Traditional leafy vegetables and their use in the Benin Republic

Seventy-three villages randomly selected in 29 ethnic areas and three regions or agro-ecological zones of Benin were investigated by a participatory rural appraisal survey to assess the diversity of the species used as traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs). In total, 187 plant species belonging to 141 genera and 52 families were recorded. Among these, 47 (25.13%) were cultivated and 140 (74.87%) were gathered from the wild. Herbs (64.78%) were the most numerous followed by shrubs (19.78%) and trees (15.50%). The Shannon–Weaver diversity index calculated was 3.232. The total number of TLVs used highly varies, across ethnic groups, from 15 (Toli tribe) to 58 (people Mahi) with, on average, 36 species per ethnic group. The relative proportions of the wild and cultivated species used also vary with the tribes but on average appeared almost the same. Of the species inventoried, 18 of national importance were found among which Solanum macrocarpon, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus cruentus and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum ranked first. The matrix scoring technique yielded 12 criteria of different natures used to define preference. Among these, four (taste, ease of preparation, availability and quantity of required condiments) were the most important and represent, all together, more than 72% of responses. Despite the diversity of species used as leafy vegetables, they were all basically consumed in the same way. Sauces were the main type of preparation and involved all the species. The perceived nutritional and medicinal (curative, regulative and stimulative) properties of the species as well as their cultural significance were documented. Some TLVs are known and consumed by all or many ethnic groups while many others were simply ethnospecific or used by only a few peoples. However, no correlation was found between the distribution of the utilisation of the species and their degree of consumption which all depend on the eating habits of the peoples. Cluster analysis revealed that peoples sharing a common geographical space and/or cultural identity or origin seem to consume almost the same types of TLVs and cluster together. Given the large quantity of evidence of the importance of the TLVs, there should be a systematic effort to improve their understanding and their uses to reduce if not alleviate rural poverty and malnutrition in Benin.     

复合污染土壤上几种叶类蔬菜对Cd和As的富集效应

[目的]不同蔬菜镉、砷富集系数各异,对镉和砷污染土壤的响应也不同。研究复合污染土壤上不同叶类蔬菜对Cd和As的积累效应,为轻度中度Cd和As污染土壤的合理与安全利用提供适宜的蔬菜种类。[方法]采集了西安市12个污染程度不同的菜地耕层土壤,于2015年3月6日5月26日在西北农林科技大学资源环境学院遮雨大棚内进行了盆栽试验。供试7种叶菜,包括菠菜、油菜、生菜、油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿。蔬菜收获后,测量了蔬菜产量、Cd和As含量与吸收累积量,计算了蔬菜对Cd和As的富集系数等,并用线性回归模型研究了不同蔬菜栽培的土壤Cd和As安全临界值。[结果]镉污染土壤(0.6~2.4 mg/kg)对大多数蔬菜生物量有抑制效应,中、低浓度镉砷复合污染(Cd 1.0~2.4 mg/kg,As 24.9~26.8 mg/kg)对供试蔬菜生长没有叠加效应。镉污染土壤上,菠菜、油菜、苋菜叶、生菜可食部Cd含量均超出食品安全限量标准(0.2 mg/kg),其中菠菜和油菜Cd最高超标4倍以上;而茼蒿和空心菜茎秆Cd未超标。虽然供试蔬菜砷含量随着土壤砷含量增加有升高趋势,但叶菜As含量没有超标。7种蔬菜Cd富集系数为0.083~0.491,高低顺序为油菜、菠菜、生菜和苋菜叶>油麦菜、苋菜茎和空心菜叶>空心菜茎和茼蒿。菠菜、油菜、生菜、油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿土壤Cd安全临界值分别为0.33、0.38、0.46、1.15、0.59~1.79、1.49~8.16和8.98~17.11 mg/kg,其中菠菜、油菜和生菜阈值与现行标准(0.3~0.6 mg/kg)相当,而油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿均大于土壤重金属污染限量值。As富集系数为0.002~0.006,空心菜叶和茼蒿叶片As富集系数显著高于其他蔬菜。7种蔬菜的土壤As临界阈值分别为62.31、70.35、70.21、67.41、67.86~90.43、57.21~75.70和72.43~105.06 mg/kg,均高于现行标准(25 mg/kg)。[结论]中等程度的Cd和As复合污染土壤上,Cd对蔬菜的生长有显著的抑制,As与Cd没有叠加作用。不同蔬菜的产量、污染程度和安全阈值等有显著差异,因此选择低富集、抗污染蔬菜品种是利用中低重金属污染土壤的一条可行途径。空心菜和茼蒿对Cd富集系数低,可推荐在中、低污染土壤上种植。     

