A NEW SMALL POTATO PLANTER FOR EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE

Reducing the tuber period for potato plants by planting previously grown sprouts is a new technique. Applying this new agricultural methodology requires modification of the potato planter. The theoretical analysis was carried out to obtain information that can help avoid tuber damage during feeding and until it exits the feeding system. Starting from these considerations, a new potato planter with a spoon-based feeding system was designed and built. The tests conducted verified that the new system performed well when dividing tuber pieces into rows: considering the best growth spacing for potatoes is 20÷30 cm, the new system has a 68% distribution versus the 50,62 % of the old one. The tubers' spacing in rows are evaluated based on tuber voids and tuber doubles. The results show that there is no difference between the two systems' configurations, while a general consideration about our machine is that it is better at managing small tuber pieces. The void ratios are largely valid within the range of 0.4 up to 0.8 m/s of planted speeds; moreover, the results revealed that the tuber doubles decrease by increasing planting speed and vice versa with tuber voids. The quality of the potatoes planted is evaluated using the Shatter Index (SI %), which shows how the new configuration is more delicate with the tuber pieces (1.5 % against 17.5 % at 10 rpm or 46 % against 94 % at rpm 20). The new configuration could be an interesting improvement for potato quality and Egyptian potato production

Development of chitosan-glucose and chitosan-citric complexes edible coating to improve tomatoes post-harvest quality

 The effect of different shrimp chitosan molecular weights as well as shrimp chitosan complexes (chitosan-glucose and chitosan-citric) on the quality characteristics of the stored (at 7°C±2°C and 90% RH) tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum) was investigated.  Coating tomatoes with high molecular weight chitosan (H.M.C.G) significantly improved firmness and weight loss.  The lowest weight loss was found in high molecular weight chitosan-glucose (H.M.C.G) treatment followed by the fruits coated with high molecular weight chitosan (HMC) and then uncoated tomato fruits.  Both molecular weights was clear on retarding the total acidity loss especially for stored tomato fruit coated with low molecular weight chitosan, while control tomatoes exhibited a larger reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in total acidity over storage.  Meanwhile, the increasing of cold storage time significantly (p ≥ 0.05) increased the pH in all uncoated and coated tomatoes.  Generally, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids (T.S.S.) as well as sensory attributes among the tomato fruits coated with chitosan, chitosan citric and chitosan glucose.  Meanwhile, the fruits coated with low molecular weight chitosan had a higher (p ≥ 0.05) T.S.S. compared with that coated by the high molecular weight chitosan.   Keywords: chitosan, edible coating, tomatoes, firmness and weight loss

Vibration analysis influence during crisis transport of the quality of fresh fruit on food security

Mechanical damage of agriculture produce is a major problem in the harvest and post-harvest chain.  This damage could cause huge economic loss.  In addition, it could lead to serious food safety concerns.  Several cases of foodborne illness have been traced to poor or unsanitary postharvest practices.  Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis, and Cyclospora are among the diseases and disease-causing organisms that have been associated with fresh fruits and vegetables.  Measurements of mechanical characteristics of agricultural products under different static and dynamic loads should help in predicting the type and magnitude of mechanical injuries which will help in minimizing losses and improve the safety the produce.  In the current study, we examined the parameters essential for fruit package processes.  Fruits were exposed to random excitation( is excited by combination of single- sinusoidal signal and a broad band stochastic single and compared to pure stochastic excitation) by using robust techniques EFDD enhanced frequency domain to harmonic excitation.  Six vibration modes were identified in the frequency range of 0-1.6 kHz by two techniques FDD & EFDD.  The paper-wrap and foam-net cushioning materials interaction is also studied.  Damage identification technique has been applied to determine the integrity of the structure.  Nearly all the examined fruit showed deterioration due to vibro-pressure and friction stresses mainly consisting of translucent or darkened bruises and streaks.  Results obtained from test without cushioning materials have been correlated with the package of paper-wrap cushioning materials and foam-net cushioning materials.     Keywords: vibration analysis, crisis transport, quality, damage, food safet

The influence of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone on ovarian responsiveness to ovulation induction with gonadotrophins in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a pilot study

