Physicochemical Evaluation of Coated Ginger during Long-Term Storage: Impact of Chitosan and Beeswax Bilayer Coatings at Different Temperatures.

Fresh ginger can spoil quickly owing to a variety of factors, including inappropriate postharvest handling, microbial and enzymatic activities, and chemical reactions during storage. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of ginger coated with chitosan and beeswax during storage for 6 months at different temperatures (18°C and 25°C). Fresh ginger was treated with chitosan coating (1.5 and 3.5%), followed by beeswax coating (3 and 6%). The coated ginger was wrapped in a plastic net and stored at ambient (25°C) and low temperatures (18°C) for six months. The results confirmed that coating treatment slowed down the changes in physicochemical properties (moisture, phenolic content, and so on) of ginger during storage. Ginger stored at 25°C showed shorter shelf lives than those stored at 18°C. Coating ginger with 3% chitosan followed by 6% beeswax exhibited the best results in maintaining the moisture and phenolic content, reducing weight loss, and increasing total soluble solid (TSS) and cell compartment size for six months of storage. This study provides a promising approach to delaying the spoilage of fresh ginger by applying coating treatments useful for developing handling protocols for fresh ginger during storage and distribution.

Steaming Maintains Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, and Proximate Content in Snack Bar Products from Cocoa Beans.

Chocolate products on the market are generally in the form of chocolate bars as snacks made from cocoa powder. Fat and powder are separated first through a pressing process to obtain the cocoa powder. Cocoa powder loses most of its fat content during processing. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the effect of steaming time on the cocoa bean content of fatty acids, free fatty acids, proximate levels, and antioxidant activity of snack bar products made from steamed cocoa beans. Seven steaming time intervals for cocoa beans were studied. The results showed that a longer steaming time affects the fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and proximate in cocoa beans. Steaming time treatment at 45 minutes increased oleic acid, palmitic acid, and antioxidant activity. In addition, reducing free fatty acids represents a quality improvement that meets international Codex Alimentarius standards, offering a competitive advantage in the market. The food industry can adopt this steaming technique to develop snack bars and new products that are healthier and more sustainable by using steaming as an effective processing method in maintaining and increasing the nutritional value of products.

The Flow Rate of the Condenser Cooling Water in the Distillation Process Increases the Quality and Quantity of Patchouli Oil.

Indonesia is an important essential oil-exporting country globally, where 40 types of essential oils have been traded on the international market and are products of Indonesia. However, the quality and quantity of patchouli oil produced in Indonesia are still low. Most essential oil processing units use simple or traditional technology and generally have limited production capacity. This study aimed to obtain the optimum water flow rate in a condenser system for patchouli oil production in Maluku, Indonesia. Patchouli oil extraction from fresh patchouli leaves and twigs was carried out by increasing the condenser water discharge rate. Patchouli oil extraction with a condenser cooling water discharge treatment of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days produced the highest patchouli oil yield of 1.4%. The greater the condenser water discharge rate, the better the yield and accumulation of patchouli oil recovery obtained. In addition, based on the results of the analysis of the composition of patchouli oil compounds with GCMS, it can be seen that 13 compounds can be detected in patchouli oil. The three main components of patchouli oil in all condenser cooling water treatments were alpha-guaiene, delta-guaiene, and patchouli alcohol. Considering the results of all parameters mentioned above, the treatment of the condenser cooling water discharge of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days increases the quality and quantity of patchouli oil.

Increasing the Vase Life of Chrysanthemum Cut Flowers by Using Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles.

Cut flowers are horticultural products that have great potential to be developed. Efforts to maintain quality and extend the shelf life of cut flowers are very important to obtain a product that is accepted in the market. The main problems of chrysanthemum cut flowers are the leaves easily turning yellow, wilting, and failure to fully open flowers. This study aimed to obtain the best pulsing solution formulation that increases vase life and maintains the freshness of chrysanthemum cut flowers. Pulsing solution treatment was carried out on chrysanthemum cut flowers during the evaluation period. Pulsing solution treatment consisted of control, AgNO3, nano-Ag (NAg), ZnO, and nano-Zn (NZn). The results showed that NAg20 treatment increased the vase life of chrysanthemum cut flowers up to 23 days, which was 19 days longer than the control. Nano-Ag inhibits bacterial growth, flower wilting, color degradation, and carotenoids. In addition, nano-Ag increased the size of the bloom-flower diameter. Considering the results of all postharvest quality parameters mentioned above, NAg20 extends the vase life of chrysanthemum cut flowers.

