Comparison of the physical properties between Malaysian and Thai Rice

Rice is a staple food in the world market, especially in the Asian region. In each country, the characteristics of rice will be different in terms of shape, grade and size. The quality of rice depends largely that demonstrate the quality of that rice species. At present, information on rice varieties is still limited regarding the physical properties of Malaysian and Thai rice. Therefore, it is important to compare rice cultivars based on origin. The objective of this research is to determine and compare the physical properties of Malaysian and Thai rice. 1 kilogram of Malaysian and Thai rice were each processed into powder by way of grinding and were then prepared for physicochemical measurement by sieving the produced rice powders with a size of 2mm to get rid of foreign objects. The physical parameters measured were length, width, length/breadth ratio, thickness, density, grain shape, surface area, bulk density, true density, porosity, sphericity, aspect ratio, thousand weight kernels angle of repose, colour (L, a*, b*) and hardness. The results of the study showed no significant differences (p>0.05) in terms of length, width, length/breadth ratio, true density, porosity, sphericity, aspect ratio, angle of repose, Lightness (L) and b*. However, there is a significant variation (p < 0.05) between Malaysian and Thai rice in terms of thickness, surface area, bulk density, thousand weight kernels, colour (a*) and hardness parameters. The evaluation of the quality of Malaysian and Thai rices can be a guide or reference for the grading and sorting processing sectors.

Exploration of Possibilities to Identify Heterotic Cross Combinations in Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Grain Yield and Quality Parameters

Twenty eight crosses generated using eight aromatic rice varieties crossed in half diallel fashion were evaluated and analyzed along with parents to investigate combining ability and gene action for grain yield and various grain quality traits. The general combining ability and specific combining ability variances were significant for all the traits that indicated the role of both additive and non-additive genetic components. Ratio of σ2gca/σ2sca< 1 indicated preponderance of non-additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Pusa Basmati-1 was the good general combiner showing significantly high GCA effect for a maximum of seven-grain quality traits viz., milling recovery (0.81), kernel length (0.28), kernel breadth (-0.05), kernel length/breadth ratio (0.26), cooked kernel length (0.79), alkali digestion value (0.67) and amylose content (0.60) but not for yield. Cross PSD-15×Pant Basmati-1 (P7×P8) was the good specific combiner showing high SCA effects for a maximum of eight grain quality traits viz. hulling recovery (2.76), milling recovery (2.06), kernel length (0.89), kernel length/breadth ratio (0.69), cooked kernel length (3.06), kernel elongation ratio (0.12), alkali digestion value (1.11) and amylose content (1.01) but not yield. None of the top three crosses (Pusa Sugandh-6×PSD-15, Pusa Basmati-1×PSD-15 and Pusa Sugandh-4×Basmati-370) based on high SCA effect for grain yield plant-1exhibited as high SCA effect to fall within top three crosses on that basis for any of the grain quality traits.

Three new Fragilaria species (Bacillariophyta) from low-conductivity mountain freshwaters (Alps and Apennines)

More or less needle-shaped species of Fragilaria s.s. are difficult to identify. Here we contribute to the taxonomy of this difficult group by describing three species new to science from very low conductivity mountain freshwater environments. Two of the new species resemble taxa established by Kützing in the early 19th century: F. rumpens and F. vaucheriae. Fragilaria spinaspeciosa sp. nov., from a seepage (helocrenic spring) in the northern Apennines, is superficially similar to F. rumpens, but has a lower stria density. Fragilaria tridentina sp. nov. is distinguished from F. gracilis by its smaller length-to-breadth ratio and more closely spaced areolae. Fragilaria vaucheriaeraetica sp. nov. is distinguished from F. vaucheriae and F. microvaucheriae by its outline and denser striae. These last three species also have distinctly different ecologies. Fragilaria vaucheriaeraetica sp. nov. is found in very low conductivity, very low nitrate, ultra-oligotrophic waters, while F. vaucheriae and F. microvaucheriae are found in medium conductivity, high total phosphorus, and relatively high nitrate streams. Accurate species identification and knowledge of each species’ ecological preferences are critically important if diatoms are to be used effectively as indicators of environmental impact and climate change. Weakly buffered, low alkalinity, low nutrient and low conductivity mountain freshwater habitats are sensitive to human disturbance and biotopes for many rare (Red List) diatoms. As such, they serve as valuable early warning systems for detecting the effects of climate change and other human activities.