Determination of major carotenoids in a few Indian leafy vegetables by high-performance liquid chromatography

Leafy vegetables [Basella rubra L., Peucedanum sowa Roxb., Moringa oleifera Lam., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Spinacia oleracea L., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Raphanus sativus L.] that are commonly used by the rural population in India were evaluated in terms of their main carotenoid pattern. The extracted carotenoids were purified by open column chromatography (OCC) on a neutral alumina column to verify their identity by their characteristic UV-visible absorption spectra. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 column with UV-visible photodiode array detection under isocratic conditions was used for quantification of isolated carotenoids. Acetonitrile/methanol/dichloromethane (60:20:20 v/v/v) containing 0.1% ammonium acetate was used as a mobile phase. The major carotenoids identified by both methods were lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Among the carotenoids identified, lutein and beta-carotene levels were found to be higher in these leafy vegetables. Results show that P. sowa and S. oleracea are rich sources of lutein (77-92 mg/100 g of dry wt) and beta-carotene (36-44 mg/100 g of dry wt) compared with other leafy vegetables. The purity of carotenoids eluted by OCC was clarified by HPLC, and they were found to be 92% +/- 3% for neoxanthin, 94% +/- 2% for violaxanthin, 97% +/-2% for lutein and zeaxanthin, and 90% +/- 3% for beta-carotene. It could be recommended to use P. sowa and S. oleracea as rich sources of lutein and beta-carotene for health benefits. The OCC method proposed is relatively simple and provides purified carotenoids for feeding trials.     

Determination of beta-carotene and lutein available from green leafy vegetables by an in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation method

Green leafy vegetables (Spinacea oleracea, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, and Solanum americanum) contain a high amount of beta-carotene (27-52 mg/100 g of dry sample) and lutein (140-193 mg/100 g of dry sample). The amount of beta-carotene and lutein released from the food matrix by the action of digestive enzymes ranged from 22 to 67% and from 27 to 77%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the enzymatic release of carotenoids (lutein + beta-carotene) and the content of Klason lignin, nonstarch polysaccharides, and resistant protein. The carotenoids released by the in vitro colonic fermentation ranged from 2 to 11%, and part of them (0.251-4.03 mg/100 g of original dry sample) remained intact in the fermentation media and could be potentially absorbed in the colon. A significant part of carotenoids seems to be unavailable in the intestinal tract (16% in S. oleracea to 58% in C. aconitifolius).     

Effects of antimony contamination in soil on the nutrient composition of three green leafy vegetables

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effects of antimony (Sb) on the nutrient composition of green leafy vegetables.

Materials and methods

Red beets (Beta vulgaris L.), mallow (Malva sinensis Cavan.), and Chinese cabbage (Brassicacampestris L.) were planted by pouring antimony solution in flowerpot, then the protein content of plants and the changes of seven nutrient elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and I under Sb stress were studied.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the red beet had the highest protein content when the concentration was 20 mg L^?1, which was 0.2856 gprot L^?1. With an increase in the antimony concentration, the protein content decreased gradually, and the protein content of mallow and Chinese cabbage did not change significantly. For nutrient elements, except for Ca and I, other nutrients in red beets increased with the increase in antimony concentration, and Mn and Zn contents in mallow were reduced to the lowest when Sb was treated with 100 mg L^?1, while content of I element was the highest at 100 mg·L^?1, and the content of nutrients in Chinese cabbage changed in a small range.

Conclusions

The research showed that the antimony pollution had a great influence on the protein content of red beet. The nutrient content of mallow was fluctuated greatly when Sb was treated with 100 mg L^?1. The content of Mn, Zn, and Cu in Chinese cabbage almost did not change due to the antimony concentration.

