Jute Sacks Research Articles

Fungal deterioration of melon seeds stored in jute sacks and polyethylene bags in Ago-Iwoye, southwestern Nigeria.

Laboratory studies were carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, southwestern Nigeria, to determine the extent of fungal deterioration of melon seeds stored in two types of storage bags viz; jute and polyethylene bags. Melon seeds of varieties Tc139 and V2 were stored in jute and polyethylene bags under ambient conditions using the 2 x 2 factorial design (variety vs type of bag) for 12 months. The moisture content (mc), incidence of visible mouldiness (ivm) and germinability of the stored seeds were determined monthly. The mc of Tc139 ranged from 6.1 to 6.7% in jute and 6.2 to 6.5% in polyethylene bags. The ivm which was initially 2.1% increased to 10.7% and 5.5% in jute and polyethylene bags respectively, after 12 months in storage. The germination percentage decreased from 96.3% to 28.7% and 45.3% in jute and polyethylene bags, respectively. The mc of V2 stored in jute and polyethylene bags varied from 5.9 to 6.4%, and 5.8 to 6.2%, respectively. The ivm increased from 1.8% before storage to 8.9% and 4.8% in jute and polyethylene bags, respectively, after 12 months. The percentage seed germination declined from 98.0% to 37.3% in jute and 48.7% in polyethylene bags after 12 months. Decreased incidence of field fungi namely: Alternaria,Botryodiplodia theobromae, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Macrophomina phaseolina was accompanied by simultaneous increase in storage fungi viz: Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus with prolonged storage.

Improving the Efficiency and Cost‐effectiveness of Food Aid Grain Delivery

Grain food aid averages 13 million tons per year. Donors have a duty to deliver food aid grain in an adequate and acceptable condition at least cost. This paper reviews commodity procurement, packaging, inspection, shipping and storage with regard to overall quality assurance and cost-effectiveness. Experience at ports of loading and discharge and in food aid delivery programmes indicates that sufficient attention is rarely paid to quality assurance and loss minimisation. Grain procurement specifications that are normally appropriate for safe handling and storage in temperate climates, particularly moisture content, are commonly inappropriate for tropical climates. The technology for safe delivery of food aid grain is well established but not always implemented. Procurement of food aid grain in developing countries has increased recently, creating a need to improve operational and management aspects of tendering and quality assurance procedures. Such purchases entail potential cost savings but are associated with lengthening delivery lead times for non-urgent consignments. Although woven polypropylene sacks are cheaper to buy than jute ones, the losses associated with handling and storage problems indicate that jute sacks are preferable for food aid delivery.

Mycoflora and aflatoxin production in pigeon pea stored in jute sacks and iron bins.

The mycoflora, moisture content and aflatoxin contamination of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millisp) stored in jute sacks and iron bins were determined at monthly intervals for a year. The predominant fungi on freshly harvested seeds were Alternaria spp., Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium spp. and Phoma spp. These fungi gradually disappeared from stored seeds with time and by 5-6 months, most were not isolated. The fungi that succeeded the initially dominant ones were mainly members of the general Aspergillus, Penicillium and Rhizopus. Population of these fungi increased up to the end of one year storage. Higher incidence of mycoflora and Aspergillus flavus were recorded in jute-sack samples throughout the storage period. The moisture content of stored seeds was found to fluctuate with the prevailing weather conditions, being low during the dry season and slightly high during the wet season. The stored seeds were free of aflatoxins for 3 and 5 months in jute sacks and iron bins respectively. The level of aflatoxins detected in jute-sack storage system was considerably higher than that occurring in the iron bin system. Of 196 isolates of A. flavus screened, 48% were toxigenic in liquid culture (54% from jute sacks and 41% from iron bins).

Determination of Food Contamination by Mineral Oil from Jute Sacks Using Coupled LC-GC

Jute fibers are treated with about 5-7% of a high boiling mineral oil fraction ("batching oil") to render them flexible for making fabrics. Foods transported in jute bags are contaminated by this batching oil. A method involving automated on-line LC-GC is described for determining these hydrocarbons in various foods. Complete transfer of the LC fraction to GC is presupposed for obtaining the required sensitivity. Results are given for nuts, coffee, cocoa products, and rice. Contamination ranged between about 5 and 500 ppm.