Heterosis and inbreeding studies for agronomic and quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Heterosis and inbreeding depression was studied for twenty characters in seven parental lines and their eleven hybrids in rice. Significant positive average heterosis and heterobeltiosis was observed for effective tillers, grain yield /plant, panicle density ,filled grains /panicle, panicle length, length/breadth ratio, head rice recovery, milling percent and hulling percent. Significant negative heterosis was observed for days to 50 % flowering in desired direction. Among the crosses, Kavya × WGL-915, BPT-5024 × WGL-915, Kavya × HKR-08-62, BPT-5204 × MTU-1075 and BPT-5204 × Gontrabidhan recorded significant positive heterobeltiosis for grain yield/plant and also two to three important economic characters and showed significant positive inbreeding depression . The inheritance of yield, yield components and quality traits were mostly governed by non additive type of gene action as evident from high heterosis followed by high inbreeding depression and in such cases heterosis breeding is more feasible to achieve quantum jump in rice yield while, pedigree method in few specific crosses showing low inbreeding depression in order to improve characters like head rice recovery, kernel length, length/breadth ratio, kernel length after cooking and days to 50% flowering etc. Selection of good parents was found to be most important for developing high yielding rice varieties with desirable characters.

Evaluation of physical, milling and cooking properties of four new rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Nigeria

This comparative study investigated some physical, milling and cooking properties of four new rice varieties (FARO 44, FARO 52, FARO 60 and FARO 61) in Nigeria. The varieties were processed into white rice and their properties analyzed separately using standard procedures. Results showed that paddy length, paddy-length-to-width-ratio, equivalent diameter, sphericity, grain volume, aspect ratio, thousand paddy grain weight, milled rice length, milled rice width, milled rice length to width ratio, milling recovery, head milled rice, broken milled rice, L*, a*, b*, elongation ratio, cooked-rice-length-to-breadth-ratio, water uptake ratio and cooking time were significantly different (p<0.05) for all the varieties. Milling recovery was found to vary from 65.3 to 68.33%; with FARO 60 having the highest head milled rice. It was observed that FARO 44 had the longest cooking time, elongation ratio and cooked rice length/breadth ratio while FARO 61 was found to have the highest water uptake ratio. There was significant positive correlation (r = 0.824) between percentage head milled rice and milling recovery while negative correlation existed between cooking time and L* (r= - 0.711). This information could be exploited by rice processors in the post-harvest processing of the varieties.

Sloshing and Swirling in Partially Loaded Prismatic Chamfered Tanks

In this study a sloshing experiment using a partially filled membrane tank model was carried out and compared with numerical simulation. The pressure was measured at 10 points and a load cell measured the longitudinal and transversal forces, under regular and irregular excitation. A 3D finite difference method based solver was used for the numerical simulation. When the prismatic tank length to breadth ratio is near 1, swirling, i.e., liquid free surface’s rotating motion in the tank might occur when the tank is excited near its natural frequency, especially for medium and low tank filling levels. According to the experimental and simulation data, the magnitude of the forces and impact pressures in this situation can be significant and therefore cannot be neglected. Tank designs might use different length to breadth ratios (Lt/Bt) depending on the ship size and number of tanks, so the problem is worth being investigated. The Lt/Bt and the occurrence of swirling was then investigated. The pressure distribution when the swirling occurs is then compared with the 1st mode sloshing pressure distribution, and considerations about the tank safety are inferred.

