Performance of Prototype Solar Tunnel Drier Developed by University of Hohenheim Under Local Environmental Conditions in Sri Lanka

The solar tunnel dryer developed by University of Hohenheim was studied under local environmental conditions in Sri Lanka to identify necessary improvements so that   marketable dehydrated products could be produced. Batch trials were carried using   jak fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and brinjal (Solanum melongena). Temperature, relative humidity and air flow rate during the trial period were recorded. Drying duration, physico-chemical and orgonoleptic parameters of the dehydrated products were determined. The dryer was found to be technically feasible and products are hygienically good compared to the open sun drying. Depending on bad weather conditions drying duration varied between 2- 3 days causing to produce organoleptically unacceptable dehydrated products.  The reasons identified for unacceptable quality were the long dying periods and keeping the materials inside the drying compartment overnight without drying. Therefore, there is a necessity to shorten the drying period together with maintenance of a correct temperature inside the drying compartment during non solar hours to preserve the quality of dried products

Phenotypical Variation and Characterisation of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Varieties

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a member of family Anacardiceae and the genus Mangiferabelongs to the order sapindales. Mangifera species consists of 69 species and only twospecies are found in Sri Lanka. M. zeylanica is endemic and wild while M. indica is acultivated species in Sri Lanka. Diversity of mango varieties is rich in northern part of SriLanka. However, characterisation of mango varieties in field is a difficult task. Thus thisstudy was designed to identify and characterise mango varieties in field and provideidentification keys with most useful morphological traits. 18 grafted mango varietiesincluding popular „Karuthakolumban‟, „Willard‟, „Ambalavi‟ and „Chembaddan‟ with 54mango accessions were selected for preparation of identification keys. Selected leaf andinflorescence characters to prepare identification key were; colour of immature leaf, leafshape, leaf margin, inflorescence axis colour, flower colour and number of petals in theflower (tetramerous, pentamerous or hexamerous) while selected fruit morphological traitswere; fruit skin colour, skin texture, skin thickness, fruit shape, weight, size, stalk insertion,beak type and stem end cavity. Identification keys were prepared based on the mangodescriptors listed by IPGRI (2006).Two types of key were prepared based on the variation of the qualitative parameters. Firstkey was prepared using leaf and inflorescence characters while fruit characters were used inthe second key. Due to these keys, mango varietal identification in the field is feasible and itwill be helpful to local mango growers, researchers and breeders. This method ofidentification and characterisation is a low cost, cheap and efficient tool compared tomolecular techniques and therefore it is suitable for developing country like Sri Lanka.Validity of the key has been subsequently evaluated in the field and it was found validity isconsistent due to the uniform environmental conditions of dry zone.Keywords: Mango varieties, Leaf, Inflorescence and fruit morphological traits, Identificationkey

Application of essential oil incorporated edible wax for shelf life extension of mango and papaya

Annex 21 to final technical report : CIFSRF final technical report : Enhanced Preservation of Fruits Using Nanotechnology (CIFSRF Phase 2)Both mango and papaya varieties treated with bio-wax showed better fruit quality compared to control fruits. Results indicate that storage life could be extended for more than 21 days. The slow release mechanism of active ingredients in the bio-wax plays a key role in preserving shelf life by minimizing loss due to disease. This one-pager provides a brief outline of the research, with images of fruit trials over a period of 21 days

Some aspects of the storage of some Allium species with special reference to shallots grown in Sri Lanka

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D42788/82 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Enhanced Preservation of Fruits in South Asia : final technical report (March 1, 2012 - September 30, 2014)

Post-harvest loss of fruits is almost 40%. If proper packaging materials are designed and fabricated, the losses can be prevented and availability can be improved. In Sri Lanka, 2 local patents have been filed for ‘Processing technology of papers or boards from banana fibers for sorption and slow releasing applications’ and ‘Hexanal impregnated fiber polymer composite board and ITI wax modified with antimicrobial agents’. Prototypes for hexanal delivery systems and hexanal fortified bio-wax and banana waste based cardboard dividers, and are being developed and tested. Detailed assessment on biosaftey has been carried out with results of this work provided

Annex 22 : hexanal incorporated fibre-polymer composite board and its efficacy on shelf life of mango

Annex 22 for final technical report : CIFSRF final technical report : enhanced preservation of fruits using nanotechnology (CIFSRF phase 2)In this study hexanal was incorporated into a fiber polymer composite material, used in fruit packing to reduce post harvest loss through slow release of hexanal vapour during storage and transportation. Hexanal is a Phospholipase D inhibitor, which prevents fruit membrane degradation. The one-page brief provides information showing that hexanal-incorporated composite material extends the storage life of mangoes. This will enable export of larger volumes of fruit, transported at lower sea freight rates.Government of Canad

Annex 20 : pre-harvest treatment of mango (Mangifera Indica) var. TJC and var. Karthakolombaan with enhanced freshness formulation (EFF)

Annex 20 for final technical report : CIFSRF final technical report : enhanced preservation of fruits using nanotechnology (CIFSRF phase 2)This is a one-page brief that introduces the use and application of hexanal spray. The Enhanced Freshness Formulation (EFF) has proved effective in reducing membrane degradation, through inhibition of Phospholipase D enzyme. EFF is effective in maintaining the fruit skin firmness of mango varieties. Harvesting season of KK variety and TJC variety of mango could be extended up to 4 and 6 weeks respectively using EFF spray treatments.Government of Canad

Effect of chitosan coating on the control of anthracnose and overall quality retention of papaya (Carica papaya L.) during storage

The potential use of chitosan, as an antifungal agent to reduce anthracnose disease on papaya during storage was investigated. Chitin extracted from locally available prawn waste was used to prepare N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan. The effective concentration of chitosan formulation (from 0.1 to 3%) to inhibit radial mycelial growth was selected via a series of experiments on potato dextrose agar. The selected effective chitosan concentration was then tested on papaya var. Rathna. In vitro studies revealed complete inhibition of radial mycelial growth of the pathogen at 1% chitosan and above. Chitosan at a concentration of 1% in vivo significantly reduced both disease incidence and severity on papaya fruit. Significant changes were observed in chitosan-treated fruit with respect to fruit firmness, rate of respiration and CO concentration in the internal cavity of the fruit while other physicochemical and organoleptic characters of the fruit were not affected. Chitosan at a concentration of 1% showed improved fruit firmness after ripening, protected the fruit from decay and kept the fruit quality at an acceptable level (with 80% marketability) throughout the storage period of 14 days at 13.5°C and 95% relative humidity followed by two days at ambient temperature (28± 2°C)