This review article gives a survey of the generally accepted biosynthetic pathways that lead to water-soluble vitamins in microorganisms, plants and some animals. The biosynthetic pathways leading to the B-group vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, vitamin B₆) are described in detail using the reaction schemes, sequences, and mechanisms with the enzymes involved and detailed explanations based on chemical principles and mechanisms. Keywords:

The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) contracted the Center for Agriculture Research and Development (CARD) to undertake the economic analysis of the benefits and costs of the MUS Project with the principal aim of drawing lessons from the project’s experience with regard to achieving developmental impacts through research as well as providing basis for addressing “efficiency and effectiveness” questions of multiple-use approaches over single-use approaches. The analysis was conducted at the request of the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) “CPWF Adoption and Cost-Benefit Analysis Project” against the background that the MUS Project, implemented in eight countries since 2004, had identified considerable change/impact at local, national and even global levels in terms of adoption of the concept of supplying water to meet multiple needs. The analysis of benefits and costs in this report was meant to build on the Winrock study whose analysis centered on the incremental benefits, poverty impacts and costs of multiple use approaches relative to single use approaches. While the Winrock study provided useful and important information and guided the identification of benefits and costs of the MUS Project, the analysis in this report also uses the technical approach for evaluating research and advocay projects. The use of the latter approach is due to data limitations as a result of the research nature of the MUS Project. The analysis focuses on the extent of influence the MUS Project appeared to have had on the changes/impacts observed in the basins/countries rather than whether the MUS Project directly produced the observed results. The analysis merely relates the MUS Project activities with the results reported in the five basins by examining the benefits that have accrued or are likely to accrue in the future that would not have happened without the CPWF project investment support.

In this study, a predictive model for the estimation of water activity ([formula removed]) as a function of pH (1.00-8.00) and °Brix (0-82.00) values of simulated food solutions (SFS) was developed, through response surface methodology. Response fit analyses resulted in a highly significant (pH<0.0001) square root polynomial model that can predict [formula removed] of SFS in terms of pH and °Brix values within the defined variable ranges. The linear, quadratic and interactive influences of pH and °Brix on [formula removed] were all significant (pH<0.0001). Model validations in SFS and in a number of actual food systems showed that the model had acceptable predictive performance, as indicated by the calculated accuracy and bias indices.

Agriculture is the largest human use of water. Clearly, agricultural practices need to be targeted to reduce wastage of water. This has been the centre of attention for water saving practices for some years. But there are additional ways to save water. Food consumers and businesses have a key role. This paper discusses the current problems of food demand and water scarcity and outlines some possible solutions to these issues. <br /><br />The amount of food produced on farmers&rsquo; fields is much more than is necessary for a healthy, productive and active life for the global population. Losses and wastage may be in the order of 50 percent between field and fork. Inefficient harvesting, transport, storage and packaging make a considerable dent in the potential availability of food. The situation now is characterised by rapidly increasing prices on food with dramatic repercussions for the poor, rates of inflation and, generally, for the stability of society.<br /><br />The authors recommend a range of actions. These include: <br /> support to farmers - actions are needed to support farmers, especially small farmers, to curb losses of water and food and to facilitate that their produce meets the growing demands for food through: improved seeds, harvesting technologies and storage and innovative ways to capture and beneficially use the rain water to lessen stresses on rivers and groundwater<br /> improve food processing and supply - the business community should take action to minimize water wastage through reducing food wastage in their processing and transport by: benchmarking standards to indicate water use; taking action to minimize wastage in their processing and transport systems; and raising publicity about their water use<br /> sensitise consumers - raise awareness amongst consumers about the water implications of their diets, overeating and food wastage through incentives, practical guidance and well designed campaigns<br /> disseminate basic data and information &ndash; there is a lack factual information about different types, size and implications of losses and wastage of food. An important step is therefore to improve knowledge.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento alimentar e a qualidade da água em tanques de criação de girinos de rã-touro Lithobates catesbeianus durante 56 dias, a partir do estágio 25 da Tabela de Gosner (1960), criados em tanques de alvenaria comcapacidade de 1000 L. Os girinos que receberam ração (R) e alga + plâncton + ração (APR) apresentaram o melhor peso e sobrevivência, diferindo significativamente (p < 0,05) dos outros tratamentos (somente alga e alga + plâncton). As variáveis físico-químicas da águadiferiram significativamente (p < 0,05) durante o período experimental e entre os tratamentos. Foi observada uma relação entre alimento fornecido e aqueles contidos no trato digestório dos girinos (rs = 0,39; p < 0,05). A partir de 14 dias, houve mudança nohábito alimentar dos girinos procurando outros itens alimentares além do plâncton. A utilização de dietas naturais quando combinadas com dieta artificial (ração) proporcionou desenvolvimento satisfatório aos girinos.<br><br>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of food treatments and water quality on the development of bullfrog tadpoles. The analysis, carried out in 1000 L tanks, was undertaken by weight and survival rates, during 56 days, as from stage 25 (Gosner, 1960). Treatments with ration (R) and algae + plankton + ration (APR) had the best results in weight and survival rates, which were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the other treatments, comprised of algae only or algae + plankton. Physical and chemical variables of water differed significantly (p < 0.05) during the experimental period and among treatments. There was a correlation between the concentration of species present in the food and in the tadpole digestive tract (rs = 0.39; p < 0.05). From the 14th dayof age, bullfrog tadpoles changed their feeding behavior, or rather, a search for food items other than plankton occurred. The utilization of combined natural and artificial (ration) diets to feed bullfrog tadpoles was feasible and yielded a satisfactory development in theanimals.