Search

The use of activated carbon with KMnO4 activators incorporated on the paper matrix is carried out in this research. Three methods of activated carbon incorporation on paper are carried out to evaluate the paper’s physical parameters and adsorption ability to ethylene. The paper’s physical parameters include grammage, bursting strength, Ring Crush Test (RCT), moisture content, water absorption (Cobb60), and paper microstructures using SEM. Evaluation of the performance of activated carbon paper nanopores as ethylene adsorbent is conducted using GC. The treatment of activated carbon nanopores on non-wood paper causes grammage to increase, but RCT and paper bursting strength decrease. The incorporation of nanopore-activated carbon by the mixing method has produced papers with activated carbon particles spread evenly inside the pulp fibers of the paper. Activated carbon paper with the best adsorption capacity is bamboo+KMnO4&mixing with an adsorption capacity of 1,348 ppm and ethylene amount of 88.58 %. Concentration equilibrium is reached in the 25th minute. The non-linear pseudo-first-order absorbent kinetics model is an appropriate model to describe the equilibrium capacity of ethylene entrant (qe) by nanopore-activated carbon paper with the equation: qt = 1.35734 ( 1 − exp − 0.15312 t ) \mathrm{qt}=1.35734\hspace{0.1667em}(1-{\exp ^{-0.15312\hspace{0.1667em}\mathrm{t}}}) , with R 2 = 0.9981 {\mathrm{R}^{2}}=0.9981 .

Spontaneous and ragi fermentations are the most common methods in producing traditional fermented foods in Indonesia. The present work aimed to compare the impacts of spontaneous and ragi fermentations on cereal flour properties. Three kinds of cereal, namely whole sorghum, waxy coix, and white maize were processed into flours through spontaneous fermentation, ragi fermentation, and without fermentation (control). Fermentation methods were adopted from the Indonesian traditional processing methods. Cereal grains were immersed for 72 h in distilled water (1:2 w/v) for spontaneous fermentation, and in 1% ragi tapai solution (1:2 w/v) for ragi fermentation. Meanwhile, native flour (without fermentation) was produced by grounding and sieving the cereal grains. Results showed that both fermentation techniques significantly altered the physical properties of cereal flours, as indicated by the increase in lightness index and decrease in water-binding capacity and viscosity. However, cereal flours’ chemical and functional properties remain unchanged during fermentation, except for lipid and amylose. Spontaneous fermentation significantly resulted in the lowest lipid content of cereal flours, while ragi fermentation resulted in the lowest amylose content of cereal flours. Sorghum flour generally showed better nutritional properties among the examined cereal flours, especially lipid, protein, and dietary fibre. Meanwhile, waxy coix and white maize flours had the highest folate.

High-quality seed is always demanded by farmers and may result in up to a 30% increase in crop yields. One of the major constraints ofsoybean cultivation is that soybean seeds quickly deteriorate in storage due to high lipid and protein content. Coating technology withvarious coating formulas is needed to extend seeds’ shelf life. This research aimed to determine the effects of CSNPs (chitosan-waxnanoparticles) and CS (chitosan-wax) as active coating ingredients in delaying the Deterioration of soybean seed quality. Two varietiesof soybean seed and three coating treatments (control, CS, and CSNPs) were used during storage for six months. Each treatment wasreplicated four times, and the observation was conducted monthly. The result showed that coating treatment could significantly suppressthe increase in water content and the decrease in protein and fat levels compared to the control. Moreover, the coating also suppresses therespiration rate, ethylene content, and MDA concentration during storage, especially for the Grobogan variety. The coated seed showeda higher vigor index and germination than the controls, particularly in the Dega variety. The CSNPs performed better than CS and controlfor all the experimental parameters. The germination percentage of the Dega variety soybean seeds after six months of storage at CS andCSNPs coating treatments were 93.33 and 92.67%, respectively, much higher than the Grobogan variety. The initial mositure contentmuch influenced the seed’s physical, chemical, and viability during storage.

Bamboo-based activated carbon was made using the activating agents KOH and KMnO4 at high temperature. This study examined the ability of unmilled and ball-milled bamboo activated using KOH or KMnO4 to fulfil the activated carbon standard parameters. Chemical activation was done using KOH and KMnO4 at 2.5% and 5% concentration, heated at 800 °C, and steamed for 1 hour. Sample size was reduced to 500 nm using high energy ball-milling at 500 rpm for 80, 150, or 180 min. Analysis included the yield, water content, ash content, volatile matter content, burn-off weight percentage, morphology analysis, functional groups (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR), crystallinity analysis (X-ray diffraction, XRD), and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis. Ball-milling treatment for 150 min produced activated carbon of 449 nm in size and a particle distribution index (PDI) score of 0.66. Ball milled activated carbon from the experiment had a pore radius ranging from 1.18 to 2.49 nm. The activated carbon that met the criteria of ANSI/AWWA B604-12 (2012) standard for moisture content, iodine number, and JIS K 1474 (1967) standard for methylene blue adsorption level and surface area were milled activated carbon with activator KMnO4 2.5%.

The potential of Gayo coffee production in Aceh Province, Indonesia, has not been thoroughly well optimized, especially the low quality of coffee products and an inadequate quality management. Resulting in a demand of a holistic mapping problem system to elaborate the problem and discover the root and the most suitable solution. This article explains the development strategy for quality management system of Gayo coffee agro-industry using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) approach. The SSM approach is able to provide solutions for unstructured problems. In this case, it is recommended to initiate an improvement from the farmers and exporters regarding the planning, controlling, and improving the quality under a control of local government, research institutions, and universities. Building a union and tools for the quality observation, control, and improvement is highly needed with a continuous process to achieve a sustainable improvement.

