Jute Bags Research Articles

Evaluating the performance of traditional paddy (Oryza sativa L.) landraces under floating cultivation techniques in southern Tamil Nadu

Floating rice cultivation, a novel method, is essential for boosting crop yields and resilience amid climate change using flood-prone and water-saturated environments. This approach leverages aquatic resources such as lakes and reservoirs, enhancing agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. This study was conducted in 2023 at the Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to assess the suitability and production potential of cultivating traditional paddy varieties viz., Chinnar and Chithiraikar under floating conditions. Various substrates including soil, coir pith, wooden chips, sugarcane trash, thermocol, leaf compost, and jute bags were levelled out over paddy seeding trays (60 × 30 cm) and placed over bamboo rafts (120 × 120 cm) which served as the float base. Various parameters viz., germination (%), leaf area index (LAI), vigour index, plant population, dry matter production (g/m2), grain yield (kg/ha) and straw yield (kg/ha) were analysed. Results revealed that better crop establishment and crop growth were highly influenced by nursery and conditions with coconut coir outperforming other substrates. However, findings indicated that thermocol substrate is more productive in realizing higher yield attributes and yield (9.83 g/plant, 9.90 g/plant, respectively) of both Chinnar and Chithiraikar landraces of rice. Thus, floating rice cultivation offers a sustainable way to enhance productivity and adaptability, with traditional paddy varieties suitable for soilless media, though further research is needed to optimize its effectiveness.

Effect of Packaging Material on Infestation Level in Stored Groundnut Pods

Groundnut crop is an important crop for farmers of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat State in India. Generally, farmers cultivate groundnut crop in the Kharif season. Storage of groundnut pods is associated with the problem of bruchid during storage in jute bags. To address this storage problem with groundnut pods, current research was carried out comparing performance of different packaging materials with their traditional storage system in jute bags. Seven different types of bags were used as packaging materials. The experiment was carried out for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The storage period was December-July. Pool data for two years were considered for determination of the effect of packaging material on storage of groundnut pods with respect to moisture content, germination percentage, pod damage due to infestation, pest population, and aflatoxin. Groundnut stored in cloth bag showed maximum variation in moisture content during the storage period (6.40% to 8.35%), maximum pest population of pupa (6.82 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (3.14 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (61.13%) as well as weight basis (63.46%) whereas minimum variation was found in moisture content during the storage period (6.74% to 6.90%), maximum pest population of pupa (2.44 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (1.51 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (18.24%) as well as weight basis (18.76%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag i.e., Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags followed by closely woven net bag. The minimum germination percentage (69.22%) was found in cloth bag and it was the maximum (78.18%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag. Aflatoxin in the pods stored in triple layer hermetic storage bags was under limit. Results of this study will be helpful to select storage bags for storing groundnut pods.

Effect of different packaging materials on banana ripening and shelf-life in Dang, Nepal

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of different packaging materials on the shelf life and banana quality (cv G9) at the laboratory, Campus of Live Sciences, Tulsipur, Dang, Nepal. The different packaging materials were used as high-density non-perforated polyethylene bags, low-density non-perforated polyethylene bags, low-density perforated polyethylene bags, fiber bags, jute bags, paddy straw with cardboard, and a control treatment (in open trays). The research was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The bananas were packed in different packaging materials after being treated with a 250 ppm ethephon solution. Parameters such as peel color, physiological weight loss, pulp-to-peel ratio, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and Benedict test were assessed at two-day interval. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed highly significant differences for all the recorded parameters except TA. Unpackaged fruits lost 22.92% of their weight, while fruits packed in high-density non-perforated polythene (HDNP) and low-density non-perforated polythene (LDNP) bags lost 13.27% and 6.15%, respectively. Peel colour development from green mature to yellow was observed first in bananas packed in low-density perforated polyethylene (LDPP) bags followed by open trays, jute bags, and paddy straws. The lowest pulp-to-peel ratio was observed in HDNP and LDNP bags. It can be concluded that packaging bananas in high-density and low-density non-perforated polyethylene bags resulted in longer shelf life. The sweetness, aroma, and mouthfeel of bananas in jute bags, fiber bags, and paddy straws were highly accepted. Thus, LDPP bags were found effective in early ripening and uniform yellow colour development on bananas.

