Production Optimization of Fortified Foam-Mat Dried Yoghurt

This experimental study examines the effect of different production parameters such as moringa seed flour, ginger extract, forming agent, mixing time and drying temperature on the selected proximate and microbiological qualities of foam-mat dried yoghurt. The design and analysis of the experiment were conducted with the central composite design technique of the Design Expert statistical software. The study aimed at fortifying and optimizing the production of foam-mat dried yoghurt, which involves powdered milk, water, starter culture and flavour which are kept constant and followed by the addition of moringa seed flour, ginger extract and forming agent (egg white). Twenty-five experimental runs with the control experiment inclusive were carried out based on the mixture-process design matrix and the nutritional properties evaluated include moisture content, crude protein, fat content, ash content, carbohydrate content, total lactic acid, bacteria and fungi. Numerical optimization, via the desirability approach, was utilized to determine the optimum production parameters for the fortified foam-mat dried yoghurt. Graphical optimization was also used to display the prediction of all responses in the mixture-process factors space. Results got revealed that foam-mat dried yoghurt with 10.79 % moisture content, 12.115% crude protein, 0.552% ash content, 2.196% fat and 16.409% carbohydrate could be produced from 80% of fresh yoghurt, 5.466% of moringa seed flour, 7.534% of ginger extract, 7% of foaming agent, mixing duration 2.53mins, drying temperature at 50oC and 0.721 desirability index gave the optimum quality. The results of this work are of great use to the food and beverage industries as they provide a basis for selecting process parameters for optimal foam-mat dried yoghurt production. Prospects for more studies were suggested

Rupture of an incisional hernia with evisceration of the gut: A case report

Spontaneous rupture of the abdominal wall hernia is very rare and usually occurs in incisional and recurrent groin hernias. Here, we report the case of rupture of a large incisional hernia with the evisceration of small bowel in a 56-year-old female. This surgical emergency was successfully managed using the current standard tension-free prosthetic mesh

Analiza troškova primene modifikovane mašine za ljuštenje kod mehanizovane obrade casave

This paper assessed the benefits of adopting a modified cassava attrition peeling machine in mechanised Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) processing. The parameters evaluated and compared between the modified cassava attrition peeling machine, existing attrition peeler and manual peeling technique include the specific energy consumption, peeling efficiency, flesh loss, throughput capacity, payback period and benefit cost ratio. The results showed that the improved machine has a payback period of one year and four months with Benefit Cost Ratio, BCR of 2.56. Significant improvements on its performance parameters was evident with 43% increase in peeling efficiency, 74.8% increase in throughput, 67% tuber flesh recovery, 12 % energy cost savings and 10.6% reduction in specific energy consumption over the existing attrition peeler.U ovom radu su ocenjene prednosti usvajanja primene modifikovane mašine za ljuštenje kod mehanizovane obrade kasave (Manihot Esculenta). Parametri koji se procenjuju i upoređuju između modifikovane mašine za piling -ljuštenje kasave, postojećeg alata za ljuštenje i tehnike ručnog ljuštenja uključuju: specifičnu potrošnju energije, efikasnost ljuštenja, gubitak mase, propusni kapacitet mašine, period otplate i procenu troškova koristi. Rezultati pokazuju da poboljšana – modifikovana mašina ima rok vraćanja troškova od jedne godine i četiri meseca, a odnos koeficijenta koristi i troškova (BCR) od 2,56. Značajna poboljšanja parametara performansi mašine bila su evidentna sa povećanjem efikasnosti ljuštenja do 43%, povećanje protoka zrna od 74,8%, protokom mase od 67%, sa uštedom troškova energije od 12% i smanjenja potrošnje specifične energije od 10,6% u odnosu na postojeći aparat-uređaj za ljuštenj

Comperative Performance of a Locally Developed Groundnut Decorticator with an Imported Kirlosker Decorticator

ABSTRACT The performance of a locally developed groundnut decorticator was compared with the imported kirlosker decorticator to ascertain and probably make optimal and effective use of locally developed decorticator as substitute for imported groundnut decorticator from India. The comparison was based on the following parameters; threshing/decorticating efficiency, cleaning efficiency, total grain losses, grain recovery range, capacity utilization and threshing intensity. Results obtained showed that the locally developed decorticator performed credibly better than imported decorticator. The local decorticator had threshing and cleaning efficiencies of 97.52% and 97.88% respectively with minimal total seed losses of 4.13% while the imported kirlosker decorticator recorded a threshing efficiency of 96.58% and cleaning efficiency of 97.66 with total seed losses of 7.94%. More so, the local decorticator recorded 97.26%, 63.84% and 0.038kw/kg for the grain recovery range, capacity utilization and threshing intensity respectively while the imported decorticator in that order recorded 93.92%, 61.24% and 0.013km/kg respectively. Therefore the locally developed decorticator could be substituted for the imported decorticator thereby conserving foreign exchange in Nigeria in addition to its low cost, easy maintenance and simple operation

Development and Deployment of Quadcopter in Silos’ Inspection and Surveillance

Efficient and routine inspection/surveillance of agricultural installations is a panacea that guarantees structural integrity and healthy storage of grains. Conventional methods of silo inspection are tedious, time-consuming, costly, disruptive and with attendant safety concerns. A quad copter comprising four Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), four Brushless DC motors, a motion camera, a flight controller unit, a battery and an off board remote controller was designed,   developed and evaluated for silos’ facility inspections. The system is powered by 11.4V LiPo (Lithium polymer) fitted on-board of the quad copter, a digital camera and a 12V remote controller for off-board control (yaw, pitch and roll), with an entire system weight of 3.62kg. Apt deployment of such unmanned aerial vehicle in routine facility integrity inspection eliminated the high risk and loss of man hour associated with contemporary techniques. The result of its performance test indicated that the system has maximum attainable speed of 10km/h and maximum height/range of 150 m for over all 10 minutes of flight time. Also, the threshold speed for each rotor was found to be 1030 rpm and an average speed of 0.5km/h needed during inspection of silos to avoid blurred images from the camera was achieved. Comparative analysis of the design with the conventional method revealed that the developed quad copter was cost and time effective, convenient, risk free thus recommended for full scale deployment for inspection/surveillance in silo installations

Health service systems and comorbidity: stepping up to the mark

Clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are not well served in traditional health care systems where specialist services offer segregated interventions and the client is left to negotiate required treatment across both systems. In recent years, policy change guiding the treatment of dual diagnosis in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and elsewhere has triggered the development of diverse models of treatment, each of which function at different points on a continuum from serial to fully integrated care. This paper outlines key models and provides examples, while considering their potential for appropriately addressing the needs of this client group. Consideration is given to the benefits of an interaction between stepped care and the chosen model, as a means of enhancing care efficiency while retaining the focus on positive outcomes.<br /

Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security

The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission. In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities, from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed. Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered, method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated. Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved respondents were: ignorance of the animals’ pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef (61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119) and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or$23 million would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security