Search

Gibberellins (GAs) are a class of plant hormones that can affect plant growth and development. GA-oxidases are rate-limiting enzymes, which play a direct role in GA accumulation in plants. However, the roles of GA-oxidase on carrot (Daucus carota L.) taproot development are still unclear. In this study, two GA-oxidase genes, DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1, were identified in carrot. Transgenic carrot plants were obtained by using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method. The results showed that overexpression of DcGA20ox2 significantly promoted the accumulation of active GAs in carrot, increased plant height, generated more branches, and enhanced xylem development. Overexpression of DcGA2ox1 significantly reduced the total contents of active GAs compared with the control group, resulting in a dwarf phenotype and markedly increased lignin content of the transgenic carrot. The expression profiling showed that the genes of GA metabolic pathway responded to the negative feedback regulation mechanism. At the same time, the expression of most genes in lignin biosynthesis and polymerization process was up-regulated, corresponding to the massive accumulation of lignin. These findings indicated that DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1 affected carrot growth and development by regulating the levels of endogenous GAs. The results from current work might shed light on further studies aimed to regulate lignification in carrot and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the root uptake of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) by plants remains challenging due to the lack of data on the freely available fractions of HOCs in soil porewater. We therefore hypothesized that a passive sampler could act as a useful tool to evaluate the root uptake potential and pathways of HOCs by plants in soil. We tested this hypothesis by exploring the uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) by carrot and lettuce with the codeployment of passive samplers in a contaminated soil system. The results showed that the amounts of PBDEs enriched in carrot and lettuce were positively correlated with those in a passive sampler (r2 = 0.46–0.88). No concentration correlation was observed for OPEs between lettuce and passive samplers, due to possible degradation of OPEs in lettuce. The root‐to‐porewater ratios of PBDEs and OPEs, respectively, were 6.2 to 11 and 0.05 to 0.88 L g−1 for carrot, and 8.8 to 130 and less than reporting limits to 1.2 L g−1 for lettuce. The ratios were negatively correlated with log KOW values for carrot, but increased with increasing log KOW values over a range of 1.97 to 6.80, and then decreased with log KOW values greater than 6.80 for lettuce. This finding indicated that passive transport and partition were the accumulation pathways of PBDEs and OPEs in carrot and lettuce, respectively. Overall, passive samplers performed adequately in assessing the available fractions of persistent HOCs in plants, and can serve as a viable tool for exploring the pathways for plant root uptake of HOCs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2338–2349. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrot juice color changes from orange to brown immediately after production. Blanching is a suitable way to preserve and commercialize this product. In this study, an ohmic device was used as a heating source, and polyphenol oxidase enzyme was selected as an indicator of enzyme inactivation sufficiency to color change of carrot juice. Fresh carrot juice was subjected to thermal processing under 3 temperature levels of 70, 80, and 90 degrees of Celsius and 4 time levels of 0, 20, 40 and 60 seconds with a constant voltage of 100 volts and the enzyme inactivation, Brix, pH and color indexes L*, a* and b* were checked. Constant values of reaction rate, activation energy, D-value and Q10 were investigated. The kinetics of inactivation of polyphenol oxidase of carrot juice samples were calculated at 70, 80 and 90 degrees of Celsius. The changes of enzyme inactivation, Brix, pH and a* parameter with increasing temperature and time were significant at 1% probability level by completely random design. The level of enzyme inactivation was also measured by the conventional water bath method and compared with the ohmic method, and the results indicated the greater efficiency of the ohmic method. As the temperature increased, the Brix level increased and the color of carrot juice changed from orange-yellow to orange-red (p≤0.05) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reviews the knowledge to date on the carrot cyst nematode Heterodera carotae, which has become the primary threat to the carrot sector following the withdrawal of the last chemical soil fumigants in Europe. A keyword co-occurrence network was used to structure this review into five research areas: i) biology and epidemiology of H. carotae; ii) molecular identification and phylogeny; iii) population genetics and genomics; iv) control methods and strategies; and v) root exudates and hatching stimulation. Our findings indicate that H. carotae is an under-studied plant-parasitic nematode species, with several identified alternative control methods that require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Carrots, a globally cultivated root vegetable crop, are renowned for their nutritional and functional properties. However, the deep utilization and development of carrots and their derived products are limited in numerous countries, with a particular deficiency in advanced deep‐processing and transformation technologies. Consequently, the value of carrot products is diminished and resources are wasted. This review explores the nutritional value and characteristics of different carrot varieties, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of carrot product processing. These products include primary processed products such as minimally processed carrots, dried carrots, pickles, preserves, fruit purees, yoghurt, juice, and essential oils, as well as processed by‐products including functional phytochemical extractions such as carotenoids, polyphenols, dietary fibers, active peptides, and glycoproteins. This review also covers other by‐products, including feeds, fast food boxes, and bioethanol production. Furthermore, cutting‐edge technologies related to carrot processing are discussed. