Increasing Fiber Content Research Articles

Structural Performance of Ferrocement Panels under Low- and High-Velocity Impact Load.

The primary objective of this experimental study is to examine the response and energy absorption capacity of ferrocement panels exposed to low- and high-velocity impact loads. The panels are reinforced with two different types of mesh layers, namely, welded wire grid (WWG) and expanded wire grid (EWG), with varying percentages of steel fibers (SF). The ferrocement panel system is made up of cement mortar reinforced with 0-2% SF with an increment of 1% and wire grid layers arranged in three different layers 1, 2, and 3. A consistent water-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.4 is maintained during mortar preparation, and all panels are subjected to a 28-day curing process in water. The study utilized square-shaped ferrocement panels measuring 290 mm × 290 mm × 50 mm. The panels are exposed to repeated impact blows from a 2.5 kg falling mass dropped from a height of 0.80 m. The count of blows necessary to commence the first crack formation and the cause of ultimate failure are recorded for each panel. The study reports that an increase in SF content and the number of wire grid layers increased the number of blows needed for both the first crack and the ultimate failure. In the high-velocity impact test, 7.62 mm bullets are fired at the panels from a distance of 10 m with a striking velocity of 715 m/s. The study observed and analyzed the extent of spalling, scabbing, and perforation. The results showed that an increase in fiber content and the number of wire grid layers led to a decrease in the area of scabbing and spalling compared with the control specimens. It was also possible to see the mode of failure and crack pattern for impacts with low and high velocities.

Research on Fracture Behavior of Fiber-Asphalt Mixtures Using Digital Image Correlation Technology.

Many researchers use fiber to improve the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures, but research concerning the effects of fiber on fracture behavior is limited. The fracture behavior of asphalt mixtures with various fiber types (basalt fiber, glass fiber, and polyester fiber) and contents (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) has been studied using the indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL-CT) in conjunction with digital image correlation (DIC) technology. The evaluation indexes used in the test included crack initiation energy (Gif), crack energy (Gf), splitting tensile strength (RT), cracking tolerance index (CTindex), and the real-time tensile strain (Exx) obtained using digital image correlation technology. The results showed that despite the fiber type, the increase of fiber content resulted in first, an increase, and then, a decrease of the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures, indicating the presence of optimum fiber content-specifically, 0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.3% for basalt fiber, glass fiber, and polyester fiber, respectively. The development of real-time tensile strain, obtained based on digital image correlation technology, could be divided into two stages: slow-growth stage and rapid-expansion stage. In addition, asphalt mixture with basalt fiber presented the best cracking resistance at both the slow-growth and rapid-expansion stages. This research is helpful in understanding the effects of fiber type and content on the fracture behavior of asphalt mixtures and has certain reference significance for the application of fiber in asphalt mixtures.

Effect of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Waste on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete and Evaluation of Its Feasibility for Reuse in Concrete Applications.

The disposal of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) waste has become an urgent issue in both the engineering and environmental fields. In this study, the feasibility of reusing mechanically recycled GFRP in concrete was evaluated. Secondary screening of the recycled material was conducted to obtain different types of products, and the recycled GFRP (rGFRP) was characterized. Subsequently, the effect of rGFRP on concrete performance was evaluated using different dosages (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%) of rGFRP powder and rGFRP cluster (with different sizes and fiber contents) to replace fine aggregate in concrete preparation. The experimental results indicated that the addition of rGFRP powder has no significant impact on the mechanical properties of concrete, while the addition of a small amount of rGFRP cluster slightly improves the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete. Additionally, the short fibers in rGFRP improve the failure mode of concrete, and increased fiber content and longer fiber length demonstrate a more pronounced reinforcing effect. The challenges and potential directions for future research in the realm of reusing rGFRP in concrete are discussed at the end. A systematic process for reusing GFRP waste in concrete is proposed to address the primary challenges and provide guidance for its practical engineering application.

Early age dynamic mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced early strength concrete

AbstractThe dynamic compression test was carried out on basalt fiber reinforced early strength concrete (BFRESC) with ages of 4–24 h by the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system. The effects of curing age and basalt fiber content on dynamic mechanical properties of ESC was analyzed. The result shows that the dynamic compressive strength and specific energy absorption of BFRESC at early ages increase continuously with the increase of fiber content. The dynamic compressive strength of concrete at the early ages increases exponentially with the strain rate. With the increase of curing age, the strain rate sensitivity of dynamic compressive strength of concrete increases gradually, and the strain rate sensitivity of dynamic compressive strength of BFRESC with fiber content of 0.1% is the strongest. The specific energy absorption of concrete at early ages increases linearly with the strain rate. With the increase of curing age, the strain rate sensitivity of specific energy absorption of concrete increases gradually, and basalt fiber can enhance the strain rate sensitivity of specific energy absorption of concrete. Based on the comparison with the formula for dynamic increase factor (DIF) calculation provided by Comite Euro‐International du Beton (CEB), etc., a model of DIF based on the increase of curing age is proposed.

