Polypropylene Bags Research Articles

Experiences in Promoting Ensiling of Onion Crop Residue among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu

In mixed crop-livestock system country like India, frequent occurrence of drought limit animal feed resources such as green fodder and crop residues. Forage conservation technologies and Non-Conventional Feed Resources (NCFR) could mitigate dry season feed shortage but their adoption in smallholder systems has so far been low and varying across regions. In order to address and develop solution to the issues, this action research was attempted to introduce onion crop residue-based silage among small onion (Allium cepa) cultivating farmers of Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. For the above purpose, ensiling of onion crop residue was standardised. Then attempts were made to popularise the standardised silage preparation using polypropylene bags and feeding of silage to dairy animals through farmers meetings, training, demonstration and fi eld days. The adoption rate and perception on onion crop residue silage using bags were studied one year after intervention. This study found that 16.70 per cent had adoption of promoted technology and the remaining has not adopted. Added, majority of the farmers reported that silage making using fresh onion crop residue has less relative advantage over the existing practice, involves high complex procedures and has limited potential of experimenting in small scale. Furthermore, onion cropping area, herd size and perception(s) on the attributes of the technology diff erentiated adopters and non-adopters. The limited adoption of recommended technology demands bottom up / participatory approach for adoptable feed innovation

Effect of modified atmosphere package on physico-chemical properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits

Pomegranate is an important table and processed fruit owing to its nutritional quality. Extending the fruit life of the plant is very much limited owing to its metabolic activities viz., respiration, transpiration and microbial infection. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different packaging materials on physico-chemical properties of pomegranate fruits during storage. Fruits were harvested with stalk and washed with sodium hypochlorite, air dried and graded. Fruits were stored under modified atmospheric packaging conditions using different packaging materials viz., polyethylene bag, polypropylene bag, Xtend® bag and silver nano bag Hima Fresh®. Fruits without package served as controls. Fruits were stored at low temperature 7±2 °C and 90±5 % RH. MAP treated fruits had higher quality parameters across all packaging treatments. PLW and respiration rate increased while, moisture content, colour, texture and acidity decreased with prolonged storage, but the rate of decrease was highest in unpacked fruits. MAP maintained the quality of pomegranate fruits upto 100 days compared to unpackaged fruits (40 days). Shelf life of stored fruit at ambient condition was 4 to 5 days. Fruit decay was 12 % in polyethylene whereas it was 6 % in Xtend® bag at the end of 100 day of storage.

Factors that influence smallholder farmers' decisions to employ hermetic bag technology for maize grain storage in Kilosa District, Tanzania

The huge maize grain losses caused by a lack of improved storage methods have a negative impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and national food security. Despite the effectiveness of hermetic bags against pest insects and fungal growth; and aflatoxins accumulation, the technology is not widely used by smallholder farmers. The survey study was conducted to evaluate the factors that influence the adoption of hermetic bag technology among smallholder farmers in Kilosa district. A total of 180 respondents were purposively selected based on their ability to store maize produce for six months. The data was collected using a smartphone android and responses recorded by open data kit (ODK). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model in SPSS software. The descriptive results indicated that overall existing maize storage options among smallholder farmers included interwoven polypropylene bags 43.5%, hermetic bags 17.8% and synthetic chemicals and metal silos account for 38% of respondents. The model results indicated that price, access, awareness, farmer’s experience and training factors had a positive and significant impact on the use of hermetic bags. The price variable significantly and negatively influenced the use of hermetic bags at a P<0.01 level of significance. Other independent variables such as awareness, training, access and farmers experience were positively significant at P<0.05 level of significant. The government and other actors could promote and disseminate hermetic storage bag technology as a sustainable approach of lowering grain storage losses while taking identified factors into account.

