a/b Auto/Biography Studies

Tse T., J.T. Reaney M.

Adun P., Güler Ş.

This study delves into the diverse varieties of table olives and olive oils in the Mediterranean Basin, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions. Focusing on the agricultural significance and gastronomic versatility of these products, the research explores varieties, their unique flavors, nutritional profiles, and historical importance. By examining their regional distinctions and health benefits, the study aims to highlight the integral role of olives and olive oil in Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. Ultimately, this chapter aims to emphasize the importance of managing cultivated olive germplasm sustainably for future breeding programs. Additionally, preserving wild and feral olive populations is crucial in the context of global warming and climate change.

Lagouri V.

Choudhary S., Anbazhagan K., Kholová J., Murugesan T., Kaliamoorthy S., Chadalawada K., Subramanya Vara Prasad Kodukula V., Nankar A., Mani V., Chandra M., Banoriya R., Vadez V.

Addressing global malnutrition requires improving the nutritional quality of major crops and promoting nutritionally rich crops. However, breeding for improving nutritional traits is challenging, particularly in the absence of rapid and precise phenotyping of these parameters. Quick phenotyping is crucial as it allows breeders to select lines with high nutritional value alongside yield and other important traits while advancing the generations. Traditionally, grain nutritional and quality assessments have relied on wet-lab analytical services, which are slow, costly, and often inaccessible. To overcome these limitations, rapid and cost-effective sensor-based technologies have emerged as a promising solution. Interdisciplinary research combining sensor technology, AI, biochemistry, and crop science has significantly advancing the grain composition analysis, and post-harvest trait evaluation. Tools like near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and computer tomography (CT) are increasingly getting utilized to ensure quality standards in trade, nutrition, and food safety. These technologies focus on key traits precisely, time, and cost-effectively, with early findings highlighting their potential for scalable solutions. Such advancements are essential for nutrition-sensitive breeding and improving food safety, quality-based payments for farmers, and supporting global efforts against malnutrition. The swift adoption of these technologies in breeding programs, supported by public-private partnerships, is crucial for sustainable development.

Mohamed Taha A., El-Houssainy Khalifa H.

Worldwide, olive is well known as an important economic and social crop. Historically, Egypt is one of the major producers of olive under arid and semi-arid conditions in the Mediterranean region under irrigated agriculture. The sustainability of olive production in Egypt faces several problems including water scarcity for agricultural sector, soil deterioration, increasing production cost, and climate variability. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the factors affecting olive production on a sustainable base and initiate mitigation/adaptation strategies to avoid and cope with the prevailing problems. The current chapter reviews the most recent studies on olive production practices, the main impacts of climate change on olive tree cultivation, and the possible mitigation/adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts of climate variability under Egyptian conditions.

Siddique S., Saggo S., Aslam Saggo A., Amam M.

The worldwide requirement for food and protein is assumed to rise as a result of the world’s growing human population, which is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. Soybean is an outstanding source of unsaturated fatty acids and protein, dietary fiber, and various other compounds with different physiological properties. Soybean crops besides supplying nutrients can be utilized in the prohibition and cure of various medical conditions. Soybean has been named as one of the most eminent sources of highly important nutraceutical chemicals with health-promoting characteristics. Folic acid and isoflavones content made soybean a versatile healthy food crop. Isoflavones are nutraceutical seed components that have an important role in preventing and treating chronic illnesses. Soybean oil contains small amounts of tocopherols having lipophilic antioxidant characteristics that play an important role in delaying the development of cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Soybean intake has also been extensively researched for addressing the nutritional demands of vegetarians, as well as people suffering from chronic disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Studying genetics, physiological and nutraceutical importance will help in enhancing the quality and quantity of soybean production. This chapter will provide detailed information about soybean nutritional and nutraceutical composition in relation to genetics and physiological properties.

Mohanty B., Behera A., Kumar Shaw T., Habibullah S., Acharya B.

