Research Symposium-2010
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Browsing Research Symposium-2010 by Subject "Biotechnology"
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Item Effect of Maturation Stage on the Anti-Amylase Factor in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Pussewatta, K.G.; Sarananda, K.H.; Wimalasiri, K.M.S.Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is one of the most nutritive and commercially important cucurbit vegetables, popular due to its medicinal properties. The phenolic compounds containing in the fruits are believed to have an inhibitory effect on amylase activity. It decreases the glucose release during carbohydrate digestion, and therefore considered to exhibit a hypoglycemic effect. This study was carried out to determine the anti-amylase activity of bitter gourd at different stages of maturity and in different parts of the fruit (flesh and seeds). The variety "Thinnavelly white" was used to determine the effect of maturity stage and the composition of fruit (seeds, flesh, seeds and flesh) on anti-amylase activity. Lane-Eynon titration method for reducing sugar quantification was used to quantify the glucose reduction percentage. Precooked white -rice was used as the source of starch. According to the results recommended harvesting stage (by the Department of Agriculture) of Thinnavelly white has the highest glucose reduction percentage (5.73%) in comparison to the commercial stage (5.30%). According to the comparison of the parts of the fruit, combination of flesh and seeds has the highest glucose reduction percentage in comparison to the individual components irrespective of the harvesting stage. According to that, a synergistic effect on the glucose reduction percentage of flesh and seeds of bitter gourd can be expected. Key words: Anti- amylase activity, Hypoglycemic effect, Maturity stages, Harvesting stage, Lane-Eynon titration, Glucose reduction percentage Key words: Anti-Amylase Factor, Bitter gourd, HypoglycemicItem Isolation of Microflora and Changes of Carbohydrates of Certain Water Weeds through Senescene(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Perera, O.S.; Ratnayake, R.R.; Kulasooriya, S.A.Water weeds have become an ecological and social problem in irrigation tanks, reducing the flow of water in irrigation and drainage channels, blocking sluice gates and points of water intake in power generating stations. Producing biofuels via biomass conversion to use them as renewable sources of energy alternative to fossil fuels would be an economiĀ¬cal solution to control these weeds. "Microbial energy conversions" can be used to convert biomass into biofuel at low cost. This study aimed to isolate and identify the microflora that can be used in microbial energy conversions and to examine the changes of carbohydrates of certain water weeds through senescence. Three floating aquatic weeds; Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Salvinia molesta (water moss) and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) abundant in different climatic zones of Sri Lanka were utilized. Enrichment culture techniques were used to isolate the microorganisms. Bacterial isolates were identified to the genus level using biochemical tests and for fungi morphological characters were observed. Finally pure cultures were transfered to agar slants of suitable media for short term storage, and for long term maintenance they were presereved in cryo tubes and stored under -20 OC. Bacterial genera identified consisted Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella while the fungal genera consisted Paecilomyces, Trichoderma, Acremonium and Cylindrocarpon. To analyse the carbohydrate composition (mainly cellulose and lignin), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) was used. Cellulose and lignin were identified using FTIR absorbance peaks for bonds that are specific for these compounds. According to the FTIR absorbance peaks there were no qualitatative changes among the three species of water weeds or within the different stages of their growth. The statistical analysis of the different absorptivities of the water weeds showed that there is no significant different in Cellulose or Lignin among the three water weeds. When comparing Cellulose and Lignin mature Eichhornia crassipes had a significantly higher amount of lignin than cellulose at the 5% probability level.The Cellulose content is high in mature stage of Salvinia molesta than in young and senescence stages. This study was a prelude for the development of microbial energy conversions to produce bio-fuels from cellulosic biomass.Item Value Addition of Coir Pith by Composting: A Comparison between Coir Pith Compost and Traditional Compost(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Lavanya, S.; Vijitha, N.; Mahendran, S.Coir pith is a natural and renewable resource obtained from coconut husks. Though coir pith has a number of beneficial properties, its direct utilization as a manure is restricted owing to its high carbon: nitrogen (C:N) ratio (100-120:1) and lignin content (30%) which delays natural decomposition. Hence, a study was conducted at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka to convert the raw coir pith to composted coir pith and to analyze its properties and suitability as a manure. The coir pith compost was prepared by using coir pith, spawn of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor caju) and cattle urine and allowed to decomposition. The samples of coir pith compost were analyzed for their properties such as moisture content, porosity, bulk density, particle density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, macro nutrients and Carbon : Nitrogen Ratio. They were compared with the properties of traditional compost. The results of this study revealed that certain properties of coir pith compost namely, moisture content and porosity were significantly higher than the traditional compost. The Potassium content, bulk density particle density and electrical conductivity of composted coir pith were significantly lower than the traditional compost. However, there were no significant differences in the Nitrogen, Phosphorus and pH of the coir pith compost and traditional compost. Composted coir pith had more Organic carbon than traditional compost. The Carbon: Nitrogen ratio of composted coir pith was reduced to favourable level but, remained higher than that of the traditional compost. Hence, it could be concluded that coir pith can be converted into a manure by composting. The value added final product has favourable physical and chemical properties to be used as organic manure. Key words: Coir pith compost, Properties, Traditional compost