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide researchers and practitioners with an in‐depth understanding of the present status of carrot production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn recent years, driven by increasing consumer demand for natural and healthy convenient foods, the food industry has been shifting from synthetic to natural products. This shift is also reflected in the growing popularity of non-conventional extraction methods for pigments, which are favored for sustainability and environment-friendliness compared to conventional processes. This review aims to investigate the extraction of carotenoids from a variety of natural sources, including marine sources like fungus, microalgae, and crustaceans, as well as widely studied plants like tomatoes and carrots. Additionally, it delves into the recovery of valuable carotenoids from waste products like pomace and peels, highlighting the nutritional and environmental benefits. The review also emphasizes the role of green solvents such limonene, vegetable oils, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids, and natural deep eutectic solvents in effective and ecologically friendly carotenoid extraction. These technologies support the ideas of a circular and sustainable economy in addition to having a smaller negative impact on the environment. Overall, the present study highlights the crucial importance of green extraction technologies in achieving the dual goals of sustainability and public safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of vegetables is essential for reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases, yet global intake falls short of recommended levels. Enhancing the nutraceutical content of vegetables through postharvest abiotic stress, such as ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, offers a promising solution to increase health benefits. This study developed a user-friendly, at-home UVB device designed to increase the phytochemical content in common vegetables like carrots, lettuce, and broccoli. The device applies UVB radiation (305–315 nm) to fresh-cut vegetables, optimizing exposure time and intensity to maximize nutraceutical enrichment. The results demonstrated that UVB exposure increased the phenolic content by 44% in carrots, 58% in broccoli, and 10% in lettuce, with chlorogenic acid levels rising by 367% in lettuce, 547% in broccoli, and 43% in carrots after 48 h of storage. UVB treatment also enhanced antioxidant activity by up to 41% in broccoli and anti-inflammatory potential by 22% in carrots. In terms of gene expression, UVB treatment upregulated UCP-1 expression by 555% in carrots, enhanced thermogenesis, and increased SIRT-1 and ATGL expression by over 200%, promoting lipid metabolism. This process provides a convenient and efficient method for consumers to boost the health benefits of their vegetables. The study concludes that UVB-induced abiotic stress is an effective strategy to improve vegetable nutritional quality, offering a novel approach to increasing bioactive compound intake and aiding in the prevention of diet-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plant seeds from weeds and energy crops have the potential to survive anaerobic digestion (AD). Species able to form physically dormant, i.e., hardseeded (HS) seeds seem particularly resistant. However, it is not yet known to what extent the storage of the digestate after AD affects seed viability. Methods: Seed survival of five HS and six non-HS (NHS) species was investigated in three combinations of digestate storage (DS) and AD. First, untreated seeds were exposed to DS for maximum 12 weeks. To simulate short-circuited AD (ADshort) in biogas reactors, seeds were second subjected to lab-scale AD for 1 day before DS. Third, seeds of six species were exposed to full-scale AD (ADfull) followed by DS. Seed viability was determined using a combination of germination tests and tetrazolium staining. Viability was modeled as a function of exposure time. Results and discussion: Seed viability was affected by DS, AD and AD + DS, but responses varied greatly between species and treatments. With increasing exposure time, viability decreased after a lag-phase, remained stable or even increased. The NHS species Cichorium intybus, Daucus carota, Echium vulgare, and Verbascum thapsus were most susceptible, with seed-killing close to 100% if DS was involved. The HS species Malva sylvestris, Melilotus albus and Melilotus officinalis were most resistant. They survived all treatments and were alive after 35 days of ADfull plus 3 months of DS. The resistance potential of the HS species Abutilon theophrasti and Malva alcea and of the NHS species Chenopodium album and two tomato varieties was intermediate. None of them survived ADfull + DS, but except A. theophrasti they were viable after ADshort + DS. With few exceptions, seed-killing by AD + DS was higher than that by AD alone. In conclusion, DS and AD + DS have the potential to reduce seed viability, but do not completely inactivate all species. Therefore, digestate can be contaminated with viable seeds and may lead to the spread of weeds, especially after a short-circuited AD. In order to ensure the sustainable use of digestates in terms of weeds, we recommend to investigate the factors contributing to seed inactivation and the quantity of seed introduced to AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This experiment investigated the impact of aloe vera gel and safe salts on the physical quality and physicochemical properties of minimally processed carrots during storage, aiming to determine the most effective edible coating postharvest treatment. The experiment employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Results indicated significant (p ≤ 0.01) effects of various treatments on the physical quality and physicochemical properties of carrots compared to untreated ones. Freshly harvested carrots were subjected to different treatments, including a control (T1), 30% aloe vera gel (T2), 1% NaCl (T3), and 1.5% NaHCO3 (T4), combinations thereof, such as 30% aloe vera gel with 1% NaCl (T5) or 1.5% NaHCO3 (T6), and 1% NaCl with 1.5% NaHCO3 (T7), and a combination of 30% aloe vera gel with 1% NaCl and 1.5% NaHCO3 (T8). Among the treatments, the combination of 30% aloe vera gel and 1% NaCl (T5) exhibited the most promising results after nine days of storage, with the lowest weight loss (1.19%), highest firmness (3.80 N), total soluble solids (TSS) content (8.40%), titratable acidity (0.477%), ascorbic acid content (9.02 mg/100 g FW), anthocyanin content (28.84 μg/g FW), phenol content (4.278 mg/100 g FW), and total sugar content (13.32%). This treatment effectively protected carrots from undesirable color, texture, and flavor changes during storage. The utilization of natural‐source‐based edible coatings containing health‐promoting additives presents a viable strategy to enhance both the internal and external qualities of minimally processed carrots. Overall, the edible coating comprising 30% aloe vera gel and 1% NaCl emerges as a promising approach for preserving the quality of minimally processed carrots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most popular and nutritious vegetable crops worldwide. However, significant yield losses occur every year due to leaf blight, a disease caused by a fungal pathogen (Alternaria dauci). Past research on resistance to leaf blight disease in carrots has been slow because of the low‐quality genome assemblies of both carrot and the pathogen. Here, we report the greatly improved assemblies and annotations of telomere‐to‐telomere (T2T) reference genomes of carrot DH13M14 (451.04 Mb) and A. dauci A2016 (34.91 Mb). Compared with the previous carrot genome versions, our assembly featured notable improvements in genome size, continuity, and completeness of centromeres and telomeres. In addition, we generated