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Fulltext Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Musa acuminate cv. Berangan at different ripening stages

Zulkifli, N., Hashim, N., Abdan, K., Hanafi, M.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(101):97-100.
MyJurnal

The physicochemical properties of Musa Acuminata cv. Berangan at different ripening stages
(1, 2 and 3) were evaluated in the study. A visual attribute such as colour usually leads to
misclassification as it can be subjected to different individual interpretation. Therefore, various
measurements were conducted to determine the relationship between ripening stages and
physicochemical properties of the fruit such as colour, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS)
and firmness. Results showed that there were significant changes in physicochemical properties
as ripening stages increased. Results also indicated that the correlations between ripening
stages and firmness and pH values were statistically significant compared to other parameters.
These relationships can be used to predict the related quality attributes of Berangan bananas.
Prediction of the ripening stages of papayas using discriminant analysis and support vector machine algorithms

Zulkifli N, Hashim N, Harith HH, Mohamad Shukery MF, Onwude DI

J Sci Food Agric, 2021 Nov 20.
PMID: 34802158 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11669

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the quality properties of papaya becomes essential due to the acceleration of the fruit shelf-life senescence and the deterioration factor of the expected postharvest operations. In this study, the colour features in RGB, normalised RGB, HSV and L*a*b* channels were extracted and correlated with mechanical properties, moisture content (MC), total soluble solids (TSS), and pH for the prediction of quality properties at five ripening stages of papaya (R1- R5).
RESULTS: The mean values of colour features in RGB R m , G m , B m , normalised RGB R nm , G nm , B nm HSV H m , S m , V m , and L*a*b* L m , a m , b m were the best estimator for predicting TSS with R2 ≥ 0.90. All colour channels also showed satisfactory accuracies of R2 ≥ 0.80 in predicting the bioyield force, apparent modulus and mean force. The highest average classification accuracy was obtained using LDA with an average accuracy of more than 82%. The study showed that LDA, LSVM, QDA and QSVM obtained the correct classification of up to 100% for R5, whereas R1, R2, R3 and R4 gave classification accuracies in the range between 83.75-91.85%, 85.6-90.25%, 85.75-90.85% and 77.35-87.15% respectively. This indicates R5 colour information was obviously different from R1-R4. The mean values of the HSV channel indicated the best performance to predict the ripening stages of papaya, compared to RGB, normalised RGB and L*a*b*channels, with an average classification accuracy of more than 80%.
CONCLUSION: The study has shown the versatility of a machine vision system in predicting the quality changes in papaya. The results showed that the machine vision system can be used to predict the ripening stages as well as classifying the fruits into different ripening stages of papayas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Fulltext Ultrastructural Study on the Antibacterial Activity of Artonin E versus Streptomycin against Staphylococcus aureus Strains

Zajmi A, Mohd Hashim N, Noordin MI, Khalifa SA, Ramli F, Mohd Ali H, et al.

PLoS One, 2015;10(6):e0128157.
PMID: 26030925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128157

Staphylococci are facultative anaerobes, perfectly spherical un-encapsulated cocci, with a diameter not exceeding 1 micrometer in diameter. Staphylococcus aureus are generally harmless and remain confined to the skin unless they burrow deep into the body, causing life-threatening infections in bones, joints, bloodstream, heart valves and lungs. Among the 20 medically important staphylococci species, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the emerging human pathogens. Streptomycin had its highest potency against Staphylococcus infections despite the likelihood of getting a resistant type of staphylococcus strains. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is the persister type of Staphylococcus aureus and was evolved after decades of antibiotic misuse. Inadequate penetration of the antibiotic is one of the principal factors related to success/failure of the therapy. The active drug needs to reach the bacteria at concentrations necessary to kill or suppress the pathogen's growth. In turn the effectiveness of the treatment relied on the physical properties of Staphylococcus aureus. Thus understanding the cell integrity, shape and roughness is crucial to the overall influence of the therapeutic agent on S. aureus of different origins. Hence our experiments were designed to clarify ultrastructural changes of S. aureus treated with streptomycin (synthetic compound) in comparison to artonin E (natural compound). In addition to the standard in vitro microbial techniques, we used transmission electron microscopy to study the disrupted cell architecture under antibacterial regimen and we correlate this with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to compare results of both techniques.
Fulltext Zinc/Aluminium⁻Quinclorac Layered Nanocomposite Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode for Electrochemical Determination of Bisphenol A

