This study evaluated the impact of rice bran storage duration on broiler chicken growth performance and meat quality. Ninety-six male Cobb 500 chicks were randomly assigned to four groups, each receiving one of four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: a control corn-soy diet or diets containing rice bran stored for less than 24 hours, 1 week, or 30 days. Growth performance was monitored, and after 30 days, carcass traits, digestive organ measurements, and meat quality parameters were assessed. Diets containing rice bran stored for 1 week and 30 days exhibited elevated Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, indicating increased lipid oxidation. Notably, broilers fed rice bran stored for 30 days showed reduced (P<0.05) final body weight, weight gain, and feed intake, along with a higher feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. This diet also led to increased relative weights and lengths of digestive tract organs and higher meat TBARS values. However, other meat quality characteristics, including cooking loss, drip loss, water holding capacity, pH, and color, remained unaffected by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, incorporating rice bran stored for 30 days into broiler diets can negatively influence growth performance and meat TBARS values.
Potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) from natural and anthropogenic sources, particularly in agriculture, may accumulate in soils and enter the food chain, posing health risks. Only a portion of these elements is bioavailable for plant uptake, which is strongly influenced by soil properties. This study quantified bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) to assess the uptake of Cd, Pb, As, Cu, and Zn by different vegetables, identified the soil properties influencing the bioavailability and accumulation, and evaluated whether Mehlich 3 extractable PTEs concentrations could serve as indicators of plant-available PTEs. Surface soil (0-15 cm) and corresponding vegetables were collected from two different cropping systems and soil types: vegetable-only Ultisol (Nuwara Eliya) and coarse-textured Entisol (Kalpitiya), and vegetable paddy rotation Ultisol (Badulla). PTE concentrations in soil and vegetables were measured using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. Total concentrations (mg/kg) of Cd (0.88), Pb (15), As (14.6), Cu (53.5), and Zn (136.7), Mehlich 3 extractable Cd (0.245), Pb (3.6), Cu (5.55), and Zn (19.1) were higher in Ultisol in Nuwara Eliya, while the highest As (0.245) concentration was observed in the Entisol of Kalpitiya. Elevated BAF values were observed for Cd (0.53) in carrots, Zn (0.64) in beetroot from Nuwara Eliya, and Zn in carrots (0.75), beetroot (1.69), cabbages (0.67), beans (0.97), and red onions (0.68) in Badulla, and Zn in beetroots (2.7) and red onions (4.22), Cu in beetroots (0.50), and red onions (1.13), and Cd in red onions (0.79), from Kalpitiya showing the highest accumulation. BAFs of Pb (0.01-0.06) and As (0.01 -0.08) relative to low across three locations. Soils in Kalpitiya contained very low organic carbon (<2%) and clay (<3%), while soils from Nuwara Eliya and Badulla had higher organic carbon (>2%) and clay (>20%). Higher organic carbon and clay levels reduced the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs).
In this study, freeze drying and spray drying were evaluated as techniques for encapsulating the volatile compounds in the steam distillate of black tea. A mixture of carrier materials was prepared by dissolving 0.1 g of gum arabic and 9.9 g of maltodextrin in warm water, then mixing it with 1 L of steam distillate of black tea. The prepared mixture was divided into two portions: one portion was freeze-dried, and the other was spray-dried to produce encapsulated black tea aroma powders. The sensory properties of the freeze-dried black tea aroma powder (FD-BTA) and spray-dried black tea aroma powder (SD-BTA) were assessed using a pairwise comparison test with thirty semi-trained panellists. Aroma profiles of FD-BTA and SD-BTA were analysed by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector techniques. The results indicated that FD-BTA had superior sensory properties compared to SD-BTA and contained 17 key volatile compounds, whereas SD-BTA contained only 8 compounds. FD-BTA retained high concentrations of tea aroma available in steam distillate, including linalool (262.64±33.88 mg/L) and methyl salicylate (190.02±28.58 mg/L). The encapsulation efficiencies of key black tea aroma compounds were significantly higher with freeze drying (linalool- 61.89±5.64%, methyl salicylate- 23.59±3.02%, geraniol- 39.45±6.92%, and β-ionone- 29.86±4.50%) than with spray drying (linalool- 4.93±0.25%, methyl salicylate- 0.70±0.10%, geraniol- 13.78±2.41%, and β-ionone- 13.86±1.88%). Overall, freeze drying was found to be more effective than spray drying for encapsulating aroma compounds in black tea steam distillate.
