Desensitization and remission after peanut sublingual immunotherapy in 1- to 4-year-old peanut-allergic children: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Background: Prior studies of peanut sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) have suggested a potential advantage with younger age at treatment initiation. Objective: We studied the safety and efficacy of SLIT for peanut allergy in 1- to 4-year-old children. Methods: Peanut-allergic 1- to 4-year-old children were randomized to receive 4 mg peanut SLIT versus placebo. Desensitization was assessed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) after 36 months of treatment. Participants desensitized to at least 443 mg peanut protein discontinued therapy for 3 months and then underwent DBPCFC to assess for remission. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and longitudinally during treatment. Results: Fifty participants (25 peanut SLIT, 25 placebo) with a median age of 2.4 years were enrolled across 2 sites. The primary end point of desensitization was met with actively treated versus placebo participants having a significantly greater median cumulative tolerated dose (4443 mg vs 143 mg), higher likelihood of passing the month 36 DBPCFC (60% vs 0), and higher likelihood of demonstrating remission (48% vs 0). The highest rate of desensitization and remission was seen in 1- to 2-year-olds, followed by 2- to 3-year-olds and 3- to 4-year-olds. Longitudinal changes in peanut skin prick testing, peanut-specific IgG4, and peanut-specific IgG4/IgE ratio were seen in peanut SLIT but not placebo participants. Oropharyngeal itching was more commonly reported by peanut SLIT than placebo participants. Skin, gastrointestinal, upper respiratory, lower respiratory, and multisystem adverse events were similar between treatment groups. Conclusion: Peanut SLIT safely induces desensitization and remission in 1- to 4-year-old children, with improved outcomes seen with younger age at initiation.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2023.08.032
Shipping Disruptions Continue in Red Sea
Commercial vessels transiting the region remain under threat
Disruptions in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes continued this week as Houthi rebels defiantly continued their attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite strikes by US-led forces against targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen.
The latest alert issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration states: “There continues to be a high degree of risk to commercial vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea between 12N and 16N. While the decision to transit remains at the discretion of individual vessels and companies, it is recommended that U.S. flag and U.S. owned commercial vessels remain North of 18N in the Red Sea or East of 46E in the Gulf of Aden until further notice.”
A growing number of shipping companies have stopped using the Red Sea passage amid the escalating situation. As of January 17, the logistics company Kuehne+Nagel had identified 334 vessels impacted by the Red Sea situation, representing an estimated total capacity of 4.42 million TEU. The global shipping news service TradeWinds reported that Red Sea war risk insurance rates could soon exceed 1% of hull value, up from about 0.5% prior to this week’s Houthi attacks.
Breakthrough curve analysis of phosphorylated hazelnut shell waste in column operation for continuous harvesting of lithium from water
In batch-scale operations, biosorption employing phosphorylated hazelnut shell waste (FHS) revealed excellent lithium removal and recovery efficiency. Scaling up and implementing packed bed column systems necessitates further design and performance optimization. Lithium biosorption via FHS was investigated utilizing a continuous-flow packed-bed column operated under various flow rates and bed heights to remove Li to ultra-low levels and recover it. The Li biosorption capacity of the FHS column was unaffected by the bed height, however, when the flow rate was increased, the capacity of the FHS column decreased. The breakthrough time, exhaustion time, and uptake capacity of the column bed increased with increasing column bed height, whereas they decreased with increasing influent flow rate. At flow rates of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/min, bed volumes (BVs, mL solution/mL biosorbent) at the breakthrough point were found to be 477, 369, and 347, respectively, with the required BVs for total saturation point of 941, 911, and 829, while the total capacity was calculated as 22.29, 20.07, and 17.69 mg Li/g sorbent. In the 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm height columns filled with FHS, the breakthrough times were 282, 366, and 433 min, respectively, whereas the periods required for saturation were 781, 897, and 1033 min. The three conventional breakthrough models of the Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Modified Dose-Response (MDR) were used to properly estimate the whole breakthrough behavior of the FHS column and the characteristic model parameters. Li's extremely favorable separation utilizing FHS was evidenced by the steep S-shape of the breakthrough curves for both parameters flow rate and bed height. The reusability of FHS was demonstrated by operating the packed bed column in multi-cycle mode, with no appreciable loss in column performance. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464510
Effects of walnut seed coat polyphenols on walnut protein hydrolysates: Structural alterations, hydrolysis efficiency, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity
The walnut meal is rich in nutrients such as protein from the kernel and polyphenolic compounds from the seed coat. However, the influences of seed coat polyphenols on walnut protein (WP) hydrolysis remained unclear. In this study, our findings indicated that polyphenols induced alterations in the secondary structure and amino acid composition of WP. These changes resulted in both a hindrance of hydrolysis and an enhancement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Furthermore, four peptides of 119 identified peptides (LR, SF, FQ, and FR) were synthesized based on higher predicted bioactivity and Vinascores in silico. Among them, FQ showed interaction with amino acid residues in AChE through the formation of four π-π stacking bonds and two hydrogen bonds, resulting in the highest AChE inhibitory capacity. The combination index showed that chlorogenic acid derived from the seed coat and FQ at the molar ratio of 1:4 exhibited synergistic effects of AChE inhibition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137905
