Assessment of contamination of foods with monochloropropanediols (MCPD) and subsequent mitigation of their formation is an important current issue of a global food security. Methods for the determination of 2- or 3-MCPD in foods at low μg/kg levels require analyte derivatization prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) determination. All existing methods suffer from various drawbacks associated with current derivatization schemes. We have developed a new derivatization scheme, which uses cyclohexanone as a derivatization agent and a sulfonated polymer as a solid-phase acidic catalyst. This derivatization uses a readily available derivatization reagent and does not require any postderivatization workup. The respective 2-MCPD 1,3-dioxane and 3-MCPD 1,3-dioxolane derivatives are stable with storage, produce characteristic molecular ions, and chromatograph well on nonpolar GC columns. This derivatization procedure was applied to the analysis of free 2- and 3-MCPD, bound 2- or 3-MCPD (in the form of fatty acid esters after acidic hydrolysis), and also to simultaneous analysis of free and bound forms. The method was tested on soy sauce, commercial palm oil, palm oil noodles from an instant soup, and olive oil, which was spiked with bound 2- and/or 3-MCPD. The results obtained using derivatization with cyclohexanone agreed with the data obtained using traditional heptafluorobutyryl imidazole derivatization. Additionally, data for soy sauce and palm oil matrices obtained through interlaboratory testing programs had z-scores <1. The method detection limit is 1–3 μg/kg for free 2- and 3-MCPD (sample weight dependent) and 100 μg/kg per fat for bound 2- and 3-MCPD.

Methods for determination of 2- or 3-monochloropropanediols (2- or 3-MCPD) in foods at low µg/kg levels require analyte derivatization prior to GC-MS determination. We have developed a new derivatization scheme, which uses cyclohexanone as a derivatization agent and a sulfonated polymer as a solid-phase acidic catalyst. The derivatization uses a readily available derivatization reagent and does not require any postderivatization workup.

This article looks beyond the physical sciences to address the problems of hunger, malnutrition, and environmental degradation. It discusses the challenges and problems with global food security and where and why paradigm shifts are needed to meet those challenges in a fair and sustainable way. It discusses food's role as a satisfier of human need, the importance of history in aiding the understanding of contemporary challenges and the fundamental changes needed to achieve the goal of fair and sustainable food systems.

Miscanthus, a peculiar genus originating from East Asia, has been considered a promising type of gramineous plant for the bioenergy industry. In this study, four major Miscanthus species widely distributed in China, Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus floridulus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, and Miscanthus lutarioriparius were assessed for their biomass production, chemical composition, and saccharification efficiency. Results show that the annual dry biomass yields of M. sinensis, M. floridulus, M. sacchariflorus, and M. lutarioriparius averaged 16.7, 22.5, 16.7, and 32.0 t ha⁻¹ over 3 years, respectively. M. sinensis and M. floridulus have similar chemical compositions, but different from M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius. The efficiencies of enzymatic saccharification were assayed after pretreatment with dilute acid and green liquor, respectively. The M. sinensis and M. floridulus biomass displayed higher saccharification efficiency in the case of dilute acid pretreatment, while the M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius biomass showed higher efficiency following the green liquor pretreatment. Furthermore, a rapid estimation model for predicting Miscanthus biomass saccharification efficiency was established on the basis of near-infared reflectance spectrometry analysis.

Miscanthus has been considered a potential energy crop for lignocellulosic biomass production. Four Miscanthus species widely distributed in China were assessed for their biomass production, chemical composition, and saccharification efficiency.

Solanum nigrum L. plants were exposed for 28 days to 100 and 200 μmol/L copper (Cu) in a hydroponic system to analyze the antioxidant defense response. A dose-dependent reduction in growth (fresh mass of root and shoot, shoot height, and root elongation) with increasing concentration of Cu was observed, whereas Cu treatments did funt affect total chlorophyll and carotefunids content. An enhanced lipid peroxidation, in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, was quantified in shoots when the plants were subjected to the highest Cu level, while in roots MDA levels showed a dose-dependent increase along the increasing Cu concentrations applied. An increase of proline in roots of plants exposed to 200 μmol/L Cu was found. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) did funt show significant changes with respect to control, in both roots and shoots, despite mRNA-specific accumulations varied between Cu levels and organs. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was negatively affected in shoots by the highest Cu level. Gene expression of the subtype 2d metallothioneins (MT) revealed to be Cu-enhanced throughout the plant body and correlated with Cu tissue levels, with the other MT1 and MT2 gene members downregulated in roots and upregulated in shoots, contributing more as antioxidants in the latter organs than in Cu homeostasis. MT3s are not involved in Cu homeostasis and phytochelatin (PC) production was enhanced in roots of plants exposed to 200 μmol/L Cu, contributing to a higher Cu accumulation in these organs.