Soybean oil (SO), a lucrative and widely utilized vegetable oil, is used not only in the pharmaceutical industry but also to produce green diesel and several biomedical applications. SO is rich in healthy fats, including linoleic acid (54%), oleic acid (23%), palmitic acid (11%), linolenic acids (8%), and stearic acid (4%). Its high unsaturated fatty acid content makes it ideal for medicinal purposes. In topical application, SO provides anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits. The presence of SO in lipid-based medication improves the therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Its emulsifying properties support the development of Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS) and Self-Micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SMEDDS), helping the oral administration of hydrophobic drugs. Additionally, soybean oil is included in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions to provide essential fatty acids to patients unable to swallow. SO, biocompatibility, stability, and low toxicity make it a brilliant base for transcutaneous and topical delivery systems, enlightening the absorption of active medicinal ingredients. In gist, unique properties and a wide variety of applications make SO a star material in pharmaceuticals to enhance solubility, bioavailability, and the development of safe and effective drugs.

Requejo-Serrano C., Escudero-Feliu J., Ortega-Ferrer M., Jimenez-Campos C., Padilla-Dominguez M., Morales-Santana S., Jimenez-Lopez J.

Gly m 3 and Gly m 4 are major soybean food allergens, causing birch pollen cross-allergic reactions, particularly with Bet v 1 and Bet v 2. These allergens can mediate anaphylactic reactions; however, the causative factors are still unknown. The goals of this comparative study are to characterize (A) the structural functionality of Gly m allergens of Glycine max and Bet v allergens of Betula pendula form birch, with a focus on their immunological properties, and (B) the molecular mechanisms of cross-allergenicity involved in pollen-food syndrome. This was achieved by extensive analysis using different molecular computer-aided approaches covering (1) physicochemical properties and functional-regulatory motifs, (2) sequence analysis, 2D and 3D structural homology modeling comparative study, (3) conservational and evolutionary analysis, (4) identification of B-cell epitopes based on sequence and structure-docking, while T-cell epitopes were identified by inhibitory concentration and binding score methods. Thus, we found that particular epitopes, in addition to the conserved ones, could be responsible for eliciting cross-reactivity between Bet v 1 and Bet v 2, and their respective homolog allergens proteins found in soybean. Moreover, variable epitopes were present in the Gly m 4 and Gly m 3 structures, which may be also responsible for this causative cross-allergenicity between soybean seed and birch pollen proteins.

W.A. Kabangu Justin M., Kabwe Constant N., Mbuyi Adrien K.

Soya [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a relatively new vegetable in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is one of the most important legumes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has an important role in its contribution to food and industry and from an agronomic point of view. Several activities have been carried out in favor of this crop since its introduction in the country until today. This document presents the activities and methods used in the DRC to genetically improve soybean cultivation.

Onuoha T.

Carbamate pesticides are synthetic chemicals broadly utilized in agribusiness to control crop pests, enhance crop quality, and amplify the life of nourishment crops. Be that as it may, its aimless utilization, inalienable properties, and the probability of having impacts on non-target life forms has made it a pollutant of concern within the environment. The research inspected the molecular characterization of bacterial species isolated from tomatoes and beans and their potential ability to degrade carbamate pesticides. Samples of tomatoes and beans were purchased randomly from Amai market in Ukwani L.G.A, Delta State. The enrichment technique was used to isolate the potential carbamate (Aldicarb) degrading bacterial species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was used to characterize the isolate using a universal 16SrRNA primer. Streptococcus pyogenes CNRZ1066, Pseudomonas putida strain ZR007 and Micrococcus luteus NCTC2665 were isolated from tomatoes.

Barroso J.