Effects of Supplementary Pollination on Macadamia Nut Set, Retention and Yield in Murang’a County, Kenya
Macadamia is a promising prime dessert nut with the potential of alleviating poverty and enhancing food security in Kenya. Nut set and subsequent development of nuts to maturity is dependent on pollination which is mediated by animals, and honey bees are the dominant macadamia flower visitors. However, macadamia is pollen deficit as not all flowers set develop to mature nuts, thus supplemental pollination results to better nut yields. There is limited information in Kenya among the smallholder macadamia growers on the importance of supplementing pollination to enhance nut yields. This study was conducted at Kandara Macadamia Research Centre and in a smallholder macadamia farm located 15 km from the research centre, which was purposively selected from July 2021 to May 2023. Assessment of the influence of pollinators and supplementing pollination to nut set, retention and final yields was done. Honey bee, (Apis mellifera L.) colonies were also introduced at the Macadamia Research Centre to enhance pollination and mitigate deficits. Racemes were bagged to exclude pollinators, others left open to unlimited pollinator access while others received supplemental hand pollination. The results demonstrate that macadamia is pollen limited and pollination is highly reliant on insect pollinators. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) among the bagged (pollinator exclusion), open and hand pollinated racemes in both farms. The initial nut set and retention was increased significantly (21.54%) in hand pollinated racemes compared to those that were left to open pollination (unlimited pollinator visits) depicting pollination deficit in farm B. Introduction of supplementary honey bee colonies at the Kandara Macadamia Research Centre, resulted to higher nut set, retention, nut-in-shell and kernels. Macadamia growers are encouraged to introduce honey bee colonies in their farms to improve yields and also address pollination deficits. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p63
Losing ground: projections of climate-driven bloom shifts and their implications for the future of California's almond orchards
Climate change is expected to impact the spring phenology of perennial trees, potentially altering the suitability of land for their cultivation. In this study, we investigate the effects of climate change on the bloom timing of almond orchards, focusing on California, the world's leading region for almond production. By analyzing historical climatic data, employing a model that considers hourly temperatures and fall non-structural carbohydrates to predict bloom dates, and examining various Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) scenarios, we assess the potential impacts of climate shifts on plant phenology and, consequently, on land suitability for almond farming. Our findings reveal that, within the next 30 years, the land suitable for almond production will not undergo significant changes. However, under unchanged emission scenarios, the available land to support almond orchard farming could decline between 48 to 73% by the end of the century. This reduction corresponds with an early shift in bloom time from the average Day of Year (DOY) 64 observed over the past 40 years to a projected earlier bloom between DOY 28-33 by 2100. These results emphasize the critical role climate shifts have in shaping future land use strategies for almond production in Central Valley, California. Consequently, understanding and addressing these factors is essential for the sustainable management and preservation of agricultural land, ensuring long-term food security and economic stability in the face of a rapidly changing climate. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50688-y
Alternative fertilization practices lead to improvements in yield-scaled global warming potential in almond orchards
This study investigates the impact of alternative fertilization practices on the yield-scaled global warming potential (YS-GWP) in almond orchards. Almond production is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers. This research aims to identify strategies that reduce the environmental footprint of almond cultivation while maintaining yield. Field experiments were conducted in an almond orchard using three alternative fertigation practices: Advance Grower Practice (AGP), Pump and Fertilize (P&F), and High Frequency Low Concentration (HFLC). AGP is the current practice used by producers to meet annual N demand for almond tree growth; P&F is a reduction in applied N rate in response to measured N concentrations in the groundwater so that the added N and groundwater N reach the same total N applied; HFLC is a practice of applying smaller N rates per individual event. HFLC uses a greater number of fertigation events to reach similar total annual N load as other treatments. Cumulative N2O and CH4 emissions were used to determine GWP by converting the emissions to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) within a 100-year horizon. Nitrous oxide emissions were multiplied by a radiative forcing potential CO2eq of 298 and CH4 by 25 (UNFCCC, 2007). The results revealed that both P&F and HFLC reduced the YS-GWP compared to AGP. HFLC demonstrated 52–78% decrease in GWP per unit of almond yield compared to AGP, while P&F showed 48–58% decrease over AGP. These reductions were attributed to the reduced nitrous oxide emissions associated with P&F and HFLC. Further, P&F and HFLC tended to have higher N use efficiency than AGP. We demonstrate that adopting alternative fertilization practices can effectively mitigate the environmental footprint of almond orchards while maintaining crop yields. These practices offer viable options for almond growers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance sustainability, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108857
