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Article
Publication date: 17 March 2023

Asaah Sumaila Mohammed, Francis Xavier Dery Tuokuu and Edgar Balinia Adda

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such studies can help to create win-win outcomes between communities and oil companies and give the latter social license to operate. Also, it will help to identify the existing knowledge gaps that still need to be filled and contribute to the overall management of Ghana’s oil resources. It will further contribute to the government’s livelihood diversification programs in oil-producing communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil- and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders.

Findings

Findings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana’s Western Region depend on the fishing industry as their livelihoods. However, fisherfolks are facing several challenges due to oil production. For instance, the quantity of fish harvest has reduced drastically since oil production started in 2010. Farming activities have also been adversely affected. The study has unearthed that the existing social and economic infrastructure are very limited to support the development of the coastal communities in Ghana’s Western Region. The study suggests that to deal with some of the challenges faced by coastal communities, livelihood diversification programs should be introduced.

Research limitations/implications

Not every community within the oil and gas areas in the Western Region was covered. Future work will address this limitation.

Practical implications

The study has revealed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to expedite the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of communities and capture them in their medium-term development plans.

Social implications

The corporate social responsibility programs will create win-win outcomes between oil companies and communities.

Originality/value

The study is an original piece of work with data collected from the field. The study will contribute to the efficient management of natural resources in Ghana and other developing countries.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Sajad Pirsa and Fahime Purghorbani

In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to…

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to quickly and sensitively determine H2O2 concentration based on different analytical principles. In this study, the importance of H2O2, its applications in various industries, especially the food industry, and the importance of measuring it with different techniques, especially portable sensors and on-site analysis, have been investigated and studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very simple molecule in nature, but due to its strong oxidizing and reducing properties, it has been widely used in the pharmaceutical, medical, environmental, mining, textile, paper, food production and chemical industries. Sensitive, rapid and continuous detection of H2O2 is of great importance in many systems for product quality control, health care, medical diagnostics, food safety and environmental protection.

Findings

Various methods have been developed and applied for the analysis of H2O2, such as fluorescence, colorimetry and electrochemistry, among them, the electrochemical technique due to its advantages in simple instrumentation, easy miniaturization, sensitivity and selectivity.

Originality/value

Monitoring the H2O2 concentration level is of practical importance for academic and industrial purposes. Edible oils are prone to oxidation during processing and storage, which may adversely affect oil quality and human health. Determination of peroxide value (PV) of edible oils is essential because PV is one of the most common quality parameters for monitoring lipid oxidation and oil quality control. The development of cheap, simple, fast, sensitive and selective H2O2 sensors is essential.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 44 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 December 2022

Bruno Raniere Lins de Albuquerque Meireles, Sthelio Braga da Fonseca, Cristiani Viegas Brandão Grisi, Marta Suely Madruga, José Jordão Filho, Leonardo Augusto Fonseca Pascoal, Luiz Edmundo Bastos Soledade and José Humberto Vilar da Silva

The objective of this study was to assess the incorporation of polyunsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in the eggs of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed with…

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to assess the incorporation of polyunsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in the eggs of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed with soybean, flaxseed and shark liver oils, as well as to assess their effects on the chemical composition and lipid quality of the yolks.

Design/methodology/approach

The total of 252 units of quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and six replications, totaling 42 experimental design units. The sources of oils and their inclusions in the experimental diet were 2% of soybean oil (S), 2% of flaxseed oil (L) and 2% shark liver oil (T), obtained from the species Carcharhinus acronotus, and the mixtures of 1% S + 1% L (SL); 1% S + 1% T (ST); 1% L + 1% T (LT) and 0.67% S + 0.67% L + 0.67% T (SLT).

Findings

The proximate composition of the egg yolk was not changed to the supplementation of lipid sources added in quail diet. The total replacement of soybean oil by shark liver oil reduced the cholesterol content in the yolk by 19% (T = 282.97 mg cholesterol/100 g egg) and the addition of flaxseed oil produced eggs with greater amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (LS = 18.32%). The treatments with flaxseed oil and its mixtures (soybean oil + flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil + shark liver oil) effectively contributed to reducing the ω-6:ω-3 ratio and enriching the quail eggs with PUFAs, especially linolenic acid (18: 3n3c) and EPA (20: 5n3c).

