Research on Structural–Mechanical Properties during the Castor Episperm Breaking Process

Products from castor seeds have been widely used in various fields. In order to study the breaking behavior and rupture mechanism of castor seed episperm during coat shelling process, the force-structure property of coating castor seed was investigated by a self-developed texture analyzer with in situ optical microscopic observation. Influences of compression distance, velocity and working temperature were studied. The results showed that castor seed episperm rupture commonly happened from the tail end to the first end. Compression distance effect can change the episperm cracking degree. Under pressing distance 2–3 mm, the episperm easily cracked into two flaps, and the breaking force stabilized at 77 N. Pressing velocity has no significant effect on episperm breaking. Temperature changes the physical property. With an increase in temperature, breaking force presents a “slope” decline; under a temperature of 120 ℃, temperature effect on the breaking force decreased significantly and the breaking force fell to about 52 N. The research results can provide theoretical basis for the castor episperm peeling.

Transesterification of Pyrolysed Castor Seed Oil in the Presence of CaCu(OCH3)2 Catalyst

Energy consumption is on the rise due to rapid technological progress and a higher standard of living. The use of alternative energy resources is essential to meet the rising energy demand and mitigate the carbon emissions caused due to use of fossil-based fuels. Biodiesel produced from non-edible oils such as castor seed oil (CO) can be used in diesel engines to replace fossil diesel. However, the quality and yields for CO biodiesel is low due to the presence of ricinolic acid C18:1OH (79%). In this study, two-stage conversion techniques were used to improve the yields and properties of CO biodiesel. The catalyst CaCu(OCH3)2 was prepared from waste eggshell and synthesized with copper oxide in the presence of methanol. The castor oil was subjected to pyrolysis at 450–500 ℃ and then transesterified in the presence of modified catalyst. The reaction parameters such as methanol-to-oil ratio and catalyst and reaction time were investigated, and the optimum combination was used to produce castor biodiesel from pyrolysis castor oil. Results showed that the cetane number and oxidation stability were increased by 7% and 42% respectively. The viscosity, density, flash point, and iodine value were decreased by 52%, 3%, 5% and 6%, respectively. The calorific values remained the same. This study suggests that pyrolyzed castor seed oil followed by transesterification in the presence of a modified catalyst gave better fuel properties and yields than the conventional transesterification process for biodiesel fuel production.

Evaluation and Identification of Rabi Castor Based Profitable Cropping Systems on Alfisols in Southern Telangana

Aim: The experiment was aimed at identifying the rabi castor based profitable cropping systems for Alfisols of Southern Telangana Zone. Study design: Split plot design with three replications Place and duration of study: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Palem, Telangana state, India during rabi season of 2010-11 and 2011-12. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with five preceding crops (mung bean, fodder jowar, corn, pearlmillet and sesame) in main plots and four nitrogen levels of rabi castor in sub plots (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1). The growth parameters, yield attributes, seed yield, water use efficiency and economics were studied. Results: The results showed that among different proceeding crops evaluated that significantly higher castor seed yield and castor equivalent yield were obtained when rabi castor was preceded by corn (1973 and 2931 and kg ha-1) and mung bean (1868 and 2696 kg ha-1) as compared to that of sesame (1672 and 2207 kg ha-1), pearl millet (1823 and 2199 kg ha-1) and fodder jowar (1783 and 2154 kg ha-1). However, higher total system gross returns (Rs. 1,04,118 ha-1) and net returns (Rs. 52,462 ha-1) were accrued when rabi castor was grown after corn only, but, a higher B:C ratio was realized due to mung bean as a preceding crop (2.12). Though castor during rabi season responded similarly to 80 and 120 kg N ha-1 in terms of castor seed yield (2275 and 2381 kg ha-1) and castor equivalent yield (2887 and 3013 kg ha-1), application of 120 kg N ha-1to castor resulted in accruing of higher system net returns (Rs. 60,638 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.27). However, the results of interaction further showed that rabi castor preceded by mung bean with the application of 80 kg N ha-1 was found profitable (Rs. 75,573 ha-1). It was closely followed by corn-castor system (Rs. 73,289 ha-1).

