1.
Role of information in consumers' preferences for eco-sustainable genetic improvements in plant breeding.
Borrello, M, Cembalo, L, Vecchio, R
PloS one. 2021;(7):e0255130
Abstract
Consumers' preferences for products derived from genetic improvements and innovations in plant breeding are often conditioned by technophobia and negative public imaginaries. The current study addresses this issue by analyzing consumers' monetary preferences for a win-win innovation (generating gains for both private actors and the community) in the viticulture sector, namely fungus resistant grapes (FRG). The use of these grapes reduces the quantity of chemical inputs applied to vineyards, simultaneously improving firms' economic performance. This study aimed to assess whether consumers prefer wines originating from FRG varieties to conventional wines. In particular, through an experimental online survey involving 627 Italian regular wine drinkers, the study compares individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for conventional wines with the WTP for two FRG wines produced with two different techniques: horticultural hybridization and genome editing. The study also assesses the potential effect of polarized media coverage on preferences by testing, in a between-subjects experimental design, two diverging (positive/negative) information scenarios, and the core drivers of these preferences. The findings suggest that respondents express a premium price for horticultural FRG wines compared to conventional wines (+9.14%) and a strong discount for genome edited FRG wines (-21.13%). The results also reveal that negative information reduces consumers' WTP for horticultural FRG wines, while positive information increases their WTP for genome edited FRG wines. Last, the study highlights that individuals concerned with food sustainability issues and knowledgeable about wine are more likely to accept both FRG typologies. Overall, the study confirms the crucial role of appropriate information for market acceptance of innovations based on plant genetics to foster the adoption of sustainable pest-reducing practices in wine production.
2.
Consumers' Perceptions and Preferences for Bitterness in Vegetable Foods: The Case of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Brassicaceae-A Narrative Review.
Cavallo, C, Cicia, G, Del Giudice, T, Sacchi, R, Vecchio, R
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
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Many known healthy foods have a distinctively bitter taste, which can discourage people from eating them. This literature review looked at the biochemical aspects and consumers’ perceptions and preferences toward foods with a strong bitter taste, in particular extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and Brussel sprouts. The review included 99 articles. The authors found that, although many people dislike a strong bitter taste, there are some exceptions such as: niches of consumers (e.g., innovators and organic buyers) and foods consumed with specific purposes (e.g., coffee, chocolate, and alcoholic beverages). The level of perceived bitterness can be reduced through repeated exposure to bitter foods, information on health benefits, and pairing with foods that reduce bitterness. These insights can be used to develop campaigns aimed at promoting healthy bitter foods.
Abstract
The presence of some healthy phytochemicals in food can be paired with high bitterness, and consumers have a widespread avoidance toward bitter-tasting food. This causes a gap between preferences and healthy needs of consumers. Therefore, this review collected insights from literature belonging to different discipline domains in order to have a broad view of the current state-of-the-art about biochemical aspects and consumers' perceptions and preferences toward foods with an enhanced bitter taste. In detail, we focused on two core products of the Mediterranean diet: Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and Brassicaceae, both characterized by specific phytochemicals having strong healthy properties and bitter-pungent taste. Results suggested that, although bitter taste is a general driver of dislike, some exceptions can be represented by: niches of consumers (e.g., innovators and organic buyers), foods consumed with specific purposes (e.g., coffee, chocolate, and alcoholic beverages). The level of bitterness perceived by the consumers can be modulated through exposure, information on benefits, and elements within the environment (e.g., music). Thus, these insights can be used to develop specific campaigns aimed at promoting bitter (healthy) food, considering also the key role that could be played by food pairings.
3.
Totally implantable catheter migration and its percutaneous retrieval: case report and review of the literature.
Intagliata, E, Basile, F, Vecchio, R
Il Giornale di chirurgia. 2017;(5):211-215
Abstract
Totally subcutaneous intravascular portals have been increasingly used to administer long-term chemotherapy and parental nutrition. The reported complications are rare. Accidental endovascular rupture of a fragment of catheter is one of the most formidable complications of the central vein catheterization. The Authors report a case of deployment of a Port-a-Cath catheter and its percutaneous retrieval. The catheter accidentally detached and migrated from the reservoir of the port-a-cath placed in the left subclavian vein to the right heart cavities through the blood stream. A review of the Literature is also given, focusing on the possible factors responsible for this unusual complication.
4.
More crop for drop - climate change and wine: an economic evaluation of a new drought-resistant rootstock.
Galletto, L, Barisan, L, Boatto, V, Costantini, EA, Lorenzetti, R, Pomarici, E, Vecchio, R
Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture. 2014;(2):100-12
Abstract
The current paper presents the results of an economic evaluation of a new drought-resistant rootstock (M4), capable to maintain in adverse environmental conditions high photosynthetic activity, to accumulate osmotic compounds and to compensate for the accumulation of sodium and chlorine in the grapevines, in two core Italian grapevine growing areas: the North-East and Sicily. After collecting data on quantitative (yield per plant in kg) and qualitative parameters (°Brix, anthocyanins, pH) of experimental vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon variety) planted using the traditional rootstock 1103P and the innovative M4 rootstock, over a seven-year period, a cost-benefit analysis calculated the effects of replacing the traditional rootstock. The results show that M4 rootstock yields higher net revenues compared to the best situation of 1103P rootstock, roughly in 40% of North-East vineyards and in more than 80% of their Sicilian counterparts. In addition, 14% of North-East vineyards and more than 94% of Sicilian vineyards are currently exposed to drought risk, and these areas are expected to increase in the coming years. Thus the M4 rootstock, as other related innovations [51-53], could significantly improve watersaving strategies, which are gaining increasing attention from both public bodies and wine companies.