Broken Grains Research Articles

Implikasi Kebijakan Harga Eceran Tertinggi Beras Terhadap Profitabilitas Usaha Tani Padi, Harga, Kualitas, serta Serapan Beras

<p>In order to maintain the stability of rice price the government establishes rice ceiling price (RCP) policy based on rice quality and distribution areas. This policy was issued through the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 57/2017 in effect since 1 September 2017. This study aims to examine the impact of RCP policy on profitability of rice farming, rice prices in traditional and modern markets, shift in rice quality, and paddy and rice procurement by Perum Bulog. This study was conducted in three rice producing provinces, namely West Java, East Java and South Sulawesi. After implementation of RCP policy, profitability of rice farming increased, market prices for medium quality rose approaching the medium RCP, and premium rice price tended to decline but still stable close to RCP. Most rice sold in the markets shifted from medium to premium quality. Government rice procurement conducted by Bulog decreased significantly. Besides profit margins, lack of binding of broken grain criteria for medium and premium rice qualities and absence of certification regarding the differentiation of both qualities may affect rice quality shifting. It is suggested that RCP policy should implemented with clear and firm regulation on rice quality criteria.</p><p> </p><p>Abstrak</p><p>Beras merupakan makanan pokok bagi sebagian besar penduduk Indonesia. Dalam upaya menjaga stabilitas harga beras, pemerintah menetapkan patokan harga eceran tertinggi (HET) berdasarkan jenis beras dan wilayah edarnya. Kebijakan ini ditetapkan melalui Permendag No. 57 tahun 2017 yang berlaku sejak 1 September 2017. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji implikasi kebijakan penerapan HET beras tersebut terhadap profitabilitas usahatani padi, harga beras di pasar tradisional dan modern, pergeseran kualitas beras yang diperdagangkan, dan penyerapan gabah-beras petani oleh Perum Bulog Kajian dilaksanakan di tiga provinsi sentra beras, yaitu Jawa Barat, Jawa Timur dan Sulawesi Selatan. Kajian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa profitabilitas usahatani padi meningkat setelah penetapan HET beras; harga beras medium cenderung naik mendekati batas HET medium, sedangkan harga beras premium cenderung menurun namun masih stabil tinggi mendekati batas HET premium; kualitas beras yang diperdagangkan sebagian bermigrasi dari beras medium ke premium; dan pengadaan gabah pemerintah oleh Bulog serapan gabah-beras petani oleh Bulog mengalami penurunan. Selain margin keuntungan, longgarnya kriteria butir patah beras medium dan premium serta belum adanya sertifikasi mengenai pembedaan kualitas medium dan premium ditengarai menjadi faktor migrasi kualitas beras yang diperdagangkan. Disarankan penetapan HET perlu disertai dengan pengaturan yang lebih tegas mengenai kriteria kualitas beras medium dan premium. Selain itu, pemerintah untuk mengawasi kepatuhan pedagang, perlu dilakukan akreditasi terhadap beras premium kemasan yang beredar di pasar.</p>

PERUBAHAN MUTU FISIK DAN MUTU KIMIA KEDELAI SELAMA PENYIMPANAN

Soybean is one of the leguminous plants and is the main source of protein and vegetable oil in the world. Soybean is the most important strategic main food crop after rice and corn. Caused of their high protein and fat content, soybean seeds have fast decreased quality during storage, both for consumption material and as a source of seeds. This study aims to determine changes in physical and chemical quality of several soybean varieties during storage. This research was conducted from February to August 2016 in the Agricultural Science Park (TSP) Natar. The study was conducted in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. This study uses 4 soybean varieties, namely: Grobogan, Burangrang, Anjasmoro, and Argomulyo; packaged using polyethylene plastic bags (PE) 0.8 mm. Observation parameters included physical quality (split grains, broken grains, other colored grains, wrinkled grains, and impurities), hardness and chemical quality (moisture content, ash content, protein content, fat content, crude fiber content, and carbohydrate content). The observations showed that: Anjasmoro variety has the best physical quality (Quality I) compared to other varieties, both before storage (0 months), and after storage (6 months); There was increased water content, protein content, ash content, and crude fiber content, but a decrease in carbohydrate content in soybean seeds after storage for 6 months, while the ash content did not change significantly;There was increased the level of hardness of soybean seeds during storage for 4 soybean varieties that were used around 3,68% - 8,33%.