Performance of a hermetic device and neem (Azadirachta indica) in storing wheat seed: Evidence from participatory household trials in central Bangladesh

Smallholder farmers in Bangladesh often use low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags contained within woven polypropylene bags to store wheat seed during the summer monsoon that precedes winter season planting. High humidity and temperature during this period can encourage increased seed moisture and pests, thereby lowering seed quality. Following a farm household survey conducted to inform trial design, eighty farmers were engaged in an action research process in which they participated in designing and conducting trials comparing traditional and alternative seed storage methods over 30 weeks. Factorial treatments included comparison of hermetic SuperGrainbags® (Premium RZ) against LDPE bags, both with and without the addition of dried neem tree leaves (Azadirachta indica). SuperGrainbags® were more effective in maintaining seed moisture at acceptable levels close to pre-storage conditions than LDPE bags. Both seed germination and seedling coleoptile length were significantly greater in hermetic than LDPE bags. Neem had no effect on seed moisture, germination, or coleoptile length. SuperGrainbags® were also more effective in abating seed damage during storage, although inclusion of neem within LDPE bags also had significant damage. Quantification of seed predating insects and diseases suggested that SuperGrainbags® also suppressed Coleopteran pests and blackspot, the latter indicative of Fusarium graminearum. Conversely, where farmers used LDPE bags, neem also had an additional though limited pest suppressive effect. Post-storage treatment scoring by farmers revealed a strong preference for SuperGrainbags® and no preference differences for or against neem. This study demonstrates a process by which farmers can be involved in the participatory co-design and testing of alternative wheat storage options, and stresses the need to develop SuperGrainbag® supply chains so hermetic storage can be made widely available.

Ingestion and impacts of water-borne polypropylene microplastics on Daphnia similis.

Polypropylene microplastics are the leading contaminant in aquatic environments, although research on their toxicity remains scarce. The proposed research focuses on the harmful consequences of acute exposure to polypropylene microplastics in Daphnia similis. This work converts widely available polypropylene bags into microplastics using xylene. FTIR findings demonstrated the lack of xylene residue in the produced polypropylene microplastic particles, which were spherical and ranged in size from 11.86 to 44.62µm (FE-SEM). The results indicate that acute exposure to polypropylene microplastics causes immobility in D. similis. Ingestion of microplastics enhances the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as shown by biochemical studies. Due to the production of free radicals in D. similis, the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and a non-antioxidant enzyme of reduced glutathione (GSH) and also oxidative stress effects in lipid (lipid peroxidation - LPO), protein (carbonyl protein - CP) were increased. Additionally, the amount of the neurotransmitter enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was decreased. These findings indicate that the accumulation of polypropylene microplastics in the bodies of filter-feeding organisms should aggravate toxicity in the freshwater environment.

Assessment of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag for maize storage in Ghana

Despite the recent introduction of improved grain storage methods and technologies, many smallholder maize farmers in Ghana still use traditional storage practices and structures for storing their maize grains after harvest. This practice contributes to the high post-harvest losses in maize grain at the smallholder level largely due to insect pest infestation. Hermetic bag storage is a proven technology effective in reducing grain damage and losses from insect pests. In this study, the efficacy of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag was compared with a polypropylene (PP) bag stored with maize treated with Betallic Super EC chemical and PP bag stored with maize without Betallic treatment (Control) during a 6-month storage period. Data on grain moisture content (MC), number of live insects, insect damaged kernels (IDK) and maize weight loss were collected monthly for analysis. Grain viability and nutrient analysis were also conducted before and after storage. The results showed initial grain moisture content of 11.4% was not significantly affected in the PICS bags but increased by 1-2% in the PP bags. Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and Betallic treatment significantly reduced insect damage grains with mean weight loss of < 5% and 6.35 % respectively compared to the control (PP bag without Betallic) treatment with mean weight loss of 21 % over the 6-month storage period. Germination rate of sampled seeds after storage in the PICS bags (75 %) was not significantly different to the initial germination rate (78 %) compared to the control (PP bag without Betallic) treatment of 56 %. Overall, maize grains stored in the PICS bags showed no signs of deterioration as compared to grains in the PP bags. The PICS bags were superior to the PP bags in terms of other grain quality metrics assessed and the nutrient characterization such as protein and carbohydrate which had no significant difference (p<0.05) between the initial and the three treatments. The results showed that PICS bags can be effective in protecting maize grains during storage. Smallholder farmers are therefore encouraged to consider this technology especially for controlling insect pests of stored maize. Key words: Insect pests, Polypropylene, Smallholder farmers, Purdue Improved Crop Storage bag

