Author Archives: aajbb

Vegetables, including broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), are important components of the human diet due to their high nutritional value. However, insect pests pose a major challenge to broccoli production, and pesticides are widely applied to maintain crop quality and yield. In Bangladesh, indiscriminate pesticide use often leads to residues in vegetables, posing risks to human health and the environment. This study aimed to determine the pre-harvest interval of commonly used insecticides in broccoli and compare residue levels with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Union. Broccoli was sprayed with recommended doses of lambda-cyhalothrin, dimethoate, and chlorpyrifos plus cypermethrin at 1 mL/L, and acephate at 2 g/L, across four supervised field trials. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 days after spray (DAS), and residues were analyzed by gas chromatography using a flame thermionic detector for organophosphorus insecticides and an electron capture detector for pyrethroids. Residue levels exceeded the EU-MRL up to 11 DAS for lambda-cyhalothrin, 13 DAS for chlorpyrifos plus cypermethrin and acephate, and 15 DAS for dimethoate. The PHI was determined as 13 DAS for lambda-cyhalothrin, 15 DAS for chlorpyrifos plus cypermethrin and acephate, and 17 DAS for dimethoate. These findings provide valuable guidance for farmers on safe pesticide use and support the production of safe vegetables for consumers.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable commonly raw consumed and grown in soilless systems that often rely on expensive chemical fertilizers. Exploring sustainable nutrient alternatives like salt industry by-products (SIB) can reduce input costs and environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SIB as a partial nutrient source on lettuce growth, yield, and nutritional quality in a soilless culture system. The experiment was conducted at the Central Laboratory of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2014 to March 2015. The base nutrient solution contained NO₃-N (17.05 meqL⁻¹), P (7.86 meqL⁻¹), K (8.94 meqL⁻¹), Ca (9.95 meqL⁻¹), Mg (6.0 meqL⁻¹), S (6.0 meqL⁻¹), and micronutrients Fe (3 ppm), B (0.5 ppm) , Zn (0.1 ppm) , Cu (0.03 ppm), Mo (0.025 ppm), and Mn (1 ppm). Treatments included 0 (control), 0.5 and 0.75 mlL⁻¹ SIB. The control produced the highest plant height, leaf number, breadth, length, and fresh weight, while 0.75 mlL⁻¹ SIB-treated plants exhibited the lowest growth but the highest ascorbic acid (157.61 mg/100 g) and beta-carotene (3.21 mg/100 g) contents. The 0.5 mL L⁻¹ SIB treatment resulted in moderate yield with balanced nutritional quality, indicating comparable leaf area, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate to the control. It can therefore be concluded that 0.5 mL L⁻¹ SIB may serve as a sustainable nutrient supplement in hydroponic lettuce production. This finding emphasizes the potential of utilizing salt industry by-products as an eco-friendly and cost-effective nutrient source in soilless cultivation systems.

Demand for ripe fruit, especially mango, is increasing around the world due to its nutrients and delicious taste attributes. But commercial handling of mangoes fruits meets challenges due to irregular fruit ripening. A practical solution to tackle this issue could be the application of external ethylene to the physiologically matured mango fruit for its climacteric nature of respiration and ethylene rate. This study aimed to figure out the optimum ethylene concentration for mature mango uniform ripening and its efficacy on the fruit quality with shelf life. Ethylene works as a catalyst to accelerate ripening processing of climacteric fruits. Therefore, exogenous concentration liquid ethylene was applied on ‘BARI Aam-2’ mangoes at low-cost fruit ripening chamber where ethylene gas was released from a portable ethylene generator (Catalytic Generators, USA) into a ripening chamber. Physiologically matured mango (BARI Aam-2) was collected from Bagha at Rajshahi and uniform with defectless were randomly selected for experimentation. To ensure uniform ripening, ethylene was applied per liter capacity for specific durations such as 1 min (50 ppm), 2 min (100 ppm), and 3 min (150 ppm) with concentrations verified using a gas analyzer (IAQ22080143). Among them, mango treated with 100 ppm to 150 ppm ethylene accelerated the highest peak of respiration indicating accelerated metabolic activity, while membrane permeability increased over time. Fruit firmness declined across all treatments, with similar softening levels by Day 8. The total soluble solids (TSS) levels peaked at 100 ppm and 150 ppm treatments, enhancing sweetness and carbohydrate metabolism. The study concludes that 100 ppm ethylene optimally balances ripening, sweetness, and nutrient preservation while minimizing weight loss. This application of optimum exogenous ethylene effectively regulated the ripening process of physiologically matured mango, with moderate concentration promoting desirable ripening as per the market demand and maintaining postharvest quality which ensure the produce safe for consumption.

Demand for quick meals, such as ready-to-cook (RTC) foods, has been rising among modern consumers due to changing lifestyles worldwide, including in Bangladesh. However, these foods have been linked to several foodborne diseases, posing a significant threat to public health. As a result, assessing the microbial quality of RTC food products has become essential. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial quality of commonly available chicken-based RTC frozen foods in the markets of Mymensingh city. A total of 50 samples from five distinct types, collected from various retail points, were analyzed for total counts of aerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp., to determine how these loads compare against established safety standards. Correlations between different microbial loads were also examined. Generally, high levels of contamination were observed in almost all samples, except for low enterococcus counts in spring rolls. The mean counts of aerobic plate count (APC), total staphylococci count (TSC), and total enterococci count (TEC) across different food types ranged from 4.56 to 7.14 log CFU/g, 1.30 to 6.14 log CFU/g, and 1.24 to 3.56 log CFU/g, respectively. Two items, samosa and sausage, were identified as the most unsatisfactory in terms of microbial quality. Food manufacturers and regulatory authorities should focus on reducing contamination risks and regularly monitoring the food production chain. Consumers should also carefully follow cooking instructions and, if possible, avoid high-risk products. These findings underscore the need for strengthened hygiene practices, stricter regulatory monitoring, and improved quality control measures to ensure safer production and distribution of RTC chicken products in Bangladesh.

The broiler industry in Bangladesh has grown rapidly from small backyard farms into a major commercial sector, helping to meet the country’s growing demand for protein. However, this fast expansion has also brought challenges, including frequent disease outbreaks, rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and environmental impacts from intensive farming. Diseases like Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle Disease (ND) often lead to the overuse of antibiotics, contributing to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues in poultry products, which pose risks to public health. At the same time, waste management and other environmental pressures from large-scale production add further strain. This review not only highlights these problems but also explores practical solutions. Measures such as improved biosecurity, targeted vaccination, and scientifically-supported alternatives to antibiotics—like probiotics, prebiotics, and plant-based feed additives—can help maintain productivity while reducing health and environmental risks. The approach is framed within a "One Health" perspective, recognizing the close links between animal, human, and environmental health. The future of the broiler industry in Bangladesh depends on adopting sustainable, integrated practices. This requires stronger policy enforcement, farmer education, investment in local research and development, and collaboration through public-private partnerships. By following this roadmap, stakeholders can transform the sector into a safer, more sustainable industry that protects public health, supports farmers, and ensures long-term food security. This review provides a critical evidence base and a strategic framework for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to collaboratively transform the Bangladeshi broiler sector into a model of sustainable and safe production.