Effects of different drying methods and packaging materials on the physical and sensory qualities of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum L.)

Fresh tomato fruits have a very limited shelf life partly due to their high moisture content and respiration rate. A possible way of storing tomato fruits is to dry and process them into powder or paste. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the effects of drying methods and packaging materials on physical and sensory qualities of powdered tomato in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Harvested fruits of tomato variety, “Rio de grande” were subjected to blanching and subsequent drying methods and packaging materials. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD); with the drying methods placed in main plot while the packaging materials in sub-plot and repeated three times before storage for twelve weeks. At four weeks of storage, oven drying method was found to be statistically different (p≤0.05) in terms of water absorption capacity value of 3.19 (mg/100g). The glass jars performed better than polythene bags in color retention, taste and consistency at four weeks of storage. The study shows that tomato fruits can be successfully dried using oven, sun and shade drying methods but preferably oven drying method. The processed powder could be successfully stored for 12 weeks or above using either glass jars or plastic container without affecting the consumer appeal and this will also reduce the postharvest losses of tomato fruits.

Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among School-going Children of Age 1-5 years in Dharan, Eastern Nepal

Intestinal parasitic infections have been a major public health burden of developing countries, especially in children. Higher prevalence has been reported among school children, mostly in rural areas of Nepal where water, toilets, hygiene, and sanitation facilities are insufficient. This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to September 2019 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school-going children1-5 years of Dharan, Nepal, and to assess the associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected in a clean, dry, screw-capped, and wide-mouthed plastic container, kept in an icebox, and transported to the laboratory. Data relating to different risk factors were collected from the parents of 116 participants using a structured questionnaire. The parasites were identified by using the direct wet mount method and formal-ether concentration method. Pearson’s chi-square test was carried out to establish associations between dependent and independent variables using SPSS version 20, and the test considered a greater than < 0.05% as statistically significant with a 95% confidence level. Out of the 116 stool samples, 9 (7.75%) tested positive for the parasitic infections in which 5 (55.5%) were protozoa and 4 (44.45%) were helminths. The prevalent parasites, were Entamoeba histolytica (23%), Hyamenolepis nana (22%), Giardia lamblia (11%), Hookworm (11%), Entamoeba coli (11%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11%), and Intestinal parasitic infections had a significant association with drinking water, bowel syndrome, bathing habit, toilet facility, and washing hands after toilets (p<0.05). Lack of toilets, poor hygiene, and unsafe drinking water were the main risk factors. Improved hygienic practices, safe drinking water, and the use of latrines could lower the rate of parasitic infections.

Burden of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Children from Five Schools in Bhairahawa, Nepal: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the tropics including Nepal. The main objective of this study was to explore the burden of intestinal parasitic infections among children in 5 different primary schools in Bhairahawa, Nepal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional comparative study among 408 children from 5 schools in Bhirahawa, Nepal. Stool specimens collected in a plastic container were transported to microbiology laboratory in Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMSTH) immediately. Each sample was examined macroscopically and microscopically for the evidence of parasitic infection. All samples were re-analysed by sedimentation and floatation concentration techniques one after another. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of the parasitic infection was 46.5%. The prevalence varied by the methods that included routine microscopy (23.2%), sedimentation (41.6%) and flotation (8.3%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common (29.1%) parasite followed by Entamoeba histolytica (6.1%). Mixed infection was also seen in 7.8% of the samples. Factors such as children’s academic year, age, religion, existing illness, household water sources, meat consumed, domestic animals at house, and recent history of taking anti-helminthics were significantly associated with the intestinal parasitic infections. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was higher in public school (61.1%) compared to private school (37%). Male students had slightly more infections (47.3%) than females (45.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Enteric parasitic infection was very high among the primary schools’ students in Bhairahawa, Nepal. Integrating concentration techniques in routine test can help to detect most of the enteric parasites in stool specimens.