a time course transcriptomic atlas during the infection of carrots by A. dauci and captured their dynamic gene expression reprogramming during the interaction process. During infection, A. dauci genes encoding effectors and enzymes responsible for the degradation of plant cell wall components, e.g., cellulose and pectin, were identified, which appeared to increase pathogenic ability through upregulation. In carrot, the coordinated gene expression of components of pattern‐ and effector‐triggered immunity (PTI and ETI) in response to A. dauci attack was characterized. The biosynthesis or signal transduction of plant hormones, including JA, SA, and ethylene, was also involved in the carrot response to A. dauci. This work provides a foundation for understanding A. dauci pathogenic progression and carrot defense mechanisms to improve carrot resistance to leaf blight disease. The Carrot Database (CDB) developed also provides a useful resource for the carrot community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in agricultural Chernozem and Fluvisol soils from the Czech Republic planted with radishes, onions, and carrots was studied. Only the total biomass yield of carrots was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when compared to the control biomass yield. All tested PCBs, especially congener PCB 28, were able to accumulate in slightly higher amounts in the radish surface than in the onion one. The highest PCB content was observed in the surface layer of carrots, which could be related to the agrochemical properties of soil, vegetation period, and more intensive contact of carrot roots with PCBs in a bulk soil. The translocation factors of PCBs were lower than 1, indicating a poor ability for PCB uptake from soil. The highest relative PCB removal from soil was observed in acidic Fluvisol, accounting for 27.2%, with a maximum of 2% plant contribution to soil PCB dissipation. The low relative removal of PCBs by plants indicates that in vegetable-planted soil, the removal of PCBs could be due to autochthonous soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere of vegetables. The bioaccumulation factors for PCBs derived from the cultivation of examined root vegetables in Chernozem and Fluvisol soils contaminated with PCBs at nearly 1500 µg/kg dry weight can be considered low and negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Three freeze–thaw (FT) pre‐treatments using different freezing methods that freezing at −80 °C (FT‐80), freezing at −25 °C (FT‐25) and vacuum freezing (VFT) were used for carrot slices, the effects and mechanisms of FT pre‐treatment on the drying characteristics and product quality of carrots during microwave freeze drying (MFD) were studied. The results showed that FT pre‐treatment under different freezing methods affected the water state of carrots, resulting in varying degrees of moisture loss and shortening drying time by 14.3% to 42.8%. VFT treatment caused the greatest water loss (35.33%) during FT and significantly increased the effective moisture diffusivity in the MFD process. FT treatments did not cause any significant degradation in the colour of the carrots. The VFT and FT‐80 treatments resulted in an elevated rehydration ratio, increased crispiness of MFD carrots and products with a porous microstructure and higher porosity. In contrast, the FT‐25 treatment led to a decrease in porosity due to destructive damage to the carrot cell structure. However, this damage favoured the extractability of carotenoids, resulting in a higher carotenoid content than the other treatments. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the practical implementation of FT pre‐treatment using various freezing methods on fresh foods prior to drying. It is recommended to employ VFT pre‐treatment before MFD due to its efficiency and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picturebooks can be an effective resource to provide opportunities for classrooms to engage in community building conversations and activities. Community building mantras have been developed from several picturebooks that are used as a means of implementing the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) components of creating a caring community. The NAEYC components of creating a caring community of learners include: [1] each member of the community is valued by the others, [2] relationships are an important context through which children develop and learn, [3] each member of the community respects and is accountable to the others to behave in a way that is conducive to the learning and well-being of all, [4] practitioners design and maintain the physical environment to protect the health and safety of the learning community members, and [5] practitioners ensure members of the community feel psychologically safe [and] the overall social and emotional climate is positive. Each mantra has been developed from a picturebook and is formulated around a NAEYC component of creating a caring community of learners. The mantras explored are "stand tall", "we are a family", "mistakes are how we learn", "what if everybody did that", and "be a carrot." Book and author information, ideas for community building conversations, and related engaging activities are provided in relation to each mantra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrots are root vegetables rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Phytochemicals present in them need to be preserved at an appropriate level for human health. Therefore, novel processing techniques have been utilized to maintain the nutritional composition, functional properties, and phytochemical profile of carrots. Furthermore, emerging technologies in carrot processing are also being developed to meet specific consumer demands for safe, wholesome, and minimally processed products. These novel procedures also result in environmentally friendly, sustainable food production methods that consume less energy and water while overcoming the drawbacks of conventional food processing methods. This review seeks to explain the fundamental concepts behind these emerging technologies as well as the current state of knowledge about their effects on biological cells, enzymes, and food components. The discussions on current and new applications will focus on the links between process, structure, function, and recent developments in carrot processing. The primary discoveries in the review paper are centered around the minimal processing of carrots using innovative technologies to satisfy consumer preferences while preserving their fundamental functional quality. While these methods involve mild heat treatment that impacts carrot vegetative cells, they result in increased availability of bioactive components and improvements in texture, flavor, carotenoids, total phenolic content, and more. Additionally, significant key findings include the elimination of microbes and enzymatic inactivation, which extend the shelf life of both raw and processed carrot products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carrot culture stands out on the world stage due to its nutritional characteristics and economic importance, an