Processing and Utilization of Bio-Flocculant from Dent Corn in Food Wastewater

In the present research, native starch was prepared from dent corn (Zea mays L.) and the prepared native starch was modified by phosphorylation to get biodegradable bio-flocculants. The processed modified starch bio-flocculants were applied in the treatment of food wastewater. The physico-chemical properties of dent corn such as protein, fiber, fat, moisture, carbohydrate and ash contents were determined by AOAC (2000) method. The physico-chemical characteristics of native starch and modified starch (bio-flocculants) such as iodine test, bulk density, the degree of substitution, swelling power, amylose and amylopectin contents were determined. The flocculation efficiency of the processed bio-flocculants by using ferric laurate suspension and the optimal transmission percentage was investigated. The properties of food wastewater such as pH, colour, turbidity, total solids, dissolved solids and suspended solids before and after treatment with processes bio-flocculants were also determined

Preparation and Characterization of Starch Based Bioplastic Film from Dent Corn

In this research work, dent corn (Zea mays L.) was selected as a raw material in the preparation of bioplastic films. Firstly, the starch powders were prepared from dent corn by washing, cutting, grinding, drying and pulverizing. The physico-chemical properties of prepared starches such as pH, moisture content, ash content, bulk density, gelatinization temperature and protein content were investigated. The elemental compositions of prepared starch were analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). Secondly, the bioplastic film was prepared using starch powder, water and glycerol as plasticizer. In this experiment, the effects of amount of starch powder, amount of glycerol and volume of water on the tensile strength of prepared biodegradable plastic films were investigated. The organoleptic, chemical and mechanical properties of prepared plastic films were determined and the solubility test was also carried out. Moreover, the evaluation of biodegradability property was conducted by soil burial method. The functional groups of prepared plastic films were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)

Strengthening smokeless tobacco control in Myanmar: challenges and the way forward

Background and challenges to implementation Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is highly prevalent in Myanmar, particularly among women and youth. Ministry of Health and Sports has established and strengthened smokeless tobacco control programme at national and subnational level by adopting comprehensive policy of tobacco control since 2012, with the support of WHO and The UNION. Intervention or response These key policies are inclusion of SLT as an integral part of the national and local tobacco control frameworks, Raising public awareness on the adverse health and social consequences of SLT use, banning smokeless tobacco in public places, workplaces and public transport , Strengthening SLT Free Youth Programme, Inclusion of SLT use into regular Global Tobacco surveillance mechanisms and preventing tobacco industry interference on SLT. Results and lessons learnt Key policy achievements were made i)adopted a smoke free national regulation which bans smoking in all public places, work places and public transport; ii)adopted a pictorial health warning regulation that mandates tobacco industry to print at least 75% pictorial health warning on all tobacco pack including smokeless tobacco both in front and back on upper part. In addition we have built capacity of national and sub-national tobacco control cell and officials from health, NGOs and media. Tobacco control Policy awareness was built among member of parliaments and inter-ministerial departments. According to 2016 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), current smokeless tobacco use among students aged 13-15 years had declined from 9.8% to 5.7% between 2011 and 2016. Conclusions and key recommendations Misconception of SLT use as less dangerous than smoking products is a big challenge to the tobacco control measures added by ease of purchase and low prices of SLT products. Efforts should be prioritized on law enforcement as well as amendment of existing national law to include the control of SLT products and illicit trade of tobacco in Myanmar