Browsing by Author "Carneiro, Renata C. V."
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- Assessing Consumer Preferences and Intentions to Buy Edamame Produced in the USCarneiro, Renata C. V.; Drape, Tiffany A.; Neill, Clinton L.; Zhang, Bo; O'Keefe, Sean F.; Duncan, Susan E. (Frontiers, 2022-01-18)Due to the growing consumer demand for edamame (vegetable soybean) in the U.S., the domestic production of this specialty crop has been promoted in several Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states as an economically attractive alternative to replace the decreasing tobacco production. For the edamame agrobusiness to be successful in the U.S., consumer studies are as needed as new commercial cultivars that are developed for the U.S. environment. Thus, in this exploratory study, we investigated consumers' preferences and intentions to buy edamame products in the U.S., especially domestic products. Data was collected through a web-based survey distributed through Qualtrics(XM) and a convenience sampling method was chosen. Volunteers who completed the survey (N = 309) were 82% female, 57% residents of the South Atlantic area, and 79% daily consumers of vegetables. Survey respondents had a positive attitude toward domestically produced vegetables and valued supporting U.S. producers. Overall, domestically grown, in-shell edamame products were preferred compared to shelled edamame or imported products. Regarding future purchasing, respondents exhibited higher intention to buy fresh edamame relative to frozen edamame. Additionally, respondents considered price, availability, and familiarity with the vegetable brand, respectively, as the most important factors in their decision-making process to buy edamame products. Our study confirmed there is a market potential for domestically produced edamame and it also provides valuable information to support future studies, production decisions, and the growth of the edamame agrobusiness in the U.S.
- Chemical Compositions of Edamame Genotypes Grown in Different Locations in the USYu, Dajun; Lin, Tiantian; Sutton, Kemper L.; Lord, Nick; Carneiro, Renata C. V.; Jin, Qing; Zhang, Bo; Kuhar, Thomas P.; Rideout, Steven L.; Ross, W. Jeremy; Duncan, Susan E.; Yin, Yun; Wang, Hengjian; Huang, Haibo (2021-02-12)The consumption of edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the US has rapidly increased due to its nutritional value and potential health benefits. In this study, 10 edamame genotypes were planted in duplicates in three different locations in the US-Whitethorne, Virginia (VA), Little Rock, Arkansas (AR), and Painter, VA. Edamame samples were harvested at the R6 stage of the bean development when beans filled 80-90% of the pod cavity. Afterward, comprehensive chemical composition analysis, including sugars, alanine, protein, oil, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), starch, ash, and moisture contents, were conducted on powdered samples using standard methods and the total sweetness was calculated based on the measured sugars and alanine contents. Significant effects of the location were observed on all chemical constituents of edamame (p < 0.05). The average performance of the genotypes was higher in Whitethorne for the contents of free sucrose (59.29 mg/g), fructose (11.42 mg/g), glucose (5.38 mg/g), raffinose (5.32 mg/g), stachyose (2.34 mg/g), total sweetness (78.63 mg/g), and starch (15.14%) when compared to Little Rock and Painter. The highest soluble alanine (2.67 mg/g), NDF (9.00%), ash (5.60%), and moisture (70.36%) contents were found on edamame planted in Little Rock while edamame planted in Painter had the highest crude protein (43.11%) and oil (20.33%) contents. Significant effects of genotype were observed on most of the chemical constituents (p < 0.05) except NDF and raffinose. Among the 10 genotypes, R13-5029 consistently had high sucrose content and total sweetness across the three locations, meanwhile it had relatively high protein and fiber contents. Overall, the results indicate that to breed better edamame genotypes in the US, both genotype and planting location should be taken into considerations.