aspect that demands the constant development of research aiming greater productivity. Thus, this study proposed an experimental plan, determining the estimates of plot size, sample size, and number of repetitions, with the purpose of increasing the precision and reliability of the results of the experiments with the carrot crop. Six uniformity trials were conducted, using three cultivars in two growing seasons (Season: 2019 and 2021). Each plant was considered a basic experimental unit and in each BEU, the variables shoot height, root length, shoot fresh mass, root fresh mass, and root diameter were measured. The size of the plot, sample, and the number of repetitions was estimated by the method of maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation. The results recommend that for experiments with the carrot crop, plots with twelve plants should be used. For a sampling of carrot plants in the plot, samples of eleven plants must be used in the direction of the row, considering a semi-amplitude of the confidence interval (D%) equal to 20% of the mean, with a confidence level of 95%. For a minimum significant difference in the Tukey test expressed as a percentage of the 50% mean, plots of twelve plants per crop row, with eight replicates, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics of oat cookies with the addition of apple ("A": 5, 10%) and carrot pomace ("C": 5, 10%). Modifying the recipe and fortifying the oat cookies with such byproducts decreased the hardness and increased the elasticity and chewiness. A colour change in the products containing fruit pomace was also observed. The use of carrot and apple residues resulted in a decrease in the value of the L* parameter, i.e., colour brightness. Moreover, for cookies containing carrot pomace, a significant increase in colour chromaticity towards red and yellow was observed. Fortified oatmeal cookies contained more polyphenols (0.67 mg/g–"CP", control probe; 0.92 mg/g–"C10") and fat (21.85%–"CP"; 22.55%–"A10") but less protein (10.78%–"CP"; 10.25%–"C10"). A higher content of some minerals, i.e., P (0.334%–"CP"; 0.468%–"A10"), K (0.325%–"CP"; 0.387%–"C10"), and Ca (0.057%–"CP"; 0.073%–"C10"), was recorded in the cookies fortified with pomace. The obtained results indicate the significant impact of the addition of apple and carrot residues on the textural properties, colour parameters, and chemical composition of oat cookies. Pomace can be used to increase the content of antioxidants and microelements in this type of product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global demand increases for poultry products, innovative feeding strategies that reduce resource efficiency and improve food safety are urgently needed. This paper explores the potential of alternative sustainable poultry feeding strategies aimed at achieving SDG2 (Zero Hunger) while increasing production performance and food quality, focusing on the potential recycling of by-products, plants, and food waste derived from fruits, vegetables, and seeds, which account for up to 35% annually. The paper provides a review analysis of the nutritional (protein, fat, fiber, and ash) and minerals (i.e., calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron) content as well as the bioactive compounds (polyphenols, antioxidants, carotenoids, fatty acids, and vitamins) of alternative feed ingredients, which can contribute to resource efficiency, reduce dependency on conventional feeds, and lower production costs by 25%. The nutritional benefits of these alternative feed ingredients, including their effects on poultry production and health, and their potential for improving poultry product quality, are presented. Carrot, paprika, rosehip, and some berry waste represent a great source of carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins, while the seed meals (flax, rapeseed, and sea buckthorn) have been reported to enhance the essential fatty acid composition in eggs and meat. Numerous plants (basil, sage, rosemary, and lettuce) are natural reservoirs of bioactive compounds with benefits for both animal and food products. Some challenges in implementing these alternative sustainable feeding strategies, including inconsistencies in quality and availability, the presence of anti-nutrients, and regulatory barriers, are also explored. In conclusion, future research directions in sustainable poultry feeding with alternative feed ingredients should be considered to achieve SDG2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling and predicting agricultural production processes have high cognitive and practical values. Plant growth, the threat of pathogens and pests, and the structure of agricultural machinery treatments are mostly non-linear, measurable processes that can be described mathematically. In this paper, a multiple regression analysis was carried out in the first step to check the non-linearity of the data and yielded a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.9741 and the coefficient of determination corrected for degrees of freedom was R2adj = 0.9739. An artificial neural network model, called CH-NET, is then presented to predict the yield loss of carrot roots by leaving root mass in the field during harvest at the mechanical heading stage. The proposed network model has an architecture consisting of an input layer, three hidden layers with 12 neurons each, and an output layer with one neuron. Twelve input criteria were defined for the analysis and testing of the network, eight of which related to carrot root parameters and four to the heading machine. The training, testing, and validation database of the CH-NET network consisted of the results of field trials and tests of the operation of the patented (P.242097) root heading machine. The proposed CH-NET neural network model achieved global error (GE) values of 0.0931 t·ha−1 for predicting carrot root yield losses for all twelve criteria adopted. However, when the number of criteria is reduced to eight, the error increased to 0.0991 t·ha−1. That is, the prediction was realised with an accuracy of 90.69%. The developed CH-NET model allows the prediction of economic losses associated with root mass left in the field or contamination of the raw material with undercut leaves. The simulations carried out showed that minimum root losses (0.263 t·ha−1) occur at an average root head projection height of 38 mm and a heading height of 20 mm from the ridge surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document explores the impact of biostimulants on horticultural crops, emphasizing the importance of food security and the challenges faced by horticultural production due to various factors. Six research articles in the Special Issue focus on different biostimulants and their effects on crops like apricots, olives, geraniums, carrots, tomatoes, and onions. The studies highlight the potential of biostimulants, including microbial and natural sources, to enhance plant growth, yield, and quality, offering sustainable solutions for horticultural practices. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and scalability of biostimulants in horticulture. [Extracted from the article]

