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

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