Effect of Antioxidants and Dehanding Methods under Different Temperature Levels on the Control of Banana Crown Browning

Two experiments were conducted at the National Institute for the Promotion of Horticultural Exports, University of Gezira, Sudan, during the period from 2000 to 2001 to investigate the effects of dehanding methods and antioxidants under two temperature levels on the control of banana crown browning. Dehanding methods included separation of hands under water or in air and cutting the hands using a knife under water or in air. The antioxidants were thiourea (1%), aluminum potassium sulfate (1%), ascorbic acid (150 ppm) and wax dissolved in petroleum ether. Dehanding by separation significantly reduced crown browning as compared to the other methods. The best antioxidants in reducing crown browning were thiourea and potassium aluminum sulfate which are sulfur-containing compounds and had an antioxidant activity. Banana hands stored at 14C˚ had significantly less crown browning as compared to those kept at 35C0 because the lower temperature reduced the activity of polyphenoloxidase enzyme which is responsible for banana crown browning. The interaction effects between antioxidants and temperature showed that the antioxidants followed the same trend mentioned previously within each temperature level, but were more effective in reducing banana crown browning at 140C

Steady-state simulation of the seawater greenhouse condenser

This paper presents an integrated steady-state model simulating the condenser of the seawater greenhouse in Oman. The developed model is capable of predicting the outlet air temperature and humidity, the outlet seawater temperature and the condensation rate. Validation experiments showed a good conformity between the predicted and measured values within the calibration ranges at high and low air flowrates. The mean predictive error (PE) for the predicted condensation rate was 15.25 and 22.67 ml/min at high and low flowrates, respectively and the index of agreement (IA) was 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. The model also accurately predicted the outlet humidity ratio with PE values of -0.00006 and -0.00018 kg/kg for high and low air flowrates, respectively and IA values of 1.00 and 0.99, respectively. The model showed a small discrepancy between the measured and predicted outlet air temperature but yet with an PE value of 0.35 and 2.44oC at high and low air flowrates, respectively and IA values of 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. This discrepancy was not due to an inaccuracy related to the simulation but rather due to an inaccuracy related to measurements caused by the non-horizontal airflow pattern. The accuracy of the model to predict the outlet seawater temperature was excellent with an PE of -0.33 and -0.10oC for high and low air flowrates, respectively and IA values of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. Model’s accuracy was also evaluated using three additional statistical prediction indicators; coefficient of determination, mean absolute predictive error and root mean square error. It was found that all prediction indicators for high and low air flowrates were very good

SOLAR POWER OPERATED TABLE FOR CHARGING ELECTRONIC GADGETS

The objective of the work is to apply solar power for charging electronic appliances namely iPhones. The circuit is designed for low ampere and high ampere charging by using PROTEUSsoftware and fabricated and tested for its performance. The time required for full charging of iphone5 with 1A charging is 90 minutes whereas it is only 50 minutes with 2A charging port. Solar power operated table can be developed by the companies for charging electronic gadgets such as mobile phones that can be employed in public places such as parks, bus stations, and airports. Another feature of this product is that three consumers can charge at a time. Charging of electronic gadgets can be done by the common public by drawing power from the battery charged by solar power thereby reducing consumption of electricity from the main grid. The system with 1A and 2A charging of i-phones using solar power operated battery is unique and new to the locality of Caledonian college of engineering and the work can be extended to other parts of Sultanate of Oman

La inoculación con bacterias del ácido acético mejora la calidad de las aceitunas de mesa verdes naturales

This study aims to develop a method for the preparation of natural table olives using locally selected microorganisms and without resorting to the usual techniques which employ lye treatment and acids. The effects of parameters, such as lye treatment, inoculation with yeasts, substitution of organic acids with vinegar and/or acetic acid bacteria, and finally alternating aeration have been assessed. Four different combinations were applied to the “Picholine marocaine” olive variety using indigenous strains, namely Lactobacillus plantarum S1, Saccharomyces cerevisiae LD01 and Acetobacter pasteurianus KU710511 (CV01) isolated respectively from olive brine, Bouslikhen dates and Cactus. Two control tests, referring to traditional and industrial processes, were used as references. Microbial and physicochemical tests showed that the L3V combination (inoculated with A. pasteurianus KU710511 and L. plantarum S1 under the optimal growth conditions of the Acetic Acid Bacteria (AAB) strain with 6% NaCl) was found to be favorable for the growth of the Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strain which plays the key role in olive fermentation. This result was confirmed by sensory evaluation, placing L3V at the top of the evaluated samples, surpassing the industrial one where a chemical debittering treatment with lye was used. In addition, alternating aeration served to increase the microbial biomass of both AAB and LAB strains along with Saccharomyces cerevisiae LD01 strain, but also to use lower concentration of NaCl and to reduce the deterioration of olives compared to the anaerobic fermentation process. Finally, a mixed starter containing the three strains was prepared in a 10-L Lab-fermenter from the L3V sample in order to improve it in subsequent studies. The prepared starter mixture could be suitable for use as a parental strain to prepare table olives for artisan and industrial application in Morocco.Este estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar un método para la preparación de aceitunas de mesa naturales utilizando microorganismos seleccionados localmente y sin recurrir a las técnicas habituales que utilizan el tratamiento con lejía y ácidos. Se han evaluado los efectos de parámetros como el tratamiento con lejía, la inoculación con levaduras, la sustitución de ácidos orgánicos por bacterias de vinagre y/o ácido acético, y finalmente la aireación alterna. Se ensayaron cuatro combinaciones diferentes en la variedad de aceituna «Picholine marocaine» utilizando cepas autóctonas, como Lactobacillus plantarum S1, Saccharomyces cerevisiae LD01 y Acetobacter pasteurianus KU710511 (CV01) aisladas respectivamente de salmuera de aceitunas, Bouslikhen y Cactus. Se utilizaron como referencia dos pruebas de control, referidas a procesos tradicionales e industriales. Las pruebas microbianas y fisicoquímicas mostraron que la combinación L3V (inoculada con A. pasteurianus KU710511 y L. plantarum S1 en las condiciones óptimas de crecimiento de la bacteria del ácido acético (AAB) con NaCl al 6%) resultó ser favorable para el crecimiento del Láctico. Las cepas de bacterias ácidas (LAB) juegan un papel clave en la fermentación de las aceitunas. Este resultado fue confirmado por la evaluación sensorial colocando L3V en la parte superior de las muestras evaluadas, superando a la industrial, donde se usó un tratamiento de eliminación química con lejía. Además, la aireación alterna permitió aumentar la biomasa microbiana de las cepas AAB y LAB junto con la cepa Saccharomyces cerevisiae LD01, también usar una concentración más baja de NaCl y reducir el deterioro de las aceitunas, en comparación con la operación de fermentación anaerobia. Finalmente, se preparó un iniciador mixto que contenía las tres cepas en un fermentador de laboratorio de 10-L a partir de la muestra L3V con el objeto de mejorarlo en los estudios posteriores. El iniciador de mezcla preparado podría ser adecuado para usarse como una cepa parental para preparar aceitunas de mesa para aplicaciones artesanales e industriales en Marruecos