A four-season field experiment was conducted for rice variety At 362 from the 2023 Yala season to the 2024/25 Maha season in the low-country dry zone of Sri Lanka, to examine the effects of single application of rice husk biochar and seasonal urea applications on grain nutritional and morphometric traits of rice. Grain amylose, iron (Fe) and ash percentages, antioxidant capacity, grain width, grain length, length-to-width ratio, grain thickness, equivalent diameter, grain volume, grain surface area and grain sphericity were measured. Four biochar rates (0, 1, 2, and 3 t/ha) and the recommended rate of partially burnt paddy husk (625 kg/ha), along with four urea levels (0, 67.5, 157.5 and 225 kg/ha), were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. The analysis of variance showed that rice husk biochar had a significant effect on all measured parameters across the four seasons. The application of urea also had a strong impact on some parameters such as antioxidant capacity, Fe content, grain volume, grain length and grain length-to-width ratio, although it did not always significantly affect on other measured parameters. Seasonal variation significantly influenced all measured parameters. Regarding interactions, the biochar × urea and urea × season effects were not significant, while the biochar × season interaction was significant for ash and Fe, indicating that the effect of biochar varied across seasons. The three-way interaction (biochar × urea × season) was not significant for any parameter. Dunnett’s test results indicated that most traits were significantly improved at higher levels of rice husk biochar compared to the partially burnt paddy husk treatment, except for antioxidant capacity. Overall, 3 t/ha of rice husk biochar combined with recommended urea level performed better than recommended rate of partially burnt paddy husk in enhancing and maintaining grain nutritional and morphometric traits over four seasons under low-country dry zone conditions in Sri Lanka.
Duckweed, a largely underexploited aquatic plant from the family Lemnaceae, is notable for its high protein content, encompassing all essential amino acids, and its abundance of micronutrients. This study explored the feasibility of incorporating duckweed powder into cookie formulations. Based on preliminary investigations, Lemna perpusilla and Spirodela polyrhiza were selected for the production of duckweed powder, which was subsequently assessed for its physicochemical, nutritional, and functional characteristics. Four cookie formulations were then prepared by substituting wheat flour with duckweed powder at levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, alongside a control sample composed entirely of wheat flour. Sensory evaluation was performed using a 9-point hedonic test with 40 semi-trained panelists and identified the most preferred cookie, which was further assessed. According to proximate analysis, the selected cookie showed significant differences (p<0.05) from the control, with higher crude protein 12.25±0.02%, crude fat 21.45±0.03%, crude fiber 10.25±0.03%, crude ash 3.76±0.04%, and digestible carbohydrate 47.23±0.10%. The cookie provided 430.98±0.05 kcal/100g, with 22.43±0.04% sugar, 0.74±0.02% salt, and 1.64±0.03% total dietary fiber. Mineral content was significantly higher (p<0.05). Functional properties such as total phenolic content (1.62±0.03 mgGAE/g), flavonoid content (282.05±0.01 mgCAT/g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (212.36±1.20 mM TE/g), and α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ 2.26±0.02 (μg/mL) were also high (p<0.05). Microbial levels remained within safe limits for one month, and all chemical and safety standards were met. The findings suggest that duckweed powder can serve as an effective partial replacement for wheat flour, enhancing both the nutritional profile and functional characteristics of cookie formulations.