Efficacy of locally available materials and Purdue improved crop storage bag as hermetic storage of maize

Maize (Zea mays) is an important staple food crop for consumption and income. However, weevils continue to endanger household food security. A study was carried out in Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, in 2019/2020, to develop more accessible and effective hermetic storage systems. Purdue Improved Crop Storage System (PICS) is good, but it is neither accessible nor affordable in Ethiopia. Therefore, other materials were tested in a completely randomised design replicated three times. After 3 months, number of alive and dead weevils, number of seeds with holes/grain damage and weight loss were assessed and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Malathion treated grains, PICS, polyethylene bags and jerry cans had low weevil infestation, more dead weevils and less grain damage. Mean number of weevils alive per sample varied from 0 on Malathion to 200 on woven polypropylene bags. PICS bags were effective but could be replaced by polyethylene bags and jerry cans.

Banana bunch cover: evaluation of promising bag materials

Now days there has been an increase in the consumers demand for great food, produced in environmentally cost-effective and friendly processes, being increasingly necessary new cultivation techniques able to ensure the required standards for banana growers and consumers. Therefore, the research aimed to evaluate the effects of bunch cover materials on development and quality of ‘BRS Platina’ banana fruits. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments, four replications and four plants per plot, being the treatments: WB – without bagging; BBTK – black polypropylene bag (TNT) + kraft paper; BBPK - black polyethilene bag + kraft paper; KP – kraft paper; WBT – non-woven polypropylene white bag (TNT) and WBP - white polyethylene plastic bag. The ‘BRS Platina’ banana bunches cover improved fruits quality and the treatment polyethylene white bag (WBP) can be an advantageous option for the banana growers because of its effectiveness on the reduction of damages caused by flowers thrips (Frankliniella spp), providing a good agronomic performance and also does not delay the harvesting.

RESEARCH ON OBTAINING LIQUID MYCELIA FROM PLEUROTUS SPP. STRAINS AND TESTING THEIR FRUITING POTENTIAL

The paper focuses on the obtaining biotechnology and in vitro propagation of edible and/or medicinal macromycetes mycelia from the genus Pleurotus in submerged cultures in order to produce the biological “seeding” material - spawn. The quality and biological purity of the spawn is critical to the success of mushroom production and productivity. Starting from stock cultures from the collection of the RDIVFG Vidra, the mother cultures were obtained, the biological material being represented by two strains of Pleurotus ostreatus and one strain of Pleurotus citrinopileatus, each of them being cultivated in PDB + K2HPO4 (1,5g/l), pH 6.5 medium at different stirring speeds (0/100/150 rpm). The submerged growing biomass was used to inoculate wheat caryopsis, that evolved into spawn after complete colonization. The lignocellulosic substrate was obtained from wheat straws with the addition of nutritional supplements (wheat and maize bran and sunflower middlings) and distributed in the polypropylene bags. Their yielding capacity was verified in the fruiting chamber of the laboratory micro-mushroom farm test facility.

Hermetic SuperGrain bags for controlling storage losses caused by Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchinae) in stored mung bean (Vigna radiata).