Impact of New Fermentation Systems on the Health Quality of Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao L. 1753) in the Main Cocoa-Growing Regions of Côte D'ivoire: Nawa, Bas-Sassandra and Haut-Sassandra

Aims: Cocoa cultivation plays a crucial role in the Ivorian economy, requiring rigorous post-harvest processes to ensure the quality of the chocolate produced. Fermentation is a fundamental step in these processes, directly influencing the development of the flavor and aromatic characteristics of cocoa beans. This study focuses on evaluating the impact of various fermentation supports on the microbiological quality of cocoa beans after drying. Study Design: The beans were fermented on six types of supports: palm leaves, cocoa pods, polypropylene tarps, polypropylene bags, jute bags, and banana leaves (control), using two varieties of cocoa, Forasteros and Mercedes in the San Pedro, Soubré and Daloa regions. Methodology: At the end of the drying process, 2 kg of dried beans from each fermentation support were collected. The analyses focused on moisture, pH, and the level of microbiological contamination, including fungal flora and Bacillus (spore-forming bacteria). The analyses were performed in triplicate. The fungal flora was identified through macroscopic and microscopic observations, while biochemical tests were used to identify presumptive Bacillus cereus. Results: The results indicate that beans fermented in pods showed a pH above 5.5, and those fermented on polypropylene bags had moisture exceeding 8%. Bacillus bacteria were more frequent in the beans fermented in cacao pods. Molds, primarily Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus niger, were more prevalent on jute bags and in the pods compared to the control. The presence of Bacillus spores and ochratoxigenic molds in the fermented beans, in the pods, and on jute bags poses a risk to the quality and safety of the cocoa beans. Conclusion: In contrast, polypropylene bags, polypropylene tarps, and palm leaves are identified as suitable supports for maintaining the sanitary quality of the beans, similar to banana leaves (control support). These results show that, despite the gradual decline in banana plantations, cocoa producers will benefit from adequate support for the fermentation process, thereby guaranteeing the quality of cocoa beans and enabling them to obtain a competitive purchase price in the field, while offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to acquire higher quality products to increase their turnover.

Exploring the viability of anti-microbial, superhydrophobic jute bags as an approach to sustainable food packaging system

Jute in food packaging offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, renewability, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, its hydrophilic characteristic makes it susceptible to airborne humidity and precipitation moisture. We combated this by chemically treating jute to make it water-resistant. The coated jute (WCA = ∼162°) exhibits high mechanical endurance against exposure to air (>1 month), ultrasonic washing (6 h), brush scrubbing (>50 cycles), and mutual abrasion (>150 cycles), along with good thermal stability. During a 2-month experiment involving seed storage in an RH of 85%, wheat grains stored in the coated bag showed 8.08% less moisture content than that stored in control. Furthermore, the preserved grains in the control jute exhibited altered colour, texture, and fungal development. Additionally, compared to the control, the coated jute delivers >50% bacterial growth reduction in 48 h. The proposed jute offers a sustainable packaging solution that promotes eco-friendly practices and reduces plastic waste.

MARKETING PERFORMANCE OF GREEN PRODUCT MANUFACTURING COMPANY – A STUDY

BJCL is a pioneer jute manufacturing company in India. Jute is a natural product and has important economic value as a green manufacturing area. Various types of jute goods like jute yarn, twine, packaging bags, fine quality fabrics, carpet backing clothes are the important green manufacturing products of such a company. Salable production and dispatched data from various months has been studied and found that domestic marketing performance of the industry is rising. The demand for various jute goods has been increasing. Demand for jute bags and clothes in the domestic market as a packaging material has been significantly improved by the industry. It is found that salable production was comparatively less in the years 2020-21 due to the pandemic years. Salable production was comparatively higher in the year 2022-23 compared to 2021-22. From June 23 to September 23, salable production was gradually increasing. It is the continual improvement of the unit. It proved that BJCL months have been improving continually over the months and years too. It is found that the total number of finished bales of 500 bags in each bale has been increased from May 23 to August 23. Increasing trends of finished bales dispatch status of sacking quality were observed. This jute products study period was from October 2020 to March2023. In the study period of May 23 to August 23, the total number of bales dispatch status was increased from 299 to 1244 for Hessian quality of jute products

Effect of packaging materials and storage duration on the functional quality of red hot peppers (Capsicum annum L.) pods

