Impact of Energy Supplements on Sports Performance: Contemporary Evidence and Future Perspectives | Chapter 04 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 5

 

In sports nutrition, energy supplements refer to dietary products such as gels, drinks, bars, or powders developed to deliver rapid or sustained energy, maintain electrolyte balance, and promote recovery, thereby enhancing athletic output and overall performance efficiency. Ongoing research in sports nutrition continues to expand the understanding of exercise physiology and provides the evidence base for current best practice recommendations. This review discusses the current role of energy supplements in sports performance and highlights future directions for their effective and safe use. A literature search was carried out using secondary sources, with keywords like energy supplements, electrolytes, athletic performance, and others. Energy supplements fall under the ergogenic and macronutrient-based category of sports nutrition. They primarily supply carbohydrates, proteins, and fats as energy sources, along with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and bioactive compounds such as caffeine, taurine, carnitine, and ginseng that enhance energy metabolism, endurance, and recovery. They provide rapid energy, maintain hydration, delay fatigue, and support metabolic, neuromuscular, and cognitive functions. Findings indicate that carbohydrate gels enhance endurance by providing energy, preserving glycogen, and stimulating the central nervous system, while energy bars offer a balanced source of natural sugars and proteins to support athletic performance. Effective use depends on timing, individual tolerance, sport type, intensity, and environmental conditions, helping to sustain performance, reduce fatigue, and accelerate recovery. When used appropriately, alongside a balanced diet and individualised nutrition strategies, they can improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and optimise training adaptations. Despite their benefits, challenges such as inconsistent nutrient content, variable individual responses, and safety concerns highlight the need for quality control and evidence-based use. Supplement combinations such as carbohydrate–protein or carbohydrate–electrolyte mixtures have shown notable benefits in improving power and recovery, particularly in team sports. However, significant research gaps remain, especially regarding female athletes and sport-specific responses. Additionally, some studies report safety concerns and adverse effects, emphasising the need for careful evaluation and evidence-based use of supplements. Future strategies should focus on personalised supplementation, innovative delivery systems, micronutrient monitoring, and athlete education to optimise performance, reduce fatigue, and ensure long-term health.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Supriya D. Kamble
Department of Food Science and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

 

Akshaya K. Sahoo
ICT, Indian Oil Odisha Campus Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751013, India.

 

Harshvardhan A. Kamble
Department of Food Science and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

 

Ajay K. Sharma
National Research Centre for Grape, Pune, India.

 

Abhijeet A. Gatade
Department of Food Science and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

 

Pravinkumar D. Patil
Department of Food Science and Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v5/6682

Assessing the Existence of Food Security Projects in Limpopo Province of South Africa | Chapter 03 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 5

 

As the world continues to face widespread food insecurity, achieving food security for all at all times remains a growing global challenge. Food Security Projects initiated by the government of South Africa in order to help alleviate poverty within Limpopo Province have proven unsustainable and have struggled to provide for what they were mandated to provide, to the satisfaction of the government, which is to create jobs and alleviate poverty. The purpose of this study is to verify the existence of food security projects in Limpopo province of South Africa. The study was conducted in all five districts of Limpopo Province, namely, Mopani, Vhembe, Capricorn, Sekhukhune, and Waterberg. A mixed-method approach was used in this study. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were administered to one official from the Provincial Department of Health and Social Development, one official from the Department of Agriculture and five tribal council representatives who represented all the tribal authorities at the district level and are knowledgeable about developmental issues. Document analysis was also conducted at the two provincial departments. The coded data were then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). The findings indicate that food security initiatives are widely distributed across Limpopo Province, with notable concentrations of vegetable and broiler projects in the Mopani, Vhembe, and Waterberg districts. This study also revealed that there are 347 food security projects in Limpopo Province, with 338 declared functional. Mopani district has more functional projects than other districts. This study will provide policymakers with policy directives on how a database of food security projects can be kept so that they can be made known. The study recommends that careful monitoring and evaluation are crucial for proper utilisation of funds and assessing the efficiency of food security projects in Limpopo Province.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Nesengani, T. J.
University of Limpopo, Centre for Rural Community Empowerment, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v5/6599

Productivity Dynamics in India’s Food Processing Industry: A TFP Analysis | Chapter 02 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 5

 

