A Review with Updated Perspectives on Nutritional and Therapeutic Benefits of Apricot and the Industrial Application of Its Underutilized Parts
Fruits maintain the image as the richest sources of vitamins. Focusing on apricots, utilization of apricot species for many applications is possible due to its various benefits. Many research studies demonstrated different perspectives of apricot, especially in medical used as it can act as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents. Moreover, in the industrial sectors, apricots can be used in the production of biofuels and batteries. All components of the apricot fruit, including seeds and kernels have been found to possess significant interest. This review is to breach the knowledge gap regarding the key nutrients and chemicals of apricot fruit, contributing to its health-promoting properties to emphasize the noble importance of this fruit in the diet and in the management of several diseases. We also cover the application of apricots in the industry that could be developed as a promising and sustainable source.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27155016
Raisins, Sultanas and Currants Global Statistical Review
Türkiye: The Aegean Exporters’ Association revised the 2023/24 dried grape production down to 206,300 metric tons, 36% below season 2022/23, as this year the grape crop was affected by heavy rainfalls in Manisa around harvesting time.
Total export shipments in 2022/23 marketing year (September 1, 2022–August 26, 2023) amounted to 256,000 MT, 2% up from 2021/22. Europe was the main export market, with 132,557 MT, which represent 52% of the total share and a growth of 5% vs. 2022. Germany (52,935 MT) and the Netherlands (51,207 MT) were the leading importers, followed by Italy (28,936 MT), France (26,238 MT) and Spain (15,400 MT). Year-to-date exports (September 1–October 14, 2023) added up to 36,834 MT, 5% down from the same period in 2022/23, with Europe accounting for 96% of the market share.
Iran: As per the Iran Dried Fruit Exporters Association, the whole grape growing region in Iran experienced a hard winter, which reduced grape clusters to varying degrees, while higher size and quality were reported.
At the time of writing this report, the 2023/24 production was forecasted at 180,000 MT, with domestic consumption ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 MT and export shipments expected to add up to between 130,000 MT and 140,000 MT. Total production comprised 50% Golden, 35% Sultana and 15% Thompson & Green.
China: Total production in 2023 is estimated 11% up from 2022, at around 200,000 MT. The Xinjiang producing region saw some frost damage last April, but only north of the Flaming Mountain, where the crop was about 20-30% below last year, but offset by the southern crop, which was about 30% above. Both Chinese Sultanas and green raisin quality was very good due to cool weather.
While, at the time of this writing, the price of green raisins was on the lower side owing to weak domestic demand, and raisin prices were not covering production costs, Chinese Sultanas were at a higher level as the Turkish production was affected by rain during harvesting time.
USA: Rain and cooler temperatures in the spring and early summer and cooler weather during the drying season (especially in September and October) delayed the harvest for raisins by about three to four weeks. Due to adverse weather during the growing and drying seasons, this year’s production is forecasted at 153,000 MT, down 7% from 2022/23.
The combination of the 2023 crop and carryover from last year’s crop should be enough to meet total demand. Shipments during the summer months have been traditionally slow and expectations are that shipments will start to creep up in preparation for the year-end holidays.
South Africa: As reported by Raisins South Africa, following a very cold winter, as of September, the producing regions were entering a sensitive period, with vineyards moving into budbreak stage, with low to medium frost risk weather forecasts. Some frost damage was reported for the week of September 4-11, 2023, although only limited to early cultivars and specific areas of the Orange River; the extent of damage was still being assessed at the time of writing this report. In terms of outlook, vineyards have recovered from the past two years’ wet seasons with final volumes only just exceeding the 60,000 MT mark and it is anticipated that crop size will recover to more than 75,000 MT.
Export shipments to the top 12 destinations were down by only 1% from last year. Given the current world economic state, the industry remains optimistic that the global economy would recover slowly over the next 12-24 months. The currant market is under pressure, with slow movement of currant volumes.
Mixed nuts with high nutrient density improve insuline resistance in mice by gut microbiota remodeling
The consumption of mixed nuts is a healthy dietary strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and has a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiota. However, there is a lack of basic research based on mixed nut formulation. This study established a new method for optimizing mixed nut formulations using the Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) index model. Nutrient indices were adjusted by combining 10 and 8 encouraging nutrients and 3 limiting nutrients of nuts and dried fruits, respectively. The optimized mixed nut formulation had the highest total NRF and the lowest energy, which was achieved by applying linear programming. The effect of an optimized mixed nut formulation on insulin resistance and gut microbiota was investigated in an animal model of metabolic disorders caused by a high-fat diet. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 12 per group) were fed a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with a supplemented classical randomized controlled trial mixed nut formula (MN1), a commercially available mixed nut formula (MN2), a high-nutrient density mixed nut formula (MN3), or ellagic acid (positive control). MN3 treatment decreased total plasma cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and zonulin levels, strengthened the intestinal barrier, and significantly altered the β-diversity of the intestinal microbiota as compared to the HFD group. These effects of MN3 were superior to MN1 and MN2. In conclusion, MN3 had the highest nutrient density and improved insulin resistance in low-grade inflammation via gut microbiota remodeling. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2FO01479C
The Nutrition Transition and the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan African Countries: How Do These Countries Compare with the Recommended LANCET COMMISSION Global Diet?.
