Tomato is a fruit rich in vitamins and minerals, contains vitamin C and flavonoids, which prevent heart disease, strokes, chickenpox and cancer. In the world, tomato is considered as one of the main popular fresh products. Inappropriate storage can cause high losses in quantity and quality. Storage mechanisms, as well as, conservation methods can play a significant role to reduce postharvest losses by maintaining products and ingredients in an environment that protects their integrity. Drying, curing and freezing are some methods of conservation. The study evaluated the physicochemical quality of tomato, variety CAL J, exposed to different conservation techniques and environment. This study used a 2x3 factorial design with 6 treatments: A, tomato stored at room temperature (25±1 °C) without acidification; B, acidified tomato (pH=3.2) stored at room temperature (25±1 °C); C, tomato stored in a refrigerator (8°C) without acidification; D, acidified tomato (pH=3.2) stored in a refrigerator (8 °C); E, tomato stored in an underground silo (19±1°C) without acidification; and F, acidified tomato (pH=3.2) stored in an underground silo (19±1 °C). They were evaluated over 60 days, for moisture, titratable acidity soluble solids (oBrix), and lycopene content Data were analysed with R at the 95% confidence level. Moisture ranged from 29.7% to 82.8%, °Brix 1.9 to 7.1, pH 3.17 to 4.02, titratable acidity 0.2 to 1.9% and lycopene 15.41 to 51.74 µg/g. All treatments of the tomatoes showed stability of its properties. The greatest conservation was with treatments A and B.

Slices of fresh apple, banana and strawberry were frozen at -20 oC and freeze-dried using a shelf temperature of 40 oC. Theoretical expressions were proposed to predict vapor transfer kinetics during the primary and secondary drying stages. In the former, a model that predicts the sublimation rate as a function of time, considering the increasing dried layer thickness, was used, which improves greatly the sublimation time equation offered in several textbooks without adding much complexity. In the latter, an analytical solution of the unsteady state diffusion equation was applied. Permeabilities were determined for the primary drying model at an absolute pressure of about 30 Pa, though the relevant kinetic coefficient combines permeability and the mass of ice to sublime relative to the dry matter (sublimation kinetic coefficient). In the secondary drying stage, diffusion coefficients of vapor in the dried layer were in the order of 10−09 m2s−1 for pressures of about 3-5 Pa. In both periods, agreement of predicted and experimental values was more than satisfactory. A minimum freeze-drying time of 12, 6.8 and 8.7 h, considering a final moisture content of 4% w/w, was calculated for apple, banana and strawberry, respectively. Normalized drying curves showed a faster sublimation rate for banana, intermediate for strawberry and slowest for apple. On the other hand, desorption curves showed a faster desorption rate for apple, intermediate for banana and slower for strawberry. In each period, the ordering of the relevant kinetic coefficients (sublimation and diffusion coefficients, respectively) represented the ordering of experimental curves.

Porridge is a staple food in many developing countries and is usually used as a weaning or breakfast food. The increased preference for convenient and healthy meals has increased the desire for nutrientenriched instant flours. Jackfruit is an underutilised fruit that is rich in vitamin C and other bioactive components. This study aimed to evaluate dried jackfruit powder as an ingredient for porridge flour. Formulations were made by substituting varying levels (0, 10, 20 and 30, 40 and 50%) of an extruded maize-soy blend (MSB) constituting 70% maize and 30% soy with refractance window dried jackfruit powder. The composite flours were used to make porridges which were analysed for their sensory acceptability by a 60-member semi-trained panel. The viscosity, water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, solubility index and bulk density of the flours were also assessed. Porridge acceptability, flour proximate composition, ascorbic acid and carotenoid content for the most preferred experimental formulation were compared to commercial maize-based instant flour and plain maize-soy instant flour. The most acceptable porridge was made from the 50% MSB and 50% jackfruit flour blend. The 50% jackfruit - MSB blend and control commercial instant flours attained drinking viscosity (2,500–3,000cP) at 20% and 31% flour rates. The energy, protein, iron, calcium, β-carotene, and vitamin C densities of jackfruit - MSB porridge were 47.8 %, 48.9 %, 158.1 %, 226.5 %, 230.3 % and 125.9 % higher than those obtained from plain MSB porridge respectively. The results showed the potential of jackfruit as an ingredient for the nutritional enrichment of flours meant for making porridge.

