Abstract: Microplastics (MPs), as emerging global contaminants, have garnered increasing attention due to their persistent nature, ubiquitous distribution, and recalcitrance to degradation. The co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) in soil systems has emerged as a critical global environmental concern, posing synergistic threats to ecosystem integrity and human health. Nevertheless, their interaction mechanisms remain poorly characterized. This review systematically examines the interplay between MPs and HMs in terrestrial environments, with emphasis on two key aspects: Interaction mechanisms between microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) adsorption, influence factors on adsorption including polymer type, aging status, particle size/concentration of MPs, and physicochemical properties of HMs/soil matrices. Furthermore, coordinated multidisciplinary efforts are urgently required to establish risk assessment for MPs and HMs in soil systems and develop targeted remediation strategies. Read More

Abstract: The cultivated land resources in Shaanxi Province show significant differences between the north and the south, which can be divided into three regions: the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, the Guanzhong Plain, and the Qinba Mountains in southern Shaanxi. The quality grades present a pyramid shape, with medium and low-yield fields accounting for more than 70%. There are problems such as low soil organic matter content, residual mulch films, and high pesticide application intensity. Currently, measures such as the "Fertile Soil Project" have been implemented to initially establish a quality protection system. In terms of evaluation methods, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) enables structured decision-making, but the weight assignment is vulnerable to subjective influences. The Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method is good at handling fuzzy information, yet it has the problem of "centralized results". The GIS spatial analysis method has obvious advantages in large-scale evaluations, but it has high requirements for data and costs. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) can reduce dimensions, but the physical meaning is ambiguous. Machine learning methods can handle complex relationships, but they have the "black box" problem. In the future, the cultivated land quality evaluation in Shaanxi Province will develop towards intelligence and dynamism. It will promote the integration of space-air-ground monitoring, establish a dynamic monitoring system, formulate evaluation specifications, innovate mechanisms, build a collaborative governance system, and form a closed-loop management system covering the whole chain of "monitoring-evaluation-governance-control". Read More

Abstract: Western Guangdong, a key agricultural production base in Guangdong, is endowed with abundant natural resources and a diverse range of crop cultivation. Amidst intensifying market competition and the progression of agricultural modernization, farmers in this region confront challenges related to information acquisition and utilization. The examination of information behavior is crucial not only for understanding farmers' information needs and usage patterns in production decision-making but also for uncovering the multifaceted factors influencing their information behavior, such as socio-economic background, technological proficiency, and policy support. In-depth exploration of their information behavior can furnish valuable insights for policymakers, agricultural extension workers, and pertinent researchers. Through a combination of questionnaires and interviews, this study gathered data on farmers' information acquisition methods, usage practices, and the influence of such information on their decision-making processes in Western Guangdong. Farmers predominantly access information via channels such as the internet, recommendations from family and friends, and agricultural technology dissemination, yet limitations persist in their information utilization. The research also identified that socio-economic factors, technological proficiency, and policy support significantly shape farmers' information behavior. By analyzing these elements, this paper seeks to elucidate the prevalent patterns in farmers' information behavior, thereby offering theoretical backing for enhancing their information literacy and decision-making skills. The study of farmers' information behavior in Western Guangdong not only sheds light on the current state of agricultural informatization but also provides fresh perspectives and strategies for future agricultural advancement. Read More

Abstract: As a chronic disease seriously affecting human health, diabetes has seen a significant upward trend in global incidence. Data reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) indicates that the quantity of diabetic individuals around the world has exceeded 500 million. Within China, the prevalence rate of diabetes has surpassed 12%, and nearly 35% of the adult population are in the pre-diabetic stage, indicating an extremely severe situation. Dietary fiber and prebiotics offer numerous benefits to human health, and their synergistic effects have garnered extensive attention in recent years. This article synthesizes relevant studies to elaborate on the definitions and classifications of dietary fiber and prebiotics, and details the impacts and mechanisms of their individual and synergistic actions on gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, metabolic regulation, immune regulation, and other aspects. Dietary fiber can be processed by gut microbiota to boost the proliferation of friendly bacteria and regulate the intestinal barrier; prebiotics may specifically trigger the multiplication of good bacteria. Their synergistic effects demonstrate more significant outcomes than individual actions in regulating gut microecology, improving metabolic diseases, enhancing immunity, etc., providing a theoretical basis for promoting human health through dietary interventions. Read More

