Tag Archives: shelf-life

40-55 D.A. Balogun, M.A. Oke, L. Rocha-Meneses, O B. Fawole and P.F. Omojasola
Phosphate solubilization potential of indigenous rhizosphere fungi and their biofertilizer formulations
Abstract |
Full text PDF (665 KB)

Phosphate solubilization potential of indigenous rhizosphere fungi and their biofertilizer formulations

D.A. Balogun¹², M.A. Oke³, L. Rocha-Meneses⁴⁵, O B. Fawole⁶ and P.F. Omojasola¹*

¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria
²Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, 1489 Ibadan, Nigeria
³Independent Researcher, Edmonton, AB, Canada. T5X 0H2.
⁴Biomass & Bioenergy Research Group, Center for Sustainable Energy and Power Systems Research, Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
⁵Institute of Technology, Chair of Biosystems Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
⁶Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria
*Correspondence: jasola@unilorin.edu.ng

Abstract:

The harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on soil, plants, and eco-systems have stimulated the growth of the global biofertilizer market. However, biofertilizer use remains limited in developing countries due to inadequate research and poor technology. The use of readily available materials for biofertilizer production can be a good starting point. This study aimed to investigate phosphate-solubilizing potentials of soil fungi and the shelf-life of their biofertilizer formulations using sawdust and charcoal as carriers. Soil samples from the rhizosphere were cultured on Pikovskaya (PVK) agar, and the best phosphate solubilizers (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus) were screened for their phosphate-solubilization potentials on solid medium. Results obtained showed that A. niger had the highest solubilization index of 1.72, followed by A. fumigatus, and A. flavus with a solubilization index of 1.01 and 0.95, respectively. Optimization studies showed that after 5 days of incubation, A. niger, A. flavus and A. fumigatus solubilized 149, 112 and 126 mg L-1 of phosphate, respectively. These values increased to 549 mg L-1 on day 11 for A. niger, 379 mg L-1 on day 9 for A. flavus and 430 mg L-1 on day 9 for A. fumigatus. Furthermore, A. fumigatus and A. flavus proved to be better inoculants than A. niger as they maintained higher CFU g-1 counts throughout the experiment. Also, sawdust supported higher counts of the three inoculants than charcoal and was thus the best carrier. The findings demonstrated that these aspergilli can be harnessed for improving soil fertility and plant development.

Key words:

, , , , , ,



1763-1771 S. Heikkilä, K. Sirviö, C. Nuortila and S. Niemi
Storage stability of rapeseed methyl ester stored in a sealed barrel for seven years
Abstract |
Full text PDF (173 KB)

Storage stability of rapeseed methyl ester stored in a sealed barrel for seven years

S. Heikkilä*, K. Sirviö, C. Nuortila and S. Niemi

University of Vaasa, School of Technology and Innovations, P.O. Box 700, FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland
*Correspondence: sonja.heikkila@univaasa.fi

Abstract:

Storage stability is one of the main quality parameters related to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) biofuels. The deterioration of biofuels´ properties during storage is a more serious issue than with conventional fuels. In particular, lengthy storage threatens the oxidative stability of FAME fuels because factors such as the presence of air, elevated temperatures or presence of metals promote the oxidation process. Consequently, the acceptable storage time for FAME fuels is generally regarded to be regrettably short, at no more than six to12 months. However, storage conditions play an important role in determining actual storage stability. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate any deterioration in the quality of rapeseed methyl ester (RME) fuel that has been stored for as long as seven years in adequate storage conditions. The fuel was stored in the dark, contained in a sealed steel barrel in an insulated shipping container outdoors. The temperature of the container varied with seasonal fluctuation, but the fuel never froze during storage. The study analysed six key fuel properties of the RME: ester content; water content; density; kinematic viscosity; oxidation stability index; and acid number. The analyses were conducted immediately after opening the barrel, and again after two months of storage in a laboratory. The results were compared to those measured for the fresh fuel, seven years earlier. The comparison of the results indicate that the fuel quality had suffered no serious deterioration during the seven-year period.

Key words:

, , ,



1944–1955 J.-S. Lee, U.K. Nath, G. Goswami and I.S. Nou
Assessment of different growing conditions for enhanced postharvest quality and shelf-life of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Abstract |
Full text PDF (447 KB)

Assessment of different growing conditions for enhanced postharvest quality and shelf-life of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

J.-S. Lee¹, U.K. Nath², G. Goswami² and I.S. Nou²*

¹National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, KR55365 Wanju, South Korea
²Department of Horticulture, Sunchon National University, 225 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, KR57922 Jeonnam, South Korea
*Correspondence: nis@sunchon.ac.kr

Abstract:

Lettuce is the most important leafy vegetable. It is exclusively used as freshly raw form but sometime also as cooked. However, its quality depends on several pre- and postharvest factors. The effects of growing conditions and cultivars on the postharvest quality of leaf lettuce were investigated. In this experiment the interaction of variable factor; like growing conditions and fixed factor; cultivars are also observed. The leaf lettuce cultivars ‘Cheongchima’, ‘Cheongchuckmyeon’, ‘Geockchima’ and ‘Geockchuckmyeon’ were grown under favourable (natural condition) and unfavorable growing condition (with excess soil water and 50% shading) to evaluate their shelf-life and postharvest qualities. Plant height and the number of leaves were significantly varied in different growing conditions and by cultivars. In addition, fresh weight was affected by only growing condition, whereas leaf thickness was influenced by cultivars, growing conditions and the cultivars influenced the degree of fresh weight loss and respiration rate during postharvest storage. However, the postharvest storage qualities differed with cultivars and in combination with growing conditions. Leaf thickness and quality of leaf lettuce before and after harvest were also varied by cultivars and growing conditions. It could be concluded that postharvest leaf lettuce quality remains acceptable when growing under excess soil water with 50% shading.

Key words:

, , ,