Mung bean is highly susceptible to insect attack during storage. Hermetic storage is an effective technique to control insect damage. This study investigated the potential of the hermetic SuperGrain bag (SGB) for controlling bruchids during storage. The dry samples were packed in SGB infested with adult bruchids (SGB-I), SGB natural field infested (SGB-N), woven polypropylene bags (WPP-I and WPP-N) and kept at room temperature for 180 days. Oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations were measured at 15 days intervals. Moisture content, infestation level, seed damage and weight loss were determined at 60 days intervals. Seed colour, hardness, crude protein and fat contents were analysed before and after storage. The O2 level decreased to 10.09%, whereas the CO2 level increased to 8.87% in both SGB-I and SGB-N treatments. The moisture content of mung bean was maintained as onset storage in both SGB-N and SGB-I treatments, whereas reduced in WPP-N (9.26% db) and WPP-I (9.21% db). In SGB treatments, no significant bruchids were detected, but they increased drastically in WPP-N (52 ± 9) and WPP-I (377 ± 14). Seed damage (2-3%) and weight loss (0.8-1.0%) were recorded in both SGB-N and SGB-I. Conversely, seed damage reached 26.67 and 54.17%, corresponding to weight losses of 12.33 and 20.82% in WPP-N and WPP-I, respectively. Seed colour, hardness, crude protein and fat contents in SGBs showed no significant changes than in the WPP bags. The study illustrated that the SGB is an efficient hermetic device in protecting mung beans against bruchids attacks compared to the WPP bags.

Effect of Some Processing and Storage Methods on the Quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Three experiments, comprisin packaging of fresh Okra for storage, dipping of fresh fruits in hot water before packaging to store and drying of sliced Okra fruits, were carried out in the laboratory at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of some processing and storage methods on the quality of okra. The experimental design used for the storage work was Completely Randomized Design (CRD). There were 10 treatments for the experiment. A portion of plot measuring 14m x 40.5m was demarcated for planting and drying was done by using a solar cabinet dryer located at the old site of Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, located on the compound of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Results from the first experiment which involved packing and storing of fresh okra fruits indicated that, Fresh okra fruit packed in both polypropylene and polyethylene bags and store at 7- 9 C can stay up to 24 days with no significant (p ≤ 0.05) weight lost. However produce packed in perforated polypropylene and polyethylene bags gave a higher salvage of 82.1% compared to 77% from those packed in the imperforated bags of the two packaging materials. The second experiment which involved hot water treatment of okra fruit before packaging for storage indicated a very fast rate of deterioration of fruits, with no fruit being salvaged at the end of the storage period. The third experiment involving slicing and drying of okra fruits in a solar cabinet dryer indicated that samples from both stages of maturity dried for 24hours lost comparatively less weight than those dried for 48hours. This shows that the longer the drying period, the more the lost in weight. From the three experiments it was concluded that packaging and storage of fresh okra fruit enables the fruit to keep longer and remained in the useable state than unpacked storage. Harvesting fruit at 4 and 6days, after setting for storage is appropriate, however those harvested at 6days after setting will come out with greater number of unusable fruit after the storage period. On the choice of packaging material one should prefer polypropylene to polyethylene for bitter results. Also perforation of the chosen material had advantages over the imperforated ones. Hot water treatment of okra fruits can be applied under situations where the fruits may be used within 16 days or less but not longer.

Bioecology and Domiciliation of the Alkali Bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Gribodo, 1894) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) from India

We describe here nesting biology of Hoplonomia westwoodi, a common ground nesting solitary bee in India. A typical nest consisted of a straight main tunnel with the cells arranged horizontally at the end. Number of cells per nest ranged from 2 to 4 (x̄ = 2.67). Polypropylene bag and pot culture studies, to evaluate soil types preferred by the bees for nesting, showed that red soil + FYM (1:1) was the most preferred substrate with an average of 12.67 nests/bag. Maximum foraging activity was between 8:00 -13:00 hours. Though H. westwoodi bees were active throughout the year, higher foraging activity was observed between March to June. The species being polylectic, foraged on flowers of several families including Myrtaceae, Lamiaceae, Portulacaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lythraceae, Meliaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Malvaceae. A cleptoparasite, Eupetersia sp. was observed in the nests of H. westwoodi, which is the first record of Eupetersia sp. parasitisation on the genus Hoplonomia.

