The impact of (Canarium Odontophyllum Miq.) Dabai Optimum Soaking Condition Towards the Development of Dabai Peanut Spread Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Evaluation

Canarium odontophyllum miq. also known as dabai is known as Sarawak indigenous fruit and utilised for dabai peanut spread formulation. Dabai is physically hard in texture and consumed by soaking under heat treatment. Therefore, dabai optimum soaking condition is determined followed by the development of dabai peanut spread. The determination of soaking condition requires: soaking time (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) mins and soaking temperature (50°C, 60°C, 70°C and 80°C) as independent variables, and (water absorption, crude protein content, crude fat content, moisture content, ash content and colour) as dependent variables. 50°C for 4 minutes is the optimum dabai soaking condition, and it is being utilised for dabai peanut spread formulation. There were six different formulations with different ratios of soaked dabai and roasted peanut, and further underwent proximate analyses and sensory evaluation test. The combination of a low amount of soaked dabai (40 g) with a high amount of roasted peanut (160 g) has produced a high amount of crude protein (10.65%) and crude fat (35.95%) and was found significantly (p<0.05) acceptable by the panellists. The information obtained provides a better understanding of dabai as a potential food product ingredient.

Determination of optimal parboiling conditions for nigerian FARO-44 rice variety

Optimization study was carried out on the parboiling process variables for improving the milling quality of FARO-44 rice variety using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in Central Composite Design (CCD). The variables studied were initial soaking temperature (IST), soaking time (SKt) and steaming time (STt) including their interactive effects.The range of the input variables studied were 70-90oC, 8-12hrs and 40-50minsfor initial soaking temperature, soaking time and steaming time respectively. For thisstudy, a total of twenty (20) randomized experimental runs comprising one (1) replicate of factorial point, one (1) replicate of axial point (alpha 2.7) and six (6) centre point in the design space. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed on the experimental data sets and models were fitted for all the response variables generated. The result showed that the optimal parboiling variables were, 90 0C, 46mins and 10 hours,for initial soaking temperature, steaming time and soaking time respectively with their corresponding optimum response 58.7%, 6.7% and 58.1% for Head rice yield (based on parboiled paddy weight), breakage ratio and milled rice colour (based on illumination). The composite desirability is 0.793 which maximized the percentage Head rice yield (HRY) and milled rice colour (MRC) but minimized the percentage Breakage Ratio (BR). Keywords: optimization, Response Surface Methodology, FARO-44, Rice,Head rice, parboiling

Physical properties and water absorption kinetics of three varieties of Mucuna beans

The physical properties and water absorption kinetics of three varieties of Mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna rajada and Mucuna veracruz) were determined in this study. Physical properties including length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, porosity, bulk density, area, volume and one thousand seed mass were calculated while hydration kinetics was studied by soaking Mucuna beans in water at 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C and measuring water uptake at 9 h interval. Peleg’s equation was used to model the hydration characteristics and Arrhenius equation was used to describe the effect of temperature on Peleg’s rate constant k1 and to obtain the activation energies for soaking. Significant variations were observed in almost all the physical properties of the different varieties, however, there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in their thicknesses and bulk densities. The effectiveness of fit of Peleg’s model (R2) increased with increase in soaking temperature. Peleg’s rate constant k1 decreased with increase in soaking temperature while k2 increased with temperature increase. Activation energies of Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna rajada and Mucuna veracruz were 1613.24 kJ/mol, 747.95 kJ/mol and 2743.64 kJ/mol, respectively. This study provides useful information about the properties of three varieties of Mucuna beans that could be of importance to processors and engineers for process design and optimization.

α-Si3N4 and Si2N2O whiskers from rice husk and industrial rice husk ash

Rice industrialization worldwide generates significant amounts of rice husk as a by-product. When rice husk is burned to obtain energy, a relatively common practice, a substantial portion of the husk turns into ash, and both constitute environmental liabilities. Using rice husk and ash as starting materials to produce high-value products could help in mitigating the environmental impact while providing economic revenue. Rice husk and rice husk ash as produced in a local cogeneration plant without any pretreatments were evaluated as feasible sources for silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon oxynitride (Si2N2O) whiskers by carbothermal reduction and nitridation. Rice husk and the ash were held at temperatures between 1200 and 1400 °C for 3 h under flowing nitrogen. Increasing soaking temperature values led to higher whisker development for both starting materials, with the best results observed at 1400 °C. Whereas α-silicon nitride whiskers were obtained when rice husk was employed, the graphite surface-to-ash ratio dictated whisker composition for the ash. Treatment of the ash at the soaking temperature value of 1400 °C led to silicon oxynitride for lower graphite surface-to-ash ratios, but when this ratio was increased, α-silicon nitride predominated. α-silicon nitride whiskers had cross sections ranging from about 100 nm to 1 µm in width, whereas the silicon oxynitride whiskers had cross sections ranging from approx. 100 to 500 nm in diameter. Both types of whiskers were observed to be in the millimeter length range.

Study on the Factors Affecting the Determination of Calcium in Limestone for Chemical Industry by AAS

The calcium content in limestone for chemical industry was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of soaking time, soaking reagent and soaking temperature on the determination of calcium content in limestone for chemical industry were discussed by the method of controlling variables, and the optimum conditions for the determination of calcium content in limestone for chemical industry were analyzed. This method has the advantages of easy operation, low interference, high accuracy and sensitivity, and is widely used. The experimental results show that the optimum conditions for the determination of calcium content in limestone for chemical industry are as follows: soaking reagent is 0.6mol/L hydrochloric acid, soaking time is 0.5h, soaking temperature is 70～80 ℃.

