion. By reducing this waste or by turning it into valuable products, numerous economic advantages can be realized, including improved food security, lower production costs, biodegradable products, environmental sustainability, and cleaner solutions to the growing world's waste and garbage management. The appropriate handling of these detrimental materials can significantly reduce the risks to human health. Food waste is available in biodegradable forms and, with the potential to speed up microbial metabolism effectively, has immense potential in improving bio-based fertilizer generation. Synthetic inorganic fertilizers severely affect human health, the environment, and soil fertility, thus requiring immediate consideration. To address these problems, agricultural farming is moving towards manufacturing bio-based fertilizers via utilizing natural bioresources. Food waste-based bio-fertilizers could help increase yields, nutrients, and organic matter and mitigate synthetic fertilizers' adverse effects. These are presented and discussed in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamun Mandal
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Anamika Roy
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Sujit Das
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India
| | - Randeep Rakwal
- Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, Global Sport Innovation Bldg., Room 403, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8574, Japan; GRADE Academy (Pvt.) Ltd., Birgunj, Nepal
| | | | - Pardeep Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110065, India
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India
| | - Abhijit Sarkar
- Laboratory of Applied Stress Biology, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732 103, West Bengal, India.
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Mlambo S, Mubayiwa M, Tarusikirwa VL, Machekano H, Mvumi BM, Nyamukondiwa C. The Fall Armyworm and Larger Grain Borer Pest Invasions in Africa: Drivers, Impacts and Implications for Food Systems. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:160. [PMID: 38534430 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major biosecurity threat affecting globalisation and the international trade of agricultural products and natural ecosystems. In recent decades, for example, field crop and postharvest grain insect pests have independently accounted for a significant decline in food quantity and quality. Nevertheless, how their interaction and cumulative effects along the ever-evolving field production to postharvest continuum contribute towards food insecurity remain scant in the literature. To address this within the context of Africa, we focus on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), two of the most important field and postharvest IAS, respectively, that have invaded Africa. Both insect pests have shown high invasion success, managing to establish themselves in >50% of the African continent within a decade post-introduction. The successive and summative nature of field and postharvest damage by invasive insect pests on the same crop along its value chain results in exacerbated food losses. This systematic review assesses the drivers, impacts and management of the fall armyworm and larger grain borer and their effects on food systems in Africa. Interrogating these issues is important in early warning systems, holistic management of IAS, maintenance of integral food systems in Africa and the development of effective management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaw Mlambo
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye 10071, Botswana
| | - Macdonald Mubayiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye 10071, Botswana
| | - Vimbai L Tarusikirwa
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Honest Machekano
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Brighton M Mvumi
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare P.O. Box MP167, Zimbabwe
| | - Casper Nyamukondiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye 10071, Botswana
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
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Ajayi FF, Ogori AF, Orede VO, Peter E. Synergistic effect of Balanites aegyptiaca essential oil and storage materials on cowpea seeds. FOODS AND RAW MATERIALS 2022. [DOI: 10.21603/2308-4057-2022-2-545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is a legume produced and consumed all over Africa and especially in Nigeria. These beans are a major source of protein in the region. The cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus L.) is a major pest that affects cowpea seeds. Therefore, cowpea farmers need effective non-toxic pesticides to replace synthetic chemicals. The present research tested the effect of Balanites aegyptiaca L. essential oil on cowpea weevils.
This research quantified weevil proliferation and cowpea seed qualities. The samples were treated with 5, 10, and 15 mL of B. aegyptiaca essential oil diluted in 1 mL of acetone and stored in five storage materials, i.e., jute bags, polythene bags, sacks, plastic containers, and glass bottles. The study featured a completely randomized design with three replications of each treatment: treatment time – 90 days, storage temperature – 30 ± 5°C, check – 0.125 g of aluminum phosphide, control – acetone.
B. aegyptiaca essential oil proved to be an effective insecticide against cowpea weevils. The treatment achieved 100% mortality rate at 10 and 15 mL of B. aegyptiaca essential oil after 72 h of exposure in glass bottles, plastic containers, and jute bags. In addition, B. aegyptiaca essential oil demonstrated a potent activity against oviposition and survival of immature cowpea weevils. Cowpea seeds packaged in glass bottles, plastics containers, and jute bags showed significantly less damage than those stored in sacks and polythene bags. Glass bottles were the best storage material in terms of safety and shelf stability, followed by plastic containers and jute bags.
B. aegeptica essential oil has potent insecticidal properties and can be used as pest control during grain storage.
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