EFFECT OF NATURAL AMORPHOUS SILICA - MULTIMINERAL FERTILIZER FLO-RAL MICROSIL ON SOME MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.)

The effect of natural multimineral fertilizer Floral microsil (FM) (50 % bio-available amorphous SiO2 + macro-nutrients and trace elements) was investigated on some morphological and productive properties in rice at the environ-mental conditions of Republic of Macedonia, on cultivar San Andrea. Two treatments were studied: control (standard fertilization) with 450 kg/ha complex mineral fertilizers NPK (16:16:16) as basic fertilizer + two splits with Urea 46 % N (200 + 100 kg/ha), and FM treatment: 20 kg/ha FM before sowing, seed treatment with 20 kg/ha FM + three splits of FM + Urea (30 + 100; 20 + 60 and 20 + 60 kg/ha respectively). The field trials were set up in Zade design during 2014 and 2015. Results were analyzed with ANOVA and LSD test.The FM treatment significantly affected plant and stem height (2014), producing shorter plant (103.02 cm) and stem (87.47 cm) compared to the control (111.81 cm and 95.91 cm). Significantly lower biological (20958.34 kg/ha) and straw yield (10769.67 kg/ha) were determined in the FM treatment compared to the control (24852.00 kg/ha and 15101.34 kg/ha). The FM treatment significantly increased the 1000 grains weight (39.97 g against 38.28 g control av-erage). The paddy and white rice yield (9839.99 kg/ha; 5856.75 kg/ha) in FM treatment were statistically on par with the control (9368.60 kg/ha and 5907.91 kg/ha), as well as the panicle length, number of productive and non-productive tillers per m2, the head rice yield (whole grains and broken grains) and the hectoliter weight.The application of FM significantly increased the nitrogen use efficiency estimated thru the partial factor produc-tivity (97.24 kg paddy rice/kg N and 57.88 kg white rice/kg N), as compared to the control average (44.61 kg paddy rice/kg N and 28.14 kg white rice/kg N). Therefore, paddy and white rice yield statistically on par with the standard fertilization were produced with a lower amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer. These findings are of ecological signifi-cance for the rice production in the Republic of Macedonia.

Comparison of equipment for grain sampling

ABSTRACT Grain sampling requires the use of appropriate and accurate equipment. This study aimed to compare grain samplers, manual and mechanical, used in the sampling of soybean loads, during their reception by storage units. The used devices were the manual sampler with 1.80 m length and three opening stages, 2.10 m length and three opening stages; and 2.10 m length and one opening stage, besides the mechanical sampler (pneumatic) and the pelican sampler. The analyzed parameters were the contents of impurity, broken grains, pods, immature grains, and moisture. The significance of effect of treatment was determined by F Test and the means were compared by Tukey test (p < 0.05). The devices used for sampling of soybean grains in vehicles, during their reception by storage units, affect the determination of broken grains, pods and immature grains. However, there was no difference between the types of sampling equipment in the determination of impurity content, and the pelican sampler collected greater percentages of pods and immature grains from the sampled vehicles.