Carrot is a highly significant vegetable cultivated worldwide and possesses a unique aroma with abundant edible and medicinal values. However, it remains largely unknown whether jasmonic acid could regulate aroma formation in carrot. Here, an integrated analysis of the volatile metabolome and transcriptome of carrot roots exposed to different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was performed. The results revealed 1,227 volatile organic compounds and 972 differential accumulated metabolites, with terpenes representing the largest portion. MeJA treatment evidently increased the relative odor activity values as well as the accumulation of most volatile compounds. In addition, 4,787 differentially expressed genes were identified and subjected to function enrichment analysis, indicating a role of terpene biosynthesis and metabolism in response to MeJA application. A network consisting of 4,680 transcription factor-structural pairs that showed highly significant positive correlations was constructed, which may be utilized as genetic targets for examining terpene accumulation and aroma formation elicited by methyl jasmonate. The results from the present work substantially improved our understanding of MeJA-mediated aroma formation in carrot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Developing somatic embryogenesis is one of the main steps in successful in vitro propagation and gene transformation in the carrot. However, somatic embryogenesis is influenced by different intrinsic (genetics, genotype, and explant) and extrinsic (e.g., plant growth regulators (PGRs), medium composition, and gelling agent) factors which cause challenges in developing the somatic embryogenesis protocol. Therefore, optimizing somatic embryogenesis is a tedious, time-consuming, and costly process. Novel data mining approaches through a hybrid of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and optimization algorithms can facilitate modeling and optimizing in vitro culture processes and thereby reduce large experimental treatments and combinations. Carrot is a model plant in genetic engineering works and recombinant drugs, and therefore it is an important plant in research works. Also, in this research, for the first time, embryogenesis in carrot (Daucus carota L.) using Genetic algorithm (GA) and data mining technology has been reviewed and analyzed. Materials and methods: In the current study, data mining approach through multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) as two well-known ANNs were employed to model and predict embryogenic callus production in carrot based on eight input variables including carrot cultivars, agar, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium dichloride (CaCl2), manganese (II) sulfate (MnSO4), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and kinetin (KIN). To confirm the reliability and accuracy of the developed model, the result obtained from RBF-GA model were tested in the laboratory. Results: The results showed that RBF had better prediction efficiency than MLP. Then, the developed model was linked to a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize the system. To confirm the reliability and accuracy of the developed model, the result of RBF-GA was experimentally tested in the lab as a validation experiment. The result showed that there was no significant difference between the predicted optimized result and the experimental result. Conclutions: Generally, the results of this study suggest that data mining through RBF-GA can be considered as a robust approach, besides experimental methods, to model and optimize in vitro culture systems. According to the RBF-GA result, the highest somatic embryogenesis rate (62.5%) can be obtained from Nantes improved cultivar cultured on medium containing 195.23 mg/l MgSO4, 330.07 mg/l CaCl2, 18.3 mg/l MnSO4, 0.46 mg/l 2,4- D, 0.03 mg/l BAP, and 0.88 mg/l KIN. These results were also confirmed in the laboratory [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Apiaceae, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, is the largest family of angiosperms. However, little is known about the conservation status, diversity, and distribution of Apiaceae species in Mongolia. This study had two main aims: (1) to assess the national status of Apiaceae species under IUCN Red List Criterion B; (2) to evaluate the species diversity and richness of Apiaceae across Mongolia. We utilized ConR packages to assess the national Red List status of all known Mongolian Apiaceae species by analyzing their most comprehensive occurrence records. The results indicated that 27 species were classified as threatened, including 4 Critically Endangered (CR), 9 Endangered (EN), and 14 Vulnerable (VU) species. Meanwhile, 39 species were assessed as non-threatened, with 2 Near Threatened (NT) species and 37 species of Least Concern (LC). Furthermore, detailed distribution maps for 66 Apiaceae species in Mongolia were presented. We assessed the species diversity and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices of Apiaceae by analyzing all occurrence records using the iNext package. Overall, the Hill diversity estimates indicate that the sampling conducted in Mongolia adequately captured species occurrences. For species pattern analysis, we examined the species richness, weighted endemism, and the corrected weighted endemism index using Biodiverse v.4.1 software. Mongolia was portioned into 715 grid cells based on 0.5° × 0.5° grid sizes (equivalent to approximately 50 × 50 km2). There was a total of 3062 unique occurrences of all Apiaceae species across Mongolia. In the species richness analysis, we identified 10 grids that exhibited high species richness (18–29 species) and 36 grids with 11–17 species. For genus richness, we observed seven grids that exhibited a high genus richness of 16–22 genera. Furthermore, we analyzed species richness with a specific focus on threatened species, encompassing CR, EN, and VU species throughout Mongolia. A total of 92 grids contained at least one threatened species. There were six grids that had two to five threatened species, which were adequately covered by protected areas in western Mongolia. Overall, our results on species richness and conservation status will serve as important foundational research for future conservation and land management efforts in Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of molasses-based wastewater generated in yeast and sugar industries is a major environmental concern due to its high chemical oxygen demand and other recalcitrant substances. Several strategies have been used to reduce the inland discharge of wastewater but the results are not satisfactory due to high operating cost. However, reuse of molasses-based wastewater irrigation in agriculture has been a major interest nowadays to reduce the freshwater consumption. Thus, it is crucial to monitor the impacts of molasses-based waste water irrigation on growth, metabolism, yield and nutritional quality of crops for safer consumer's health. In present study, carrot seeds of a local cultivar (T-29) were germinated on filter paper in Petri dishes under