The Role of Fruit Surface Bloom in Consumer Preference for Blueberries: Sensory Evaluation and Multisensory Interactions.

Three blueberry cultivars ('San Joaquin', 'Jewel', and 'Snowchaser') were harvested at commercial maturity and subjected to different degrees of fruit surface bloom removal (full natural bloom (FB), partial bloom (PB), and removed bloom (RB)) to assess the importance of the bloom to consumer preference. Sensory evaluation assessed flavor, appearance, and overall acceptance under different conditions (darkness and light). Panelists preferred berries with at least some degree of bloom, as influenced by appearance for all varieties, and in 'Snowchaser' and 'Jewel', flavor acceptance declined when the evaluation allowed the fruit to be visualized.

Soymilk stability increase using polyphenols microcapsules.

Functional beverages have aroused a great interest to the food industry. Among the functional ingredients, there is a growing demand for antioxidant incorporation into foods, which implies a challenge to preserve their bioactivity. The health benefits provided by soymilk can be improved by the addition with microcapsules of polyphenols from peanut skin and this procedure is an alternative to protect these natural and bioactive compounds from environmental factors.

Microencapsulation of phenolic compounds extracted from soybean seed coats by spray-drying.

This study aimed to characterize and microencapsulate soybean seed coats phenolic compounds by spray-drying, evaluating physicochemical properties and storage stability. Different extraction methodologies were used to obtain crude extract (SCE), ethyl acetate fraction, water fraction, and bound phenolic extract. Extraction yield, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity were determined.

Body Composition, Anemia, and Kidney Function among Guatemalan Sugarcane Workers.

Rates of anemia among agricultural workers, who are also at risk for kidney injury and chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu), are unknown. We evaluated body composition through the sum of three skinfolds among 203 male sugarcane cutters and assessed the relationship of variables related to nutrition, anemia (hemoglobin < 13 g/dL), and elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c ≥ 5.7%) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using linear regression.

Cross-sectional study examining the accuracy of self-reported smoking status as compared to urinary cotinine levels among workers at risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin in Guatemala.

Objectives: There is a lack of information on cotinine levels in rural populations in low-income and middle-income countries like Guatemala. Therefore, there is a need to explore smoking status and biomarkers of tobacco use in epidemiological research in rural, low-income populations, in particular those at-risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu).

Design: We evaluated self-reported smoking status against urinary cotinine levels, the gold standard biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, among agricultural workers at four separate cross-sectional time points.

Sugarcane Workweek Study: Risk Factors for Daily Changes in Creatinine.

Introduction: Agricultural workers laboring in thermally stressful environments are at increased risk for kidney injury and chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu), and their environmental and occupational exposures have been considered to be important risk factors. This study examined the effects of repeated kidney stress from the simultaneous strain of work and other factors experienced by workers in Guatemala during a typical workweek.

Methods: We collected data from 107 sugarcane workers across 7 consecutive work shifts.

International Total Worker Health: Applicability to Agribusiness in Latin America.

Total Worker Health (TWH) is a framework for integrating worker and workplace safety, health, and well-being, which has achieved success in European and US settings. However, the framework has not been implemented in Latin America or in agricultural sectors, leaving large and vulnerable populations underrepresented in the implementation and evaluation of these strategies to improve safety and promote health and well-being. This study presents a case study of how a TWH approach can be applied to a multinational Latin American agribusiness.

Environmental metal exposures and kidney function of Guatemalan sugarcane workers.

Background: Exposure to environmental metals can cause nephrotoxicity. There is an international epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu). Whether metal exposures contribute to kidney dysfunction in populations at risk for CKDu remains unresolved.

Workplace Screening Identifies Clinically Significant and Potentially Reversible Kidney Injury in Heat-Exposed Sugarcane Workers.

An epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) has emerged in the past two decades in agricultural communities, characterized by progressive renal failure with a dearth of early clinical symptoms. The aim of this study is to improve understanding of the natural history of this disease and to evaluate the impact of an educational and behavioral intervention on the trajectories of renal decline among a cohort of Guatemalan sugarcane workers. We identified groups of workers based on their kidney function during a longitudinal parent study conducted among sugarcane workers during the 2016-2017 harvest season.

Rheological Behavior, Antimicrobial and Quorum Sensig Inhibition Study of an Argentinean Oregano Essential Oil Nanoemulsion.

In this study, Argentinean oregano essential oil (OEO) nanoemulsions (NEs) were developed. Four NEs were prepared: a control (CNE), EONE1 (10.6 mg EO/g NE), EONE2 (106 mg EO/ g NE), and EONE3 (160 mg EO/g NE) and tested for antimicrobial activity against ATCC 13565, Scott A, ATCC 14213, and O157:H7 using a broth microdilution assay and quorum sensing inhibition in a model using ATCC 12472, where the production of violacein was quantified.

Electrolyte Beverage Intake to Promote Hydration and Maintain Kidney Function in Guatemalan Sugarcane Workers Laboring in Hot Conditions.

Objectives: To evaluate impact of electrolyte supplementation on hydration status and health outcomes in Guatemalan agricultural workers performing heavy work under hot climatic conditions.

Methods: A 3-week pragmatic trial was conducted with a group of 50 workers during the 2017 to 2018 sugarcane harvest. Workers received an electrolyte hydration intervention during 2 of the 3 weeks.