Association of Blood Alcohol and Alcohol Use Disorders with Emergency Department Disposition of Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma patients who present to the emergency department (ED) intoxicated or with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) undergo more procedures and have an increased risk of developing complications. However, how AUD and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) impact a trauma patient's disposition from the ED remains inconclusive. In this study we aimed to identify the associations between positive BAC or an AUD with admission to the hospital, including the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This was a retrospective study analyzing data from 2010-2018 at a university-based, Level I trauma ED. Included in the study were 4,699 adult trauma patients who completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and had blood alcohol content test results. RESULTS: Positive BAC was associated with hospital admission and ICU admission after adjusting for injury severity score (ISS) (odds ratio 1.5 and 1.3, respectively). The AUDIT was only correlated with hospital and ICU admission in patients with ISS of 1 to 15. By increasing risk of AUD (low, moderate, high, and likely alcohol dependent) the proportion of ICU admissions rose from 29.3% to 37.3%, 40.0% and 42.0% (P <0.01). The results did not change significantly by adjustment for the age of patients. CONCLUSION: BAC is associated with increasing ED disposition to the hospital or ICU. Furthermore, self-reported alcohol use was associated with an increased risk of hospital or ICU admission in patients with minor or moderate injuries. Further studies to determine viable options to decrease admission rates in these patients are warranted.

Ecosystem-based fisheries management and the precautionary approach in the Indian Ocean regional fisheries management organisations.

The Indian Ocean hosts a wide range of living resources including fish stocks. Marine resources contribute significantly to economies and livelihoods, and seafood is a major source of protein in Indian Ocean nations. Fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean have started showing symptoms of depletion. Several regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) have been established for sustainable management of the fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean region. These RFMOs were created at different times with various particular mandates, and in some cases prior to the emergence of contemporary scientific concepts and legal approaches to marine environmental governance. In this article, eight such RFMOs are studied to determine the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and the precautionary approach (PA), which are now widely accepted norms of fisheries management and international law. This article argues that there is a mismatch between the legal and governance frameworks, and the fisheries science and management.

Asthma related admissions to RIPAS Hospital over a six-month period

Introduction: Data on asthma remain scarce in our local setting. This study looked at asthma related admissions to RIPAS Hospital, in particular the aetiologies and the differences between short and long-stayers. Material and Methods: Patients admitted over a six months period (January to June 2008) were identified through the ward registries and the case notes were retrospectively reviewed. 2.9% (80/2,762) admissions to the medical wards were registered as asthma related admissions. Of the 80 cases identified, 72 notes were available for review. Results: The mean age was 39.5 ± 17.4 years old and males accounted for 34.7%. 19.4% were current/ex-smokers, 50% had other co-morbid conditions, 80.6% had previous accident and emergency attendances, 54.2% had previous hospital admissions and 6.9% had previous intensive care admissions. The median and mean duration of hospital stay were four days (range, 1 to 15) and 4.9 ± 2.7 days respectively. The aetiologies for admissions consisted of infective (58.3%), non-infective exacerbations (18.1%) or both (23.6%) with hospital stays of 4.5 ± 2.4, 4.1 ± 2.7 and 6.6 ± 3.2 days respectively. Long-stayers (more than four days) were associated with older age, more co-morbid conditions, previous hospital admissions and dual aetiologies for exacerbations. Intensive care unit admission was required in 6.9%. There was no death recorded. Conclusions: Asthma related admissions only accounted for a small proportion of medical admissions with predominantly infective aetiology. Older age, dual aetiologies, more co-morbidities and previous hospital admissions were associated with longer hospital stay.