Development of a Cashew Nut Cracking Device

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Development of a Cashew Nut Cracking Device. Manuscript PM 06 030. Vol. IX. June, 2007

Deformation and Dehulling of Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) Seeds

This work presents the compressive strength properties of sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptica) seeds to facilitate the design or adaptation of an appropriate dehuller. The sizes and shape indices of the seed and kernel, and the clearance of the kernel from the seed coat were determined. The seed samples were subjected to uni-axial quasi-static compression tests at 1.0 mm min−1 along the minor and the major axes. The fracture resistance, stiffness modulus, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and maximum elastic deformation of the seed were obtained from the force-deformation curve. The geometric mean diameters varied from 4.0 to 4.5 mm for the seed and 1.6 to 3.9 mm for the embedded kernel; while their corresponding sphericities were 0.64 and 0.62, respectively. The compressive strength of the seed varied with loading orientation. The seed exhibited larger deformation but lower stiffness along the major axis than the minor axis. The force required for rupturing the hull were 95 N along the major axis and 81 N along the minor axis; while the corresponding energy required were 95 and 40 m

Sexual Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients: Implications for Therapy

fe. Recent evidence suggests that losartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, is not typically associated with development of sexual dysfunction and may actually positively impact several indices of sexual function (erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sexual activity) as well as perceived quality of life. Thus, angiotensin II antagonists may offer a therapeutic option to prevent or correct erectile dysfunction in patients with hypertension. The favorable effects of these agents on sexual function may be related, in part, to their ability to block angiotensin II, which has recently become recognized as an important mediator of detumescence and possibly erectile dysfunction.Dysfonction sexuelle associ\ue9e \ue0 l'hypertension ou aux th\ue9rapies antihypertensives pourrait provoquer la capacit\ue9 des patients de rester sur la th\ue9rapie et mener \ue0 la d\ue9t\ue9rioration de la qualit\ue9 de vie des patients. Donc, il est important que les praticiens se familiarisent avec des variations diverses des effets secondaires sexuels de m\ue9dicament produit par des agents d'antihypertensif et de discuter la fr\ue9quence potentielle de ces effets secondaire avec leur patients. \uc0 bien des cas, un changement dans le r\ue9gime de la drogue de patient pourrait aider les patients \ue0 vaincre les effets secondaires sexuels sp\ue9cifiques exp\ue9riment\ue9s avec certaines drogues. Les praticiens devraient consid\ue9rer le choix d'une th\ue9rapie antihypertensive qui est extr\ueamement efficace de baisser la tension art\ue9rielle et en m\ueame temps pr\ue9server la qualit\ue9 de vie des patients. Les effets du m\ue9dicament sur la fonction sexuelle reste controvers\ue9s. Quelques tests aveugles raportent peu diff\ue9rence entre placebo et m\ue9dications sp\ue9cifiques, tandis que des autres \ue9tudes montrent que des m\ue9dicaments d'antihypertensive augment la dysfunction sexuelle, qui a une influence sur la qualit\ue9 de vie. Des preuves r\ue9centes sugg\ue8rent que losatan, un angoitensine II antagonist, n'est pas associ\ue9 typiquement au d\ue9veloppement de la dysfonction sexuelle et pourrait en fait positivement avoir un impact sur des indices divers de fonctionnement sexuel (fonction \ue9rectile, satisfaction sexuelle, et la fr\ue9quence d'activit\ue9 sexuelle) aussi bien que la qualit\ue9 de vie per\ue7ue. Donc, angiotensine II antagonist pourrait donner une option th\ue9rapeutique pour \ue9viter ou corriger la dysfonction \ue9rectile chez des patients atteints de l'hypertension. Des effets favorables de ces agents sur la fonction sexuelle pourrait \ueatre semblable d'un c\uf4t\ue9, pour leur capacit\ue9 de bloquer angiotensine II, qui est tout r\ue9cemment acceptable comme un m\ue9diateur important de d\ue9tumescence et peut-\ueatre dysfonction \ue9rectil

REVIEW - SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THERAPY

fe. Recent evidence suggests that losartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, is not typically associated with development of sexual dysfunction and may actually positively impact several indices of sexual function (erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sexual activity) as well as perceived quality of life. Thus, angiotensin II antagonists may offer a therapeutic option to prevent or correct erectile dysfunction in patients with hypertension. The favorable effects of these agents on sexual function may be related, in part, to their ability to block angiotensin II, which has recently become recognized as an important mediator of detumescence and possibly erectile dysfunction