Zainul R, Abd Azis N, Md Isa I, Hashim N, Ahmad MS, Saidin MI, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2019 Feb 22;19(4).
PMID: 30813385 DOI: 10.3390/s19040941

This paper presents the application of zinc/aluminium-layered double hydroxide-quinclorac (Zn/Al-LDH-QC) as a modifier of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) paste electrode for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA). The Zn/Al-LDH-QC/MWCNT morphology was examined by a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the electrode interfacial properties. The electrochemical responses of the modified electrode towards BPA were thoroughly evaluated by using square-wave voltammetry technique. The electrode demonstrated three linear plots of BPA concentrations from 3.0 × 10-8⁻7.0 × 10-7 M (R² = 0.9876), 1.0 × 10-6⁻1.0 × 10-5 M (R² = 0.9836) and 3.0 × 10-5⁻3.0 × 10-4 M (R² = 0.9827) with a limit of detection of 4.4 × 10-9 M. The electrode also demonstrated good reproducibility and stability up to one month. The presence of several metal ions and organic did not affect the electrochemical response of BPA. The electrode is also applicable for BPA determination in baby bottle and mineral water samples with a range of recovery between 98.22% and 101.02%.
A Nanocomposite Paste Electrode Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Uric Acid and Bisphenol A Using Zinc Hydroxide Nitrate-Sodium Dodecylsulfate Bispyribac

Yulkifli Y, Yandes WP, Isa IM, Hashim N, Ulianas A, Sharif SNM, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2023 Oct 10;23(20).
PMID: 37896460 DOI: 10.3390/s23208366

The fabrication of a zinc hydroxide nitrate-sodium dodecylsulfate bispyribac modified with multi-walled carbon nanotube (ZHN-SDS-BP/MWCNT) paste electrode for uric acid and bisphenol A detection was presented in this study. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronocoulometry, square-wave voltammetry, and cyclic voltammetry were all used to examine the electrocatalytic activities of modified paste electrodes. The modified electrode's sensitivity and selectivity have been considered in terms of the composition of the modifier in percentages, the types of supporting electrolytes used, the pH of the electrolyte, and square-wave voltammetry parameters like frequency, pulse size, and step increment. Square-wave voltammetry is performed by applying a small amplitude square-wave voltage to a scanning potential from -0.3 V to +1.0 V, demonstrating a quick response time and high sensitivity. The ZHN-SDS-BP/MWCNT sensor demonstrated a linear range for uric acid and bisphenol A from 5.0 µM to 0.7 mM, with a limit of detection of 0.4 µM and 0.8 µM, respectively, with good reproducibility, repeatability, and stability as well. The modified paste electrode was successfully used in the determination of uric acid and bisphenol A in samples of human urine and lake water.
Novel alkaline-reduced cuprous oxide/graphene nanocomposites for non-enzymatic amperometric glucose sensor application

Yazid SNAM, Isa IM, Hashim N

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2016 Nov 01;68:465-473.
PMID: 27524043 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.06.006

This paper presents the fabrication of a highly sensitive and selective glucose sensor based on cuprous oxide/graphene nanocomposites-modified glassy carbon electrode (Cu2O/graphene/GCE). The Cu2O/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized based on a simple and straightforward chemical reduction process in alkaline aqueous solution using sodium carbonate as reductant. The size and shape of Cu2O nanoparticles on graphene sheets can be controlled by changing the amount of graphene oxide added during reaction. The electrochemical properties of Cu2O/graphene/GCE in 0.1M phosphate buffer solution were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the pH, concentration of supporting electrolyte, and scan rate had very crucial effect on the sensitivity of prepared sensor towards glucose oxidation. At an applied potential of +0.50V, the Cu2O/graphene/GCE presented a high sensitivity of 1330.05μAmM(-1)cm(-2) and fast response (within 3s). The amperometric non-enzymatic glucose sensor developed had a linear relationship from 0.01mM to 3.0mM glucose and detection limit of 0.36μM. In the presence of ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, chloride and citrate ion and other carbohydrates, the interferences were negligible. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of glucose concentration in real human blood samples.
Nutritional assessment of rural villages and estates in peninsular Malaysia: Total blood cholesterol values in children, adolescents and adults