Taxonomic notes on Spirotaenia (Mesotaeniaceae, Zygnematophyceae) from a Brazilian phytotelm habitat: new species and new records

The saccoderm desmids Spirotaenia endospira and Spirotaenia closteridia, species thus far unknown from the southern hemisphere, are described from Serra da Jiboia, northeast Brazil. Spirotaenia filiformis sp. nov. was also recorded in this area and described as new species. In the present study, Spirotaenia species were collected from Alcantarea nahoumii tanks, an endangered Brazilian bromeliad species. The newly described S. filiformis is primarily characterized by a high cell length to breadth ratio (17–31) and a parietal chloroplast with 3.5–8.5 turns. All three species were discussed for possible affiliations with other Spirotaenia taxa. From this study, the knowledge on genus Spirotaenia in Brazil has been expanded to four species currently confirmed: Spirotaenia closteridia, S. condensata, S. endospira, and S. filiformis.

Quality Assessment of Some Rice Varieties Newly Adopted in NARC

Five rice varieties newly adopted in NARC were studied for their varietal differences in relation to quality characteristics such as physicochemical and cooking qualities. In physical analysis bulk density, density, thousand kernel weight and length to breadth ratio were recorded as highest in ‘Lumle-2’ (0.602gm/ml), ‘Lumle-2’ (27.789gm), ‘UPLRI-5’ (1.361gm/ml) and ‘IET-16775’ (4.710) varieties respectively. The milling and head rice recovery were recorded maximum in ‘Lumle-2’ (78.821%) and ‘UPLRI-5’ (78.282%) respectively. Protein, fat, amylose, crude-fiber and total-ash were ranged from 8.292-13.346%, 1.147-1.872%, 24.541-27.396% and 0.707-1.379% respectively. Iron, phosphorous and calcium content were estimated in the range 1.016-2.325mg/100g, 204.036-336.532mg/100g and 16.189-29.813mg/100g respectively. From organoleptic test, ‘IET-16775’ variety was scored as strongest aroma. ‘Lumle-2’, ‘Chhomrong’, ‘Machapuchhre-3’ varieties were shown as intermediate gelatinization-temperature and ‘UPLRI-5’ and ‘IET-16775’ varieties were recorded as high gelatinization-temperature. Water uptake ratio, cooking time, elongation ratio and gruel loss were found in the range 1.696-2.667, 18-25minutes, 1.252-1.428, and 2.477-6.188% respectively.

Functional Properties of Re-fabricated Rice as Affected by Die During Extrusion Process

In order to obtain re-fabricated rice with properties similar to natural rice, a special cutter and six dies were designed and evaluated. All the dimensional and physical properties of re-fabricated rice were significantly affected by die type. The average values of all the properties studied increased with the increase in moisture content (from 10 to 14%), except length/breadth ratio and porosity which decreased with the increase in moisture content. Based on the dimensional and physical properties, the re-fabricated rice obtained through die IV (8 × 1.5 mm) was in close resemblance to natural rice (PR-116). In general, uncooked and cooked re-fabricated rice grains showed significantly harder and firm texture in comparison to natural rice. Furthermore, significant differences were observed with respect to colour, whiteness and translucence between re-fabricated rice samples and natural rice. Sensory evaluation data revealed significant decrease in oral tenderness and adhesiveness in re-fabricated rice against natural rice. The study demonstrated that appropriate design of extrusion die is determinant factor for developing re-fabricated rice with properties similar to natural rice.

Theoretical modeling of horizontal-vertical loading of circular foundation in the offshore Niger Delta of Nigeria

Theoretical modeling on the performance of offshore circular foundation installed on clay and subjected to combined horizontal-vertical load in the Niger Delta has been attempted. Analytical methods of Skempton, Brinch Hanson, and Vesic were used to evaluate concentric vertical loads on offshore piles. Horizontal forces, H were evaluated for varying wave heights on circular piles of 1.0 to 2.0 m diameters using available meteorological and oceanographic offshore records. The results revealed that sliding failure commenced when the ratio of vertical load to footing area and undrained shear strength, V/Asu assumed negative values (i.e. at H > 0.082 Asu). The maximum mean vertical load is 6.107 Asu, and to guide against the occurrence of bearing capacity failure by sliding, V > 0.75H for cases where the ratio of footing depth to breadth ratio is lesser than one, (D/B < 1.0) and V > 0.70H when footing depth to breadth ratio is greater than one (D/B > 1.0).