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Banana is a staple food and a major export commodity in the tropics. However, banana production systems are affected by the plant-soil relationships, where properties such as quality and quantity of soil organic matter play an important role in the dynamics of soil physical properties. In order to evaluate the effect of the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and its distribution in the water-stable of soil aggregates (WAS), and the physical fractions of the macro-organic matter, a study was conducted in lacustrine soils under Banana cv. ʻGrand Nainʼ in Venezuela. Soil sampling was carried out in two batches differentiated by their textural class and crop production. A completely randomized design under a directed random sampling technique was carried out. In each condition, 12 composite samples were taken at depths 0–5 and 5–10 cm, respectively. WAS were separated into micro (< 250 μm) and macroaggregates (> 250 μm). Also, physical fractionation by size-density of the macro-organic matter into light (LF), intermediate (IF), and heavy (HF) fraction using a silica gel solution, and SOC, were determined and correlated with banana yield and other agronomic traits. A major proportion of aggregates > 250 μm were found in both conditions and depths. Organic Carbon within soil aggregates ranged between 29.7 and 35.3 g kg -1 . The HF was superior to IF and LF; however, its C content was higher in the LF. The results allow inferring that the stability conferred to these soils is primarily associated with the presence of the snail, which shares the same size as the aggregates studied. High yields are associated with high C content in stable aggregates, as well as in the most labile fractions of macro-organic matter. These results highlight the importance of the use of organic fertilizers less recalcitrant as a strategy for sustainable management of banana cultivation.

In children under five years of age, severe acute malnutrition is a complex and challenging problem, especially those living in poor communities. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate ready-to-use therapeutic foods from affordable, locally available cereals, pulses, and banana fruits to overcome the problem of severe acute malnutrition. Maize grains, pulses (soybeans), and cooking banana fruits were ingredients used in formulations of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF). A completely randomized design was done with two replicates. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. A significant difference existed in the appearance and consistency for RUTF1, RUTF2, and RUTF3 samples (P<0.05). The study findings revealed that the moisture content varied from 6.7 to 13.4%, energy from 513.2 to 642.41 kcal/100 g, protein from 13.9 to 19.34%%, and crude fat from 24.12 to 35.54%. The calcium content ranged from 225 to 302 g/100 mg, iron from 10.34 to 12.26 g/100 mg, and zinc from 10 to 20 g/100 mg. In this study, the phytate content varied from 314.74 to 369.3 μg/g and crude tannin, from 101.36 to 153.25 μg/g. This study concluded that the ingredients used in the RUTF1, RUTF2, and RUTF3 formulations met the standard ready-to-use therapeutic foods. Therefore, it is important to prescribe ready-to-use dietary supplements made from inexpensive, locally available, and culturally acceptable foods to prevent severe acute malnutrition in infants.

Background/Objectives: UV radiation is a primary cause of skin damage and photoaging. β-carotene, a potent antioxidant, aids in mitigating UV-induced oxidative stress and enhancing skin photoprotection. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical product designed to prevent photoaging. Methods: The product consists of a blend of hemp seed oil and banana (Musa AA), formulated as a chewable tablet. Healthy male participants aged 35–50 years were enrolled in a randomized, parallel, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants received either the chewable nutraceutical (five tablets after meals in the morning and evening, equivalent to 8 ± 2 mg/day of β-carotene and 400 mg/day of PUFA) or a chewable placebo for 16 weeks. A total of thirty-six participants successfully completed the entire 16-week study. Results: Administration of the nutraceutical resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in UV solar light stimulator-induced erythema on the dorsal skin at week 4, with a mean value of 3.76 ± 0.46 AU, compared to the initial value of 4.88 ± 0.62 AU at week 0. Additionally, serum β-carotene concentration significantly increased from 0.45 ± 0.02 µg/mL at week 0 to 0.61 ± 0.06 µg/mL at week 16 (p < 0.05). Moreover, skin intensity in the sun-exposed arm area also significantly improved at week 16, increasing from 71.33 ± 3.50 at week 0 to 81.80 ± 4.45 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicate that the developed nutraceutical may offer effective protection against erythema, making it a promising option for preventing photoaging.

Ascorbic acid, and more recently, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to enhance Fe absorption. However, it is not clear whether Fe status improves when foods high in ascorbic acid and carotenoids are consumed with Fe-fortified meals. The present study aimed to investigate whether consuming high v. low ascorbic acid-, lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich fruit (gold kiwifruit v. banana) with Fe-fortified breakfast cereal and milk improved Fe status in women with low Fe stores. Healthy women aged 18–44 years (n 89) with low Fe stores (serum ferritin ≤ 25 μg/l and Hb ≥ 115 g/l) were randomly stratified to receive Fe-fortified breakfast cereal (16 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate), milk and either two gold kiwifruit or one banana (164 mg v. not detectable ascorbic acid; 526 v. 22·90 μg lutein and zeaxanthin, respectively) at breakfast every day for 16 weeks. Biomarkers of Fe status and dietary intake were assessed at baseline and end in the final sample (n 69). Median serum ferritin increased significantly in the kiwifruit group (n 33) compared with the banana group (n 36), with 10·0 (25th, 75th percentiles 3·0, 17·5) v. 1·0 (25th, 75th percentiles − 2·8, 6·5) μg/l (P < 0·001). Median soluble transferrin receptor concentrations decreased significantly in the kiwifruit group compared with the banana group, with − 0·5 (25th, 75th percentiles − 0·7, − 0·1) v. 0·0 (25th, 75th percentiles − 0·3, 0·4) mg/l (P = 0·001). Consumption of an Fe-fortified breakfast cereal with kiwifruit compared with banana improved Fe status. Addition of an ascorbic acid-, lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich fruit to a breakfast cereal fortified with ferrous sulfate is a feasible approach to improve Fe status in women with low Fe stores.

