Effect of oscillating magnetic field (OMF) on the supercooling behavior of iron-oxide nanoparticle (IONP) agar model system.

Freezing extends the shelf life of foods but often leads to structural damage due to ice crystal formation, negatively impacting quality attributes. Oscillating magnetic field (OMF)-assisted supercooling has emerged as a potential technique to overcome these limitations by inhibiting ice nucleation and maintaining foods in a supercooled state. Despite its potential, the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of OMF-assisted supercooling remain subjects of debate.

Host Status of Persian Lime ( Tan.) to Oriental Fruit Fly and Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i.

We investigated the host status of harvest-ready green Persian lime, Tan. (Rutaceae), to Oriental fruit fly ( [Hendel]) and Mediterranean fruit fly ( [Wiedemann]) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using laboratory and field studies. In forced-infestation small cage exposures (using 25 × 25 × 25 cm screened cages with 50 gravid females) and large olfactometer cage tests (using 2.

Comparing the biological effectiveness of low energy 100 kV and high energy 5 MeV X-rays against Oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Radioisotope irradiators (using cesium-137 or cobalt-60) are used as sources of ionizing radiation to control quarantine or phytosanitary insect pests in internationally traded fresh commodities and to sterilize insects used in sterile insect release programs. There are institutional initiatives to replace isotopic irradiators (producing γ-rays) with lower-energy X-ray machines due to concerns about radiological terrorism and increasingly stringent regulations on the movement of radioisotopes. Questions remain about whether the biological effects of low-energy X-rays are comparable to those of γ-rays since differences in energy levels and dose rates of X-rays may have different efficacies.

Nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of Hawaiian taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours: A comparative study.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour is a viable carbohydrate alternative and a functional additive for food formulation; however, different taro varieties may possess distinct characteristics that may influence their suitability for food production. This study evaluated the nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of flours from five Hawaiian taro varieties: Bun-Long, Mana Ulu, Moi, Kaua'i Lehua, and Tahitian. Tahitian, Bun-long, and Moi had high total starch contents of 40.

Diel flight activity in response to attractants in the predatory beetle, Cathartus quadricollis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in macadamia nut in Hawaii.

The diel flight activity in Cathartus quadricollis (Guerin-Meneville) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), a predator of two important pests in Hawaii, coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) and tropical nut borer, Hypothenemus obscurus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was studied in a macadamia nut orchard using yellow sticky traps baited with pheromone and fungal volatile attractants. The study was conducted at different months throughout the year and at different times during the lunar cycle (new moon and full moon).

Supplementation of papaya leaf juice has beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis in high fat/high sugar-induced obese and prediabetic adult mice.

Prediabetes is characterized by a cluster of glycemic parameters higher than normal but below the threshold of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In recent years, phytochemical-rich plant extracts have gained popularity as therapeutic agents for metabolic disorders. This study investigated the effects of papaya leaf (PL) juice supplementation on blood glucose levels in diet-induced obese and prediabetic adult mice.

Pilot Testing of an Area-Wide Biological Control Strategy against the Coffee Berry Borer in Colombia Using African Parasitoids.

The coffee berry borer (CBB), (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), native to Africa, is a major global insect pest of coffee. It has invaded many coffee production areas around the world that do not have natural enemies. In this study, two African parasitoids, Waterston (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) and Waterston (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), were mass-reared for field release against in Chinchiná, Colombia.

A chromosome scale assembly of the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens provides insight into the process of virus domestication.

The parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens is an important biological control agent of stored products moth pests and serves as a model to study the function and evolution of domesticated endogenous viruses (DEVs). The DEVs discovered in V. canescens are known as virus-like particles (VcVLPs), which are produced using nudivirus-derived components and incorporate wasp-derived virulence proteins instead of packaged nucleic acids.

Anti-inflammatory Quinoline Alkaloids from the Roots of .

Sixteen new quinoline alkaloids (-, , , , -, , and ) and 10 known analogs (, , , , -, and -), along with three known cyclopeptide alkaloids (-), were isolated from the roots of . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed NMR and circular dichroism with computational support and mass spectrometry data interpretation. Anti-inflammatory potential of isolates was evaluated based on inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity with cell culture models.

Susceptibility of 'Malama' Avocados to Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i and a Proposed Systems Approach for Market Access.

Avocados are generally poor hosts or nonhosts for tephritid fruit flies, which can influence the type of mitigation measures required by export protocols for trade. We conducted experiments to determine the susceptibility of the avocado, Persea americana, cv. 'Malama' to infestation by Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Hawai'i using laboratory and field no-choice cage tests, together with field sampling.

A Unified Protocol for CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Knockout in Tephritid Fruit Flies Led to the Recreation of White Eye and White Puparium Phenotypes in the Melon Fly.