SENSORY, TEXTURAL AND COOKING QUALITY OF INSTANT NOODLES PRODUCED FROM MUSA SPP - WHEAT COMPOSITE FLOURS

Enormous post-harvest losses (35 - 60%) associated with banana and plantain products in Nigeria and other producing countries in the tropics culminate in great losses for farmers. In Nigeria, unripe plantain is normally processed into flour with limited consumption only as reconstituted dough in local food systems. Previous studies established that Nigerians have acquired taste for noodles and it is widely consumed across all strata of the economic divide. Information regarding the production of instant noodles from Musa spp. is rarely found in literature; hence in this study the quality characteristics of instant noodles produced from Musa spp – wheat composite flours was investigated. Musa spp – wheat composite flours in the ratios 0:100; 5:95; 10:90; 15:85; 20:80 and 25:75 were processed into instant noodles. The proximate composition, sensory, textural and cooking quality of the instant noodles were determined following standard procedures. The results showed a corresponding increase in the crude fat, ash and fibre contents of instant noodles as the percentage substitution with Musa spp flour in the instant noodle formulation increased. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the taste, colour, flavor, texture and overall acceptability of the products. It was observed that cooking time and cooking loss decreased from 4.38 – 3.40 min and 7.61 – 5.51% as percentage substitution increased, respectively; whereas cooking gain, moisture and fat uptake increased as substitution level increased. The force–deformation curve of Musa spp - wheat instant noodle obeyed the Hooke’s law showing a decrease in the strength characteristics of noodles as percentage substitution with Musa spp flour increased. The production of instant noodles from banana and plantain offers means of promoting and extending its utilization, thereby boosting the income obtainable from its production

Some Quality and Micro-structural Characteristics of Soup Enriched with Debittered Moringa Oleifera Seeds Flour

Abstract Soup enriched with debittered moringa seeds flour (DBMS) was investigated for its quality and microstructural characteristics following appropriate standard procedures reported in literatures. The results showed that soup sample enriched with 0.5% of DBMS had the highest overall sensory score for acceptability and its protein content was 4 g/100 g more than that of the control. Scanning electron micrographs showed soup sample enriched with DBMS as a dense, continuous agglomerated protein strands of irregular sizes and shapes. As the addition of DBMS increased, the viscosity and the body of the soup increased; the lightness &quot;L&quot; colour value of the soup reduced and the total colour difference (ΔE) increased. Enrichment of soup with DBMS promotes the use of moringa seeds as a protein ingredient; especially in the tropics where it is fast gaining acceptance as human food

Deformation and fracture of dika nut (Irvingia gabonensis) under uni-axial compressive loadingc

Fracture behaviour of dika nut under quasi-static loading along the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis was investigated. The fracture resistance of the nut was measured in terms of average force, deformation and toughness at nutshell fracture, and nut stiffness. Physical dimensions and shape of the nut, to provide for complementary input in design of handling equipment, were also determined. The force required to crack the nut increased with nut diameter but was not significantly different in both loading orientations. The mean cracking force was in the range of 2.06 to 3.67 kN. The compression of the nut exhibited a pronounced linearity between load and deflection. Dika nuts loaded along the transverse axis required less energy for nutshell fracture than those loaded along the longitudinal axis. Minimum toughness occurred with the small size nuts loaded along the transverse axis, thus providing base-line data in future design of an appropriate nutcracker

Effect of Pre-Processing Conditions on Oil Point Pressure of Sheanut (Vitellaria paradoxa) Kernel in a Hydraulic Press

Oil point pressure of sheanut kernel was determined under different pre-processing conditions of moisture content, heating temperature, heating time and particle size. Results show that the pressure decreased as moisture content the kernel increased from 4% to 6%, and thereafter, increased with further increase in moisture content. It equally decreased with increase in temperature and heating time. Highest oil point pressure value was 2.6389MPa for coarse kernel particles at 4% moisture content heated at 50oC for 5min, and 1.5554MPa for fine particles at 10% moisture content heated at 50°C for 5min. Lowest value for coarse and fine kernel particles was 0.929MPa and 0.6380MPa respectively and this was obtained at the conditions of 6% moisture content, 100oC and 15min heating time. ANOVA showed that all the pre-processing variables and their interactions significantly affected the oil point pressure of at 1% level of significance. This was confirmed using Response Surface Methodology. Multiple regression analysis yielded equations that expressed oil point pressure as a function of kernel moisture content, heating temperature and heating time. The models yielded coefficients that enabled oil point pressure of the kernel to be predicted with high coefficient of determination