Abstract: Soil microbial activity is adversely affected by pollutants such as heavy metals, antibiotics and pesticides. Organic amendments including sewage sludge, municipal compost and vermicompost are recently used to improve soil structure and fertility. But, these materials contain heavy metals including Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cu that are toxic to soil microorganisms and may lead to occurrence of more tolerant microbes. Among these, Pb is the most abundant and has more negative effect on soil microbial ecology. In this study, Pb levels of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg Pb [as Pb(NO3)2] per kg soil were added to the pots containing 2 kg of a loamy soil and incubated for 6 months at 25°C with soil moisture of - 0.3 MPa. Dehydrogenase activity of soil as a measure of microbial activity was determined on 15, 30, 90 and 180 days after incubation. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was used as an electron acceptor in this assay. PICTs (IC50 values) were calculated for each Pb level and incubation time. Soil microbial activity was decreased by increasing Pb level during 30 days of incubation but the induced tolerance appeared on day 90 and thereafter. During 90 to 180 days of incubation, the PICT was gradually developed by increasing Pb level up to 200 mg kg-1, but the rate of enhancement was steeper at higher concentrations.
Abstract: This study was set to determine the antimicrobial
activities of brine salting, chlorinated solution, and oil frying
treatments on enteric bacteria and fungi in Rastrineobola argentea
fish from fish landing beaches within L. Victoria basin of western
Kenya. Statistical differences in effectiveness of the different
treatment methods was determined by single factor ANOVA, and
paired two-tail t-Test was performed to compare the differences in
moisture contents before and after storage. Oil fried fish recorded the
lowest microbial loads, sodium chloride at 10% concentration was
the second most effective and chlorinated solution even at 150ppm
was the least effective against the bacteria and fungi in fish. Moisture
contents of the control and treated fish were significantly lower after
storage. These results show that oil frying of fish should be adopted
for processing and preserving Rastrineobola argentea which is the
most abundant and affordable fish species from Lake Victoria.
Abstract: Yam starch obtained from the water yam (munlued)
by the wet milling process was studied for some physicochemical
properties. Yam starch film was prepared by casting using glycerol as
a plasticizer. The effect of different glycerol (1.30, 1.65 and
2.00g/100g of filmogenic solution) and starch concentrations (3.30,
3.65 and 4.00g /100g of filmogenic solution) were evaluated on some
characteristics of the film. The temperature for obtaining the
gelatinized starch solution was 70-80°C and then dried at 45°C for 4
hours. The resulting starch from munlued granular morphology was
triangular and the average size of the granule was 26.68 μm. The
amylose content by colorimetric method was 26 % and the gelatinize
temperature was 70-80°C. The appearance of the film was smooth,
transparent, and glossy with average moisture content of 25.96% and
thickness of 0.01mm. Puncture deformation and flexibility increased
with glycerol content. The starch and glycerol concentration were a
significant factor of the yam starch film characteristics. Yam starch
film can be described as a biofilm providing many applications and
developments with the advantage of biodegradability.
Abstract: The research object was apple-black currant
marmalade candies. Experiments were carried out at the Faculty of
Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture. An active
packaging in combination with modified atmosphere (MAP, CO2
100%) was examined and compared with traditional packaging in air
ambiance. Polymer Multibarrier 60 and paper bags were used.
Influence of iron based oxygen absorber in sachets of 500 cc
obtained from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Europe Ageless® was tested
on the quality during the shelf of marmalade. Samples of 80±5 g
were packaged in polymer pouches (110 mm x 110 mm),
hermetically sealed by MULTIVAC C300 vacuum chamber machine,
and stored in room temperature +20.0±1.0 °C. The physiochemical
properties – weight losses, moisture content, hardness, aw, pH, colour,
changes of atmosphere content (CO2 and O2) in headspace of packs,
and microbial conditions were analysed before packaging and in the
1st, 3rd , 5th, 8th, 11th and 15th weeks of storage.
Abstract: In the present work an investigation of the effects of
the air frontal velocity, relative humidity and dry air temperature on
the heat transfer characteristics of plain finned tube evaporator has
been conducted. Using an appropriate correlation for the air side heat
transfer coefficient the temperature distribution along the fin surface
was calculated using a dimensionless temperature distribution. For a
constant relative humidity and bulb temperature, it is found that the
temperature distribution decreases with increasing air frontal
velocity. Apparently, it is attributed to the condensate water film
flowing over the fin surface. When dry air temperature and face
velocity are being kept constant, the temperature distribution
decreases with the increase of inlet relative humidity. An increase in
the inlet relative humidity is accompanied by a higher amount of
moisture on the fin surface. This results in a higher amount of latent
heat transfer which involves higher fin surface temperature. For the
influence of dry air temperature, the results here show an increase in
the dimensionless temperature parameter with a decrease in bulb
temperature. Increasing bulb temperature leads to higher amount of
sensible and latent heat transfer when other conditions remain
constant.
