The objective of the current study was to create a frozen dessert with reduced fat and sugar content, using plant-based ingredients and to evaluate its physical, rheological and nutritional properties. The dessert formulations were developed using plant-based ingredients such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and beetroot, combined with date sugar, corn starch and skimmed milk powder. Chemical analysis showed that the sweet potato (SP) sample had the highest energy value due to its carbohydrate and fat content, while the carrot (CR) sample had the lowest. Rheology tests revealed that beetroot-based (BR) samples exhibited the highest viscosity, likely due to the high dietary fibre content in beetroots, while the CR sample was the most fluid, attributed to its lower solids content. The study showed that air bubble size influenced texture and melt behaviour. The overrun, a measure of air incorporation, was highest in the BR sample, contributing to a lighter texture. The hardness of the desserts was influenced by solid content and ingredient composition, with the CR sample being the hardest. Melting rate analysis revealed that all samples melted slowly, with the SP, SPP (sweet potato + potato), and BR samples melting uniformly over time. Overall, the study demonstrated that plant-based ingredients could effectively replace traditional high-fat animal-based ingredients, yielding frozen desserts with favourable nutritional profiles, acceptable rheological properties, and desirable physical characteristics.

Due to the systematic utilisation of substantial amounts of phosphorus fertilisers on agricultural crops in crop rotation, the amount of available phosphate compounds increases in the soil. It ensures the maximum increase in crop yields. The study of the phosphate level in Chernozem soils in various agrocenoses is really up-to-date. The gist of our research was to determine the specifics of providing mobile phosphorus in typical Chernozem in field crop rotation, especially in sunflower, varying according to fertilisation systems in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. The assessment of mobile phosphorus content was conducted using the Chirikov method, which involves extracting mobile phosphorus compounds from the soil using a solution containing acetic acid (CH3COOH) at a concentration of 0.5 mol dmE−3, with a soil–to–solution ratio of 1:25. Phosphorus was determined with the spectrophotocolorimetric method, which is based on the colour intensity of the phosphorus-molybdenum complex. Our investigations showed that the typical low-humus Chernozems have considerable reservoirs of potentially exploitable phosphorus for plant nourishment. We established that the mineral and organic-mineral fertilisation system leads to a greater use of mobile phosphorus with agricultural crops of crop rotation resulting in the formation of elevated phosphate content in the Chernozem soil. By the end of the second rotation, the organic-mineral fertilisation system variant displayed the greatest concentration of mobile phosphorus within the 0–25 cm soil depth, marking a surge of 15.6 mg kgE−1 compared to the unfertilised variant. In the period of sunflower germination, the content of mobile phosphates increased in the soil layers at depths of 0–25 cm and 25–50 cm in the variant of the mineral fertilisation system on 17.6 and 22.2 mg kgE−1 of soil compared to the alternative without the fertiliser. In the sunflower’s ripening period, the mobile phosphorus concentration in the soil at 0–25 cm depth increased significantly in the variant of organic-mineral fertilisation system by 12.0 mg kgE−1 and mineral fertilisation by 14.7 mg kgE−1 of soil if compared with the variant lacking the fertiliser. In the variant of the mineral fertilisation system, the amount of mobile phosphorus increased in the 0–30 cm soil depth by 18.7 mg kgE−1 of soil in two crop rotations compared to the beginning of the first crop rotation.

This research seeks to expand the in-depth knowledge on the ethical dilemmas veterinary doctors face while providing care for homeless animals, brought to clinics by volunteers. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with veterinary doctors in Latvia. The study reveals the complex emotions involved in the interactions between veterinarians and volunteers, as well as the factors affecting a veterinarian’s decision made about homeless animals. The results show a positive attitude towards the altruism of volunteers, but significant concerns around financial matters and the use of animals for fundraising. Debates about charging for stray care highlight potential disagreements between veterinarians and activists. Veterinarians prioritise education and advocacy, providing compassionate assistance to pet owners. Societal expectations strongly shape how they perceive their role, emphasising the reduction of animal suffering and the improvement of animal welfare.

