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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1968

The initial shock of devaluing the currency, after so many promises that it would not take place, has passed; only the uncertainty and apprehension remain. It seems an idle…

Abstract

The initial shock of devaluing the currency, after so many promises that it would not take place, has passed; only the uncertainty and apprehension remain. It seems an idle exercise to compare the present state of the country's economy with other periods in recent history, such as when in the first Labour Government, we went off the gold standard; at that time, shock was indeed profound and again, the French were cock‐a‐hoop, but the position was complicated by the huge inter‐indebtedness of the Allies in the First War. Or the first devaluation after the Second World War, but both periods were also characterized by public waste and profligate spending. Now, we have to obtain foreign loans and financial backing to keep going, and it is this aspect of the present devaluation which will probably far outweigh any positive advantages. The country's massive external debts were increased by approximately one‐seventh overnight, probably wiping out completely all the repayments made at such great effort since the War. Devaluation of the currency cannot be seen as anything but a grievous blow to the country, presaging hard times ahead for everyone. When promises were being made that devaluation would not take place, there can be little doubt that these were honestly made and, at the time, believed in, for no Government of a country with imports always exceeding exports, would impose such a burden on its people willingly. It must then have been forced upon them.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 70 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2009

Sitti Aralas, Maryati Mohamed and Mohd Fadzelly Abu Bakar

Salak (Salacca zalacca) is a species of palm tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia. The fruit is also known as “snake fruit” due to its reddish‐brown scaly skin. Four different…

1268

Abstract

Purpose

Salak (Salacca zalacca) is a species of palm tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia. The fruit is also known as “snake fruit” due to its reddish‐brown scaly skin. Four different varieties of the fruits (i.e. SS1, SS2, SS3 and SS4) have been established by Sabah State Agriculture Department, Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the antioxidant properties and phytochemicals content in the edible portion of the fruits.

Design/methodology/approach

Four different varieties of the fruits were collected and analysed for the antioxidant properties (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay), total phenolic and total flavonoid contents using spectrophotometry analysis. Ascorbic acid was determined using titration method.

Findings

The results showed the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the samples were in the range of 12.6‐15.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 4.9‐7.1 mg catechin equivalent/g of dry sample, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the extracts (using DPPH assay) were highly correlated with total phenolic and moderately correlated with flavonoid content. The reducing capabilities of the extracts using FRAP assay were moderately correlated with all phytochemicals tested. The results suggested that the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of salak is mildly affected by variety. The high phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of S. zalacca indicated that the fruit possessed potential health benefits properties.

Originality/value

Salak fruit is now being developed into fruit juice, pickle and other food products. The commercialization of the fruit may be enhanced if more knowledge on its potential health benefits is studied and discovered. The economic and nutraceutical values might increase and will contribute greatly to the local people.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2022

Neha Jain and Sandeep Kumar

The purpose of the paper is to explore the economic repercussions of potential India–USA free trade agreement (FTA) on the trade of agricultural commodities at HS 2-digit level.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the economic repercussions of potential India–USA free trade agreement (FTA) on the trade of agricultural commodities at HS 2-digit level.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is undertaken by assuming tariff reduction in a phased manner using the World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS)-SMART partial equilibrium model to identify the trade creation and trade diversion effects.

Findings

Overall results show that both the trading partners gain from the proposed FTA. Trade creation dominates over trade diversion in India's analysis.

Practical implications

An FTA between India and the USA could be an essential step toward more liberal trade regimes and provide enormous economic benefits to both countries. Government of both the countries should support deeper integration. This will create more job opportunities and generate prosperity in both economies.

Originality/value

There are numerous studies conducted on evaluating the impact of FTAs ratified between countries. But there are limited studies which evaluate the impact of the proposed India–USA FTA on the economies of both trading partners specifically on the agriculture sector.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1987

Peter J. McGoldrick and Helen J. Marks

Recent studies indicate that in recent years customers' price awareness (involving both recall and sensitivity) has diminished, but it is still affected by direct means such as…

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that in recent years customers' price awareness (involving both recall and sensitivity) has diminished, but it is still affected by direct means such as advertising, promotion and display, and also, at a deeper level, by socio‐economic factors. The weak product identification process in which a product's market trends, market performance and financial performance are considered by the manufacturing company are also outlined. The study of price awareness can offer important insights into the consumer buying process, and there is scope for a re‐examination of the effect of pricing in the current retail marketing scene.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 28 March 2022

