The impact of biofuel-induced food-price inflation on dietary energy demand and dietary greenhouse gas emissions

Dramatic increases in liquid biofuel production have led to concerns about associated impacts on food prices, with many modeling studies showing significant biofuel-related price inflation. In turn, by changing patterns of food demand, biofuel production may indirectly influence greenhouse gas emissions. We estimated changes to dietary energy (calorie) demand and greenhouse gas emissions embodied in average diets under different biofuel-related food-price scenarios for Brazil, China and the United States, using food-price projections and food-price elasticities. Average energy demand decreased in all countries, from about 40 kcal per person per day in Brazil under a moderate price inflation scenario – a reduction of 1% relative to the (2009) reference scenario – to nearly 300 per day in the United States with high price inflation – almost 8% of reference levels. However, emissions per calorie increased slightly in all three countries. In terms of total greenhouse gas emissions, the results are suggestive of overall reductions only in the United States, where average reductions ranged from about 40 to 110 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per person per year. In China, the direction of impact is unclear, but the net change is likely to be small. Brazilian results were sensitive to parameter values and the direction and magnitude of impact is therefore uncertain. Despite the uncertainty, even small changes (positive or negative) in individual dietary emissions can produce large changes at the population level, arguing for the inclusion of the dietary pathway in greenhouse gas accounting of liquid biofuels.     

Country-specific dietary shifts to mitigate climate and water crises

Undernutrition, obesity, climate change, and freshwater depletion share food and agricultural systems as an underlying driver. Efforts to more closely align dietary patterns with sustainability and health goals could be better informed with data covering the spectrum of countries characterized by over- and undernutrition. Here, we model the greenhouse gas (GHG) and water footprints of nine increasingly plant-forward diets, aligned with criteria for a healthy diet, specific to 140 countries. Results varied widely by country due to differences in: nutritional adjustments, baseline consumption patterns from which modeled diets were derived, import patterns, and the GHG- and water-intensities of foods by country of origin. Relative to exclusively plant-based (vegan) diets, diets comprised of plant foods with modest amounts of low-food chain animals (i.e., forage fish, bivalve mollusks, insects) had comparably small GHG and water footprints. In 95 percent of countries, diets that only included animal products for one meal per day were less GHG-intensive than lacto-ovo vegetarian diets (in which terrestrial and aquatic meats were eliminated entirely) in part due to the GHG-intensity of dairy foods. The relatively optimal choices among modeled diets otherwise varied across countries, in part due to contributions from deforestation (e.g., for feed production and grazing lands) and highly freshwater-intensive forms of aquaculture. Globally, modest plant-forward shifts (e.g., to low red meat diets) were offset by modeled increases in protein and caloric intake among undernourished populations, resulting in net increases in GHG and water footprints. These and other findings highlight the importance of trade, culture, and nutrition in diet footprint analyses. The country-specific results presented here could provide nutritionally-viable pathways for high-meat consuming countries as well as transitioning countries that might otherwise adopt the Western dietary pattern.     

Evolution trend of the water quality in Dongping Lake after South-North Water Transfer Project in China

To investigate the evolution trend of water quality in Dongping Lake after South-North Water Transfer Project operation as well as to ensure the safe usage of the water receiving areas, water samples were collected and determined before and after water delivery in different hydrological seasons. Then, comprehensive pollution index method, comprehensive nutrition state index method and health risk assessment model were utilized to evaluate the quality, nutrition, and health risk of Dongping Lake water. Results showed that the quality of Dongping Lake water still met level Ⅲ (light pollution) no matter before or after water delivery. The nutrition state was improved from light eutropher before water delivery to mesotropher after water delivery. The health risk level was reduced from high-medium before water delivery to medium level after water delivery. In summary, the operation of the eastern route of South-North Water Transfer Project is beneficial for water environment improvement of Dongping Lake.     

