hurricane irene: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

About Latex (1)

What is Latex?

Rubber tree

In the webdictionary Latex is defined as a milky exudate from certain plants that coagulates on exposure to air. Some literatures define Latex as an emulsion of rubber in water, used in adhesives and the like or the milky sap of several trees that coagulates on exposure to air; used to make rubber.

About Latex

Natural latex is a milky liquid secreted by a variety of plants that grow in the tropics. It is not a sap, and its function in the plant is not well understood. The latex produced by the rubber tree contains about 30 to 40% rubber hydrocarbon (polyisoprene) suspended in water. Today, the term latex applies not only to the natural suspensions but also to suspensions of synthetic rubber and synthetic elastomers. Some of these synthetic materials are: styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene (nitrile) rubbers, chloroprene rubbers, acrylic copolymers, synthetic cis-polyisoprene, vinyl acetate co-polymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and butyl rubber.

All latices, both natural and synthetic, are shear-sensitive to varying degrees. This means that under shear these materials can coagulate. Raw natural latex is matured with time to produce a more stable product. If raw latex is not allowed to mature, processing becomes very difficult because of agglomeration. Raw latex may contain soaps and ammonium hydroxide to maintain stability. This shear instability makes it difficult to process latices with high shear equipment such as mixers or colloid mills. However, the homogenizer has been extremely successful in this operation. The success of the homogenizer is due to the fact that the instability of latex is a function of the degree of shear and the time to which it is exposed to this shear. In the homogenizing valve the degree of energy input is high, but the time is essentially zero, thus permitting the processing of the most shearsensitive latices with the minimum of coagulation. However, even in the best processing conditions, latex may agglomerate inside the homogenizer pump requiring routine cleaning of the machine to maintain good pumping action.

The homogenizer has a number of applications in the processing of latex. The following list indicates the diversity of its usage in the field.

Dispersion of compounding ingredients in latex.
Agglomerating or growing of latex particles.
Manufacture of latex thread or filaments.
Master-batching of latex prior to coagulation. (Carbon black or other reinforcing agents)
Pigmenting of latices.
Incorporation of extending oils to latices.
Plasticizing of latices.
Reduction of agglomerates in synthetic latices.

Objectives for Latex

The objectives for these various latex applications cover a range of goals that sometime seem contradictory. For example, a latex particle can be either increased or decreased in size by the same piece of equipment; i.e., the APV homogenizer, depending upon the conditions of operation and the type and percentage of surfactant present in the formulation. A brief summary of the objectives for each application follows.

PAGE 1 OF 3: PAGE 1 - 2 - 3

JOURNAL: Effects of Low Habitual Cocoa Intake in Blood Pressure and Bioactive Nitric Oxide

ABSTRACT: Regular intake of cocoa-containing foods is linked to lower cardiovascular mortality in observational studies. Short-term interventions of at most 2 weeks indicate that high doses of cocoa can improve endothelial function and reduce blood pressure (BP) due to the action of the cocoa polyphenols, but the clinical effect of low habitual cocoa intake on BP and the underlying BP-lowering mechanisms are unclear.

The study objective was to determine effects of low doses of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on BP. Randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded, parallel-group trial involved 44 adults aged 56 through 73 years (24 women, 20 men) with untreated upper-range prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension without concomitant risk factors. The trial was conducted at a primary care clinic in Germany between January 2005 and December 2006. Participants were randomly assigned to receive for 18 weeks either 6.3 g (30 kcal) per day of dark chocolate containing 30 mg of polyphenols or matching polyphenol-free white chocolate.

Primary outcome measure was the change in BP after 18 weeks. Secondary outcome measures were changes in plasma markers of vasodilative nitric oxide (Snitrosoglutathione) and oxidative stress (8-isoprostane), and bioavailability of cocoa polyphenols. From baseline to 18 weeks, dark chocolate intake reduced mean (SD) systolic BP by –2.9 (1.6) mm Hg (P < .001) and diastolic BP by –1.9 (1.0) mm Hg (P < .001) without changes in body weight, plasma levels of lipids, glucose, and 8-isoprostane. Hypertension prevalence declined from 86% to 68%. The BP decrease was accompanied by a sustained increase of S-nitrosoglutathione by 0.23 (0.12) nmol/L (P < .001), and a dark chocolate dose resulted in the appearance of cocoa phenols in plasma. White chocolate intake caused no changes in BP or plasma biomarkers.