Altaf Alam, Anurag Chauhan, Mohd Tauseef Khan and Zainul Abdin Jaffery

In this chapter, drone and vision camera technology have been combined for monitoring the crop product quality. Three vegetable crops such as tomato, cauliflower, and eggplant are…

Abstract

In this chapter, drone and vision camera technology have been combined for monitoring the crop product quality. Three vegetable crops such as tomato, cauliflower, and eggplant are considered for quality monitoring; hence, image datasets are collected for those vegetables only. The proposed method classified the vegetables into two classes as rotten and nonrotten products so the images were collected for rotten and nonrotten products. Three different features information such as chromatic features, contour features, and texture features have been extracted from the dataset and further used to train a Gaussian kernel support vector machine algorithm for identifying the product quality. The system utilized multiple features such as chromatic, contour, and texture features in classifier training which enhances the accuracy and robustness of the system. Chromatic features were utilized for detecting the crop while other features such as contour and texture features were utilized for further classifier building to identify the crop product quality. The performance of the system is evaluated based on the true positive rate, false discovery rate, positive predictive value, and accuracy. The proposed system identified good and bad products with a 97.9% of true positive rate, 2.43 % of false discovery rate, 97.73% positive predictive value, and 95.4% of accuracy. The achieved results concluded that the results are lucrative and the proposed system is efficient in agriculture product quality monitoring.

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2009

Amin Ismail, Ngee‐Wen Tiong, Seok‐Tyug Tan and Azrina Azlan

The purpose of this paper is to determine the antioxidant properties (capacity and component) of four non‐leafy vegetables. The correlation between the antioxidant capacity and…

799

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the antioxidant properties (capacity and component) of four non‐leafy vegetables. The correlation between the antioxidant capacity and its components of the studied vegetables was also assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

Winged beans, also known as four‐angled bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), string bean (Vigna sinensis) and snow pea (Pisum sativum) were selected as samples from among the common non‐leafy vegetables consumed by Malaysians. These fresh vegetables were lyophilised and ground and their ethanolic extracts were prepared for antioxidant capacity assays and total phenolic, β‐carotene and ascorbic acid contents.

Findings

Among the vegetables, string beans showed the highest antioxidant capacity compared to the other vegetables studied (p < 0.05). The total phenolic, ascorbic acid and β‐carotene contents of snow peas were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the other vegetables. There was a significant positive correlation between scavenging activity and antioxidant components studied. On the other hand, a negative correlation was found between antioxidant activity and its components of the studied vegetables.

Originality/value

Previous reports have indicated that vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants. However, data on antioxidant capacity of these non‐leafy vegetables are still lacking. This research paper shows the non‐leafy vegetables studied is a promising source of antioxidants with good antioxidant capacity. Beside that, along with the studied antioxidant components, other compounds in these vegetables could also contribute to their antioxidant capacity.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Neuza Jorge, Carolina Médici Veronezi and Danusa Cassiano Pereira

This study aims to deal with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of lyophilized hydroalcoholic extracts of red peppers in natura. Furthermore, preference was evaluated for…

437

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to deal with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of lyophilized hydroalcoholic extracts of red peppers in natura. Furthermore, preference was evaluated for the taste and color of soybean oil added red pepper extracts.

Design/methodology/approach

The antioxidant capacity was determined by four methods. The content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and ascorbic acid in the extracts was determined by chromatographic, spectrophotometric and titration methods, respectively.

Findings

The results showed that the highest antioxidant capacity was found in Malagueta pepper extract through reducing power (FRAP) method. In this same extract, high amount of phenolic compounds was found. However, the extracts of Bode and Dedo-de-moça peppers had higher amounts of carotenoids and ascorbic acid, respectively. Sensorially, the oil added extracts were preferred.

Practical implications

Red peppers are very popular and consumed worldwide, besides being constituted of important phytochemicals. Results showed high antioxidant activity in the extracts of peppers, and high content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and ascorbic acid mainly in chili. This study highlights the importance of the extracts of red peppers, genus Capsicum, as a source of antioxidants, in addition to vegetable oils.

Originality/value

It is important to check the acceptance of the application of extract in vegetable oil, so it can be marketed as a natural antioxidant. This study provides valuable information about the antioxidant capacity of extracts of red peppers and its acceptance.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 46 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2021

Gideon Oluwasogo Odewale, Mosudi Babatunde Sosan, John Adekunle Oyedele Oyekunle and Adeoluwa Oluwaseyi Adeleye

The study assessed the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in four regularly consumed fruit vegetables.

