Why models underestimate West African tropical forest primary productivity.

Tropical forests dominate terrestrial photosynthesis, yet there are major contradictions in our understanding due to a lack of field studies, especially outside the tropical Americas. A recent field study indicated that West African forests have among the highest forests gross primary productivity (GPP) yet observed, contradicting models that rank them lower than Amazonian forests. Here, we show possible reasons for this data-model mismatch.

How ultrasonication treatment drives the interplay between lysinoalanine inhibition and conformational performances: A case study on alkali-extracted rice residue protein isolate.

Lysinoalanine (LAL) formed during alkaline extraction of rice residue protein (RRPI), which limited its application in the food industry. In this study, the influence of ultrasonication parameters (acoustic power density, ultrasound duration, and ultrasound temperature) on the inhibition of LAL formation and conformational attributes of RRPI during alkaline extraction was elucidated. The results suggested that the acoustic power density substantially modified the chemical interaction forces between RRPI molecules.

Stereo-hindrance effect and oxidation cross-linking induced by ultrasound-assisted sodium alginate-glycation inhibit lysinoalanine formation in silkworm pupa protein.

Silkworm pupa protein isolate (SPPI) is rich in amino acids, making it chemically reactive, degradable, and easy to form lysinoalanine (LAL). We investigated how conformational cross-linking, induced by ultrasound-assisted sodium alginate, could inhibit the formation of LAL during the preparation of SPPI. Glycoconjugated SPPI (using 1 % sodium alginate under ultrasonication) showed the lowest LAL content i.

Comparative analysis of the nutritional composition and volatile compounds in male and female adults, nymphs, and molts of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker.

Abstrac: Female adult Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (FAESW) has traditionally been a food source in Southeast Asian countries such as China and India, due to its rich nutritional content. However, the nutritional value of male adults (MAESW) and its molts (MESW) has hardly been reported. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential application of MAESW and MESW in food by investigating and comparing their nutritional composition (i.

Changes in physicochemical, structural and functional properties, and lysinoalanine formation during the unfolding and refolding of pH-shifted black soldier fly larvae albumin.

The changes of physicochemical, structural and functional properties and the lysinoalanine (LAL) formation during the unfolding and refolding of black soldier fly larvae albumin (BSFLA) induced by acid/alkaline pH shift were explored. The results showed that acid/alkaline conditions induced unfolding of BSFLA structure, but also accompanied by the formation of some large aggregates due to the hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and disulfide bonds. Compared with control or pH shift, pH shift treatment significantly increased the electrostatic repulsion, surface hydrophobicity, free sulfhydryl group, and deamidation reactions, but reduced the fluorescence intensity of BSFLA, and these change in protein conformation contributed to increase in solubility, emulsion activity, and emulsion stability.

The predominant lactic acid bacteria and yeasts involved in the spontaneous fermentation of millet during the production of the traditional porridge Hausa koko in Ghana.

Spontaneous fermentation of cereals like millet involves a diverse population of microbes from various sources, including raw materials, processing equipment, fermenting receptacles, and the environment. Here, we present data on the predominant microbial species and their succession at each stage of the Hausa koko production process from five regions of Ghana. The isolates were enumerated using selective media, purified, and phenotypically characterised.

Tilapia consumption patterns and consumer preferences: Predictors and perspectives of consumers in Ghana.

The objective of this study was to assess consumer behaviour towards tilapia and tilapia products and provide information linking production with consumption patterns and preferences as well as to predict factors that influence consumer preference, purchase behaviour, and willingness to patronize tilapia fillets using classification and regression trees. A total of 960 responses were obtained using convenient sampling. The findings of this survey indicate that tilapia is eaten mainly because of its taste.

In Silico Identification of a Potential TNF-Alpha Binder Using a Structural Similarity: A Potential Drug Repurposing Approach to the Management of Alzheimer's Disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no conclusive remedy. , found in , may reduce brain inflammation by targeting tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), implicated in AD pathogenesis. Metoserpate, a synthetic compound, may inhibit TNF.

Preparation of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae protein hydrolysates: Influence of dual-sweeping-frequency ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis on yield, antioxidative activity, functional and structural attributes.

Dual-sweeping-frequency ultrasound (DSFU) was utilized in the preparation of polypeptides from housefly (Musca domestica) larvae protein (HLP). Results indicated that ultrasonication (20 ± 2/28 ± 2 kHz, 42 W/L, 25 min) significantly increased peptide yield and DPPH scavenging capacity by 8.25 % and 14.

Hexagonal plate ultrasound pretreatment on the correlation between soy protein isolate structure and cholesterol-lowering activity of peptides, and protein's enzymolysis kinetics, thermodynamics.

In this study, a hexagonal plate ultrasound (HPU) pretreatment technology was employed to modify soy protein isolate (SPI) and enhance the hypocholesterolemic activity of enzymatic digests from SPI. Results demonstrated that under the condition of ultrasound power density of 40 W/L, the hypocholesterolemic activity of enzymatic digests from HPU-pretreated SPI (HPU-SPI) increased by 88.40 % compared to control group after gastrointestinal digestion.