MYCOFLORA AND AFLATOXIN LEVELS IN WALNUT SAMPLES STORED IN DIFFERENT PACKAGING MATERIALS IN OGUN STATE

Aflatoxin levels in nuts and fruits pose a great threat to food storage and availability. This study aimed at determining the mycoflora and aflatoxin level in stored walnut under various conditions. Freshly harvested walnuts were stored for 90 days in three different media: jute bags, Plastic containers and sterile polythene bags under room (37ᵒC) and refrigeration (4ᵒC) temperature. After 90 days of storage, the stored walnuts were examined for fungal growth at one month interval after which colonial and morphological characterization were carried out to identify the fungi present. Proximate analysis and aflatoxin content of the walnut samples were determined by standard methods. Fungi isolated from the walnuts include; Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Penicillum notatum, Aspergillus sydowi, Fusarium oxysporium, and Rhizopus stolonifer. Walnuts stored in plastic container at room temperature had the lowest aflatoxin level of 0.002 ng/kg while that stored in polythene bags had the highest (0.054 ng/kg). Proximate analysis also revealed that walnuts stored in polythene bag reduced significantly (p<0.05) in protein, ash content, fat, fibre, moisture and carbohydrates while samples stored in jute bag and plastic container remained unchanged. This study shows that storage methods contributed to the overall quality, shelf life and aflatoxin content of walnut and hence care should be taken during post harvesting process.

EFFICIENCY OF ATTRACTORS AND TRAPS FOR CAPTURE OF SPOTTED-WING DROSOPHILA IN VINEYARDS1

ABSTRACT Pest monitoring is a practice that enables the estimation of populational density of insect-pests in crops. However, it requires the use of attractors and traps that present high efficiency. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of food attractors using different trap models for the capture of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) insects, and the capture selectivity of these models in vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon. The experiment was conducted in the 2018-2019 crop season, in São Joaquim, SC, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement consisted of two types of traps (PET bottle and plastic container), three attractors (SuzukiTrap®, Droskidrink, and Yeast), and distilled water as a control. The traps were distributed in a minimum distance of 15 m and fixed in the middle third of the plants. The collections and replacing of attractors were done with 21-day intervals. The data were analyzed through generalized linear models, using the Poisson distribution or Poisson with a dispersion parameter. All attractors tested captured adult D. suzukii insects. No significant differences were found between the trap types used. The findings of the present work showed that the trap plastic container with the Droskidrink attractor is the most suitable capture method to be used in monitoring programs for D. suzukii insects in commercial vineyards.

Germination biology of the exotic ice cream bean (Inga edulis Mart.) seed from Bedugul, Bali

Inga edulis is an exotic edible Fabaceae species locally known as buah es krim in Bedugul, Bali. The plant species is a favourite fruit for consumption and trading due to the sweet sarcostesta. Wild I. edulis are abundantly grown in Bedugul. The current study aim is to describes I. edulis germination biology. This study will provide data for I. edulis future research both in its domestication and invasion prevention. I. edulis seeds are collected two times from wild plants growing within Bali Botanic Garden. A total of twenty-one I. edulis seeds are germinated in a clear closed plastic container with agar media at Bali Botanic Garden Seed Bank Laboratory. The germination process was observed daily until the seventh day after sowing (DAS) while number of seedlings was calculated in the last observation day. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis was conducted to describe I. edulis seed germination biology. This study result shows that I. edulis seeds produce high germination percentage rapidly. I. edulis seeds exhibited hypogeal germination and phanerocotylar hypogeal with reserve storage seedling functional type. Polyembryony was also present with a single seed can produce up to four seedlings.