Increasing the accuracy of (U-Th(-Sm))/He dating with 3D grain modelling

Conventional (U-Th(-Sm))/He thermochronology requires accurate determination of the grain shape and dimension for calculation of 4He loss by alpha particle ejection and diffusion. In routine practice, calculations of 4He loss and diffusion are calculated assuming that measured grains approximate symmetric grain shapes with perfectly smooth crystal surfaces. This may introduce uncertainties that are virtually impossible to quantify if grains that do not pass the latter criteria are used. Alternatively, this leads to a selection bias for the analyses of detrital minerals if only grains with perfect crystal surfaces are measured. To address this limitation, we introduce a flexible, open-source numerical approach in Matlab™ to accurately determine the three-dimensional grain shape and numerically model He loss by alpha ejection and diffusion on individual grains. The three-dimensional surface of a mineral grain is interpolated from photomicrographs taken orthogonal to the principal grain axes. He ejection and diffusion is simulated using a coupled Monte Carlo and Brownian motion algorithm. Comparing our approach to high-resolution X-ray microtomography, we demonstrate that our “3D-He” approach improves the accuracy of He loss corrections when mineral grains do not approximate perfect crystal shapes by avoiding constraints inherent to standard manual-analytical approaches. Importantly, this method mitigates any bias introduced by user-dependent grain selection, measurements and assigning grains to a mineral shape for which analytical solutions of He production have been derived. In routine practice, we find that our 3D-He approach improves the accuracy of geometric measures (volume and surface area) and associated sphere-equivalent radii (SER) significantly, reducing the average deviation from true values from ~7–8% (manual-analytical approach) to ~2.5% (3D-He approach). The difference in SER significantly impacts the resulting apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He ages, which may deviate up to 40% when long held at temperatures where He production roughly matches diffusive loss of He. Using the 3D-He approach, the average deviation and overall spread of He loss corrections due to alpha ejection (FT factors) could be reduced from 1.6 ± 4.6% to 0.6 ± 0.8%. In summary, our 3D-He approach is a significant refinement to (U-Th(-Sm))/He age calculation considering relatively low analytical uncertainty in U, Th, Sm and He measurement (~2%). Importantly, our 3D-He approach should mitigate the selection bias introduced through manual grain selection. Toward this end, we discuss additional advantages of our numerical approach to handling broken grains or grains with known parent isotope zonation.

Preference for imported and Nigeria rice among rural households in Imo State Nigeria

This study examined the preference for imported and Nigeria rice among rural households in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the level of preference of imported and Nigerian rice, determine the factors influencing household preference of imported and Nigerian rice consumed and to identify the major constraints to the consumption of imported and Nigerian rice in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 120 respondents. Primary data were collected with the used of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings showed that the grand mean score of 2.67 and 1.60 revealed that the respondents preferred imported rice to Nigerian rice. The major constraints to rice consumption preference for Nigerian rice were presence of husk, dirt and stones (90.0%), poor quality (85.8%), broken grain (75.0%), low swelling capacity (72.50%) breakages (71.60%), lack of competition advantages (68.33%), the constraints to imported rice consumption were high cost (73.33%) and affordability of the products (62.50%). Factors that significantly influence the household consumption preference for imported and Nigerian rice were price (p<0.05), nutritional value (p<0.05), ease of preparation (p<0.01) cleanliness (p<0.01) and taste (p<0.05). The study concluded that rural dwellers still preferred imported rice to Nigerian rice. It was recommended that Nigerian rice producer should improve the quality of the rice for it to have competitive advantage over imported rice. Government should invest in Nigerian rice production by issuing loans to Nigerian rice farmers and encourage mechanization. Keywords: imported and Nigerian rice, consumption, preference, rural households

Evaluación agronómica de nueve líneas avanzadas de arroz (Oriza sativa L.) y dos testigos comerciales bajo condiciones de riego por inundación, Sébaco, Matagalpa

El estudio se realizó en el centro experimental de arroz de Asociación Nacional de Arroceros (ANAR) en la finca Santa Rita en el Valle de Sébaco, Matagalpa con el objetivo de evaluar 11 líneas avanzadas de arroz y dos variedades con alto potencial de rendimiento y excelentes características industriales. Las parcelas experimentales fueron establecidas el 10 de Julio del 2014 y cosechadas del 12 al 14 de noviembre del mismo año. El diseño experimental fue un BCA con tres repeticiones. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados usando ANDEVA y prueba de medias por TUKEY al 5% de margen de error, a través del software SAS 9.1. La línea 246 y la variedad ANAR 97 presentaron cierto índice de acame y las líneas 18 y 20 presentaron una moderada longitud de excersión. Las demás líneas no presentaron acame y buena longitud de la excersión facilitando mejor la cosecha. De los 9 genotipos evaluados, 6 son altamente productivos superando a las variedades ANAR 97 y ANAR 470 oscilando sus rendimientos entre 6121 kg/ha y 6818 kg/ha siendo candidatos a pruebas regionales. La línea 248 presentó los mejores valores de rendimiento de arroz oro, mayor porcentaje de grano entero y mejor relación grano entero grano quebrado.