Climate change impacts on insect pests for high value specialty crops in California
California is a global leader in production and supply of walnuts and almonds, and the state is the largest producer of peaches in the U.S. These crops have an important contribution to the California's agricultural economy. Damages to these crops from lepidopteran pests, mainly from Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) (family: Tortricidae), Peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella) (family: Gelechiidae) and Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) (family: Tortricidae), are still high, despite the improvement in pest management activities. Given that temperature increase can directly impact the rate of growth and development of these pests, it is important to understand to what extent dynamics of these pests will change in future in California. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in the biofix, lifecycle length, and number of generations for these pests for the entire Central Valley of California. Using a well-established growing-degree days (GDD) model calibrated and validated using observations from orchards of California, and climate change projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phases 5 and 6 (CMIP5 and CMIP6) General Circulation Models, we found that biofix dates of these pests are expected to shift earlier by up to 28 days, and length of generations is expected to be shortened by up to 19 days, and up to 1.4 extra generations of these pests can be added by the end of the century depending on the scenario. Results from this work would enable industries to prioritize development of practices that are more effective in the long run, such as developing better cultural and biological pest solutions and insect tolerant varieties. Growers and researchers can take proactive actions to minimize future risks associated with these damaging pests. This work can be scalable to other pests and regions to understand regional dynamics of damaging agricultural pests under climate change. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167605
Marketing Orders: January 2024
USA: Temporary Relaxation of Requirements for California Raisins
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an interim rule that temporarily changes the requirements for raisins covered under the Federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California. For the 2023/24 crop year, the minimum requirements for substandard and maturity dockage in the marketing order's handling regulations will be relaxed to accommodate raisins adversely impacted by severe weather conditions.
Food Safety Update: January 2024
California: Private Applicator Certificate (“Brown Card”) Changes
Under new regulations effective as of January 1, 2024, individuals currently certified as private pesticide applicators are required to take and pass the revised initial Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) Examination to demonstrate competency with the revised private applicator standards in 40 CFR Part 171. For more information, see the presentation given by Anna Genasci of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau at the 2023 Almond Conference, organized by the Almond Board of California.
EU: Plant Protection Products Update
The European Union recently published draft MRLs for the following substances in or on nuts and dried fruits:
| Substance | Commodity | MRL (mg/kg) |
| Phosphonic acid and its salts expressed as phosphonic acid (R)(1) | Almonds | 1000 |
| Brazil nuts | 400 | |
| Cashews | 400 | |
| Hazelnuts | 1000 | |
| Macadamias | 400 | |
| Pecans | 400 | |
| Pine nut kernels | 400 | |
| Pistachios | 1000 | |
| Walnuts | 1000 | |
| Apricots | 60 | |
| Plums | 8 | |
| Cranberries | 1.5 | |
| Dates | 1.5 | |
| Figs | 1.5 | |
| Peanuts | 3 | |
| Deltamethrin (cis-deltamethrin)(F)(2) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| Metalaxyl and metalaxyl- M (metalaxyl including other mixtures of constituent isomers including metalaxyl-M (sum of isomers)) (R)(2) | Grapes | 1.5 |
| Benomyl(3) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| Dried fruits | 0.01 | |
| Carbendazim (R)(3) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| Dried fruits | 0.01 | |
| Thiophanate-methyl (R)(3) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| Dried fruits | 0.01 |
(1) Proposed date of adoption is June 2, 2024. Proposed date of publication is July 2, 2024. More information
(2) Proposed date of adoption is April 15, 2024. Proposed date of publication is June 15, 2024. More information
(3) Proposed date of adoption is June 2, 2024. Proposed date of publication is July 2, 2024. More information
Other plant protection products news:
- Glyphosate: The Official Journal of the European Union published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660, renewing the approval of the active substance glyphosate for a period of 10 years.
- S-metolachlor: The journal also published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/20, concerning the non-renewal of S-metolachlor.
- Dimethomorph and mepanipyrim: The EU notified the World Trade Organization of draft Commission Implementing Regulations providing that the approval of the active substances dimethomorph and mepanipyrim are not renewed.
- Diazinon: A targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for diazinon published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that the existing MRLs for almonds (0.05 mg/kg) and cranberries (0.2 mg/kg) are not substantiated and that therefore these MRLs should be lowered to the limit of quantification (LOQ).
- Difenoconazole: In December, the EFSA published a report summarizing the outcome of the consultation on the pesticide risk assessment for difenoconazole.
EU: Mycotoxin and Plant Toxin Sampling and Analysis Methods
The Official Journal of the European Union has published new Commission Implementing Regulations establishing the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of mycotoxins and plant toxins in food. Both regulations shall apply as of April 1, 2024.