Journal of Agriculture and Food Research最新文献

{"title":"From grain to rice: Unraveling the impacts of pearling, cooking, and variety (waxy vs. normal) on hull-less barley quality","authors":"Yutong Li,&nbsp;Tianyi Zhao,&nbsp;Zhihui Zhang,&nbsp;Haoquan Bian,&nbsp;Jiaxin Chen,&nbsp;Hongmei Tang,&nbsp;Yuhong Zhang,&nbsp;Tao Wang,&nbsp;Zhibin Xu,&nbsp;Zaxi Luobu,&nbsp;Xingquan Zeng,&nbsp;Yawei Tang,&nbsp;Qiao Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hull-less barley (HLB) shows potential for low-glycemic index (GI) foods, yet research on HLB rice processing and varietal differences remains limited. This study systematically compared normal and waxy HLB rice across pearling, cooking, and variety, evaluating appearance, nutrition, texture, sensory properties, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and <em>in vitro</em> digestibility. Pearling improved water absorption and sensory scores (3.36–15.11%) but reduced functional nutrients (18.05–67.08%) and increased GI. Cooking increased aldehydes (19.30–21.62%) and furans (1.18–3.01%) while decreasing alcohols (2.92–7.61%) and ethers (2.32–19.29%). Compared with normal HLB rice, waxy HLB rice exhibited higher β-glucan (+68.53%), better water absorption, higher sensory scores (+15.41%), and lower GI (−2.26%). Notably, cooking induced opposite polyphenol responses, increasing them in waxy HLB (5.68–6.46%) but decreasing them in normal HLB rice (15.69–24.67%). Cooking induced the most pronounced changes in VOCs, followed by pearling, whereas varietal differences contributed to a lesser extent, with 46 markers identified. Correlation analysis revealed that sensory quality positively correlated with water absorption (<em>r</em> = 0.951), alcohols (<em>r</em> = 0.857), and furans (<em>r</em> = 0.886), but negatively with unsaturated fatty acids (<em>r</em> = −0.929), Zn (<em>r</em> = −0.924), and Fe (<em>r</em> = −0.847). GI showed strong negative correlations with phenolics (<em>r</em> = −0.873), flavonoids (<em>r</em> = −0.892), and γ-tocopherol (<em>r</em> = −0.864), and a positive correlation with ethers (<em>r</em> = 0.751). These findings provide new insights into the processing–quality interactions in HLB rice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103197"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soybean–maize intercropping with straw deep burial modulates soil organic carbon dynamics to enhance system yield","authors":"Zhikang Li,&nbsp;Guowei Zhang,&nbsp;Zihang Jiang,&nbsp;Kun Liu,&nbsp;Hongmei Shu,&nbsp;Changqin Yang,&nbsp;Zhenzhen Gao,&nbsp;Xiangbei Du,&nbsp;Ruixian Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Strip intercropping and straw return enhance crop yields, but how their interaction influences soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics across crop growth stages and system productivity remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to clarify the spatiotemporal dynamics and sources of SOC in relation to plant growth, identify key microbial taxa associated with SOC formation under border-row effects, and elucidate the causal pathways linking management practices, soil microbiomes, SOC formation, and crop performance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Therefore, we designed three cultivation patterns involving soybean and maize (monoculture and strip intercropping) and three straw return methods within the intercropping system (N, no return; R, rotary tillage; D, strip deep burial). The effects of crop growth parameters, soil abiotic and biotic traits, and SOC pools, including plant necromass carbon (PNC), microbial necromass carbon (MNC), and bacterial and fungal necromass carbon (BNC and FNC), on SOC dynamics and crop yield were assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Intercropping exhibited yield asymmetry, with maize border rows yielding 8.1% higher and soybean border rows 16.1% lower than middle rows, achieving a land equivalent ratio of 1.23. Straw return, particularly deep burial, further increased system productivity by 16.1%. Yield differences were linked to SOC dynamics: SOC peaked at soybean pod initiation and maize tasseling, then declined during grain filling. The interaction between cropping pattern and straw return promoted FNC accumulation, whereas straw return under intercropping enhanced PNC. This process was driven by the selective enrichment of rhizosphere microbial communities. Integrated management reduced <em>Pezizomycotina fam. Incertae sedis</em> and <em>Nitrososphaeraceae</em> in soybean but increased <em>Endogonomycetes fam. Incertae sedis</em> and <em>Listeriaceae</em> in maize. Strip intercropping with straw burial enhances seed-filling yield by regulating SOC, microbes, and necromass, as shown here.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study provides new insights into the soil–plant feedback regulation mechanism from the perspective of SOC dynamics during plant growth, thereby contributing to the theory of sustainable agricultural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103192"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148771762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The combination of a complex non-microbial biostimulant and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases yield under salt stress in lettuce and tomato by enhancing energy metabolism","authors":"Patricia Benito,&nbsp;Marina Celdrán,&nbsp;Javier Bellón,&nbsp;Vicente Arbona,&nbsp;Miguel González-Guzmán,&nbsp;Rosa Porcel,&nbsp;Lynne Yenush,&nbsp;José M. Mulet","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil salinization limits horticultural productivity and is expected to increase under climate change. Biostimulants, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and non-microbial products derived from natural extracts, are used to improve stress tolerance, but the effects and mechanisms of