Replacement of sugar in the product formulation of “Bomboyson” by jaggery
“Bomboyson” is a traditional heat desiccated dairy product of eastern Nepal, prepared using khoa, sugar, and ghee, and has a great commercial potential. This study was carried out to standardize the product and study its nutritive value and storage life for the organized production. The formulation was based on survey and the best product was selected using 9-point hedonic rating scale method. The sugar in the best product was replaced by jaggery, and both were compared with the most popular market product for sensory and nutritional qualities. The products were stored at ambient (25°C) and refrigerated (5°C) temperatures to study the microbiological qualities. Bomboyson prepared from 100 parts khoa, 40 parts sugar, and 20 parts ghee was found to be superior (P < 0.05) in terms of overall sensory attributes. The proximate composition of sugar-added bomboyson was found to be 8.98 ± 0.04% moisture, 28.66 ± 1.16% fat, 16.42 ± 0.56% protein, 1.08 ± 0.12% total ash, 44.86 ± 0.86% carbohydrate, and 91.02 ± 0.04% total solids. The proximate composition of control and sugar-added product were same (P > 0.05) while both the product had lower contents (P < 0.05) of moisture and total ash than the jaggery-added product. The microbiological study confirmed that the products were acceptable throughout the storage period of 28 days at 5°C and 21 days at 25°C.
Physico-chemical and sensory changes during the storage of lal peda
Lal peda is a popular heat desiccated traditional dairy delicacy of eastern India specially Uttar Pradesh. It is prepared by blending of khoa and sugar followed by heat desiccation until characteristic reddish brown colour appears. It is a nutritive, palatable and a very good source of energy. In order to commercially manufacture and market lal peda, studies on its shelf-life were considered to be very important. Lal peda samples were packed in paper boxes and stored at two different temperatures i.e. 4 and 37 °C and physico-chemical and sensory changes were monitored during storage period. There was a continuous loss of moisture during storage and rate of loss of moisture was higher at 37 °C. FFA and HMF contents in lal peda increased during storage and these changes were found to be temperature sensitive. Changes in textural properties of lal peda in terms of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and gumminess were also studied. Lal peda samples stored at 4 and 37 °C were acceptable up to 31 days and 9 days, respectively on the basis of textural and sensory attributes.
Natural Radioactivity of Intrusive-Metamorphic and Sedimentary Rocks of the Balkan Mountain Range (Serbia, Stara Planina)
Stara Planina (also known as the Balkan mountain range) is known for numerous occurrences and deposits of uranium and associated radionuclides. It is also famous for its geodiversity. The geologic framework is highly complex. The mountain is situated between the latitudes of 43° and 44° N and the longitudes from 22°16′ to 23°00′ E. Uranium exploration and radioactivity testing on Stara Planina began back in 1948. Uranium has also been mined in the zone of Kalna, within the Janja granite intrusive. The naturally radioactive geologic units of Stara Planina are presented in detail in this paper. The main sources of radioactivity on Stara Planina can be classified as: 1. Granitic endogenous—syngenetic–epigenetic deposits and occurrences; 2. Metamorphogenic—syngenetic; and 3. Sedimentary, including occurrences of uranium deposition and fluctuation caused by water in different types of sedimentary rocks formed in a continental setting, which could be classified under epigenetic types. The area of Stara Planina with increased radioactivity (higher than 200 cps), measured by airborne gamma spectrometry, is about 380 square kilometers. The highest values of measured radioactivity and uranium grade were obtained from a sample taken from the Mezdreja uranium mine tailing dump, where 226Ra measures 2600 ± 100 Bq/kg and the uranium grade is from 76.54 to 77.65 ppm U. The highest uranium (and lead) concentration, among all samples, is measured in graphitic schist with high concentrations of organic (graphitic) material from the Inovska Series—99.47 ppm U and 107.69 ppm Pb. Thorium related radioactivity is the highest in granite samples from the Janja granite in the vicinity of the Mezdreja granite mine and the Gabrovnica granite mine tailing dump, and it is the same—250 ± 10 Bq/kg for 232Th, while the thorium grade varies from 30.82 to 60.27 ppm Th. In gray siltstones with a small amount of organic material, the highest radioactivity is related to potassium—2080 ± 90 Bq/kg for 40K.