Evaluate the Effect of Different Packaging Materials on the Shelf Life and Quality of Banana Fruit

The experiment was carried out to determine the impact of shelf life on banana cv. grand naine under various packing materials during storage for the current study in the Department of Horticulture lab at ITMU from October to December 2022. In this experiment, low-density polybags and black newspaper bags were employed as packing materials. paper bag, cardboard gunny bag high-density polybag white paddy straw with banana leaves Banana samples were taken at intervals of four days after each treatment to test a range of biological and physical traits, including pH, physiological weight, and peel colour. As these values were given for the analyses of variance and ANNOVA, the treatment group showed the greatest physiological weight reduction as compared to the control group; however, the Treatment T6 high-density white polybag showed the lowest physiological weight loss and the most appealing colour. is recorded in the treatment T6 high-density white polybag, whereas the peel's least yellow hue is observed throughout treatment to regulate the highest total soluble solid brix value was recorded in Treatment T1 low-density black polybag, and the minimum values recorded for these parameters are found in Treatment T0 control, while the maximum ph value was recorded in Treatment T7 banana leaf and the minimum ph value was noted in Treatment T0 control. According to the observational data, the banana fruit's pH rose as it ripened, further from the present experimental findings. The best packaging material suitable for the enhancement of shelf life and maintenance of visual appearance and quality for bananas is low-density black polythene Treatment T1.

SunSync Innovation: Empowering Traditional Solar Flat Plate Collectors with Autonomous Sun-Tracking for Tea Leaf Drying

Aim: This research focused on post-harvest technology for preserving tea leaves. The research introduces an innovative approach by incorporating an autonomous solar tracker into a flat plate solar collector, strategically optimizing its orientation towards the sun. The solar tracker, a low-cost and fully automatic prototype, plays a pivotal role in maximizing incident solar rays, thereby enhancing the overall energy absorption efficiency of the system at the same time increasing the quality of dried tea leaves.Methodology: The investigation delves into the realm of indirect solar drying methodologies, with a specific focus on the Sun-Tracking Solar Dryer (STSD). This sophisticated apparatus, engineered through the integration of light-dependent resistors, a wiper DC motor with gearbox, and a microcontroller, was developed within the confines of the Agricultural and Food Engineering department at IIT Kharagpur. Subsequent to its development, the study entails a comparative analysis wherein the position of the absorber in the dryer, as ascertained by the developed prototype, is juxtaposed with the ideal position requisite for optimal solar light incidence. Moreover, an examination of the dried tea leaves produced by the prototype is conducted, involving a comprehensive comparison with those dried using the conventional open sun drying method.Results: The instantiated prototype demonstrated commendable efficacy in aligning with the ideal position, exhibiting an average deviation of 3.25 degrees. Facilitated by this prototype, the attainment of the targeted moisture content in tea leaves was expedited, culminating 2 hours earlier than the conventional open sun drying method. The resultant dried product manifested a water activity of 0.531 and a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 73.53%, both registering a reduction in comparison to the open sun drying counterpart. Concurrently, the total phenolic content exhibited an increment of 11.48% when contrasted with the open sun drying process.Conclusion: The affordably developed prototype demonstrated exceptional capabilities in sun tracking, showcasing the promising potential for augmenting the efficiency of conventional flat plate solar collectors. Additionally, its performance in preserving the quality attributes of dried tea leaves was commendable.

Status of Herbal Drugs in Cardiovascular Research: A Review.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute a leading cause of mortality. Heart disease in India occurs 10 to 15 years earlier than in the west. One fifth of the deaths in India are from coronary heart disease (CHD). The global burden of disease due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is escalating, principally due to a sharp rise in the developing countries which are experiencing rapid health transition. More than 2000 plants have been listed in the Traditional (Herbal/Alternative) systems of medicine and some of these are providing comprehensive relief to the people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, specially “hyperlipidemia” and “ischemic heart disease”. WHO reports indicate that around eighty percent of the global population still relies on botanical drugs and several herbal medicines have advanced to clinical use in modern times. This review work explains chemical and pharmacological status of various cardioprotective plants including phytoconstituents responsible for cardioprotection, pharmacological screening model and mechanism involved in cardioprotection.

Breath carbon monoxide concentration in Cigarette and Bidi smokers in India.

Objective. To measure and compare the breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels in cigarette and bidi smokers in India. Methods. Breath CO was measured in 389 smokers (241 cigarette smokers,148 bidi smokers) using portable breath CO analyser (Bedfont-England, Smokelyzer). Tobacco contents and length of single stick of different brands of cigarette and bidi were also measured. Results. Their mean age was 38.7±13.4 years. The average duration of smoking was 18.2±13.0 years. Average breath CO levels were 15.6±7.0 ppm in smokers and 4.07±1.16 ppm in non-smokers. Average breath CO level was significantly higher in bidi smokers (18.9±7.7 ppm) compared to cigarette smokers (13.6±5.8 ppm) when total consumption of cigarette/bidi was more than five pack-years (p=0.002). Average tobacco weight of bidi (216.8mg) was significantly less than cigarette (696mg). Conclusions. Bidi is equally or more harmful than cigarette smoking. One bidi may be considered to one cigarette for calculating “pack-years” of smoking.

Efficacy of dietary protein in alleviating toxicity of monocrotophos in rats.

Monocrotophos administration at intervals induced variable responses in phosphatases, transaminases and aldolase of liver and plasma. Hepato-toxicity was aggravated under protein deficient state. A weak resistance to toxicity was observed in rats on low protein diet (5%). However, animals fed on protein enriched diet (20%) indicated an elevation in tissue defense mechanism and were able to combat toxic stress of monocrotophos, though partially. A higher protein level may prove efficient and significant for alleviating pesticide toxicity.