Disinfection of milk by a novel UV reactor based on Taylor-Couette vortex flow was evaluated as part of an effort to develop non-thermal processing technology for pasteurizing milk. By using Bacillus subtilis endospores and bacteriophages as model microbes, it was demonstrated that level of inactivation was dependent on the flow-pattern of the milk passing through …
Tag Archive: Agricultural
Mar
13
Evaluation of different techniques for microstructural characterization of deep-fat fried foods
This study investigated the use of different techniques in evaluating the microstructural characteristics of deep-fat fried chicken nuggets, and considered the effect of frying conditions and batter formulation. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to obtain porosity, pore size distribution and pore shape for freeze dried deep-fat fried chicken nuggets batter coating. Porosity was found to …
Mar
12
On the role of rice constituents toward cooked rice texture and rice flour pasting properties
Rice is usually harvested once a year and often stored before processing and consumption. Several changes usually occur in rice physicochemical properties during this period that affect its final quality characteristics. Although an extensive literature exists concerning these changes, the effects of major rice constituents, namely proteins, starch, and lipids on rice quality are not …
Mar
12
Assessment of Precision Technologies for Accurate Delivery of Crop Inputs
At the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center TVREC), Belle Mina, Alabama, Global Positioning System GPS)-assisted machine guidance and subsurface-drip irrigation SDI) have been implemented to study precision agriculture practices. Crop yield can be adversely affected if 1) not planted optimally relative to SDI product placement, or 2) the SDI system performance has degraded. Recent …
Mar
08
The application of molecular vibrational spectroscopy to determine selective bioactive compounds, total antioxidant activity and the antimicrobial effect of onion (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum)
Analysis of bioactive and antimicrobial components in vegetables and fruits is an important area of food analysis. Fourier transform infrared FT-IR) spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman scattering SERS) spectroscopy are useful tools for analysis of biological materials, and in this study, the type and activity of selected bioactive compounds in onions and garlics were predicted …
Mar
08
The performance of a solar air pre-heater system for the ventilation of two commercial poultry barns
Energy is one of the biggest concerns of today’s society, because of the rapid depletion of the world’s fossil fuel reserves. Efficient energy technologies and renewable energy sources must therefore be developed and implemented. With a 5% share of the total energy consumption, agriculture can benefit from such developments. To preheat cold and fresh ventilation …
Mar
07
Modeling runoff pollutant dynamics through vegetative filter strips: A flexible numerical approach
Methods to estimate surface runoff pollutant removal using vegetative filter strips usually consider a limited number of factors i.e. filter length, slope) and are in general based on empirical relationships. When an empirical approach is used, the application of the model is limited to those conditions of the data used for the regression equations. The …
Mar
06
Investigation on factors influencing ultrasound-assisted surface decontamination of fresh and fresh-cut vegetables
Although strict practices for controlling the safety of leafy green produce have been implemented in the produce industry, current commercial operations rely on a wash treatment with an antimicrobial agent as the only step for reducing microbial populations on fresh produce. In this study, a systematic approach, starting from understanding the interactions among acoustic energy, …
Mar
04
Corn stover densification using an auger compactor
Biomass densification is a necessary process for the bio-energy industry. Densities of 224 – 256.3 kg/m3 are needed to minimize transportation costs. Experiments on corn stover densification were completed using an auger compactor. The compaction pressure in the collection tube was varied to establish the pressure’s relationship with density and specific energy. Constrained densities of …
Mar
04
Availability, efficiency, and fate of alternative nitrogen sources in seepage irrigated potato production
Vegetable crop production in the Tri-County Agricultural Area TCAA) consisted of approximately 11330 ha irrigated vegetable cropland predominated by cabbage 2n＝18； Brassica oleracea L.) and potato 2n＝48； Solanum tuberosum L.) crops. The current nutrient losses associated with agriculture system are due to combined factors such as sandy soils, perched water tables, and unpredictable rainfall. Also, …