Changes in some nutritional components of Vigna racemosa as influenced by hydrothermal processing techniques

Vigna racemosa is an underutilised hard-to-cook legume in Southwest Nigeria. The seed of V. racemosa was subjected to varying degrees of hydration levels (0%, 10%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100%) before treatment with four hydrothermal techniques, atmospheric boiling, atmospheric steaming, pressure boiling and pressure steaming. The highest percentage reduction of 65.56% in cooking time was achieved at a 100% hydration level when the seeds were processed by boiling at elevated pressure. All the hydrothermal techniques had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the protein content of the seeds. Hydration of the seeds to 100% followed by boiling at elevated pressure caused the least reduction in the protein and mineral element contents. The seed is a good source of important nutrients that are not degraded beyond the levels necessary to meet physiological needs after processing. Widening the scope of utilisation of this legume seed will make critically important nutrients such as protein more available for the teeming populations in developing countries at affordable prices, and thus, alleviating the problem of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).

Moringa oleifera : Nutritional and Medicinal Properties for preventive health care

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as ―drum stick‖ or the ―horse radish‖ is cultivated all over the country as it can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions. It is a good source of protein, vitamins, fatty acids, micro-macro minerals and other essential phytochemicals. Due to its high nutritional content, the extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera is used to treat malnutrition and supplement breast milk in lactating mothers. Because of its medicinal value, it is also used as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cardiovascular hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial agent. The pharmaceutical effects of Moringa oleifera makes it useful in therapeutic remedy in traditional medicinal system. Each part of the tree is useful in one form or another due to high nutritional and medicinal value. This paper reports the results of the study made on how these can help boosting the immunity level in individuals.

Pyrolysis of RDF and Catalytic Decomposition of the Produced Tar in a Char Bed Secondary Reactor as an Efficient Source of Syngas

One of the technical limitations of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pyrolysis is the high content of tar in its gas products. In order to resolve this problem, a two-stage RDF pyrolysis with a catalyst based on char from RDF pyrolysis is proposed. This paper presents the results of municipal waste pyrolysis beginning in an oven heated to 480 °C and ending with catalytic tar cracking carried out in the temperature range from 800 to 1000 °C. Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis with a char catalyst containing a minimum of 6% Fe resulted in increases in the CO and H2 contents in gas products and decreases in CO2 and CH4. At 1000 °C, the mass ratio of gaseous products to liquids was greater than 6. The residence time of the gases in the catalytic zone was about 3–5 s. The reactor was a good source of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Review on Camptothecin Producing Medicinal Plant: Nothapodytes Nimmoniana

Nothapodytes nimmoniana is an endangered medicinal plant widely distributed throughout the Western Ghats of India. The plant contains camptothecin (CPT) which is renowned anticancer drugs. Though, CPT found in many plant species but maximum amount of CPT has been reported from N. nimmoniana. Due to very good source of CPT, this plant has been explored for its Phytochemical, Biotechnological and Pharmacological aspects. Looking to the huge global demand for CPT, overexploitation of N. nimmoniana, unplanned deforestation, and lowest production of CPT from intact plant, reduction of seed germination, high market cost and not have economically feasible process of production has optimistic us to investigate this plant in a systematic manner. The proposed article can be utilized for the establishment of extraction methods and analytical protocol for CPT. Also, Bioreactors production of CPT using high yielding cell line of N. nimmoniana. The pharmacological data will be applicable for discovery of new Drug and development lead to novel compounds which are safe and effective.

Effect of Tamarillo Fortification and Fermentation Process on Physicochemical Properties and Nutrient and Volatiles Content of Yoghurt

Bright-red Laird’s Large tamarillo is a unique and under-utilised fruit that is a dietary source of carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and dietary fibre. The effects of the addition of freeze-dried tamarillo powder (5–15%) to milk and yoghurt starter either before (PRE) or after (POS) fermentation on physicochemical properties were examined. Using LC-MS and GG-MS, nutrient and volatile contents of tamarillo yoghurt were also examined. The addition of tamarillo prior to fermentation was associated with a more yellow colour and higher concentrations of tocopherol compared to when tamarillo was added after fermentation. Higher elastic modulus, PUFAs, pro-vitamin A content, and vitamin C retention were observed for POS than PRE. All tamarillo yoghurts showed improvement in syneresis, lower lactose content, and higher concentrations of antioxidant vitamins than the commercial premium-assorted fruits yoghurt from New Zealand Food Composition Data. Yoghurt fortified with tamarillo powder offers the potential for the development of a high-value nutritional product that could be a good source of vitamin C and a source of vitamin E and β-carotene, and maintain the volatiles that give tamarillo its distinctive flavour.