Improving walnuts' preservation by using walnut phenolic extracts as natural antioxidants through a walnut protein-based edible coating.

Walnut kernels contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids that determine a limited shelf life on these nuts. The application of walnut phenolics as antioxidants through a walnut protein-based coating, obtained from walnut oil cake residue, can help to increase the shelf life of walnuts. The objective was to evaluate the preservative effect of walnut polyphenols included in a walnut-proteic edible coating on walnut kernels.

Longitudinal trends in renal function among first time sugarcane harvesters in Guatemala.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) is an epidemic concentrated in agricultural communities in Central and South America, including young, male sugarcane harvesters. The purpose of this analysis is to understand early changes in kidney function among a cohort of first-time sugarcane harvesters and to determine risk factors for kidney function decline.

Methods: Joint latent class mixed models were used to model sub-population kidney function trajectory over the course of 4 years (2012-2016).

Noise exposures of sugar cane mill workers in Guatemala.

To describe personal noise exposure measurements obtained on Guatemala sugar cane mill workers as a function of job category. This is a descriptive evaluation of existing data. The data set included 51 representative noise dosimetry surveys utilising NIOSH sampling protocol, completed on workers performing 21 jobs in a Guatemalan sugar cane mill.

Evaluation of heat stress and cumulative incidence of acute kidney injury in sugarcane workers in Guatemala.

Objective: Agricultural workers worldwide exposed to heat stress could be at the risk of kidney injury, which could lead to chronic kidney disease of an unknown origin (CKDu). Hydration has been promoted as a key measure to reduce kidney injury. In the presence of a hydration intervention, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was calculated in a sugarcane worker population in Guatemala and several risk factors were evaluated.

Risk Factors and Mechanisms Underlying Cross-Shift Decline in Kidney Function in Guatemalan Sugarcane Workers.

Objective: Identify early biomarkers and mechanisms of acute kidney injury in workers at risk of developing chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu).

Methods: We assessed cross-shift changes in kidney function and biomarkers of injury in 105 healthy sugarcane workers. We obtained pre-harvest clinical data as well as daily environmental, clinical, and productivity data for each worker.

The impact of heat and impaired kidney function on productivity of Guatemalan sugarcane workers.

Background: Climate change has implications for human health and productivity. Models suggest that heat extremes affect worker health, reduce labor capacity, and commodity supply. Chronic health conditions are on the rise internationally.

Characterization of Argentinian Endemic Aspergillus flavus Isolates and Their Potential Use as Biocontrol Agents for Mycotoxins in Maize.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a highly valuable crop in Argentina, frequently contaminated with the mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus. Biocontrol products formulated with atoxigenic (nontoxic) strains of this fungal species are well known as an effective method to reduce this contamination.

Risk Factors for Declines in Kidney Function in Sugarcane Workers in Guatemala.

Objectives: To characterize kidney function of sugarcane workers in Guatemala over the 6-month harvest and identify risk factors associated with changes in kidney function.

Methods: Demographic and biological data were collected for 330 sugarcane cutters at the beginning and end of the harvest. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess factors related to kidney function.

Antioxidant Stability Study of Oregano Essential Oil Microcapsules Prepared by Spray-Drying.

Unlabelled: Release kinetics of the volatile compounds of oregano EO microcapsules and the relation with the antioxidant activity were studied. Different wall material (WM) to core (C) ratios (1:1 and 2:1; WM:C), addition of colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD); and different storage conditions: 23 °C (room temperature; R) and 4 °C (fridge temperature; F) were evaluated for 90 d. Volatile compounds, total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were measured.

Sensory Quality Preservation of Coated Walnuts.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory stability of coated walnuts during storage. Four walnut samples were prepared: uncoated (NC), and samples coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (NCMC), methyl cellulose (NMC), or whey protein (NPS). The samples were stored at room temperature for 210 d and were periodically removed from storage to perform a sensory descriptive analysis.

Chemical and Sensory Quality Preservation in Coated Almonds with the Addition of Antioxidants.

Almonds provide many benefits such as preventing heart disease due to their high content of oleic fatty acid-rich oil and other important nutrients. However, they are susceptible to oxidation reactions causing rancidity during storage. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical and sensory quality preservation of almonds coated with carboxymethyl cellulose and with the addition of natural and synthetic antioxidants during storage.

Natural control of corn postharvest fungi Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp. using essential oils from plants grown in Argentina.

The objective in this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils from native and commercial aromatic plants grown in Argentina against corn postharvest fungi and to link the essential oil bioactivity with lipid oxidation and morphological changes in fungus cell membrane. Essential oil (EO) of oregano variety Mendocino (OMen), Cordobes (OCor), and Compacto (OCom), mint variety Inglesa (Mi), and Pehaujo (Mp), Suico (Sui); rosemary (Ro), and Aguaribay (Ag) were tested in vitro against 4 corn fungi: A. flavus (CCC116-83 and BXC01), P.

Antioxidant effects of the monoterpenes carvacrol, thymol and sabinene hydrate on chemical and sensory stability of roasted sunflower seeds.

Background: Oxidation products and rancid flavors decrease the sensory quality of food products, making them unacceptable to consumers. Synthetic antioxidants are used in many foods to prevent rancidity, though their safety is questioned. Monoterpenes are obtained from essential oils and many of them have shown antioxidant activity.