Sustainable global development calls for a circular economy society with green skills. Farmers and related stakeholders play a crucial role in moving towards a society based on a circular economy, and in line with this position the study focuses on green skills for farmers and related stakeholders managing rural change within the framework of a circular economy society. The aim is to investigate the green skills necessary for Lithuanian farmers and related stakeholders to successfully implement circular economy principles within the agricultural sector. Empirical survey background was formatted from literature review; the data for the empirical survey was collected using a questionnaire survey of Lithuanian farmers and related stakeholders and focus group with Vytautas Magnus University Faculty of Bioeconomy Development academic community and student discussions. The data were collated, synthesised and modelled in order to identify the green skills needed for farmers and related stakeholders to implement the principles of the circular economy in rural society and to be active circular economy society members. The findings explored the significance of developing cognitive, technological, social, and action green skills for farmers and related stakeholders through a whole institution approach (WIA). The links between green skills move in a circle: when cognitive green skills change, technological, social and action green skills change also. The pinnacle of circular economy society green skills lies in action prowess, empowering farmers to not only use, but also to innovative green technologies.

The increasing reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power necessitates the development of advanced forecasting techniques to address the inherent variability and unpredictability of these energy systems. Accurate forecasting is vital for optimising energy production, maintaining grid stability, and effectively integrating renewable energy into power systems. Traditional forecasting methods often struggle to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions and new data inputs, limiting their effectiveness in dynamic contexts. This study introduces the Self-Improvement Cycle (SIC) module, which is designed to enhance forecasting accuracy through continuous learning, adaptation, and feedback integration. The SIC module leverages advanced machine learning algorithms, reinforcement learning techniques, and reflective practice principles to create a self-improving framework that dynamically updates models based on real-time data and external feedback. The module’s design incorporates multiple feedback loops, enabling the system to iteratively refine its performance and remain robust in the face of changing conditions. Reflective practice, a concept drawn from psychology, plays a critical role in the SIC module by facilitating ongoing evaluation and adaptation. By learning from previous predictions and continuously adjusting algorithms, the SIC module demonstrates its potential to improve forecasting accuracy across various domains, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy forecasting. The theoretical and mathematical foundations of the SIC module are explored, showcasing its capability to enhance predictive accuracy and resilience in an evolving energy landscape.

Energy production, supply and consumption are global issue with many economic, environmental and social implications. Mentioned issue is even more expressed in remote rural areas, in particular in developing countries, as are the countries of the Western Balkans (WB). Renewable energy sources (RES) could represent optimal energy alternative for sustainable performing of agricultural and other activities, as well as for improving the current state of living conditions in rural communities. The main goal of research is to mark the most suitable RES alternative (six alternatives) for wider implementation in rural space of WB. The applied methodology framework implies experts’ opinion (engagement of eight experts) and the use of multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM), (specifically fuzzy-rough LMWA and fuzzy-rough CRADIS methods) under the predefined criteria (nine criteria). Derived results show that the implementation of the solar energy plants could play an optimal solution, while as the relatively unsuitable alternative could be marked the use of energy potential of watercourses. Gained final result, i.e. ranking order of the considered alternatives is additionally verified by the appliance of other MCDM methods, while the sensitivity analysis was also performed.

Goat milk constitutes a well-priced source of minerals and proteins for a large rural population, particularly those living in the mountains and whose access to state-subsidized milk is very limited. This study aims at assessing the mineral composition and nitrogen distribution of goat milk produced by the Algerian Arabia breed and estimating how lactation stage affects these elements. Thirteen individual Arabia goat milks were collected and analysed three times during the lactation period (early, mid, and late). Minerals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry and nitrogen fractions using the Kjeldahl method. The findings of the research showed that casein, whey, and milk protein content had respective mean values of 2.95, 0.74, and 3.54 g 100 mlE−1, respectively. The highest levels of minerals were found for calcium (537 μg mlE−1), and sodium (336 μg mlE−1). The average trace mineral concentration was between 1.78 μg mlE−1 (Fe) and 0.007 μg mlE−1 (Cs). Heavy metal concentrations were assessed to be 0.057 μg mlE−1 for Pb and 0.009 μg mlE−1 for Cd. An important effect of stage of lactation (p < 0.05) was observed on only K, Fe, and Na mineral components, whereas nitrogen distribution was not affected. As the lactation period progressed, the variation of these components was not constant and fluctuated across lactation stages.