The preservation of the functional quality of red pepper requires appropriate packaging materials, storage duration, and condition. This study evaluated the effect of the packaging materials and the storage duration on the functional quality of the red hot pepper pod for ten months at ambient storage temperature (25±2 °C) in four packaging materials: Jute sacks, Fertilizer Liner Sheet (FLS), Fertilizer Woven Polypropylene + Liner Sheet (FWPP + LS), and PICS bags (Purdue Improved Crop Storage) using two-factor factorial designs. The samples were analyzed at two-month intervals for water activity (aw, extractable color, total phenolic compounds, pungency index and oleoresin content. Except for aw, other functional qualities of red hot pepper degrade with advanced storage in all packaging materials. At the end of storage, the maximum values of aw (0.76) and the minimum values of aw (0.38) were recorded in jute sacks and PICS bags. Extractable color (ASTA units) decreased from 225.42 to 133.11, 228.71–139.09, 274.29–171, and 288.91–218.98 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS, and PICS bags, respectively. Phenolic compounds (GAE mg/g dry samples) degraded from 2.32 to 1.02, 2.33–1.37, 2.4–1.35, and 2.59–1.85 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS and PICS bags, respectively. The pungency index (Abs/g dry samples) of the samples changed from 4.55 to 2.56, 5.49–4.00, 5.00–3.49, and 4.74–2.72 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS, and PICS bags, respectively. The oleoresin content (%) decreased from 12.88 to 7.18, 12.92–7.78, 13.19–8.45 and 13.58–9.88 in jute sacks, FLS, FWPP + LS and PICS bags, respectively. The study revealed that the PICS bags retained the highest functional qualities compared to other packaging materials.

Effects of postharvest management on the nutrient content of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers during storage

An experiment was performed to assess the effect of two plant powders and six storage methods on the proximate composition of potato tubers stored under ambient conditions to find a simple technology for storing potato tubers with a minimal nutrient degradation to reduce postharvest losses by smallholder farmers. Two plant powders and six storage methods were used in the study, which was designed as a 3 x 6 factorial experiment laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. The application of neem leaf powder to potato tubers and storage in the pit significantly (P ≤ 0.05) maintained protein (5.65%), fat (0.91%), fiber (0.75%), ash (2.70%), dry matter (30.63%), moisture (69.34%), and carbohydrate (20.62%) contents. Similarly, the pit storage method has influenced the nutrient content significantly (P ≤ 0.05) and is the best method for retaining protein (5.74%), fiber (0.78%), ash (2.81%), and moisture (69.83%) contents of potato tubers during storage under ambient conditions, and there is no significant (P > 0.05) interaction effect between the plant powder and the storage method. The study has found that the neem leaf powder and the pit storage significantly preserved the nutrient content of potato tubers during the four weeks of storage, which helped minimize postharvest losses. Keywords: basket, carton, floor, ginger, jute bag, neem, pit, polypropylene bag

Effects of alternative hermetic bag storage on fermented and dried cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa beans, derived from the Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao L.), are a cash crop among smallholder farmers in tropical regions. After harvest and processing, maintaining cocoa bean quality is critical to access lucrative markets. This paper examines the impact of hermetic storage on insect damage, mold, moisture content, and water activity of fermented and dried cocoa beans under farm conditions in collaboration with a farmer association of Belén de Umbría in Colombia. Three types of hermetic storage systems were assessed for a period of 12 months: Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, including both 2- and 3-layer variants, and Ecotact® hermetic storage bags, and plus traditional (jute) bags as a control. Regression analysis reveals varying effects across storage durations and treatments. Insect damage was significantly lower in hermetic bags compared to jute bags, with the trend increasing over storage period. Moisture content increased over time with hermetic bags maintaining more desirable levels compared to jute bags. While water activity increased with storage duration, there were minor differences between treatments. Mold presence varies, with jute bags showing lower presence initially, but no significant difference after three months of storage. Overall, results indicate that cocoa beans stored in regular PICS bags (3-layer, PICS3) exhibit superior quality than those stored in the other hermetic (PICS2 and Ecotact®) and jute bags. PICS (3-layer, PICS3) bag can be used to effectively maintain cocoa beans quality while building stocks for sale or processing. This information is valuable for smallholder farmers and cocoa value chain actors seeking to store cocoa beans for extended periods.