The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of Azadirachta indica essential oil against pests of the corn crop Zea mays. Pest populations were captured using 20 chromatrophic traps and PET bottles with attractants. To obtain the essential oil, 900 g of seeds of the plant material were placed in the oven at a temperature of 45 ± 2° C for 48 hours; then the seeds were crushed, and the solution was dried, formulating concentrations of 500, 700, 900 ppm. Mortality was verified after 1, 3, and 7 days. It was observed that A. indica extracts at concentrations of 500, 700, and 900 ppm reduced the populations of insect pests that affect Zea mays crops by an average of 75, 75, and 90%, respectively, on the 3rd day of exposure. The Psadeletia sequax population was completely eliminated on the 3rd day of exposure at any concentration; Leptoglossus zonatus resisted until the 7th day at the three concentrations tested; Dalbulus maidis resisted until the 7th day at a concentration of 700 ppm; and Diatracea sacharalis, Helicoverpa armigera, and Euchistus heros Fabricius resisted until the 7th day at a concentration of 500 ppm.

Herculino da Silva Barros T., Maciel de Almeida A., de Oliveira Costa J., Rosana Barros Da Silva F., Vieira Uliana M., Hamilton Abrau-Junior C., Duarte Coelho R., Vieira José J.

Among the strategies used for water management in agriculture, deficit irrigation stands out, which introduces the term water use efficiency (WUE). There is evidence that suggests that deficient irrigation can increase WUE without causing losses in the productivity of several crops; however, information is limited on the level of water replacement that does not cause negative effects on soybeans. Thus, the present work aimed to determine the level of water replacement under deficit that does not cause damage to productivity per area of soybean cultivation, identify water stress through the thermal response patterns of the soybean plant canopy, and verify the relationships between the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and income and between CWSI and WUE.

Lúcia Pato M.

Olive oil tourism is a unique and rapidly growing segment of agritourism, particularly popular in Mediterranean countries such as Portugal, where olive oil production has deep cultural and historical roots. At the heart of this form of tourism is the opportunity for visitors to explore the olive-growing process, engage in tastings, and immerse themselves in the traditions surrounding one of the world’s most ancient food products. However, modern innovation is playing a pivotal role in revitalizing these traditions, making olive oil tourism not just a journey into the past but a dynamic exploration of the future. Based on a qualitative analysis of five farms of olive oil tourism, findings indicate the focus on tradition and values of the past as the main ingredient to promote the offer of olive oil tourism. Through this blend of old and new, olive oil tourism not only preserves heritage but also paves the way for a sustainable and vibrant future. Innovation through tradition is indeed a path that must be considered by scholars and practitioners in the promotion of olive oil tourism and related products.

Trapali M.

The Mediterranean diet, which has been followed in Greece for centuries, is a modern object of study and analysis. Its main ingredients are olive oil and table olives. It is now characterized as a diet with an extremely positive effect on human health. The consumption of extra virgin olive oil and table olives, basic components of the Mediterranean diet, offers significant benefits to human health. Olive oil is a source of energy and monounsaturated, “good” fats, and a rich source of antioxidants, especially extra virgin olive oil, which helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) from food, helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and contributes, in the context of the Mediterranean diet, to the better management of various other diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. It provides antioxidants and many of the fats necessary for good development during neonatal and childhood.

Manyelo G., Wilfred Ng’ambi J.

Broiler chickens are nutritionally, economically, and culturally very important. Thus, broiler chickens are continuously and efficiently being bred to grow fast. This means that diets, also, must be continuously formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the genetically improved chickens. Thus, diets with nutrient levels for optimal chicken performance are required. Chickens on diets with low threonine levels have poor growth performance. Studies for dietary threonine requirement levels for optimal performance of slow-growing indigenous chickens are limited and contradictory. This chapter reviews studies on threonine levels for optimal performance of broiler and slow-growing indigenous chickens. Dietary threonine requirements levels for optimal performance of broiler and slow-growing chickens depend on the particular variable in question. Dietary threonine requirements for optimal performance decrease as chickens grow older because older chickens have lower threonine requirements for growth. Dietary threonine requirement levels for optimal performance of broiler chickens are higher than those for slow-growing chickens, possibly indicating threonine requirement level differences for genotype and growth level. It is suggested that there is a need to continuously conduct studies aimed at determining threonine levels for optimal performance of broiler and slow-growing indigenous chickens as threonine requirement levels change due to genetic improvements of the chickens.