Rice cultivation is the main economic livelihood for many families around the world. This activity represents several challenges for farmers and community members for rural sustainability, a cross-cutting element of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). In response, the Polytechnic University (ESPOL), fulfilling its mission of linking with society, implemented a community program where students and professors interact and collaborate with rice farmers in the rural community of Paipayales, located in the Santa Lucia canton, Guayas province. This article explores the impact of university-community projects through the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach in order to evaluate them as a tool for contributing towards rural sustainability in communities. As a result, it was determined that the main problems faced by most of the farmers of the “Dios con Nosotros” Association are the availability of water in the wells and the commercialization of paddy rice. Considering these problems, the wells were geolocated and a board was designed for proper water management; at the same time, water quality was studied and recommendations were presented according to the problems encountered. Two proposals were also presented to create a rice husker and a rice separator to increase their profit margin by selling rice directly to retailers and wholesalers. As relevant conclusions, the importance of implementing links and relationships between the university community and society was highlighted, guaranteeing the value of working in transdisciplinary teams and achieving a comprehensive intervention that would lead to significant improvements in the community.

Glycerol is a versatile substance used in food, beverages, cosmetics, and technical applications. It can be derived from fats and oils through 4 different reactions, including: transesterification, directed hydrogenation, hydrolysis, and saponification. Glycerol derived from fat hydrolysis yields superior quality and quantity when compared to saponification. The resulting glycerol water is purified and concentrated through evaporation to yield crude glycerol with a concentration of 86–88%. Two distinct methods are recognized for further improving quality of glycerol: distillation, and the purification of glycerol water through the ion exchange process followed by evaporation. The goal of this research was to improve the purification process of glycerol, for obtaining premium-quality glycerol without the need for distillation, through the utilization of cations. Several combinations of activated carbon and clay were tested, and it was determined that a combination of 70:30 yielded the optimal results, considering the amount of glycerol and ash content. Technological parameters such as reaction durations, pH, and process temperatures were investigated, and it was discovered that the appropriate combination was a process duration of more than 40 minutes, a pH value of 2, and a temperature of 70 °C. Besides, it was also determined that the concentration and quality of glycerol derived from cottonseed oil can be enhanced through distillation or purification with cationite. Moreover, different concentrations of glycerol on the elaboration of gingerbread were tested, and the conclusion is that adding 5% of the resulting glycerol to the gingerbread recipe could ensure better preservation of its quality during its shelf life.

The aim of the present work is to propose methods and tools for classifying sweet pepper into groups according to their degree of maturity based on colour and spectral characteristics extracted from colour images on the surface of the vegetables. The investigated pepper is two varieties of sweet — red Banji and yellow Liri. Five groups were formed, depending on the degree of maturity, and 16 colour and 11 spectral indices were calculated for each of the groups. By successively using the ReliefF and PLSR methods, a selection of informative features and subsequent reduction of the vector formed by them was carried out, thereby aiming to increase the predictive results and minimize the time for data processing. The obtained classification errors between the individual stages of ripening vary according to the type of pepper and depending on which of the two types of maturity the fruits are in — technical or biological. For red sweet pepper, the separation inaccuracy obtained using a discriminant classifier with a quadratic separation function is in the range of 8–19%, while for yellow it is from 5 to 23%. The results obtained in the present work for the classification of pepper into groups according to their degree of maturity would support decision-making in selective harvesting and overall more accurate and efficient management of the harvesting process from the point of view of precision agriculture. The work will continue with studies related to the prediction of various compounds indicating changes in the colour of peppers, including chlorophylls, carotenes and xanthophylls. In this way, it is possible to increase the accuracy in determining the degree of ripeness, since in pepper the colour does not always follow the same pattern of change from green to yellow to orange to red.