FULL TEXT >>

Other important journals:

JOURNAL: Antioxidant Properties of Cocoa Powder

ABSTRACT: This study was aimed to determine antioxidant properties of cocoa powder. Crude cocoa extracts were fractionated using prepacked column (25 cm ¥ 2.0 cm) with Sephadex LH 20 and an increase in water–acetone (85:15, 70:30, and 40:60, v/v) as elution.

The resulting fractions 1 (F1), 2 (F2) and 3 (F3) were tested for phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity, identification of bioactive compounds liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) and stability test. Theobromine and caffeine were major compounds detected in F1 and F2. Monomer, dimer and trimer were identified in F3 as m/z 289, 578 and 867, respectively. Addition of F1 and F2 could reduce antioxidant capacity of F3. Catechin and epicatechin in F3 was stable when stored at 4 and -20C for 5 months. High antioxidant capacity in F3 was likely due to the monomeric, dimeric and trimeric phenolic compounds. The presence of methylxanthines could reduce antioxidant capacity of flavonoids in cocoa powder.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

JOURNAL: The Role of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis in Investigating a Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Roma Tomatoes

ABSTRACT: In July 2004 the PA Dept of Health (PA DOH) and the PA Dept of Agriculture (PDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), were involved in the investigation of a multi-state foodborne outbreak of Salmonella. The outbreak, centered in Pennsylvania, involved food items purchased at deli counters of a large gas station chain.

Routine surveillance by the PA DOH’s pulsed- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) lab showed a spike in serotype Javiana, and PFGE analysis of these isolates identified an outbreak pattern. An epidemiologic investigation implicated tomatoes as the source of infection. From tomatoes the PDA isolated Salmonella, which the PA DOH rapidly serotyped as Anatum. Subsequently, PFGE established a direct patient-tomato link for this organism. As the epi investigation and PFGE testing continued, four serotypes (Javiana, Anatum, Thompson, and Typhimurium) were eventually implicated. PFGE results failed to support the involvement of one epi-linked serotype (Muenchen). The standardized CDC PFGE protocol (Ref. 1) using multiple enzymes was used to further characterize the isolates. Through the CDC-sponsored PulseNet communications system, PFGE results were posted to the WebBoard. Rapid responses from neighboring states revealed this to be a multi-state outbreak.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

JOURNAL: Consumers Perception of Food Traceability in Europe

ABSTRACT: Food traceability has become mandatory since 1st January 2005 in the European Union. Traceability of products and activities in the supply chain has become a new factor of competitiveness in agribusiness and is deemed to be an important criterion of perception of food product quality and safety for consumers.

This paper has three objectives: i) to get a deeper understanding of the role of the “ability-to-trace” in consumer decision-making process with respect to food, ii) to measure consumers’ acceptability for food traceability, iii) to check the differences of these matters across twelve European countries in order to highlight any specificity. The purpose is based on the analysis of the verbatim recorded within twenty four focus groups discussions carried-out in autumn 2005.

Keywords: Food Traceability, Focus Groups, Consumer Attitudes, European Countries
FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

International Trade and Food Safety: Economic Theory and Case Studies

ABSTRACT: Food safety regulations and the perception of risk are different among countries. This can lead to persistent trade frictions and even reduce food trade. These differences may also lead to increased dialogue between countries, with improved food safety systems the result.

Although little disruption to trade has occurred for food safety reasons (considering the total volume of food trade), trade issues or crises related to food safety are wide ranging. These issues and crises challenge policymakers and industries to both protect domestic food supplies and nurture international markets. Meanwhile, consumers in developed countries are demanding safer food. Risk reduction measures and quality certification programs can not only pre-empt food safety crises, but can better position exporters in emerging overseas markets. However, coherency between trade and food safety goals requires public intervention and investment and/or private costs.