Fungi isolated from packaging materials: Their role in the production of 2, 4, 6‐trichloroanisole

AbstractFungi isolated from fibreboard cartons, paper sacks and jute sacks were assessed for their ability to methylate 2, 4, 6‐trichlorophenol in a defined, reduced‐water‐activity growth medium. When extracts of individual cultures were analysed by gas chromatography‐multiple ion monitoring mass spectrometry, 17 of the 31 species, initially selected by sensory techniques, were found to produce 2, 4, 6‐trichloroanisole. Quantitative analyses showed that the most efficient methylators in the defined liquid medium were Paecilomyces variotii, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium crustosum, Pen citrinum, Pen brevicompactum and one strain of Aspergillus flavus. The role of these fungi in the production of 2, 4, 6‐trichloroanisole in packaging materials contaminated with 2, 4, 6‐trichlorophenol is discussed.

Influence of packaging material on moisture sorption and the multiplication of some toxigenic and non-toxigenic Aspergillus spp. infecting stored cereal grains, cowpea and groundnut

The moisture sorption isotherms of jute sack were determined at 12, 22, and 32°C by a standard procedure using glycerol:water mixtures providing equilibrium relative humidities (ERH) of 65, 70, 75, 80, 90 and 95%. The equilibration period of jute sack kept at 65–85% was found to be between 6–8 days whereas the moisture content (MC) and weight of jute sack kept at 90–95% continued rising. The amount of moisture absorbed at 12°C was significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than at 32°C. Analysis of variance applied to collected data of adsorption at ERH 85% ( a w 0.85) and desorption ERH 20% ( a w 0.20) showed that incubation period, type of commodity and type of packaging material as well as the interaction of these factors significantly influenced the moisture sorption and desorption by cowpea, groundnut (shelled), white maize, millet and sorghum. Each food commodity absorbed water differently in the jute and woven polypropylene sacks. However, food commodities stored in jute sack significantly absorbed and desorbed moisture to a greater extent than the same produce stored in woven polypropylene. Mould and yeast count on seed and grain lots in woven polypropylene at ERH 20% were 1.0–1.5 log cycles lower after 6 months storage than same seed and grain lots kept in jute sack. Correspondingly, mould and yeast count on seeds stored in woven polypropylene at ERH 85% were 2–3 log cycles lower than same produce kept in jute sack. Both ambient sttorage humidity and type of storage sack had profound effect on the occurrence of toxigenic and non-toxigenic mould species on cowpea, groundnut, maize, millet and sorghum. The toxigenic moulds and non-toxigenic Aspergillus species reduced considerably the self-life of seeds kept particularly in jute sacks. Practical implications of these findings are discussed in relation to grain food storage in the tropics.

Mycological and physical parameters for selecting suitable packaging material for pre- and post-irradiation storage of cereal grains in Ghana

Owing to the rough warehouse handling of storage sacks in tropical areas in Africa, a suitable storage sack should not support de novo growth of fungal spores because this would reduce the tensile strength of the packaging material and act as a springboard for infecting grain contents. This paper reports the effect of activity of saprophytic fungi on the tensile strength of jute and woven polypropylene sacks. New woven polypropylene sacks carried lower levels of fungal spores (1.3×10 1 cfu/72 cm 2) than jute sacks (3.0×10 3 cfu/72 cm 2). The natural mould penetration and growth was examined on sections (4×5 cm) of both jute and woven polypropylene after previous incubation at relative humidities of 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90 and 95% for 10 weeks by placing them on Sabouraud's Agar. There was a significant difference ( P = 0.05 level of significance) between the higher penetration of mould growth on jute sacks and that obtained on woven polypropylene sacks. Saprophytic fungi ( Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. japonicus, A. parasiticus, A. ustus, Fusarium oxysporium, F. moniliforme, Penicillium verucosum var. cyclopium, Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma viride) isolated from jute sacks reduced tensile strength, measured by an Instron Model 1026, by 50–75% after 10 weeks at 90% R.H. Same fungal species on woven polypropylene sacks did not alter the tensile strength. Woven polypropylene sacks did not absorb moisture whilst the moisture content of jute sacks increased by 5.3–6.0% in 10 weeks at 90% R.H. with concomitant increase in mould and yeast counts by 1–2 log cycles. Evidence is presented to show that there was a positive correlation between the final mycoflora on jute sacks and loss in tensile strength. No correlation, however, was found between the total aerobic bacteria on jute sacks and the concomitant reduction in tensile strength. Fungi therefore play a major role in the reduction of tensile strength of jute sacks. Sterilization by gamma irradiation (8.0 kGy) of jute and woven polypropylene sacks did not affect their intrinsic tensile strength. Woven polypropylene sacks therefore have many microbiological and physical advantages over the traditional jute sacks to merit their use for grain storage in tropical areas like Ghana.