The data presented showed that the three major enzymes (SOD, CAT, and APX) involved in the ROS detoxification/elimination are not strongly involved in Cu tolerance. Cell membrane is the primary site of Cu toxicity, as evidenced by the increased lipid peroxidation. Solanum nigrum plants capacity to cope with Cu toxicity and that its tolerance is based on cellular protective mechanisms (immobilization of Cu excess in the root) and intracellular chelation with phytochelatins and metallothioneins.

This study evaluated the potentials of pollution due to urban agriculture to pose risk to food security in Kano, Nigeria. Two sites irrigated with industrial and domestic wastewaters at Challawa and Jakara, respectively, were sampled for soil, water, and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu being metals which when present in food may pose human health hazard. The values were compared with samples from a control site not associated with wastewater at Watari. The sites were each segmented into up, mid, and downstream sectors. Results showed that the two sites and the control were contaminated with Cu (pollution indexes [PI] = 0.14, 0.16, and 0.14, respectively). Domestic wastewater site was slightly polluted (PI = 1.09) while industrial wastewater site and the control were contaminated (PI = 0.8 and 0.54, respectively) with Pb. The two sites were excessively polluted with Cd and slightly polluted with Cr. The control was contaminated with both (PI = 0.74 and 0.06 for Cd and Cr, respectively). Metal levels in the waters of the sites and the control were higher than the recommended threshold for irrigation water. There was significant positive correlation between Pb, Cr, and Cd in water and in soil; while Cu in soil and in water negatively correlated. There was high metal transfer from soil to plants at the domestic wastewater site (Metal transfer factor Pb = 1.602, Cr = 1.126, and Cu = 1.834). Plants' accumulated concentrations were also high at the domestic wastewater site (Pb = 26.21 mg/kg, Cd = 1.03 mg/kg, Cr = 28.63, and Cu = 2.66 mg/kg). The plants' metal concentrations at the domestic wastewater site exceeded the allowable limits in vegetables. The human ingestion risk was in the order of Jakara > Challawa > Watari.

Pumping machine being used to lift water to fields from the murky waters of Jakara river. This study assessed how pollution due to urban agriculture poses a risk to food security in Kano, Nigeria.

The ecotoxicological effects of copper (Cu) are of global concern due to the intensive and long-term application of Cu-based fungicides, which may cause Cu to accumulate in the soil. Relative to the effects of other metals, comparatively little is known about the accumulation and translocation of Cu and its effects on other mineral nutrients in plants. This study determined the mineral nutrient distributions under Cu toxicity in potato genotypes differing in their efficiency of use and response to phosphorus (P). Plants were grown in vineyard soils with varied Cu soil levels (2, 5, 36, 67, 96, 270, and 321 mg/kg) during the fall and spring growing seasons. The increase of Cu concentrations in plant tissues was dependent on the external Cu concentrations, and the highest concentrations were observed in root and stolon tissues. The majority of the Cu taken up by the plants accumulated in the tubers. During the fall growing season, plants classified as NER (P-nonefficient and P-responsive) showed the highest sensitivity to excess Cu in terms of growth and nutrition. The plants showing responses to Cu toxicity included plants without expanded leaves and plants without tuber production, whereas genotypes classified as ENR (P-efficient and P-nonresponsive) were able to expand their leaves and produce tubers in all tested soils. Tissue P and Cu concentrations showed a strong correlation with high Cu concentrations in Cambisols, whereas Fe and K tissue concentrations were more strongly correlated with Cu levels in Ultisols. Our data suggest that the middle and apex leaves should be used to assess Cu toxicity in potato plants. This study also provides evidence of noncompetitive uptake of Cu and Fe by potato plants.