Institutions of Higher Education (HEIs) faced great challenges, due to the COVID- crisis, on swiftly dealing with this unprecedented situation regarding the implementation of practical courses and interactive educational activities such as project-based courses. The aim of this work is to analyze the challenges and difficulties that arose through this process and the benefits that have emerged for both students and educators. For this reason, questionnaires were designed to study the pedagogical practices used for a project-based course, during the pandemic, and were distributed online to all students and supervisors enrolled in the course. The course entailed the design of an innovative food product, from the interactive analysis of different novel ideas to the production of a final product of high nutritional and ecological profile. Despite the concern that the enforcement of distance learning would significantly affect project-based courses, the majority of respondents confirmed that their institution adapted the curriculum successfully. They also declared satisfaction with the general format, and teaching procedures adopted, and agreed that the online modality can properly transmit educational content. Although, both faculty and students needed to adapt to the distance learning modality and become familiar with the use of new digital tools, they agreed that it can be very useful and provide benefits, when properly planned in advance and accompanied by the right technical support, equipment and class materials.

Fermentation increases the functional value of food. During fermentation, chemical changes occur in organic substrates, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats due to enzyme activities of microorganisms. Functional foods containing unsaturated fatty acids are an alternative for preventing cardiovascular disease. The Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta Cuvier) is rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and non-essential and essential amino acids. Fish that are processed into sausage and fermented can be used as an alternative functional food to prevent cardiovascular disease. This study analysed the effect of fermentation time on nutritional content (carbohydrate, protein, fat, water, ash, amino acid, and fatty acid contents), physical properties, pH, and organoleptic properties in fermented mackerel sausage. This was a completely randomized experimental study with three fermentation times of 1, 2, and 3 days, and 0 days as a control. Fermentation was carried out spontaneously with 1.9% salt and sugar without adding a bacterial culture. The drying temperature was 50oC for 3 hours, and the fermentation temperature was 35oC. The fermentation duration of mackerel sausage affected the nutritional contents (carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, ash, amino acids, and fatty acids), physical properties (hardness and chewiness), pH, and organoleptic properties (colour, aroma, taste, and texture). Overall, the longer the fermentation time, the higher the carbohydrate, protein, fat, total ash content, total amino acid, total fatty acid, hardness and decreased organoleptic (colour, aroma, taste, texture), elasticity, and water contents. The best formulation for fermented mackerel sausage was 1 day of fermentation time.

Thirty-two expert stakeholder (e.g., consumer advice center, state parliament at regional level, European Network for Rural Development, university and research center, chamber of tourism, rural development association, and social cooperative enterprise) interviews were conducted to examine consumer attitudes, values and preferences in relation to short food supply chains. These stakeholders have expertise in policy, consumer behaviour, the tourism sector and regulation. The interviewees represented the views of consumers, producers, and other actors who work with or within short food supply in seven European countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland). Consumers were generally perceived to be aware of the environmental impact of food production. In terms of preferences, consumers would like to shop for local food the way they shop at the supermarket: having variety of products, accessibility, and availability. The relative lack of convenience and high prices associated with short food supply chains products were seen as the major barriers to their purchase. Consumers were thought to buy the products because of health and environmental benefits, a desire to support their local community, and a preference for tradition. However, relatively few consumers purchase products regularly from SFSC. The main segments are people who believe in short food supply chains values, middle class families with young children and elderly people. More can be done to educate and engage consumers regarding these chains, and market research is needed to inform which strategy is likely to be most effective in specific contexts such as the regional level.