Investigations on effect of cylinder configuration of rectangular spiked tooth thresher on threshing performance of wheat crop

Nearly 90% of wheat threshers are spike tooth type and majority of them are operated by a prime mover of 3-4 kW. These threshers available in the market have cylinder and blower on the same shaft and hence are not suitable for threshing other crops. The machine factors which affect the quality and efficiency of threshing are feeding chute angle, spike shape, size and numbers, cylinder type, cylinder diameter, concave size, shape and clearance. In the threshing, standardization and improvement of critical component viz threshing cylinder configuration can bring down the total power consumption to 2/3. Therefore investigation was taken for manufacturing of threshing cylinders with different configuration and their testing for standardization. The threshing cylinder of rectangular spike of 6 mm thickness and 600 mm tip diameter yielded maximum output capacity (372 kg/h) with minimum specific power consumption (0.971 kWh/q) at maximum feed rate ((780 kg/h). The maximum threshing efficiency (99.91%) and minimum wheat straw length (21 mm) was obtained corresponding to the same configuration and feed rate. The minimum broken grain (0.20%) and total loss (0.43%) were at tip diameter of 500 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm corresponding to maximum feed rate (780 kg/h). The output capacity was above 300 kg/h at maximum feed rate (780 kg/h) for all the tip diameter and spike thickness. The maximum wheat straw split (88.60%) was at 780 kg/h feed rate corresponding to tip diameter of 550 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm. The maximum cleaning efficiency (99.52%) was at maximum feed rate (780 kg/h) corresponding to tip diameter of 550 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm. The wheat straw size for maximum output capacity and threshing efficiency were 22.43 mm at tip diameter of 600 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm corresponding to maximum feed rate (780 kg/h). For higher threshing efficiency, fine straw quality and minimum specific power consumption, rectangular spiked threshing cylinder of 600 mm tip diameter and spike thickness of 6 mm gave best performance results with total grain loss within permissible limit.

Comparative performance evaluation of high capacity wheat thresher with variable parameters

This research study was conducted in order to determine and compare the performances of two different high capacity wheat thresher and economic characteristics of threshing for wheat crop. The research was conducted in the farm of Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad. The treatments under the comparisons were different type of power thresher .Wheat crop which was ready for threshing in the field at SHIATS, Allahabad. Wheat was threshed by high capacity Himanchal and Haramba thresher on different cylinder speeds. Three replications were taken and values of dependent variables were computed to indicate the performance evaluation of high capacity flow through the Himanchal and Haramba wheat thresher were carried out for threshing of wheat w.r.t threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, output capacity and total machine losses including broken grain, sieve loss, blown or spilled grain and unthreshed grain. The observation were taken at three drum speeds of 850 rpm, 740 rpm and 685 rpm and three feed rate 34 kg/min, 36 kg/min and 39 kg/min at the moisture content of 16.2 per cent and two concave clearances (21 mm and 18 mm). The analysis of data and results obtained from the comparative evaluation of both the machines shows that threshing efficiency and cleaning efficiency for machine (M 1 ) 98.89 per cent and 98.96 and (M 2 )99.10 per cent and 99.08 per cent, respectively at the 850 rpm drum speed on given feed rate 39 kg/min. The highest machine losses were 10.07 per cent at 34 kg/min on 685 rpm and lowest grain losses were 6.30 per cent at 39 kg/min on 850 rpm. The cost of threshing through the high capacity thresher was obtained Rs. 417.70 per hour and the threshing cost Rs.41.77 per quintal through the Himanchal high capacity wheat thresher and Rs.27.84 per quintal through the Haramba high capacity wheat thresher. It was concluded that there is an inherent advantage of Haramba high capacity wheat thresher over the Himanchal high capacity wheat thresher and manual operation. It is necessary to maximize the use of the machine.