Pulmonary Lymphangiomyomatosis in Bourneville’s Tuberous Sclerosis: Case Report

Lymphangiomyomatosisis a rare disease characterized by a proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells responsible for infiltration with the destruction of tissue architecture and genesis of cystic lung and lymphatic lesions. In addition to lung damage, Bourneville’s tuberous sclerosis (BTS) also affects the skin, brain, retina, kidneys, and, less frequently, the heart and bone. We report the case of a young patient with bilateral pneumothorax revealing pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis in the context of Bourneville’stuberoussclerosis BTS

Realization of a Low Emission University Campus Trough the Implementation of a Climate Action Plan

AbstractThe Climate Action Plan (CAP) experience started a few years ago with the aim to manage carbon and energy more efficiently. CAP is a roadmap to get Universities to the goals of climate protection, defining a carbon footprint, identifying priority actions, milestones to measure progresss and target dates, raising funding opportunities. The methodological approach for the realization of a Low Emission Campus through the implementation of a CAP at the South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo (Macedonia) foresees the analysis of the current energy consumptions and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the integrated planning for the implementation of carbon friendly measures. CAP provides the cost-benefit analysis of the most suitable projects and associated yearly and cumulative GHG reductions, and defines the schedule for their gradual implementation. The Climate Action Planning process represents a valuable learning opportunity for the whole SEEU campus community, especially for students, providing additional opportunities for educational and research activities

The susceptibility of Escherichia coli strains to essential oils of Rormarinus officinalis and Eucalyptus globulus

Essential oils are frequently used for flavour and fragrance in the perfume, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. They are also suitable raw material for production of new synthetic agents. The antibacterial activity of the essential oils obtained by steam distillation of Rosmarinus officinalis L and Eucalyptus globules collected in south Morocco was studied by micro-atmospheric technique against Escherichia coli CIP54127 and E. coli isolated from urine and resistant to several antibiotics. Both essential oils were effective against the two strains bacteria in particularly against E. coli CIP54127. MIQ of both oils ranged from 60 to 70 ìl for both bacteria. In conclusion, results show that essential oils are effective and could be considered as a natural antimicrobial source that can be used on production of natural antimicrobial agents

Potentiel de biodégradation de corynébactéries isolées d'une zone polluée par les hydrocarbures du pétrole

Le degré de pollution engendré par l’effluent de la raffinerie de pétrole de Sidi Kacem (Maroc) a été estimé pendant l’année 1997. La détermination de l’oxygène dissous, de la demande chimique et biochimique en oxygène, ainsi que d’autres caractères physico-chimiques, a montré que l’effluent brut de la raffinerie est fortement pollué et que cette pollution se répercute sur la qualité des eaux de l’oued Rdom recevant cet effluent. Une collection de souches bactériennes capables de croître en présence du pétrole brut comme seule source de carbone a été isolée à partir de différentes stations de la zone polluée. L’identification des bactéries à Gram positif a été réalisée à l’aide de galeries d’identification. L’utilisation de la réaction en chaîne de la polymérase (PCR) et les Primers “ERIC” a montré que les bactéries isolées possèdent les séquences consensus inversées répétées. Ces séquences engendrent un profil en accord avec l’identification de quatre espèces appartenant au genre Corynebacterium : C. diphteriae, C. fascians, C. pseudotuberculosis, C. xerosis, d’une souche de Rhodoccocus equi et d’un Actynomyces. Le pourcentage de biodégradation du pétrole brut a été déterminé, il est de l’ordre de 40 % en quatre semaines pour les corynébactéries et la souche de Rhodoccocus et il est inférieur à 10 % pour la souche d’Actinomyces sp. Ces résultats sont en faveur d’un rôle de la flore à Gram positif dans la bioremédiation du site pollué