Studies on the selection of a suitable packaging material for pre- and post-irradiation storage of cereal grains in Ghana

Twenty different species of fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Cephalosporium, Dreschlera, Fusarium, Mucor, Neurospora, Rhizoctonia, Rhizopus, Penicillium and Trichoderma were isolated from jute and woven polypropylene sacks using the blotter test, solid medium test and the decimal serial dilution technique. There was a highly significant difference (Students' t-test, P < 0.05) between the larger number of fungal colonies associated with jute sacks than with woven polypropylene sacks. Correspondingly, more fungal species (16) were isolated from jute sacks than from woven polypropylene sacks (9). The blotter test showed that in the absence of an exogenous supply of nutrients, 88% of the sections of jute sacks supported in vivo growth of fungal spores whilst woven polypropylene sacks could not support the growth of contaminating spores. Evidence is presented that mould and yeast counts on sections of new-woven polypropylene sacks incubated at 80 and 90% relative humidity (R.H.) for four months increased by less than 1 log cycle, whilst in similar sections hung on a line under ambient conditions (75 ± 10% R.H. and 28 ± 3°C) viable counts of spores decreased. Sections of fresh jute sacks similarly treated supported 1 log cycle increase in mould and yeast counts at 80% R.H. and 2 log cycles increase at 90% R.H. after four months of storage. Gamma-ray irradiation (4.0 kGy) reduced the mould and yeast counts on new jute and new woven polypropylene sacks by 1 and 2 log cycles, respectively, but post-irradiation storage at 80% R.H. allowed moulds like Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium nivale and Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium to commence growth on jute sacks. This presumably, may act as a springboard for infecting grain contents of jute sacks. Inert woven polypropylene sacks failed to support fungal growth.

Optimum packaging material for irradiated dried salted striped mackerel (restrelliger chrysozonus)

Eight different packaging materials namely: polyester polyethylene (PET/PE), nylon polyethylene (N/PE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), cello polyethylene (cello/PE), kraft paper, jute sack and plastic sack were exposed to a population of 120 larvae and adult beetles. Out of these eight types of packaging materials, PET/PE was found to be the most resistant packaging material. PET/ PE utilized as bulk packaging material was overwrapped with plastic sack to offer more protection from any physical damages. Irradiated dried striped mackerel at 225 krad and packed in PET/PE were stored in the laboratory and in 3 different market places. Results showed that after a month of storage, there was no infestation nor any damage in PET/PE. No holes, scratches or punctures were found in the lined plastic sack. There were no significant differences noted on the moisture, mold and yeast count and Total Plate Count among samples stored at different market conditions.

The persistence of insecticide spray deposits on woven polypropylene and jute sacking

AbstractIn a trial, simulating the spray treatment of bags, the persistence and biological activity of insecticide spray deposits on jute and woven polypropylene sheets have been compared; in addition, the build‐up of residues in thin layers of maize under the sprayed sheets has been measured. The insecticides were found to have a much shorter persistence on polypropylene than on jute and this was coupled with higher residues on the grain. However, the deposits on polypropylene retained equal or greater activity against Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) than the deposits on jute, despite the loss of surface deposit. Wettable powder formulations had a slightly greater surface persistence than emulsifiable concentrates and resulted in smaller residues in the grain. There would seem to be more usefulness in using insecticide sprays on woven polypropylene than on jute bags, and a wettable powder formulation of a non‐volatile insecticide of low mammalian toxicity would be the best choice. Of the insecticides tested, the pyrethroid permethrin (cis: trans ratio= 25:75) was the most effective and gave the least residue in the grain.