Effect of pectin concentration on emulsifying properties of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae albumin modified by pH-shifting and ultrasonication.

The effect of pectin concentration on the structural and emulsifying properties of black soldier fly larvae albumin (BSFLA) modified by pH-shifting (pH) and ultrasound (US) was studied. The results (intrinsic fluorescence, surface hydrophobicity, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and disulfide bonds) showed that modified BSFLA samples, especially pH-US, were more likely to bind to pectin through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions due to the unfolding of BSFLA, the collapse of disulfide bonds and exposure of hydrophobic groups. Thus, a BSFLA-pectin complex with smaller particle size, more negative charges, and a relatively loose structure was formed.

Incidences of aflatoxin contaminations in ingredients, feed and products of poultry from two regions in Ghana.

Commercial poultry feed required for proper growth of birds and egg production contains essential nutrients with maize as key component. Inadequately dried maize is prone to aflatoxin contamination and therefore when used in feed formulation for poultry may compromise the safety of the feeds and poultry products. This study investigated the levels of aflatoxins in feed ingredients, feed and poultry products sampled from Eastern and Greater -Accra regions of Ghana.

Human-induced land use changes and phosphorus limitation affect soil microbial biomass and ecosystem stoichiometry.

Soil and microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) play an important role in soil nutrient dynamics in biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. However, increased human activities as a result of agricultural intensification on soil nutrients and microbial C:N:P stoichiometry are poorly understood in this fragile forest-savanna transition agroecosystem. This study aimed to (i) assess soil and microbial C, N, and P stoichiometry in different land use systems, and (ii) examine the effect of soil and microbial C, N, and P stoichiometry on soils susceptible to human-induced land use changes.

Assessing aflatoxin safety awareness among grain and cereal sellers in greater Accra region of Ghana: A machine learning approach.

Studies have established high prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in grains and cereals produced in Ghana. Mitigation strategies have focused mainly on capacity building for farmers, agricultural extension officers, bulk distributors and processors to the detriment of the market women who act as the final link between consumers and producers. This study used supervised machine learning algorithms by means of Classification and Regression Trees (CART) to investigate aflatoxin knowledge and awareness of market women in Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Genetic studies on iron and zinc concentrations in common bean ( L.) in Ghana.

Iron and zinc deficiencies cause high health risk to young children and expectant mothers in sub Saharan Africa. The development of biofortified common bean ( L.) varieties could address the acute micronutrient deficiencies with associated improvement in the nutrition and health of women, children and adults.

Heavy metal, microbial and pesticides residue contaminations are limiting the potential consumption of green leafy vegetables in Ghana: An overview.

Green leafy vegetables (such as cocoyam ( spp) leaves, spinach ( spp), amaranths ( spp), roselle leaves ( spp), and lettuce ( spp)) form a major part of Ghanaian meals providing essential vitamin such as A, B and C and minerals including iron and calcium as well as essential bioactive compounds. However, the practices involved in the production, distribution and handling of these nutrient rich vegetables, by most value chain actors in Ghana, unfortunately pre-dispose them to contamination with pathogens, heavy metals and pesticides residues. These have therefore raised public health concerns regarding the safety and quality of these green leafy vegetables.

Genetic diversity and epidemic histories of rice yellow mottle virus in Ghana.

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) has persisted as a major biotic constraint to rice production in Africa. However, no data on RYMV epidemics were available in Ghana, although it is an intensive rice-producing country. Surveys were performed from 2010 to 2020 in eleven rice-growing regions of Ghana.

Response of woody vegetation to bush thinning on freehold farmlands in north-central Namibia.

Bush encroachment affects much of the Namibian woodland landscape, causing significant loss of open savannah habitat and farm profits. Thinning of the trees/shrubs is recommended; however, research is required to identify the overall efficacy and effects of this method on the woodland habitat. We aimed to examine the effect of the thinning strategy applied on the vegetation structure of encroaching tree/shrub species, as well as the sighting lines of the habitat.

Prevalence of epilepsy in Ndom Health District (Littoral Region, Cameroon) after long-term ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy for the control of onchocerciasis.

Assuming the causality relationship between Onchocerca volvulus infection and epilepsy onset, preventive chemotherapy for the control onchocerciasis can result to a significant impact on epilepsy burden. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of epilepsy in an onchocerciasis endemic area under annual CDTI for 16 years. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two communities (Kelleng and Nkonkwalla) located in the Ndom Health District (Littoral Region, Cameroon) to assess the prevalence of epilepsy using a standardized questionnaire for non-specialists in tropical areas.

Termite sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rates.

Deadwood is a large global carbon store with its store size partially determined by biotic decay. Microbial wood decay rates are known to respond to changing temperature and precipitation. Termites are also important decomposers in the tropics but are less well studied.