Preparation of carbon fiber conductive concrete and study on its mechanical and heating properties

Carbon fiber conductive concrete demonstrates great potential for effectively removing ice and snow from road surfaces. This study investigates the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic heating effects of carbon fiber conductive concrete, considering different carbon fiber dosages and temperatures. Experimental and numerical simulation methods were employed to assess the material's performance. The results show that as the carbon fiber content increases to 0.38 % and 1.5 %, the compressive strength decreases by 19 % and 55 %, respectively, which is related to the introduction of more bubbles and the agglomeration of carbon fiber when the carbon fiber is added, making it easier to produce stress concentration when the concrete is compressed. However, when the content of carbon fiber is small, the tensile properties of carbon fiber itself can improve the overall splitting tensile strength of concrete. With the increase of carbon fiber content, carbon fiber gradually forms a conductive network in the concrete, and the overall resistivity of the concrete decreases, but there is a certain threshold. Overall, 0.75 % fiber is the best solution. In addition, the heating process is accurately simulated by numerical simulation method. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, showing that the heating rate decreases with the increase of energizing time until reaching the heat equilibrium state. And the precise temperature distribution and change process that can be obtained through simulation provides valuable insights for engineering design.

Exploring the potential of sprouted soybean and sesame hull to increase nutritional value of ice cream

The study aimed to produce nutritionally enhanced ice cream by adding sprouted soybean (SSB) and sesame hulls (SH) at different concentrations to partially replace skimmed milk powder (SMP). The physicochemical, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), and sensory acceptability of ice cream fortified with SSB or SH were evaluated. The ice cream containing 15% SSB was found to have the best sensory characteristics and was most preferred by the taste panel. The addition of 15% SSB increased the protein and fiber content and improved melting resistance, while the addition of 15% SH resulted in a greater increase in dietary fiber but lower protein content and melting resistance. The highest overrun on the cost was obtained in the sample fortified with 25% SSB compared to the lowest in the sample fortified with 25% SH, but panelists generally did not like these samples in terms of taste-flavor. The study concluded that the addition of SSB and SH to replace SMP in ice cream can create a nutritious and low-cost product with similar physicochemical properties and acceptance to the control.

Study on the Performance and Mechanism of Glass Fiber-Reinforced MgO-SiO2-H2O Cement.

The magnesium silicate hydrate system (MgO-SiO2-H2O) possesses issues such as susceptibility to cracking, brittleness, and poor volumetric stability, which hinder its development and practical use in engineering applications. This study aimed to enhance the properties of the MgO-SiO2-H2O system by incorporating glass fiber as a reinforcing material. The mechanical properties, shrinkage properties, and properties during accelerated aging were tested at different content levels of glass fiber. Additionally, the reaction mechanism and microscopic morphology were characterized using microscopic testing methods. The results revealed that the addition of glass fiber improved the mechanical properties of the MgO-SiO2-H2O system; meanwhile, with an increase in fiber content, the mechanical properties showed an initial increase followed by a decreasing trend. With a glass fiber content of 0.6%, the system exhibited a flexural strength of 7.9 MPa at 28 d, a compressive strength of 42.5 MPa at 28 d, and a 27.2% increase in splitting tensile strength compared to the control group. At a fiber content of 0.9%, the flexural toughness steadily increased, reaching a maximum value of 2.238 N·m, which is 5.41 times greater than that of the control group. Moreover, the incorporation of glass fiber effectively inhibited the shrinkage of the MgO-SiO2-H2O system. Accelerated aging experiments confirmed that the glass fiber in the MgO-SiO2-H2O system did not undergo significant deterioration or corrosion, thereby maintaining long-term stability. These findings have important theoretical and practical significance for the application and development of the MgO-SiO2-H2O system.