Qualidade da bebida do café: efeito do acondicionamento e do tempo de conservação

O efeito do tempo de armazenamento sobre a qualidade da bebida de café do cultivar mundo novo de Coffea arabica foi estudado em Campinas, no período de junho de 1974 a março de 1976. Planejou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso para as amostras, sendo analisada a bebida do café despolpado e beneficiado conservado em latas hermeticamente fechadas, em sacos de plástico, de aniagem, de tecido de algodão e de papel. Para os testes de bebida adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso. Três séries de amostras foram retiradas 5, 16 e 21 meses, após o inicio do experimento e analisadas quanto à qualidade da bebida, usando-se a escala de 0-5 pontos, normalmente empregada para essas avaliações. Não se notaram efeitos de embalagem nas amostras analisadas na primeira época, tendo as médias de pontos variado de 3,2 a 3,3. Para a segunda e terceira épocas, notaram-se diferenças significativas, sendo obtidas médias de pontos maiores nas amostras conservadas em latas e em sacos de plástico, que constituem as melhores embalagens. O tempo de armazenamento influiu desfavoravelmente para os tratamentos. Quanto à cor dos grãos, as amostras conservadas em latas e em sacos de plástico revelaram-se inalteradas, enquanto as demais pioraram, tornando-se esbranquiçadas. O teor de umidade revelou-se menor nas latas e nos sacos plásticos, bem como os valores da peneira média. Nessas embalagens observou-se maior peso de sementes de algumas peneiras.

Volatile components of jute sacks

AbstractThe vacuum steam volatile oil from jute sacks has been analysed by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Thirty‐four compounds were characterised with some certainty, and some information obtained about an additional 36. The major volatile components were dimethylnaphthalenes. The odour thresholds of the volatile oil and some fractions were determined. These data and calculation of the amount transferred to a food contained in a sack, indicate that the jute sack could contribute an off‐flavour to the food.

Production of jute yarns with low content of unsaponifiable matters

Castor oil having low content of unsaponifiable matters was chosen for the development of new jute batching emulsion processes. The suitability of the castor oil was also assessed in terms of its favourable colour, odour, specific gravity, acid value, iodine value, saponification value, viscosity, pour points and flash points in comparison to those of conventional JBO. Different recipes for the production of emulsions were standardized in the industrial scale and their suitability were assessed according to their stability, specific gravity, temperature, viscosity and pour points. The recipes were used to spin jute fibre in the jute mill machines. The yarn products were studied to evaluate their work performances based on their physico-chemical properties: moisture regain, t.p.i., W.I., count, strength, tenacity, extension, textile modulus, toughness, QR, oil content and unsaponifiable matters. The yarn products were particularly evaluated in terms of their unsaponifiable matters based on the IJSG criterion. The yarns of processes show quality ratio 93.93 to 104.20 and unsaponifiable matters ranging from 126.05 to 414.92 mg/kg yarn and easily pass the IJSG criterion. The processes therefore appear to be of commercial importance. Key words: Food items, IJSG criterion, JBO, Jute sacks, Unsaponifiables, Vegetable oils. DOI: 10.3329/diujst.v5i1.4376 Daffodil International University Journal of Science and Technology Vol.5(1) 2010 pp.10-18

Transport and storage of seed potatoes in paper sacks

Experiments were conducted over three years to determine the effect on yield of storing seed potatoes in paper sacks, with or without the use of the sprout-suppressant tetrachloronitrobenzene (TCNB). Treatment with TCNB increased the proportion of small tubers and decreased the proportion of large ones, even when the crop was grown at wide spacing. There was insufficient evidence to confirm any advantage which paper sacks may have over jute sacks as containers for TCNB-treated potatoes. In comparison with storage in jute sacks under the same conditions, the storage of untreated potatoes in plain paper sacks was found to have no detrimental effect on either total yield or the yield of large tubers.