The food system has become globalized and industrial. As a consequence, food travels long distances to reach consumers and its production is over-reliant on chemicals, leading to high levels of carbon emissions and soil degradation. Short food supply chains (SFSCs) have been advocated as more sustainable alternatives and have been explicitly mentioned by the Dutch government and the EU as a strategy towards achieving sustainability goals. While SFSCs are viable on a small scale, scaling and mainstreaming them has proven difficult due to low margins, high costs, and steep learning curves. Their economic underperformance is particularly glaring when compared to the highly cost-efficient - albeit energy and resource intensive - conventional commercial supply chains. In practice, SFSCs therefore remain isolated success stories, failing to contribute to systemic change in food systems. In efforts to enhance the performance of SFSCs, this paper introduces the GAIN transition model, a novel framework based on gamification which provides a holistic and actionable framework for SFSC actors to coalesce and strategize around a common vision. We illustrate the underlying principles of GAIN and its potential for institutionalizing SFSCs. We find that thus far, GAIN has helped to catalyze action and has proven a useful tool which provides a common language for actors to navigate this complex space. Future research and more dissemination are needed to conclude with more certainty on the quantitative impact of GAIN in terms of enabling and strengthening SFSCs.

The purpose of the study was to identify the motivations and the barriers that stakeholders face regarding Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC). Two focus groups with stakeholders of the agricultural sector and SFSC were conducted in the Netherlands and Switzerland. A first fundamental topic addressed by participants was the one related to the definition of SFSC, which is far from consensual,"short" being often associated and sometimes confused with local, direct, small, fair, ecological, fresh, healthy, etc. However, a series of positive and negative factors influencing SFSC development, and the involvement of agri-food stakeholders were identified. On the one hand, the unique relationship built through direct contact between producers and consumers, the fair distribution of value added in the chain that producers can find in engaging in SFSC, the increasing number of SFSC initiatives, the farm resilience, and territorial strategies that are being developed seem to be the most positive aspects, that can explain the trends moving towards these types of distribution channel. On the other hand, many hindering factors were also identified, such as weak communication and marketing capacity of producers, and a lack of efficiency and cooperation between peers. The fierce competition of conventional distribution, using green washing, together with a profusion of labels, price issues, and unsuitable standards were mentioned as the main threats faced by SFSC actors.

Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are today widely promoted due to the positive impact on social, economic and environmental sustainability. However, short chains face several specific challenges (e.g., meeting the requirements of consumers and ensuring optimal operations). The application of innovative solutions and digitalisation can support the actors of SFSCs to achieve these goals. Solutions and methods were collected based on the innovativeness and applicability of SFSCs. Systematic analysis of the needs of SFSCs for technological and non-technological innovations was carried out by partners of the SmartChain project. Based on the research, recommendations were made for the participating SFSCs regarding potential innovations. A significant proportion of the identified solutions have digital elements that were collectively assessed as a suitable solution in the case of the studied SFSCs. The current work provides an overview of the potential implementation of the collected innovative solutions having digital elements and addresses the primary needs and issues of SFSCs where the application is relevant. Highlighted areas of performance are marketing, communication, packaging and labelling, and logistics.

This study aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators of consumers purchasing from short food supply chains (SFSC). Eight focus groups were conducted with consumers in the rural and urban areas of Germany, Spain, Hungary and Greece. Participants generally felt that increasing the convenience of purchasing SFSC products (in terms of a proximal location and being able to purchase a wide range of produce in one place) was a prerequisite for them to buy such products. Food quality in terms of taste, freshness and organic status were also taken into account in purchase decisions, and there appears to be a greater focus on health rather than the environmental implications of organic production, although the environmental aspects are also appreciated. Some participants also like the idea of supporting their local community through purchasing from local producers and/or retailers. It was believed that small-scale production and SFSC result in better quality food, but participants had less confidence in the hygiene and food safety standards of SFSC compared to longer chains. Participants thought that consumers would purchase local food if they could more easily access a variety of local food in one place, such as through supermarkets, cooperatives, farm shops and markets, or an online platform that aggregates producers.