Empirical Modeling on Hot Air Drying of Fresh and Pre-treated Pineapples

This research was aimed to study drying kinetics and determine empirical model of fresh pineapple and pre-treated pineapple with sucrose solution at different concentrations during drying. 3 mm thick samples were immersed into 30, 40 and 50 Brix of sucrose solution before hot air drying at temperatures of 60, 70 and 80°C. The empirical models to predict the drying kinetics were investigated. The results showed that the moisture content decreased when increasing the drying temperatures and times. Increase in sucrose concentration led to longer drying time. According to the statistical values of the highest coefficients (R2), the lowest least of chi-square (χ2) and root mean square error (RMSE), Logarithmic model was the best models for describing the drying behavior of soaked samples into 30, 40 and 50 Brix of sucrose solution

The Kinetic Models for Biomass and Extracellular Polysaccharide of Ganoderma tsugaae

AbstractGanoderma tsugae has long been a well known medicinal mushroom and it has many pharmacological properties. The mathematical relationship of productions from G. tsugae is quite interested from industrial fermentation to predict and control the bioprocess. Therefore, the kinetic models of biomass and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) by G. tsugae were studied in a batch cultivation at the optimal condition. The pellet of mycelium was described by the cube-root equation whereas the extracellular polysaccharide was explained by Luedekin-Piret equation. The parameters of booth equations determine by observed experiment and algorithm solving. The correlation between the experimental values and predicted models of biomass and EPS for G. tsugae obtained the high R-square at 0.9605 and 0.9916, respectively. The both kinetic models may be useful to predict the both productions of G. tsugae

A randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of Cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults

Abstract Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link (C. militaris) contains various beneficial substances, including polysaccharides (galactomannan), nucleotides (adenosine and cordycepin), cordycepic acid, amino acids, and sterols (ergosterol and beta-sitosterol). It also contains other essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins (E, K, B1, B2, and B12), and minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium). Due to the numerous health benefits of supplements and products containing C. militaris extract, their popularity has increased. However, the immunostimulant effect of C. militaris remains unclear. Therefore, this study developed a functional beverage from the submerged fermentation of C. militaris (FCM) and aimed to investigate the potential of FCM in healthy male and female volunteers in Phayao Province, Thailand. This study provides essential information for the development of healthy drink products. Healthy men and women were provided either FCM containing 2.85 mg of cordycepin or placebo for 8 weeks (n = 10 for each gender). The immune cell markers, immunoglobulins, and safety parameters were assessed initially at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. The NK cell activity markedly increased in the male FCM group from baseline (p = 0.049) to 4 weeks after receiving FCM. Compared with those in the placebo group, the NK activity in women who received FCM for 8 weeks significantly increased (p = 0.023) from baseline. Within-group analysis revealed that the IL-1β levels were markedly reduced in the male FCM group (p = 0.049). Furthermore, the IL-6 levels decreased from baseline in the female FCM group (p = 0.047). The blood sugar, lipid, and safety indices were not different between the experimental groups. FCM can potentially be developed as an immune-boosting supplement without liver, kidney, or blood component toxicity