- Consumer responses and willingness-to-pay for hibiscus products: A preliminary studyNdiaye, Oumoule; Hedrick, Valisa E.; Neill, Clinton L.; Carneiro, Renata C. V.; Huang, Haibo; Fernandez-Fraguas, Cristina; Guiro, Amadou Tidiane; O'Keefe, Sean F. (Frontiers, 2023-04)The rise in diseases like obesity and diabetes is a worldwide challenge. The consumption of functional products such as hibiscus, which has been proven to be high in bioactive compounds and dietary fiber, providing it with anticancer, antiaging, anti-inflammatory and satiety properties, should be promoted. In the U.S., promoting the consumption of hibiscus products can be a good approach to increase fiber consumption and to reduce risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. However, information about knowledge of this functional product among consumers is still sparse and increasing consumption requires designing and marketing desired products made from hibiscus. Therefore in this preliminary study, we assessed consumer response to hibiscus products and investigated whether providing information about potential health benefits could impact consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for three types of non-alcoholic hibiscus beverages: ready-made tea, bottled juice, and kombucha. Our web-based survey was distributed through Qualtrics(XM) and a convenience sampling method was chosen. Most participants identified themselves as female, 18-34 years old, with a graduate degree. Most participants (81%) had consumed hibiscus products before and 57% had a weekly food budget lower than $60. Overall, tea and juices were the most liked hibiscus beverages, respectively. Although taste and health benefits were ranked as the main reasons to consume hibiscus beverages, additional information about hibiscus health benefits did not significantly affect WTP for these products. Without additional health benefit information, consumer WTP for non-alcoholic hibiscus beverages ranged from $2.9 to $3.60 for kombucha and $4.08-4.97 for Ready-made-tea. This study provides valuable insights that can support future research on hibiscus products and promote the development of novel hibiscus-based foods and beverages that are appealing to the U.S. market.
- Flavor compounds in Vine Tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) infusionsCarneiro, Renata C. V.; Wang, Hengjian; Duncan, Susan E.; O'Keefe, Sean F. (Wiley, 2020-06-13)Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) is a tea traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine that is rich in the natural antioxidant dihydromyricetin (ampelopsin). In addition to its multiple health benefits, vine tea extracts and dihydromyricetin have been suggested as potential natural antioxidants for food applications, such as soybean oil and meat products. However, there is still little information available on vine tea chemistry, and in particular the volatile profile and sensory characteristics, which can affect product acceptability and restrict its use as a natural antioxidant. The objective of this exploratory study was to identify potential volatile components present in vine tea in order to support further research and applications in the food industry. Vine tea infusions brewed from commercial samples were characterized by acidic pH values and a dark, reddish-yellow color. Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified as potential flavor components of vine tea, including aldehydes and ketones. Further studies are suggested to quantify the volatile compounds and understand their importance to vine tea's aroma profile. Sensory studies are also suggested to access consumer's acceptability of vine tea and products containing vine tea as an ingredient.
- Sensory and Consumer Studies in Plant Breeding: A Guidance for Edamame Development in the U.S.Carneiro, Renata C. V.; Duncan, Susan E.; O'Keefe, Sean F.; Yin, Yun; Neill, Clinton L.; Zhang, Bo (Frontiers, 2020-08-19)Plant breeding is an important discipline to develop food products and improve overall quality, chemical composition, and nutritional value of crops, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, which can be important allies in health promotion. Apples, blueberries, wine grapes, tomatoes, and peanuts are a few examples of food products that were improved in past decades through plant breeding programs in the United States. Recently, edamame (vegetable soybean) has gained special attention from breeders, non-breeder researchers, growers, and consumers, and new edamame varieties are currently being developed for domestic production. As a popular nutritious crop in Asian countries, edamame is increasing in sales and consumption in the United States. Therefore, edamame has great potential to be a profitable alternative crop to replace tobacco farming, whose production and market value have been declining. Until the present date, most published reviews on edamame have focused on its agronomic characteristics. However, understanding consumer expectations, needs, and acceptability for new and improved crops like edamame is vital to guide and sustain their production. It is important that researchers working on plant breeding programs understand and consider the aspects that are relevant for both growers and consumers (e.g., crop productivity, pest and disease resistance, nutritional properties, and sensory attributes). Thus, this review paper aims to integrate available information on sensory quality of edamame and to support its development and production in the United States. This review presents an overview of how sensory evaluation and consumer studies have been used to support plant breeding programs in the development of alternative crops, such as edamame.
