http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/72 2026-02-23T14:54:49Z 2026-02-23T14:54:49Z Perera, A.D.D.S. Ginigaddarage, P.H. Roshan, G.P. Gunasekara, G. Kirushanthan, S. Ranasinghe, R.A.S.S. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12188 2026-02-13T08:36:44Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An assessment of sanitary conditions and microbial quality of ice factories in selected districts of Sri Lanka Authors: Perera, A.D.D.S.; Ginigaddarage, P.H.; Roshan, G.P.; Gunasekara, G.; Kirushanthan, S.; Ranasinghe, R.A.S.S. Abstract: Ice is crucial for maintaining the freshness and quality of seafood. However, when produced or handled under poor sanitary conditions, ice can carry harmful microorganisms, creating risks to food safety and public health. This study aimed to assess the microbial quality of ice produced in 28 ice plants across eight districts: Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Mannar, Batticaloa, and Jaffna. The sample collection was conducted over 2 months from July to August 2025. Samples were collected from three points in each factory: source water used for ice production, stored block ice, and crushed ice to identify contamination sources or points/steps at different production stages. Microbial analysis was conducted to detect Escherichia coli (SLS 1461 Part 1/Sec.3:2013) and Salmonella (ISO 19250:2010). The results showed that all three samples taken from the production lines of four ice plants had an acceptable microbial quality, as indicated by 14.29 % (4/28) of the samples meeting the standards outlined in SLS 971:1992 for potable water. A number of 28 ice plants indicated that 85.71 % (24/28) were unacceptable in quality due to the presence of E. coli. Among these 24 plants, the water used for ice production in 14 facilities contained faecal coliforms with a mean of 144.96 MPN/100 mL and a median of 9.5 MPN/100 mL, and in the range of 1 to >1,800 MPN/100 mL, and 13 facilities exhibited the presence of E. coli contamination with a mean of 22 MPN/100 mL and a median of 2 MPN/100 mL, and in the range of 1 to 1,600 MPN/100 mL. Stored ice of 20 plants contained faecal coliforms between 1 to 350 MPN/100 mL range, and the mean of faecal coliform count was 86.08 MPN/100 mL, and median 15 MPN/100 mL, and 17 plants detected E. coli (1 to 275 MPN/100 mL), with a mean and median of 33.08 MPN/100 mL and 9 MPN/100 mL. All crushed ice samples were contaminated with faecal coliforms (1 to 1,600 MPN/100 mL), and the mean was 268.21 MPN/100 mL, and the median was 17 MPN/100 mL, with E. coli present in 21 facilities (1 to 1,600 MPN/100 mL), and the mean was 163.38 MPN/100 mL, and the median was 13 MPN/100 mL. All samples were free from Salmonella. The study highlights increasing contamination through production stages, linked to poor sanitation facilities and handling practices. Continuous staff training, adoption of good manufacturing practices, and regular monitoring of ice quality are strongly recommended.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Ambihai, S. Anna, M. Hawkins, J.P Oresnik, I.J. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12187 2026-02-13T05:53:24Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Isolation of non-symbiotic phosphate- solubilizing plant growth-promoting Paraburkholderia Strydomiana Authors: Ambihai, S.; Anna, M.; Hawkins, J.P; Oresnik, I.J. Abstract: Phosphorus is a key nutrient needed for plant growth and is often found in soils in an insoluble form. While phosphate fertilizers promote quick plant growth, they can be easily converted to insoluble forms through soil processes or lost via runoff. This results in poor phosphate use efficiency, which is economically and environmentally costly. A possible way to remediate these problems is to introduce phosphate-solubilizing bacteria as a biological fertilizer. In this work, we report the isolation of eight phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from agricultural soils in Manitoba. Their ability to solubilize Ca3(PO4)2 ranged from 95 to 144 mg/dL. Based on whole-genome sequencing, the isolates consisted of six Paraburkholderia strydomiana isolates, comprising at least three distinct strains, a Paraburkholderia graminis, and a Burkholderia ambifaria isolate. In addition to solubilizing phosphate, the P. strydomiana strains visibly influenced soybean seedling growth. Utilizing the closed genomes from the isolates in this study, we were able to scaffold the type strain and show that P. strydomiana genomes appear to consist of two large replicons as well as a larger plasmid. Further genomic analysis also demonstrated that P. strydomiana appears to contain RuBisCO and a complete Calvin-Benson-Bassham pathway. Unlike the type strain, the isolates in this study did not carry genes associated with nitrogen fixation or the ability to form symbiotic associations.