Evaluating bag storage technologies for physical characteristics, loss reduction and economic viability in pulses

Meticulous selection of storage bags is vital to optimize grain preservation, mitigate losses, and improve rural income. A comprehensive comparative evaluation of four different commercial pulse storage bag technologies (Jute bag, Woven polypropylene bag (WPP), Purdue Improved crop storage bag (PICS), and Grainpro bag) was conducted alongside novel polypropylene reinforced Jute storage bag (PPRJ). The storage bags were examined for their physical properties (unit weight, coefficient of friction, breaking strength), water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), and effectiveness in preserving pulse (Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum, Var. Swetha ICCV -2)) quality and quantity during storage. Unit weight was highest for jute bags (0.14 ± 0.080 g/cm2), which reduced by 35.9 % after reinforcement with polypropylene, and lowest for Grainpro bags (0.03 ± 0.002 g/cm2). Jute bag exhibited the highest breaking strength (181.0 ± 1.06 kgf), which decreased by 23.7 % after reinforcement. Synthetic fiber bags had lower breaking strength and coefficient of friction, limiting their stacking ability. WVTR of the jute bag reduced by 39.2 % after reinforcement. The PICS bag offered the highest protection to stored Bengal gram. Weight loss was more than 25% and 10% of the initial grain weight in Jute and WPP, respectively, due to inefficient barrier properties, whereas the PPRJ bag was similarly effective as hermetic bags. The benefit-cost ratio ranged between 0.219 and 0.297 for the three profit-yielding bags (PICS, Grainpro, and PPRJ). Polypropylene-reinforced jute bags represent a promising advancement in sustainable grain storage practices. The significance of establishing hermetic conditions to suppress insect populations and safeguard grain quality was reaffirmed in the study.

Evaluation of the performance of maize storage facilities for control of storage insect pests in Ethiopia

Maize plays a vital role in Ethiopia's food security, supporting the lives of millions of people. However, postharvest grain deterioration due to insect infestation is a significant issue. To address this and improve food availability, reducing storage losses is essential. The experiments were carried out in both indoor and outdoor settings, where the indoor experiment evaluated the effectiveness of different storage facilities (jute sack, PICS bag, fertilizer bag, AgroZ® bag, and polypropylene bag) over varying durations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 months) in three replications. In the outdoor experiment, traditional and modified gombisa constructed in an open field at the Jimma University Research Site (Eladale), along with different storage duration (initial loading, 2, 4, 6, and 8 months after storage), were evaluated in three replications. The data collected included grain damage percentage, weight loss, seed germination, and proximate analysis. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in grain damage, weight loss, and seed germination of grains stored in different storage types. Jute sacks showed the most severe damage to grains and weight loss, while PICS and AgroZ® bags had the lowest values. The PICS and AgroZ® bags exhibited the highest seed germination, while the Jute bags had the lowest. In particular, traditional gombisa storage resulted in more significant grain damage, weight loss, and reduced germination than modified gombisa. As storage duration increased, grain damage and weight loss increased significantly in Jute sacks, Polyethylene bags, and traditional gombisa. Furthermore, the proximate analysis showed that storage periods and facilities significantly affected the characteristics of the quality of the maize grain. The moisture content, the crude protein, and the crude fat decreased with longer storage durations in all storage types, while the crude fiber and the ash content increased. The results confirmed the effectiveness of PICS, AgroZ® bags, and modified gombisa in reducing the qualitative and quantitative losses caused by the infestation of storage insect pests. These storage methods can be recommended to protect maize grain for eight months.

Utilization of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes in eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics

Eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics was evaluated using aqueous extraction of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes. Jute and factory tea wastes are available in Bangladesh and jute bags are used for packaging of various exportable agricultural commodities. The extract of factory tea waste (FTW) is dark coffee colored and it was characterized by attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and microbial analysis. Nontoxic, non-allergic and eco-friendly natural dyeing process of jute packaging fabrics using extract of FTW were developed and optimized. Metal mordants 10 % on the weight of fabric was used to get the fastness properties of dyed jute fabric. The methods of application of mordants were pre-mordanting, simultaneous or meta-mordanting and post-mordanting. The color fastness and tensile properties were measured for all jute packaging fabrics and it is found that the dyed jute packaging fabrics showed a slight decrease in tensile breaking force (N) than undyed jute packaging fabric. The highest color fastness obtained with the meta mordanting method with ferrous sulfate mordant in a shade of dark coffee. The results of the color fastness for light and washing showed an excellent value of grade 4–5.