Wai TN, Lin KG, Siong TE, Hashim N

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2000 Jun;9(2):115-21.
PMID: 24394397

The present study is unique in the Malaysian context on two counts; first, it employs for the first time a functional group approach (groups based on occupational or economic activity) in the assessment of community nutritional status. Second, the study provides on a nationwide-sampling basis, information on total blood cholesterol (TC) levels in rural children (7.0-12.9 years; n = 1921) and adolescents (13.0-17.9 years; n = 753) which were hitherto unavailable. Total blood cholesterol measurements were performed on 7184 subjects ranging from 7 to 75-years-old (males = 3151; females = 4033) from households in 69 rural villages and seven estates in peninsular Malaysia, which were based on selected multistage random sampling according to the household's involvement in the following economic activities: rice farming, rubber smallholding, coconut smallholding, fishing and employment in estates. In all functional groups, TC values increased with age and there was a distinct gender effect, namely females had higher TC values than males throughout the age spectrum analyzed. Mean TC levels for children and adolescents were in the range 3.85-4.37 mmol/L, rising markedly during adulthood to an overall mean of 4.91 ± 1.13 mmol/L for men and 5.17 ± 1.11 mmol/L for women. In adults (>= 18.0 years), there was marked disparity in mean TC values among the functional groups; males and females from rice households had the lowest mean TC values (4.58 and 4.99 mmol/L, respectively). Individuals at 'high risk' (TC > 6.20 mmol/L) averaged 16.0% in women and 11.6% in men, with women from the fishing, rubber and coconut households particularly affected (17.1-21.1%). When compared to earlier rural TC data reported for closely similar rural communities in the peninsula, the present findings suggest a 'hypercholesterolemic shift' approximating 0.39 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) in the adult population; however, this was not apparent in the children and adolescents from these rural communities.
The effect of ultraviolet treatment on enzymatic activity and total phenolic content of minimally processed potato slices

Teoh LS, Lasekan O, Adzahan NM, Hashim N

J Food Sci Technol, 2016 Jul;53(7):3035-3042.
PMID: 27765974

In this work, potato slices were exposed to different doses of UV-C irradiation (i.e. 2.28, 6.84, 11.41, and 13.68 kJ m(-2)) with or without pretreatment [i.e. ascorbic acid and calcium chloride (AACCl) dip] and stored at 4 ± 1 °C. Changes in enzymatic activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), as well as total phenolic content (TPC) were investigated after 0, 3, 7 and 10 days of storage. Results showed that untreated and UV-C treated potato slices at 13.68 kJ m(-2) dosage level showed significantly higher PPO, POD and PAL activities. Conversely, untreated potato slices showed the lowest TPC during storage period. Potato slices subjected to AACCl dip plus UV-C at 6.84 kJ m(-2) produced lower PPO, POD and PAL activities, as well as maintained a high TPC during storage.
Fulltext Systematical study of multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofluids based disposed transformer oil

Suhaimi NS, Md Din MF, Ishak MT, Abdul Rahman AR, Mohd Ariffin M, Hashim N', et al.

Sci Rep, 2020 Dec 02;10(1):20984.
PMID: 33268816 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77810-8

In this paper, the electrical, dielectric, Raman and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) structure behavior of disposed transformer oil in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were systematically tested to verify their versatility for preparing better alternative transformer oil in future. MWCNT nanofluids are prepared using a two-step method with concentrations ranging from 0.00 to 0.02 g/L. The test results reveal that 0.005 g/L concentration possesses the most optimum performance based on the electrical (AC breakdown and lightning impulse) and dielectric (permittivity, dissipation factor and resistivity) behavior. According to the trend of AC breakdown strength and lightning impulse pattern, there were 212.58% and 40.01% enhancement indicated for 0.005 g/L concentration compared to the disposed transformer oil. The presence of MWCNT also yielding to the decrement of dissipation factor, increased on permittivity and resistivity behavior of disposed transformer oil which reflected to the performance of electrical properties. Furthermore, it is found that these features correlated to the structural properties as systematically verify by Raman and SAXS analysis study.
Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides in a tropical lake basin

Sharip Z, Hashim N, Suratman S

Environ Monit Assess, 2017 Oct 15;189(11):560.
PMID: 29034408 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6274-y