their combined application remain insufficiently characterized under real cultivation conditions. This study evaluated the AMF <em>Rhizophagus irregularis</em> strain RI6E6, the non-microbial biostimulant Calbio, a combination of four plant-, yeast-, and algae-based extracts developed in our laboratory, and their combined application in lettuce (<em>Lactuca sativa</em> L.) and tomato (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em> L.) grown under control and salt-stress conditions. Both crops were analyzed within the same experimental framework. Physiological, biochemical, metabolomic, and gene expression responses were assessed. Under salt stress, the combined treatment increased yield by 27.8% in tomato and 32.3% in lettuce relative to stressed controls and was more effective than individual applications. Co-application increased photosynthetic pigment content, enhanced carbon metabolism, and increased gibberellin levels in both crops. These responses correlated with improved energetic status and stress tolerance. Crop-specific responses included increased sodium extrusion in lettuce and increased vacuolar sodium sequestration in tomato. In conclusion, the combined application of AMF and Calbio improves yield under salt stress through shared metabolic activation and species-specific responses. These results support integrated microbial–non-microbial biostimulant strategies for improving horticultural performance in saline environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103174"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148644733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Levels of biotoxins, heavy metals, and cytotoxicity of underutilized seafood by-products from the Atlantic Coast of Southwest Europe","authors":"Celia Costas,&nbsp;Paz Otero,&nbsp;Carla Cameselle,&nbsp;Verónica Rey,&nbsp;Weronika Orzechowska,&nbsp;Łukasz Woźniak,&nbsp;Jesus Simal-Gandara","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the trend of fish by-products valorisation, only a few studies address their toxicity. In most cases, these studies have been hindered by the lack of specific legislation regulating the suitability and safety of new applications. This work aims to carry out the analysis of two important families of contaminants, biotoxins and heavy metals, as well as cytotoxicity studies (HepG2 and Caco2 cell lines), in 24 fish, mussel, and cephalopod non-conventional by-products from the fishing industry. All samples were within legal limits for marine biotoxins, though mussel broken viands and squid viscera contained low levels of lipophilic marine toxins, mainly okadaic acid (OA). Analysis of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) by ICP-MS showed that the content of Hg (&lt;0.75 mg/kg) and Pb (&lt;0.90 mg/kg) is safe in all by-products. Cd was high in three samples, skipjack tuna viscera (9.574 mg/kg), yellowfin tuna viscera (14.8 mg/kg), and squid viscera (59.8 mg/kg) and As was especially high in squid and octopus cooking broths (13.66 and 92.91 mg/kg, respectively), and squid viscera (22.85 mg/kg). However, by-products will be transformed and diluted in other products, which will have to be analysed for these heavy metals in the final product. Legislation and monitoring of these contaminants are essential to ensure the safety of the final consumer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of OA toxins in squid by-products. This work provides information to improve the legislation on marine by-products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103157"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148658888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of clove and thyme essential oils, and their main components, eugenol and thymol, on elderly gut microbiota in an artificial colon model","authors":"María Ruiz-Rico,&nbsp;Huimin Ye,&nbsp;Paul W. O'Toole","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Essential oils (EOs) derived from herbs and spices have multiple biological properties that support their potential as novel therapeutics for conditions including age-related gut microbiome alteration. This study aimed to assess the effect of EOs and their main compounds on the growth of a rationally-selected gut bacterial consortium (the S7), and to evaluate their impact on the whole gut microbiota of healthy and frail elderly donors in an <em>in vitro</em> colon model. EOs of clove (<em>Syzygium aromaticum)</em> and thyme (<em>Thymus vulgaris)</em> were extracted and characterised, yielding clove EO that was rich in eugenol (47.3%) with high antioxidant potential, and thyme EO with inferior thymol content (18.2%) and lower antioxidant capacity. The EOs obtained and their main compounds (eugenol and thymol, respectively), showed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on the S7, with thyme EO exhibiting the strongest bactericidal effect, while EOs intermediate concentrations (1 mg/mL of clove EO and 0.1 mg/mL of thyme EO) enhanced the growth of one of the consortium species - <em>Roseburia hominis.</em> In frail subjects, clove EO significantly modified microbiota composition, affecting both alpha and beta diversity. Clove EO supplementation enhanced healthy-aging associated taxa including <em>Lachnoclostridium</em> and <em>Faecalibacterium,</em> while decreasing the relative abundance of <em>Escherichia-Shigella</em> group and <em>Bacteroides.