Biofertilizer Microgeo® on Rice Crop: Yield and Seed Quality

Rice is the most important crop for the south and south-west region of the Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil); as all commercial crops, irrigated rice is requiring the use of alternatives for increasing yield and quality of its product with less aggressive/toxic inputs in the environment. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the biofertilization in the rice crop yield and the parameter of its seed quality and grain quality. It was carried out a field experiment with two treatments (with and without biofertilization with 150 + 150 L CLC® ha-1) with 12 repetitions in an irrigated rice. Biofertilization did not influenced the percentages of whole grain, polished grain and no broken grain. There were no difference between the treatments for final seed germination, seed hectoliter weight and pH. The rice yield with biofertilization using continuous liquid composting was not statistically higher, an expected result for a first year of biofertilization. However, it provided 398 kg ha-1 grain yield increase, which is a very positive and a promising result considering being the first year of application. Therefore, a significant yield increase for the following years of application is expected.

Analysis of Physical Quality and Nutrition of Two Rice Varieties With the Implementation of Various Planting Systems

As an effort to overcome problems in rice cultivation system, it is necessary to use new technologies and innovations. This study aims to determine the physical and nutritional quality of grain and milled rice from 2 varieties of rice using several planting systems. The research was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design of factorial pattern, consisting of 2 factors with 3 replications. The factors were: a) Planting system (S1 = Cubic S2 = Double row 2: 1, and S3 = Twin seed) and b) Rice varieties (V1 = Ciherang; V2 = Inpari 10). The observation parameters include: physical quality of grain, rice milled quality, physical quality of rice and rice nutrition. The results showed that the cubic planting system produced a higher empty grains than the double row and twin seed planting system. The twin seed planting system, yielding lime green grains and yellow broken grains lower than other planting systems, both on rice varieties of Ciherang and Inpari 10. Grains from Ciherang variety had a thinner shell and a higher hardness level of rice compared to grain of Inpari 10 variety, resulting in higher milled rice and head rice, but lower in broken rice and rice groats contents. It can be concluded that: a) the physical quality of rice was not affected by the planting system, but it was significantly affected by the rice varieties; b) the planting system and rice varieties used in this study did not have significant effect on the nutritional quality of the rice produced.

EFFECT OF HULLING MACHINES ON HULLING CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITY OF RICE GRAINS

During milling process, the convention to husk paddy rice is pass it between two rubber rollers that are rotating with a surface speed different. The resulting normal pressure and shear stress causes the husk to be peeled away from kernel. This operation is one of the most important stages, which effectively determines the quantitative and qualitative losses of rice. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the hulling characteristics of different rubber roll type huskers (adjust the clearance one manually and the other by pressing the air) using paddy rice variety Giza 179 as a short grain was studied based on some technical indicators. Two types of machines (THU-35A and HR-10 MPc) were used. The results showed that the operational parameters for Optimum operational efficiency are: 0.9 mm clearance and 1.4 Speed ratio, the husker machine model (SATAKE THU-35A). For the husker machine model (SATAKE HR-10 MPc) at constant speed ratio of 1.25, the optimum operational efficiency are: 3.3 Kg/cm2 pneumatic pressure and 90 Kg/min. feeding rate for the Husker machine (HR-10 MPc) at constant speed ratio of 1.25. To describe the effect the efficiency of paddy hulling, the percentage of broken grain and the power consumption's of husker machines as a function of paddy feeding rate, rubber roll clearance and speed ratio a computer programmer for regression analysis were used.

Optimal Parameter Design of Rice Milling Machine Using Design of Experiment

This study was aimed at finding appropriate levels of machine set up for small-sized rice milling machine in order to improve rice milling effectiveness. Small rice milling machines are used by farmers to reduce the reliance on commercial rice mill. However, they are found to produce greater quantities of broken rice grains than large-sized rice milling machine. This study investigated three factors of machine setup that would lead to smallest percentage of broken rice grains, i.e. size of hopper feed, gap adjuster, and outlet regulator. Each factor had three levels thus 3 x 3 factorial design was used to investigate the factors. It was found that all the three factors had significant impact on the number of broken grains. The optimum parameter settings that led to the smallest percentage of broken rice grains were as follows: size of hopper feed at 12 cm2, gap adjuster at 5 mm, and outlet regulator at 5 cm.