This study investigates the presence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides in streams and the lake in the Sembrong Lake Basin in Malaysia. The catchment of Sembrong Lake has been converted to agricultural areas over the past 30 years, with oil palm plantations and modern agricultural farming being the main land use. Surface water samples were collected from eight sites comprising the stream and lake and analysed for 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). In situ measurement of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity were also undertaken at each site. Aldrin, endrin, δ-BHC, 4,4-DDT, methoxychlor and endosulfan were the main OCPs detected in the lake basin. The total OCP concentration ranged between 5.42 and 349.2 ng/L. The most frequently detected OCPs were δ-BHC, heptachlor and aldrin. The maximum values detected were 23.0, 43.2 and 50.4 ng/L respectively. The highest concentration of OCPs was attributed to 4,4-DDT, but such high residue was rare and only detected once. Other OCP residues were low. Significant differences in the mean values were observed between lake and stream for dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and α-endosulfan concentration (p
Ambu® AuraGain™ versus LMA Supreme™ Second Seal™: a randomised controlled trial comparing oropharyngeal leak pressures and gastric drain functionality in spontaneously breathing patients

Shariffuddin II, Teoh WH, Tang E, Hashim N, Loh PS

Anaesth Intensive Care, 2017 03;45(2):244-250.
PMID: 28267947 DOI: 10.1177/0310057X1704500215

Newer second generation supraglottic airway devices may perform differently in vivo due to material and design modifications. We compared performance characteristics of the Ambu® AuraGain™ and LMA Supreme™ Second Seal™ in 100 spontaneously breathing anaesthetised patients in this randomised controlled study. We studied oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLP) (primary outcome) and secondarily, ease of insertion, success rates, haemodynamic response, time to insertion, and complications of usage. We found no significant difference in OLP between the AuraGain versus the LMA Supreme, mean (standard deviation, SD) 24.1 (7.4) versus 23.6 (6.2) cmH2O, P=0.720. First-attempt placement rates of the AuraGain were comparable to the LMA Supreme, 43/50 (86%) versus 39/50 (78%), P=0.906, with an overall 98% insertion success rate for the AuraGain and 88% for the LMA Supreme after three attempts, P=0.112. However, the AuraGain was deemed subjectively harder to insert, with only 24/50 (48%) versus 37/50 (74%) of AuraGain insertions being scored 1 = easy (on a 5 point scale), P=0.013, and also took longer to insert, 33.4 (SD 10.9) versus 27.3 (SD 11.4) seconds, P=0.010. The AuraGain needed a smaller volume of air (16.4 [SD 6.8] versus 23.0 [SD 7.4] ml, P <0.001) to attain intracuff pressures of 60 cmH2O, facilitated more successful gastric tube insertion (100% versus 90.9%, P=0.046), and had significantly decreased sore throat incidence (10% versus 38%, P=0.020). One AuraGain and six LMA Supremes failed to be placed within the stipulated 120 seconds trial definition of 'success'; these patients had risk factors for failed supraglottic insertion. In conclusion, both devices had similar OLPs and performed satisfactorily. However, the AuraGain resulted in less postoperative sore throat despite being harder to and taking longer to, insert.
Fulltext Optimisation of Stingless Bee Honey Nanoemulsions Using Response Surface Methodology

Rozman AS, Hashim N, Maringgal B, Abdan K

Foods, 2021 Sep 09;10(9).
PMID: 34574242 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092133

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been used in a wide range of products, such as those produced by the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, due to their stability and long shelf life. In the present study, stingless bee honey (SBH) NEs were formulated using SBH, oleic acid, tween 80, glycerol, and double-distilled water. SBH NEs were prepared using a high-pressure homogeniser and were characterised by observing their stability and droplet size. Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) analysis was used to observe the functional groups of the SBH NEs after being subjected to high-pressure homogenisation. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images were then used to confirm the particle size of the SBH NEs and to investigate their morphology. The effects of the independent variables (percentage of oleic acid, storage time, and storage temperature) on the response variables (particle size and polydispersity index) were investigated using the response surface methodology, along with a three-level factorial design. The results showed that the models developed via the response surface methodology were reliable, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of more than 0.90. The experimental validation indicated an error of less than 10% in the actual results compared to the predicted results. The FTIR analysis showed that SBH NEs have the same functional group as SBH. Observation through TEM indicated that the SBH NEs had a similar particle size, which was between 10 and 100 nm. Thus, this study shows that SBH NEs can be developed using a high-pressure homogeniser, which indicates a new direction for SBH by-products.
Fulltext Sociodemographic Factors of Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia: the COVID-19 Mental Health International Study

Razali S, Tukhvatullina D, Hashim NA, Raduan NJN, Anne SJ, Ismail Z, et al.