Significance of fiber characteristics on the mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete at different water-cement ratios

The incorporation of fiber reinforcement into concrete is not a new approach to improving its ductility. In the past, research has generally focused on specific parameters, such as fiber type, dosage, slenderness, and the inherent strength of concrete. This study addresses the significant gap highlighted by ACI 544.1R by providing a deeper understanding of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC). The significance of the study is highlighted by the fact that it fills a crucial gap in research, especially considering the inaccuracy of current models related to flexural strength. The study examines in detail the influence of fiber dosage and length on the mechanical properties of SFRC using hooked-end fibers that range in length from 40 to 60 mm and diameters between 0.62 and 0.75 mm, as well as particular water-cement ratios (0.25, 0.35, and 0.45). The study also thoroughly evaluates the precision of widely accepted equations for predicting SFRC's compressive and flexural strengths. Results show that 0.5 to 1.5 % fibers increase concrete's compressive strength, inherent tensile strength, and peak flexural load capacity by 7–27 %, 11–47 %, and 3–124 %, respectively. However, it should be noted that despite the benefits of extending fiber lengths and increasing fiber content, the opposite has little effect on the flexural strength of SFRC. An original equation, which surpasses the existing models, is presented in this study to calculate the modulus of rupture in SFRC. Compared to independent datasets, this model proves remarkably accurate, boasting a predicted-to-tested ratio of 1.01, emphasizing its potential to advance SFRC research.

Study on mechanical and thermal properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel foam concrete

With increasing focus on low-carbon energy conservation and environmental protection, there is a need to consider all aspects of life in future developments. To meet the concept and requirements of energy conservation and environmental protection in the building industry, we have developed alkali-excited aerogel-foamed concrete that exhibits excellent thermal insulation performance and mechanical strength. The variables involved in its production include fly ash, foam, aerogels, and polypropylene fibres. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical and thermal properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel foam concrete was analysed. The results indicated that fly ash can replace a portion of the cement, resulting in a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the concrete. The addition of aerogels and foams to the concrete can significantly decrease its thermal conductivity. Specifically, when the aerogel content reaches 12 % and the foam content reaches 75 %, the thermal conductivity of the concrete decreases from 0.498 W/m·K to 0.183 W/m·K and 0.19 W/m·K, respectively. However, this decrease in thermal conductivity comes at a cost of approximately 50 % reduction in the flexural and compressive strengths of the concrete. The findings reveal that the aerogel has excellent thermal insulation performance similar to that of the foam, but it has little influence on the mechanical properties of the concrete. Additionally, an increase in the polypropylene fibre content significantly improves the mechanical properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel concrete, but the thermal properties of the concrete remain mostly unaffected.

Statistics of acoustic emission waveforms in characterizing the fracture process zone in fibre-reinforced cementitious materials under mode I fracture

This article reports on the characteristics of fracture process zone in steel fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) under the mode I fracture process using acoustic emission (AE) testing. The generated AE waveforms during mode I fracture process in SFRC were recorded in the laboratory. Using a statistical analysis of AE waveforms, it was observed that as the loading increases, a damage zone consisting of numerous microcracks develops ahead of the predefined notch tip. The location of the generated AE events related to the numerous microcracks were classified into three zones namely (i) major damage, (ii) moderate damage and (iii) low damage. The areas of these regions were evaluated from the distribution of the AE events around the pre-notch. The number of AE events reduced with the increase in the steel fibre content under the same experimental conditions. The major damage zone was located ahead of the notch tip very closely and it comprised of AE events with (i) high peak amplitude, (ii) low information entropy and (iii) longer AE waveform duration.

Construction of Human Periodontal Ligament Constitutive Model Based on Collagen Fiber Content.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) is mainly composed of collagen fiber bundles, and the content of collagen fiber is an important factor affecting the mechanical properties of PDL. Based on this, the purpose of this study is to explore the effect of the PDL collagen fiber content on its viscoelastic mechanical behavior. Transverse and longitudinal samples of different regions of PDL were obtained from the human maxilla. The fiber content at different regions of human PDL was quantitatively measured using image processing software, and a new viscoelastic constitutive model was constructed based on the fiber content. The nano-indentation experiment was carried out with a loading rate of 0.5 mN·s-1, a peak load of 3 mN, and a holding time of 200 s, and the model parameters were obtained through the experiment data. The results showed that with the increase of fiber content, the deformation resistance of PDL also increased, and compared with the neck and middle region, the compressive strain in the apical region of PDL was the largest. The range of reduced elastic modulus of human PDL was calculated to be 0.39~5.08 MPa. The results of the experimental data and the viscoelastic constitutive model fit well, indicating that the model can well describe the viscoelastic behavior of human PDL.

