Post-harvest treatment of algerian broad beans using two different solar drying methods

[EN] This work was carried up in the objective to valorize the broad beans, largely harvested in Algeria, by solar drying means. In the present research paper, an experimental study was conducted on solar drying of broad beans by two different methods. Experimental trials were performed on a direct and an indirect laboratory scale solar dryers at Ouargla university in the southern of Algeria. Selected samples were dried at 50°C, 55°C, 60°C and 65°C. In both two applied cases, drying curves were obtained and compared. Among twelve consulted drying models the Page model was correlated with satisfaction to describe the solar drying of broad beans using a non linear regression analysis method. Operating and thermal performances of the two used drying systems were checked by the energy effeceincy and economic calculation. Obtained results showed that the direct solar drying ensures good preservation of the final product with a drying time of 5 hours.Chouicha, S.; Boubekri, A.; Berbeuh, M.; Mennouche, D.; Frihi, I.; Rzezgua, A. (2018). Post-harvest treatment of algerian broad beans using two different solar drying methods. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1365-1372. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7858OCS1365137

Sick building syndrome: are we doing enough?

Health and well-being are vitally important aspects of people centric building design and are the roots of productivity. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a collection of factors that can negatively affect physical health in several ways. Besides physical health is also related to psychological well-being because the human body is one interactive biological system. This paper focuses on reviewing the current state of knowledge on building sickness syndrome which has been prevalent as a building illness since the 1970s especially in offices and schools. While the concepts of intelligent, smart and sustainable buildings have gained considerable attention during recent decades, there is now increasing attention being given to designing healthy buildings. This study provides a review about SBS symptoms. Several negative effects of SBS are identified and potential solutions are advocated. Finally, the study stresses the role of built environment and concludes that ongoing research towards tackling SBS and developing healthy indoor environments should not be limited to a single formula as any health-related building design approach is dependent on several interacting factors

Optimization of facade design based on the impact of interior obstructions to daylighting

Overcrowding in the perimeter zone is an inevitable issue in residential rooms with limited space. Obstructions, such as furniture and household items, may block the existing windows, and therefore affect interior daylight conditions. A facade design approach is needed that simultaneously takes into account daylighting and the volume of usable space for obstructions in the perimeter zone of such rooms. This study simulates daylight distributions in a typical small residential room with obstructions in front of windows. The simulation consists of two parts. First, the effects on horizontal illuminances caused by different positions and shapes of obstructions are examined under an overcast sky. Second, the maximum usable space volumes for obstructions of 51 optimized facade configurations are calculated in terms of four window-to-wall ratios (WWRs). The results of this study show that optimizing the forms of facade design can increase the usable interior space volume and meet the daylighting requirements of Chinese standards for small residential rooms. Additionally, by using the optimized facade forms, a facade with a WWR value of 50% provides the maximum usable space for obstructions. Based on the above results, this paper presents two matrices that can help architects in selecting the appropriate fenestration methods and confirming the size of usable space and allocation for residents

Physicochemical, textural and viscoelastic properties of palm diacylglycerol bakery shortening during storage

BACKGROUND: Diacylglycerol (DAG), which has health-enhancing properties, is sometimes added to bakery shortening to produce baked products with enhanced physical functionality. Nevertheless, the quantity present is often too little to exert any positive healthful effects. This research aimed to produce bakery shortenings containing significant amounts of palm diacyglycerol (PDG). Physicochemical, textural and viscoelastic properties of the PDG bakery shortenings during 3 months storage were evaluated and compared with those of commercial bakery shortening (CS). RESULTS: PDG bakery shortenings (DS55, DS64 and DS73) had less significant increments in slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC) and hardness during storage as compared to CS. Unlike CS, melting behaviour and viscoelastic properties of PDG bakery shortenings remained unchanged during storage. As for polymorphic transformation, CS contained only β crystals after 8 weeks of storage. PDG bakery shortenings managed to retard polymorphic transformation for up to 10 weeks of storage in DS55 and 12 weeks of storage in DS64 and DS73. CONCLUSION: PDG bakery shortenings had similar if not better storage stability as compared to CS. This is mainly due to the ability of DAG to retard polymorphic transformation from β′ to β crystals. Thus, incorporation of DAG improved physical functionality of bakery shortening

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND POLYPHENOLIC CONTENTS OF TWO SOUTH ALGERIAN EGGPLANTS CULTIVARS

<p class="Default">Polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in eggplants (<em>Solanum melongena </em>L<em>.</em>)<em> </em>seem to depend on cultivar, maturity stage, environmental conditions and the part of the fruit. In this work, the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of pulp, whole fruit and peel from fresh dark-purple and white eggplant varieties cultivated in Southern Algeria were measured. Total phenolic content were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu test, and antioxidant activity measured using cyclic voltammetry. Correlations between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were also examined. Within each cultivar, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were highest in the peels, followed by the whole fruit and the pulp. In the peel, whole fruit and pulp the dark-purple eggplant had the highest total phenolic contents and the highest total antioxidant activities. </p