scholarly journals Optimization of pressure parboiling conditions and pre-conditioned moisture content of brown rice (unpolished rice) for microwave puffing and its comparison with hot sand bed puffing

Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Swarnakar ◽  
Prem Prakash Srivastav ◽  
Susanta Kumar Das

Brown rice puffing (unpolished rice) gives a more nutritious product compared to traditional puffed polished rice and reduces the cost of the product significantly, even though, the rice bran layer resists expansion during puffing. In the present study, brown rice was puffed in a microwave and hot-sand-bed after its pressure parboiling. Pressure parboiling parameters, steam pressure (196, 294, 392, 490 kPa) and steaming time (5, 10, 15 min), along with pre-conditioned moisture content (8, 10, 12 % wb) were studied and optimized for puffing characteristics (puffing percentage, expansion ratio, whiteness index, bulk density and hardness). All the experiments were carried out using a full factorial design. Statistical analysis showed there was a significant effect of processing variables on puffing characteristics. Optimized steam pressure, steaming time and pre-conditioned moisture content for microwave puffing were found to be 303.6 kPa, 14.25 min and 11.6% (wb) respectively, and for hot-sand-bed puffing to be 260.7 kPa, 15 min and 8% (wb) respectively.

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastiaan C. ter Meulen ◽  
Johanna M. van Dongen ◽  
Marinus van der Vegt ◽  
Henry C. Weinstein ◽  
Raymond W. J. G. Ostelo

Abstract Background Transforaminal epidural injections with steroids (TESI) are used increasingly for patients with sciatica. However, their safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness are still a matter of debate. This a priori statistical analysis plan describes the methodology of the analysis for the STAR trial that assesses the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute stage of sciatica (< 8 weeks). Methods The STAR trial is a multicentre, randomized controlled, prospective trial (RCT) investigating the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI by making a three-group comparison among patients with acute sciatica due to a herniated lumbar disc (< 8 weeks): (1) TESI combined with levobupivacaine added to oral pain medication (intervention group 1) versus oral pain medication alone (control group), (2) intervention group 1 versus transforaminal epidural injection with levobupivacaine and saline solution added to oral pain medication (intervention group 2), and (3) intervention group 2 versus control group. Co-primary outcomes were physical functioning (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), pain intensity (10-point numerical rating scale), and global perceived recovery (7-point Likert scale, dichotomized into ‘recovered’ and ‘not recovered’). For all three comparisons, we defined the following minimal clinically relevant between-group differences: two points for pain intensity (range 0–10), four points for physical functioning (range 0–24) and a 20% difference in recovery rate. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and patient satisfaction (7-point Likert scale) and surgery rate. We also collected resource use data to perform an economic evaluation. Analyses will be conducted by intention-to-treat with p < 0.05 (two-tailed) for all three comparisons. Effects will be estimated using mixed models by maximum likelihood. For each comparison, mean differences, or difference in proportions, between groups will be tested per time point and an overall mean difference, or difference in proportions, between groups during the complete duration of follow-up (6 months) will be estimated. In the economic evaluation, Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations will be used to handle missing data. Cost and effect differences will be estimated using seemingly unrelated regression, and uncertainty will be estimated using bootstrapping techniques. Discussion This statistical analysis plan provides detailed information on the intended analysis of the STAR trial, which aims to deliver evidence about the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute phase of sciatica (< 8 weeks). Trial registration Dutch National trial register NTR4457 (6 March 2014)


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Khalil ◽  
B.R. Henry

A fractional factorial design of four variables at two levels each was employed to assess the feasi bility and best parameter for extruding sweet potato solids (SPS) using a single screw extruder. It was determined that a high expansion ratio is a desired quality factor for this type of snack food, due to its contribution to textural perception. Preliminary trials on extrusion of sweet potato solids as the sole component in the feed resulted in brittle, dense, and burnt extrudate. The high sugar content (65% total sugar) of the sweet potato solids was cited as the cause of these attrib utes, consequently it was necessary to incorporate wheat flour into the feed to provide a starch matrix for expansion and to reduce sugar concentration. The controlled parameters were screw speed, barrel temperature, feed moisture content, and SPS level in the feed. Among all possible combinations of controlled parameters, the highest expansion ratio was obtained at a screw speed of 220 rpm, temperature profile of 110, 105, 115 and 105 °C, 13% feed moisture content, 50% sweet potato solids, and 0.5% leavening agent.