Tephritid fruit flies are among the most invasive and destructive agricultural pests worldwide. Over recent years, many studies have implemented the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology to dissect gene functions in tephritids and create new strains to facilitate their genetics, management, and control. This growing literature allows us to compare diverse strategies for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 components into tephritid embryos, optimize procedures, and advance the technology to systems outside the most thoroughly studied species within the family.

Preserving plant samples from remote locations for detection of RNA and DNA viruses.

Viral diseases in plants have a significant impact on agricultural productivity. Effective detection is needed to facilitate accurate diagnosis and characterization of virus infections essential for crop protection and disease management. For sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, it is important to preserve the integrity of nucleic acids in plant tissue samples.

Laboratory studies assessing the microbial biocontrol potential of diverse strains of Beauveria bassiana isolated from coffee berry borer, with emphasis on strains from Hawai'i Island and comparisons to commercial strain GHA.

A series of experiments investigated genetically diverse strains of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) isolated from coffee berry borer (CBB). Objectives included assessment of their biocontrol potential, particularly in comparison to Bb commercial strain GHA currently applied for CBB control, and identification of various attributes potentially contributing to their comparatively greater epizootic potential in CBB populations. Bioassays identified one strain from Hawai'i Island and one from Puerto Rico with virulence greater than GHA based on equal weights of unformulated conidial powder (CP); however, the greater potency of the CPs was ultimately explained by their 2.

Evaluation of macadamia felted coccid (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) damage and cultivar susceptibility using imagery from a small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAV), combined with ground truthing.

Background: Macadamia felted coccid, Acanthococcus ioronsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), is a significant pest of macadamia nut, Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (Protaceae), in Hawaii, and heavy infestations can kill branches, resulting in characteristic dead, copper-colored leaves. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV) or 'drones,' combined with spatial data analysis, can provide growers with accurate and high-resolution detection of plant stress due to pest infestations. We investigated the feasibility of using RGB (red-green-blue) color images from sUAV to detect dieback caused by macadamia felted coccid infestation and compared sUAV estimates with ground-based damage estimates (ground truthing).

Identifying an Optimal Screen Mesh to Enable Augmentorium-Based Enhanced Biological Control of the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The augmentorium is a cost-effective screened enclosure designed to receive fruits infested with insect pests, retain the pests inside but let their natural enemies escape to enhance biological control of pest populations. Screen selection is critical to ensure that an augmentorium is effective for a particular system. Here we tested five types of screens with a mini-augmentorium design and measured the escape of four insect species under laboratory conditions: the pests olive fruit fly Bactocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the parasitoids Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Psyttalia ponerophaga (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Coumarinolignans with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and NF-κB Inhibitory Activities from the Roots of .

Seven new coumarinolignans, walthindicins A-F (, , -, ), along with five known analogs (, -), were isolated from the roots of . The structures of the new compounds are determined by detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism (CD) with extensive computational support, and mass spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds were tested for their antioxidant activity in Human Cervical Cancer cells (HeLa cells).

Nano- and micro-sized carnauba wax emulsions-based coatings incorporated with ginger essential oil and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on papaya: Preservation of quality and delay of post-harvest fruit decay.

Carnauba wax nano and micro-sized emulsions and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose coatings, alone or combined with ginger essential oils (GEO) were applied on papayas and evaluated under several storage conditions. In a first experiment, storage parameters were: 6 days at 22 °C, and 9 days at 13 °C followed by 5 days at 22 °C. In a second experiment, storage was: 5 days at 22 °C, and 10 days at 16 °C followed by 3 days at 22 °C.

Mating Competitiveness of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Males From a Genetic Sexing Strain: Effects of Overflooding Ratio and Released Females.

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a global pest that infests a range of fruit and vegetables. Males are attracted to methyl eugenol, and control is often achieved by the Male Annihilation Technique, where methyl eugenol + insecticide dispensers are deployed to eliminate males, preclude matings, and reduce population growth. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has also been used to control B.

In vivo efficacy of pyrantel pamoate as a post-exposure prophylactic for rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis).

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is a neurotropic nematode, and the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. The parasite is usually contracted through ingestion of infected gastropods, often hidden in raw or partially cooked produce. Pharmaceutical grade pyrantel pamoate was evaluated as a post-exposure prophylactic against A.

Aqueous chlorine dioxide generated with organic acids have higher antimicrobial efficacy than those generated with inorganic acids.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO) is commonly generated by mixing sodium chlorite and acid. This study aimed to evaluate how acid affects the release kinetics and antimicrobial property of ClO. Solutions made with weak acids released ClO more slowly and had higher stability than those made with hydrochloric acid.

Poor Host Status of Australian Finger Lime, , to , and (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i.

We examined the host status of the Australian finger lime, F. Muell. (Rutaceae), to Hawai'i's tephritid fruit fly pests using laboratory and field studies.

A single-walled carbon nanotubes-based electrochemical impedance immunosensor for on-site detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Real-time and sensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria in food is in high demand to ensure food safety. In this study, a single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-based electrochemical impedance immunosensor for on-site detection of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was developed.