Keywords: Food safety, international trade, regulation, Salmonella, BSE, produce, seafood, trade liberalization

FULL TEXT >>

Other important journals:

JOURNAL: Water Quality & Food Safety Program Summary

ABSTRACT: The co‐management of food safety and water quality requires the development and promulgation of science‐based recommendations for the concurrent achievements of both water quality and food safety standards. The purpose of the Water Quality/Food Safety Program is to implement pilot field trials and on‐farm demonstration projects aimed at exploring the compatibility of water quality and food safety.

Pilot field trials investigate the influence of vegetative water quality Best Management Practices (including grassed waterways/drainage ditches, vegetative treatment systems, and polyacrylamide) on nutrient, sediment, and bacterial levels. Field trials are implemented on both commercial and research farms in the Pajaro and Salinas River Watersheds. In addition, the design and installation of over twenty on‐farm demonstration projects is underway.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

大豆粉加工

商业大豆粉

坚果，如大豆，花生种子，四棱豆种子，科罗，椰子和其他的食物来源是蛋白质和脂肪，在生活中非常重要的作用。氨基酸的蛋白质在动物蛋白中的那么完整，但如芝麻，玉米碎粒或其他成分除了是非常维持氨基酸平衡好。

坚果和块茎迅速一旦接触到模具（黄曲霉素），因此很容易成为干枯，腐烂。为了克服这个问题，需要保留的材料。加工产品可食品，如芯片，豆腐和豆豉，如奶粉和大豆饮料。大豆蛋白含有甚至在优良品种蛋白质含量35％可以达到40-43％。与水稻相比，玉米，木薯，青豆，肉，鱼，蛋，黄豆的蛋白质含量较高，接近水平的脱脂牛奶蛋白。

当一个人是不允许或不能每天吃55克肉或其他动物蛋白源，蛋白质的需要，可以从充满大豆的食品的157.14克。大豆可以加工成：豆豉，豆豉薯片，豆腐，豆制品，牛奶等。成的大豆食品的一般品种加工是一个简单的过程，设备及足够的常用于家庭使用的工具，除了帕尔，研磨，模具。

大豆粉作为一种新鲜的饮料，因为它具有很高的营养价值。大豆粉的蛋白质含量比全脂牛奶和脱脂牛奶高。当蛋白质的水平检讨，大豆粉可以用来代替牛奶。用酱油炒制成无油，然后粉碎成粉末。

材料

大豆

工具

杵
风选
塑料桶
细筛
炉灶
工具油炸（潘土地）
罐

加工

有两种制作，即种方式：

煎锅烤直接
沉浸与煎锅烤

烤煎直接（无油）

清洁大豆;
烧热平底锅地面15分钟获得的热量均匀。然后把上面的土锅炸黄豆，不断搅拌。做15分钟（直到破损的皮肤）;
删除，并让5〜10分钟前Tampi灰分和消除皮肤已经从凉爽的种子分离;
醪大约皮肤和种子分开，然后再过筛，直至无皮肤;
然后捣碎，直到顺利，然后筛;
塑料容器保存在大豆粉。

浸入式无油煎锅

清洁豆，浸泡4小时，直至皮肤被打破，使汁液与皮肤之间的种子来遏制;
用手揉来分离皮肤，然后冲洗水已去皮黄豆，然后沥干15分钟;
晒着太阳，在1天完全干燥的风选上;
油炸后干燥的土地上已经加热15分钟一次顶锅;
电梯，进入簸搬到被冷却，在15分钟开状态;
然后，筛选分离的皮肤仍然存在。分开烧焦的尸体，因为它会影响大豆生产的粉的颜色和味道;
下一步捣碎，直到顺利的一木臼和筛选;
保存在瓶子或罐子就能关闭严密大豆粉。

注意：

大豆粉应存放在密闭容器中，因为它很容易吸收空气中的水的自由，同时也防止真菌（霉菌）的增长，可以改变气味，味道和颜色。

Sunday, December 26, 2010

JOURNAL: Food Safety, Toxicology and Utilization of Mycotoxin-Contaminated Grain

ABSTRACT: Cereal crop plants are colonized by many fungal species such as Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum, which produce ochratoxins, and Fusarium graminearum, which produces trichothecene mycotoxins. A multiplex real-time PCR method using TaqMan probes was developed to simultaneously detect and quantify trichothecene producing Fusarium species and ochratoxin A producing Penicillium and Aspergillus species in cereal grains.