Background: Over the last two decades, many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have undergone dietary and nutrition transitions fuelled by rapid urbanisation, economic development, and globalisation. The aim of the current study was to examine outcomes of the nutrition transition and the epidemiologic transition in SSA countries in terms of food intake, health, and socioeconomic and development factors. Methods: Food balance sheet data-specifically, per capita energy intake per day and per capita gram intake per day-from the CountrySTAT framework of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) were analysed for major food commodities. Additionally, selected health and development indicators supplied by UNICEF, the WHO and the World Bank were analysed. Results: Four dietary patterns emerged. The diet of the southern African/island cluster (South Africa, Mauritius, Eswatini, Namibia, Cabo Verde, and the outlier Seychelles) resembles a Westernised diet, with median values high on sugar/sweeteners, alcohol, meat, animal fats, eggs, and dairy. On the other hand, the diet of countries in the other three clusters appears to be more traditional, with countries in the desert/semi-arid cluster consuming more cereals and pulses/tree nuts, countries in the tropical coastal cluster consuming more fish and vegetable oils, and countries in the equatorial cluster consuming more starchy roots and fruit and vegetables. The resulting median values of health indicators also indicate a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the southern African/island cluster, whereas stunting and anaemia are higher in the other three clusters. Conclusions: SSA countries are in different stages of the nutrition transition. By superimposing clusters generated using macronutrient intake values on a map of the climatic regions in Africa, one can clearly see the importance of climate on the availability of food and food intake patterns. Climate change presents a great challenge to healthy eating, as the link between climate regions and diets is illustrated. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416791
Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal Regulatory Networks Associated with Fatty Acid Accumulation in Pecan Kernels.
Pecans are a globally important tree nut crop. Pecan nuts are rich in fatty acids (FAs), proteins, and flavonoids in addition to thiamine and numerous micronutrients. Although several of these nutriments have been studied in this plant, the comprehensive metabolite variations and molecular mechanisms associated with them have not been fully elucidated. In this study, untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics were integrated to reveal the metabolite accumulation patterns and their associated molecular mechanisms during pecan kernel development. In total, 4260 (under positive mode) and 2726 (under negative mode) high quality features were retained. Overall, 163 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified. Most components were classified into the categories "organic acids and derivatives" and "lipids and lipid-like molecules." The accumulation patterns of amino acids, FAs, carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids alongside embryo development were determined. Furthermore, transcriptomes from four pecan kernel developmental stages were used to assess transcript expression levels. Coexpression analyses were performed between FAs and their related genes. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the metabolic changes and regulations during pecan kernel development. We believe that the identification of nutriment accumulation trends and hub genes associated with the biosynthesis of the components will be valuable for genetically improving this plant. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c06947
Domestication and selection footprints in Persian walnuts (Juglans regia).
Walnut (Juglans) species are economically important hardwood trees cultivated worldwide for both edible nuts and high-quality wood. Broad-scale assessments of species diversity, evolutionary history, and domestication are needed to improve walnut breeding. In this study, we sequenced 309 walnut accessions from around the world, including 55 Juglans relatives, 98 wild Persian walnuts (J. regia), 70 J. regia landraces, and 86 J. regia cultivars. The phylogenetic tree indicated that J. regia samples (section Dioscaryon) were monophyletic within Juglans. The core areas of genetic diversity of J. regia germplasm were southwestern China and southern Asia near the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Himalayas, and the uplift of the Himalayas was speculated to be the main factor leading to the current population dynamics of Persian walnut. The pattern of genomic variation in terms of nucleotide diversity, linkage disequilibrium, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and insertions/deletions revealed the domestication and selection footprints in Persian walnut. Selective sweep analysis, GWAS, and expression analysis further identified two transcription factors, JrbHLH and JrMYB6, that influence the thickness of the nut diaphragm as loci under selection during domestication. Our results elucidate the domestication and selection footprints in Persian walnuts and provide a valuable resource for the genomics-assisted breeding of this important crop. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010513
Protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid and relevant defense enzymes correlate closely with walnut resistance to Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis.