     

Collection and ethnobotanical investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corchorus</Emphasis> species in Ethiopia: potential leafy vegetables for dry regions

Little information is available regarding the biodiversity and potential use of jute (Corchorus species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present study summarizes species’ occurrence, use, geographical distribution, ecology, and ethnobotany of Corchorus species in Ethiopia. An ecogeographical study, conducted in the Amhara, Oromia and Gambella Regional States in 2005 and 2008 resulted in the collection of seven different species with more than 100 accessions. The study revealed low similarity in species composition between the Regional States, indicating that each region has its own unique set of species. Species numbers are higher in the north-eastern and south-western than the central part of the country. C. aestuans L. and C. tridens L. are restricted to humid lowlands of south-western part of Ethiopia, growing at elevations up to 490 m, whereas, C. urticifolius Wight et Arn., C. trilocularis L. and C. schimperi Cufod. were collected only in the north-eastern part of the country with elevation ranges of 1,380–2,130 m. The only species collected at a higher elevation (>2,100 m) was C. schimperi Cufod. Farmers’ perception, indigenous knowledge and folk taxonomy of jute species are better in Gambella than the other studied regions. Although several Corchorus species are reported from Ethiopia, these species are neither cultivated nor popularly used as leafy vegetables. This is mainly due to lack of awareness or knowledge about the species use, and abundant distribution of the species that allows gathering of edible leaves with little expenditure of time, labour and other resources. Our results revealed that some species are threatened, which necessitates highest priority for jute germplasm conservation in the country. In addition, creating public awareness about the use of jute species as a cheap source of leafy vegetable will play an important role to diversify food sources, reduce malnutrition, and contribute to household income generation of the farming community.     

脲醛氮肥不影响叶菜的甲醛残留量及食用安全

【目的】研究脲醛氮肥(UF)对生菜、 上海青体内甲醛累积量、 甲醛含量的影响,评价其在叶菜上施用的安全性。【方法】采用3因素4水平完全设计分别进行第一次生菜及上海青盆栽试验。三因素为 50%尿素+50%脲醛[活性系数 (AI)=67%,UF1]、 50%尿素+50%脲醛(AI=57%,UF2)、 100%尿素(U); 施氮量设4个水平,分别是每千克土壤 N0、 100、 200、 300 mg,共 12 个处理,每个处理6个重复。采用4因素3水平完全设计进行第二次生菜盆栽试验,四个因素分别是AI分别为55%的脲醛(UF3)、 63%的脲醛(UF4)、 72%的脲醛(UF5)和100%尿素(U)(含 N 46%); 施氮量设3个水平,分别是每千克土壤 N 0、 200、 300 mg,共 12 个处理,每个处理6个重复。收获后,用乙酰丙酮法测定植株甲醛含量。【结果】无论施氮与否,生菜和上海青体内均能检测到甲醛。无氮对照在第一次生菜和上海青试验中的甲醛累积量分别为 0.21和0.35 mg/pot,在第二次生菜试验的生菜甲醛含量为 1.72 mg/kg。第一次生菜试验施 N 100 mg/kg土 时,U和 U+UF处理的生菜体内甲醛是无氮对照的 2.7~2.8 倍,但施氮处理间(U、 U+UF)无差异。在施 N 200、 300 mg/kg土时,U处理的生菜甲醛累积量明显大于U+UF处理,尿素处理甲醛累积量分别为 0.68、 0.56 mg/pot; 施 N 200 mg/kg土时,U处理的甲醛累积量比 UF1 + U和 UF2 + U 处理分别高出 26%、 33%,N 300 mg/kg土时的相应值是 30%、 24%。第二次生菜试验,两个施氮水平下,U和 UF5处理的甲醛含量最大; 施 N 200 mg/kg土时,UF3和UF4处理的生菜体内甲醛含量与无氮处理的无差异,当施氮量增加到300 mg/kg土时,活性指数为 55%的 UF3 与无氮处理的生菜甲醛含量无差异,活性指数为 63%的UF4的生菜甲醛含量甚至明显低于无氮处理。U和 UF5 处理的生菜甲醛含量范围为 4.97~5.36 mg/kg,UF3和 UF4处理的分别比 UF5处理的降低了68%和 70%,分别比U处理的的降低了69%和 71%。施氮量从 N 100 mg/kg土增加到 300 mg/kg土,均未影响叶菜体内的甲醛残留。【结论】与常规尿素相比,单独施用脲醛氮肥或尿素与脲醛氮肥混合施用,无论脲醛氮肥活性指数从 50%增加到 71%,还是氮肥用量从 100 增加到 300 mg/kg土,均不会增加叶菜体内的甲醛残留量,并且甲醛残留量处于安全范围内。     

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) clone selection by farmers and their cultural practices in southern Ethiopia

