Effect of Different Preservation Techniques on Chemical, Microbial and Functional Properties of Palmyrah Dried Seed Shoot Flour

Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) seed shoot flour has many nutritional values and it contains a high amount of starch. It is widely utilized in the preparation of starch based food products. Since these are seasonal products, most of them are spoiled and wasted due to microbial and insect damage. The aim of this research was to increase the shelf life by using suitable preservation methods. Vacuum packaging, roasting (1800C, 10 min), fumigation using phosphine gas (1 gm-3, 4 days) and addition of preservative (Sodium Metabisulphite, 200ppm) were the treatments done to increase the shelf life of dried seed shoot flour. Microbial stability was compared through variations in Total Plate Count and Yeasts and Molds count for control and all treated seed shoot flour for one year. Chemical (Moisture, Ash and Starch) and functional properties (Water absorption capacity, Bulk density, Foaming capacity, Foam stability and Swelling power) were tested to assess the effect of different treatments. Among the treatments, vacuum packaging contains the less Total Plate Count (6.83±0.01 log CFU/g) and Yeasts and Molds count (3.0±0.1 log CFU/g) after the storage period of one year compared to other treatments. Bulk density was affected by all the treatments applied and compared with control. Fumigation had a significant effect on moisture content (10.76±0.45 %) and Roasting affected the water absorption capacity (219.21 ± 0.42 %) and swelling power (3.82 ± 0.02) of flour positively and forming capacity (54.12 ± 0.04 %) negatively. Based on the results observed vacuum packaging was identified as the best method for preservation of Palmyrah dried seed shoot flour. KEYWORDS: Fumigation, Palmyrah dried seed shoot flour, Preservative, Roasting, Shelf life and Vacuum Packagin

Vapor-Phase Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol Using Manganese Oxide Octahedral Molecular Sieves (OMS-2)

Vapor-phase selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol has been accomplished using cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) catalysts. A conversion of 92% and a selectivity to benzaldehyde of 99% were achieved using OMS-2. The role played by the oxidant in this system was probed by studying the reaction in the absence of oxidant. The natures of framework transformations occurring during the oxidation reaction were fully studied using temperature-programmed techniques, as well as in situ X-ray diffraction under different atmospheres

Effectiveness of the pharmacological interventions on abstinence of substance abuse disorder.

The abundance of pharmacological interventions to treat substance abuse disorder has solidified globally. Despite promising effects, use of pharmacological interventions in substance abuse disorder are limited in asian territories. This study aimed to identify and explore existing effective pharmacological interventions on abstinence of substance abuse disorder. A systematic review was conducted adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Google scholar, Pubmed, Hinari, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched and the topic and abstract of the articles were screened for eligibility. Articles of empirical studies on pharmacological interventions on abstinence of substance abuse disorder, which were published in peer-reviewed journals during 2010 to 2020, written in English, were included and articles on alcohol and smoking cessation were excluded from the review. Full papers were then assessed against eligibility criteria. Quality appraisal and data extraction of the selected articles were performed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies were discussed with another independent reviewer to reach consensus. Three hundred and seven research articles were identified through a comprehensive database search. After screening the topics and abstracts of the articles and assessing the relevant full texts for eligibility, 26 articles of the empirical studies were included in the systematic review. High doses of Buprenorphine, Methadone, Lofexidine, Naltrexone, SB-334867, Prazosin, and Baclofen were identified to be significantly effective in abstinence from substance abuse. It was concluded that empirical evidence of effective pharmacological interventions exists and its combination with existing non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions are proposed as more effective in the treatment of substance abus