controlled conditions. The germinated seeds were then transplanted into pots and irrigated with three different treatments normal water (T0), diluted molasses-based wastewater (T1), and untreated molasses-based wastewater (T2), in six replicates. Results revealed that carrot irrigated with untreated molasses-based waste water had exhibited significant reductions in growth, yield, physiology, metabolism, and nutritional contents. Additionally, accumulation of Cd and Pb contents in carrot roots irrigated with untreated molasses-based waste water exceed the permissible limits suggested by WHO and their consumption may cause health risks. While, diluted molasses-based waste water irrigation positively enhanced the growth, yield of carrot plants without affecting the nutritional quality. This strategy is cost effective, appeared as most appropriate alternative mean to reduce the freshwater consumption in water deficit regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus) cultivation is important in Argentina, with the Garay department in Santa Fe province being a key production area. In recent years, dry rot symptoms have afflicted various carrot cultivars, resulting in substantial field losses and postharvest discards. Several soilborne pathogens, including Fusarium species, have been implicated in similar carrot diseases globally. This study aimed to identify the specific causal agent responsible for dry rot in carrots in central Argentina to enable targeted disease management strategies. Samples of symptomatic carrots were collected from fields in the Garay department. Fungal isolates were obtained from the infected tissue and subjected to morphological and molecular analyses. Pathogenicity tests were conducted to confirm the ability of the isolates to cause disease symptoms in carrots. Based on morphological and molecular identification, isolates were identified as Fusarium nirenbergiae, Fusarium triseptatum and Fusarium solani. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that the three Fusarium species were capable of causing dry rot symptoms in carrots. This study represents the first report of Fusarium nirenbergiae, Fusarium triseptatum and Fusarium solani causing dry rot in carrots in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor (NLR) proteins can form complex receptor networks to confer innate immunity. An NLR-REQUIRED FOR CELL DEATH (NRC) is a phylogenetically related node that functions downstream of a massively expanded network of disease resistance proteins that protect against multiple plant pathogens. In this study, we used phylogenomic methods to reconstruct the macroevolution of the NRC family. One of the NRCs, termed NRC0, is the only family member shared across asterid plants, leading us to investigate its evolutionary history and genetic organization. In several asterid species, NRC0 is genetically clustered with other NLRs that are phylogenetically related to NRC-dependent disease resistance genes. This prompted us to hypothesize that the ancestral state of the NRC network is an NLR helper–sensor gene cluster that was present early during asterid evolution. We provide support for this hypothesis by demonstrating that NRC0 is essential for the hypersensitive cell death that is induced by its genetically linked sensor NLR partners in 4 divergent asterid species: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), wild sweet potato (Ipomoea trifida), coffee (Coffea canephora), and carrot (Daucus carota). In addition, activation of a sensor NLR leads to higher-order complex formation of its genetically linked NRC0, similar to other NRCs. Our findings map out contrasting evolutionary dynamics in the macroevolution of the NRC network over the last 125 million years, from a functionally conserved NLR gene cluster to a massive genetically dispersed network. The NRC0 gene cluster of sensor and helper immune receptors is functionally conserved across divergent asterid species and predates the massively expanded NLR immune receptor network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Mock assessment is a part of the Framework Partnership Agreement between ANSES and EFSA with the help of RIVM to investigate the feasibility of a tiered approach proposed by EFSA for prospective acute cumulative risk assessment (CRA). Three tiers address successively a need for prospective CRA (Tier 0), the safety of the MRL (Tier I) and the safety of the intended GAP (Tier II). ANSES tested this approach with an application for change of MRL for the active substance tefluthrin (with acute effects on functional alterations of the motor division) on carrot based on a new intended use. For each tier, the Margin of Exposure (MOE) was calculated for 9 populations with MCRA software using input data provided by EFSA. At P99.9 of exposure, all the adjusted MOET at Tier I and Tier II of all populations were below the threshold of 100. Different settings were tested (IESTI equation, consumption data, adjustment for uncertainties, cycle of monitoring data...). With respect to Tier I, the trigger value of 1000 for the MOETier 0 is pragmatic. In the vast majority of cases, when the MOETier 0 is above 1000, the MOETTier I would be above 100. With respect to Tier II, a MOETier 0 higher than 1000 ensures a MOETTier II above 100. Tier I could be considered a good first estimate for a prospective CRA with conservative parameters for the foreground. Two routes were tested to account for uncertainties. One was not possible. The second resulted in a new median multiplicative factor (MF)exposure*toxicology of 2.82 that differs significantly from the value of 5.13 found in the retrospective assessment. Despite the simplifications envisaged, the uncertainty analysis seems difficult to be implemented on a routine basis and it might be useful to define criteria to identify cases where an uncertainty analysis is really needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of the Mentha arvensis L. essential oil (EO). The biological activity of M. arvensis EO depended on the analyzed variable and the tested oil concentration. Higher concentrations of EO (20 and 30 µg mL−1) showed a moderate inhibitory effect on the germination and growth of seedlings of tested weed species (Bellis perennis, Cyanus segetum, Daucus carota, Leucanthemum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla, Nepeta cataria, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium repens and Verbena × hybrida). The results obtained also indicate that the EO of M. arvensis has some genotoxic, cytotoxic and proliferative potential in both plant and human in vitro systems. Similar results were obtained for antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains [Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis], with the effect on multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Research indicates that the EO of M. arvensis shows phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects, as well as its potential application as a herbicide and against various human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates heavy metal contamination in soils, irrigation water, and agricultural