High Moisture Content (high + moisture_content)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Production of Phytophthora infestans oospores in planta and inoculum potential of in vitro produced oospores under temperate highlands and subtropical plains of India

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
B P SINGH
Summary High moisture content of the host tissue ( 88%) and low ambient r.h. (50-54%) favoured oospore formation under controlled environments. It took 14,16 days for oospores to develop; thereafter the number of oospores increased with time and decreased with moisture content of host tissue. High ambient r.h. (> 80%) did not favour oospore formation under field or controlled conditions. Oospore formation was detected in inoculated plants grown in the field when the ambient r.h. declined to 74% and moisture content of host tissue decreased to 83.7,85.6%. It took 8 days (cv. Kufri Chandramukhi) to 13 days (cv. Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Badshah) for oospores to develop. Cultivars also differed in their response to oospore production, cv. Kufri Chandramukhi being more responsive (4800 oospores g,1 f wt) than cv. Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Badshah (1320 and 390 oospores g,1 f wt respectively). Oospores produced in vitro remained viable when buried in soil in the temperate highlands of Himachal Pradesh and sub-tropical plains of Uttar Pradesh, India for more than 150 days, i.e. beginning of the next crop season. The oospores germinated and initiated late blight infection at the base of the stems after 21,30 days of incubation of the potato plants raised in oospore-infested soil. It took 2 days for newly formed oospores to germinate and this delay time increased to 75,77 days after 180-days burial. It took 15 days for their germination (47%) in soil extract as compared to 50 days in sterilised distilled water. [source]


Influence of moisture content on measurement accuracy of porous media thermal conductivity

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 8 2009
Mingzhi Yu
Abstract The thermal conductivity measurement accuracy of sand was experimentally studied with a hot disk thermal constant analyzer and water morphologies, distribution, and evolution at the pore scale were observed with a charge coupled device (CCD) combined with a microscope. It was found that thermal conductivities of samples with low moisture content (<25%) could not be accurately measured. For samples with low moisture content, the analysis showed that the water in the region adjacent to the analyzer sensor mainly existed as isolated liquid bridges between/among sand particles and would evaporate and diffuse to relatively far regions because of being heated by the sensor during measurement. Water evaporation and diffusion caused the sample constitution in the region adjacent to the sensor to vary throughout the whole measurement process, and accordingly induced low accuracy of the obtained thermal conductivities. Due to high water connectivity in pores, the rate of water evaporation and diffusion in porous media of high moisture content was relatively slow when compared with that of low moisture content. Meanwhile, water in the relatively far regions flowed back to the region adjacent to the sensor by capillary force. Therefore, samples consisting of the region adjacent to the sensor maintained the constant and thermal conductivities of porous media with relatively high moisture content and could be measured with high accuracy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20272 [source]


Chemical composition and microbial evaluation of Argentinean Corrientes cheese

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
OLGA M VASEK
The chemical and microbial composition of an artisanal cheese made from raw cow's milk produced and consumed in the province of Corrientes (north-eastern Argentina) was evaluated using standard methods. Corrientes cheese has high moisture content (50,60%), normal protein and fat contents (21,27 and 22,26% respectively), and is low in salt (0.5,2.0% w/w). Microbial counts also varied significantly between samples (colony-forming units per gram ranges covering logs of 5,11), probably due to environmental contamination in the raw material. These results will help produce higher quality Corrientes cheeses with well-defined characteristics. [source]


Effect of physico-chemical and molecular mobility parameters on Staphylococcus aureus growth

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2003
Elena Vittadini
Summary The role played by water activity, ,mobility' and physico-chemical properties of the media in modulating microbial response has been the object of large debate in the scientific community. In this study, Staphylococcus aureus growth parameters (lag phase and cell density at 24 h) in brain heart infusion (BHI) and BHI:NaCl (1:1) were analysed in their correlation with physico-chemical/mobility parameters descriptive of the media [solid content, aw, kinematic viscosity, 17O NMR (R2, Pbw and )]. In these high moisture content, liquid and ,homogeneous' media S.aureus growth related to all the physico-chemical and molecular mobility parameters analysed in a similar manner and it was found to be influenced more significantly by added NaCl than by the physico-chemical and molecular mobility of the media. Staphylococcus aureus growth parameters correlated better with aw (relatively independent of NaCl concentration) than with any other parameter considered in this study. [source]