Effects of Packaging on Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Ndop Rice (Tox Variety) During Storage

This study was conducted to investigate the pre and postharvest activities of rice stakeholders and to evaluate the influence of packaging on the proximate and mineral compositions of Ndop rice (TOX rice variety). A survey involving rice stakeholders was conducted in Ndop using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather information on the production, preparation, storage and handling practices of rice. It was found after the survey that, Ndop rice samples from UNVDA were stored in different packaging materials viz; polypropylene, nylon, rubber containers and paper bags at room temperature for two months. It was documented that 55% male and 45% female with the majority (63%) within the age category of 31-50 years are involved in Ndop rice postharvest management practices. Results also revealed that a majority (71%) of the respondents use polypropylene woven bags as packaging materials while 38% of respondents store rice for six months. Mice and weevils were reported as the key biotic factors affecting Ndop rice during storage. Furthermore, the results also showed that the moisture content (MC), fat, carbohydrate, ash and crude fiber contents decreased while protein increased across all the treatments during storage. Rice packed in paper bags had the lowest MC (10.17%), while rice in rubber containers had the highest MC (14.67%), at the end of the two months storage period. Rice packed in nylon bag had the highest protein content (14.11±0.71%). The mineral contents of Ndop rice decrease across all treatments after the second month of storage. The highest mineral retention (214.22±5.64 mg/100g for potassium) was observed in rice packed in paper bags. To maintain quality, paper bags or plastic buckets could be recommended as the best packaging materials for Ndop rice at the end of the second-month storage duration. This study contributes to food sufficiency and security by curbing postharvest food loss in Cameroon.

Hermetic Bags Effectively Preserve Dried Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Fruits in Niger

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (jujube) is a valuable commercial fruit crop that is delicious and an effective herbal remedy. In the Sahel region of Africa, the jujube fruits are harvested from the wild and eaten dry. Postharvest management poses challenges due to insects, which leads to the degradation of the quality of the fruits. We assessed the performance of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags for preserving dried jujube fruits from three regions of Niger. After four months of storage, we measured infestation levels, sugar content, and organoleptic parameters. Insect (Aubeus himalayanus Voss) population (though low at the beginning) and the number of fruits with holes increased in polypropylene (PP, control) bags by 100 to 212.50% and 7.58 to 12.96%, respectively. The fruit weight loss in PP treatments ranged from 4.64 to 9.94%. In PICS bags, however, pest infestations and damages were comparable to those observed at the initial stage. No significant differences were observed in sugar content of dried jujube fruits kept in PICS and PP bags after four months of storage. No changes were seen in the quality and organoleptic properties of jujube fruits stored in PICS bags; however, they appeared to decrease in PP bags. PICS bags can be effectively used to preserve the quality of dried jujube fruits in the Sahel.

Fatty Acid Profiles of Oil Obtained from Corn Kernels (Zea Mays L.) Preserved by a Triple Bagging System and Aromatic Plants (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens)

Corn oil is considered one of the best edible vegetable oils. Unfortunately, the storage of corn kernels as practiced in rural areas affects the quality of the fat. However, the triple bagging system and aromatic plants remain alternatives to the poor storage practiced by certain players in the ivorian maize sector. However, their influence on the quality of the fat in the grains remains to be elucidated. This study aims to evaluate, during storage, the fatty acid (FA) profile of the oil obtained from corn kernels packaged in a triple bagging system with or without the leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens. Thus, 6 batches including one control in polypropylene bag, one batch in triple bagging without biopesticides and four batches in triple bagging with variable proportions and/or combination of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens (2.5 % and 5 % and a combination 0 to 100 % Lippia) were made up to follow the evolution of the fatty acid (FA) composition of the extracted oils during six observation periods (0 ; 1 ; 4.5 ; 9.5 ; 14.5 and 18 months). The estimated intake and fatty acid contribution were also evaluated after 18 months of storage. The storage time and the type of packaging have a significant influence on the fatty acid profile of oils. During grain storage, the FA profile of the oils obtained from the grains stored in the triple bagging with the biopesticides varied very little. At the end of storage, their average composition was 13.40 % saturated fatty acids (SFA), 31.76 % monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 50.45 % polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). On the other hand, at the end of grain storage, the grain oil from the triple bagged batch without biopesticides consists of 16 % SFA, 38.85 % MUFA, and 45.70 % PUFA. The contribution to meeting energy needs is ensured from the consumption of oil from grains stored for 18 months in triple bagging systems associated with biopesticides. Therefore the combination of these aromatic leaves with triple bagging is more advantageous to preserve the FA profile of the grains during storage.