Background: Juglans regia L. is an important nut tree that has a wide range of distribution in temperate regions of the world. In some walnut orchards, walnut blight can become a problematic disease that affects the growth of walnut trees. To explore the correlation between biochemical response and walnut resistance, we inoculated four walnut cultivars with Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj). The walnut cultivars were, namely, 'Xiangling', 'Xiluo 2', 'Yuanfeng' and 'Xifu 2'. Total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured, whereby nine major phenolic compounds and several relevant enzymes were identified. Results: The results showed that the most resistant and susceptible walnut varieties were 'Xiluo 2' and 'Xifu 2' respectively. The reaction of walnut to Xaj was characterized by the early accumulation of phenolic compounds in the infected site. After inoculation with Xaj, we found that the resistant variety 'Xiluo 2' show the significant differences with other varieties at different time points through the determination of related antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD). Meanwhile, the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) of 'Xiluo 2' increased significantly at 8 day post infection (dpi) and made differences from the control samples, while other varieties changed little. And the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was significantly higher than in the control at 16 dpi, maintaining the highest and the lowest activity in 'Xiluo 2' and 'Xifu 2' respectively. It was also found that the content of protocatechuic acid in all cultivars increased significantly at 4 dpi, and 'Xiluo 2' was significantly higher than that of the control. In the early stage of the disease, ferulic acid content increased significantly in 'Xiluo 2'. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that the metabolism of phenolic compounds and related defense enzymes are of great significance in the response of walnut to Xaj. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-022-03997-9
Activated carbon from almond shells using an eco-compatible method: screening, optimization, characterization, and adsorption performance testing.
Activated carbon as a low-cost adsorbent prepared from almond shells using H3PO4 as a chemical activator and room vacuum pyrolysis as a physical activator, which is considered to be an eco-compatible preparation process. Experimental design methodology was used to study and optimize the effects of eight preparation parameters on I2 adsorption expressed by the iodine index (mg g-1). It was found that optimum activated carbon was obtained by chemical activation with H3PO4 at first, followed by physical treatment at 420 °C under a vacuum pressure of -0.8 bar. The obtained activated carbon was characterized by a thermogravimetric analyzer, scanning electron microscopy coupled to EDX, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The zero-charge pH and the characteristics of surface chemistry by Boehm titration were determined to predict the acid-base properties of the prepared material. An adsorption efficiency study of crystal violet dye on the optimally produced activated carbon was carried out. The obtained results of physicochemical characterization showed interesting properties of our activated carbon in comparison with those produced by other methods. Among these properties, an important porous surface, high thermal stability, and a disorganized graphitic crystalline structure were revealed. In addition to the carbon and oxygen elements, EDX analysis revealed the presence of phosphorus element, and the FTIR analysis indicated the existence of phosphonate groups and an acidic character, which resulted from chemical activation by H3PO4. An iodine index of 824.85 mg g-1 was achieved for optimal preparation. Crystal violet adsorption studies show a pseudo-first-order kinetic process and fit well with the Freundlich isotherm model, and thus, the predicted adsorption capacity was 364.27 mg g-1. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra06220h
Defining the window of opportunity and target populations to prevent peanut allergy.
Background: Peanut allergy affects 1% to 2% of European children. Early introduction of peanut into the diet reduces allergy in high-risk infants. Objective: We aimed to determine the optimal target populations and timing of introduction of peanut products to prevent peanut allergy in the general population. Methods: Data from the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT; n = 1303; normal risk; 3-year follow-up; ISRCTN14254740) and Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study (LEAP; n = 640; high risk; 5-year follow-up; NCT00329784) randomized controlled trials plus the Peanut Allergy Sensitization (PAS; n = 194; low and very high risk; 5-year follow-up) observational study were used to model the intervention in a general population. Peanut allergy was defined by blinded peanut challenge or diagnostic skin prick test result. Results: Targeting only the highest-risk infants with severe eczema reduced the population disease burden by only 4.6%. Greatest reductions in peanut allergy were seen when the intervention was targeted only to the larger but lower-risk groups. A 77% reduction in peanut allergy was estimated when peanut was introduced to the diet of all infants, at 4 months with eczema, and at 6 months without eczema. The estimated reduction in peanut allergy diminished with every month of delayed introduction. If introduction was delayed to 12 months, peanut allergy was only reduced by 33%. Conclusions: The preventive benefit of early introduction of peanut products into the diet decreases as age at introduction increases. In countries where peanut allergy is a public health concern, health care professionals should help parents introduce peanut products into their infants’ diet at 4 to 6 months of life. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.042
Impact of Non-Thermal Technologies on the Quality of Nuts: A Review.
Nuts are widely consumed worldwide, mainly due to their characteristic flavor and texture, ease of consumption, and their functional properties. In addition, consumers increasingly demand natural or slightly processed foods with high quality. Consequently, non-thermal treatments are a viable alternative to thermal treatments used to guarantee safety and long shelf life, which produce undesirable changes that affect the sensory quality of nuts. Non-thermal treatments can achieve results similar to those of the traditional (thermal) ones in terms of food safety, while ensuring minimal loss of bioactive compounds and sensory properties, thus obtaining a product as similar as possible to the fresh one. This article focuses on a review of the main non-thermal treatments currently available for nuts (cold plasma, high pressure, irradiation, pulsed electric field, pulsed light, ultrasound and ultraviolet light) in relation to their effects on the quality and safety of nuts. All the treatments studied have shown promise with regard to the inhibition of the main microorganisms affecting nuts (e.g., Aspergillus, Salmonella, and E. coli). Furthermore, by optimizing the treatment, it is possible to maintain the organoleptic and functional properties of these products. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233891