Background Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are known to have elevated circulating Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which has been found to desensitize ovarian follicles to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of high circulating AMH on ovarian responsiveness to ovulation induction with gonadotrophins in PCOS women. Methods This prospective observational pilot study was conducted in two collaborating Fertility Centres in the UK and Egypt. The study included 20 consecutive anovulatory women with PCOS who underwent 34 cycles of human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) ovarian stimulation using chronic low-dose step up protocol. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum AMH concentrations in the early follicular (day 2-3) phase in all cycles of hMG treatment. The serum levels of AMH were compared between cycles with good vs. poor response. The good response rates and the total dose and duration of hMG treatment were compared between cycles with high vs. low serum AMH concentrations. Results Cycles with poor response (no or delayed ovulation requiring >20 days of hMG treatment) had significantly (p = .007) higher median{range} serum AMH concentration (6.5{3.2-13.4}ng/ml) compared to that (4.0{2.2-10.2}ng/ml) of cycles with good response (ovulation within 20 days of hMG treatment). ROC curve showed AMH to be a useful predictor of poor response to hMG stimulation (AUC, 0.772; P = 0.007). Using a cut-off level of 4.7 ng/ml, AMH had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 58% in predicting poor response. The good response rate was significantly (p  = 4.7 ng/ml (100% vs. 35%, respectively). All cycles with markedly raised serum AMH levels (> 10.2 ng/ml) were associated with poor response. Cycles with high AMH (> = 4.7 ng/ml) required significantly (p < .001) greater amounts (median {range}, 1087{450-1650}IU) and longer duration (20 {12-30}days) of hMG stimulation than cycles with lower AMH (525 {225-900}IU and 8{6-14}days). Conclusions PCOS women with markedly raised circulating AMH seem to be resistant to hMG ovulation induction and may require a higher starting dose

Structure and Function of Food Engineering

This book conveys many significant messages for the food engineering and allied professions: the importance of working in multidisciplinary teams, the relevance of developing food engineering based on well-established principles, the benefits of developing the field by bringing together experts from industry, academia and government, and the unparalleled advantage of working as globally as possible in the understanding, development, and applications of food engineering principles. I am delighted to welcome this book to the Series and I am convinced colleagues from all parts of the world will gain great value from it

Comparison of Package Cushioning Materials to Protect Vibration Damage to Golden Delicious Apples

Damage to fruits and vegetables continues to be a big challenge as global markets become a reality. Worldwide distribution of sensitive produce is faced with various levels of impacts from shipping and handling. Despite a variety of packaging options available today, bruising damage is commonplace for post-harvest apples throughout the supply chain. The major sources of bruising are compression, impact or vibration forces.Vibration simulation carried out to measure the dynamic behavior of a apple during transporting. The experimental program included the dynamic study on-line. Operational modal parameter estimation was made based on acquired data for three types of cushioning materials (foam-net, paper-wrap and without (control)). To assess the dynamic behavior of package and the damage to apple due to transient vibration during transporting and the possible effect due to the damage of apple in package.Six identified modes were identified in the frequency range (0-1.6 kHz) using two techniques of estimation. Peak picking method (P-P) and robust technique enhanced frequency domain decomposition (EFDD) are applied to avoid harmonic components in application.The results obtained in range control package shows that increasing damage volume compared to paper- warp and foam-net package, may be due to closing harmonic frequency of mechanical element with natural frequency of apple and this need much attention in design the system for fruit transport trucks in attempt to keep the resonance frequencies of fruit away from exciting frequency of rotating system. A comparison of experimental results of three types of cushioning materials shows that foam-net package is more suitable for packaging. The use of foam-net reduced the percentage of damage fruit by (50-63%)

DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF PROTOTYPE FOR ORANGE GRADING USING PHOTOTRANSISTOR

Fruits are usually graded according to their quality. The purpose of the grading is to grad fruit into uniform categories (according to size, shape, weight, color and ripening stage). So the fruit can be classified as different grades according to the requirements of the market. Due to the lack of the small grading machinery to fit small farms and higher prices of large grading machinery, therefore this study aimed to designing, manufacturing and performance evaluating of a prototype for orange grading based on the dimensions of the fruit, which take place without physical contact. The prototype uses different successively operating components, such as phototransistors and actuators, each performing a specific task. The operating principle depend on the phototransistor, signal gathering circuit are also provided, a processing circuit and output circuit for distributing unit. When it works, the system receives digital signals produced by fruits that shadow the light from a phototransistor sensor during fruit measuring. After digital signals processed by the electronic circuit, every fruits sizing level is deduced. Then, the system will output switch signals to open the sorting switches according to fruits size.Testing of the grading prototype was statistically factorial in completely randomized design, featuring three control factors (conveyor chain velocity, sphericity percentage of fruit and stopping time) and three performance evaluation parameters (grading efficiency, damage percentage and productivity. The result showed that the best degree of grading efficiency obtained with the best degree of damage percentage were at 0.15m/s chain velocity and 1.5 sec Stopping time