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Suwathy, M. Sarathadevi, R. Vasantharuba, S. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11991 2026-01-12T06:54:27Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Optimizing nutritional and bioactive retention in sweet potato through different drying techniques. Authors: Suwathy, M.; Sarathadevi, R.; Vasantharuba, S. Abstract: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vital food security crop globally recognized for its high nutritional value, adaptability, and versatility. To promote sustainable food applications, this study evaluated four different drying techniques such as freeze drying, cabinet drying, microwave drying, and oven drying, on the proximate composition and bioactive properties of sweet potato. Freshly cleaned sweet potatoes were dried using each drying technique, and the resulting dried powders were nutritionally characterized, with statistical analysis performed using R software (version 4.2.1). The fresh sweet potato showed a moisture content (MC) of 70.64±0.70%, ash content (AS) of 2.48±0.02%, crude protein (CP) of 0.58±0.25%, crude fat (CF) of 0.12%, crude fiber (CFI) of 1.66±0.34%, total phenolic content (TPC) of 37.64±1.44 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g, and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 1.64±0.06 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100 g (wet basis). After drying, MC was reduced to 4.00±0.69%, 5.13±0.21%, 6.72±0.37%, and 8.52±0.39% for freeze dried (FD), microwave dried (MD), cabinet dried (CD), and oven dried (OD) sweet potato samples, respectively. Among the different drying methods (dry basis), AS was highest in OD samples (4.43±0.24%) and lowest in CD samples (2.71±0.01%), with no significant differences (p>0.05) between MD and FD. The CP was highest in FD (4.08%) samples and lowest in CD (2.77%) samples (p<0.05). The FD samples showed the highest CF (0.74%) content, while CD showed the lowest (0.35%) (p<0.05). No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in CFI content among different drying methods studied. The MD samples showed the highest value for both TPC and TFC (67.58±7.39 mg GAE/100 g and 3.3±4.39 mg QE/100 g, respectively (p<0.05)). Overall, microwave drying proved to be the most efficient drying technique, ensuring superior retention of bioactive compounds and nutritional quality, thereby supporting sustainable, health-oriented sweet potato innovations.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Fathima Husna, M. Vasantharuba, s. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11990 2026-01-12T06:29:28Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Production of Biodegradable packaging material incorporated with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from Peanut shell and its capability to preserve Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit Authors: Fathima Husna, M.; Vasantharuba, s. Abstract: The study revealed the extraction of microcrystalline cellulose from peanut shells to produce agar-based biofilms and its effect on the preservation of guava fruit (Psidium guajava). The microcrystalline cellulose extraction process was carried out at specific optimum parameters. The film made with agar and glycerine was used as a control. Films made with the incorporation of peanut shell powder, cellulose powder and microcrystalline cellulose powder were [[[[[[[[[ the other six treatments. The mechanical and physical characteristics of these packaging films were tested. Packaging film made with 2% microcrystalline cellulose exhibited less swelling ratio (34.21% ± 3.03) while having a higher bio-degradation rate (41.49% ± 2.26) significantly (p<0.05). The capability of these packaging materials to preserve the fruits was tested using fresh guava fruit. According to Tukey’s Studentized Range Test, changes in physiological parameters such as weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, reducing sugar, and ascorbic acid content were significant (p<0.05) in the guava, stored at refrigeration temperature in 2% microcrystalline cellulose packaging film. And the shelf life was higher in guava fruits stored in 2% microcrystalline cellulose packaging material at 10 oC. The development of biodegradable packaging materials would provide an innovative solution for the fruits and vegetable preservation industry, enhancing commercial potential with new benefits to meet consumer and market demands while protecting the environment.

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