Background Set comparisons permeate a large number of data analysis workflows, in particular workflows in biological sciences. Venn diagrams are frequently employed for such analysis but current tools are limited. Results We have developed InteractiVenn, a more flexible tool for interacting with Venn diagrams including up to six sets. It offers a clean interface for Venn diagram construction and enables analysis of set unions while preserving the shape of the diagram. Set unions are useful to reveal differences and similarities among sets and may be guided in our tool by a tree or by a list of set unions. The tool also allows obtaining subsets’ elements, saving and loading sets for further analyses, and exporting the diagram in vector and image formats. InteractiVenn has been used to analyze two biological datasets, but it may serve set analysis in a broad range of domains. Conclusions InteractiVenn allows set unions in Venn diagrams to be explored thoroughly, by consequence extending the ability to analyze combinations of sets with additional observations, yielded by novel interactions between joined sets. InteractiVenn is freely available online at: www.interactivenn.net.

Aromatic compounds are important for fruit quality and can vary among fruit cultivars. Volatile compounds formed during the ripening of two banana cultivars, Brazilian and Fenjiao, were determined using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These two cultivars exhibited different physiological characteristics during storage. Fenjiao fruit exhibited faster yellowing and softening, a higher respiration rate and greater ethylene production. Also, the soluble sugar content in Fenjiao fruit was much higher than in Brazilian fruit. In total, 62 and 59 volatile compounds were detected in Fenjiao and Brazilian fruits, respectively. The predominant volatile components isoamyl acetate, butanoic acid, 3-methyl-3-methylbutyl ester, hexanal, trans-2-hexenal and 1-hexanol varied during ripening stages. Moreover, esters were more abundant in Fenjiao, and propanoic acid 2-methylbutyl ester, and octanoic acid were only detected in Fenjiao. These compounds contribute to the unique flavors and aromas of the two cultivars.

Few fiber supplements have been studied for physiological effectiveness. The effects of native banana starch (NBS) and soy milk (control) on body weight and insulin sensitivity in obese type 2 diabetics were compared using a blind within-subject crossover design. Subjects undertook two phases of 4-week supplementation either with NBS or soy milk. Patients on NBS lost more body weight than when they were on control treatment. Plasma insulin and HOMA-I were reduced after NBS consumption, compared with baseline levels, but not significantly when compared to the control treatment. Results support the use of NBS as part of dietary fiber supplementation.

Nanomaterials, as an active ingredient, have been widely deployed in various science and technological applications with zinc and titanium oxides nanoparticles being commonly applied in sunscreens. On similar lines, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 -NPs) were synthesized using Musa sapientum peel extract, to investigate its cytotoxic effects, UV protection and photocatalytic activity. The synthesized nanoparticles were identified through Raman, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). FESEM results showed that the size of synthesized nanoparticles is in the range 4–13 nm. Their cytotoxic activity revealed a non-toxic behavior in concentrations below 500 μg/mL on lung (A549) cell lines. The Sun protection factor (SPF) was estimated approximately ~ 40 for synthesized CeO 2 -NPs. The survey of photocatalytic activity showed that synthesized nanoparticles can remove 81.7% of AO7 in 180 min under visible light.

The adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB) using acid modified banana peels has been examined. Chemical characteristics of the adsorbents were observed in order to determine active functional groups. The major functional groups on the surface were OH, C = O, C = C and C-O-C. Interactions between operational parameters were studied using the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The predictions of the model output indicated that operational factors influenced responses at a confidence level of 95% (P<0.05). The optimum conditions for adsorption were pH 2 at a 0.2 g/L dose within 60 minutes of contact time. Isotherm studies were carried out using the optimized process variables. The data revealed that RhB adsorption fitted the Langmuir isotherm equation while the reduction of COD followed the Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic experiments fitted the pseudo second order model for RhB removal and COD reduction. The adsorption mechanism was not the only rate controlling step. Diffusion through the boundary layer described the pattern of adsorption.

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic heavy metals commonly found in aqueous environments. Biochar as a green adsorbent generated from biomass feedstock may be used for effective removal of these heavy metals. This study investigated the adsorption kinetics and isotherms of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ in aqueous solutions at different pH by biochar prepared from banana stem and leaf (BSL-BC) at 400 °C. Characterizations using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the synthesized BSL-BC had rough surface, porous structure, and oxygen-containing functional groups. The adsorption of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ onto BSL-BC reached equilibrium in 8 h and 200 min, respectively, with faster adsorption attained at higher pH and the optimum pH occurred at 5 (Pb 2+ ) and 8 (Cd 2+ ). All adsorption kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order rate model. The adsorption isotherm data of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ could be well-described by the Langmuir and Freundlich models, respectively, whereas neither the Temkin or Dubinin–Radushkevich models provided satisfactory fitting results. The maximum adsorption capacities for Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ were 302.20 and 32.03 mg/g, respectively. The calculated mechanism contributions showed that complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, ion exchange, mineral precipitation, and Pb 2+ /Cd 2+ -π coordination accounted for 0.1%, 8.4%, 88.8%, and 2.6% to Pb 2+ adsorption, and 0.4%, 6.3%, 83.0%, and 10.4% to Cd 2+ adsorption, respectively. Therefore, mineral precipitation was likely the major mechanism responsible for adsorption of both Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ by BSL-BC. The results suggest that the synthesized BSL-BC has great potential for adsorption of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ from aqueous solutions.