Contribution of apiculture in social and economic development of Nigeria

There is urgent need to rescue Nigerian economy from deluge of crisis it is been confronted with atthe present time. To achieve this, it is pivotal to explore various potentials available in the country to solve her problem. Therefore, this paper examines the potential of apiculture industry in social and economic development of the nation. Hive products such as beewax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly are known to have contributed largely to the economic development of advanced countries like China, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Hungary, Australia and Canada. While the practice provides job opportunities for people of all classes, it also boosts productivity of other agricultural crops. Honey from Nigeria will command higher demand and prices in the world market for its medicinal and antimicrobial qualities, thereby serving as a good foreign exchange commodity in international market. As part of its contribution to economic growth, apiculture is a good source of income for beekeepers, it involves the use of little land. It empowers small scale farmers and also does not damage the environment. The paper also stressed that apiculture is not only important for generating income, it also curbs against rural migration. Apiculture protects the environment and also an important non-timber forest product.

Statistical Modelling for the Source Rock Parameters of the Montney Formation, NE British Columbia, Canada

Hydrocarbons in self-sourced reservoirs are determined by the concentration and maturation of organic matter in sediments. As a result, lowering risk in unconventional resource research and development requires knowledge of hydrocarbon potentiality factors. The geochemical data for the Montney Formation samples studied suggest that it is a fair to good source rock with type IV kerogen that can generate gas in general. The statistical modelling of the analyzed data reveals a valuable technique for identifying characteristics, clusters, and linkages that affect source rock assessment. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a good positive correlation between the total organic carbon (TOC) and free hydrocarbons (S1), generating potential (S2), and potential yield (GP). There was a weak correlation with the maturity index (Tmax) and hydrogen index (HI) and a highly negative correlation between the TOC and oxygen index (OI). On the other hand, the principal component analysis (PCA) showed the presence of three factors affecting the source rock evaluation. Factor 1 included TOC, S1, and S2, which are related to organic richness and hydrocarbon potentiality; factor 2 contained the production index (PI), and the generated CO2 (S3) was related to the organic matter source. Factor 3 included the Tmax and HI related to the type of organic matter and thermal maturity. In addition, the TwoStep cluster analysis separated the source rock in the study area into two major groups. Cluster 1 is characterized relatively by high HI, TOC, S1, S2, and PI, with Tmax < 455 °C indicating good source rock in the mature level with the capability to generate little oil and condensate gas. Cluster 2 is characterized by relatively low HI, TOC, S1, S2, and PI, with Tmax > 455 °C, indicating an over-mature source rock in the dry gas window.

Preliminary Characterization of a Functional Jam from Red Chicory By-Product

Background: The by-products of red chicory leaves are a valuable source of bioactive compounds that can be exploited in the development of functional foods. Objective: This work aimed to combine healthy properties of red chicory by-products with other ingredients in the formulation of a functional jam, which is easy and safe to swallow, especially for people suffering from dysphagia. Methods: The physicochemical parameters, as well as the total polyphenols content (TPC), was assessed in the obtained product. Results: The TPC (549.44 mg GAE/100 g) was higher than the values reported in other jams, and it remained stable along with the colour during six weeks of storage. Within the carbohydrates, 0.4% of the prebiotic fibre inulin has been detected, suggesting that this jam formulation is a promising delivery system of phenols and fibre. From the sensorial point of view, the functional jam obtained an overall good acceptability judgment. The bitterness of the red chicory is persistent, which helps people with dysphagia swallow more easily. Conclusion: The functional jam, based on chicory by-products, could be a good source of bioactive compounds, which are helpful even in the disabled subjects’ diet.

You Could Never Have a Third Place in a Sausage Factory

<p>In the face of climate crisis, we must take action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. One key strategy for doing this is to decrease travel by private vehicles through increasing the use of other travel modes like walking and cycling. However, children’s travel by these active travel modes has decreased significantly in many western countries over recent generations. One of the main factors associated with this decrease is the proliferation of attitudes that constrain children’s presence in public spaces, including those of their home neighbourhood. These attitudes can result in local parenting norms where children are habitually taken by car, even for short trips. Apart from the contribution to traffic these attitudes and behaviour have, there are also a number of other benefits from active and independent travel that children miss out on. As well as providing a good source of physical activity, the experience of actively travelling through their neighbourhood equips children with a good knowledge of their local environment and can support a child’s development towards being an active participant in their society. This thesis aims to investigate whether child-led placemaking -where participants work collaboratively to take action in addressing a problem in their local area- can change these attitudes to increase children’s use of public spaces and active travel. This research was conducted in partnership with a primary school. Data was collected during a co-researching process where 30 children designed and built places within the marginal public spaces of their neighbourhood. These places were designed to provide opportunities for the wider community to engage with these spaces and each other. This study found that this placemaking process increased children’s sense of connection to their neighbourhood and created opportunities for spontaneous informal social interaction. There was also some increase in independent and active travel, but this was mainly for boys.</p>