Abstract

Purpose

The study assessed the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in four regularly consumed fruit vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

The OCPs’ residues were quantified using a gas chromatograph coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and the dietary exposure of children, and adult consumers to the detected OCPs was evaluated using carcinogenic and systemic health risk estimations.

Findings

Aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, a-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and dieldrin were detected in the four fruit vegetables. The predominant OCP residue in carrot, cucumber, tomatoes and watermelon was endosulfan sulphate with mean concentrations of 2.532 mg kg−1, 1.729 mg kg−1, 2.363 mg kg−1 and 1.154 mg kg−1, respectively. The residues levels in some of the fruit vegetables were higher than their respective maximum residue levels (MRLs) of 0.01–0.05 mg kg−1 set by the European Commission with concentrations above MRLs ranging between 25.5% and 100%. The systemic health risk estimations showed that the hazard index (HI) values for carrot (3.20), cucumber (9.25), tomatoes (50.21) and watermelon (16.76) were >1 for children consumers and the respective HI values of 2.87, 15.57 and 5.20 for adult consumers of cucumber, tomatoes and watermelon were >1 which implies potential systemic health risks. Four carcinogens (aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide) had cancer risk index values greater than the acceptable risk of 1 in 1 million for both adult and children consumers.

Originality/value

The paper shows that despite the ban on the use of OCPs in Nigeria, they are still being used for agricultural production especially on some locally produced and regularly consumed fruit vegetables as reported in the present study. The non-existence of surveillance programmes on pesticide usage and the lack of proper monitoring of pesticide residues in food products including fruit and vegetables must have contributed to the levels of the detected OCP in the samples analysed. The current daily intake of OCP via contaminated vegetables may pose potential health risks to both the children and adult consumers of the fruit vegetables.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2018

Sofia Bogdan, Cecilia Deya, Oscar Micheloni, Natalia Bellotti and Roberto Romagnoli

This paper aims to study five vegetables extracts as possible additives to control bacterial growth on indoor waterborne paints. The extracts were obtained from the weeds Raphanus…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study five vegetables extracts as possible additives to control bacterial growth on indoor waterborne paints. The extracts were obtained from the weeds Raphanus sativus, Rapistrum rugosum, Sinapis arvensis, Nicotiana longiflora and Dipsacus fullonum, used in traditional medicine as antimicrobial compounds.

Design/methodology/approach

Weeds extracts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was also determined. Afterward, selected extracts were incorporated in waterborne paint formulations. The paints’ antimicrobial activity was assessed against S. aureus, monitoring biofilm formation by environmental scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

As a general rule, results showed that tested paints were efficient in inhibiting biofilm formation, especially that formulated with Nicotiana longiflora.

Practical implications

The tested paints can be used to protect walls from microbial colonization, which shortened coatings’ useful life by discoloration and/or degradation. Concomitantly, indoor microbial colonization by aerosols could be also diminished. This is especially important in places that should have high standards of environmental hygiene, as in the food industry, health-care and sanitary centers.

Originality/value

The main value of this research was to study the antimicrobial activity of weeds extracts and to incorporate them in waterborne paints to diminish bacterial biofilm formation. This biofilm discolors and degrades the paint, and causes health problems. The use of natural compounds in coatings is increasing because of the convenience of using renewable sources, such as natural antimicrobials, in paint formulations.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Bo Xiong, Fujin Yi and Yaling Li

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of the China’s rising meat demand and industrialization of the livestock sector for the vegetable oil market.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of the China’s rising meat demand and industrialization of the livestock sector for the vegetable oil market.

Design/methodology/approach

An equilibrium displacement model is constructed to analyze the interactions between meat consumption and vegetable oil market through the development of livestock sector modernization. Parameters derived from the 2006 to 2009 data are first used to produce the counterfactual growth rate of the non-soybean vegetable oil to validate the model. Then the authors use the second set of parameters derived from the 2010 to 2013 data to forecast the changes in the vegetable oil market in China.

Findings

Soybean oil, as a co-product of soybean processing, tends to crowd out other vegetable oils. In particular, the authors find that the market for non-soybean vegetable oils may shrink as long as the rapid industrialization pace above 10 percent within China’s livestock sector continues. Although their production takes up only 8.5 percent of all agricultural lands in China, oil crops remain as important cash crops for farmers contributing over 10 percent to the overall farm income in some provinces. The authors’ analysis suggests that stakeholders in these regions should closely monitor the structural changes within the livestock sector and consider the information for crop selection.

Originality/value

The authors’ analysis contributes to the literature on China’s meat demand by highlighting its implications for other agricultural markets involved in the food system.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

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