Morphological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Carum carvi (Caraway) and Bunium persicum (Black Caraway) Seeds: A Review

Carum carvi and Bunium persicum belongs to Apiaceae family. Both the species are medicinally important and has been used as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, to treat heart problems, spice, condiments and breath freshener or lotions industries etc. Due to morphological similarities, the adulterations are being observed, so it is essential to understand the morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of both the seeds. The plants look similar with approximately similar flower colour. Most prominent difference is in root structure. The roots of C. carvi are fleshy, fusiform tap while that of B.  persicum is tuberous. C.carvi seeds are larger than that of B. persicum, with comparatively lighter brown colour. The seeds of C. carvi are sickle shaped while the seeds of the B. persicum are cylindrical in shape. Chemical composition of essential oil is approximately similar with variation in the percentage content of various compounds. Both the seeds are used for food preparation with some variation in their utilization due to difference in their aroma

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Self-cured, Heat-cured, and Photosensitive 3D Printing Resins After the Addition of Silica Nanoparticles

This study evaluated investigate the addition of silica nanoparticles in autopolymerizable resin and into liquid resin for 3D printing and compare them with CAD-CAM blocks and thermopolymerizable resin, regarding flexural strength and surface roughness. Eight groups (n=12) were created according to the types of materials: autopolymerizable resin (G1-G4), photosensitive resin for 3D printing (G5-G6), PMMA block (G7) and thermopolymerizable resin (G8). Functionalized silica nanoparticles (0.5-1.5 wt%) were added in groups G2-G4 and G6. Mechanical flexural strength, surface roughness and morphological analysis were carried out to evaluate the properties of the samples. One-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test, was used to evaluate the data. The average surface roughness was higher in group G7 and lower in the G8 group, with a statistical difference (p < 0.001). The G8 and G1-G4 showed no significant difference in surface roughness. The G5 and G6 presented surface roughness higher than that recommended by Borchers and Bollen (Ra=0.2 µm). The incorporation of nanoparticles into self-polymerizing acrylic resins negatively affected the mechanical properties of the material, reducing flexural strength. The G5 and G6 demonstrated the lowest flexural strength (p<0.001), presenting values lower than those recommended by ISO (σ >60 MPa) regardless of the incorporation or not of silica nanoparticles. The G7 presented the highest flexural strength value followed by the G8. Within the limits of this study, it may be concluded that the addition of silica nanoparticles did not improve the flexural strength the G6 and also affected negatively the mechanical properties of self-polymerizing acrylic resins

Wet Sliding Wear Investigation of Ni-Based Coating for Piston Cylinder

This paper presents the investigation of sliding wear of nickel-based coatings for piston cylinder application. Wear and friction between cylinder walls and pistons is a critical issue in industries like power generation, aerospace, and nuclear plants, contributing significantly to engine losses. NiCrBSiFeC has been coated on steel by high velocity oxy fuel thermal process and investigated on tribometer for sliding wear as per ASTM G99 standard. The design of experiments was done by considering normal load, speed and track diameter as variable with three level.  The wear tracks are analyzed using electro discharge spectrum (EDS) analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The specific Mass Wear Rate (MWR) and coefficient of frictions are compared for coated and uncoated conditions. The results indicated the significant improvement in the wear life for the coated sample with mild abrasive and delaminated wear mechanism

Blotting Method to Determine Oil Content in Mustard Seeds: A Solution to Asymmetries in the Mustard Seed Economy

Determining oil content in mustard seeds is a time consuming and expensive process, often inaccessible to the common farmer. The proposed oil blot methodology has the potential to be used in low income, remote settings as a first estimate of the oil content in the mustard seed crop. Oil blots were formed by pressing oil out of the seed onto an adsorptive surface using a repeatable force from a vise grip. The area of the blots was an indicator of oil content. While the oil blot methodology would not replace industry standard methods such as Soxhlet extraction, it serves as an accessible, non-specialized method to provide a first-estimate result. This was proved using a Pearson Correlation test (r = 0.95) and t-statistic comparison. The positive significance values show a strong, positive linear correlation between oil content and blot areas. It was determined that the ideal tool for the oil blot methodology was a vise grip due to its repeatability, portability, and low bulk cost. The total cost of the kit was $0.90 with low recurring costs. The extreme simplicity, low capital, and operating cost, make the oil blotting method a valuable tool for small mustard seed producers for estimating the fair value of their crop, reducing their potential exploitation by middlemen

Evolution of Microstructure During Stress Relieving Heat Treatment of 1S Aluminium

Aluminium and its alloys are extensively used in nuclear research reactors due to its low neutron absorption coefficient, good heat transfer properties, excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance in air and water environment combined with desirable mechanical properties along with considerable radiation stability. The thin walled tubes are normally manufactured through port hole die extrusion route and used in 'O' tempered condition. The thin tubes in 'O' tempered condition are undergone canning operation which may alter the microstructural features to some extent which may affect mechanical properties. The paper describes the extent to which microstructural and subsequently mechanical properties are altered due to the simulated canning process and further requirements of stress relieving heat treatment to restore the microstructural features and mechanical properties. The following studies are carried out with 1S aluminum tube in 'O' tempered state, simulated canning condition and stress relieved at different temperature, - hardness measurement, X ray line profile analysis for dislocation density measurement, tensile properties measurement using ring tensile testing, electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis for recrystallization fraction determination and changes in texture components. It is found that the canning operation changes dislocation density, micro-strain, coherent domain size which are well reflected in hardness and ring tensile testing. Subsequent stress relieving at 350°C for 2 hrs. leads to improvement of mechanical properties appreciably

