School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS characterization of phenolic compounds in Australian native passion fruits and their potential antioxidant activities(WILEY, 2024-01-01)Abstract Passion fruits, renowned globally for their polyphenolic content and associated health benefits, have enjoyed growing attention from consumers and producers alike. While global cultivar development progresses, Australia has pioneered several native cultivars tailored for its distinct planting conditions. Despite their cultivation, comprehensive studies on the phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacities of these Australian‐native passion fruits are notably lacking. This study aims to investigate and compare the polyphenolic content present in the by‐products, which are peel (L), and consumable portions, which are the pulp and seeds (P), of four indigenous cultivars: ‘Misty Gem’ (MG), ‘Flamengo’ (FG), ‘Sweetheart’ (SW), and ‘Panama’ (SH). Employing LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS for profiling, a comprehensive list of polyphenols was curated. Additionally, various antioxidant assays—DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, RPA, FICA, and •OH‐RSA—were performed to evaluate their antioxidant potential. A total of 61 polyphenols were identified, categorized into phenolic acid (19), flavonoids (33), and other phenolic substances (9). In the antioxidant assays, the SHP sample exhibited the highest •OH−‐RSA activity at 98.64 ± 1.45 mg AAE/g, while the FGL sample demonstrated prominent DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS activities with values of 32.47 ± 1.92 mg TE/g, 62.50 ± 3.70 mg TE/g, and 57.84 ± 1.22 mg AAE/g, respectively. Additionally, TPC and several antioxidant assays had a significant positive correlation, including DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. The Australian‐native passion fruits revealed distinct polyphenolic profiles and diverse antioxidant capacities, establishing a foundation for deeper health benefit analyses. This study accentuates the significance of understanding region‐specific cultivars and their potential nutraceutical applications.
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ItemFox control and fire influence the occurrence of invasive predators and threatened native prey(SPRINGER, 2024-03)Abstract It can be challenging to distinguish management impacts from other population drivers, including ‘natural’ processes and co-occurring threats. However, disentangling processes is important, particularly when management may have unintended consequences, such as mesopredator release. We explored the effects of long-term, broadscale poison-baiting programs on the distribution of red foxes Vulpes vulpes (targeted invasive predator), feral cats Felis catus (unmanaged invasive competitor) and two of their threatened native prey in two fire-affected regions of south-eastern Australia. We synthesised data from 3667 camera-trap deployments at 1232 sites (172,052 trap-nights), combining experimental manipulation of foxes and fire with space-for-time approaches. Fox control effectiveness—in terms of decreased probability of fox occurrence and increased probability of prey occurrence—depended on the duration and intensity of the poison-baiting program. The effects of fox control on prey occurrence also varied between the two native prey species: fox control was strongly beneficial to the long-nosed potoroo Potorous tridactylus but had no measurable effect on southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus occurrence. Feral cat occupancy tended to be higher in landscapes with long-term fox control, although we found no effect of fox-bait density on fine-scale cat occurrence. Time since fire (0–80 years) was associated with the occurrence of each study species, but its association with invasive predators also differed among vegetation types. Invasive predators and altered fire regimes are key, often overlapping, biodiversity threats. Our work highlights the importance of fine-scale monitoring and consideration of multiple drivers in distribution models to develop effective, tailored conservation strategies.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableThe influence of spatial arrangement and site conditions on the fate of infiltrated stormwater(Elsevier BV, 2024-02-01)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAssessment of changes in sensory perception, biometrics and emotional response for space exploration by simulating microgravity positions(ELSEVIER, 2024-01)Long-term space exploration endeavors, encompassing journeys from the Earth to the Moon by 2030 and subsequent voyages from the Moon to Mars by 2040, necessitate the utilization of plant-based materials not solely for sustenance and refreshments but also the production of pharmaceuticals and repair compounds, such as plastics, among others. Nevertheless, the vital aspects of research in this domain pertain to the nutritional value and sensory perception associated with plant-based food. Prior investigations have shown altered sensory perception in space, manifested as diminished olfactory sensations and heightened taste perception (saltiness and sweetness). Nonetheless, studies concerning changes in aroma, basic tastes, and mouthfeel have been limited due to the logistical challenges associated with conducting experiments in the unique environment of space. To address this limitation, the present study employed sensory trials and biometrics from video using simulated microgravity chairs to simulate alterations in sensory perception akin to those encountered in space conditions. The findings of this study align with previous reports of changes in aroma and taste perception and contribute to the understanding of changes in the mouthfeel, heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional response that could be experienced in space environments. These experimental endeavors are critical to facilitate the advancement and development of novel plants and food materials tailored to the requirements of long-term space exploration.