Originality/value

Thus, manipulation in the diet of quails enriched the content of essential PUFAs and reduced the cholesterol content in the yolk. The flaxseed oil was the lipid source that influenced to improve the quality of the egg yolk. These results have practical applicability for the quail egg industry.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2023

Fan Feng, Ningyuan Jia and Faqin Lin

Considering the importance of Russia and Ukraine in agriculture, the authors quantify the potential impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on food output, trade, prices and food…

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Abstract

Purpose

Considering the importance of Russia and Ukraine in agriculture, the authors quantify the potential impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on food output, trade, prices and food security for the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors mainly use the quantitative and structural multi-country and multi-sector general equilibrium trade model to analyze the potential impacts of the conflict on the global food trade pattern and security.

Findings

First, the authors found that the conflict would lead to soaring agricultural prices, decreasing trade volume and severe food insecurity especially for countries that rely heavily on grain imports from Ukraine and Russia, such as Egypt and Turkey. Second, major production countries such as the United States and Canada may even benefit from the conflict. Third, restrictions on upstream energy and fertilizer will amplify the negative effects of food insecurity.

Originality/value

This study analyzed the effect of Russia–Ukraine conflict on global food security based on sector linkages and the quantitative general equilibrium trade framework. With a clearer demonstration of the influence about the inherent mechanism based on fewer parameters compared with traditional Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) models, the authors showed integrated impacts of the conflict on food output, trade, prices and welfare across sectors and countries.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 May 2023

Masoumeh Atefi, Mohammad Hassan Entezari and Hamid Vahedi

This paper aims to examine the effect of sesame oil (SO) on fatigue and mental health status in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) undergoing a weight-loss diet.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of sesame oil (SO) on fatigue and mental health status in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) undergoing a weight-loss diet.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 60 women with NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive 30 g/day of either SO (n = 30) or sunflower oil (n = 30). All the patients received a hypocaloric diet (−500 kcal/day) for 12 weeks in a double-blinded controlled trial. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, physical activity, fatigue and mental health status were measured at the baseline and the trial cessation.

Findings

In total, 53 participants completed the intervention. Significant reductions in anthropometric indices were observed in both groups (p-value = 0.001). Following SO, fatigue (p-value = 0.002), anxiety (p-value = 0.011) and depression (p-value = 0.013) scores were significantly reduced, while no significant changes were observed in stress scores.

Originality/value

In summary, the present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of SO consumption on fatigue and mental health status among patients with NAFLD. The results revealed SO consumption significantly reduced fatigue, anxiety and depression scores in comparison with the control group, but not for stress scores. Further clinical trials, different doses, with a longer duration of intervention, in different groups, are necessary to confirm the veracity of the results.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2023

Amewu Attah and Prince Amoah

This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of oil companies in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a qualitative approach based on an exploratory research design to investigate the opinions and experiences of stakeholders in the growing oil and gas industry in Ghana.

Findings

The empirical findings demonstrate that entry negotiated agreements and local content requirements in the offshore oil industry have minimal benefits because of the lack of linkages with the economies of local communities. Additionally, the nature of CSR practices within the extractive industry is directly traceable to the resource governance arrangements and plural logics in Ghana’s institutional context.

Research limitations/implications

This study only provides insights into natural resource governance and CSR issues in offshore oil and gas projects. Thus, the findings are not generalisable to the entire industry, including onshore drilling, which have other sustainability issues.

Practical implications

This research highlights the gap in natural resource management in Ghana and the effects of community expectations on CSR practices in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, this study posits the significance for including compliance requirements for improving the well-being of host communities in entry negotiated agreements and local contents.

Originality/value

By highlighting the nuanced issues in natural resource management within the oil and gas industry in Ghana, this paper makes significant contributions to the CSR and sustainability literature.

Details

Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Florina Ruta, Avram Calin, Mihai Timus, Remus Sipos and Liviu Ciucan-Rusu

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of young people in the center of Romania. With the objectives of identifying the factors that can influence the consumption of healthy fats and the orientation toward actions to promote less known food resources, in order to diversify the healthy food intake, the long-term improvement of the health-related effects of food.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the most important aspects of health is nutrition and its role in reducing the incidence of chronic diseases is supported by scientific data. In this research, the authors analyzed the level of information and the factors determining food choices with particular reference to the consumption of healthy fats and/or supplements from these fats, in order to highlight the behavior of individuals in relation to food. For this purpose, a questionnaire about food and healthy fats (omega-3) consumption and frequency was applied to the food groups of interest, along with other factors pertaining to lifestyle. The questionnaire distributed online mainly included questions related to the consumption of fats and the respondents' knowledge about them. The interest in participating in the study was manifested mainly in the young age segment. The collected data were analyzed statistically was done through Graph Pad Prism ver. 9 software with the establishment of a statistical significance threshold of 0.05.