The Indian food processing industry, despite its substantial contribution to value addition, employment generation, and international trade, remains at a nascent stage, processing only about 10 per cent of the total agricultural output. The juxtaposition of strong growth indicators with persistent structural constraints presents a question of whether the expansion of Indian FPI has been propelled primarily by input expansion or by genuine efficiency and productivity improvements. To address this, the present study attempted to assess the Total Factor Productivity of the Indian food processing industry by employing the data collected from the Annual Survey of Industries for its various sub-sectors from 2008-09 to 2019-20. The widely used technological framework of the Cobb-Douglas production function was utilised to analyse the data. The major stake of Indian FPI was held by grain processing units that accounted for more than half of the total registered units, followed by the “others” category, which constitutes seed and nut processing units along with the units involved in the preparation of sambar powder, papads, appalam, etc, and the oil sub-sector. The results revealed that India’s organised food processing sector continued to be dominated by traditional sectors, with blooming non-traditional sectors. Analysis of output elasticities revealed that most of the sub-sectors were largely driven by capital expansion, and further, results on TFP growth unveiled a heterogeneity pattern of productivity gains, with macaroni processing units registering the highest productivity improvement. The dairy sub-sector showed negative TFP growth and, coupled with decreasing returns to scale, indicated efficiency gaps, while the meat and bakery sub-sectors with positive TFP growth and increasing returns to scale exhibited untapped scale potential. This mixed productivity pattern highlighted the need for targeted policy interventions focused on technological diffusion, strengthening supply chain efficiency, skill development, and sustainability rather than merely on augmenting production. Although this study analyses productivity in the organised food processing sector, future work could examine the unorganised segment, which offers considerable scope for rural employment and income diversification. Further exploration on policy impact, supply-chain constraints, technology adoption and resource use efficiency can provide deeper insights into the sector-wide productivity.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Cheela Soumya
Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

 

Rajat Kumar Nath
Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

 

Pavithra V
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal, India.

 

Vaishnavi Sakaray
Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v5/6594

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management Strategies on Yield and Economic Returns of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Production under South Gujarat Conditions, India | Chapter 01 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 5

 

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which involves the combined use of inorganic fertilisers with organic sources such as farmyard manure, vermicompost, castor cake, and bio-fertilisers, has been recognised as a sustainable approach for enhancing soil fertility, nutrient use efficiency, and crop productivity. Baby corn productivity is often constrained by improper nutrient management and overreliance on chemical fertilisers, which have led to declining soil health, reduced microbial activity, and long-term fertility issues. Therefore, A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the Horticulture Polytechnic Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, to assess the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the yield and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.). The study evaluated twelve treatment combinations involving three nitrogen levels (80, 100, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹), two organic nutrient sources (vermicompost and castor cake at 25 kg N ha⁻¹), and two levels of Novel Organic Liquid Nutrients (No spray and 1.5% spray). The experiment followed a Factorial Randomised Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. Results indicated that the highest cob yields, both with and without husk, were consistently recorded under the integrated treatment of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ + castor cake + 1.5% Novel Organic Liquid Nutrients (N₃O₂L₂). This combination significantly enhanced yield components and physiological efficiency compared to other treatments. Economically, treatments with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ + vermicompost (with and without NOVEL) resulted in the highest net income and benefit-cost ratios. The integration of vermicompost with inorganic nitrogen improved soil health, nutrient efficiency, and crop yields, while Novel Organic Liquid Nutrients enhanced plant growth and profitability. The findings suggest that integrating higher nitrogen levels with castor cake and liquid organic nutrients can improve the yield, profitability, and sustainability of baby corn cultivation under South Gujarat conditions. Long-term field trials should be conducted in the future to further evaluate the influence of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on the yield and economics of baby corn.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Priyanka Patel
Horticulture Polytechnic, ASPEE College of Horticulture, N.A.U., Navsari, Gujarat, 396 450, India.

 

D. R. Bhanderi
Department of Vegetable Science, ASPEE College of Horticulture, N.A.U., Navsari, Gujarat, 396 450, India.

 

R. V. Tank
Department of Fruit Science, ASPEE College of Horticulture, N.A.U., Navsari, Gujarat-396 450, India.

 

Ankit Gadhiya
Agricultural Research Station, N.A.U., Tanchha, Gujarat, 392 025, India.

 

Bhakti Panchal
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Surat, Navsari Agricultural University, Surat Campus, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v5/6284

Guidelines for Developing Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Variety to Enhance Food Security and Resilience to Climate Change | Chapter 06 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 6

 

