India’s Removal of Retaliatory Tariffs on US Walnuts Comes into Force

The move comes in parallel with the lifting of retaliatory tariffs on almonds According to a recent USDA GAIN report, India’s retaliatory tariffs on US walnuts have been removed as of September 6, 2023. The tariff rate has therefore returned to 100% for in-shell walnuts. Tariffs on shelled walnuts remain unchanged. Description Rates under retaliatory […]

Whole genome analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TA-1, a promising biocontrol agent against Cercospora arachidicola pathogen of early leaf spot in Arachis hypogaea L

Background: Early leaf spot disease, caused by Cercospora arachidicola, is a devastating peanut disease that has severely impacted peanut production and quality. Chemical fungicides pollute the environment; however, Bacillus bacteria can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides. To understand the novel bacterial strain and unravel its molecular mechanism, De novo whole-genome […]

Efficacy of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma hamatum against Lasiodiplodia theobromae on macadamia

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) trees are an important source of revenue in rainforest ecosystems. Their nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and monounsaturated oils. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, however, is a major disease problem, causing kernel rot and other disease symptoms. In the present study, a dual confrontation assay was used to evaluate the […]

Computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital immunosensor based on click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology for the detection of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts

Aflatoxin B1 is a carcinogenic contaminant in food or feed, and it poses a serious health risk to humans. Herein, a computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital (SMID) immunosensor based on the click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology was designed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts. In this SMID immunosensor, the modified polystyrene (PS) […]

Clinically and industrially relevant incurred reference materials to improve analysis of food allergens, milk, egg, almond, hazelnut and walnut

Measurement of food allergen protein concentrations against thresholds can improve allergen risk management and precautionary allergen labelling. Such measurement suffers well known problems which could be ameliorated by well characterised reference materials (RMs) providing meaningful information for risk assessors. We investigated the preparation and characterisation of the first consensus informed industrially and clinically relevant multi-allergen […]

Assessment of Raisins Byproducts for Environmentally Sustainable Use and Value Addition

This study investigated the potential and sustainable use of the biomass derived from various stages of the grape drying process. A total of eleven byproducts, each containing varying organic materials, were produced and subjected to testing. Ultimate analysis, as well as analyses of heating values, chemical composition, lignocellulose composition, total solids concentration and biogas production […]

Cashew nut shell oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production: An overview.

Biodiesel outperforms diesel in emissions and engine performance. They burn efficiently in diesel engines and are eco-friendly. Since cashew nut shell liquid (CNSO) is waste, commercial biodiesel production from it should be profitable. CNSO is cheap and can reduce cashew processing factory waste. From cashew kernels, CNSL is extracted using various mechanical, thermal, and solvent […]

Labeling Update: September 2023

UK: New Food Allergen Labeling Guidance On September 5, 2023, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published updates to their food allergen labeling and information technical guidance. The new guidance recommends several changes in relation to how food businesses should use Precautionary Allergen Labels (PALs): Only apply a PAL if there is an unavoidable risk […]

High biomass filled biodegradable plastic in engineering sustainable composites

The production of single-use, non-renewable plastic has persistently impacted the environment through non-biodegradable plastic accumulation. Injection-moulded biodegradable polymer blend [poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene-adipate) (PBSA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)] with an inexpensive filler, walnut shell powder (WSP), enables an appropriate melt flow behaviour after incorporating compatibilizer as confirmed by rheological analysis. The sustainable composites with 60 wt% WSP […]