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Item Development of herbal tea using pomegranate peel powder from Sri Lankan pomegranate cultivars(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Mirando, M. D. J.; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.The antioxidant potential of the pomegranate peel of Sri Lankan pomegranate cultivars was well established in our previous work. Since its high antioxidant potential is well correlated with its anticancer properties, the possibility of developing an herbal tea using pomegranate peel powder (PPP) was targeted in the study. Dried pomegranate peel powder (PPP) from Kalpitiya hybrid (K), Daya (D) and Nimali (N) cultivars were packed in tea bags (Tb) and sachet packets (Ts) under aseptic condition at room temperature in a covered box for 24 weeks. Tea samples were prepared in two ways: by dipping tea bag (Tb) in hot water (tea samples Kw, Dw and Nw) and by directly adding peel powder in sachet packet (Ts) into hot water (samples Kws, Dws and Nws). Antioxidant capacity and the pH values of the prepared tea samples were monitored at every 3- week interval until the 24th week. Sensory evaluations were done twice, initially and after twelve weeks. Observed total phenolic content (TPC) (mg GAE/ g sample), total flavonoid content (TFC) (mg CHE/ g sample) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (PFRAP) (mmol AAE/ g sample) values were higher in Ts than in Tb. Observed TPC values of Kw, Dw and Nw slowly declined by ~73%, 59% and 66% ,respectively through 24-week period. Reduction of TFC values of Kw, Dw and Nw through 24-week period were approximately 46%, 49% and 52%, respectively. PFRAP values of Kw, Dw and Nw also slowly declined by approximately 65%, 66% and 60%, respectively, through the tested period. Reduction of TPC values for Kws, Dws and Nws were observed as ~40%~ 23% and ~6%, respectively. TFC values of Kws and Dws also slowly declined by ~ 27% and ~20%, respectively. Reduction of PFRAP values of Kws, Dws and Nws were observed as 25%, 35% and 30%, respectively. All these findings indicated that the decline in TPC, TFC and FRAP values through the 24-week period is less in Kws, Dws and Nws than in Kw, Dw and Nw. Tb had higher pH values than Ts. Pomegranate has been used widely by many peoples for more than thousand years. Microbial contamination even after six months was significantly below the countable level. It is below than 30 colonies. Hence, herbal tea preparations can be recommended as safe for consumption even at 6th month. All these findings suggest that antioxidant power of Ts is much higher than that of Tb and the declining antioxidant potential is considerably less in Ts over the 6 month period. Overall consumer acceptability of the tea samples was also at a moderate level.Item Proximate analysis on nonedible portions (fruit peels and seeds) of pomegranate cultivars grown in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Punchipatabendi, T. I.; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., family Punicaceae), because of its high nutritional and nutraceutical value, is a very popular fruit crop among growers and consumers worldwide. Nonedible portion (peel and seed) is reported to be a rich source of biomolecules of immense health significance. Though, nutritional value of fruit juice is being reported and little is known about peel and seed. Hence, the study was targeted at evaluating proximal composition of fruit peel and seed of pomegranate cultivars, Kalpitiya hybrid, Daya and Nimali. Under proximal analysis, moisture content was analyzed using oven drying method, ash content using a muffle furnace, lipid content using Soxhlet extraction, fiber content using acid and alkaline digestion, nitrogen content using Kjeldahl distillation method and carbohydrate content was calculated using an equation. Corresponding proximal analysis values for peel were ranged from 11.3067 ± 0.017% to 15.196 ± 0.217% for moisture content, from 44.79 ± 4.37% to 58.05 ± 3.46% for carbohydrate content, from 1.2613 ± 0.01172% to 3.358 ± 0.113% for ash content, from 0.91±0.09% to 1.41 ± 0.14% for lipid content, from 11.73 ± 0.41% to 19.60 ± 0.84% for crude protein content and from 12.66 ± 1.25% to 15.23 ± 0.87% for fiber content. While corresponding proximal analysis values for seed were ranged from 7.7033±0.0893% to 8.202±0.0552% for moisture content, from 7.227 ± 0.40% to 26.54 ± 2.76% for carbohydrate content, from 1.352 ± 0.00917% to 4.008 ± 0.535% for ash content, from 16.24 ± 0.53% to 21.50 ± 1.29% for lipid content, from 16.24 ± 0.33% to 33.30 ± 4.16% for crude protein content and 28.05 ± 0.13% to 32.50 ± 1.59% for fiber content. Kalpitiya hybrid peels and seeds had the highest ash, lipid, protein and fiber content, whereas Daya peels and Nimali seeds had the highest carbohydrate content. Daya seeds and hybrid peels had the highest fiber content. Thus, study herein revealed that lipid and protein contents are higher in seeds than the peels, whereas carbohydrate and fiber contents are higher in peels than seeds. Also, peels and seeds exhibit significant percentages of nutritional