Search

The search for new technologies and related new biological materials for use in the cosmetics industry requires many studies and analyses of not only chemical but also physical properties. This study attempts to assess the properties of soap produced with the addition of crushed hazelnut shells. This additive is intended to improve the friction properties of the soap, which in turn enhances the quality of removing impurities from the skin. Friction tests for wet and dry skin were performed on an appropriately designed measuring station using the Texture Analyser XT plus device. The obtained results indicate an increase in dynamic friction value compared to the control sample. This work proposes an unconventional use of ground hazelnut shells as one of the additives in soap production to improve its quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean has a high content of anti-nutritious substances and, therefore, it should be subject to heat treatment in order to reduce harmful compounds and to increase its digestibility. Soybean seeds are used in animal nutrition as a component of compound fodder, and in dietetic food as a substitute for meat. In recent years, various soybean-based dishes gained on popularity. The process of high-intensity infrared processing (micronization) in 50 seconds raises the temperature of the raw material to 90°C. At this temperature starch gelatinization takes place, thanks to which the digestibility of seeds raises. Most often, in the production of fodder and soybean-based food, after heat treatment the reduction of average diameter or flaking process is implemented for which hardness, fragility, and seeds moisture content are among important parameters. In the present study the research was carried out on the impact of heat treatment, i.e. micronization and roasting, on soybean seeds hardness and content of anti-nutritious substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was identification of the selected group of the mechanical properties of pumpkin seeds the varieties Bambino of two humidity levels: 6% and 38%. The study of the mechanical properties was carried on the texture meter. The force and work of cutting and penetration of individual seeds were estimated. Analysis of the results shows significant value of certain parameters. The dry seeds showed the highest values of the force and work of cutting and penetration. In the case of fresh seed (38%) and dry (6%) the average difference in the values of the parameters was about 16%. The results of the study may be useful for technological processes such as drying pumpkin seeds or removing the husk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at analysing the pressureless agglomeration process using various food mixtures. It additionally took into account the opportunities for agglomerating different biological materials at different percentage and using different binding liquids. The analysis of the results achieved revealed that pressureless granulation method is appropriate for fine ground materials. Determinations were carried out for: compression resistance, kinetic durability and physical properties according to the obligatory standards. For vegetable mixtures, the largest granules were achieved using 30% of potato syrup (about 2 mm). In addition, potato syrup appeared to be the best binding liquid for that type of mixture -- the most durable granules. For dried mushrooms, the largest granules were achieved using 10% of a potato starch solution (1.8 mm). Half of starch concentration (5%) resulted in a decrease of granules diameter by about 40%. The smallest granules were produced for mixtures with distilled water as a binding agent (0.81 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine the Peleg and Normand model to characterize the overall stress relaxation behavior of wheat kernel at varying load conditions. The relaxation experiments were made with the help of the universal testing machine, Zwick Z020, by subjecting the samples to compression at four distinct initial load levels, i.e., 20 N, 30 N, 40 N, and 50 N. The measurements were made for four wheat varieties (two soft and two hard-type endosperms) and seven levels of moisture content. Relaxation characteristics were approximated with the help of the Peleg and Normand equation. An interactive influence of the load level, moisture, and wheat hardness on the Peleg and Normand constants has been confirmed. For moist kernels, a higher amount of absorbed compression energy was released, since less energy was required to keep the deformation at a constant level. The constants differed depending on wheat hardness. Higher values of k1 revealed that the initial force decay was slower for hard varieties. This is more characteristic of elastic behavior. Similarly, higher values of k2 pointed to a larger amount of elastic (recoverable) energy at the end of the relaxation. The initial loading level had no or only a slight effect on the model coefficients (Y(t), k1, and k2). The parameters of the Peleg and Normand model decreased with an increase in the water content in the kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work analyses the organic dust concentration during a wheat grinding process which was carried out using two types of grinders: A hammer mill and a roller mill. DustTrak II aerosol monitor was used to measure the concentration of the dust PM10 (particles with the size smaller than 10 μm), PM4.0, and PM1.0. An increase of the grain moisture to 14% resulted in the reduction in PM10 when grinding grain using the hammer mill. An inverse relationship was obtained when grain was ground using the roller mill. A smaller amount of the fraction below 0.1 mm was observed for larger diameter of the holes in the screen and smaller size of the working gap in the roller mill. For both mills, the obtained concentration of the PM10 fraction dust exceeded the acceptable level. To protect farmers health, it is necessary to use dust protection equipment or to modify the grinding technology by changing the grain moisture content and/or the grinding parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs are commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Their vast use is connected with their antibacterial or antioxidising properties, as well as numerous pro-health properties. The aim of the presented research was assessment of the quantitative and qualitative composition of moulds which contaminate samples of dried herbs: Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and Melissa (Mellisa officinalis L.) with different degrees of resource fragmentation. The dried herbs investigated had a characteristic mould content below 1•10(6) CFU/g according to the recommendations of the European Herbal Infusions Association (EHIA). The most contaminated resource turned out to be Camomile, the least--Melissa. The most often isolated moulds were: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Alternaria. Moreover, it was observed that more fragmented dried herbs were characteristic of lower--by approx. 40-55% microbiological contamination--depending on the type of tested herb, which might be connected with the time of dried herbs' processing, higher aeration, moisture changes or mechanical damaging of fungi's fragments in the case of a resource with higher fragmentation. High contamination of a herbal resource might be harmful for a consumer, and moulds and their metabolites in the form of mitotoxins might constitute a threat for human health. To keep all the sensory features and activity of herbs' active substances, it is extremely important to secure their high microbiological quality.