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is an underutilised annual crop mainly valued for its edible calyces, leaves and fibre. It is a tetraploid species belonging to the Malvaceae family with significant economic and medicinal importance. It is a self-pollinated crop which has cleistogamous flowers. It is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including India, China, Thailand and various African and Caribbean countries. In India, it is widely grown in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and the North-Eastern states. Geo-climatic conditions of Roselle are favourable for the production of Roselle as it requires a warm and humid climate for its growth. The crop is known for its climate resilience and ability to grow in marginal soils, making it ideal for sustainable agriculture. Calyces of Roselle are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and widely used in postharvest processing industries to prepare food products like juices, teas and jams, while its stem provides coarse fibre used for rope and sack production. Calyces of Roselle have huge medicinal importance. Despite having immense potential, Roselle breeding has received very limited attention. Important breeding objectives include improving calyx and fibre yield, quality and resistance to pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses. Methods like pure line selection, hybridisation, and biotechnological tools are being used to develop improved varieties. Promising cultivars like HS-4288, Ujjal and JOR RS lines have shown good performance. Given its diverse applications and adaptability, focused research and development efforts are essential to unlock the full potential of Roselle in the food and fibre industries.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

Homikhya Phukon
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat -785013, India.

 

G.C. Bora
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat -785013, India.

 

Jahnabi Devi
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat -785013, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6680

Assessment of Agroecological Transition and Polyculture Systems: Case Study of the Djirataoua Irrigated Perimeter | Chapter 05 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 6

 

The rural sector of Niger faces insufficient rainfall, agricultural and forage deficits, degradation of natural resources and negative externalities related to climate change. These constraints are the main factors driving down agricultural productivity, resulting in food shortages. The Djirataoua irrigated perimeter was created in the 1980s. However, its exploitation follows several production models, mainly conventional and the adoption of a few agroecological practices. Polyculture systems play an important role in the production of food, both in quantity and quality. It is practised by adopting various cropping systems and using conventional and agroecological agricultural practices. This study aims to evaluate the agroecological transition of polyculture farming practices in the irrigated perimeter of Djirataoua. The methodology consisted of collecting qualitative data by 14 focus groups with committees of the cooperative societies and of the associations of irrigation water users, 14 individual interviews with producers and resource persons in the perimeter and field observations. The data were collected, synthesised and analysed on the basis of the thirteen (13) qualitative agroecological principles. The study revealed that several agroecological practices have been adopted as part of polyculture on the Djirataoua irrigated perimeter. Producers have a good understanding of the production cycles for most crops. Most of the seeds used are locally produced. The results mainly show that several agroecological practices are adopted in the development of the irrigated perimeter of Djirataoua. More than 69% of the agroecological principles defined by the High Level Panel Experts are already well applied. Mixed farming is an ongoing source of wealth creation. It has enabled women and young people to become financially independent. Recycling and soil health are not priority issues, but require improvements to ensure a dynamic and sustainable agroecosystem. Reducing synthetic inputs is the priority issue that requires immediate intervention. In this case, the transition will consist, initially, in the exclusive use and application of approved chemical inputs at doses recommended by research institutions. In a second phase, it will be based on a process of progressive substitution of conventional inputs and practices with agroecological alternatives.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

ADAM Mamadou
Département d’Economie, Sociologie Rurales et Transfert de Technologies (DESR/TT), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), Corniche Yantala, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6631

Reforms and Management Challenges of Public Irrigated Perimeter Resources in Niger | Chapter 04 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 6

 

The primary constraint to the development of Niger is the low availability of water resources. Niger's public irrigated perimeter faces several resource management constraints. Two successive reforms were initiated to address the challenges of resource management. First, the adoption of the Uniform Act required the conversion of agricultural cooperatives into cooperative societies. Second, the responsibility of the cooperative societies was limited to production management, and that of Water User Associations was to ensure better water governance. This study offers a qualitative analysis of the impact of two reforms on the development of public irrigated areas in Niger. Forty-five (45) focus groups were conducted to collect information from farmers (23) and their representatives (22). Data were collected in two stages, first between May and June 2022 and later in October 2022 for a period of 15 days, supported by other field activities. The results show that these reforms are accepted by all cooperators. However, they struggle to comply with the rules and principles related to the current legislation and democratic governance. Cooperative management has enabled control over irrigation schedules, cropping calendars, crop production cycles, etc. Nonetheless, significant shortcomings have been observed in the efficiency of water mobilisation and distribution, the use of agricultural inputs, and dedicated funds for royalty collection. These shortcomings persist as irrigation water user associations struggle to establish themselves. The causes of these dysfunctions are related to negative apprehensions among cooperative members, insufficient capacity building, poor awareness due to lack of sensitisation, and insufficiency of financial resources dedicated to the reforms. In future, studies should be developed upon this qualitative synthesis by conducting quantitative analyses, which will help to assess and validate the observed trends and provide deeper insights into the effectiveness of the reforms, the performance of the new management structures, and the factors influencing their successful operationalisation.

 

Author(s)details:-

 

ADAM Mamadou
Département d’Economie, Sociologie Rurales et Transfert de Technologies (DESR/TT), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), Corniche Yantala, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6632