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Development of a nutritious snack bar using superfine string hopper flour by- product and horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) flour

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Development of a nutritious snack bar using superfine string hopper flour by- product and horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) flour Authors: Galgamuwa, G.M.K.A.; Weerasinghe, T.M.A.N.; Kirushanthan, S. Abstract: The growing global concern for sustainable food systems has encouraged the utilization of agro-industrial by-products and underexploited crops in functional food development. This study aimed to formulate a nutritious snack bar using superfine string hopper flour by-product, an underutilized rice-based processing fraction, and horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) flour, a protein and fiber rich legume. Three flour combinations (50:30:20, 40:40:20, and 30:50:20 of string hopper by-product, horse gram flour, and wheat flour, respectively) were prepared and evaluated for nutritional (moisture, protein, fat, fiber, ash, and carbohydrate content), sensory, and storage characteristics (pH, color, sugar, moisture, microbial quality, and sensory stability). The formulations were standardized using guar gum (1%) as a binder, margarine (8%) as a fat source, and date paste (40%) as a natural sweetener. Sensory evaluation was conducted using a five-point hedonic scale, and data were analyzed using the Friedman test (95% confidence). The blend containing 40% string hopper by-product, 40% horse gram flour, and 20% wheat flour achieved the highest acceptability. After optimizing sweetness enhancement using a date paste-groundnut mixture, 40% date paste incorporation by direct mixing was the most preferred, while coconut milk improved texture and mouth feel. The optimized snack bar contained 14.75±0.63% moisture, 8.83±0.26% protein, 6.94 ± 0.07% fat, 3.20 ± 0.55% fiber, 2.85 ± 0.80% ash, and 63.43 ± 1.11% carbohydrates. Shelf-life evaluation over four weeks showed superior quality retention under refrigeration (4 ± 1 °C), while ambient samples (28 ± 2 °C) developed mold after 16 days. Overall, the findings reveal the potential of this flour blend in developing sustainable, nutrient-enriched, and shelf-stable snack foods.

Impact of different land use systems on Biological Properties of Soils

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Impact of different land use systems on Biological Properties of Soils Authors: Aashikha, R.; Shayanthan, A.; Kajeevan, K.; Gnanavelrajah, N. Abstract: Soil is a vital natural resource that supports life on Earth and maintains environmental balance. Among the Soil properties, biological properties play major role in ecosystem maintenance and are influenced by different land use systems. This study aimed to assess the impact of different land use systems on soil biological properties in the Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka. Soil samples were collected from six different land use systems: organic, inorganic, integrated nutrient management (INM), forest, permaculture, and bare land at two depths, surface and subsurface. The experimental design was a completely Randomized Design with three replicates. The following parameters were measured: colony counts, respiration, microbial biomass carbon, and organic matter. The data were analysed using ANOVA (SAS 9.4) at the 0.05 significance level, followed by Duncan’s mean separation test. Results showed significant variation in the tested soil biological properties between land use systems. Forest, permaculture and organic land uses were recorded significantly higher colony counts, respiration, microbial biomass and organic matter content compared to bare and inorganic land uses, whereas INM lay in between. Between different depths, biological activity was significantly higher in surface soils than subsurface soils. Overall, this study highlights that organic and permaculture land use systems increased soil biological parameters similar to those of forest. Therefore, findings suggest that soil biological properties can be improved through sustainable soil management.

Effect of land-use systems on physico-chemical properties of the soil from Vavuniya District

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of land-use systems on physico-chemical properties of the soil from Vavuniya District Authors: Murugaspillai, A.; Dilaxsika, S.; Kajeevan, K.; Shayanthan, A.; Gnanavelrajah, N.; Kirushnanrajah, V. Abstract: Land degradation is the major threat which leads to decline in soil fertility and other challenges to the Sri Lanka’s dry zone agriculture. The effective land use system is one of the ways to improve and restore soil fertility. In this background, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of six land use systems: permaculture, organic, inorganic, integrated, forest and bare land; physical and chemical soil properties; to identify effective management strategies. Soil samples wre collected from six lands uses in Vavuniya District at two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) and analyzed for physical parameters (texture, bulk density, porosity, and dry aggregate stability) and chemical characteristics (pH, EC, CEC, available N, P, K, total organic carbon, and soil color). The treatments were arranged in complete randomized design with three replicates and statistical analysis was done by using ANOVA (SAS 9.4) at a 0.05 significance level. The results revealed significant variations across land-use systems and depths. Forest and permaculture soils exhibited significantly improved properties, low bulk density (1.55-1.56 g/cm 3 ), high porosity (> 50%), high CEC (>25 cmol+/kg), and greater total organic carbon (2.46%). In contrast, inorganic and bare lands showed higher compaction (1.64-1.67 g/cm 3 ), reduced porosity, and nutrient depletion. Organic and integrated systems demonstrated moderate improvements, suggesting their potential in rehabilitating degraded soils. These findings emphasize that land-use type profoundly influences physical and chemical properties of the soil. Further studies are needed to document the effect on biological indicators of the soil and the potential of carbon sequestration.

Application of Urea and Muriate of Potash Biochar-Absorbed Forms to Reduce Nutrient Losses

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Application of Urea and Muriate of Potash Biochar-Absorbed Forms to Reduce Nutrient Losses Authors: Viyashar, T.; Murugesapillai, A.; Gnanavelrajah, N. Abstract: Though potassium (K) is a cation, it is liable to leaching loss in soils because it is a monovalent one. Considerable leaching of K from applied muriate of potash (MOP) has been reported in soils. Using biochar to absorb MOP may reduce this loss. While urea-intercalated biochar (UIBC) has been studied in Sri Lanka, research on MOP-absorbed biochar is limited. This study aimed to produce potassium-enriched biochar (PEBC) from coir dust and evaluated its potential as a slow-release fertilizer in combination with UIBC, formulated in a previous study. A preliminary research optimized PEBC production under two soaking methods (capillary and direct soaking) and three MOP concentrations (30%, 60%, and 100%) in a two- factor factorial design with three replicates. Statistical analysis (two-way ANOVA, P < 0.05) confirmed that direct soaking, 100% concentration, recorded the highest potassium content 50.87% ± 0.01. A leaching column experiment was conducted using ten treatments: T1 – Control, T2 –Department recommendation, T3-100% UIBC, T4- 75% UIBC, T5- 100% PEBC, T6- 75% PEBC, T7- 100% UIBC + 100% PEBC, T8- 100% UIBC + 75% PEBC, T9- 75% UIBC + 75% PEBC, and T10- 75% UIBC + 100% PEBC, in a completely randomized design (P & lt; 0.05) with four replicates. Over four weeks, the leachate study expressed that all UIBC and PEBC combinations or single treatments significantly reduced the losses of cumulative nitrate and K compared to the department recommendation, indicating their potential as effective slow- release fertilizers.