Bamboo fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites fabricated by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM): Effect of molding sequence and fiber content

AbstractFabricating bamboo fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites (BFREs) using the vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process has many advantages, such as low cost, high product quality, controllability, and broad applicability. However, the immature fabrication process seriously affects product performance and hinders the full exploitation of the advantages of the VARTM process. The effects on the physical‐mechanical and thermal properties of BFREs by molding sequence and fiber content were investigated in this study. The molding sequence of fiber compression followed by resin injection was beneficial to ensure hermeticity, thus reducing the voids in the BFREs. The mechanical properties of BFREs gradually increased with increasing fiber content. With 50 wt% fiber content, the bending strength and modulus, shear strength, and impact toughness of BFREs reached 71.27 MPa, 6.78 GPa, 11.68 MPa, and 5.45 kJ/m2, respectively. Although the thermal stability of the BFREs was slightly lower than that of pure epoxy, the bamboo fibers' high rigidity evidentially increased the epoxy's dynamic mechanical properties. The life cycle assessment indicated that the BFREs effectively reduced the environmental impacts and production energy consumption compared to the glass fiber correspondent. The VARTM‐fabricated BFREs have great potential for construction, transportation, household items, packaging, sports equipment, and leisure goods applications.Highlights Fiber compression followed by resin injection could ensure great hermeticity. Micro‐CT accurately measured the void characteristics of the composites. Voids had detrimental effects on the properties of the composites. Dense bamboo fiber preforms enhanced the mechanical properties of epoxy. Bamboo fibers reinforcing epoxy reduced the impact on the environment.

Engineering and microstructural properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced fly-ash-based geopolymer composites

Alkali-activated fly ash and slag-based geopolymer composites offer sustainable cement alternatives to conventional cement materials. Incorporating fibers mitigates issues such as brittleness, insufficient toughness, and cracking in geopolymers. However, limited systematic research exists on the influence of carbon fiber characteristics on geopolymer performance. In this study, the effects of carbon fibers having varying lengths (6 mm and 12 mm) and volume fractions (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) on multiple properties of geopolymers, including workability, water absorption, porosity, mechanical strength, drying shrinkage, uniaxial tensile properties, fracture toughness, and microstructure, are investigated. Results indicate that the incorporation of carbon fibers diminishes the flowability of the geopolymer mix and accelerates its setting time. Parameters such as water absorption, porosity, and compressive and flexural strengths initially decrease and then increase with increasing fiber content. Carbon fibers positively affect drying shrinkage, particularly during the early stages. The fiber bridging effect enhances uniaxial tensile properties, reducing brittleness. Carbon fiber addition improves the fracture toughness of the composite, achieving an optimal volume fraction at 0.6%. At this volume fraction, carbon fibers of 6 mm length exhibit better crack initiation toughness and resistance to instability cracking than fibers of 12 mm length. Moreover, the presence of carbon fibers promotes the formation of hydration products, minimises the occurrence of microcracks, and interacts synergistically with the slurry matrix to enhance overall crack resistance and material toughness. This study provides a valuable reference for the development and application of fiber-reinforced geopolymer materials.

Study on the impact resistance of steel fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete after high temperature

The present study explored the dynamic mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) after a high temperature. The impact test was conducted using a φ80 mm split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device, with a focus on the factors of influence and the regularity of steel fiber content (0.5 %, 1.0 %, and 1.5 %), impact strain rate (55 s−1, 90 s−1, and 140 s−1), and temperature (20 °C, 300 °C, 600 °C, and 900 °C) on the failure form, dynamic strength, impact toughness, and dynamic increase factor (DIF-σ) of SFRSCC after high-temperature exposure, and the mechanism analysis based on the results of the SEM examination. The impact test results revealed the following: (1) With the increase in the steel fiber (SF) content, the dynamic strength (fp) of the SFRSCC exhibited a further evident growth trend after high temperature compared to that at normal temperature reaching 105 % and the toughness index also increased by more than 20 %. (2) While the effect of SF content on DIF-σ of SFRSCC was not significant under normal temperature conditions after high-temperature exposure, the DIF of SFRSCC can increase by over 40 % with the increase of SF content. In addition, the strain rate effect was also further significant, and the DIF-σ can increased by about 30 % after high-temperature treatment compared to normal temperature. (3) A prediction formula was proposed for DIF-σ of SFRSCC after high temperature, and the results were in good agreement with the results of the impact test. This prediction formula can better provide theoretical data support for disaster prevention and reduction in subsequent projects. The findings of the present study would serve as a valuable reference for subsequent research on the impact resistance of SFRSCC after high-temperature exposure.