The potential use of sago pith waste, bamboo, and water hyacinth based on the characteristics of raw materials to make liner paper were studied. The analysis conducted covered the analysis of physical characteristics, chemical components, morphology (SEM), functional groups (FTIR), and crystallinity (XRD). The pulp from the three kinds of fiber was molded into paper with a certain formulation. The parameters of pulp and paper observed covered the alkaline consumption, Kappa number, pulp yield, and paper physical characteristics (grammage, bursting strength, Ring Crush Test/RCT, water content, and water absorption). The chosen paper was the paper whose characteristics resembled the quality parameter of liner paper used by the paper industry and the standard in accordance with the Indonesia’s National Standard (SNI) 14-0095-1996. The microscope images showed that the three said raw materials have long fibers: sago pith waste and water hyacinth has fibers measuring respectively 1.89±0.90 and 2.07±0.39 mm, resembling hard wood, whereas bamboos have longer fibers measuring 4.61±0.72 mm, resembling soft wood. Bamboos have the best fiber composition and characteristics for pulp and liner paper. The two paper formulas that meet the criteria for liner paper are bamboo and bamboo+water hyacinth.

Global food security faces several challenges, including increasing food production to meet the demand of growing population, changing diets, and food losses and food waste. It was reported that one-third of the food produced is lost or wasted (FLW) in between the harvesting process and consumption process. The latest study in Indonesia reported that FLW generation reached 23-48 million tons/year or equivalent to 115-184 kg/capita/year. Postharvest handling and processing technology plays important role in achieving food security. Advances in such technology need to be introduced, along with its potential and implementation prospective. The advances include Smart and Precision Postharvest Practices, harvesting technology, solar dryer (Bubble and Tunnel), cereal storage technology (including IoT application), Active and Smart Packaging, cool chain process, coating technology, etc. Some advances in postharvest processing technology have also been done, with the coverage of production technology, processing technology, packaging technology and management system. There 2 (two) important actors in the technology implementation, i.e., Implementing Agent (IA) and Supportive Agent (SA). It is needed to select IA with high commitment. A technology model should be introduced to the IA, and start from that moment a package of accompaniment to the IA has to be given. Replicating and expanding the model need the role of the SA, especially through incentives policies, either infrastructure or other convenience assistances.

The ability of activated carbon as an adsorber is depended on activating agent used for the activation process. An industrial application of the ethylene adsorption process as well as the design of the necessary equipment requires an accurate model to determine the effect of various factors on the efficiency of the process. The model is needed to predict the efficient activating agent to be applied in carbon activation. One ml of gas containing 200 ppm ethylene was injected into gas-tight jars, to which 4 sheets of nanopore activated carbon paper were placed. The ethylene concentration was measured every 5 minutes until 90 minutes using gas chromatography. The concentration of ethylene absorbed by the nanopore activated carbon paper, then calculated to construct a kinetics model of absorption. Data were analyzed using 4 kinetics models: nonlinear pseudo-first-order, nonlinear pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Avrami kinetic models. The best adsorption kinetics model that described ethylene adsorption kinetics by nanopore activated carbon paper was the nonlinear pseudo-first-order, with equation model: qt = 1.35734 (1-exp0.15312 t). The compiled model has a match with R2 = 0.9981. The adsorption mechanisms and kinetics aspects was important on the use of adsorbents to remove ethylene in packaging and storage.

Kondisi penyimpanan menjadi kata kunci untuk meningkatkan daya simpan umbi kentang GM-05 dengan mutu segar yang terjaga.Kentang segar GM-05 dalam penelitian ini diperoleh dari Kebun Percobaan Balai Penelitian Sayuran, Lembang dan dipanen pada umur90 Hari Setelah Tanam (HST). Umbi kentang dengan bobot masing-masing 30 kg dikemas dalam karung rajut, disimpan pada kondisi(1) ruangan gelap, (2) ruangan dengan pencahayaan 100-500 lux/lilin, dan (3) dihamparkan sebagai kontrol. Penyimpanan dilakukanpada suhu ambient, 20, dan 10oC. Pengamatan dilakukan setiap 2 (dua) minggu sekali selama 3 bulan penyimpanan. Parameter yangdiamati meliputi: susut bobot, kadar air, kadar protein, kadar karbohidrat, kadar lemak, kadar amilosa, kadar abu, dan tekstur. Rancanganpercobaan menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap tersarang dengan ulangan tiga kali dan signifikansi beda nyata terkecil pada taraf5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penyimpanan dalam ruang gelap maupun yang dengan pencahayaan 100-500 lux/lilin suhu10 oC memberikan susut bobot dan laju penurunan kadar air terendah dibandingkan perlakuan lainnya. Kadar karbohidrat, kadar abu,dan tekstur tidak terpengaruh dengan semua perlakuan penyimpanan. Penurunan kadar lemak dan amilosa umbi kentang melambathingga masing-masing sebesar 0,14% dan 4,42% terjadi pada penyimpanan dalam ruang gelap maupun yang dengan pencahayaan padasuhu 10 oC. Kadar protein meningkat hingga pada kisaran 1,51%. Penyimpanan suhu 10oC dengan kondisi gelap ataupun pencahayaan100-500 lux/lilin merupakan metode penyimpanan kentang GM-05 terbaik karena mampu mempertahankan mutu dan kesegarannya.