Phytic Acid in Brown Rice Can Be Reduced by Increasing Soaking Temperature

Phytic acid (PA) is a storage form of phosphorus in seeds. Phytase enzyme is activated at germination and hydrolyses PA into myo-inositol and inorganic phosphate. PA inhibits the absorption of minerals in the human intestine by chelation. Its degradation, therefore, is a key factor to improve mineral bioavailability in rice. Germinated brown rice (GBR) is favoured because it improves the availability of nutrients, and thus have a positive effect on health. In this study, we show the effects of soaking temperature on phytase activity and PA content in GBR. Rice phytase showed thermostability and its activity peaked at 50 °C. After 36 h of soaking, phytase activity was significantly increased at 50 °C and PA content was significantly decreased, compared to that at 30 °C. Zinc (Zn) analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in Zn content among different temperature treatments. Calculated total daily absorbed Zn (TAZ) was significantly higher in GBR compared with non-soaked seeds. Moreover, brown rice grains germinated at 50 °C showed a higher TAZ value than that at 30 °C. Seed germination and seed water soaking at high temperatures reduce PA content in brown rice showing a potentially effective way to improve mineral bioavailability in brown rice.

Multiobjective optimization of parboiled rice quality attributes and total energy consumption

This study was designed to investigate, model and optimize the effect of process factors (soaking temperature, soaking time, steaming time and paddy moisture content) on rice quality attributes and total energy consumption of a commercially grown rice variety (FARO 60) using response surface methodology. The optimum processing conditions obtained for the rice quality attributes and total energy consumption varies from one another. The milling recovery, head rice yield, white bellies, lightness, colour, and total energy consumption values of the parboiled rice ranges from 68.46 - 72.34%; 67.71 - 71.42%; 0.50 - 4.30%; 22.03 - 33.00; 14.10 - 21.21 and 45.27 - 73.68 MJ, respectively. The second-order polynomial models were observed to be fit in predicting milling recovery, head rice yield, white bellies and total energy consumption with the coefficient of determination (R2) that range from 78.71 to 95.03% while colour and lightness values were not fit with R2 ranging from 24.05 to 52.95%. The multiobjective optimization for desirable parboiled rice quality attributes and total energy consumption showed that universal optimum condition was found at 64°C soaking temperature, 11 h soaking time, 35 min steaming time and 17% paddy moisture content. The approach used and information obtained from this study would be useful for rice processors as a strategic means of minimizing total energy consumption, without compromising its desirable quality attributes. Keywords: Multiobjective Optimization; Parboiled Rice Quality Attributes; Total Energy Consumption

The Improved Chemical, Mechanical, Rheological, and Pasting Characteristics of Protein-Rich Brown Rice by Parboiling Process Integrated with Nitrogen Fertilization

The effects of nitrogen fertilization (NF, 60-100 kg ha-1) and parboiling operation (soaking temperature (SoT, 50-80°C) and steaming time (StT, 10-15 min)) on the protein content (PC), amylose content (AC), gelatinization temperature (GT), hardness value (HV), peak viscosity (PV), trough viscosity (TV), final viscosity (FV), breakdown (BD), setback (SB) point, peak time (PTi), and pasting temperature (PTe) of brown rice were evaluated. Results showed that the GT, HV, FV, and TV were significantly increased by increasing the NF, SoT, and StT levels. An increase in the SoT and StT levels led to a significant reduction in PC, AC, BD, and TV values. The AC (17.13-16.83%) and PV (1605-1588 cP) values were decreased by increasing the NF level, while the PC (8.78-9.46%) and BD (226.9-247.7 cP) values were increased. Rheological parameters of BD (336.4 cP), FV (3608.5 cP), and SB (1843.5 cP) were notably increased using the combined treatment of 100 kg ha-1 NF and of 80°C SoT. The best triple treatments for the improved GT (5.0 °C), HV (19.37 N), as well as FV (3923 cP), and SB (1949 cP) were 60 kg ha-1 NF+80°C SoT+15 min StT, 100 kg ha-1 NF+80°C SoT+15 min StT, and 100 kg ha-1 NF+80°C SoT+10 min StT, respectively.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Seed Extract as a New Plant-Based Milk Alternative and Its Potential Food Uses

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed is rich in protein, fat, fiber, and other essential nutrients. Kenaf seed comprises of high protein (22–31%) and oil (22–25%) contents which suggested its high potential food application. This chapter discusses the potential and early development of kenaf-based plant-milk and tofu. The step-by-step processes involved in preparation of kenaf-based milk and kenaf-based tofu at laboratory-scale are illustrated. Soaking conditions (temperature and time) of kenaf seed as pretreatment in preparation of kenaf seed milk were highlighted. Hydration of kenaf seed were found to be faster at elevated temperature, however higher soaking temperature and prolonged soaking time causes some losses of protein (%) and solid content (%) which are unfavorable for production of highly nutritious plant-based milk. Furthermore, in preparation of kenaf-based tofu, soaking temperature of seed also affected the properties of the tofu. As the soaking temperature was increased from 25–65°C, the yield, hardness, and chewiness of kenaf tofu decreased. It was recommended that soaking of kenaf seed at 25°C and the use of aluminum potassium salt at 1.00 g% as coagulant produces kenaf-based tofu with optimum quality.