Confinement of Honeybee Colonies to Avoid Pesticide Losses

SUMMARYFour methods of confining colonies of honeybees for up to 12 hours (with and without water) were tested: (1) black or white-painted polythene sheeting, (2) wet or dry burlap (jute sacking), (3) entrance screen, (4) chipped ice over the hive entrance. Colony temperatures and reactions were nearest to normal when wet burlap or ice was used. In 1960, when external air temperatures reached about 36°C., all colonies beneath plastic were killed, as well as one with an entrance screen.

The contamination of flour by insecticidal lacquers containing endrin and dieldrin

AbstractInsecticidal lacquers containing dieldrin emit a toxic vapour which passses through jute sacking and kraft paper, and is readily absorbed by flour. Dieldrin contamination can persist in flour stored in open‐topped containers for 18 months, and can be produced by as little as 3 h. contact with the lacquer. Samples of flour which had been in contact with an endrin lacquer in one flour mill contained up to 323 p.p.m. of endrin, which is more than twice the concentration known to cause symptoms of acute toxic poisoning in man.

JUTE SACKS AND BAGS

ABSTRACT The author surveys the production of jute sacks and bags in detail. He covers the fibre, its spinning, the weaving of the yarn and the finishing of the fabric as preparation for the actual making of the sacks. The types of seams used are illustrated and discussed and there is a brief treatment of the relation between dimensions and capacity. Testing of yarn, fabric and the sacks is described at length.

Moisture relationships of palm kernels, jute and jute contaminated with palm kernel fat

AbstractThe prolonged exposure of palm kernels to 81% R.H. and above at 25°c. IS conducive to mould growth. A satisfactory steriliention technique involving the use of methyl bromide was developed and shown to be without prejudice to determination8 of relative humidity‐moisture regain‐ relationships.Hygroscopic equilibria between the gas and solid phases were measured at 25°c. over the range 0 to 100% R. H. (with particular reference to the range 50% to 100%) for samples of paln kernels, of jute sacking contaminated with palm kernel fat, and of uncontaminated sacking of a similar type. The sterilisation procedure was utilised at and above 81% R. H.

Factors affecting the stability and estimation of carotene in artificially dried grass and hays

1. The influence of storage in the light and in the dark at ordinary temperature and in a heated room at 70–80° F. on the carotene content of finely ground artificially dried grass stored in paper sacks and jute sacks was studied. There was an initial drop in carotene content from 61·1 to 46·5 mg./100 g., i.e. 23·9%, in the first month, and a total loss of 31·4% during 6 months' storage (August to February). No difference could be detected either between treatments or types of containers.2. There was a marked loss of carotene during 13 months' storage of baled artificially dried grass and of hays, amounting to 30–40% of the original value.3. Two methods of estimating carotene were compared. The method of Ferguson &amp; Bishop (1936) gave higher results than the method of Peterson, Hughes &amp; Freéman (1937). The difference is probably due to incomplete extraction in the latter method.4. Chromatographic analyses of “carotene” fractions from the above grasses showed the presence of coloured impurities amounting to 20·5–33·8% of the total recovered pigments.5. As these impurities are biologically inactive, chromatographic analysis or the use of special solvents are probably necessary for the accurate determination of carotene in forage.

CURRENT INDUSTRIAL NEWS: Perfumery for Siam; Desulfuration of Hydrocarbons; Lampblack Manufacture; Boric Acid and Borax; Power from Refuse; Mineral Production in Canada; Copper Amalgam as Metal Cement; Jute Sacks for Argentina; Japan Peppermint Cultivation; Non-Inflammable Plastic Material; Electric Lamp Trade in Japan; Imitation Leather for Switzerland; New Magnesium Alloy; Electro-Steel Works in Germany; Fats and Oils; New British Dye; Water-proof

CURRENT INDUSTRIAL NEWS: Perfumery for Siam; Desulfuration of Hydrocarbons; Lampblack Manufacture; Boric Acid and Borax; Power from Refuse; Mineral Production in Canada; Copper Amalgam as Metal Cement; Jute Sacks for Argentina; Japan Peppermint Cultivation; Non-Inflammable Plastic Material; Electric Lamp Trade in Japan; Imitation Leather for Switzerland; New Magnesium Alloy; Electro-Steel Works in Germany; Fats and Oils; New British Dye; Water-proof