Assessment of the nutritive value of toasted castor seed cake-based diets as a reflect on blood profile of weanling wistar albino rats

Since the cost of feed is increasing due to the keen competition between humans and animals, there is a need to critically seek for a matching alternative. Castor seed cake, a residue after the extraction of oil from nutrients-rich castor seed constitutes a waste which can be converted into livestock feed. Thus, the study was carried out to investigate the effect of graded levels of castor seed cake diets on haematological and serum biochemical indices of weanling albino rats in an experiment that lasted 21 days. Thirty weanling Wistar albino rats were weighed individually and randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 3 replicates of two rats in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 was a nitrogen-free diet (NFD), while diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 had 0% (without castor seed cake inclusion), 2, 4 and 6% castor seed cake replacing soyabean meal respectively. At day 21, blood samples were obtained from two rats per replicate for haematological and serum analysis. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) observed in all the parameters (packed cell volume, haemaglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and platelet) measured. Similarly, diet had no effect on the serum biochemical indices (creatinine, urea, total protein and globulin) measured. Significant difference (P<0.05) was however observed in albumin (2.62 – 3.18g/dL) of rats on the different experimental diets. The albumin concentrations of weanling albino rats on dietary treatments were similar to those on the control diet but significantly (P<0.05) higher (3.09 – 3.18g/dL) than those on the nitrogen free diet. It can be concluded that castor seed cake can replace soyabean meal up to 6% inclusion level without eliciting detrimental effect on blood profile of weanling wistar albino rats.

Trend and Seasonality Analysis in Prices and Arrivals of Selected Agricultural Commodities in India

The study was conducted to find the fluctuation in the prices and arrival of the selected high value agricultural commodities. The study was conducted for the period 2004-2020 by collecting secondary data from CMIE (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy) database. The major agricultural commodities were selected purposively on the basis of high price fluctuatiion and arrivals in the market. The commodities selected for the study include, castor seed, coriander, jeera, soybean and turmeric. The results of the study showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between growth rate and the prices of selected commodities with Jeera showing the highest growth rate of (9.87%) in arrival followed by turmeric (9.05%) and the lowest in coriander (5.06%) as against the prices where it showed all together with a different scenario with highest in case of coriander (7.55%) followed by soybean (7.24%) and lowest in jeera with (5.69%) respectively. The results of the findings revealed that in all the commodities high seasonal indices were observed from March to June indicating high post-harvest arrivals during these months. In the case of soybean and turmeric, the seasonal index for prices is high in April to September, which reveals that there is a lack of storage facilities and the production during these months is very low. This study suggested improvement in the infrastructure, storage, and postharvest techniques so that the arrivals of these commodities get increased and availability should be throughout the year so that the price fluctuation can be minimized.

Nutritional effects of toasted castor seed meal based-diets on growth and blood parameters of grower rabbits supplemented with quantum blue® enzyme

Rabbits are known to be highly prolific animals with short gestation period and can thrive well on cheaper and available alternative feeds such as castor seeds especially when properly processed and supplemented with the right additive. Twenty weaner composite rabbits weighing approximately 660.45±12.05g/rabbit were utilized in an experiment to evaluate effect of toasted castor seed meal (TCSM) on growth and blood parameters of grower rabbits supplemented with quantum blue® enzyme. The rabbits were allotted to four isonitrogenous (15% crude protein) and isocaloric (2850kcal/kg, ME) diets with two levels (0 and 30%) of TCSM and two levels of enzymes (0 and 100PPM) in a 2X2 factorial arrangement of a Completely Randomized Design. Growth parameters and blood constituents were measured. The results obtained showed that all the growth parameters evaluated were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by enzyme supplementation except for initial weight which was significantly (P<0.05) reduced (1818.75 vs. 1368.75 g/rabbit). Similarly, inclusion of TCSM significantly (P<0.05) reduced initial (1862.50 vs. 1325.00 g/rabbit) and final (2112.50 vs. 1204.17 g/rabbit) weights of the rabbits. Also, there was significant improvement (P<0.05) in serum calcium (3.00 mmol/L), creatinine (82.67mg/L) and albumin concentration (25.67 vs. 30.67 and 25.33 g/L) in rabbits fed high TCSM and enzyme supplementation. In conclusion, inclusion of 30% TCSM supplemented with quantum blue ®enzyme at 100 ppm reduced the effect of TCSM on the animals and improves acceptance, absorption and utilization of feed by grower rabbits without compromising their health status.