Abstract: Physical and mechanical properties of Russian olive
fruits were measured at moisture content of 14.43% w.b. The results
revealed that the mean length, width and thickness of Russian olive
fruits were 20.72, 15.73 and 14.69mm, respectively. Mean mass and
volume of Russian olive fruits were measured as 1.45 g and 2.55 cm3,
respectively. The sphericity, aspect ratio and surface area were
calculated as 0.81, 0.72 and 8.96 cm2, respectively, while arithmetic
mean diameter, geometric mean diameter and equivalent diameter of
Russian olive fruits were 17.05, 16.83 and 16.84 mm, respectively.
Whole fruit density, bulk density and porosity of jujube fruits were
measured and found to be 1.01 g/cm3, 0.29 g/cm3 and 69.5%,
respectively. The values of static coefficient of friction on three
surfaces of glass, galvanized iron and plywood were 0.35, 0.36 and
0.43, respectively. The skin color (L*, a*, b*) varied from 9.92 to
16.08; 2.04 to 3.91 and 1.12 to 3.83, respectively. The values of
rupture force, deformation, energy absorbed and hardness were found
to be between 12.14-16.85 N, 2.16-4.25 mm, 3.42-6.99 N mm and
17.1-23.85 N/mm.
Abstract: The paper presents the brief information on particular results of experimental study focused to the problems of behavior of structural plated components made of fiber-cement-based materials and used in building constructions, exposed to atmospheric physical effects given by the weather changes in the summer period. Weather changes represented namely by temperature and rain cause also the changes of the temperature and moisture of the investigated structural components. This can affect their static behavior that means stresses and deformations, which have been monitored as the main outputs of tests performed. Experimental verification is based on the simulation of the influence of temperature and rain using the defined procedure of warming and water sprinkling with respect to the corresponding weather conditions during summer period in the South Moravian region at the Czech Republic, for which the application of these structural components is mainly planned. Two types of components have been tested: (i) glass-fiber-concrete panels used for building façades and (ii) fiber-cement slabs used mainly for claddings, but also as a part of floor structures or lost shuttering, and so on.
Abstract: In this study, production possibilities of hydrogen and/or methane via SCWG from black grape residues have been investigated. For this aim, grape residues which remain as a byproduct of the wine making process have been used. Since utilization from grape residues is limited due to the high moisture content, supercritical water gasification is the most convenient method. The effect of the gasification temperature and type of catalyst on supercritical water gasification have been investigated. Gasification experiments were performed in a batch autoclave at four different temperatures 300, 400, 500 and 600°C. K2CO3 and Trona (NaHCO3.Na2CO3·2H2O) were used as catalyst. Real biomass types of black grape residues have been successfully gasified and the product gas (hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and a small amount of ethane and ethylene) were identified by using gas chromatography. A TOC analyzer was used to determine total organic carbon (TOC) content of aqueous phase. The amounts of carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, furfurals and phenols present in the aqueous solutions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. When the temperature increased from 300°C to 600°C, mol% of H2 in gas products increased. The presence of catalysts improves the hydrogen yield. Trona showed gasification activity to be similar to that of K2CO3. It may be concluded that the use of Trona instead of commercially produced catalysts, can be preferably used in the gasification of biomass in supercritical water.
Abstract: The fortified of soft wheat flour with cowpea flour in
bread making was investigated. The Soft wheat flour (SWF) was
substituted by cowpea flour at levels of 5, 15 and 20%. The protein content of composite breads ranged from 6.1 – 9.9%. Significant
difference was observed in moisture, protein and crude fibre contents of control (wheat bread) and composite bread at 5% addition of
cowpea. Water absorption capacities of composite flours increased with increasing levels of cowpea flour in the blend. The specific loaf
volume decreased significantly with increased cowpea content of
blends. The overall acceptability of the 5% cowpea flour content of
composite bread was not significantly different from the control (Soft Wheat-bread) but there is significantly different with increasing the
levels of cowpea flour in the blend more than 5%.