East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2022 Dec;32(4):82-88.
PMID: 36578182 DOI: 10.12809/eaap2204

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of depression and the sociodemographic factors associated with depression in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic METHODS. This study is part of the COVID-19 Mental Health International Study to collect data on the impact of the pandemic on mental health through an online survey. People who were aged ≥18 years, able to read Malay or English, had access to the internet, and consented to participate were asked to complete a pro forma questionnaire to collect their sociodemographic data. The presence of distress and depression was assessed using the English or Malay version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.
RESULTS: Of 963 participants, 451 (46.8%) had depression and 512 (53.2%) had no depression who were either normal (n = 169, 17.5%) or had distress (n = 343, 35.6%). Participants had higher odds of having depression when living with two people (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.896, p = 0.001), three people (AOR = 2.622, p < 0.001) or four people (AOR = 3.135, p < 0.001). Participants with three children had higher odds of having depression (AOR = 2.084, p = 0.008), whereas having only one child was a protective factor for depression (AOR = 0.481, p = 0.01). Participants had higher odds of having depression when self-employed (AOR = 3.825, p = 0.003), retired (AOR = 4.526, p = 0.001), being housekeeper (AOR = 7.478, p = 0.004), not working by choice (AOR = 5.511, p < 0.001), or unemployed (AOR = 3.883, p = 0.009). Participants had higher odds of depression when living in a small town (AOR = 3.193, p < 0.001) or rural area (AOR = 3.467, p < 0.001). Participants with no chronic medical illness had lower odds of having depression (AOR = 0.589, p = 0.008).
CONCLUSION: In Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic, people who are living with two, three, or four people, having three children, living in a small town or rural areas, and having unstable income have higher odds of having depression. Urgent intervention for those at risk of depression is recommended.
Bis(ferrocenium) bis

Razak IA, Raj SS, Fun HK, Yamin BM, Hashim N

Acta Crystallogr C, 2000 Jun;56 (Pt 6):664-5.
PMID: 10902012
Fulltext Sustainable Palm Oil-The Role of Screening and Advanced Analytical Techniques for Geographical Traceability and Authenticity Verification

Ramli US, Tahir NI, Rozali NL, Othman A, Muhammad NH, Muhammad SA, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Jun 25;25(12).
PMID: 32630515 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122927

Palm oil production from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is vital for the economy of Malaysia. As of late, sustainable production of palm oil has been a key focus due to demand by consumer groups, and important progress has been made in establishing standards that promote good agricultural practices that minimize impact on the environment. In line with the industrial goal to build a traceable supply chain, several measures have been implemented to ensure that traceability can be monitored. Although the palm oil supply chain can be highly complex, and achieving full traceability is not an easy task, the industry has to be proactive in developing improved systems that support the existing methods, which rely on recorded information in the supply chain. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) as the custodian of the palm oil industry in Malaysia has taken the initiative to assess and develop technologies that can ensure authenticity and traceability of palm oil in the major supply chains from the point of harvesting all the way to key downstream applications. This review describes the underlying framework related to palm oil geographical traceability using various state-of-the-art analytical techniques, which are also being explored to address adulteration in the global palm oil supply chain.
Fulltext Electrocautery resection as a treatment option for canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT)

Rajendren, S. K., Krishnan, K., Ganesh, T. N., Roslan, N. S., Hashim, N. A., Mohamad, M. A.

Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(2):19-22.
MyJurnal

A 5-year-old Mongrel was brought presented with the complaint of having serosanguineous discharge from penis for a month since adoption. Physical examination revealed cauliflower-like mass at the bulbus glandis. Presence of numerous anisokaryotic and anisocytotic round to oval histiocytes with multivacuolated cytoplasm from cytology, an evidence of canine transmissibale venereal tumour (CTVT). The mass was successfully surgically resected using electrocautery and was in remission for 12 months (since January 2019).
Fulltext A Case of Medialized Lateral Maxillary Sinus Wall: A Pillar of Support

Othman IA, Hashim ND, Nazimi AJ

Case Rep Med, 2018;2018:4053531.
PMID: 29861735 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4053531