Primers and probes were designed targeting the Tri5 gene in trichothecene producing Fusarium, rRNA gene in Penicillium verrucosum and polyketide synthase gene in Aspergillus ochraceus. The method was highly specific to the species containing these genes and sensitive, detecting 3 pg of genomic DNA. These products were detectable over five orders of magnitude (3 pg to 30 ng of genomic DNA). Thirty barley samples were evaluated for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi using the above method. Among these samples, 9 tested positive for Fusarium spp, 5 tested positive for Penicillium spp and 2 tested positive for Aspergillus spp. Results were confirmed by traditional microbiological methods. These results indicate that DON and OTA producing fungi can be detected and quantified in a single reaction tube using this multiplex real-time PCR method.

FULL TEXT>>

More important journals:

JOURNAL: Integrating Food Safety and Traceability (IFSAT)

ABSTRACT: The aim of the project has been to integrate food safety and traceability by finding common features within food safety and traceability that can benefit each other. To integrate, in a constructive way, food safety and traceability in the management systems that are used in the food sector. To try to document the achieved synergetic effect by integrating food safety and traceability in the management systems. Networking and dissemination activities and liaison to other projects have also been important aims in the project.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

Understanding the FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification Standard

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this document is to provide an introduction to the FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification standard requirements. This document is not intended to be a full explanation of the standard or of its implementation. Rather, it aims to promote understanding of the standard and its benefits to organisations doing business at a domestic or international level within the food industry.

FULL TEXT >>

Other important journals:

Food Irradiation: Microbiological Safety and Disinfestation

ABSTRACT: Irradiation can kill microorganisms, insects and parasites and this is a fundamental reason for applying the technology to improve the safety and quality of many foods and food products. This paper will discuss how various organisms can be affected by irradiation treatment. Factors affecting radiation sensitivity will also be discussed and how the use of irradiation in combination with other treatments can be beneficial in improving quality and safety.

Keywords: bacteria, spores, yeasts, moulds, insects, parasites
FULL TEXT>>

More important journals:

Pertamina-PTPN Joint to Build Biodiesel Refinery Plant

PT. Pertamina and PTPN III, PTPN IV cooperate to build biodiesel refineries in the area of plantations by forming joint ventures.

The signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) was taken place on Thursday (4/8) at the office of the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and witnessed by SOEs Minister Mustafa Abubakar.

Pertamina stated that they will purchase biodisesel generated by their subsidiaries, after each party conduct a study regarding the implementation of, provisions and conditions of sales and purchases.

The commitment of Pertamina on the volume of biodiesel that will be purchased based on policies and government regulations in the development of biofuels (biodiesel and bioethanol).

While PTPN III, PTPN IV, and PTPN V committed to use of Pertamina's products, such as diesel, IFO, lubricants and other products.

Until this moment there have not mentioned yet the name of subsidiaries and shareholding composition of each company.

Minister Mustafa Abubakar said that this synergy is the spirit that must be developed in improving the performance of state-owned enterprises.

In addition to plant development cooperation, PTPN and Pertamina is also exploring cooperation greendiesel development, sale and purchase of CPO and its derivatives (derivatives) by utilizing Pertamina's technological tools.

Cooperation will also be developed at a later stage in the area of oil palm plantations.

On that occasion, also signed cooperation between SOEs Plantation and Perum Perhutani Perhutani, and between PT PLN, PTPN I-XIV, PT RNI and Perum Perhutani.