Non-competitive uptake of Cu and Fe by potato plants under Cu toxicity. Phosphate use non-efficient potato has higher sensitivity to Cu excess. Vineyard soils with high Cu levels impaired potato growth.

While an adequate supply of food can be achieved at present for the current global population, sustaining this into the future will be difficult in the face of a steadily increasing population, increased wealth and a diminishing availability of fertile land and water for agriculture. This problem will be compounded by the new uses of agricultural products, for example, as biofuels. Wheat alone provides ≥20% of the calories and the protein for the world's population, and the value and need to increase the production is recognized widely. Currently, the world average wheat yield is around 3 t/ha but there is considerable variation between countries, with region-specific factors limiting yield, each requiring individual solutions. Delivering increased yields in any situation is a complex challenge that is unlikely to be solved by single approaches and a multidisciplinary integrated approach to crop improvement is required. There are three specific major challenges: increasing yield potential, protecting yield potential, and increasing resource use efficiency to ensure sustainability. Since the green revolution, yields at the farm gate have stagnated in many countries, or are increasing at less than half the rate required to meet the projected demand. In some countries, large gains can still be achieved by improvements in agronomy, but in many others the yield gains will only be achieved by further genetic improvement. In this overview, the problems and potential solutions for increased wheat yields are discussed, in the context of specific geographic regions, with a particular emphasis on China. The importance and the prospects for improvement of individual traits are presented. It is concluded that there are opportunities for yield increase but a major challenge will be avoiding a simultaneous increase in resource requirements.

Whilst an adequate supply of food can be achieved at present for the current global population, sustaining this into the future will be difficult in the face of a steadily increasing population. Wheat alone provides ≥20% of the calories and the protein for the world's population, and the value and need to increase the production is recognized widely.

To reach the sustainable intensification of food production, the use of recombinant DNA-derived products, fused with non-restrictive operational policies that foster high quality education and ecological knowledge, can form the foundation of a viable option for a new agricultural configuration for our planet.

Plants of the genus Pinus are able to grow in a wide range of environments, many of which are quite harsh and extreme. High benefit–cost ratio of pine plantations resides on the relatively low demand for management investments and high economic and environmental services returns. Pine forests work as sinks of atmospheric carbon, contributing to greenhouse effect mitigation. They are important sources of numerous useful products, including not only wood and cellulose but also nonwood products used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for biorefineries. This review examines biological and economic aspects of pine trees concerning the chemical industry, especially the contributions of this natural source for replacing petroleum-derived chemicals and fuels, improving food safety, and increasing carbon storage. Future goals for this forestry sector, such as the establishment of super-resinous forests, are also discussed.

Plants of the genus Pinus are able to grow in a wide range of environments, many of which quite harsh and extreme. Pine forests work as sinks of atmospheric carbon, contributing to greenhouse effect mitigation. They are important sources of numerous useful products, including not only wood and cellulose, but also non-wood products used by the chemical, food, biofuel, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for biorefineries.

The importance of viticulture and of the winemaking socioeconomic sector in Europe is largely acknowledged. The most famous winemaking regions in Europe commonly present very specific environmental characteristics, where climate often plays a central role. Furthermore, given the strong influence of the atmospheric factors on this crop, climate change can significantly affect yield and wine quality under future conditions. Trends recorded in the recent past on many viticultural regions in Europe hint at an already pronounced increase in the growing-season mean temperatures. Furthermore, climate-change projections give evidence for significant changes in both the growing-season temperatures and precipitations in the next decades. Although grapevines have several survival strategies, the mounting evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation and mitigation measures to be taken by the whole winemaking sector. Short-term adaptation measures can be considered as a first protection strategy and should be focused at specific threats, mostly changes in crop-management practices (e.g., irrigation, sunscreens for leaf protection). At long term, however, a wide range of adaptation measures should be considered (e.g., varietal and land allocation changes). An overview of the current scientific knowledge, mostly concerning the European viticulture, the potential climate change impacts, and feasible adaptation measures is provided herein.