Enset, Ensete ventricosum, is a crop that contributes to food security for more than 20 % of Ethiopia’s population. One clone never fulfills all the ecological and social requirements and hence farmers maintain a diverse range of enset cultivars on their farm. The objective of this work was to assess morphological and use value related characterization and document the indigenous knowledge of farmers on classification, cultivation and utilization of enset. A total of 280 farm households in seven zones were surveyed using individual household interviews. The observed traits showed low to high levels of variability among enset clones with a Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H′) value of 0.154–0.827 for bulla (extracted starch) quality and midrib color, respectively. Moreover, the overall H′ mean of 0.399 confirmed the existence of low to medium levels of phenotypic variation. The mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all the quantitative traits studied, suggesting the presence of substantial genetic variability among the 165 enset clones. Kocho (fermented starch) yield had significant positive correlation with bulla quality and plant vigor. Knowledge of farmers’ practices is currently used to validate agronomic innovations and inform the setting up of a network of phenotype collections managed by farmers.     

Wild pollinator communities are negatively affected by invasion of alien goldenrods in grassland landscapes

The increasing spread of invasive alien plants has changed biodiversity throughout the world. To date research in this area has focused on how invasive plant species affect pollinator behaviour, but there is a lack of data on the impact that alien plant species have on wild pollinator populations. Since their introduction in the 19th century, and rapid spread after the 1950s, alien goldenrods (Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea) have been among the most successful invasive plant species in Europe. We studied the effects of goldenrods on wild pollinator communities in SE Poland. The abundance, species richness and diversity of wild bees, hoverflies and butterflies were compared between wet meadows invaded by goldenrod (10 transects) and non-invaded controls (10 transects). Furthermore, we compared the plant diversity and average cover between the two groups of sites. Invasion of goldenrods had a very strong negative effect on wild pollinator diversity as well as abundance. Plant diversity and average cover were also negatively affected by goldenrod invasion. Wild pollinators were grouped according to their nesting and food specialization, but none were resistant to the invasion, indicating that introduced goldenrod may affect the entire wild pollinator community. Our study emphasises the urgent need to develop specific protection plans for wild pollinators in habitats threatened by foreign plants and we call for the introduction of programs to stop the invasion of goldenrod not only in Poland, but also on a continental scale.     

Effect of fire on plant communities and soils in the humid tropical savannah of Gambela,Ethiopia

Ethiopian pastoralists and farmers use fire for regrowth of young green shoots and food crops, respectively. As a result, useful plants and wild animals are also affected. The intensity, frequency and magnitude of fires in the Gambela region (Baro-Akobo river basin) have been aggravated by the recent resettlement scheme and mechanized farming. Fires have (i) changed the physiognomy of plants; (ii) reduced the number of indispensable plant species; (iii) pushed wild animals to neighbouring areas; and (iv) brought soil erosion. If the present fire occurrences continue, this region of rich biodiversity will become desertified. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrate,arsenic, cadmium,and lead concentrations in leafy vegetables: expected average values for productive regions of Chile

High arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nitrate (NO₃^?) concentrations in soil pose a risk for the human population and compromise food safety. The goal of this study was to obtain preliminary approximations for the expected mean values of As, Cd, Pb, and N-NO₃ in three leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, and chard) grown in the central farming regions of Chile. Representative samples (n = 148) of these crops were collected from the Coquimbo, Valparaíso, and Metropolitana Regions. Water extraction and an ion-selective electrode were used to determine NO₃^? contents, while total As, Cd, and Pb contents were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The recorded values were 23.8%, 59.2%, and 97.9% below detection limits for As, Cd, and Pb, respectively. Furthermore, As and Cd intake by leafy vegetables reached 0.26 and 2.30% of the daily intake levels estimated by Chilean authorities. The daily NO₃^? intake by leafy vegetables was 0.44 mg per kg of bodyweight per day (kgbw^?1day^?1), or 12% of the WHO-recommended intake. No analyses were performed for Pb due to highly left-censored data. While the recorded NO₃^?, As, and Cd concentrations in lettuce, spinach, and chard do not apparently pose a health risk, further detailed studies are suggested.     