Performance assessment and optimization of maize dehusker cum sheller - A technology for Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major crops in Karnataka state grown for commercial and seed-production purpose. In Northern Transition Zone (Hyderabad-Karnataka region), the major farming sizes of land are limited small to medium holding and they were in the need of economical technique for maize dehusking and shelling operation suited to medium capacity. In present study, the medium sized electric motor (2.23 kW) operated maize dehusker cum sheller (MDS) was developed and evaluated for selected operational parameters, viz. cylinder peripheral speed(6.2, 6.6, 7.1 and 7.6 m/s), concave clearance (20, 25, 30 and 35 mm) and feed rate (400, 600 and 800 kg/h). The machine performance parameters revels that, the dehusking efficiency and shelling efficiency were showed increasing trend with cylinder peripheral speed (S) from 6.2 to 7.6 m/s; whereas decreasing trend against increase in Concave Clearance (C) from 20 mm to 35 mm. The total losses of grains in machine were found lowest between feasible at 25 to 30 mm of C for all feed rates (F). In seed-quality parameters, the decreased germination percentage with increase in S was observed. The increased broken grains (%) and seed-coat damage (%) were identified with increased inS and decrease in C as well as F. The highest desirability value (obtained from numerical optimization technique) was obtained for operational parameter combination of S at 7.1 m/s with C at 25 mm under 600 kg/h of F. The total cost of the MDS was ` 34500 with benefit-cost ratio of 2.24. The performance of machine was also satisfactory for producing maize seeds for seeding purpose without compromising its performance.

The Physical Quality of Milled Rice as Affected by Moisture Content and Relative Humidity during Delayed Rough Rice Drying

Delayed rough rice drying was often found in tidal low land in Indonesia due to rice harvesting used to be in rainy season. Moisture re-absorption of rough rice during delayed drying caused fissures and breakage after rice milling. This experimental works condition the rough rice in some different moisture content and relative humidity during delayed drying. This aim of this study was to develop an alternative condition of delayed rough rice for drying so as not to significantly affect the physical quality of milled rice. The experiment was arranged as a factorial-randomized block design. Each treatment was repeated three times. Rough rice of IR42 variety was selected at three level of moisture content (24.89%, 18% and 22%), and was stored in a closed vessel at the relative humidity of 76% and 86%. The percentage of whole grain, head rice, large broken grain, and small broken grain were daily assessed until 7 days of delayed drying duration. The results showed that the moisture content and relative humidity had a significant effect on all parameters on each day of delayed rough rice drying duration. Rough rice would be better delayed for drying at the conditions for moisture content of 22% and relative humidity of 86%.

Chemical variations within and between the clasts, and the matrix of the Abee enstatite chondrite suggest an impact-based differentiation mechanism

Abee is an enstatite chondrite breccia dominantly composed of kamacite, enstatite, silica, plagioclase, troilite and niningerite. Clasts are up to 220 mm long and vary in shape from angular to rounded. Some clasts are zoned with kamacite-enriched rims that follow the edge of the clast. Spatial compositional variations were examined in a small block to find out more about the petrological processes that produced this rock, particularly the relationship between the clasts, the matrix and the cores/rims of the zoned clasts. Compositional maps produced using a focussed-beam XRF were segmented into clasts and matrix, and rims and cores where possible. Compositions of most clasts, matrix and rim/cores define a simple, linear trend on simple variation diagrams. If it is assumed that all components were derived from an original homogeneous composition then the variation can be explained either by addition of kamacite or by loss of all other phases. Within this overall compositional variation the kamacite content generally increases as follows: matrix < large homogeneous clasts ≈ zoned clast cores < small homogeneous clasts ≈ zoned clast rims. Production of diversity by addition of kamacite to clasts and rim seems to require a complex history as the source cannot have been the current matrix. It is also difficult to produce the observed chemical variations and zoning by partial melting. However, differentiation by removal of all non-metallic phases may result from repeated impacts: Shock waves would deform kamacite whilst fracturing all other phases. The broken grains would then migrate towards the surface of the clasts where they would spall off into the matrix. This process would also lead to the observed rounding of some clasts. We propose that this shock-differentiation process be called ‘smithing’, as it resembles the ancient process of iron refining.