Effects of Ginger and Garlic on the Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Differently Processed Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Freshly caught Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) samples were obtained from Sabiyel Lake in Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Oreochromis niloticus samples were descaled, degutted, cut into chunks and rinsed with clean water at Fisheries Laboratory, Department of Forestry and Fisheries, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero. The samples were subjected to different treatments designated as; T1 (oven drying), T2 (Frying), T3 (smoking), T4 (oven-dried + 5% ginger-garlic), T5 (Fried + 5% ginger-garlic), T6 (smoked + 5% ginger-garlic), T7 (oven-dried + 10% ginger-garlic), T8 (Fried + 10% ginger-garlic), T9 (smoked + 10% ginger-garlic), T10 (oven-dried + 15% ginger-garlic), T11 (Fried + 15% ginger-garlic), T12 (smoked + 15% ginger-garlic). The processed samples were taken to Agric. Chemical Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, Nigeria, for the determination of proximate and mineral compositions. The treatments were analysed in 2 phases: at week 0 for the first phase of analysis and after 8 weeks of storage in an airtight plastic container at room temperature. The samples were then taken to the laboratory for the second phase of analysis. This study revealed that processing (oven drying, frying and smoking) of Oreochromis niloticus with ginger-garlic gave high nutritive content after 8 weeks of storage and thus might prevent the use of obnoxious substances as a means of preservation and substantially improve consumer’s satisfaction and quality fish protein intake.

Assessing the Toxic Effects of Insecticides on Honey Bees in the West Gonja District of the Savannah Region of Ghana

Aims: To examine the toxic effects of insecticides on bees in farming communities in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Study Design: The study employed five different doses of insecticides to 3 groups of 10 honey bees in each group using 3 types of insecticides. The number of dead bees were registered and used for the estimation of LC50 of each insecticide. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Damongo Agricultural Training College, Ghana, between August 2019 and September 2019. Methodology: We collected bees from farms in the West Gonja District of the Savannah Region of Ghana. Controller Super 2.5 EC, Pyrinex 48 EC and Golan SL were insecticides used for the experiment. Live adult bees were randomly obtained from beehives at 2:00 am from the farms when the bees were not aggressive. The bees were collected by hand and placed into a perforated plastic container and transported from the site of collection to the experimental site. They were allowed to acclimatize to the experimental conditions for a period of three hours under room temperature of 24 °C and a relative humidity of 49 percent throughout the study. Results: Mortalities were recorded 10 minutes after administering the concentrations and thereafter at every 10 minutes continuously till 60 minutes. The LC50 was calculated using Where N is the number of honey bees in each group Controller Supper 2.5 EC at a concentration of 6.7 ml/L gave the highest mean mortality (10 bees) at the 50th minute while the concentration of 1.0 ml/L gave the lowest mean mortality (0.0 bees) in the same 50th minute. Conclusion: The LC50 for the three insecticides used were within the recommended concentrations provided by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana. The overall mortalities occurred when honey bees were exposed to different concentrations of all the three insecticides.

Endocrine disruptors in boiled drinking water carried in plastic containers: a pilot study in Thrissur, Kerala, India

Boiled drinking water is carried by students to schools and colleges in plastic containers. However, the risk associated with drinking water stored in plastic containers is very real especially the question of leachates finding their way into the water stored in these containers. In this pilot study, we identified the most common plastic container used by students to carry water and the factors that govern their choice. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was identified as the most favored plastic used to carry water. PET bottles were then subject to treatments that mimic conditions representative of normal consumer usage. The water sample collected was tested for the presence of phthalates, antimony & titanium, and their content estimated by gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectra. Although phthalates and antimony leach into water from PET bottles their concentration was not high enough to pose a threat to human life. However, the trend of increasing antimony concentration with temperature and time is a cause of concern because of its role as endocrine disruptors. Prolonged and repeated use of PET bottles to carry water, especially warm water may lead to health problems in the community.

Comparative Analysis of Cariogenic Potential of Different Types of Commercially Available Milk Beverages- An Interventional Study

To assess the cariogenic potential of almond milk, soya milk, coconut milk and bovine milk, was evaluated to check ability to enable Streptococcus mutans association formed, acid manufacturing, as well as their ability to buffer pH transforms. The baseline non stimulated whole salivary sample (2.5-5 ml) will be collected from the students in the morning at least 1 hr after breakfast. The salivary samples (pre-test and post-test) will be collected and tested for the CFUs. Salivary samples are transported in a plastic container to the microbiological laboratory. They were then tested for the number of CFUs for S. mutans using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. Soya milk promoted much more biofilm development, whereas sugar free almond milk promoted a little. When pH test was performed, sugar free almond milk had the lowest cation exchange capacity, whereas bovine milk had the maximum cation exchange capacity.