Tracking the origin of polypropylene and polyethylene bags in coral reefs of the Gulf of Mannar

Marine biology,marine ecology,Phytoplankton, marine algae, zooplankton, nekton, benthos, corals and coral reefs, ecology, zoogeography and systematics, primary production and experimental work on ecosystem including energy flow at different trophic levels, population dynamics and theoretical models, recycling of matter, influence of environmental factors on metabolic activity, marine microbiology, mariculture and experimental work on propagation of cultivable species, biology of fishes, marine reptiles, sea birds and mammals, physical, chemical, geological and meteorological features of the environments related to marine biology, marine environmental damage caused by pollution and engineering works, underwater observations, conservation of living resources, modifications in methodology and techniques and development of new apparatus related to marine sciences

Effectiveness of bio-insecticide incorporated storage bag for safe storage of legumes

India loses 2–6% of total produce due to lack of improper farm storage facilities. A potential novel method ofincorporating the bioinsecticide (azadirachtin 0.15%) into the storage bag was evaluated for its effectiveness in insect control for safe pulse storage at Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2021. Azadirachtin (2.41%) was incorporated into jute and woven polypropylene bag. The configuration with both sides treated jute and WPP bag produced mortality of 93 and 100% respectively against Callosobruchus maculatus adults. Both the treated bags produced mortality (>75%) within 48 h indicating the efficacy of selected bioinsecticide to contain infestation. The contact toxicity was dependent on porosity and pH of the storage bag material along with exposure time. Incorporation of the bioinsecticide saved more than 30% loss of weight in Bengal gram stored for 6 months. The storage quality of legumes, accessed as percentage of grains with holes and percentage of grains with eggs after storage duration of six months was within the acceptable values. The practice saved a value of `3242/t on stored Bengal gram in Jute bag and `206 in WPP bag respectively. Thus incorporation of azadirachtin could be potential tool for effective post-harvest storage of legumes in a sustainable manner.

Changes in quality properties of anthocyanin, protein and amylose contents in colored rice grains during storage

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the world’s most important cereal crop and is in great demand to supply stable food for over half of the worldwide population, particularly in Asia countries. Aside from nutritional value, pigmented rice is being considered a promising source of antioxidant molecules and bioactive compositions, which increasingly received much attention from researchers and food producers around the world. This study aims to determine the quality modification of “Cam”, a colored - paddy rice under the different storage conditions. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design and repeated 15 times each with packaging factors including poly amid bag (PA), polypropylene bag (PP), and Jute bag (JB). The variations of anthocyanin, protein and amylose contents during storage were determined. The results have revealed that there were no significant changes in “Cam” rice- anthocyanin and protein contents during 3 months of stock for all samples, but a slight decrease of these contents after 6 months of storage and a great decline of those for 9 and 12 month-stored samples. Meanwhile, the rice samples’ amylose content showed a lower decrease, especially for those stored in PA bags during 9 months of stock. As a result attained, this study has found the optimal to store pigmented rice paddy rice at 25°C under the vacuumed-packed PA packaging

Pleurotus ostreatus Cultivation: Physico-Chemical Characteristics of a Robust Pre-Blocks Oyster Mushroom Substrate with Absorptive Starch Binders