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ItemNo Preview AvailablePhytochemicals in finger lime and their potential health benefits: A review(TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2023-01-01)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableFraming ocean acidification to mobilise action under multilateral environmental agreements(ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2020-02)Ocean acidification has long been framed by its epistemic community as a problem of carbon dioxide emissions that is concurrent to climate change. Framing ocean acidification in this way has been effective at garnering policy action at the domestic level in the United States. It is argued, however, in this paper that this framing has been counterproductive at the international level, resulting in two main impediments to the international governance of this issue. Firstly, defining ocean acidification as a concurrent problem to climate change, rather than as an impact of it, has resulted in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change being interpreted as containing no obligation to address ocean acidification. Secondly, focussing almost solely on the reduction of global emissions of carbon dioxide as the only global solution to ocean acidification has resulted in ocean and biodiversity-related regimes that do not have the mandate to regulate CO2 emissions as being viewed as without the recourse to respond. Through an examination of the causes and consequences of ocean acidification and the general objectives of existing multilateral environmental agreements, a set of alternative problem frames are developed in this paper that could be deployed to mobilize action under existing environmental regimes.
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ItemFrom what-if to what-now: Status of the deep-sea mining regulations and underlying drivers for outstanding issues(Elsevier, 2024-01)The International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is responsible for the governance of deep-sea mining in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction (DSM), including the adoption of rules, regulations and procedures (RRPs) relating to DSM. As a result of actions by the Republic of Nauru, the ISA had been under pressure for the last two years to adopt RRPs for exploitation by July 2023 or face the possibility of evaluating a DSM application in the absence of such RRPs. In July 2023, the ISA was not able to finalize the RRPs but signaled its intent to continue working on them, with a view to their adoption by 2025. Negotiations on the timeline for the adoption of the RRPs were contentious with some member States wanting a binding target date and others expressing concern of being bound to arbitrary deadlines. This paper identifies major issues that remain outstanding in the draft RRPs relating to exploitation and discusses the underlying drivers for their lack of agreement with the aim of providing an indication of the amount of work ahead for the ISA. We find that over 30 major regulatory issues remain outstanding because of not receiving sufficient time for discussion, divergent views amongst member States, and due to a lack of information and inputs to progress negotiations. These findings suggest that member States and prospective contractors should expect negotiations on the adoption of RRPs to continue long into the foreseeable future.
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ItemThe Omnibus Law on Job Creation and its potential implications for rural youth and future farming in Indonesia(Wiley, 2024)Indonesian rural youth face challenges accessing farmland and sustaining an agricultural livelihood while their labour is not necessarily absorbed by other sectors. In that context, the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Law 11/2020) promises to liberalise trade and investment across multiple sectors, including agriculture and food security. Combining legal research and political economy approaches to youth and agrarian challenges, we identify amendments to legislation that reduce safeguards for the environment, workers' and farmers' rights and their livelihoods. If fully implemented, the legislative amendments could further narrow youth's options both for secure formal work and futures in farming by accelerating the expansion of infrastructure, industrial plantations and extractive industries that utilise low‐wage labour and huge areas of land. This exposes inconsistencies in the government's approach to increase future food security by promoting intensification of agriculture and attracting youth to farming, while enabling agro‐ and resource extraction that absorbs land yet offers limited and precarious employment prospects.
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ItemExamining the facets of mindful engagement and mind wandering in nature(Elsevier BV, 2024-03)Mindfulness and mind wandering may both enhance the psychological outcomes of nature experiences. Both states are multi-faceted, with mindfulness involving specific components such as decentering, body awareness, and nonjudgment, and mind wandering involving intentional and spontaneous mind wandering. These facets may differentially predict psychological outcomes of nature experiences, however these associations have not been tested. In this study we examined facets of mindfulness and mind wandering in nature and tested their associations with outcomes of psychological restoration and nature connection. We also tested the effects of situational factors on these engagement facets in nature. We conducted an experiment in which participants were instructed on how to engage with nature during a 20min experience in nearby nature and completed online surveys before and after the outdoor experience. Participants were allocated into one of four groups, each given different engagement instructions. We used measures of state mindfulness that assessed three facets – decentering, nonjudgment, and body awareness – and measures of mind wandering that assessed two facets – mindlessness, and deliberate mind wandering. Regression analyses revealed associations between these facets and outcomes of the nature experience; decentering and deliberate mind wandering were associated with positive outcomes, including stronger nature connection and positive affect, and nonjudgment was associated with higher negative affect. Further analyses revealed perceived restorativeness and other situational factors such as affective state influenced engagement during the nature experience. These results demonstrate the value of deconstructing mindfulness and mind wandering in nature to explore facets that have beneficial or adverse effects on psychological outcomes. We conclude with practical directions for nature-based engagement interventions that can target the beneficial components of these practices in different contexts.