Influence of maize (Zea mays L.) moisture content stored in various compacted multi-layer hermetic bags on seed quality and mycotoxins contamination

The current study was carried out to evaluate the ability of recently developed seed-quality preservation bags. These bags include 3 hermetic (Spanish with anti-fungal material hermetic (SAHB), Spanish hermetic (SHB), and Egyptian hermetic (EHB) bags) and one non-hermetic bag (jute bag (JB)). The bags were filled with 25 kg of maize, sealed, and stored over 12 months or less, depending on seed moisture content. Then, samples were taken out monthly to measure the moisture content, acid value, electric conductivity (EC), oil content, germination, bulk density, and the relative humidity, temperature, CO2, and O2 within the bags. Different mycotoxin strain contamination was measured as well. The results revealed that in the hermetic bags, the O2 concentration decreased to only 7%; the moisture content in EHB was <14% throughout the storage period, whereas it rose above 14% in the other bags. The EC, acidity, and bulk density were lower in EHB and SHB than in the other bags. The relative humidity was higher in the SAHB than in the EHB and SHB, while germination after 12 months was higher in SHB and EHB (>50 %) than in SAHB (<45%) and remained unaltered during the first few months of storage in EHB when compared with pre-storage seeds. The seeds from SAHB had lower Fumonisin and aflatoxin concentrations than seeds from the other bags. These results suggest that EHB is the best among the tested bags in preserving the quality of maize at different moisture contents. However, in the face of mycotoxin contamination, SAHB, despite suppressing mycotoxins, significantly reduced seed quality and so would not be suitable for maize storage.

Exploring Materials for Constructing Fancy Dress Masquerade Costumes in Winneba, Ghana (1958-2020)

The representation of Fancy Dress masquerades in Ghana, particularly in Winneba, has been revered as part of the country’s popular culture. Fancy Dress masquerade performances, which originated in coastal towns of Ghana during the 18th century under the aegis of colonialism, are currently seen in popular parades and club competitions. Undoubtedly, the utilisation of costumes forms the cornerstone of Fancy Dress masquerading. Although Fancy Dress masquerade costumes add to the depth and breadth of the performance, little empirical study exists on the materials used to construct costumes for this performance. In this study, we explore materials used to construct Fancy Dress masquerade costumes in Winneba, Ghana, from 1958 to 2020. Using a qualitative approach, multiple instruments, and engaging thematic and document analytical frames to analyse the data, the findings of the study revealed the use of fabrics; leather and jute bags. The rest were foam; agricultural products; paper, strawboards and used packaging boxes; net, fibre and plastic sachets to construct costumes such as ‘cowboy’, ‘tigers’ and ‘hunters’. With a treasure trove of materials, fabrics were chiefly used due to their unique physical properties. On the heels of the finding, we recommend that practitioners explore non-conventional and sustainable materials to maintain ecological sustainability. Ultimately, the study advances the understanding of masquerade costumes by addressing gaps in the literature and providing new perspectives.

Physicochemical stability and sensory quality of selected Ethiopian coffee (Coffea arabica L.) brands as affected by packaging materials during storage

Ethiopia's economy heavily relies on coffee, the country's primary export. However, there is a need for improvement in the current packaging materials for parchment coffee during extended storage. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four different packaging materials (Jute, Woven Polypropylene internally lined with low-density propylene, Grain Pro, and Purdue Improved Crop Storage) on the quality of three brands of Parchment Coffee (Limu, Sidama, and Yirgacheffe) stored for 12 months. The results demonstrated that hermetic packaging materials like Purdue Improved Crop Storage and Grain Pro bags outperformed the Jute bag control in maintaining the original coffee quality throughout the storage period. There was a significant interaction between the coffee brands and the packaging materials for most measured parameters, except bioactive compounds. Notably, Sidama and Yirgacheffe brands stored in hermetic bags consistently achieved cup quality values above 80 %, meeting the requirements for specialty coffee grade. However, the Limu brand did not meet the specialty coffee criteria. The study recommends using hermetic storage materials such as PICS and Grain Pro bags for extended coffee storage. By adopting these methods, the renowned Ethiopian coffee brands can uphold their exceptional quality standards in the international market and ensure customer satisfaction.

Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels.

A Novel Approach of Manufacturing Sustainable Seamless Jute Bags and Evaluation of Its Properties: A Comparative Study with Commercial Bags

ABSTRACT To reduce the adverse impact of synthetic bags on carbon footprints, greenhouse gases, and global warming, there is a rising demand for biodegradable and sustainable packaging material, especially for packing crops and food. Bags made from natural fibers are the finest alternative to synthetic ones. Jute is one of the most in-demand natural fibers in the packaging industry. Nevertheless, the traditional production method is more process-oriented, requiring more time and resulting in more expensive bags. Bowing problems induced by side seams cause sack bundles to roll during transport, which is also another issue. This study describes a unique process for producing seamless jute bags and sacks, eliminating the current processes in favor of fewer processes. A mechanical left-handed dobby loom with a cutting arrangement for separating the sacks produced continuous sack weaving. The tensile and seam strength of the produced sacks were evaluated and found to be comparable to those of commercially available sacks. In addition, one-way ANOVA and regression studies demonstrated the results significance. This developed method will increase productivity while reducing energy consumption, resulting in inexpensive packaging products and a solution to the transportation issue.

Optimization of the releases of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say in jute bags containing different support diets of Corcyra cephalonica Stainton for the management of the millet ear miner Heliocheilus albipunctella de Joannis in the Zinder region of Niger

Optimization of the releases of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say in jute bags containing different support diets of Corcyra cephalonica Stainton for the management of the millet ear miner Heliocheilus albipunctella de Joannis in the Zinder region of Niger

Response of Kenaf Varieties to Different Threshing Methods and Storage Environments

Abstract A study was conducted in the Seed Testing laboratory of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training to determine the response of kenaf to different threshing and packaging materials. Experiment design was a 2 × 3 × 4 × 2 factorial arrangement in CRD with 3 replications. The factors were variety, threshing methods, packaging materials and storage environments. The results showed that kenaf seed stored in both Jute bag and muslin cloth under ambient condition recorded significantly higher germination percentage with 34% and 32.02% after six months in storage, respectively. Similar trend was followed under cold storage. Seed stored under jute bag recorded higher germination percentage of about 47% after six months in storage but not statistically significant from those stored under muslin cloth that recorded about 42% germination percentage. The rate of seed deterioration was lowest when both varieties were stored using jute bag with values of 18.03% (Cuba 108) and 17.87% (Ifeken 400). This was also followed by muslin cloth which recorded 31.2% (Cuba 108) and 25.6% (Ifeken 400). The result also showed that seed threshed mechanically and stored using jute bag obtained the highest level of germination in six-month.

Variations in Ecuadorian Cocoa Fermentation and Drying at Two Locations: Implications for Quality and Sensory.

In Ecuador, various processes are applied during cocoa post-harvesting. This study, therefore, explored fermentation parameters across two locations with 2-7 independent runs, focusing on temperature, microbial counts, pH during fermentation and drying, and their impact on cocoa bean quality. Factors including fermentation devices (jute bags, plastic bags, and wooden boxes), pre-drying, turning during fermentation, fermentation duration, and drying temperature were investigated. Fermenting in plastic bags without pre-drying or turning and fermenting in jute bags for only 40 ± 2.0 h yielded low maximal fermentation temperatures Tmax (31.1 ± 0.4 °C and 37.6 ± 1.8 °C), leading to bitter, astringent, woody, and earthy cocoa liquor. Longer fermentation (63 ± 6 h) in wooden boxes with turning (Wt) and in jute bags with pre-drying and turning (Jpt) achieved the highest Tmax of 46.5 ± 2.0 °C, and a more acidic cocoa liquor, particularly in Wt (both locations) and Jpt (location E). Therefore, it is recommended to ferment for a minimum duration from day 1 to 4 (63 ± 6 h), whether using plastic bags (with mandatory pre-drying) or jute bags (with or without pre-drying or turning). Furthermore, this study underscores the risks associated with excessively high drying temperatures (up to 95.2 ± 13.7 °C) and specific dryer types, which can falsify cut-tests and introduce unwanted burnt-roasted off-flavors in the cocoa liquor.