Valorisation of Mango Fruit By-products: Physicochemical Characterisation and Future Prospect

As a result of its high perishability and poor postharvest handling technique, large quantities of mango are wasted during the peak season annually. In the present study, the physicochemical characterization was investigated, with a view exploiting mango by-product as a source of high-value material. The result revealed that processing of mango fruit generates 35-55% by-product (seed and peel). Results revealed that mango seed (kernel and seed coat) had protein contents of 5.09 and 6.12%; moisture, 3.58 and 5.11%; crude fat, 18.67 and 11.33%; mineral ash, 2.65 and 1.98%; fibre, 5.47 and 2.02% while the carbohydrate was 64.24 and 72.24% respectively. The results revealed that the peel contained moisture (7.51%), crude protein (11.67%), crude fat (42.24%), mineral ash (1.65%) and total carbohydrates (31.24%). There is no significant difference on the functional properties and ultimate properties of the by-products. FTIR spectrum clearly identified the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups besides cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The result showed that mango fruit by-product could be a rich source of chemical composition for different application areas. Valorisation of mango fruit by-product through different routes not only helps reduce environmental pollution but also can create job opportunity and reduces the cost of waste disposal for processing industries. Keywords: Mango by-products, physicochemical, Valorisation, proximate composition

An empirical analysis of potential cyclist injuries and cycling outfit comfort

This study investigated the relationship between pain/injury and training characteristics in cyclists. In addition, ergonomic wear comfort of their garments was investigated. A total of 94 complete questionnaire responses were analyzed. The result indicated that lower back pain was the most prevalent injury causing the highest rates of functional damage and medical attention. The injury level of cyclists was affected by the cluster with elite cyclists reporting pain while cycling. Many cyclists were not very satisfied with the comfort level of their current outfit, 39% of respondents were experienced with different discomfort sensations. The most frequent causes of discomfort were thermal and moisture discomfort sensation related to fabric characteristics. Moreover, design and fit of the garment were considered as cause of discomfort next to thermal discomfort sensation. Therefore, it could be concluded that garments that have good ventilation or breathability and very good fit values were preferred by cyclists. Design, limited choice (availability), appearance/look and quality were the main reason for their brand selection preferences

A review of contemporary techniques for measuring ergonomic wear comfort of protective and sport clothing

Protective and sport clothing is governed by protection requirements, performance, and comfort of the user. The comfort and impact performance of protective and sport clothing are typically subjectively measured, and this is a multifactorial and dynamic process. The aim of this review paper is to review the contemporary methodologies and approaches for measuring ergonomic wear comfort, including objective and subjective techniques. Special emphasis is given to the discussion of different methods, such as objective techniques, subjective techniques, and a combination of techniques, as well as a new biomechanical approach called modeling of skin. Literature indicates that there are four main techniques to measure wear comfort: subjective evaluation, objective measurements, a combination of subjective and objective techniques, and computer modeling of human–textile interaction. In objective measurement methods, the repeatability of results is excellent, and quantified results are obtained, but in some cases, such quantified results are quite different from the real perception of human comfort. Studies indicate that subjective analysis of comfort is less reliable than objective analysis because human subjects vary among themselves. Therefore, it can be concluded that a combination of objective and subjective measuring techniques could be the valid approach to model the comfort of textile materials

A fabric-based textile stretch sensor for optimized measurement of strain in clothing

Fabric stretch sensors are available as planar fabrics, but their reliability and reproducibility are low. To find a good working setup for use in an elastic sports garment, the design of such sensors must be optimized. The main purpose of this study was to develop resistive strain sensors from stretchable conductive fabric and investigating the influence of stretchability on conductivity/resistivity. The influence of using the sensor in a sweat rich environment was also determined, in order to evaluate the potential use of the sensor in sporting garments. The sensor resistivity performance was analyzed for its sensitivity, working range, and repeatability and it was determined what makes the sensitivity when elongated or stretched. The resistivity was found to decrease with elongation if no sweat is present, this can be due to molecular rearrangement and a higher degree of orientation that improves the conductivity of a material. The result from this finding also shows that for wearable applications the commercial EeonTexTM conductive stretchable fabric did not show a considerable resistivity increase, nor a good sensitivity. The sensitivity of the sensor was between 0.97 and 1.28 and varies with different elongation %. This may be due to the mechanical deformation characteristics of knitted samples that lead to changes in conductivity. We advise that the testing performed in this paper is done by default on new stretch sensitive textile materials, so practical use of the material can be correctly estimated