values comparative to the dry weight, which bears the potential to develop into healthy food ingredients, nutraceuticals that can be used in many applications in food industry.Item Evaluation of nutritional composition of peel and seeds of Flacourtia indica fruit(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Jayasinghe, J. M. H. M.; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.Flacourtia indica is an endangered plant species with high medicinal value. The fruit has been reported as a valuable source of natural products that can treat various diseases and functional disorders. It is commonly called Ramontchi, Governor’s plum, Batoko plum, Madagascar plum and Indian plum. In Sri Lanka, it is called “Uguressa”. The nutritional content of non-edible portion (peel and seeds) is so far not reported. Hence, analysing the nutritional composition of this non-edible portion is targeted in the current study. We determined moisture, ash, lipid, fibre, protein, carbohydrate and calorie contents of peel and seeds. The results showed that the percentage of moisture, lipid, ash, fibre, protein, and carbohydrate contents of the peel powder were, 15.20±0.267, 9.277±0.165, 13.93±0.488, 9.520±0.0333, 22.41±0.53 and 29.66±0.665 respectively. The calorie value of peel was 291.8 kcal/100g.The percentage of moisture, lipid, ash, fibre, protein, and carbohydrate contents of the seed powder were 8.890±0.200, 0.6517±0.0217, 2.567±0.0246, 50.96±0.484, 17.54±0.309, and 19.39±0.520 respectively. The calorie value of seeds was 153.6 kcal/100g. Findings indicated that peel contains a higher percentage of moisture, lipid, ash, protein, and carbohydrate content than the seeds. Lipid content is very less in the seeds. Due to the presence of a significant amount of carbohydrates in fruit peels, it can be utilized as a carbohydrate source. The percentage of crude fibre content is very much higher in seeds than peel. Thus, F. indica seeds can be considered a good source of dietary fibre. Due to high protein content, both peel and seeds can be recommended for value-added food supplements with high protein content. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there is a significant difference (p <0.05) among the total moisture content (p=0.000), lipid content (p=0.000), ash content (p=0.000), crude fibre content (p=0.000), crude protein content (p=0.01) and carbohydrate content (p=0.000) in seed and peel powder. These findings indicate that, Flacourtia indica seeds and peel exhibit the potential to be developed as a functional food.Item Analysis of heavy metal levels in rice grown in CKDu effected Krambankulama in Medawachchiya, Sri Lanka(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Dilrukshi, A. A. S.; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a major health problem faced in agricultural areas in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Among many different causative factors that suspects, heavy metal contamination of food is one of the major issues which can lead to the renal failures in human. Though number of studies have been reported on CKDu, exact causative factor still remains unknown. Since rice (Oryza sativa) is the staple diet in these areas, heavy metal content of rice grown in CKDu prone Karambankulama, Medawachchiya was aimed to investigate. Rice samples (n=45) were collected from 5 sites in Karambankulama and in Hettipola, Kuliyapitiya. From each site 9 samples were collected at random locations. For the comparison purpose, Hettipola was selected as negative control site. The rice samples were acid digested in a microwave digester and heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Cu, Cr, Pb were detected in flame mode whereas Cd was detected in furnace mode. According to the results obtained mean metal contents of rice samples were as follows. Cu- 0.864±0.090 mg/kg, Cr- 0.903±0.020 mg/kg, Pb- 0.144±0.010 mg/kg and Cd-0.089±0.003 mg/kg for the samples collected from Karambankulama and Cu- 0.804±0.050 mg/kg, Cr- 0.895±0.010 mg/kg , Pb- 0.133±0.001 mg/kg and Cd- 0.061±0.001 mg/kg for the samples from Kuliyapitiya. There were significant difference (p<0.05) of the mean levels of Cu, Pb and Cd in rice between Karambankulama and Hettipola while there was no significant difference (p>0.05) with respect to the mean levels of Cr. To assess the safety of dietary intake, weekly intake of Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd in rice samples were calculated separately based on the daily consumption of rice and compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) established by the WHO/FAO. The results indicated that weekly intake of Cr was higher for ages between 4-5 years and 14 years for both sites and that of Cd was higher for ages between 4-5 years in Karambankulama than the maximum weekly intake levels recommended by WHO/FAO. During the survey 12 CKDu patients were recorded in Karambankulama whereas none was recorded in Hettipola. Hence, Cd accumulation in the body over long period of time could be one of the causes for the present increase in chronic renal failure in the North Central province.Item Optimizing the conditions