Plantation Enterprises will provide and sell biomass-based electricity to PT PLN, in accordance potential can be realized in the period 2010 to 2015 with a location approved by PT PLN.

For that consequences, PTPN I-XIV, PT RNI and Perum Perhutani will form a Special Purpose Company (SPC) for each plant.

Furthermore, detailed terms and conditions of implementation of power purchase will be arranged in Purchace Power Agreement (PPA) and will be made separately for each plant.

Jakarta, (ANTARA News), 4//8/10

Source: antaranews.com
Translated by: Harrys

Three Puzzles of Private Governance: GlobalGAP and the Regulation of Food Safety and Quality

ABSTRACT: The private governance of food safety and quality is neglected in contemporary discussions relating to governance beyond the state. This sphere presents an interesting case for analysis given the current multiple occupation of steering space which was traditionally perceived to be the exclusive property of the state.

This paper addresses a triad of puzzles traced by the empirical case of GlobalGAP and etched in the extant literature concerning novel forms of non-state governance. These puzzles pose the following questions: How and why do sites of non-state governance emerge (the puzzle of emergence)? How should such sites be viewed (the puzzle of conceptualisation)? How can such sites be legitimate and what effect does legitimation have on their development (the puzzle of legitimation)? This paper concludes that GlobalGAP offers a critical case for the future research of governance beyond the state which has proliferated in the wake of neoliberalism.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

Bovine Besnoitiosis: An emerging disease in Europe

ABSTRACT: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asked the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare to deliver a scientific statement on bovine besnoitiosis. Recent epidemiological data confirm an increased number of cases and geographic expansion of besnoitiosis in cattle herds in some EU MS therefore bovine besnoitiosis should be considered an emerging disease in the EU.

However many aspects of the epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis remain uncertain including prevalence and incidence of infection and disease in endemic areas, routes of transmission and risk-factors associated to infection and disease. The infection caused by the cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti can cause serious adverse effects both during the acute and chronic phases of disease. The Panel has highlighted the importance to raise awareness about this disease in particular with farmers and veterinarians regarding clinical signs and the known transmission routes. Epidemiological investigations in endemic areas in Europe are necessary to elucidate the importance of infected animals and the routes of transmission. Diagnostic tools need to be further developed and standardized to address unanswered questions related to the epidemiology and clinical progression of the disease. Appropriate measures and strategies to control of besnoitiosis need to be investigated using the available epidemiological information.

Keywords: Bovine besnoitiosis, Besnoitia besnoiti, geographical distribution, transmission, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis
FULL TEXT >>

Other important journal:

Saturday, December 25, 2010

JOURNAL: Food Safety Innovation in the United States

ABSTRACT: Recent industry innovations improving the safety of the Nation’s meat supply range from new pathogen tests, high-tech equipment, and supply chain management systems, to new surveillance networks. Despite these and other improvements, the market incentives that motivate private firms to invest in innovation seem to be fairly weak.

Results from an ERS survey of U.S. meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants and two case studies of innovation in the U.S. beef industry reveal that the industry has developed a number of mechanisms to overcome that weakness and to stimulate investment in food safety innovation. Industry experience suggests that government policy can increase food safety innovation by reducing informational asymmetries and strengthening the ability of innovating firms to appropriate the benefits of their investments.

Keywords: Food safety, innovation, meat, asymmetric information, Beef Steam Pasteurization System, Bacterial Pathogen Sampling and Testing Program

FULL TEXT>>

More important journals:

Regions, Borders, and Regulation: The Food Safety & Security Case

ABSTRACT: In an era of globalization, how effectively can states regulate movement across their borders? Do the contemporary dynamics of states, borders, and markets suggest the need for non-traditional methods of regulation and international cooperation in areas such as border inspections or border management? If so, how can capacity in this regard be built?