The number of maxillofacial trauma (MFT) cases attended in the Emergency Department is progressively increasing in trend, owing to the rising statistics of motor-vehicle accidents (MVAs) and urban assaults in addition to occupational-related injuries. Prompt and thorough assessment is important for accurate diagnosis and paramount treatment plans. We will be discussing a case of unusual presentation of an orbital floor fracture post-MVA which was treated conservatively based on the clinical assessments during follow-ups, supported by radiological findings. We will also briefly discuss the different radiological modalities available in assessing MFT and late presentation of enophthalmos.
Fulltext Evaluation of a suitable thin layer model for drying of pumpkin under forced air convection

Onwude, D. I., Hashim, N., Janius, R. B., Nawi, N., Abdan, K.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(3):1173-1181.
MyJurnal

The thin layer drying kinetics of pumpkin slices (Cucurbita moschata) were experimentally
investigated in a convective hot air dryer. In order to select the appropriate model for predicting
the drying kinetics of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), twelve thin layer semi theoretical,
theoretical and empirical models, widely used in describing the drying behaviour of agricultural
products were fitted to the experimental data. The Page and Two term exponential models
showed the best fit under certain drying conditions. The Hii et al. (2009) model, which was
adopted from a combination of the Page and Two term models was compared to the other 11
selected thin layer models based on the coefficient of determination (R2
) and sum of squares
error (SSE). Comparison was made between the experimental and model predicted moisture
ratio by non-linear regression analysis. Furthermore, the effect of drying temperature and slice
thickness on the best model constants was evaluated. Consequently, the Hii et al. (2009) model
showed an excellent fit with the experimental data (R2 > 0.99 and SSE < 0.012) for the drying
temperatures of 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C and at different sample thicknesses of 3 mm, 5 mm and
7 mm respectively. Thus, the Hii et al. (2009) model can adequately predict the drying kinetics
of pumpkin.
Fulltext Modelling the convective drying process of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using an artificial neural network

Onwude, D. I., Hashim, N., Janius, R. B., Nawi, N., Abdan, K.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(101):237-243.
MyJurnal

This study investigated the drying kinetic of pumpkin under different drying temperatures (50,
60, 70 and 80°C), samples thickness (3, 4, 5 and 7mm), air velocity (1.2m/s) and relative
humidity (40 - 50%). Kinetic models were developed using semi-theoretical thin layer models
and multi-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) method. The Hii et al. (2009)
semi-theoretical model was found to be the most suitable thin layer model while two hidden
layers with 20 neurons was the best for the ANN method. The selections were based on the
statistical indicators of coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and
sum of squares error (SSE). Results indicated that the ANN demonstrated better prediction
than those of the theoretical models with R2, RMSE and SSE values of 0.992, 0.036 and 0.207
as compared to the Hii et al. (2009) model values of 0.902, 0.088 and 1.734 respectively. The
validation result also showed good agreement between the predicted values obtained from
the ANN model and the experimental moisture ratio data. This indicates that an ANN can
effectively describe the drying process of pumpkin.
Mechanisation of large-scale agricultural fields in developing countries-a review

Onwude DI, Abdulstter R, Gomes C, Hashim N

J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar 4.
PMID: 26940194 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7699

Mechanisation of large scale agricultural fields often requires the application of modern technologies such as mechanical power, automation, control and robotics. These technologies are generally associated with relatively well developed economies. The application of these technologies in some developing countries in Africa and Asia is limited by factors such as technology compatibility with the environment, availability of resources to facilitate the technology adoption, cost of technology purchase, government policies, adequacy of technology and appropriateness in addressing the needs of the population. As a result, many of the available resources have been used inadequately by farmers, who continue to rely mostly on conventional means of agricultural production, using traditional tools and equipment in most cases. This has led to low productivity and high cost of production amongst others. Thus, this paper attempts to evaluate the application of present day technology and its limitations to the advancement of large scale mechanisation in developing countries of Africa and Asia. Particular emphasis is given to a general understanding of the various levels of mechanization, present day technology, its management and application to large scale agricultural fields. This review also focuses on/ gives emphasis to future outlook that will enable a gradual, evolutionary, and sustainable technological change. The study concludes that large scale-agricultural farm mechanisation for sustainable food production in Africa and Asia must be anchored on a coherent strategy based on the actual needs and priorities of the large- scale farmers.

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