The importance of viticulture and of the winemaking socio-economic sector in Europe is largely acknowledged. Given the strong influence of the atmospheric factors on this crop, climate change can significantly affect yield and wine quality under future conditions. An overview of the current scientific knowledge, mostly concerning the European viticulture, the potential climate change impacts and feasible adaptation measures is provided herein

Rice among other cereals is key to food security for at least half the world population. Since the 1960s, productivity of rice has largely been improved during the Green Revolution, which included development of new cultivars, irrigation infrastructure, new management techniques, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Nowadays, scientists and breeders are more and more focused on improving the quality of rice for different purposes and markets. For instance, people in the Far East prefer sticky and soft rice, while in India, a non-sticky type is preferred. Consumers from developed countries ask mainly for grain with good cooking quality and eating characteristics, but in many developing regions, nutritional value is crucial as rice is the most consumed staple food. Grain quality is a general concept which covers many characteristics ranging from physical to biochemical and physiological properties. Starch and protein are the two main components of rice endosperm and therefore are key to quality. The knowledge of how starch and protein are synthesized, sorted, and stored in starch granules and protein bodies (PB) is important for rice breeding. Besides that, grain quality has been shown to be affected significantly by growing and environmental conditions, such as water availability, temperature, fertilizer application, drought, and salinity stresses. However, the signal transduction pathways controlling grain quality still remain largely unclear. In the following sections, we first briefly review the four main aspects of grain quality, followed by a discussion of the molecular and genetic basis of starch and seed-storage protein biosynthesis and the effects of environmental factors. Obviously, rice grain is also an important source of mineral micronutrients, as well as important vitamins. Storage of these also plays crucial roles in grain quality and nutritional value, but we will only discuss these aspects briefly in this review.

This review is about the molecular and environmental factors that determine grain quality in rice. Grain quality is a general concept which covers many characteristics ranging from physical to biochemical and physiological properties. Starch and protein are the two main components of rice endosperm and therefore are key to quality. The knowledge of how starch and protein are synthesized, sorted and stored in starch granules and protein bodies is important for future rice breeding.

Cadmium (Cd) is an important metal due to its industrial use but also one of the most dangerous metals because of its accumulation in the environment. This can eventually lead to entrance into the food chain if the Cd is taken up by crop plants used for feeding animals and humans. Thus, a large number of reviews have discussed the many aspects of stress induced by Cd and other metals in a wide range of species. In relation to plants, useful reviews have been published over the years regarding molecular and biochemical aspects of Cd stress. In this minireview, we have concentrated on promising and emerging topics of Cd-stress research in plants, such as hormonal control of the antioxidant system and interaction between organisms and plants.

We review the most recent research carried on cadmium-induced stress in plants and suggest key aspects that deserve attention in future research on this subject.

Lysine is a limiting essential amino acid in cereals, a major food source for humans and animals. Although cereals can synthesize lysine from aspartate, the pathway is feedback regulated in a manner that restricts lysine accumulation. Another step that restricts lysine accumulation in seeds is the saccharopine pathway for lysine catabolism. This pathway converts lysine to α-aminoadipic-δ-semialdehyde (AASA) by the bifunctional enzyme lysine-ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase (LKR/SDH). Then, AASA is converted to aminoadipic acid (AAA) by α-aminoadipic-δ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (AASADH). The downregulation of LKR/SDH in seeds results in the overaccumulation of free lysine to levels that meet human nutritional requirements. However, the saccharopine pathway is also involved in stress response in plants, animals, and bacteria. In these organisms, the gene encoding LKR/SDH is upregulated under osmotic, salt, and oxidative stress conditions. The role of the saccharopine pathway in stress response is not well understood, but the overexpression of AASADH results in stress-tolerant plants and animal cells. The saccharopine pathway may thus act either by producing osmolytes, such as pipecolic acid and proline, or by signaling compounds that regulate stress-response genes. In this review, we discuss the potential use of the saccharopine pathway to engineer nutritional-rich and stress-tolerant crops.

Lysine is a limiting essential amino acid in cereals. The saccharopine pathway that converts lysine to α-aminoadipate can be manipulated to engineer crops for increased nutritional value and stress tolerance.