Formulation and optimization of foam mat dried grape bar

 A five level four factors central composite rotatable design under response surface methodology was used to optimize process conditions of the foam mat drying process i.e. egg albumen (0-12%), methyl cellulose (0.1-0.5%), drying bed thickness (3-7mm) and drying temperature (55-750C) to develop grape bar with final moisture content of 14±1 % (db). Contour and response graphs were generated and the effect of foaming parameters on the quality parameters namely drying time, color change, texture, non-enzymatic browning, total sugars (%), titrable acidity (%), protein (%) and overall acceptability (%) were studied. Significant regression models were established with the coefficient of determination, R2 (≥0.90). Optimization of process for grape bar was performed to result minimum drying time, color change, cutting force, non enzymatic browning and maximum overall acceptability and optimized process conditions were 5.51 % egg albumen, 0.31% methyl cellulose, 4 mm drying bed thickness and 600C drying temperature with desirability 0.74

Modeling of thin layer drying kinetics of grape juice concentrate and quality assessment of developed grape leather

Abstract: Studies on modeling of thin layer drying kinetics of grape juice concentrate were conducted using pilot scale convective dryer.  Experiments were conducted in temperature range of 55-750C and drying bed thickness of 3-7 mm, to attain desired moisture content (14±1% db).  Different thin layer drying models like newton, page, logarithmic, two term, two term exponential and midilli models were fitted to the experimental data of convective dehydration and their adequacy of fit was investigated.  All the samples witnessed falling rate period drying irrespective of the selected temperature and thickness.  The effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy were found in range of 7.18-2.56 m2/sec and 26.07-21.59 kJ/mole respectively for 3-7 mm drying bed thickness.  Among the various models investigated, two term exponential model was found to be best fitted model for depicting the drying kinetics of grape juice concentrate.  The quality properties such as total sugars, non enzymatic browning (NEB), protein, titrable acidity, texture (cutting force), color change, water activity and overall acceptability of dried grape leather were determined and data were analyzed as per ANOVA.  The grape leather developed at 550C drying temperature witnessed maximum acceptability irrespective of the drying bed thickness.   Keywords: convective drying, drying kinetics, drying models, grapes, quality parameter

Macular edema after uncomplicated phacoemulsification in type 2 diabetics with NPDR

Introduction:After uncomplicated cataract surgery, macular oedema has been suggested as the most common cause of visual deterioration and there is increased incidence of Macular Oedema (ME) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Further, ME has been seen to worsen after eye surgery in patients with pre-operative DME. Objective: To evaluate and compare the macular thickness changes after uncomplicated phacoemulsification in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with Non Proliferative DR using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).Methods: The study was a hospital based prospective observational study conducted on 75 eyes of type 2 diabetes mellitus with NPDR who were diagnosed with cataract and underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification. In all study subjects macular thickness using Cirrus High Definition (HD) OCT and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in Logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution (Log MAR) was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at Day One, two weeks, four weeks, Six weeks and eight weeks to see changes in the macular thickness.Results: Out of 75 eyes macular edema was developed in 3 (4.0%) eye postoperatively. All central as well as parafoveal thickness increased significantly during our follow up time.Conclusion: Increase in central as well as parafoveal macular thickness was observed in subjects with NPDR after phacoemulsification. In few patients macular edema was also observed during our follow up period. OCT is a noninvasive, rapid, and useful tool in detecting and monitoring CME in post cataract surgery patients but longer follow up is needed to assess the risk of Cystoid macular edema (CSME) progression after cataract surgery and to see whether increase in central and parafoveal thickness after phacoemulsification is temporary or permanent. Keywords: Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy,Optical Coherence Tomography,Macular Oedem

Need of a new frontline health functionary dedicated to Non-communicable diseases in India

Majority of global deaths are attributed to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Along with the ageing population, burden of non-communicable diseases is also rising. India shares more than two-third of the total deaths due to NCDs in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO. Since the awareness level about the chronic diseases and their risk factors is still limited in the low and middle income countries, it is expected that the health education based primary prevention interventions could be as successful as the first generation community oriented primary care (COPC) models. Community health workers (CHWs) are central to the primary health care approach towards health care utilization in India but do they have sufficient training.The first step in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases is to identify individuals at high cardiovascular risk. A number of methods have been devised to calculate individual risks based on risk factor levels. Under NPCDCS in India, there is a three tier structure of NCD Clinic at block, district and state level. At the village level in Subcentre, only opportunistic screening is being done to those who visit the subcentre and are above 30 years of age. There is no provision of active screening of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors under the programme. There is no dedicated healthworker at thegrassroot level for the NCDs. Thus the authors envisages that there is a direneed for the provision of new band of community based health functionary dedicated to control the burden of NCDs

Enzymatic clarification of carrot juice by using response surface methodology

 Carrot juice was treated with pectinase at various enzyme concentrations (0.01% to 0.1%), process temperatures (350C to 550C) and incubation time (40 to 120 min).  The effect of these enzyme treatments on filterability, clarity, turbidity and viscosity of the juice were studied by employing a second order central composite design.  The coefficient of determination (R2) values for filterability, clarity, turbidity and viscosity were greater than 0.85.  Statistical analysis showed that filterability, clarity, viscosity and turbidity were significantly correlated to enzyme concentration, incubation temperature and incubation time.  Enzyme concentration was the most important factor affecting the characteristics of the carrot juice as it exerted a highly significant influence on all the dependent variables.  An increase in process time and/or concentration of enzyme treatment was associated with an increase in filterability and clarity, and decrease in turbidity and viscosity.  Based on response surface and contour plots, the optimum conditions for clarifying carrot juice were 0.092% enzyme concentration, incubation temperature of 54.20C and incubation time of 119 min. Keywords: carrot juice, enzyme clarification, response surface methodology  

