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Priyanka, U.
- Biodegradable Plastic-A Potential Substitute for Synthetic Polymers
Authors
1 Anil Neerukonda Institute of Technology and Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam A.P., IN
2 University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, IN
Source
Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol 5, No 3 (2014), Pagination: 158-165Abstract
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in biodegradable materials for use in packaging, agriculture, medicine, and other areas. Polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene are largely used in the manufacture of plastics which are not degradable for several hundred years. But the point is that even though they take thousands of years, they are eventually decomposed which means that there exist some microbes which can degrade plastic. If these microbes are genetically manipulated and made to degrade polythene (plastic) at a faster rate, it would be a novel technique to solve the global waste crisis. Example: Streptomyces sps.
While these are various techniques to degrade the synthetic plastics, there are some methods to produce biodegradable polymers which can be easily decomposed by microbes on disposal. These polymers are made out of naturally occurring materials such as starch, cellulose, lactic acid and fiber, extracted from various types of plants. Biopolymers limit carbon dioxide emissions during creation, and degrade to organic matter after disposal but this does not mean that all the biopolymers should be completely biodegradable. However, microbial consumption of polymers is available through addition of hydrophilic type additives onto the surface of the polymer chains. These types of additives are readily available and are used worldwide. For example, Polylactic acid (PLA) is a 100% compostable biopolymer which can fully degrade above 60°C in an industrial composting facility.
Biodegradable plastics are scientifically sound, and a novel idea, but the infrastructure needed to commercially expand their use is still costly, and inconvenient to develop. Time is of the essence for biodegradable polymer development, as society's current views on environmental responsibility make this an ideal time for further growth of biopolymers..
- Quality of Solar Tunnel Dried Amla Segments
Authors
1 University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore, GKVK, Bangalore (Karnataka), IN
2 Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessarghatta, Bangalore (Karnataka), IN
Source
International Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Vol 13, No 1 (2020), Pagination: 74-79Abstract
In this study, Amla segments dried in different drying methods like sun drying and solar tunnel drying and with different pre-treatments like 2 per cent Sodium Chloride and 0.1 per cent Potassium metabisulphite solutions. The treated samples significantly showed variations in some quality parameter of amla segments. The samples dried in solar tunnel dryer gave lower moisture content compared with that of sun dried samples. The lowest water activity were found to be in 2 per cent Sodium Chloride pre-treated amla segments dried in solar tunnel drying. Solar drying of pre-treated amla segments in solar tunnel dryer resulted in 20-30 per cent reduction in drying time as compared to open-air sun drying. The highest rehydration ratio was found to be in 0.1 per cent Potassium metabisulphite treated amla samples. The quality of rehydrated amla segments dried in solar tunnel dryer was superior when compared to amla segments dried in open sun drying method. The highest vitamin C retention was found to be 125.68 (mg/100 g) in untreated amla samples dried in solar tunnel dryer. The quality of rehydrated amla segments dried in solar tunnel dryer was superior when compared to amla segments dried in open sun drying method. The problem of interruption by rain and cloudy period was solved. The samples dried in the solar tunnel dryer were completely protected from rain, insectsand contamination by dust and were of good quality dried product.
Keywords
Solar Tunnel Dryer, Drying, Moisture Content, Amla Segments, QualityReferences
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