Effects of eucalyptus and coniferous plantations on soil properties in Gambo District,southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Plantation establishment using exotic species on disturbed cultivated and undisturbed primary forest soils is common in Gambo district, southern Ethiopia, but their effects on soil properties are not fully known. This study investigated the effects of plantation species on major soil physical and chemical properties and further evaluated the soil quality under different land uses. Soil samples in triplicates, collected under different plantations, were analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Based on these soil properties, an integrated soil quality index was determined. The soil bulk density (BD) varied from 0.72 to 0.80 cm^?3 in plantations established on primary forest land and natural forest and from 0.86 to 1.14 g cm^?3 in those plantations established on cultivated soils. Also significantly lower pore volume and infiltration rate were observed under plantations established on cultivated lands than those on primary forest soils. Higher water volume (% at ?1500 kPa matric potential) was obtained in soils under Juniperus procera and natural forest compared with that under the rest of the plantations investigated. The concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) varied from 3.4 to 10.2%, N from 0.3 to 1.0% and Av.P from 1.5 to 7.0% in soils under plantations and natural forest. Exchangeable cations generally showed a decreasing trend with depth in all land use types with minor exceptions. The concentrations of exchangeable Ca⁺² varied from 6.5 to 22.7 cmol kg^?1 and were significantly higher under Juniperus procera than under Eucalyptus species. The soil under plantations on previously cultivated lands showed soil quality index below 0.5 (the baseline value), while those established on undisturbed forest soil were generally above that value. The study results suggest that selecting species such as Juniperus procera and prolonging the harvesting period would improve and maintain the quality of soil properties.     

Fertilization practices affect biological nitrogen fixation by modulating diazotrophic communities in an acidic soil in southern China

Biological nitrogen (N) fixation (BNF) driven by diazotrophs is an important pathway for N input in agricultural ecosystems.However,free-living BNF and its associated diazotrophic communities under different fertilization practices in acidic soils are poorly studied.Here,we conducted a long-term(29 years) fertilization experiment to explore how fertilization affected free-living BNF via changing biotic and abiotic variables.The fertilization treatments included an unfertilized control (CK),chemi...     

Leaf litter fall and litter decomposition under Eucalyptus and coniferous plantations in Gambo District,southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Litter fall and its decomposition rate play an important role in nutrient recycling, carbon budgeting and in sustaining soil productivity. Litter production and the decomposition rate were studied on commonly planted broad-leaved Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus saligna) and coniferous (Juniperus procera, Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula) plantation species and compared with the adjacent broad-leaved natural forest. The production of litter was recorded by litter traps and the decomposition rate was studied by nylon net bag technique. Litter production under broad-leaved plantation species and natural forest (that varied from 9.7 to 12.6 Mg ha^?1 y^?1) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that under coniferous species (that varied from 4.9 to 6.6 Mg ha^?1 y^?1). The average concentration of C and N in fresh mature leaves was higher than in leaf-litter fall, implying that both C and N were either sorbed in the plant system or lost through decomposition, leaching or erosion during the leaf-litter fall period. The amount of N, which potentially returned to the soil through the leaf-litter fall, tended to be higher in natural forest than in Eucalyptus plantations. The residual litter mass in the litter bag declined with time for all species. The annual dry matter decay constant (k) varied from 0.07 m^?1 in Pinus patula to 0.12 m^?1 in Eucalyptus saligna. The half-time (t_0.5) decay varied from 6.0 for Eucalyptus saligna to 9.7 months for Pinus patula. The results suggest that the decomposition rate in Pinus patula was relatively lower than the other species and the litter production under broad-leaved Eucalyptus was comparatively higher than that in coniferous species. Overall the litter decomposition was fast for all species. The higher litter production and its relative faster rate of decomposition is a positive aspect to be considered during species selection for the restoration of degraded habitats given other judicious management practices such as prolonging the rotation period are adhered to.     

膨化食品充气包装瘪袋问题分析及测试验证

食品气调枕形包装被广泛用于农产品的贮藏、运输和消费全流程,尽管工厂广泛使用的现代包装机械和人工检验手段减小了漏气风险,但是封口缺陷、贮藏和运输中的挤压、人工检验时的人为差错等造成漏气甚至瘪袋的情况时有发生,变质的袋内食品既影响了消费者身体健康又导致厂商声誉受损。该文针对食品气调枕形包装的漏气检测问题,提出了一种基于多维视角融合的Vision Transformer漏气检测方法（multi-dimentional fusion vision transformer, MdF-ViT）。通过包装袋的主视角、侧视角和俯视角的融合,提取3个视角包装袋轮廓特征,综合判断包装袋形变量,完成对枕形包装的漏气检测。对样本A、样本B、样本C的测试结果表明,该种模型准确率均达到97.5%,F₁值分别达到97.6%、97.6%和97.4%。该研究提出的模型可以有效应用于工厂生产并节约成本。