营养地理学初探

论述了营养地理学的概念、研究意义及目的、理论基础、研究内容及研究对象、研究的方法、成果应用效益 ,在地理学中的学科性质、地位和未来的发展。旨在倡导一门新的人文地理学科———营养地理学。     

斑鳠几种常见天然饵料的营养分析与评价

从饵料营养测试分析入手 ,化学和生物学方法相结合 ,综合评价了斑几种常见天然饵料的营养价值 ,结果表明 :水蚤、水蚯蚓、野杂鱼均是斑优质的饲料蛋白源及良好的能源物质 ;三种饵料的第一限制氨基酸同为蛋氨酸、第二限制氨基酸同为赖氨酸 ;斑苗种培育效果比较 ,水蚤组显著优于水蚯蚓和野杂鱼组 ,而后两组间无显著差异。     

Dioxin Like Compounds Bulk Deposition on Corn (Zea mais) and Alfa Alfa (Medicago sativa): Modelled Levels on Derived Silage and Hay and Their Relevance for Dairy Production

Dioxin‐like compounds from regular, occasional or fugitive airborne sources of emission may fall out on fodders close to be harvested for silage and hay production. In this way, a prolonged long‐term intake of contaminated forages in dairy animals may be envisaged, able to determine a rise of the background contamination in milk. We simulated different risk scenarios taking into account the inventoried bulk dry depositions in rural areas of the aforesaid contaminants, silage and hay biomass production per hectare, forages regimen in dairy animals, and the congeners carry‐over rate (COR) from forages to milk. Considering atmospheric depositions >10 pg I‐TE m^?2 day^?1 and accounting for a 30% COR, dairy milk could rise up to the PCDD/F level of 3 pg WHO₁₉₉₈‐TE g^?1 fat. The modelling indicates that in rural areas bulk emissions should be selectively minimised, accounting for the calendar of the different agricultural practices, because of their potential impact on the fodders. Since environmental factors play a non‐negligible role in food production, a stronger harmonisation between I‐TE and WHO_1998–2005‐TE scales with respect to dioxin‐like polychlorobiphenyl congeners inclusion is envisaged. This will allow the prevention of the human indirect exposure to such contaminants when released in the air.     

海南岛3种石磺肌肉组织营养成分分析

参照国家食品营养成分分析相关标准,结合液相色谱仪,元素分析仪,电感耦合等离子光谱仪等测定海南岛采集的瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma),紫色疣石磺(Peronia verruculata),平疣桑葚石磺(Platevindex mortoni)3种石磺肌肉组织中营养成分。结果表明:海南岛3种石磺均属于高蛋白质低脂肪的海产品,蛋白质含量达65.0%以上,其中以平疣桑葚石磺蛋白质含量最高;瘤背石磺肌肉组织多糖含量高达30.96%±1.48%,显著高于其他2种石磺;3种石磺肌肉组织中氨基酸组成全面,且以呈味氨基酸含量最高,均达5.60%以上;3种石磺肌肉组织均含有丰富的矿质元素,其中以钙和镁元素含量最高,含量达20~30 g/kg,同时钠和钾元素含量达3.0~6.5 g/kg。海南岛3种石磺均具有丰富的营养价值,其中以高蛋白高多糖低脂肪的瘤背石磺最具有开发前景。     

马氏珍珠贝肉风味食品开发研究

研究了马氏珍珠贝肉制作五香、蒜香、姜汁三种风味即食制品的加工工艺技术。采用幅照保鲜技术对风味制品进行灭菌防霉处理,产品的保质期达到 １８０ ｄ 以上。对风味制品进行营养成分分析,结果表明：马氏珍珠贝肉风味制品是一种高蛋白、低脂肪、营养价值丰富的海产品,并富含牛磺酸（３．９ ｍ ｇ／ｇ）、多不饱和脂肪酸（ＥＰＡ＋ ＤＨＡ 占脂肪总量 ３４．７％ ）和多种无机质、微量元素和维生素     

The socio-economic context for improving food security through land based aquaculture in Solomon Islands: A peri-urban case study

Future fish demand-supply scenarios project that investment in aquaculture will be needed to ensure fish for food security in Solomon Islands. In 2010 a study of two peri-urban areas of Solomon Islands analysed the demand and potential for inland aquaculture, and the role of the introduced Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in household livelihoods and existing value chains. Of 178 households interviewed, marine reef fish were the preferred fish for consumption, although tinned fish was also common. At the study sites, Mozambique tilapia was accessible and contributed to food security, particularly for inland households. Sixty five percent of the people actively fished for tilapia at least monthly; 13% of these fished on almost a daily basis. Fish were consumed by men, women and children and sold by both men and women in local village markets. Mozambique tilapia is considered to perform poorly in aquaculture. While other species like Nile tilapia or milkfish (Chanos chanos) are being considered for aquaculture by the Solomon Islands Government, Mozambique tilapia is currently the only cost-effective and widely available alternative for farming fish for household food security. This study lends weight to the premise that peri-urban households that are cash poor are likely to benefit nutritionally from easier access to tilapia or other freshwater fish.