Abstract: To address the issues of missing processing standards for beef kidney fat and unstable flavor quality, this study aims to optimize refining and deodorizing process parameters and investigate their impact on volatile components to improve beef fat quality. In the refining process of beef kidney fat, three factors—refining temperature, refining time, and refining speed—were studied for their effects on sensory quality. Single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments determined the optimal combination as a refining temperature of 150°C, refining time of 90 minutes, and refining speed of 600 rpm. In the deodorizing process, single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments were used to determine the effects of deodorizing temperature, deodorizing speed, and deodorizing time on the iodine value of beef kidney fat, with the best combination being a deodorizing temperature of 55°C, deodorizing time of 30 minutes, and deodorizing speed of 70 rpm. Additionally, to further explore the impact of vacuum deodorization on the volatile components of beef kidney fat, purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P&T-GC-MS) was used for qualitative analysis of the volatile components in refined and deodorized beef kidney fat. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) based on absolute content was employed to comprehensively evaluate flavor changes. The results showed that the optimized vacuum deodorization process systematically improved the flavor quality of beef kidney fat by enriching flavor substances and removing impurities, providing a theoretical basis for standardized industrial production. Read More

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of liquid TOMIN technology on the quality reduction degree of prefabricated tomato beef brisket was studied by comparing the freezing effect of traditional refrigerator with 0 d fresh tomato beef brisket as control and 1 d chilled beef brisket as blank. Texture, volatile components and Fourier transform infrared were used as evaluation indexes. The results showed that the texture changes of TOMIN tomato brisket treatment group at different storage times were significantly (p < 0.05) smaller than that of the refrigerator, the content of volatile components increased less than that of the refrigerator, and the protein secondary structure was more stable. In terms of texture index, the hardness, elasticity and chewiness of beef increased after TOMIN, but the degree of increase was smaller than that of refrigerator freezing. The hardness, springiness and chewiness were 3732.17 g ± 23.35, 85.09% ± 0.10, 1895.89 g ± 13.14 respectively after 30 days of TOMIN. The hardness, elasticity and chewiness of the refrigerator after freezing for 30 days reached 4555.16 g ± 58.81, 88.59% ± 1.03, 2224.55 g ± 65.80. In terms of volatile components, a total of 29 substances were measured, and the cumulative contribution rate of PCA was 94.8%. Among them, the variance contribution rate of volatile component PC1 in 30 d refrigerator was 90.2%. It was concluded that the content of volatile components frozen in refrigerator was high, and the variables highly correlated with PC1 were benzaldehyde, hexanal, nonanal and 2-heptanone, mainly from fat oxidation, indicating that the oxidation rate of tomato beef belly oil frozen in refrigerator was high. On the Fourier transform infrared, by analyzing the secondary structure of beef brisket protein, it was concluded that the secondary structure of liquid TOMIN tomato beef brisket protein was more stable. In summary, the quality of tomato brisket frozen in liquid TOMIN is higher than that frozen in refrigerator, and it has … Read More

Abstract: Pickering emulsions stabilized by solid particles have potential applications in foods, personal care, and drug delivery. Particle wettability and charge, which depend on pH, are key factors influencing emulsion stability. This scoping review summarizes recent research on the effects of pH on stability of common Pickering emulsifiers. Studies on inorganic particles, polymers, and biopolymers published from 2013-2023 were included. Results indicate pH relative to the emulsifier's isoelectric point impacts stability. Silica nanoparticles showed optimal stability around pH 5 due to increased hydrophobicity and flocculation. Protein-based particles like hordein were more stable at acidic pHs below their isoelectric point. In contrast, nanocellulose Pickering emulsions demonstrated remarkable stability across pH 1-13, attributed to strong van der Waals and hydrogen bonding interactions. Overall, adjusting pH can modify emulsifier surface chemistry to improve Pickering emulsion stability, with exact effects depending on the emulsifier system. Further research directly comparing different particles under standardized conditions is needed. This review summarizes current knowledge on pH effects on emulsion stability for key food-relevant Pickering emulsifiers. The insights could help guide selection of appropriate pH conditions when formulating stable Pickering emulsions. Read More