An epidemiological study of ear morbidities among primary school children in a rural area of Delhi

Background: Globally, more than 360 million population (nearly 5% of world’s population) have disabling hearing loss and 32 million of them are children. Approximately 0.5-5 of every 1000 infants is born with or develops in early childhood disabling hearing loss. It is estimated that over 60% of the otological (ear) morbidities could be avoided through preventive measures, as stated by World Health Organization (2015). As per World health Organization report 2007, 6% of the population of India suffers with significant otological morbidities. Many ear morbidities have their origin in childhood and they may go unnoticed. Estimates indicate that by the age of 3 years at least half of children have experienced at least one episode of middle ear infection. Because it is a childhood illness, it requires close monitoring of signs and symptoms and it is often co-morbid with other infections of the upper or lower respiratory tract. Method: It was a cross sectional study conducted at a rural area based school of Delhi. A total of 368 primary school students, 5 to 11 years age, were included.  Questionnaire was used to take history of ear morbidities, related risk factors and health seeking behaviour. Ear examination was performed using otoscope. Educational status of mother, immunization status, frequent cough-coryza, socio-economic status were found to be significant risk factors [p<0.05].  Results: Around 25 % of students had preventable ear morbidity. Cerumen impaction was the commonest morbidity followed by Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media.  Conclusion: Preventable ear morbidities are prevalent among children. Health education pertaining to health seeking behaviour for ear hygiene and regular ear examination in schools can reduce the prevalence of ear morbidities. Keywords: cerumen, otitis media, otological morbidities, rura

Quality of dried carrot pomace powder as affected by pretreatments and methods of drying

In order to develop dried carrot pomace of high quality, experiments were conducted in completely randomized design (CRD).  The carrot pomace was subjected to various blanching pretreatments i.e. water blanching (WB), steam blanching (SB), citric acid blanching (CB) and potassium metabisulphate (KMS) dipping after blanching (WBS).  A control sample (untreated, UT) was kept for comparison.  The samples were further dried by various drying methods i.e. convective drying (55°C and 65°C), sun drying and solar drying.  The 65°C convective dried samples witnessed minimum drying time with higher fiber, total carotenoids, β-carotene content and minimum change in color parameters.  Among the blanching pretreatments, the CB pretreatment showed better efficacy in retaining the quality attributes.  Overall, the CB pretreatment followed by convective drying at 65°C was found to be the best drying combination for retaining the quality attributes of carrot pomace.   Keywords: Carrot pomace, pretreatments, blanching, drying, physicochemical propertie

Studies on Refrigerated Storage of Minimally Processed Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Experiments were conducted in completely randomized design in order to assess the shelf-life and quality of minimally processed papaya stored under refrigerated condition (5+10C and 95% RH). Before minimal processing, the semi riped whole papaya was divided into two lots: control (untreated) and mild heat pretreated. The mild heat pretreatment (MHPT) of 450C constant temperature for different exposure time (15, 30 and 45 minutes) was given to whole papaya followed by 24 hrs conditioning in cold room (10C and 95% RH). The minimally processed papaya samples were then dipped in 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution for 30 seconds followed by 6hrs dipping in 4.0 % calcium hydroxide solution. Both the untreated and mild heat pretreated samples were packed in four different packaging materials i.e polyethylene film (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), cling film and open tray after wiping the excess water from the surface of fruits. The stored samples were examined for its quality attributes i.e Physical loss in weight (PLW), color, texture (firmness), acidity, TSS and overall acceptability (%) at regular intervals. The results revealed that the packaging material and MHPT exposure time significantly affected the quality attributes. The 30 minutes as well as 45 minutes MHPT exposed samples when packed in LDPE witnessed minor change in color, texture, acidity and better retention of quality in terms of overall acceptability. Overall, the minimally processed papaya when MHPT for 45 minutes and packed in LDPE can be stored safely for 8 days under refrigerated condition.

ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CELLULASE-FREE XYLANASE BY ALKALOPHILIC BACILLUS SUBTILIS ASH AND ITS APPLICATION IN BIOBLEACHING OF KRAFT PULP

This paper reports high level production of a cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran, a cost-effective substrate, under submerged fermentation by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ASH. Production of xylanase was observed even at alkaline pH up to 11.0 and temperature 60 °C, although the highest enzyme titer was recorded at neutral pH and 37 °C. The enzyme production under optimized fermentation was 1.5-fold greater than under unoptimized conditions. Pre-treatment of unbleached pulp of 10% consistency with crude xylanase (6 IU/g o.d. pulp) at 60 ºC for 2 h increased the final brightness by 4.9%. The enzyme treatment reduced the chlorine consumption by 28.6% with the same brightness as in the control. A reduction in kappa number and increase in viscosity was observed after enzyme pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed loosening and swelling of pulp fibers. The strength properties viz. grammage, fiber thickness, beating degree, tensile index, breaking length, tear index and double fold of the treated pulp were improved as compared to the control pulp. This study reveals the potential of B. subtilis ASH xylanase as a biobleaching agent for the paper and pulp industry