IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-4 ~ Issue-3 ~ May–June 2013

Abstract: The osmotic dehydration technique not only enables the storage of the fruits for a longer period, but also preserves flavour, nutritional characteristics and prevents microbial spoilage. Osmotic Dehydration is done by immersing Vegetable & Fruits, whether in pieces or whole, in salt or sugar aqueous solution of high osmotic pressure. The amla (Phyllanthus emblica) is an effective source of Vitamin C. The ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) content in the amla fruit is one of the highest contents of all plants. The amla plant has been used in Indian medicine for years. In Ayurvedic medicine, the amla plant is used to treat minor hemorrhage and to help foster cardiovascular health. The study conducted for Amla slices during osmotic dehydration followed by tray drying and the influence of process variables on the quality characteristics. The samples were osmodehydrated at in combination of sugar (25- 60°Brix) and salt (5%, 7.5% and 10%) solution at temperature of 30°C in 4:1 and 8:1 ratio. The treated sample slices were spread on stainless steel trays of the tray dryer and they were dried in tray dryer at temperature 500 C. The samples were weighed at an interval of 30 minutes. The sample took around 2 to 3 hours depending on the drying temperature to reach equilibrium moisture content. It was observed that the weight reduction, solid gain and weight loss increased with increase of the parameters like time, concentration of the sugar solution and ratio of the solution to sample. The quality parameters such as reducing sugars and ash content were determined.

Keywords: Osmotic Dehydration, Amla, Tray Dryer, Weight Reduction, Solid Gain and Weight loss.

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Abstract: This study was carried out to compare the effect of total replacement of wheat with defatted Greenwayodendron suaveolens seeds (DGSS) which was used as an additive in compounding the feed for albino rats. The phytochemical characters of DGSS are alkaloids, phenols and reducing sugars. Mineral composition of DGSS showed that it is rich in potassium (75100 ± 0.37mg/kg), magnesium (41900 ± 0.08mg/kg) and calcium (11700 ± 0.04mg/kg). The proximate composition of DGSS indicated a high level of carbohydrate (55.84%) and crude fibre (12.86%). Proximate compositions of the compounded feed for group A, the control group (CFA) and compounded feed for group B, the experimental group (CFB) pointed out that there were significant differences in crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre contents of the compounded feeds. CFA and CFB were used to feed the rats for an experimental period of eight weeks. Weekly record of the body weight of the rats showed a gradual increase in body weight. Tissue pathology of the rat organs (liver, kidney, heart and spleen) compared closely in the two groups. Haematology and blood biochemistry analyses gave no significant differences in all the parameters for the two groups.

Key words: Greenwayodendron suaveolens seeds, rat feed, toxicological assessment, haematological analysis

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Abstract: A total of 116 drinking water samples were collected aseptically in sterilized container from different sources. over a period of nine month September to May 2012.Most probable number (MPN) test was done to detect the coliforms in drinking water samples. The MPN number was very high (≥ 180) of positive water samples. Analysis was performed using culture and biochemical methods. The organism was identified as Escherichia coli (28%), Klebsiella sp. (15%) and Pseudomonas sp. (25%) in total positive samples. To conclude, bacteriological assessment of all water sources for drinking should be planned and conducted on regular basis.

Key Words: Drinking water sample, MPN count, Coliforms

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Abstract: Hard and soft dates sold in nylon were purchased from owode market in Offa, Kwara state, Nigeria. The bacteria load ranged from 4 x 105 – 19 x 105 and 10 x 105 – 20 x 105 respectively. The bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli and Salmonella species. The coliform count were between 3-9 in hard date fruits and 11-23 in soft date fruit respectively. Mould count were 1.0 x 102 – 2.8 x 102 and 4.8 x 103- 7.2 x 103 while yeast count were 1.6 x 102 – 8.2 x 103 and 5 x 104- 16 x 104 respectively. All these values were above the Saudi specification. Therefore these samples cannot be recommended for human consumption. A means of preserving dates fruit from microbial contamination and spoilage should be discovered, also storing in hygienic conditions is important before selling to the populace for consumption to prevent the spread of infection and diseases.

Keywords: Date palm(phoenix dactilyfera L.), Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, mould yeast, contamination, pathogenic

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Abstract: Fluoride Contamination of ground water is a growing problem in many parts of the world. This paper analyses the most extensive database on fluoride and other physicochemical parameters of 51 ground water samples of ten fluorotic and two nonfluorotic areas of Agastheeswaram Union, South India. The water samples from 10 fluorotic areas were tested and was found to have fluoride level ranging between 1.3 to 2.7 ppm which was greater than the permissible limit. Other parameters such as pH, total handness calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, salinity, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, sulphate, phosphate and aluminium were also measured. These values were compared with the values obtained from nonfluorotic area. Total handness, pH and alkalinity were found to be higher than the permissible limits in almost all the locations of 10 fluorotic areas at various seasons. Finally it was predicted that as alkalinity increases fluoride level increases in the ground water samples of Agastheeswaram Union.

Keywords: Ground water, Fluoride, Fluorotic, Nonfluorotic, Physicochemical

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Abstract :The diversity of filamentous algal flora of a minor stream of Thodupuzha river, Kerala was studied. During the study period thirteen freshwater algal species were observed. They comprised species of Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta and Charophyta. Presence of certain algae can indicate the pollution status in the stream.

Key Words-Stream, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Charophyta., Filamentous algae

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Abstract: Natural biological fluid Cows(Bosindicus) urine precipitates out the toxic heavy metal ions when added to450ppm-21660ppm ranges in the solution of toxic heavy metals like Cadmium, Lead and Mercury. The dried residue was tested by Energy Dispersion X Ray Fluorescence for presence of these metals and found positive. The filtrate solution were analyzed the ICP-AES results show that there is almost 3000 times decrease for cadmium and for Lead and Mercury it is 320 times decrease for Lead and 360 times for Mercury , the dilution factor has been taken account for the results.. The filtrate solution were also analyzed by GC-MS and compared to GC-MS chromatogram of cow's urine to find the ingredients responsible for precipitations. However, it seems alkaline pH of cow's urine is one of the causes responsible for the precipitations apart from synergistic effects of so many ingredients of cows urine. The use of natural biological fluid like cows urine heralds a new precipitating agent which is biodegradable and highly environmental friendly. The results of this experiment will have far reaching impact in metal processing industry of these heavy metals , detoxification of heavy metals ions in the solution in bulk quantities since cows urine are available in plenty.

KeyWords: Cows urine, Heavy Metals, Remediation, ICP-AES, ED.X Ray Fluorescence, GC-MS.

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Abstract:Metal contamination of foods is emerging as a major health hazard to the consumers. Ingestion is the major route for the entry of toxic metals into human body. Research has been done on the metal contamination of conventionally grown raw as well as cooked foods hence the present study aimed to determine the metal content of organically grown foods as organic foods claim to have least artificial inputs. Organic food samples collected from organic food outlets of Vadodara city, prepared by market basket method were digested using wet digestion method. A total of (20 raw, 35 pre treated and 38 cooked food samples were analysed for Al, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Se using AAS. Pre treatments resulted in considerable reduction in almost all the metals except Al and Fe. The results of metal content of raw foods showed that Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni and Pb were below the safe limits given by FAO WHO 2001 while Cd exceeded the safe limit of 0.2 μg/g. Health risk was associated with the consumption of Cd and Ni from the intake of cooked organic foods analyzed as they exceeded the safe intake limits given by JECFA.

Key Words- Organic foods, toxic metals, AAS, pre treatments, health risk assessment