Food Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-385
Author(s):  
D. Thumrongchote

Coconut sugar is a local sugar from the blossoms of a coconut tree. It has been considered a healthy sugar due to its low glycemic index. There is an attempt to add other sugar to it to lower the cost. Thus, this research aimed to identify Thai coconut sugar and to establish models for predicting the moisture content of coconut sugar by using FT-NIR spectroscopy. Thai coconut sugar samples were purchased from local grocery stores in four provinces, online, and the community market. Their moisture contents were varied and equilibrated for 24 hrs prior to the measurements of moisture and FT-NIR spectra. The results showed that FT-NIR spectra of Thai coconut sugar differ from sucrose, glucose and fructose at the absorbance spectrum of 5379-5011 cm-1 . FT-NIR spectroscopy of 54 known moisture samples of Thai coconut sugar was used to obtain a model to predict moisture content. The predicted equation, using the PLS technique with the Spectrum Quant program, was found to give a standard error of prediction (SEP) 0.077% (less than 0.10%), indicating a non-destructive method of accurately and precisely predicting moisture levels in the coconut sugar. The results obtained suggested that FTNIR spectroscopy has the potential to be used as a tool to identify Thai coconut sugar accurately. It can rapidly predict the moisture content in the sample which will be useful in quality control standards.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Swarnakar

Microwave puffing of prepacked preconditioned brown rice can provides a hygienic, fresh and nutritious puffed rice as compared to conventional puffed rice. Pre-puffing conditioning (salt infusion) makes brown rice more hygroscopic therefore long storage of preconditioned brown rice reduces the puffing quality. This study was conducted to estimate the shelf life of prepacked conditioned brown rice in wrapped paper envelope with low density polythene for its microwave puffing. Preconditioning of brown rice was carried out at optimized conditions i.e., parboiling pressure (303 kPa) and time (14 min), preconditioning temperature (76.7 °C), salt content (3.5% (w/w), and pre-puffing moisture content (11.6 % (wb)). These packets were stored at 38±2 °C temperature and 90% relative humidity. Moisture sorption characteristics can be well described by Henderson model. Shelf life of preconditioned brown rice was estimated 36 days by its puffing quality characteristic and found that moisture content of preconditioned brown rice reaches 15.27% (wb).


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kiran Kumar R Patil ◽  

Objectives: This research was undertaken to examine the economic benefit of mechanization in dehusking arecanut. Methods/Statistical analysis: A sample consisting 15 each of pre-harvest contractors, arecanut farmers using machines of different capacities for dehusking arecanut were randomly selected from Davanagere district of Karnataka. The economic viability of mechanization was assessed under these situations using partial budgeting technique. Findings: The results of the study indicated that the cost of dehusking one quintal of arecanut using machine was ₹141 as compared to manual method (₹276) in case of pre-harvest contractors. The per quintal cost of dehusking of own arecanut produce came to Rs.78 as against manual method(Rs.277)in case of farmers who used the machine for dehusking of their own arecanut produce and rental purpose. Application/Improvements: The study suggested that marginal farmers should use two gear machine, small farmers four gear machine and large farmers six gear machine to economize dehusking their own farm produce and earning rental income. Keywords: Mechanization; Arecanut dehusking; economic evaluation; horticulture


Author(s):  
Azila Abdul-Aziz ◽  
Harisun Yaakob ◽  
Ramlan Aziz ◽  
Roshanida Abdul Rahman ◽  
Sulaiman Ngadiran ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY C. SALES ◽  
TAKUMI YOSHIZAWA

Mold counts and Aspergillus section Flavi populations in rice and its by-products from the Philippines were examined. The average mold counts of rough rice, brown rice, and locally produced polished rice were 4.1 × 103, 1.0 × 103, and 1.1 × 103 CFU/g, respectively. Average Aspergillus section Flavi counts of the same samples were 3.0 × 102, 1.1 × 102, and 2.6 × 102 CFU/g, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of mold isolates from rough rice, polished rice, and brown rice were section Flavi spp., 31% of which were toxigenic. No section Flavi isolates were obtained from imported rice samples from Thailand and Vietnam. Aspergillus section Flavi was also isolated from rice hull, rice bran, and settled dust from rice milling operations. Toxigenic isolates of both Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were present in at least one sample of each type of rice and rice by-product except settled dust. Aflatoxins produced in vitro by the isolates ranged from &lt;1 μg/kg to 6,227 μg/kg. A. flavus isolates produced only B aflatoxins, whereas A. parasiticus isolates produced both B and G aflatoxins. Although total mold counts of Philippine rice and its by-products are within tolerable limits, the establishment of maximum limits in counts of potentially aflatoxigenic species in foods and feeds is important because the mere presence of toxin producers is considered a possible risk factor. The results of this research illustrate the need for strict monitoring of rice during both storage and marketing, especially in warm and humid seasons when infestation and consequent production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus section Flavi is expected.


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