In response to the themes identified in the call for papers—specifically trans-border economic regions, border security, regional cooperation, and transnational governance—we propose a paper that will attempt to answer these questions by using an interdisciplinary research approach. To focus the discussion, we will illustrate our basic thesis by focusing on selected key case studies in the arena of food safety and security. Multilateral standard-setting bodies such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) have endorsed the concept of “regionalization” as a means by which states can preserve trade relations when sanitary (human or animal health) or phytosanitary (plant health) hazards threaten a country’s trading status. The preservation-of-trade function of regionalization has received due attention by scholars of international relations; however, the cases we will discuss—including Mexico and China—illustrate how regionalization may also be helpful to countries that (a) lack a robust federal food safety and security infrastructure but (b) have regions that are home to agricultural and food export businesses. An examination of some of the top biosecurity concerns and regulatory responses that regions in these two countries face will be analyzed to understand the role regionalization may play in enhancing state regulatory capacities. Furthermore, the paper will probe the prospects of international regulatory frameworks that may cover the movement of people and goods through trans-border regions in North America and elsewhere. In doing so, it explores new approaches to sovereignty, spatial organization, and border management.

FULL TEXT>>

Other important journals:

JOURNAL: Food Safety and Botulinum Toxin

ABSTRACT: The botulism is a food intoxication (poisoning) caused by ingestion of preformed toxin produced by C. botulinum that may be ubiquitously found in soil. Tins, smoked dried or vacuum packed dried eat and vacuum packed fish as well as tins acquired from stores are involved. This paper is a retrospective study of food-borne disease with botulinum toxin from 2003 to 2008. Incidence of botulism in Romania was investigated using blood serum samples collected from suspected patients.

The tests were performed in the National Institute of Research and Development for Microbiology and Immunology “I. Cantacuzino”, from 2003 to May 2008. In our study mainly botulinum toxin type B was identified, and just in only one case serotype E was found. Botulinum toxin from blood serum samples was identified in 80 cases: 79 samples were of type B and one sample of type E. Food-borne botulism cases in Romania during the period 2003-2008 were as follows: 27 cases (13 %) in 2003, 18 cases (9%) in 2004, 21 cases (10%) in 2005, 23 cases (11%) in 2006, 110 cases (52%) in 2007, and 11 cases (5%) in 2008.

Keywords: food-borne infection, bacteriology, epidemiology, food industry, Clostridium botulinum.
FULL TEXT>>

More important journals:

Friday, December 24, 2010

Bapedalda of Jambi is Finding Solutions to Treat Rubber Waste Problem

Crumrubber plants

Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) of Jambi is looking for a new formula for treating rubber waste problem at the "crumrubber" plants which operate along the Batanghari riverside.

Bapedalda head of Jambi province, Ir Murdjani Achmad (7/19) said that the efforts done by the institution is to find solutions for crumrubber plants which operating along Batanghari river for it's waste will no longer pollute the river.

The solution formula they prepare is to reduce the discharge of crumrubber industrial waste so as not to pollute the river or at least the level of pollution become lower and had no impact on the environment.

For the moment the rubber plants management in Jambi are still using the sedimentation system by using alum as an effort to reduce the impact of water pollution.

It's in accordance to Murdjani said that the most dominant and widely used in crumrubber plants in Jambi today are still using alum to precipitate the sedimentation of their waste water.

As an option, for example in the province of South Sumatera, crumrubber plants there has used its waste management system with an activated sludge system.

Activated sludge system pond

For the system of activated sludge, Bapedalda of Jambi Province will implement the system at PT Aneka Bumi Pratama (ABP) which located in areas of Kubu Kandang, and also operates in District of Batanghari along Batanghari riverside.

Murdjani also acknowledged that the implementation of activated sludge system needs so extensive sites and also requires large investments as well.

For the while activated sludge system is only widely used by most companies in the field of oil palm plantations and for the crumrubber plants in Jambi has not much to implement it.

Jambi, (ANTARA News)

Source: antaranews.com

Translated by: Harrys

Agency for Research and Development of Department of Forestry Develops Plywood Made from Oil Palm Tree

Oil Palm Plantation

Research and Development Agency (R&D) of Department of Forestry has developed the use of palm wood stems that no more productive to be made of plywood. The use of palm stem as raw materials for plywood industry has a double advantages, the first is making usefull of waste into a commodity of high economic value. The second, it could be a solution to prevent the continuing degradation of nature, because of the presence of non-forestry raw materials, then logging in natural forests will be reduced.