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the quality
characteristics of cookies produced from sweet potato-fermented
soybean flour. Cookies were subjected to proximate and sensory
analysis to determine the acceptability of the product. Protein, fat and
ash increased as the proportion of soybean flour increased, ranging
from 13.8-21.7, 1.22-5.25 and 2.20-2.57 respectively. The crude fibre
content was within the range of 3.08-4.83%. The moisture content of
the cookies decreased with increase in soybean flour from 3.42-
2.13%. Cookies produced from whole sweet potato flour had the
highest moisture content of 3.42% while 30% substitution had the
lowest moisture content 2.13%. A nine point hedonic scale was used
to evaluate the organoleptic characteristics of the cookies. The
sensory analysis indicated that there was no significant difference
between the cookies produced even when compared to the control
100% sweet potato cookies. The overall acceptance of the cookies
was ranked to 20% soybean flour substitute.
Abstract: Some physical properties of musk lime (Citrus
microcarpa) were determined in this study. The average moisture
content (wet basis) of the fruit was found to be 85.10 (±0.72) %. The
mean of length, width and thickness of the fruit was 26.36 (±0.97),
26.40 (±1.04) and 25.26 (±0.94) mm respectively. The average value
for geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, mass, surface
area, volume, true density, bulk density and porosity was 26.00
(±0.82) mm, 98.67 (±2.04) %, 100.23 (±3.28) %, 10.007 (±0.878) g,
2125.07 (±133.93) mm2, 8800.00 (±731.82) mm3, 1002.87 (±39.16)
kgm-3, 501.70 (±22.58) kgm-3 and 49.89 (±3.15) % respectively.
The coefficient of static friction on four types of structural surface
was found to be varying from 0.238 (±0.025) for glass to 0.247
(±0.024) for steel surface.
Abstract: Fermented cassava flours (lafun) sold in Ogun and Oyo
States of Nigeria were collected from 10 markets for a period of two
months and analysed to determine their safety status. The presence of
trace metals was due to high vehicular movement around the drying
sites and markets. Cyanide and moisture contents of samples were
also determined to assess the adequacy of fermentation and drying.
The result showed that sample OWO was found to have the highest
amount of 16.02±0.12mg/kg cyanide while the lowest was found in
sample OJO with 10.51±0.10mg/kg. The results also indicated that
sample TVE had the highest moisture content of 18.50±0.20% while
sample OWO had the lowest amount of 12.46±0.47%. Copper and
lead levels were found to be highest in TVE with values 28.10mg/kg
and 1.1mg/kg respectively, while sample BTS had the lowest values
of 20.6mg/kg and 0.05mg/kg respectively. High value of cyanide
indicated inadequate fermentation.
Abstract: Drying characteristics of rough rice (variety of lenjan) with an initial moisture content of 25% dry basis (db) was studied in a hot air dryer assisted by infrared heating. Three arrival air temperatures (30, 40 and 500C) and four infrared radiation intensities (0, 0.2 , 0.4 and 0.6 W/cm2) and three arrival air speeds (0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 m.s-1) were studied. Bending strength of brown rice kernel, percentage of cracked kernels and time of drying were measured and evaluated. The results showed that increasing the drying arrival air temperature and radiation intensity of infrared resulted decrease in drying time. High bending strength and low percentage of cracked kernel was obtained when paddy was dried by hot air assisted infrared dryer. Between this factors and their interactive effect were a significant difference (p
Abstract: In this paper spatial variability of some chemical and
physical soil properties were investigated in mountain rangelands of
Nesho, Mazandaran province, Iran. 110 soil samples from 0-30 cm
depth were taken with systematic method on grid 30×30 m2 in
regions with different vegetation cover and transported to laboratory.
Then soil chemical and physical parameters including Acidity (pH),
Electrical conductivity, Caco3, Bulk density, Particle density, total
phosphorus, total Nitrogen, available potassium, Organic matter,
Saturation moisture, Soil texture (percentage of sand, silt and clay),
Sodium, Calcium, magnesium were measured in laboratory. Data
normalization was performed then was done statistical analysis for
description of soil properties and geostatistical analysis for indication
spatial correlation between these properties and were perpetrated
maps of spatial distribution of soil properties using Kriging method.
Results indicated that in the study area Saturation moisture and
percentage of Sand had highest and lowest spatial correlation
respectively.