THIN-LAYER DRYING KINETICS OF SESAME HULLS UNDER FORCED CONVECTION AND OPEN SUN DRYING

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2007
MAJDI A. AL-MAHASNEH
ABSTRACT Sesame hulls are a useful by-product of the sesame processing industry. The sesame hulls are produced at a high moisture content (68% wet basis) and need further drying to prevent deterioration. In this study, both open sun drying (OSD) and forced convection drying (FCD) at 42, 55, and 76C and 1.2 m/s air velocity were investigated. Six common thin-layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Several statistical parameters were used to evaluate the performance of thin-layer drying models, including r2, x2, root mean square error (RMSE) and residuals. Sesame hull drying was found to take place completely in the falling rate region. The modified Page model was found to describe OSD data well, while the Wang and Singh model was the best model for describing FCD. Effective diffusivity was found to be 1.89 × 10 - 8 m2/s and 7.36 × 10 - 10 to 1.20 × 10 - 9 m2/s for OSD and FCD, respectively. Activation energy was also found to be 12.95 kJ/mol for FCD. [source]


EXPERIMENTAL VACUUM SPRAY DRYING OF PROBIOTIC FOODS INCLUDED WITH LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 6 2009
YUTAKA KITAMURA
ABSTRACT This research aims to develop a vacuum spray dryer (VSD) that performs spray drying in a vacuumed drying tower at a lower temperature than the conventional spray drying. The VSD operational drying temperatures for the probiotic foods containing lactic acid bacteria were determined by the relationships between the temperature and the vapor pressure, and were correlated by Clapeyron's equation. The drying of the fermented milk starter at 35C drying tower was experimentally possible; however, powder from the lactic fermenting beverage was not obtained even at 50C, which resulted from the lower glass transition temperature of the material. Compared with ATP concentration of the fermented milk starter before and after the VSD drying, the lower the drying temperature, the higher the microbial activity is retained. The ATP ratio as 30% of the raw materials shows the high feasibility of VSD for dairy processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS During the spray drying of liquid or slurry food, the heat-sensitive functional ingredients such as vitamin, enzyme or bacteria are usually degraded or lost because of the contact with hot air between 120 and 180C. Markets need food powder that involves a lot of functional materials and a long shelf life for the expansion of healthy food. The experimental vacuum spray dryer (VSD) showed a potential to dry probiotic foods involving lactic acid bacteria without their inactivation. Although the lactic acid bacteria contained in the powder at 35C,VSD was 30% of the raw material, it is more economical than using the liquid type fermented milk starter. With some mechanical or operational modifications for the high moisture content and low recovery ratio of the powder, VSD is applicable for dairy processing factories. [source]


Role of Reduced Ionic Strength and Low pH in Gelation of Chicken Breast Muscle Protein

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005
S. Ke And
ABSTRACT: Elastic gels with a high moisture content of 88% were prepared at an acidic pH and low ionic strength. The relationship among pH, ionic strength, water-holding capacity, and fold score of gels was investigated. A decrease of pH from 4.1 to 3.7 or below increased gel elasticity and significantly decreased water loss under pressure (P < 0.05). In the presence of sodium chloride, gels made at pH 3.5 to 3.7 had decreased elasticity and increased water loss under pressure. Prior freezing increased the water loss of gels under pressure. Gels made with phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid lost less water under pressure than those made with citric acid. The percentage loss of water from cylindrical gels was inversely related to the height of the cylinders, suggesting that surface effects were involved. These results suggest that net positive charges on the protein molecules at low pH produced electrostatic repulsion, which was a major driving force for water uptake in the low-salt gels. [source]