Findings

There is a certain degree of superficiality in the knowledge of the importance and use of foods rich in omega-3. The statistically significant association has been identified both between age and the rules established in the family for observing the schedule of meals and between age and benefiting from an evaluation of the eating behavior. Statistically significant association has also been observed between the level of education and the knowledge on the health benefits of vegetable oils. The statistically significant association was also present between the level of education and the respondents' appreciation of the essential role of eating behavior in disease prevention.

Originality/value

Identifying the consumer profile in relation to their attitude toward healthy foods, especially fats, in order to adapt nutritional interventions with the aim to promote healthy food choices that have an impact on the health of the individual and also of the population.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2022

Raja Wasim Ahmad, Walaa Al Khader, Raja Jayaraman, Khaled Salah, Jiju Antony and Vikas Swarnakar

The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the literature that integrates Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach with blockchain technology in different sectors for improved…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the literature that integrates Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach with blockchain technology in different sectors for improved quality management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a scoping review on the application of integrated LSS and blockchain technology in the manufacturing and healthcare sector. Further, the authors examined existing blockchain-based solutions on a variety of dimensions, including application area, technical approach, methodology, application scenario, various blockchain platforms, purpose, and monitoring parameters. The authors study LSS approaches in detail, as well as the key benefits that blockchain technology can enable. Finally, the authors discuss significant research problems to be addressed in order to develop a highly efficient, resilient, and secure quality management framework using blockchain technology.

Findings

It has been observed that the adoption of blockchain technology for quality management and assurance is influenced by several factors such as transaction execution speed, throughput, latency. Also, prior blockchain-based solutions have neglected to leverage the benefits of LSS methodologies for effective quality management.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explores the influence of blockchain technology on quality management and assurance in manufacturing and healthcare industry. Furthermore, prior research has not examined how integrating the LSS methodology with blockchain technology can aid in the control of product quality management.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 35 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 November 2022

Mahenderan Appukutty, Sangeetha Shyam, Zi Ying Choo, Seok Shin Tan, Hueh Zan Megan Chong and Alston Choong

The present randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of 8-week supplementation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) on the n-3 index and…

Abstract

Purpose

The present randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of 8-week supplementation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) on the n-3 index and performance of professional male football players.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 27 professional male football players were randomly assigned into 2 groups: placebo (n = 14) and n-3 LCPUFA (n = 13). n-3 LCPUFA supplements containing 1.5 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were administered as 6 capsules (four in the morning and two in the evening, 30 min after a meal). Anthropometry, body composition, dried-blood spot n-3 LCPUFA levels, exercise performance and dietary intake of football players were measured at week 0, week 4 and week 8.

Findings

n-3 LCPUFA supplementation improved blood levels of EPA and DHA levels, omega-3 index vs placebo (p time*group = 0.010, 0.041 and 0.018, respectively). n-3 LCPUFA supplemented group had significantly higher aerobic capacity than placebo participants, at week 8 (p group = 0.021).

Originality/value

This study shows the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in Malaysian professional male football players involved in team sports having low dietary intakes of n-3 LCPUFA.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2024

Neslihan Arslan and Eda Köksal

The goal of this narrative review was to look at the link between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the telomere length. Furthermore, this study aims to understand the impact of the…

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this narrative review was to look at the link between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the telomere length. Furthermore, this study aims to understand the impact of the MD on obesity-related telomere length.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant literature was reviewed to explore the potential influence of the MD on telomere length and its association with obesity.

Findings

The MD is one of the healthiest diets of all known dietary patterns, and it is also linked to the telomere length. Except for fruits and vegetables, the main findings for other MD components are inconsistent. In terms of antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, using the MD as a weight loss approach is a good method. For predicting changes in obesity characteristics, the initial telomere length is critical. However, there are not many studies in the field that have looked at the MD as a weight loss approach and its link to the telomere length. As a result, more research is needed to understand these connections in various groups.

Originality/value

This study is unique since it examines the MD, telomere length and obesity-related consequences. This study examines the MD, telomere length and obesity to determine if the MD can help lose weight while maintaining telomere length. As there are few studies on MD weight loss and telomere length, the work emphasizes the need for greater research in this area. This study fills a research gap and improves the understanding of nutrition, telomere biology and obesity-related outcomes.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 54 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

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