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.

Response To Light Intensity of Sun And Shade On Two Cool Season Turfgrass

Background: Obtaining superior performance of SupraNova and Lark C3 turfgrasses under shade conditions is a challenging task. Both durability and performance of turfgrass are significantly affected by shade. In particular, morphological and physiological adaptation to low light is critical for maintaining quality and overall performance in turfgrass plants. Results: The purpose of this study was to study the response of SupraNova and Lark turfgrass morphology and photo-physiological potential to shading. The plants of 'SupraNova' and 'Lark' were collected from the lawn plots of the Horticulture Research Center of Northeast Agricultural University of China for 2 years and treated with gradient shading 35.62% after 2 months of culture, normal light intensity 70.79 % and 93.45% with full sun as the contrast represented by CK for comparison. Lark showed TQ and TCI in shady stage compared with SupraNova. Lark showed strong resistance to MDA, H2O2, O2-, SOD, POD, CAT and AsA, indicating that the antioxidant system of C3 turfgrass at 35.6% shade level. Under 70.79% shade treatment, MDA, H2O2, O2-, SOD, POD, CAT and AsA of the two cultivars decreased the most, and the longer the shading time, the average daily growth of the two turfgrasses increased first and then decreased. Lark outperformed SupraNova throughout the shading treatment, with 70.79% and 93.45%, respectively. Lark showed increased Chl A and Chl (A/B) in response to different shading levels, while SupraNova had the highest concentrations of Chl B and total Chl. Chlorophyll fluorescence qP, ETR, and Fv/Fm decreased significantly when shaded at 93.45%;Conclusion: The results of this study proved that decrease was more significant in SupraNova than Lark, and shading caused more severe changes in leaf morphology and anatomical structure than Lark turfgrass has the highest negative tolerance than SupraNova turfgrass, which is due to the better photosynthetic product transport capacity of Lark plants. In its anatomical structure, and" vascular bundle sheath structure, which enables it to have higher photosynthetic efficiency to adapt to negative stress. SupraNova and Lark first increased and then decreased with the increase of shade degree

Shade lichens are characterized by rapid relaxation of non-photochemical quenching on transition to darkness

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) plays an important role in protecting photosynthetic organisms from photoinhibition by dissipating excess light energy as heat. However, excess NPQ can greatly reduce the quantum yield of photosynthesis at lower light levels. Recently, there has been considerable interest in understanding how plants balance NPQ to ensure optimal productivity in environments in which light levels are rapidly changing. In the present study, chlorophyll fluorescence was used to study the induction and relaxation of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in the dark and the induction of photosynthesis in ten species of lichens, five sampled from exposed and five sampled from shaded habitats. Here we show that the main difference between sun and shade lichens is the rate at which NPQ relaxes in the dark, rather than the speed that photosynthesis starts upon illumination. During the first two minutes in the dark, NPQ values in the five sun species declined only by an average of 2%, while by contrast, in shade species the average decline was 40%. For lichens growing in microhabitats where light levels are rapidly changing, rapid relaxation of NPQ may enable their photobionts to use the available light most efficiently.

Cluster Randomized Trial: Sun Protection Intervention ‘Clever in Sun and Shade for Preschools’—Effectiveness and Dissemination

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and UV radiation is one of the main risk factors. Therefore, sun protection, especially in childhood, is strongly recommended. We examined the effectiveness of the ‘Clever in Sun and Shade for Preschools’ program (CLEVER) in promoting sun protection behavior among preschool staff (trial registration: DRKS00023468) and describe its dissemination. Within a cluster randomized trial with 24 preschools (n = 273 staff members) stating a high need for sun protection measures, an educational workshop for preschool staff and a project kit with materials applicable in preschool groups was provided. Staff members of preschools taking part in CLEVER report significantly stronger sun protection behavior to avoid the sun (effect size [ES] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04 0.71, p < 0.05) and less perceived impediments to avoid the sun (ES −0.56, CI −0.82 −0.17, p < 0.01) after 12 months as well as higher self-efficacy to avoid the sun (ES 1.09, CI 0.39 1.07, p < 0.001) and to use sunscreen (ES 0.71, CI 0.03 0.88, p < 0.05) after 1 month. Compared to the control group, there was no significant effect on sunscreen use and further psychosocial outcomes. The effectiveness of CLEVER may be underrated due to a high drop-out rate. Within three years, an enhanced free-of-charge program kit, including a media-based workshop and materials, had reached over 4000 preschools, i.e., 7.1% of all daycare centers in Germany. The results show that CLEVER can strengthen sun protection, offer high-quality information at low cost, and is easily disseminable.

