Browsing by Author "Wijesinghe, A.P."

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    Assessment of Bioactive Compounds in Seedlac Extract and Exploration of Film Forming Properties of Seedlac Resin
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Wijesinghe, A.P.; Anal, A.K.
    Seedlac is one of the important natural, animal, and plant-based resins that have applications mainly in food, and pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to analyse the proximate composition of raw Seedlac resin and to study the bioactive compounds (alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, flavonoids, and terpenoids), antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and reducing power in Seedlac resin extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction method. Seedlac and the gelatin-based composite film was developed and evaluated for its physical and tensile properties. Results indicated that raw Seedlac resin consisted of 0.72% ash, 4.06% protein, 2.5% fat, and 2.08% moisture. The maximum extraction yield was obtained for the sample extracted with 80% ethanol for 30 minutes. The samples extracted with 60% ethanol concentration showed the highest values for antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition 38.54%), phenolic content (82.36 mg GAE/g of extract), flavonoid content (75.47 mg QE/g of extract) and reducing power (24.8 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g of extract). Samples extracted with 80% ethanol gave lower values for antioxidant activity than those extracted with 60% ethanol probably due to denaturation of the extract at the higher ethanol concentration decreasing its scavenging ability. Composite film prepared with 1:1 ratio of gelatin to Seedlac showed the highest values for thickness (0.19 mm), moisture content (18.27%), water solubility (76.91%), water swelling (93.60%), tensile strength (13.72 MPa) and the highest percent elongation (29.57%). Higher gelatin content results in higher elongation because gelatin can capture water molecules increasing the polarity of the film and that water molecules could act as a plasticizer which would increase the flexibility of the film. It is concluded that Seedlac films can be improved by incorporating a suitable composition of gelatin, which would make beneficial contributions to many industries. Keywords: Seedlac, Bioactive Compounds, Composite Film
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    Feasibility study for direct planting of in vitro potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties Granola and Golden Star in aeroponic system
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Wijesinghe, A.P.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Jayasinghe, H.A.S.L.; Nugaliyadda, M.M.
    The major constraints in potato cultivation are high seed cost, poor seed quality, unavailability of quality seeds at correct time for planting, frequent application of fungicides to control late blight disease, misappropriation of agrochemicals and limitation of suitable land. The total seed potato requirement in Sri Lanka is about 22,500mt per annum. Total annual importation of seed potato is about 7000mt and the Department of Agriculture produces about 400mt of high generation seed potato per annum. The rest of the seed potato requirement of about 60% is fulfilled by farmers own seed production. Seed potatoes are the most costly input having 53% of the total cost of production.Main objective is to study the feasibility of direct planting of Granola and Golden star in vitro plants in aeroponic system. Other objective is to identify the suitable liquid media for hardening of in vitro potato plants. Materials and method The planting materials which were used in research are In vitro potato plants, MS media, Albert solution and aeroponic system. First culture media was prepared for in vitro potato plants. Stock solution was measured to prepare MS medium. Then 0.1g of myo-inositol, 30g of sugar, 1g of charcoal and 9g of agar were measured and mixed well. Solution was diluted up to the 1l. pH was measured and adjusted up to 5.75. Culture bottles were filled by solution up to 30ml. Bottles were allowed for settle.In vitro plants were cut with node and cuttings were placed in culture bottles. Then bottles were labeled and placed in the culture room. Cultured bottles were kept for one month period. Half MS, full MS and Albert solution were prepared. pH was measured in MS solutions and adjusted to 5.75. Electrical conductivity was adjusted up to 1.7 in Albert solution. Six treatments were taken. (Golden star in 1/2 MS medium as treatment 1, golden star in MS medium as treatment 2, golden star in Albert solution as treatment 3, granola in 1/2 MS medium as treatment 4, granola in MS medium as treatment 5, granola in Albert solution as treatment 6) Data were collected at one week intervals. Mean shoot length, mean root length and mean number of roots were taken as the parameters. (In this research increment of growth was measured for each parameters) Albert solution was prepared for 250l of tank (EC-1.643 ms/cm). Electrical conductivity was adjusted up to the range of 1.5 to 2.0 ms/cm. Acclimatized plants were dipped in Thiram (2g/l). Then plants were placed in aeroponic system. Aeroponic system was adjusted to spray five second with once in five minutes at day time and once in fifteen minutes at night in first three days. Next four days system was adjusted once in ten minutes at day time and once in twenty minutes at night. After that system was adjusted once in twenty minute at day time and once in thirty minutes at night. EC was checked every day. Data were collected at weekly for seven weeks. Mean shoot length, mean root length, mean stolen length, mean number of stolen and mean number of tubers were taken as the parameters. (In this research increment of growth was measured for each parameters) Results and Discussion In both experiments collected data were analyzed by using minitab 16 under general linear model. According to the Table 1, the highest shoot length growth (3.13cm) was observed in variety Golden star with Albert solution (T3). Others are statistically different, but T6, T1 and T3 are comparable. Though T2, T4 and T5 are comparable but significantly lower than T3. When comparing mean length of root growth, there is no significant different in each treatment. Number of root increment are statistically significant each other. Therefore using of any treatment is not largely effect on root number or root length.