Effect of drying and storage on the degradation of total carotenoids in orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2010
Aurélie Bechoff
Abstract BACKGROUND: Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) can be used to tackle vitamin A deficiency, a major public health problem in most developing countries. In East Africa, common ways of using sweetpotato include drying and subsequent storage. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of drying and storage on the total carotenoid retention (as an estimate of provitamin A retention) from OFSP. RESULTS: Losses of total carotenoid during drying were generally low (15% or less). Total carotenoid retention in OFSP was not dependent on the type of dryer (solar or sun). Sweetpotato cultivar (Ejumula, Kakamega, SPK004/1, SPK004/1/1, SPK004/6 or SPK004/6/6) had a significant effect on retention in drying (P < 0.05). High percentage losses of total carotenoids were, however, correlated with high moisture content and high carotenoid content in fresh sweetpotato roots. After 4 months' storage at room temperature in Uganda, losses of total carotenoid in dried sweetpotato chips were high (about 70%) and this was not dependent on the use of opaque or transparent packaging. CONCLUSION: Losses of carotenoids during storage were considered to be more of a nutritional constraint to the utilisation of dried sweetpotato than losses occurring during drying. The relationship between characteristics of the cultivars and losses of carotenoids during drying should be taken into account in selection of cultivars for processing. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass: A summary and discussion of chemical mechanisms for process engineering

BIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING, Issue 2 2010
Axel Funke
Abstract Hydrothermal carbonization can be defined as combined dehydration and decarboxy lation of a fuel to raise its carbon content with the aim of achieving a higher calorific value. It is realized by applying elevated temperatures (180,220°C) to biomass in a suspension with water under saturated pressure for several hours. With this conversion process, a lignite-like, easy to handle fuel with well-defined properties can be created from biomass residues, even with high moisture content. Thus it may contribute to a wider application of biomass for energetic purposes. Although hydrothermal carbonization has been known for nearly a century, it has received little attention in current biomass conversion research. This review summarizes knowledge about the chemical nature of this process from a process design point of view. Reaction mechanisms of hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation, aromatization, and condensation polymerization are discussed and evaluated to describe important operational parameters qualitatively. The results are used to derive fundamental process design improvements. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source]


The Isiokpo Oil-Pipeline Leakage: Total Organic Carbon/Organic Matter Contents of Affected Soils

CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 8 2005

The environmental impact of the 1997 leakage of the high-pressure crude-oil pipeline at Isiokpo in the Niger Delta in the southeast of Nigeria was evaluated, with particular reference to total-organic-carbon (TOC) and total-organic-matter (TOM) contents of soils within the vicinity of the oil spillage. The soils, taken from depths of 0,15,cm (surface) and 15,30,cm (subsurface), were found to be more acidic (pH,4.2,5.6) than the unpolluted soils, with a high average moisture content of 6.8%. The extractable hydrocarbon content ranged from 2.71,3.48,mg/kg, indicating hydrocarbon contamination. However, contrary to expectation, the TOC and TOM contents of the polluted soils did not show any significant increase in concentration, supposedly due to natural rehabilitation of the affected mat layer of soils. Thus, notwithstanding the possible proliferation of heterotrophic organisms by the presence of the added petroleum hydrocarbons, environmental conditions such as weathering and climatic predispositions, as well as physico-chemical parameters such as pH, moisture content, and temperature must have encumbered the carbon-mineralizing capacity of the heterotrophs, thereby reducing the turnover of carbon and the decomposition of organic matter. The restrictions by high moisture content might not come directly from H2O itself, but are probably a consequence of hindered soil ventilation, which reduces O2 supply and gaseous diffusion, conditions that might have been substantially aggravated by the added petroleum hydrocarbons. [source]


Diatomaceous earths as alternatives to chemical insecticides in stored grain

INSECT SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006
AMIN NIKPAY
Abstract Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural inert dust used to control insect pests in stored grain as an alternative to synthetic residual insecticides. Various DE formulations are now registered as a grain protectant or for structural treatment in many different countries throughout the world. The mode of action of DE is through the absorption of cuticular waxes in the insect cuticle, and insect death occurs from desiccation. The main advantages of using DE are its low mammalian toxicity and its stability. The main limitations to widespread commercial use of DE are reduction of the bulk density and flowability of grain, irritant hazards during application and reduction in efficacy at high moisture contents. This paper is an updated review of published results of researches related to the use of DEs and discusses their potential use in large-scale, commercial storage and in small scale applications. [source]