Metaphors of Life in German Idioms

The aim of the study is to define the metaphoric meaning of the concept ‘life’ in the German idioms. The German word das Leben means both to live and life in Georgian. It means German does not differentiate them. Our task is to define the positive and the negative connotations of idioms containing the concept of life/ live. To solve this task, we searched for the relevant phraseologisms in the dictionaries and classified them. The study has revealed that lexemes denoting seasons prevail in such idioms. In a metaphoric sense, we can show these idioms as a whole life cycle: from cradle to grave. The lexeme spring stands for youth years (Der Frühling des Lebens-the spring of life), while the lexeme autumn stands for the old age (Der Herbst des Lebens- the autumn of life). In the same figurative sense, the lexeme Lebenmay refers to one day only. For instance, Leben ist ein Tag – Life is one day. This phraseologism shows the brevity of life. Metaphorical compound Lebensabend means the evening of life, that is the old age. The brevity of life is also reflected in the idiom sein letztes Stündlein hat geschlagen- ‘his last hour struck’, meaning, his life came to an end. Metaphorisation of human’s life is also common with the following lexemes: plants, travel, road, food, struggle, liquid and vessel. Thus, life is alternation of positive and negative moments. The former are often compared to light and the sun, while the latter - to shade, darkness and night. Proceeding from this life is a regular alteration of light and darkness, the sun and shade, light and dark.

Achyranthes aspera (devil's horsewhip).

Physiology and Phenology: A. aspera is a coarse herb or shrub, sometimes growing in arable land as an annual, but under suitable conditions lasting for a number of years and reaching a height of 4 m. There are sun and shade adapted types (Vora et al., 1989). Reproductive Biology: In germination studies of desert plants, Khan et al. (1984) noted little seed dormancy in this species. Associations: A. aspera displays anti-feedant activity against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera; Singh et al., 2001).

Drying Effects on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Properties of Ginger Powder Undergoing Different Drying Techniques

The objective of this study was focused on drying techniques including oven, mechanical, sun and shade drying on changes in phytochemicals and scavenging antioxidant capacity of ginger powder. The dry ginger had highest phenolics content (487.87±2.63 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (322.63±3.74 mg RE/g) on weight basis. The highest DPPH antioxidant scavenging capacity in (78.13±1.02%) and highest FRAP assay in (38.64±0.76 mmol Fe(II)/mg). Oven drying technique had a positive effect on retaining flavonoids content. Shade drying technique had a positive effect on retaining phenolics content, ascorbic acid and DPPH antioxidant scavenging activity assay. On the other hand, sun drying technique had a positive effect on retaining FRAP antioxidant assay. The changes in antioxidant scavenging activity due to the drying techniques were positively correlated with phytochemicals content. Drying techniques caused a significant change in phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in dry ginger. However, it can be recommended that special technique should be taken for processing that phytochemicals and antioxidant scavenging capacity remain in processed ginger powder.

Do Camels (Camelus dromedarius) Need Shaded Areas? A Case Study of the Camel Market in Doha

This study aimed at documenting whether dromedary camels have a preference for shade and how their behavior would change depending on the presence of shade and variable space allowance. A total of 421 animals kept in 76 pens (66 with shelter (Group 1), and 10 without shelter (Group 2)) at the camel market in Doha (Qatar) were recorded for 1 min around 11:00 a.m. when the temperature was above 40 °C. The number of animals in the sun and shade and their behaviors were analyzed using an ad libitum sampling method and an ad hoc ethogram. The results of a chi-square test indicated that camels in Group 1 had a clear preference for shade (p < 0.001). The majority of Group 1 camels were indeed observed in the shade (312/421; 74.11%). These camels spent more time in recumbency and ruminating, while standing, walking, and self-grooming were more commonly expressed by the camels in the sun (p < 0.001). Moreover, locomotory stereotypic behaviors (i.e., pacing) increased as space allowance decreased (p = 0.002). Based on the findings of this pilot study, camels demonstrated a preference for shade; shade seemed to promote positive welfare, while overcrowding seemed to trigger stereotypy and poor welfare. Overall, our preliminary results are novel and provide evidence that shaded areas are of paramount importance for camel welfare. Further research, involving designed studies at multiple locations is needed to confirm these results.