Research on acoustic emission multi-parameter characteristics in the failure process of imitation steel fiber reinforced concrete

Studies of the damage process of fiber-reinforced concrete through acoustic emission are very significant for concrete structural health monitoring. In this study, three specifications of fiber concrete and one group of plain concrete were prepared to carry out the uniaxial compression test and acoustic emission monitoring test; then, b value, entropy H, and variance D, were calculated and compared their characterization effect. The main results showed that fibers increased the degree of internal inhomogeneity of the specimens, making the acoustic emission response more active. For every 2% increase in fiber content, the total acoustic emission count and energy increased by about 20%, the acoustic emission precursor parameters changed more significantly, the b-value decreased by 2%–10%, the entropy and variance increased by 3%–5% and 2%–22%, respectively. The variation of b value, entropy, and variance can be divided into three phases: initial rising/falling, unstable transition, and fluctuating slow-rising/falling, which had good consistency with the stress curve. According to the linear fitting results, the b value that dropped below the envelope in the post-peak phase can be taken as the damage precursor point, and its accuracy and generalizability were better. The entropy at the failure moment was around 0.6, but the value close to or above 0.6 occurred several times during the damage process, and taking the entropy value beyond the envelope range as the failure precursor point may lead to the error early warning. The variance was slightly worse to distinguish small-scale fracture, but was not susceptible to high-energy events. Therefore, variances close to 5 or beyond the envelope interval can be regarded as the precursor of final failure. As for studying concrete damage processes with acoustic emission, it is suggested to combine multiple parameters for comprehensive discrimination.

Experimental study on the axial tensile properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete

In order to study the axial tensile properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete, an axial tensile test device for concrete is developed in this paper. The device is composed of three parts: rigid frame, spherical hinge and puller, and specimen fabrication part. The test device can accurately measure the tensile strength and peak tensile strain of concrete, and perfectly solves the eccentricity problem of concrete specimens under tension. It can measure the post peak segment tensile strain, such that the whole process tensile stress–strain curve can be obtained. The axial tensile test of polypropylene fiber concrete was carried out using the above test device, and the results show that the tensile strength of concrete can be clearly improved by adding polypropylene fiber, which makes the tensile failure of concrete show certain plastic characteristics. The test results show that with the increase in fiber content, the tensile strength of concrete increases first and then decreases. The effects of polypropylene fiber content and curing age on the tensile properties of concrete were studied and the optimum polypropylene fiber content was determined. When the fiber content is 0.9 kg/m3, the tensile strength of concrete reaches the maximum value. The splitting tensile test of concrete under the same condition was carried out simultaneously. The damage phenomenon and test results of the axial tensile test and splitting tensile test of concrete were compared and analyzed, and the applicability of the new developed device in the concrete axial tensile test was verified.

Challenges of aortic valve tissue culture – maintenance of viability and extracellular matrix in the pulsatile dynamic microphysiological system

BackgroundCalcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) causes an increasing health burden in the 21st century due to aging population. The complex pathophysiology remains to be understood to develop novel prevention and treatment strategies. Microphysiological systems (MPSs), also known as organ-on-chip or lab-on-a-chip systems, proved promising in bridging in vitro and in vivo approaches by applying integer AV tissue and modelling biomechanical microenvironment. This study introduces a novel MPS comprising different micropumps in conjunction with a tissue-incubation-chamber (TIC) for long-term porcine and human AV incubation (pAV, hAV).ResultsTissue cultures in two different MPS setups were compared and validated by a bimodal viability analysis and extracellular matrix transformation assessment. The MPS-TIC conjunction proved applicable for incubation periods of 14–26 days. An increased metabolic rate was detected for pulsatile dynamic MPS culture compared to static condition indicated by increased LDH intensity. ECM changes such as an increase of collagen fibre content in line with tissue contraction and mass reduction, also observed in early CAVD, were detected in MPS-TIC culture, as well as an increase of collagen fibre content. Glycosaminoglycans remained stable, no significant alterations of α-SMA or CD31 epitopes and no accumulation of calciumhydroxyapatite were observed after 14 days of incubation.ConclusionsThe presented ex vivo MPS allows long-term AV tissue incubation and will be adopted for future investigation of CAVD pathophysiology, also implementing human tissues. The bimodal viability assessment and ECM analyses approve reliability of ex vivo CAVD investigation and comparability of parallel tissue segments with different treatment strategies regarding the AV (patho)physiology.