produce (fruits: Vitis vinifera (grape), Cucumis melo var. saccharimus (melon), and Citrullus vulgaris. Schrade (watermelon); vegetables: Lycopersicum esculentum L. (tomato), Cucurbita pepo (zucchini), Daucus carota (carrot), Lactuca sativa (lettuce), Convolvulus Batatas (potato), and Capsicum annuum L. (green pepper)) in the Boumerdes region of Algeria. The concentrations of seven heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in soil and food samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Health risks associated with these metals were evaluated through the estimated daily intake (EDI), non-carcinogenic risks (using target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and hazard index (HI)), and carcinogenic risks (cancer risk factor (CR)). Statistical analyses, including cluster analysis (CA) and Pearson correlation, were conducted to interpret the data. The results revealed the highest metal transfer as follows: Cd was most significantly transferred to tomatoes and watermelons; Cr to carrots; Cu to tomatoes; and Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn to lettuce. Among fruits, the highest EDI values were for Zn (2.54·10−3 mg/day) and Cu (1.17·10−3 mg/day), with melons showing the highest Zn levels. For vegetables, the highest EDI values were for Fe (1.68·10−2 mg/day) and Zn (8.37·10−3 mg/day), with potatoes showing the highest Fe levels. Although all heavy metal concentrations were within the World Health Organization's permissible limits, the HI and TTHQ values indicated potential health risks, particularly from vegetable consumption. These findings suggest the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure food safety and mitigate health risks associated with heavy metal contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the effectiveness of incentive-based policies, or "carrots," during the threat and imposition stages of sanctions, with a focus on addressing potential endogeneity arising from self-selection processes in designing sanctions strategy. Successful sanctions require the sender's sustained commitment until the target concedes, demonstrating a consistent policy stance and a readiness to bear associated costs. Carrots utilized during the threat stage represent a tit-for-tat approach, complementing the sender's consistent policy stance of conditionally combining both carrots and sticks, and potentially reducing the perception of bluffing, thereby increasing target compliance probability. However, introducing carrots during the imposition stage may be misinterpreted as a sudden shift towards appeasement, undermining policy coherence and indicating a lack of capacity or willingness to enforce sanctions. This perception could lead the target to await sanctions removal, resulting in a failed outcome. Following the mitigation of potential sender self- selection into carrots, the findings emphasize the importance of combining carrots with sanctions threats. Nonetheless, caution is advised when using carrots as a substitute for ineffective punitive strategies, as adverse effects may arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizoctonia solani is an important plant pathogen which is responsible for causing a number of plant diseases in a variety of cropping plants. The current studies were carried out to explore antifungal potential of bacteria isolated from rhizospheric region of Daucus carota against Rhizoctonia. Of the total 21 bacterial isolates isolated, only 3 isolates namely CVO-3, CVO-4 and CRY-O-2 were shown antifungal potential against Rhizoctonia. Besides having antifungal potential these isolates also have some plant growth promoting attributes that will be an extra benefit of using these isolates as a biofungicides against R. solani. Thus, these isolates could be used as biofungicides against Rhizoctonia to prevent a variety of plant diseases like sheath blight in Oryza sativa, stem canker and black scurf in Solanum tuberosum and seedling diseases in Brassica napus. The isolates CVO-3, CVO-4 and CRY-O-2 were also characterized biochemical level by using methods based on Determinative Bacteriology given in Bergey's manual and at molecular level using 16S rRNA sequencing and sequences of 16S rDNA segment were submitted to NCBI in GenBank database with the accession numbers OR775574 (Lysinibacillus boronitolerans ss3cvo3), OR775575 (Lysinibacillus boronitolerans ss4cvo4) and OR708523 (Shouchella rhizosphaerae ss1cryo2). The present investigation is an approach towards the use of these bacterial isolates from carrot rhizosphere to control the activities in the rhizosphere of other cropping plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sono-osmodehydration was used to accelerate the freezing process. • A new exponential model was proposed for the prediction of WL and SG. • Dehydration pretreatment shortened the freezing time significantly. • High sonication duration resulted in structural damage, as confirmed by SEM. • Sono-osmodehydration at 40 % concentration-35 °C was the most favorable condition. Considerable efforts have been made to minimize the adverse effects of freezing on the quality of frozen products. In this study, ultrasound-assisted osmodehydrofreezing (UOD) was used to accelerate the freezing process. The effects of osmotic solution concentration, temperature, and application of ultrasound on freezing characteristics and quality attributes of frozen carrot were investigated. The changes in water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) were predicted using kinetic models, with effective diffusivities determined according to Fick's second law of diffusion for a finite cylinder. The results from the kinetic modeling demonstrated the good fitness of the new proposed exponential model. Effective diffusivities for WL and SG ranged from 4.49 × 10−8 m2 s−1 to 8.42 × 10−8 m2 s−1 and 4.30 × 10−8 m2 s−1 to 5.12 × 10−8 m2 s−1, respectively, with the highest diffusivities observed in ultrasound-assisted dehydrated samples at 45 °C in a 60 % sucrose solution. Dehydration pretreatment could shorten the freezing time significantly. Pretreated samples (after thawing) showed higher firmness and lower phenolic contents, as compared to the control samples (freezing without osmodehydration). In addition, the UOD process minimized drip loss and electrolyte leakage. The high duration of ultrasound exposure resulted in structural damage, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In general, it was revealed that the UOD process prior to freezing was more useful in preventing the quality loss of the samples, as compared to osmodeydration without sonication. These findings, thus indicate that applying UOD is a promising approach for freezing food materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, six groups of carrots were designed and fermented using Weissella paramensenteroides MbWp142 (WP), Levilactobacillus brevis GDMCC 1.773 (LS), Leuconostoc mesenteroides GDMCC 1.774 (SE), mixed fermentation of three lactic acid bacteria (WP + LS + SE), pasteurisation group (BG) and natural fermentation group (CK). GC–MS results indicated that inoculation of WP + LS + SE increased the types