Emerging Perspectives of Blockchains in Food Supply Chain Traceability Based on Patent Analysis.

In the field of blockchain (BC) technology application in the food supply chain (FSC), a patent portfolio is collected, described, and analyzed using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) modeling, with the aim of obtaining insight into technology trends in this emerging and promising field. A patent portfolio consisting of 82 documents was extracted from patent databases using PatSnap software. The analysis of latent topics using LDA indicates that inventions related to the application of BCs in FSCs are patented in four key areas: (A) BC-supported tracing and tracking in FSCs; (B) devices and methods supporting application of BCs in FSCs; (C) combining BCs and other ICT technologies in FSC; and (D) BC-supported trading in FSCs. Patenting of BC technology applications in FSCs started during the second decade of the 21st century. Consequently, patent forward citation has been relatively low, while the family size confirms that application of BCs in FSCs is not yet widely accepted. A significant increase in the number of patent applications was registered after 2019, indicating that the number of potential users in FSCs is expected to grow over time. The largest numbers of patents originate from China, India, and the US.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Serbia: An Online Survey.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced individuals' dietary choices and food-buying behavior. Present research specifically delves into the alterations in fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption among consumers in Serbia during the pandemic. The study employs an extended model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), incorporating the construct of consumers' knowledge to comprehensively explore behavioral changes. Conducted in the first half of 2020, the study engaged 479 participants from Serbia, using an online questionnaire for data collection. Structural equation modelling was employed for a thorough analysis of the gathered responses. The main outcome revealed a noteworthy connection between consumers' knowledge and their attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions regarding F&V consumption. Subjective norms significantly influenced consumers' desire to increase F&V intake during and after the outbreak. These intentions aligned with actual behavior changes, indicating a shift toward higher F&V consumption. Consumer knowledge also notably shaped attitudes and behaviors regarding F&V intake. Notably, the TPB proved valuable in predicting and understanding these dietary shifts during global crises like the pandemic. These insights not only bolster healthier eating habits but also have broader implications for public health. Understanding consumer behavior dynamics during crises like COVID-19 is crucial for crafting effective strategies to promote overall human health and well-being.

Antioxidative, Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Properties of Honey Types from the Western Balkans.

This paper presents the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidative, antibacterial and antiproliferative effects of nineteen samples of different honey types (acacia, linden, heather, sunflower, phacelia, basil, anise, sage, chestnut, hawthorn, lavender and meadow) collected from different locations in the Western Balkans (Republic of Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Northern Macedonia). Physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, free acidity, and hydroxymethylfurfural [HMF]) were analysed. Based on the obtained results, all tested honey samples were in agreement with EU regulation. The antioxidant potential of honey samples was assessed by determination of total phenolic content (TPC) and evaluation of scavenging activity towards diphenilpicrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH·). The highest phenolic content was found in basil honey (101 ± 2.72 mg GAE/100 g), while the lowest was registered in rapeseed honey (11.5 ± 0.70 mg GAE/100 g). Heather, anise, phacelia, sage, chestnut and lavender honey samples were also rich in TP, containing 80−100 mg GAE/100 g. DPPH scavenging activity varied among the samples being the highest for lavender honey (IC50 = 88.2 ± 2.11 mg/mL) and the lowest for rapeseed honey (IC50 = 646 ± 8.72 mg/mL). Antibacterial activity was estimated in vitro using agar diffusion tests and measuring minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Among investigated bacterial strains following resistant potencies were determined: Escherichia coli > Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 > Enterococcus faecalis > Proteus mirabilis > Staphylococcus aureus > Staphylococcus epidermidis. The linden honey from Fruska Gora (MIC values of 3.12% and 6.25% against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively) and phacelia honey (MIC values of 6.25% and 3.12% against S.Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively) showed the strongest antibacterial activity. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated using the colorimetric sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The highest antiproliferative activity was obtained from linden honey sample 1 (IC50MCF7 = 7.46 ± 1.18 mg/mL and IC50HeLa =12.4 ± 2.00 mg/mL) and meadow sample 2 (IC50MCF7 = 12.0 ± 0.57 mg/mL, IC50HeLa = 16.9 ± 1.54 mg/mL and IC50HT−29 = 23.7 ± 1.33 mg/mL) towards breast (MCF7), cervix (HeLa) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells. Active components other than sugars contributed to cell growth activity.

Acrylamide alters glycogen content and enzyme activities in the liver of juvenile rat.

Acrylamide (AA) is spontaneously formed in carbohydrate-rich food during high-temperature processing. It is neurotoxic and potentially cancer causing chemical. Its harmful effects on the liver, especially in a young organism, are still to be elucidated. The study aimed to examine main liver histology, its glycogen content and enzyme activities in juvenile rats treated with 25 or 50mg/kg bw of AA for 3 weeks. Liver samples were fixed in formalin, routinely processed for paraffin embedding, sectioning and histochemical staining. Examination of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections showed an increase in the volume of hepatocytes, their nuclei and cytoplasm in both AA-treated groups compared to the control. In Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections in low-dose group was noticed glycogen reduction, while in high-dose group was present its accumulation compared to the control, respectively. Serum analysis showed increased activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and decreased activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in both AA-treated groups, while the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was increased in low-dose, but decreased in high-dose group compared to the control, respectively. Present results suggest a prominent hepatotoxic potential of AA which might alter the microstructural features and functional status in hepatocytes of immature liver.

Atrazine-induced changes in the myocardial structure of peripubertal rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of atrazine (6-chloro-N(2)-ethyl-N(4)-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) on the left ventricle myocardium in juvenile/peripubertal male Wistar rats. Atrazine was administered orally at 50 or 200 mg/kg of body weight dose for 28 consecutive days. In order to assess possible structural alterations, tissue sections were examined histologically and then subjected to quantification analysis using stereological methods. The tissue specimens were routinely processed and stained with Mallory trichrome method in order to clearly distinguish muscle cells from the connective tissue components. A toluidine blue staining method was additionally used for the demonstration of mast cells. Statistically significant increase in length density and numerical density of capillaries were found at both the investigated doses of atrazine compared with the control. The increase in surface density and volume density of capillaries found at lower dosage of atrazine was significant in comparison with the control. The extensive mast cell degranulation was noted on the histological examination at both doses of the applied chemical. No significant changes were demonstrated for the stereological parameters of cardiomyocytes. Based on the available published data and the present results, it can be concluded that atrazine promoted angiogenesis in the rat myocardium, which might be partially mediated by mast cells.