Abstract: Proximate (moisture, protein, total fat, total ash) and mineral (K, P, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) composition of chicken giblets (heart, liver and gizzard) were investigated. Phosphorous content, as well as proximate composition, were determined according to recommended ISO methods. The content of all elements, except phosphorus, of the giblets tissues were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after dry ashing mineralization. Regarding proximate composition heart was the highest in total fat content, and the lowest in protein content. Liver was the highest in protein and total ash content, while gizzard was the highest in moisture and the lowest in total fat content. Regarding mineral composition liver was the highest for K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, while heart was the highest for Na content. The contents of almost all investigated minerals in analysed giblets tissues of chickens from Vojvodina were similar to values reported in the literature, i.e. in national food composition databases of other countries.
Abstract: Moisture is an important consideration in many
aspects ranging from irrigation, soil chemistry, golf course, corrosion
and erosion, road conditions, weather predictions, livestock feed
moisture levels, water seepage etc. Vegetation and crops always
depend more on the moisture available at the root level than on
precipitation occurrence. In this paper, design of an instrument is
discussed which tells about the variation in the moisture contents of
soil. This is done by measuring the amount of water content in soil by
finding the variation in capacitance of soil with the help of a
capacitive sensor. The greatest advantage of soil moisture sensor is
reduced water consumption. The sensor is also be used to set lower
and upper threshold to maintain optimum soil moisture saturation and
minimize water wilting, contributes to deeper plant root growth
,reduced soil run off /leaching and less favorable condition for insects
and fungal diseases. Capacitance method is preferred because, it
provides absolute amount of water content and also measures water
content at any depth.
Abstract: A study was carried out at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) to investigate the effect of rollers differential peripheral speed of commercial rubber roll husker and paddy moisture content on the husking index and percentage of broken rice. The experiment was conducted at six levels of rollers differential speed (1.5, 2.2, 2.9, 3.6, 4.3 and 5 m/s) and three levels of paddy moisture content (8-9, 10-11 and 12-13% w.b.). Two common paddy varieties namely, Binam and Khazer, were selected for this study. Results revealed that the effect of rollers differential speed and moisture content significantly (P
Abstract: The present study explains the effect of aggregate
gradation on moisture damage in bituminous mixes. Three types of
aggregate gradation and two types of binder; VG-30 and Polymer
modified bitumen (PMB-40) are used. Moisture susceptibility tests
like retained stability and tensile strength ratio (TSR) and static creep
test are conducted on Marshall specimens. The creep test was also
conducted for conditioned and unconditioned specimens to observe
the effect of moisture on creep behaviour. The results indicate that
Marshall stability value is higher in PMB-40 mix than VG-30 mixes.
Moisture susceptibility of PMB-40 mixes is low when compared with
mix using VG-30. The reduction in retained stability, and indirect
tensile strength and increase in creep are evaluated for finer, coarser
and normal gradation of aggregate to observe the effect of gradation
on moisture susceptibility of mixes. The retained stability is least
affected when compared with other moisture susceptibility
parameters
Abstract: Mung bean starches were subjected to heat-moisture treatment (HMT) by different moisture contents (15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35%) at 120Ôäâ for 12h. The impact on the yields of resistant starch (RS), microstructure, physicochemical and functional properties was investigated. Compared to native starch, the RS content of heat-moisture treated starches increased significantly. The RS level of HMT-20 was the highest of all the starches. Birefringence was displayed clear at the center of native starch. For HMT starches, pronounced birefringence was exhibited on the periphery of starch granules; however, birefringence disappeared at the centre of some starch granules. The shape of HMT starches hadn-t been changed and the integrity of starch granules was preserved for all the conditions. Concavity could be observed on HMT starches under scanning electronic microscopy. After HMT, apparent amylose contents were increased and starch macromolecule was degraded in comparison with those of native starch. There was a reduction in swelling power on HMT starches, but the solubility of HMT starches was higher than that of native starch. Both of native and HMT starches showed A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Furthermore, there is a higher intensity at the peak of 15.0 and 22.9 Å than those of native starch.
Abstract: Palm shell obtained from coastal part of southern
India was studied for the removal for the adsorption of Hg (II) ions.
Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH,
concentration of Hg (II) ions, time, temperature and adsorbent dose.
Maximum removal was seen in the range pH 4.0- pH 7.0. The palm
shell powder used as adsorbent was characterized for its surface area,
SEM, PXRD, FTIR, ion exchange capacity, moisture content, and
bulk density, soluble content in water and acid and pH. The
experimental results were analyzed using Langmuir I, II, III, IV and
Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The batch sorption kinetics was
studied for the first order reversible reaction, pseudo first order;
pseudo second order reaction and the intra-particle diffusion reaction.
The biomass was successfully used for removal Hg (II) from
synthetic and industrial effluents and the technique appears
industrially applicable and viable.