Association of the severity of tongue lesions in broiler chickens with the quality of corn in feed

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the correlation of the physical attributes of corn and the mycotoxins present in its grains with the severity of tongue lesions in broiler breeder roosters. The occurrence of the aflatoxin, vomitoxin, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and fumonisin mycotoxins was detected in the corn grains used in the feed formulation for breeder chickens. The percentages of moisture and broken grains were positively correlated (Pearson’s correlation) with the presence of aflatoxin. Milder lesions (grade 1) are positively correlated with aflatoxin and negatively correlated with fumonisin, and the most severe lesions (grade 3) are positively correlated with vomitoxin, fumonisin, and T-2 toxin.

A LOCAL CORN SHELLER PERFORMANCE AS AFFECTED BY MOISTURE CONTENT AND MACHINE ROTATIONAL SPEED

A local corn sheller was evaluated at different rotational speeds of (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 rpm) and moisture contents of (12, 16 and 20%). The performance was evaluated in terms of sheller productivity, shelling efficiency, unshelled grains, grain damage, loose grains at kernel outlet, specific energy consumption and operational cost. Sheller productivity, shelling efficiency, and the percentage of unshelled grains ranged from 0.43 to 1.46 ton/h, from 94.25 to 99.43%, and from 0.57 to 5.75%, respectively. The percentage of grain damage and loose grains at kernel outlet ranged from 0.21 to 2.13%, from 1.57 to 25.15%, respectively. Meanwhile, specific energy consumption and operational cost ranged from 0.74 to 6.87 kW.h/ton and from 18.19 to 64.42 LE/ton, respectively. It was found that increasing the speed caused an increase in performance of shelling and the percentage of broken grains. It is concluded that corn having 12 % moisture content that fed to the sheller at rotational speed of 120 rpm gave the best performance of shelling.

Flavored Drink Production Using Broken Rice: Evaluation of Physical-Chemical Properties and Power Consumption of Industrial Stirring System

The industrial rice processing generates, in average, 14% of broken grains called grits, which are not well accepted by consumers, representing large economic loss. Researches have been conducted to increase the use of rice by-products as well as their benefit. Among them, beverages are attracting the attention, being develop. To contribute to this field, this study aimed to prepare a non-alcoholic flavored drink from rice grits; evaluate the physical-chemical properties and evaluate de power consumption of stirring system for the drink industrial production. The drink production involved the cooking of the rice grits, followed by crushing, homogenization, filtration and flavorization in a stirring tank, obtaining the final product for consumption. The power consumption calculation for mixing tanks was evaluated in three different situations at 25ºC, considering the pre-defined tank design and the drink characteristics. Results based on the physicochemical characteristics indicate that the rice flavored drink is a food alternative to substitute milk or soy extract drinks. On the industrial production aspects, the increasing in the consumed energy to the small stirring variations was observed, and it needs to be considered to the stirring equipment design in the industrial process.

Performance Evaluation and Modification of an Existing Rice Destoner

Destoning is a processing technique for removing stones and broken grains from a batch of milled rice. This research was carried out to modify an existing rice destoner for the purpose of increasing its capacity and efficiency. The modification introduced addressed challenges associated with the existing machine, such as lower stone removal efficiency and lower air flow channel, which affects the aerodynamic lifting of the rice grains. The performance was evaluated for 3 kg of locally milled rice samples based on the design capacity of the machine, cleaning efficiency and degree of grain flow. The result showed that the design capacity (1800 kg/h) of the modified destoner was higher than that of the existing (864 kg/h). Also, the machine has 40.8% destoning efficiency which is relatively higher than the existing machine.