- Utilizing Consumer Perception of Edamame to Guide New Variety DevelopmentCarneiro, Renata C. V.; Duncan, Susan E.; O'Keefe, Sean F.; Yu, Dajun; Huang, Haibo; Yin, Yun; Neill, Clinton L.; Zhang, Bo; Kuhar, Thomas P.; Rideout, Steven L.; Reiter, Mark S.; Ross, W. Jeremy; Chen, Pengyin; Gillen, Anne (2021-01-18)Consumption of edamame (vegetable soybeans) has increased significantly in the U.S. over the last 20 years. Although market demand has been increasing, most edamame is still imported from Asian countries. A team of multistate plant-breeding programs in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. has focused on developing new breeding lines that grow well in the U.S. and deliver what domestic growers, processors and consumers need and expect from their edamame. In our study, sensory evaluation was used to identify edamame genotypes and sensory attributes preferred by consumers to support breeding selection criteria. In the first year (reported as our "screening study"), 20 edamame genotypes were grown in three locations: Newport, AR, and Blacksburg and Painter, VA. In the second year (reported as our "validation study"), 10 edamame genotypes selected after our screening study were grown in Blacksburg and Painter, VA, Portageville, MO, and Stoneville, MS. In both years of research, untrained participants (adults; vegetable consumers not allergic to soy; N >= 50) used a traditional 9-point acceptability (hedonic) scale (1 = "dislike extremely"; 9 = "like extremely") to evaluate overall-liking, aroma, appearance, taste, and texture, and a 5-point scale (1 = "not sweet," 5 = "extremely sweet") to evaluate sweetness intensity. Next, participants used a check-all-that-apply (CATA) list of selected sensory terms to describe the sensory characteristics of each edamame sample. Overall acceptability of edamame genotypes was significantly different among all genotypes (p < 0.05). Samples described as "bitter," "sour" (flavor) or "starchy" (texture) were associated with lower acceptability scores while "salty" and "sweet" (flavor) were correlated with higher acceptability. Sensory data from the screening study were used to select the best genotypes by use of a defined decision process based on the consumer data. The validation study tested the selection decisions and further supported the genotype choices. Sensory evaluation is a powerful tool to direct breeders to improve market acceptability and develop new edamame genotypes. Both screening and validation studies illustrate the significant role of consumer sensory data in support of genotypes targeted for domestic (U.S.) production.
- Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata): A review of chemical composition, functional properties, and potential food applicationsCarneiro, Renata C. V.; Ye, Liyun; Baek, Naerin; Teixeira, Gustavo H. A.; O'Keefe, Sean F. (2021-01)Herbal teas like vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) have been traditionally consumed worldwide because of their health-promotion and pleasant taste. Vine tea and its main bioactive component, dihydromyricetin, have gained attention because of their potential applications in food, material, and pharmaceutical sciences. Vine tea and dihydromyricetin have been suggested as potential natural antioxidants to extend shelf life of foods. Studies have also suggested potential application in packaging and food safety. Additionally, dietary supplementation with vine tea extract have shown great potential to prevent metabolic diseases, which can justify its application in novel functional foods. This review discusses the chemistry, functional properties, and potential applications of vine tea and dihydromyricetin in the food industry. Although vine tea extracts and dihydromyricetin have shown promising results, further studies on optimal application, thermal stability, synergetic effect with other natural antioxidants, consumer acceptability, and sensory profile of vine tea are needed to support food product innovation.
- 'VT Sweet': A vegetable soybean cultivar for commercial edamame production in the mid-Atlantic USAZhang, Bo; Lord, Nilanka; Kuhar, Thomas P.; Duncan, Susan E.; Huang, Haibo; Ross, W. Jeremy; Rideout, Steven L.; Arancibia, Ramon A.; Reiter, Mark S.; Li, Song; Chen, Pengyin; Mozzoni, Leandro; Gillen, Anne; Yin, Yun; Neill, Clinton L.; Carneiro, Renata C. V.; Yu, Dajun; Sutton, Kemper L.; Li, Xiaoying; Wang, Zhibo; Buss, Glenn (2021-10-26)Commercially viable cultivars adapted to U.S. production regions that meet consumer acceptance criteria are desperately needed by the growing domestic edamame industry. Here, we report the development and release of 'VT Sweet' (Reg. no. CV-542, PI 699062), the first vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar released by Virginia Tech. VT Sweet is a late maturity group (MG) V cultivar (relative maturity 5.6, 129 d to harvest) with determinate growth habit, purple flowers, gray pubescence, tan pod wall, and yellow hila. VT Sweet has superior characteristics for edamame such as large pod size (13.9 g/10 pods; 40.4 mm long, 11.4 mm wide, and 7.6 mm thick) and low one-bean pod proportion (15%), as well as low pod pubescence density (359 hairs/2.4 cm(2)). VT Sweet also showed high overall consumer acceptability (6.0 +/- 1.7; 9 = like extremely) and favorable tolerance to native pests. When compared with the commercial edamame check 'UA Kirksey', VT Sweet showed 102% of the check yield, a higher average field emergence rate (74.9 vs. 68.1%), and comparable consumer acceptability (6.05 vs. 6.10). Therefore, VT Sweet is an ideal cultivar for growers who are interested in commercial edamame production in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.