Utilization Of Peeled And Unpeeled Pumpkin Flour As A Value-Added Ingredient In Crackers

The aim of this study is to develop a value-added food from peeled pumpkin pulp flour (PPF) and unpeeled pumpkin pulp flour (UPF) in crackers at substitution levels of 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % of wheat flour weight. Physico-chemical properties of PPF and UPF were determined with wheat flour as control. The physico-chemical, textural, sensory and storage stability were also investigated for all types of crackers, using 100 % wheat flour crackers as control. PPF and UPF were significantly higher ≤(p0.05) in water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC). Significantly high (≤p0.05) ash and crude fibre content together with significantly low (p≤0.05) moisture content and water activity were also observed for PPF and UPF. It was revealed that total dietary fibre (TDF), soluble dietary fibre (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) contents were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in PP F and UPF. Resistant starch (RS), scavenging activity, β-carotene and phenolics content were found to be significantly high (p≤0.05) in PPF and UPF. Mineral content of PPF and UPF were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in calcium and magnesium. Despite significantly low (p≤0.05) in apparent amylose content, PPF and UPF exhibited good pasting profile with significantly low (p≤0.05) pasting temperature, breakdown viscosity and set back value. Significantly high (p≤0.05) final viscosity was also achieved in PPF and UPF

An Evaluation of Consumers’ Perceptions Regarding “Modern Medicines” in Penang, Malaysia

The objective of this study was to evaluate consumers’ perceptions regarding “modern medicines” in Penang, Malaysia. To conduct this exploratory study, qualitative techniques were used. Consumers more than 19 years of age and could speak English, who had visited a pharmacy in the last 30 days, were included from the four major areas of Penang. Eighteen interviews were conducted until the point of saturation. The interviews were audio-taped and then transcribed verbatim for thematic content analysis. Many consumers correctly identified the major characteristics and properties of modern medicines; however, others raised doubts regarding the safety, quality and efficacy of “modern medicines”. There were many misconceptions such as “all modern medicines can cause dependence”, traditional medicines are completely “free of side-effects” and “Western medicines cure while Chinese medicines don’t”. Color was also considered a strong determinant of the safety and characteristics of a medicine. Regarding consumers’ “medicine information seeking behavior”, many consumers would seek information from doctors and pharmacists; however, there were others, who would look for books, or get it from the internet and friends. Of concern many consumers emphasized that while “self-searching for drug information” they would only look for side-effects. Misconceptions regarding medicine-taking behavior, medicine use and compliance were also identified. Though several consumers complied with the medicine-taking instructions, many reported that they would stop taking medicines, once they feel better. Though many consumers correctly identified the characteristics of “modern medicines”, misconceptions regarding "medicine information sources and “medicine-taking behavior” were rampant. The situation demands corrective actions including community-oriented educational campaigns to improve “medicine use” in the society

Електрохімічна поведінка чистих ефективних електродів Mn2O3, отриманих за недорогою технікою потенціостатичного електроосадження

Електрод типу нанолусок з Mn2O3 для застосування в суперконденсаторах був успішно електроосаджений на колектор струму з нержавіючої сталі (SS) потенціостатичним способом без використання будь-якого сполучного або закупорювального засобу. Структурні, морфологічні та композиційні властивості підготовлених електродів Mn2O3 були охарактеризовані за допомогою методів дифракції рентгенівських променів (XRD), польової емісійної скануючої електронної мікроскопії (FESEM) та інфрачервоної спектроскопії з перетворенням Фур'є (FTIR) відповідно. Дослідження XRD виявило наночастинки Mn2O3, які мають кристалічну об'ємно-центровану кубічну структуру (BCC), підтверджену за допомогою JCPDS no. 89-2809. Зображення FESEM демонструють морфологію нанолусок, а також пластинчасту та пористу морфологію, придатну для електрохімічних застосувань. Утворення Mn2O3 було підтверджено за допомогою FTIR спектрів. Електрохімічні характеристики електрода Mn2O3 досліджували за допомогою циклічної вольтамперометрії (CV), гальваностатичного заряду/розряду (GCD) та електрохімічної імпедансної спектроскопії (EIS) в електролітах Na2SO4, NaOH та KCl. Виявлено, що електроліт 1 M Na2SO4 добре підходить для електроду типу нанолусок з Mn2O3 для застосування в суперконденсаторах з питомою ємністю (Csp) 508 Фгм – 1 при швидкості сканування 5 мВс – 1. Кращі значення Csp можуть бути пов'язані з великими активними центрами та швидким іонним транспортом через поверхню електрода Mn2O3. Аналіз електрохімічної стабільності електрода Mn2O3 показує збереження ємності 83 % після 1000 циклів в електроліті 1 M Na2SO4 при швидкості сканування 100 мВс – 1.Mn2O3 nanoflake type electrode for supercapacitor applications has been successfully electrodeposited on stainless steel (SS) current collector by potentiostatic way without using any binder or capping agent. Structural, morphological and compositional properties of the prepared Mn2O3 electrodes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The XRD study revealed Mn2O3 nanoparticles exhibiting body centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure confirmed using JCPDS no. 89-2809. The FESEM images show nanoflake, lamellar and porous morphology suitable for electrochemical applications. The formation of Mn2O3 was confirmed using FTIR spectra. The electrochemical performance of Mn2O3 electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in Na2SO4, NaOH and KCl electrolytes. It is revealed that the 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte is well suited for Mn2O3 nanoflake type electrode for supercapacitor applications exhibiting specific capacitance (Csp) of 508 Fgm – 1 at a scan rate of 5 mVs – 1. The better Csp values may be due to large active sites and rapid ionic transport across the Mn2O3 electrode's surface. Analysis of the electrochemical stability of the Mn2O3 electrode exhibits a capacity retention value of 83 % after 1000 cycles in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte at a scan rate of 100 mVs – 1

Physical, Mechanical, Thermal and Morphology Properties of Biodegradable Polymer Nanocomposites and Its Comparison

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polylactic acid (PLA) were fabricated with the addition of nanofiller such as nanoclay and fumed silica through suitable technique namely solution intercalation film casting. These nanocomposites undergo Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile test and thermogravimetric analysis. FT-IR results showed that both nanocomposites were well intercalated with fumed silica and clay with the reduction of hydroxyl groups. From SEM results, it proved that clay 1.28E is more suitable to be intercalated with PLA matrix while clay 1.30E is more suitable to be introduced into PVA matrix. The addition of both nanofillers improved the tensile properties of the nanocomposites. TGA results showed that polyvinyl alcohol/fumed silica/clay (PVA/fsi/clay) had better thermal stability compared to polylactic acid/fumed silica/clay (PLA/fsi/clay) nanocomposites. Both nanocomposites are applicable in the biomedical field