An alternative way of preparing a newly robust and low fragility of the Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) cultivation media is needed as this major problem occurred during harvesting and recyclability. Thus, the cultivation of P. ostreatus mushroom in the form of robust blocks bound together with starch using different tapioca flour binder concentration of 5%, 10% and 25% (w/v) was evaluated for cultivation method development. How mushroom block binder material affects the biological efficiency (BE) and its vegetative growth on newly robust media were identified. The optimized composition of the conventional mushroom substrate has been prepared as a benchmark with the ratio of 100: 10: 1 to residual sawdust, agricultural rice bran and agricultural lime prior to binder mixing. Mushroom BE from bag cultivation methods had been used as a control, which produced lower BE (13%, w/w) than the blocks with a binder (ranging from 18 to 29%, w/w) (p<0.05). The mushroom block with a concentration of 25% (w/v) tapioca flour was found to have a higher bulk density with an average value of 0.87 g/cm3 as compared to the mushroom blocks of 10% (w/v) and 5% (w/v) tapioca flour (p<0.05). The highest water absorption was obtained in the block with 5% (w/v) tapioca flour with a value of 300.18% (w/w) on a dry basis. In terms of compressive strength, the substrate of the mushroom block from 25% (w/v) tapioca flour had the highest value with 0.022 N/mm2. The pH value of the substrate before seeding was between 8 and 9 whereas post-seeding value was measured at 4 to 6. The physico-chemical analysis of density, water absorption, compressive strength test, pH and colour values exhibited a good and ideal micro-environment growth of the mushroom. Some nutritional deficiencies in the pre-blocks were observed through imperatively acceptable as compared to the compressed substrate in polypropylene bags (PP). The pre-block formulations with 5% (w/v) and 25% (w/v) tapioca flour conceive good potential and potency in producing high BE of P. ostreatus without compromising its nutritional health benefits.

Hermetic Bags Help Afghan Rural Women Preserve Wheat Flour during Winter.

Simple SummaryAfghan women face enormous challenges storing wheat flour during the winter due to high relative humidity and insect pests. These challenges result in poor-quality baking wheat flour. We conducted an experiment in Herat province, Afghanistan, to assess whether hermetic bags would preserve wheat flour during the wintertime when relative humidity is high. Forty women from two districts participated in this experiment. Each woman stored 25 kg of wheat flour in a Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag and a polypropylene (PP) woven bag. The results showed that the moisture content, color, and baking properties of wheat flour stored in PICS bags for six months did not change. No insects were observed in wheat flour stored in PICS bags. However, wheat flour stored in PP bags had high moisture content and insect pests. The price of wheat flour stored in PICS bags increased over time, and that stored in PP bags decreased. Hermetic bags can be used to safely store wheat flour for six months in areas with high relative humidity conditions. Storing wheat flour in hermetic bags would help improve food security for millions of wheat consumers in developing countries.On-farm preservation of wheat flour is a challenge due to insect pests and high relative humidity. This experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of hermetic bags in preserving wheat flour stored by women during the wintertime when relative humidity is high. Forty women (households) from two districts in Herat province, Afghanistan, stored their wheat flour for 6 months. Each woman stored 25 kg of wheat flour in a Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag and a polypropylene (PP) woven bag. Moisture content, insect population, flour color, bread taste, and profitability of storage were assessed. Moisture content and insect population significantly increased in PP bags after six months of storage, while no changes were observed in PICS bags. There was a significant negative correlation between wheat flour color and moisture content (r = −70.7, p < 0.001) and insect population (r = −79.9, p < 0.001). Wheat flour stored in PICS bags for 6 months retained its color and produced better bread than that stored in PP bags. Storing wheat flour in PICS bags for six months showed a return on investments (ROI) of +16.9% against −33% for the PP bag. Farm households and other wheat value chain actors can safely store wheat flour in hermetic bags for up to six months under high relative humidity conditions. This would help improve food security for millions of wheat consumers in developing countries.