Approaches and Technologies for Preservation of Sugarcane juice: A Review

Every region of India has access to the cooling sweet soft drink known as sugarcane juice. It is  an essential product on the world market since it has great health advantages. Sugarcane juice  competes with other soft drinks in the market pushed by health-conscious consumers, and the sugarcane growers profit financially. To extend the shelf life of sugarcane juice, processing must be combined with the development of appropriate preservation methods. Researchers have looked into a variety of sugarcane juice preservation techniques, including chemical, thermal, and non-thermal techniques. Pasteurization is one of the many methods that are used  for preserving sugarcane juice. Pasteurization, however, results in the loss of flavor, aroma, colour, taste, and vital nutrients. Non-thermal procedures, which can preserve the nutritional and sensory qualities of fresh juices, are now receiving more attention. This review article examines numerous preservation methods for sugarcane juice, analyses them, and suggests a course of action to assist determine the best method for doing so. Different criteria for different  types of technologies are discussed with their advantages and drawbacks. Technologies which  do not use chemical additives have also been discussed, while taking their industrial scalability and economical aspects under consideration. Prime focus is kept on developing a technology which is economical, industrially acceptable and greener for the environment

Influence of Diamond Seed Attachment Processing on Diamond Films Synthesized on Tungsten Carbide Substrate by Flame Combustion

The flame combustion method enables the synthesis of diamonds via acetylene-oxygen gas flame combustion in ambient air. Tungsten carbide (WC) has recently been utilized as a cutting tool in the machining industry and in dental machining applications. To obtain high-quality diamond films and achieve good adhesion on a WC substrate, diamond films are synthesized on a WC substrate by the flame combustion method. However, the surface roughness of most of the diamond films synthesized by this method increased, and it was necessary to reduce this roughness. Considering the roughness accuracy of the workpiece surface during cutting, and the performance of the cutting tool, a smaller surface roughness of the diamond films synthesized is desirable. In this study, to reduce surface roughness, the amount of diamond paste with diamond seed particles as generation nuclei was carefully varied for diamond seed attachment processing of diamond films. When diamond films were synthesized on the WC substrate surface via the flame combustion, the amount of diamond paste with diamond seed particles affected the surface morphology and surface roughness of the synthesized diamond films. Furthermore, to investigate the reason for this result, generation of nuclei on the substrate in the initial stages of synthesis and diamond seed particles on the substrate surface after the seeding treatment were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of diamond seed attachment processing on the diamond films synthesized by flame combustion was studied. The relationship between the surface roughness, number of diamond generation nuclei on the substrate in the initial stages of synthesis, number of diamond particles on the substrate after the diamond seeding process, and amount of diamond paste were confirmed

Enhancement of Microwave Absorption Properties of Hexaferrite/Epoxy Composites on the Addition of Non-magnetic Oxides

The effect of non-magnetic oxides such as Al2O3, TiO2 and ZnO on the microwave absorption properties of magnetoplumbite barium hexaferrite (BaFe11.8Co0.2O19) is analyzed. Barium hexaferrite nanoparticles are synthesized through the sol-gel auto-combustion method. BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3, BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-TiO2 and BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-ZnO composites are synthesized in a 1:1 ratio through mechanical mixing and heat treatment. The epoxy composites are fabricated with 50% loading of BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3, BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-TiO2 and BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-ZnO in epoxy matrix followed by room temperature curing. The powder XRD analyses showed homogeneous distribution of BaFe11.8Co0.2O19 and Al2O3 in BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3 composite while TiO2 and ZnO phases dominate in BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-TiO2 and BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-ZnO composites, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy shows the evenly distributed BaFe11.8Co0.2O19 and Al2O3 in BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3 composites. The electromagnetic characterization calculated from experimental permittivity and permeability shows reflection loss RL ≤ -10 dB (≥ 90% absorption) for a very small thickness of 0.5 mm over the entire X-band (8-12 GHz) for BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3 composites. BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-TiO2 and BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-ZnO show RL < - 8 dB with a thickness of 2.5 mm over the frequency range 8–9.7 GHz and RL < - 8 dB with a thickness of 3.6 mm over 8.7-11.1 GHz, respectively. Further, when compared with BaFe11.8Co0.2O19 alone (RL < -7 dB at 3.2 mm in 8-11 GHz), the BaFe11.8Co0.2O19-Al2O3 composite is superior both in terms of the thickness of the coating as well as the percentage absorption in the X-band

Modified Equations to Calculate Water Content and Refractive Index of Honey Based on Its Total Soluble Solids

The capacity of honey to break light is used for refractometric determination of humidity. In the present work, a manual refractometer was used to measure honey total soluble solids (73% - 86%) which are the corresponding values of refractive indices stated in Chataway’s Table. The relationship between values of total soluble solids, water content and refractive index in the obtained graphics gave equations that could be used directly to calculate both refractive index and water content of honey from its total soluble solids. This simple, fast and easy way could be applied without utilizing expensive refractometers due to their high cost or lack of their usage training. Furthermore, the suggested equation is more accurate than that of the current reference table (i.e. Chataway’s Table) and could be rapidly utilized for calculating water content in honey samples

The Impact of Processing Methods and Conditions on Nutritional Properties of Soybean-Based Tofu: A Review

The soybean seed is used for the preparation of protein rich tofu. Along with protein, it is also rich in many other nutrients including carbohydrate, crude fibre, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, and isoflavones. Antinutrients are also present in tofu, although the concentration is less that the raw grains. The nutrient content is affected by the tofu preparation method used starting from selection of suitable soybean seed, seed soaking, sprouting, soymilk production and coagulation using different types of natural and artificial coagulants. These procedures also affect the textural properties of the tofu and their shelf life