Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal

This study presents an innovative approach to intelligent packaging through the development of a cellulose-based colorimetric freshness indicator label by immobilizing bromothymol blue (BTB) and methyl red (MR) chromophores onto cellulose filter paper, leveraging their pH-sensitive properties for real-time monitoring of white button mushroom quality. The BTB/MR solution exhibited a distinct colour transition from pink-orange (acidic pH) to yellow-green (alkaline pH) within the pH range of 2-10, confirming its high sensitivity to pH variations. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the porous microstructure of the cellulose matrix, verifying successful physical adsorption of dyes without chemical alteration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified hydrogen bonding as the principal mechanism for dye immobilization, while x-ray diffraction analysis showed a marginal reduction in crystallinity. Importantly, mechanical testing confirmed that the tensile strength of the cellulose matrix remained unaffected by the dye incorporation. The indicator was applied to fresh mushrooms stored in biodegradable trays at 4 +/- 1 degrees C. Performance evaluation included colorimetric response, physicochemical analysis, volatile organic compound profiling and principal component analysis (PCA). The indicator effectively classified freshness into the following three stages: fresh (Days 1-4), still fresh (Days 6-8) and spoiled (Day 10), with visually perceptible colour changes aligning with mushroom quality parameters. Total plate count (r = 0.989, p < 0.01) showed the strongest correlation with the indicator's response. PCA validated distinct clustering corresponding to freshness stages. This cellulose-based freshness indicator offers a sustainable, nondestructive and real-time solution for postharvest quality monitoring, demonstrating its applicability in intelligent packaging systems.

This study presents a novel investigation of the kinetics involved in the thermo-kinetic conversion of rice husk (RH) using the Coates-Redfern method, which provides mechanistic insights beyond traditional isoconversional approaches. The energy requirements and decomposition behavior of RH were analyzed via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally, activated porous carbon was synthesized from RH via thermochemical pyrolysis using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent. The effects of residence temperature on the structure and chemical properties of activated carbon were thoroughly evaluated. The adsorption performance was evaluated using iodine number and methylene blue tests, while TGA and BET analyses shed light on the conversion from raw biomass to porous carbon. The highest surface area (767.95 m(2)/g) was obtained at 700 degrees C with a holding time of 60 min. Kinetic modeling indicated that the diffusion-controlled solid-state reaction model best described the process, with regression coefficients (R-2 > 0.96) and activation energies ranging between 115 and 148 kJ/mol (region I) and 31-62 kJ/mol (region II). The findings demonstrate that high-surface-area activated carbon effectively produced via catalytic activation, and the kinetic validation is supported by the Coates-Redfern approach.

Raised bed planting offers numerous benefits on soil health, drainage, water savings, and improved economic and energy use efficiency. The dimension of raised bed especially top width vary for different crops according to specific growth habits, space need, and irrigation requirement of the crop, which require specialized bed former suitable for multiple crops. Considering these views in mind, the present study was undertaken on development and performance evaluation of variable width raised bed former under soil bin and field conditions. The soil bin experiments were conducted according to factorial completely randomized design with three replications to examine the effect of soil moisture content (11, 13 and 15

Effective fertigation management through automation is crucial for enhancing yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under soilless cultivation. This study evaluated weight-based fertigation strategies for automated fertigation control in cucumber and capsicum crops grown in coco-peat grow bags under semi-controlled greenhouse conditions. Four fertigation strategies were investigated based on weight change criteria: T1- 100

Starch-based bio plastics, due to their abundance, recyclability, and biodegradability, offer a promising alternative to conventional petrochemical-based plastics. Additives significantly influences the functionality of bioplastics. This study investigates the effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at varying concentrations on banana starch-based bioplastic films, using glycerol as a plasticizer. CMC-based films exhibited higher L* values and thickness (0.51-1.55 mm) compared to PVA films. Due to hydrophilicity, CMC films demonstrated 2-3 times greater solubility (17-23 %) and water absorption (75.29 %). Moisture-rich films, C3 and PC2:1, showed the highest WVTR values of 25.73 and 24.10 g/m2/day, respectively, while PVA-rich films (1-1.5 %) had lower WVTR. Increasing CMC concentration reduced OTR values (2.59-3.58 cm3/m2/day) compared to PVA (4.19-5.23 cm3/m2/day). PVA enhanced transparency and smoother morphology, while CMC imparted texture and fibrous structures. Gloss values ranged from 9.82 (P1) to 40.88 (PC2:1), with CMC films exhibiting 3-4 times higher gloss. Tensile strengths varied from 8.34 MPa (C1) to 24.73 MPa (C2), highlighting CMC's mechanical enhancement, while P1 achieved the highest elongation of 90.23 %. FTIR spectra confirmed banana starch matrices, and CMC's crystalline nature at 2 theta = 23 degrees reduced polarity and crystallinity, influencing water absorption. These insights support designing banana starch-based bioplastics for a sustainable future.