Fiber fraction-dependent flexural behavior of high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete under static and repeated loading

The effect of the fiber volume fraction on the flexural behavior of high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) under both static and repeated loading is highlighted through a series of experiments. All rectangular prism-shaped flexural specimens were 40 × 40 × 160 mm3 and subjected to a three-point bending (3 PB) fixture with a span length of 120 mm. Macro-hooked and micro-smooth steel fibers with volume contents of 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% were investigated. The flexural strength and deflection capacity of the HPFRCs under static loading generally increased with increasing fiber volume content. The micro-smooth fiber mostly produced a higher flexural strength and a lower deflection capacity compared to the macro-hooked fiber. Under repeated loading, a larger fiber volume fraction generally resulted in higher HPFRC endurance limits, which exceeded 40,000 cycles with a fatigue stress ratio of <0.5, at a fiber volume fraction of 1.5 vol%. The flexural fatigue equations of the HPFRCs of various fiber contents were calculated with the fatigue stress amplitude as well as the fatigue stress ratio, based on the experimental data. The HPFRCs’ sensitivity to endurance limits generally decreased with increasing fiber content; this finding was greater when using the micro-smooth fiber than when using the macro-hooked fiber.

Impact of different proportions of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) flour on physical, chemical and sensory parameters of straight grade flour-based cake rusk

Powders of fruits and vegetables can replace wheat flour, to develop value-added nutritional food formulations. Sweet potato flour (SPF), due to presence of phytochemicals and excellent functional properties, has potential to be used with wheat flour to develop bakery products. In current research work SPF was replaced with refined wheat flour, at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% levels, to develop cake rusk, one of the widely consumed snacks in the world. Effect of incorporation of SPF on physical, chemical and sensory attributes of formulated cake rusks was part of this study. SPF exhibited water and oil holding capacity than wheat flour. Increment in weight of cakes rusks from 8.1±0.05 (control) to 14.10±0.06 (50 % SPF), decrement in width, from 37.6±0.05 (control) to 27.08±0.05 (50 % SPF), and thickness, from 10.03±0.05 (control) to 5.05±0.02 (50 % SPF), was observed as a result of SPF incorporation. Proximate analysis resulted, significant increase in moisture, ash, fat and fiber contents, whereas a slight decrease in protein and NFE contents of the formulated cake rusks, as moisture, ash, fat and fiber in control sample were 3.30 ± 0.04%, 1.32 ± 0.02%, 29.02 ± 0.04% and 0.60 ± 0.01%, respectively, which were significantly increased to 6.82±0.03 %, 2.71±0.02 %, 32.67±0.1 %, 0.95±0.03 %, respectively, in 50 % SPF incorporated cake rusks. Total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid and mineral contents were significantly increased in cake rusks, with increasing level of SPF. Sensory analysis concluded that 20% level of SPF provided optimum quality cake rusks. Thus, SPF could be used at suitable levels in wheat flour, for development of good quality acceptable snacks.

Weed control and weed biomass influenced first cutting forage accumulation and nutritive value of spring‐seeded alfalfa

AbstractWeeds can influence the economics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production by reducing forage yield and nutritive value or by contaminating hay. Field studies were conducted in Idaho in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effect of weed control treatments on alfalfa forage accumulation, weed biomass, and nutritive value. In addition, the relationship between the proportion of individual weed species biomass and alfalfa nutritive value was assessed. These studies included eight different herbicide and herbicide combination treatments, including the untreated check. Treatments were comprised of preemergence, early postemergence (after 80% alfalfa emergence), and postemergence (third trifoliate alfalfa) herbicide applications. Data collection included weed control efficacy, weed and alfalfa biomass, and alfalfa nutritive value. Additional samples were collected and combined in these alfalfa to weed biomass proportions (percentage by weight): 0/100, 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20, and 100/0, for wet chemistry analysis of forage nutritive value to evaluate the relationship between the proportion of individual weed species biomass and alfalfa nutritive value. The acetochlor‐only treatment provided less than 50% weed control, while the EPTC (S‐ethyl‐N,N‐dipropylthiocarbamate)‐only treatment provided 54%–81% weed control. The control provided by acetochlor and EPTC was less than that provided by treatments containing imazamox and imazamox plus bromoxynil. Weed biomass in forage (23%–55% of total biomass) due to poor or no weed control reduced crude protein, increased fiber concentrations, and reduced the relative feed value. The relationship between the proportion of individual weed species biomass and alfalfa nutritive value was linear for all weed species evaluated.