Comparative analysis of thermophysiological comfort-related properties of elastic knitted fabrics for cycling sportswear

This research focused on the investigation of the thermophysiological comfort properties of four selected knitted fabrics of different fiber blend ratios suitable for cycling wear. Comfort-related properties of the fabrics were determined and compared including air permeability, moisture management properties, drying time, thermal conductivity, and water vapor permeability. For those comfort properties of the fabric to be correlated, fabric structural properties, fabric density, fabric weight, and fabric thickness have been considered. Suited fabrics should have good air permeability, thermal conductivity, moisture management properties, and a short drying time. According to the measurement results, the fabric polyamide/elasane (58/42 PA6.6/EL) with good air permeability, thermal conductivity, moisture management properties, and short drying time was more suited for summer cycling clothing. Furthermore, this paper provides a new understanding of considerations that are needed for several end uses involving specific activity levels

Climate Change Disproportionately Hits Women Farmers

▪ The effect of climate change is manifested by increased frequency, duration and intensity of extreme weather and climate events that include unexpected, unusual, severe, or unseasonal weather conditions. ▪ These primarily range from increases in seasonal temperature involving heat waves, dry spells, and water stress, as well as cold(frost) and changes in the precipitation patterns, including rainfall intensities and flush floods. ▪ The effects of extreme weather events are seen in rising economic (production) costs, loss of livestock (human) lives, droughts, floods, landslides, and salient changes in ago-ecosystems. ▪ These results in reduced crop yield, crop failure, reduced soil fertility, loss of vegetation cover, livestock number reduction and land degradation, among other factors. ▪ Women and men experience the impacts of climate change differently, but considering the existing gender inequalities, these climate crises pose more threats to women and young girls than men. ▪ Climate change is burdening women to provide energy, water and food for their families and livestock. ▪ Accordingly, the analysis indicated that women excessively suffer the impacts of climate disasters, as they are more exposed, sensitive and have low adaptive capacity

Valorisation of waste chicken feathers: production of high-value materials.

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2018.Abstract available in PDF file

Enhancing Chickpea Seed Production through Irrigation Production System at Lowlands of North Wollo

<p>The seed multiplication activity conducted at Kobo districts, which was selected based on its irrigation potential and experience to produce chickpea seedduring 2018 cropping season to increase production and productivity of chickpea in the major producing areas of the region and to improve livelihood of farmers. Totally 189 (52 F) farmers were participated by this activity with 54ha of their land covered by 7.56 tones seed.The seed source was directly purchased from seed grower farmers association.Training was also given for participating farmers and development agents on production packages of chickpea. Field days were organized for further promotion to farmers. The variety was acceptable after field days by farmers due to its yield performance and disease tolerant response. Participant farmers area major seed source for others chickpea producing areas. Totally, 86 tons of habru variety seed produced.Thus, this variety has potential to increase chickpea production and productivity for high producing areas of north and south Wollo zones. Further seed multiplication of this variety will be continued to addressing other potential areas and increase production and productivity of chickpea in regional level</p&gt

An ecological study of the vegetation of Gambella Region, Southwestern Ethiopia

The vegetation of Gambella Region, southwestern Ethiopia, has been studied through five field trips made between October 14, 1995 and October 10, 1996. Systematic sampling method was used to select homogenous vegetation stands. Cover/abundance data was recorded for all plants from a total of 58 relevès. For each relevè, environmental data on topographic factors (altitude and slope), and soil from a depth of 0—10 cm (topsoil) and 40—50 cm (subsoil) were collected. The soil samples were analyzed for pH, texture, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and sodium. The species and relevès were classified using a fortran computer program twinspan and seven major plant communities were described. Five plant communities were found to have phytogeographical affinity to the Sudanian vegetation type while two are affiliated to the Guineo-Congolian vegetation type of Africa. Comparison of the community types was made using anova to find whether there are statistically significant variations in environmental factors. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Volume 24, No. 2 (December 2001), pp. 213-228 Key words/phrases: Ethiopia, Gambella Region, phytogeographic affinity, phytosociology, plant communitie