Processing methods of malted sorghum sprout impacts on the nutritive values

The separated roots and shoots left after malt extraction from the young sorghum seedlings are collectively called Sorghum sprout and being regarded a waste. The study was designed to investigate the effect of different processing methods on the nutritive value of malted sorghum sprout (MSP). TheMSP was divided into three parts: raw (RMSP), alkaline (wood ash) treated (AMSP) and fermented (FMSP). The proximate composition, fibre fraction and the mineral contents were determined and all data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance. Results revealed that the proximate and fibre fraction values of MSP were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the processing methods. The highest dry matter (82.34%), ether extract (1.76%), ash (15.52%), neutral detergent fibre (63.00%) and hemicellulose (39.00%) values were recorded in FMSP. Fermentation and alkaline treatments reduced the crude protein while it increased the ether extract and nitrogen free extract of theMSP.Ash had the highest percentage value in fermentedmalted sorghum sprout (FMSP) and the lowest in raw malted sorghum sprout (RMSP). The concentration (g/kg) of calcium (14.45), phosphorus (67.92) and potassium (6.59) were significantly (p<0.05) highest in FMSP. The concentration (mg/kg) of iron (947.50) and copper (21.50) observed in AMSP were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the values obtained in FMSP followed by RMSP. It was observed that fermentation and alkaline treatment employed reduced zinc concentration values of the MSP. It can be concluded that fermentation processing method used in this study presented the best results in terms of the chemical andmineral composition values.

Influence of Long Polypropylene Fibre on the Properties of Concrete

Concrete is the most used building and construction material globally due to the ease of availability and durability. It is a well-known fact that concrete can easily withstand compressive stresses; however, it fails under tension. To improve this deficiency, steel bar reinforcement has been used. However, with the steel reinforcement, additional permanent self-weight is transferred on the structure and is prone to corrosion. Hence, engineers and researchers have been working to search for more sustainable reinforcing material that could be cost-effective and simultaneously increase tensile strength. This experimental work was carried out to study the influence of long (38.1 mm) polypropylene (PP) fibres on the workability and mechanical strengths (compressive and flexural) of concrete. Three different fibre fraction content, 0.20%, 0.25% and 0.30% were selected to reinforce concrete. A total of 12 cylinders of 300mm×150mm dimension (3 cylinders per mix) and 12 beams of 609.6mm×304.8mm×101.6mm dimension (3 beams per mix) were used to determine the compressive strength and flexural strength after the samples achieved 28 days curing. Based on the results, it can be observed that longer fibres do not significantly influence the compressive strength as much as they do on flexural strength. Furthermore, longer length fibres, like shorter fibres, obstruct the workability of concrete. Comparing with previous findings, it can be concluded that for patching of macrocracks, longer length PP fibres should be used.

High quality cassava peel fine mash as replacement for maize in diets of growing pigs: 2. Effects on nutrient and fibre fraction digestibility

Twenty growing pigs with an average initial weight of 53±0.5 kg (± SE) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment and one animal in each replicate. A total tract digestibility trial was carried out to determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with graded levels of high quality cassava peel (HQCP) mashon the nutrient digestibility and fibre fraction digestibility of growing pigs. The control diet T1 had 40% of maize, while the dietary treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% of HQCP corresponding to replacement of maize by 0, 19, 38, 56 and 75% respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient of dry matter, nitrogen free extract, organic matter and energy. There were significant(P<0.05)variationsintheapparentdigestibilityofcrudeprotein,crudefibreand ether extract and the crude protein digestibility decreased as the level of HQCP increased from 7.5 to 30%. Also, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin digestibilities with the inclusion of HQCP compared to the control, whereas there was no significant (P>0.05) influence of HQCP inclusion on hemicellulose digestibility among the treatments. It can thus be concluded that the nutritional potential of high quality cassava peel can still be realised when fed up to 30% in growing pig diet

Potentials of two varieties of cashew apple pulp as feedstuff for ruminants

The study was aimed at assessing the effects of two varieties of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) apple pulp as feedstuff for ruminants. Samples of the yellow and red varieties of cashew apple pulp were collected, processed and analysed for mineral, crude fiber fraction and pH. Results showed that sodium value in red variety was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the yellow variety. Potassium value in red variety was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of the yellow variety. Values for calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the yellow variety were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those of the red variety. Values for cellulose, hemicelluloses and neutral detergent fibre in the red variety were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those of the yellow variety. Acid Detergent Lignin value for the yellow variety was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of the red variety. Values for acid detergent fibre, crude protein, carbohydrate and pH were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Yellow cashew apple pulp from the results of this study is richer in minerals when compared to the red variety. Results from the crude fibre fraction suggest that the yellow cashew apple pulp variety may have a better digestibility when compared to the red variety. Although the values of the various parameters from the 2 varieties show that they are fit to be used as feeding stuff for ruminants, the yellow variety appears to be better on the general basis.

Process- and material-induced heterogeneities in recycled thermoplastic composites

A novel recycling solution for thermoplastic composites (TPCs) was recently implemented. The processing steps comprise shredding of TPC offcuts to flakes of a few centimetres, melting and blending of the flakes in a low-shear mixer, extrusion of a molten mixed dough and subsequent compression moulding in a press. This material and process are similar to the compression moulding of long-fibre thermoplastics (LFTs) that have been in the market for decades, such as glass mat thermoplastics (GMT) or direct-LFT. However, the input material in this recycling route consists of multi-layered woven flakes, which is very different from the pellets or chopped rovings of other LFTs. Process- and material-induced heterogeneities such as fibre orientation, percolation, variation of fibre fraction, or fibre attrition may be different for this new material. The development of this recycling technology and future industrial applications require more confidence in the material and process. The objective of this study is to characterise these heterogeneities for this recycling solution, and compare them to those generated in regular LFTs. It was found that the process- and material-induced heterogeneities of the recycled TPCs are similar to other LFTs, for the aspects listed here: fibre orientation, percolation, variation of fibre fraction and fibre attrition. In comparison to GMT, the effect of the mixing step is particularly noticeable on the local variation of fibre fraction within the panels. Industrial applications of this recycling route will benefit from this similarity, as it improves the confidence in the material and process combination.

The Research of Plastics-Steel Fibber Content on the Mechanical Properties of Light weight Aggregate Concrete

In this study, lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) specimens with different plastics-steel fibre volumes were tested to investigate the effect of plastics-steel fibre fraction on the mechanical properties of LWAC through the experimental research and theoretical analysis. The experimental results indicated that incorporation of steel fibre into LWAC can greatly improve such mechanical properties as flexural toughness and impact resistance, but leads to a little effect on compressive strength and flexural strength.