</em> These results indicate the potential of clove EOs and eugenol as microbiota modulating ingredients for the design of functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at mitigating age-related health conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103164"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148658889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Crataegus pinnatifida leaf extract on high-sugar diet-induced metabolic dysregulation in Drosophila melanogaster","authors":"Xiaobo Fan,&nbsp;Jiayi Li,&nbsp;Musa Abubakar,&nbsp;Jun Liu,&nbsp;Bing Zhang,&nbsp;Yunlan Zhu,&nbsp;Shanshan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic consumption of sugar-rich diets is a major contributor to metabolic disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). <em>Crataegus pinnatifida</em> leaf (CPL) have attracted increasing attention as potential functional food ingredients; however, the mechanisms underlying their antidiabetic activity remain insufficiently defined. In this study, the phytochemical profile of CPL was characterized by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and its antidiabetic effects were evaluated using <em>in vitro</em> enzyme inhibition assays combined with a high-sugar diet (HSD)-induced <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> model. A total of 105 compounds were identified, including 46 flavonoids, with hyperoside, neosmitilbin, scutellarin, glabrone, and rutin as the predominant constituents. CPL exhibited strong inhibitory activities against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 0.229 ± 0.011 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 0.047 ± 0.001 mg/mL) <em>in vitro</em>. <em>In vivo</em>, CPL supplementation significantly ameliorated the HSD-induced T2DM-like phenotype, as evidenced by reduced whole-body glucose and triglyceride levels, improved growth and developmental parameters, and extended lifespan. Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR validation further indicated that these effects were associated with coordinated changes in the expression of genes involved in conserved nutrient-sensing pathways, particularly insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS), forkhead box O (FoxO), and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling, and these findings were supported by protein-level validation showing that CPL restored Akt phosphorylation. Overall, these findings provide molecular mechanistic insights supporting <em>Crataegus pinnatifida</em> leaf as a promising natural functional food ingredient for mitigating diet-induced metabolic disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103185"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148738524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication of soy protein isolate based emulsion gel loaded with rice bran oil as animal fat mimetic: Effect of transglutaminase on physical property of the emulsion gel and application in meatballs","authors":"Sorrayut Kerdlapee,&nbsp;Nopparat Prabsangob","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103208","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103208","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emulsion gel (EG) in a solid gel-like structure could be suitable for food product development by providing a lower saturated fatty acid content. This work elucidated the effect of transglutaminase (TG) on characteristics of the composite EG structured by soy protein isolate (SPI) and κ-carrageenan (κCA) loaded with rice bran oil as an animal fat mimetic. Based on the results, TG improved the viscoelasticity and stability of the SPI/κCA EG, particularly with increasing SPI concentration. By using SPI (6 %) and TG (2 % by weight of SPI) at the appropriate content, the preparation of SPI/κCA EG loaded with rice bran oil with a solid-like fat could be accomplished. Then, the fabricated EG was used to partially replace porcine fat for a preparation of meatballs. Due to the SPI/κCA EG incorporation, formation of the myofibrillar protein network was enhanced as suggested by the well-arranged structure of the meatballs, thereby improving stability and textural characteristics involving springiness and chewiness of the products. Presently, effective porcine fat substitution using the SPI/κCA EG was 25 % as suggested by the retained textural parameters along with lowering cooking loss (from ca. 15 to 12 %) as compared to the control meatball. The TG treated SPI/κCA EG might have practical application as an animal fat mimetic for the production of meat products with improved nutritive profile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103208"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148738884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dairy manure reduces synthetic fertilizer needs and improves soil health through changes in soil bacteriome in an irrigated semi-arid soil","authors":"David D. Tarkalson,&nbsp;Rajtilak Majumdar,&nbsp;Evan M. Long,&nbsp;Dave L. Bjorneberg,&nbsp;Christopher W. Rogers,&nbsp;Robert S. Dungan,&nbsp;April B. Leytem,&nbsp;S. Kossi Nouwakpo","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Animal manure and synthetic fertilizers serve as common nutrient sources for Idaho crops. Past research highlighted the need to better understand their impact on the soil microbiome. This study analyzed soil samples collected in 2025 from a past study (2012 to 2024). Treatments included fall applied solid dairy manure (FSDM), spring applied solid dairy manure (SSDM), fall applied composted dairy manure (FDC), spring applied SUPERU™ (SU), spring applied urea (U), and a control (Control). We investigated soil biochemical parameters, bacterial composition, enzyme activities, and crop biomass. Compared to the FDC, SU, and U synthetic fertilizer treatments, the FSDM and SSDM treatments resulted in higher crop biomasses (average of 21% higher), enzyme activities (average of 67% higher), and permanganate oxidizable C (average of 32% higher) compared to all other treatments. Bacterial genera (<em>Clostridium</em>, <em>Paeniclostridium</em>, <em>Luteitalea</em>, <em>Novibacillus</em>, <em>Ureibacillus</em>, and <em>Sinibacillus</em>) known for their roles in organic N mineralization were consistently higher (200 to 1100%) in the SSDM and FSDM treatments and showed positive correlations (r² = 0.4 – 0.7) with the activities of N metabolizing enzymes β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase. Overall bacterial diversity was higher in FSDM and SSDM treatments compared to all other treatments. <em>E. coli</em> strains were not detected in any of the treatments. The results of this study suggest that the process of composting manure changes the properties of manure that affect soil microbiome derived enzyme activities. The data suggest that bioavailable organic C in dairy manure may not be the only factor contributing to microbial activities. Dairy manure may contain additional components such as live microbial inoculum and other bioactive compounds that affect overall crop productivity and may be lost in the compost during the composting process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103186"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping epigenetic landscapes in legumes: A three-decade global literature research assessment using data-driven and network analyses","authors":"Shubh Pravat Singh Yadav,&nbsp;Kuber Shivashakarappa,&nbsp;Nabin Bhandari,&nbsp;Ali Taheri,&nbsp;Lyle Wallace","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Legume crops are vital for global food security and sustainable agriculture, yet our understanding of their epigenetic regulation remains limited compared to cereals. Although epigenetic studies in legumes have gradually increased, a dedicated bibliometric synthesis focused exclusively on this research area has not been previously reported. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric, thematic, and text-mining-based analysis of 839 publications on legume epigenetics retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database from 1993 to 2025. The literature includes DNA methylation, histone and chromatin regulators, small RNAs (sRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and epigenomic tools across both model and crop legumes. The annual publication growth rate was 9.36%, with collaborative research predominating across 3779 authors and 220 publication sources. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic mapping revealed three central research frameworks: (i) transcriptional and chromatin-based gene regulation, (ii) post-transcriptional regulation by sRNAs, and (iii) stress responses and symbiotic nitrogen fixation mechanisms. Nodulation and legume-rhizobium symbiosis represent a major biological focus, involving multilayered epigenetic control through microRNAs (miRNAs), DNA methylation reprogramming, histone modifications, and regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Numerous studies have also addressed abiotic stress adaptation, pathogen defense, seed development, domestication-associated epigenetic variation, and polyploid genome stability. Comparative analyses further revealed a translational gap, with fewer than 4% of studies integrating both model legumes (<em>Medicago truncatula</em> or <em>Lotus japonicus</em>) and major crop species, indicating technical and biological constraints in applying epigenetic discoveries to breeding-relevant systems. Several challenges remain because of the lack of high-quality reference genomes, the intricate genomic architecture unique to legumes, and ethical and legal ambiguities regarding epigenome editing. Future progress will require the integration of breeding, molecular genetics, epigenetics, and artificial intelligence (AI) driven approaches to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding legumes for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103176"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Causes, barriers, and prevention strategies for household food waste in Switzerland","authors":"Carole Liechti,&nbsp;Gabriele Mack,&nbsp;Kevin O'Sullivan,&nbsp;Sabrina Stöckli,&nbsp;Verena Tiefenbeck,&nbsp;Jeanine Ammann","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite increasing attention to household food waste, limited national-level research has examined consumer perceptions of its causes, barriers, and prevention strategies, which are essential for informing effective interventions. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to identify the main causes of food waste for different types of food and beverages, (2) to investigate barriers to waste reduction, and (3) to explore potential prevention strategies and who should take responsibility for taking action. We collected data on the amount of food waste using a diary-based web application, while barriers and prevention strategies were gathered through an online survey. We used a random stratified sample of 515 households in three linguistic regions of Switzerland.</div><div>The main causes of food waste were edible peel waste (34%) and spoilage (24%), with causes varying across food categories. The main barriers identified were the belief that composting food items does not classify them as food waste (19%), and the belief that food waste is not costly (13%). Of the 72 strategies for reducing food waste identified, most focused on mindful cooking, eating, and food shopping behaviour, and better food storage management.</div><div>The findings suggest that household food waste is largely driven by avoidable behaviours, particularly edible peel disposal, low perceived financial impact, and the misconception that composting sufficiently offsets waste. This highlights the need for consumer awareness and behaviour-change strategies promoting better food utilization. The recognition of shared responsibility among consumers, supermarkets, and the federal government further emphasizes the importance of coordinated interventions, retail reforms, and supportive public policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103204"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148740939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}