Development of oil palm plywood is quite promising because the potential of raw materials are quite large, estimated the replanting of 25 million m3/year. Development of oil palm plantations in Indonesia in recent years has increased rapidly. In 1998 oil palm plantation area has reached more than 2.63 million ha, whereas in 2003 oil palm plantation area has reached more than 4.93 million ha. These data indicate that the national oil palm plantation expansion in the period reached more than 400,000 ha per year.

A cooperation has been signed between R&D Agency of Department of Forestry and PT. Inhutani IV Riau by conducting trials using stem oil for veneer and plywood at the PT. Asia Forestama Raya plant, Rumbai, Riau. Such cooperation is a pioneer in the commercialization of palm wood, so that the results obtained will be the basis for policies in preparing procedures for utilizing oil palm wood stems and oil palm industry developing mechanisms. Oil Palm materials used in the tests consisted of two age classes, palm trees aged 22 and 25 years, with timber volume each 60m3 and 40 m3. Both groups of these plants originated from PTP. Nusantara V plantations, Riau.

Some note of the trial results trials are:

Palm trunk can be used for the manufacture of plywood panels using conventional facilities contained in the plywood industry.
Experimental production of wood veneer to produce wet and dry veneer yield, respectively by 67% and 36%.
Treat compaction (densification) on the structure of wood veneer to reduce the volume of palm timber by 50%.
Veneer and plywood panels from oil palm stems yield is lower than the yield of wood production from plantation forests and wood from public forests.
Increased efficiency and productivity in the manufacture of veneer and plywood panels from palm can be done through several modifications to the machinery and production equipment.
Palm plywood products have a relatively good economic value compared to similar products made from timber of forest plantations.
Production of veneer and plywood from commercial palm plantations need to involve the party as the owner of the raw materials. This needs to be considered in order to obtain the certainty of supply of raw materials, avoiding third-party interference, and minimizing the cost of materials.

For further information, please contact Masyhud, Head of Information Centre, Ministry of Forestry

Jakarta, 12 / 6 (AFP)

Source: antaranews.com

Translated by: HarryS

Impact of food processing industry on geology, soil and ecology: The Nigerian experience

ABSTRACT: In developing countries it is common to cite industries without carrying out environmental impact assessment. This is the case of the two industries audited in this study. It becomes necessary therefore to audit food processing industries in Nigeria to determine their impact on geology, soil and ecology.

This will enhance a cleaner and healthier environment. In this study the impact of food processing industries on geology, soil and ecology of their environments were reported. The method adopted is the investigative survey research approach (ISRA) which involves the collection of baseline and screening data. The effects of pollution on geology, soil and ecology include depletion of natural reserves, endangered terrestrial habitats leading to migration of arboreal animals to safer places and loss of them in the host communities, increased compaction due to increased vehicular and human traffic and reduction in yield of lands within the vicinity of the industries. The reduced soil fertility could be attributed to leachate from chemical wastes from NAS The need for environmental impact auditing and the importance of impact auditing as a project management tool were highlighted. It was concluded that the food processing industries do have positive and negative impacts on their environments and recommendations towards alleviating negative impacts on the environment were made.

Keywords: Baseline data, ecosystem, environmental impact assessment, environmental auditing, ISRA
FULL TEXT >>

Other important journals:

JOURNAL: HACCP and ISO Development of a Food Safety Management Standard

ABSTRACT: There is an increase in the customer demand for safe food. This has lead food processing companies to develop food safety management systems, which are based on HACCP. In 2001, ISO has undertaken the development of an auditable standard, which further defines HACCP’s role in a food safety management system . This standard is not intended to define the minimal regulatory requirement, however it is intended to define the requirements for companies that desire to exceed the regulatory requirements for food safety. It is expected that this standard will be published by ISO in 2004.

FULL TEXT>>

More important journals: