The Potential of Conductivity, Redox Potential and Dissolved Oxygen in Raw Milk Quality Prediction

Changes in milk quality are associated with changes in dissolved oxygen (DO), redox potential (Eh) and conductivity (Co) reflecting the potential of these parameters in quality prediction. However, limited interpretation of those changes/results limits the application of the same in raw milk quality prediction. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the potential of DO, Eh and Co in milk quality assessment. Raw milk, lactoperoxidase system (LP-s) activated raw milk and LP-s activated Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk inoculated singly with pure strains were used in this study. The performances of DO, Eh and Co in quality prediction were assessed against the objective methods: pH, titratable acidity (TA), alcohol stability test (AST), clot on boiling (COB), dye reduction tests and total viable counts (TVC). The results showed that any negative Eh value, a Co value greater than the initial Co value and DO around zero or below detection limit all indicated spoilage. These corresponded well with increases in microbial numbers indicative of spoilage recorded at about 7 log cycles of bacterial counts.  Co and Eh were in consistent agreement in quality estimate with AST and TA but more sensitive than COB and pH. On the other hand, DO showed similar sensitivity as COB and pH but was more lenient than AST and TA. The results generally confirmed the suitability of DO and Eh for routine analysis in both normal and LP-s activated milk; however, the use of Co requires a prior knowledge of the initial Co value of milk under test which complicates its use in routine analysis.Key words: Quality prediction, conductivity, redox potential, dissolved oxyge

Building Competitive Advantage in Academic Programmes in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Institutions: Case of The Open University of Tanzania

The determinants that affect competitiveness of ODL Higher Learning Institutions (ODL-HLI) can loosely be lumped up as being either from within the organization itself, or from the market. These include: student enrollment trends, staff development, academic trends, technology trends and economic trends among others. These challenges can be viewed and used as a way of planning ahead; and as important pointers in assessing the institution‟s performance. The determinants should highlight where the institution is doing well and needs to guard its market competitive advantage as well as indicate where there are weaknesses that need to be addressed in order to gain a competitive advantage of the higher education market. In order to maintain its market position, the paper presses greater importance on investments in ICT enhanced education delivery and sharing systems, improved customer service and greater publicity on all media and in particular through improved visibility and quality of the institution‟s website. The paper however, suggests that greatest competitive advantage for ODL-HLIs such as OUT‟s is hidden in its postgraduate programmes. The paper stresses that improved quality and completion rates of research and postgraduate students in business, law, economics, and education and applied natural sciences should become new market niche for ODL-HLIs.Key words: competitive advantage, academic programmes, ODL institution