for the production of extracellular amylases under solid state fermentation using groundnut shell as the substrate(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Kumarage, C. A.,; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.Amylases are a group of hydrolase enzymes, which hydrolyse starch molecules into simple sugars. Amylase can be extracted from molds, which are capable of producing high amounts of amylase. Aspergillus niger is used more frequently in the commercial production of α- Amylase. Groundnut shell is one main by-product of the groundnut processing factories. Solid state fermentation (SSF) is considered more useful in industries as the extraction procedures are cheaper. Optimization of various parameters and manipulation of media are one of the most important techniques used for the production of enzymes in large quantities to meet industrial demands. Specific objective of the research is to optimize the culture conditions for the A. niger niger under solid state fermentation using ground nut shell as the carbon source. Parameters used to optimize the Amylase production are the effect of mineral salt media, mixed culture inoculation of A. niger and S. cerevisiae, effect of surfactants Tween 80 and Tween 20, effect of different pH values ranging from pH 4.0 to 7.0 and effect of changing concentration of carbon source. From the results from samples with and without mineral salt media, clearly indicate that enzyme activity is high in the samples with mineral salt media 28.736 U/mL. The Amylase activity of the sample with mixed culture of A. niger and S. cerevisiae together, is 38.070 U/mL. The highest enzyme activity of 42.300 U/mL, was shown with Tween 80. Maximum Amylase activity 41.540 U/mL was found at pH 5.5. Carbon source concentration for SSF was measured as the mass per volume. Optimum carbon source for SSF for the maximum amylase activity 49.413 U/mL on 5th day was found to be 40% by mass per volume of mineral salt solution (8 g per 20 mL). Final analysis shows that the maximum activity of alpha amylase was recorded at day 4, pH 5.5, in the presence of Tween 80 and with the simultaneous inoculation of A. niger and S. cerevisiae for 2 g of carbon source. The net yield of optimized culture is 49.401 U/mL and non-optimized culture is 30.215 U/mL.Item Heavy metal analysis of selected fruits and vegetables grown in CKDu prevalent Medawachchiya area in Sri Lanka(Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Hiruni, H. K.; Weerasooriya, M. K. B.In Sri Lanka, CKDu has become a major health issue over the past two decades. The disease is proved to be endemic. The number of environmental risk factors has been recognized globally as other probable causes of CKDu, such as exposure to heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium), agrochemicals, and nephrotoxic substances. Hence, the current study was aimed to investigate whether there is any relationship between CKDu and heavy metal contaminants of selected fruits and vegetables grown in the effected area. Fruits of Mangifera indica (Mango), and Carica papaya (Papaw), leaves of Centella asiatica Gotukola), Talinum fruticosum (Gas nivithi), Amaranthus cruentus (Thampala) and fruit of Solanum torvum (Thibbattu) were selected for the study. Study was based on 15 sites of each Gramasevaka Niladhari (GN) area (Puhudiwula, Mahadiwulwewa, Unagaswewa) in Medawachchiya. Information of the about CKDu patients and above fruits and leafy vegetables (n=45) grown in their home gardens were collected during the Maha season. The content of Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in samples were analyzed using Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that leafy and fruity vegetables (Thibbattu) contain higher concentrations of heavy metals than fruits. The concentrations of Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb detected in the vegetable and fruit samples were ranged from 3.64 ± 0.07 to 23.60 ± 0.14 mg/kg, 0.60 ± 0.09 to 17.11 ± 0.16 mg/kg, 0.08 ± 0.03 to 0.88 ± 0.00 mg/kg and 0.18 ± 0.08 to 7.70 ± 1.48 mg/kg (dry weight basis) respectively. None of the fruits and vegetables tested in three study areas exceeded WHO safe limit for Cu, 40 mg/kg. All the Mango and papaya samples tested below safe limit of 4 tested metals. Regarding the leafy and fruity vegetables all the samples at Mahadivulwewa, nearly 95% samples at Puhudivula and 70% at Ungaswewa exceed the safe limit for Cd. Nearly 20% of leafy vegetables at Mahadiwulwewa,10% at Ungaswewa and Puhudivula exceed the safe limit for Pb whereas nearly 80% of leafy vegetables at three tested areas exceed the safe limit for Cr. Of the 15 sites selected, 13 patients at Mahadivulwewa, 07 and 05 patients at Puhudivula and Ungaswewa were recorded respectively. Heavy contamination of Cd recorded in the leafy and fruity vegetables in the home gardens of Mahadivulwewa could be one of the risk factor accounts for higher number of CKDu patients. Cd accumulation in renal cortex reported to cause renal damage decreasing Glomeular Filtration rate. However, further analysis is required to establish this fairly conclusively.