and contents of flavour substances such as alcohols, esters and hydrocarbons. Compared with other experimental groups, the peak nitrite value in the LS group was lower due to the production of organic acids by lactic acid bacteria. Sensory evaluation revealed that the quality and flavour of carrot fermented by LS were superior to those fermented by SE, WP and WP + LS + SE. Therefore, Levilactobacillus brevis used as a starter for fermenting carrot can enhance product quality and reduce nitrite accumulation during fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollutants act as stressors for plants, inducing different stresses like physiological changes, variation in nutritional value, biochemical stress and photosynthetic blockage, and food loss. Phthalate esters are one of the environmental pollutants most commonly used as plasticizers in packaging materials. They leach out into the soil and accumulate in plants via root take-up. The present research work was carried out to check the phytotoxic effect of dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate, their exposure to Malondialdehyde contents, and the consequent impact on the total phenolic content of edible parts of plants. The edible plants tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus), turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), and carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) were exposed to 0, 10, and 20pbb of all four phthalate esters. After 10 days of exposure, TPC and MDA contents were analyzed spectrophotometrically. The exposure of phthalate esters significantly increased TPC in leaves, and MDA in the root and leaves of plants, except that of DnOP which decreased MDA content in radish leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematicidal efficacy of liquid formulation of Pochonia chlamydosporia, Bacillus subtilis, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Trichoderma viride and vermiculite formulation of Rhizophagus intraradices were challenged against Meloidogyne incognita under glasshouse conditions. The in vivo experiment were piloted to test the potential of these biological agents by soil drenching of liquid formulation @ 1 ml/pot or soil application of vermiculite formulation @ 1g/pot/dose. Their effect was compared with the granular application of Carbofuran @ 1g/pot/dose. All the liquid bioformulations investigated were capable of enhancing plant growth and lowering the pathogenicity and parasitic success of M. incognita in carrots. The soil drenching of P. chlamydosporia caused a significant reduction of galls in the root (51%), nematode population in the root (43.6%), egg mass in the root (65.3%) and infective juvenile population in soil (51.8%) over other treatments and Carbofuran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosive volcanic eruptions represent a serious threat to agriculture in many countries. Ashfall can cause substantial damage to crops, jeopardizing farmers' livelihoods and potentially endangering food security. Previous field‐based studies have associated ash impact on crops with the deposit thickness, or, correspondingly, with the mass load. However, non‐volcanic factors, including plant traits and growth stage, also influence the vulnerability of crops to ashfall. To accurately estimate the risk of crop production loss in ash‐prone areas, it is essential to evaluate how these factors govern the impact of ash on crops. We grew leafy (lettuce, Lactuca sativa; hative d'Heverlée, and cabbage, Brassica oleracea; cabus de Chateaurenard) and bulb and root (onion, Allium cepa; blanc premier, and carrot, Daucus carota; hative d'Oxhella) vegetables in a greenhouse and exposed them at two growth stages to simulated ash deposits ranging from 5 to 40 kg m−2. Our results confirm that crop production loss increases with higher ash mass load, reaching 27%–69% for deposits of 20–40 kg m−2. Additionally, they indicate a higher vulnerability of carrot and onion plants than previously reported. Lettuce and cabbage plants were more severely impacted by ash compared to onion and carrot plants, illustrating the role of plant traits in controlling ash interception and retention on foliage. Furthermore, the plant growth stage emerged as another vulnerability factor. Using the new impact data, we calculated a theoretical production loss in a cultivated area potentially affected by ashfall. This revealed that a significant portion of the crop production loss can be associated with low ash mass loads (5 kg m−2), emphasizing the importance of including distal regions in the impact assessment of ashfall on crops. Core Ideas: Plant traits and growth stage dictate crop vulnerability to volcanic ashfall.Significant crop production loss can occur in distal regions affected by minor ashfall.Cost‐effective experiments improve risk models to forecast crop production loss after ashfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Current study aimed at valorizing carrot pomace (CP), an abundant waste from the juice industry. A water-soluble fraction of CP was separated from solid fraction of CP (SFCP) and employed as feedstock for producing fungal biomass (FB) in bench-scale bioreactors. FB combined with SFCP were used to develop mycelium-based papers (MBP) using the wet-laid method. The potential and capacity of FB, SFCP and MBP to remove dye (methylene blue) from wastewater was then investigated. The maximum achieved dye removal was 92% when using a mixture of SFCP and FB in their suspended forms. The MBP with the lowest density (549 kg/m3) reached 83% dye elimination. The findings of this study support the valorization of carrot pomace, through environmentally benign processes, to mycelium-based papers with potential application in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate edible films and coatings based on carboxymethylcellulose (ECMC), alginate (EALG), and cassava starch (ECS) polymers that have been nano-emulsified by ultrasound, using food-grade sunflower oil as the lipid source and Tween 20 as an emulsifying agent. The formulations were characterized by particle size distribution, and molecular interactions in the edible films were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the morphological behavior of the films was studied through scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, to assess their effectiveness as a green preservation technology for minimally processed foods, the formulations were applied as edible coatings on carrot slices, and peroxidase activity, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, and color changes during refrigerated storage were studied. FTIR spectra confirmed interactions between the compounds in the formulations of ECMC and ECS films. Instead, the spectrum of EALG was significantly similar to that of ALG, showing poor affinity between alginate and the oil in the nano-emulsion. ECS films showed a compact, smooth, and uniform surface, with oil drops inserted uniformly throughout the matrix. The biodegradable film based on ECS is considered a promising alternative for use as an edible film or coating for food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]