Hanna-Riitta Kymäläinen

Quality characteristics of edible linseed oil

In this review the quality properties of linseed oil for food uses are discussed as well as factors affecting this quality. Linseed oil has a favourable fatty acid composition with a high linolenic acid content. Linseed oil contains nearly 60% α-linolenic acid, compared with 25% for plant oils generally. The content of linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acids is reported to be high in linseed grown in northern latitudes. The composition of fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids, reported in different studies varies considerably for linseed oil. This variation depends mainly on differences in the examined varieties and industrial processing treatments. The fatty acid composition leads also to some problems, rancidity probably being the most challenging. Some information has been published concerning oxidation and taste, whereas only a few studies have focused on colour or microbiological quality. Rancidity negatively affects the taste and odour of the oil. There are available a few studies on effects of storage on composition of linseed oil. In general, storage and heat promote auto-oxidation of fats, as well as decrease the amounts of tocopherols and vitamin E in linseed oil. Several methods are available to promote the quality of the oil, including agronomic methods and methods of breeding as well as chemical, biotechnological and microbiological methods. Time of harvesting and weather conditions affect the quality and yield of the oil.

International Perspectives on Psychosocial Working Conditions, Mental Health, and Stress of Dairy Farm Operators

ABSTRACT Dairy farm operators—farmers, workers, and family members—are faced with many demands and stressors in their daily work and these appear to be shared across countries and cultures. Dairy operators experience high psychosocial demands with respect to a hard work and production ethos, economic influences, and social and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, both traditional and industrial farms are highly dependent on external conditions, such as weather, fluctuating markets, and regulations from government authorities. Possible external stressors include disease outbreaks, taxes related to dairy production, and recent negative societal attitudes to farming in general. Dairy farm operators may have very few or no opportunities to influence and control these external conditions, demands, and expectations. High work demands and expectations coupled with low control and lack of social support can lead to a poor psychosocial work environment, with increased stress levels, ill mental health, depression, and, in the worst cases, suicide. Internationally, farmers with ill mental health have different health service options depending on their location. Regardless of location, it is initially the responsibility of the individual farmer and farm family to handle mental health and stress, which can be of short- or long-term duration. This paper reviews the literature on the topics of psychosocial working conditions, mental health, stress, depression, and suicide among dairy farm operators, farm workers, and farm family members in an international perspective.

Capillarity of flax/linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) straw fractions

Abstract In a study of the wetting properties of the fractions of unretted and frost-retted fibre straws a method to separate fibre, fine shive, and coarse shive from fibre plants is introduced and tested on bast fibre plants ( Linum usitatissimum L. and Cannabis sativa L.) The method consists of optional drying of stalks, cutting of straws, milling the straws with a hammer mill, separating fibres from shives with a drum separator, separating coarse shives from fine shives with a screen and a stream of air and finally cleaning of the fine shive with sieve vibrator. The described method works best for frost-retted plants and for unretted, green flax. The capillarity properties of these fractions were studied by measuring the amount of absorbed water as a function of time. The required time for the best-absorbing fibres of unretted and frost-retted hemp and unretted flax to absorb their own masses of water is less than 10 min compared with 2 h for the poorest-absorbing frost-retted flax. Overretting by frost retting seems to have an opposite effect on flax/linseed and hemp fibre capillarity. Both unretted and frost-retted coarse shive fractions behave quite similarly. If good absorption is needed, (over)retted hemp fibre should be used. If poor fibre absorption is desirable, (over)retted flax/linseed seems to have this feature.

Microbiological Quality of Fresh-Cut Carrots and Process Waters

Fresh vegetables may be contaminated by pathogens in different ways after harvest. Pathogenic microorganisms associated with fresh vegetables can cause severe outbreaks of foodborne disease. We discuss here the results of microbiological analysis of carrot samples, as well as of washing, processing, and wastewater samples. Washed, unpeeled carrots generally contained the highest aerobic plate counts (mean, 5.5 log CFU/g). Escherichia coli was not detected in any carrot or water sample examined. The amounts of coliform bacteria and enterobacteria were higher in carrot samples taken from the first steps in the processing line than in samples taken in later phases of the process. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was not detected in any of the samples by the cultivation method; however, nonpathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica was detected from most carrot samples and almost all washing water and wastewater samples but only from 2 of 10 process water samples. Using a more-sensitive real-time PCR method, pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was found from several carrot samples, and when these positive samples were cultivated, no pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains were detected.

Women on Finnish dairy farms: Hard work in the midst of traditions and changes

Abstract This research focuses on the work, working conditions and role of women on dairy farms in the context of agricultural change and traditions. The qualitative, case study sample is comprised of work observations and interviews of women on ten dairy farms. The women typically worked on the farm as a consequence of marriage or courtship with a farmer, and most selected ‘farm entrepreneur’ as their professional title. Women were involved in a wide range of different work tasks, mainly in cattle barns and at home. It was observed that whereas men operated machinery in cattle barns, women performed physical, manual work tasks. One of women’s tasks was to monitor and take care of the health and living conditions of farm animals. Nearly all the women considered work with animals and being ‘close to nature’ rewarding, but half assessed the workload as too heavy. General strategies used to avoid exhaustion were to employ salaried workers, utilise networks and/or use contractors. Nearly all respondents had experienced some kind of problems related to organising absence from farm work during sickness or holidays. To improve women’s work situation and facilitate their valuable contribution to agriculture, this article concludes by offering a number of suggestions to inform future research and practices.

Evaluation of on‐farm biological treatment processes for wastewaters from vegetable peeling

This study highlights the need for the development of simple, efficient, and cost‐effective farm‐scale applications to treat wastewater arising from vegetable‐peeling operations. The aim was to evaluate two full‐scale biological wastewater treatment systems, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and a biofilter, and a chemical wastewater treatment system on farms carrying out peeling of vegetables. The types, design criteria and parameters of the processes, as well as properties of the untreated and treated wastewaters were presented and evaluated. Seven‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD7) entering the SBR was 3100 ± 529 mg l−1 (mean ± standard deviation). The results showed that the SBR was very stable and effective in the treatment of carrot‐processing wastewaters, the BOD7 for effluent being about 10 mg l−1. The biofilter examined did not operate well because the pH too low: the reduction for BOD7 was 63% and, for COD, 58%. When wastewater from potato processing was treated with aluminium sulphate and conveyed to an artificial pond, removal of BOD7 was 67% and that of COD 69%. This method is only suitable for pre‐ or post‐treatment of these wastewaters. Control of the treatment processes appeared to be essential for their proper functioning.

Cadmium content of Finnish linseed and estimated consumer intake

�-1 ). The Cd contents of the crush samples were between 0.47 and 1.5 mg kg -1 (mean 0.85 mg kg -1 ). There were differences between the Cd contents of the three examined varieties and years at the experimental farm. Increase in nitrogen fertilization somewhat increased the Cd uptake of linseed. The permitted intake of linseed depends on body weight and on the Cd content of the product and is in most cases higher than the dietary recommendation (24–30 g daily dose of linseed).

Frost Processed Reed Canary Grass In Oil Spill Absorption

Abstract In this research the yield of Reed Canary Grass (RCG) was harvested in spring after a Nordic winter. During the winter frost and ice cause damage the cell structure of plants. RCG has a very high concentrtion of silicate, mainly in the leaves ofthe plant (1). The plant material was hammermilled with a 12 mm screen. Then the powder was sifted with a 0,7 mm sieve and the underflow of the sieve was used in oil absorption tests. There are obviously several reasons for the absorption of hydrocarbons in RCG-powder. This problem is studied in a licenciate thesis by the author of this text. The main reasons for the oil absorption phenomena seem to be: The amount and effects of silicate was studied by different methods. The oil absorption capacity on the RCG-powder was measured. The concentration of ash and silicate was measured in different fractions of a standard sieve (2). Also the viscosity of oil was measured with different RCG powder and ash concentrations. • The adsorption and colloid action of the small particles in the powder and liquids • The capillary absorption of oil in the perforated and empty ice-broken cells • The effect on small diameter silicate particles on flocculation of oil droplets • The effect on silicate compounds in bulk oil viscosity and flux in a RCG filter

Comparison of the Washing Efficiencies of a Laboratory Washing Device (Launder-Ometer) and of Automatic Household Washing Machines with Horizontal Drums

The objective of this study was to compare the cleaning result of a laboratory washing machine Launder-Ometer (LOM) with that of drum-type household washing machines, using detergent without bleaching agent, standard soiled fabrics and a colorimeter for assessing the washing result. The mechanical effect applied to the laundry in the household washers was not obtained in the LOM by increasing mechanical impact or the number of metal balls. Extended washing time did not improve removal of blood soil in the LOM, although it did increase removal of mayonnaise soil containing chlorophyll. However, in practice a washing time of 6085min is relatively long for a laboratory device considering the claimed time-saving nature of these devices. None of the examined parameters affected removal of a red wine soil containing tannins, which was poor in all test combinations both in the household machines and in the laboratory washing machine. Bleaching agent is recommended for removal of this type of soil. In conclusion, conformity between washing results of the laboratory washing machine and the drum-type household washing machines depends on the type of soiled test fabrics and other parameters in the washing process. Removal of blood soil differed most between the household machines and the LOM.

Stress and burnout among Finnish dairy farmers

ABSTRACT Psychosocial risks among farmers have increasingly been examined because of the ongoing changes in agriculture, such as restructuring of the industry, transition from family farming towards entrepreneurship, and climate change. The aims of the study were to determine the stressors, prevalence of stress and burnout, and variables associated with these symptoms among Finnish dairy farmers. In total 265 respondents completed a postal survey; their average age was 48 years, 44% were females and 56% males. The farms of the survey sample were larger (54 field hectares, 29 cows) than an average farm in Finland (37 hectares, 24 cows) in 2010. The most common stressors were external, such as “agricultural policy of the EU” (European Union) and “the treatment of farmers in society and the media.” In addition, common stressors were related to farm and work, e.g., “amount of work,” unpredictability, and “animal diseases.” The prevalence of stress (42%) was found to have increased compared with earlier studies and was greater than among the general working population. All respondents as a group were classified as having slight symptoms of burnout, and one tenth (9%) of dairy farmers had experienced severe burnout. Stressors related to the workload and health were associated with stress and burnout symptoms. Also, a poor economic situation and loneliness were related to stress. Burnout correlated with a tie stall barn type and with a farm not being involved in the milk production record system. Factors protecting against burnout included positive features of the work and living environment. The study revealed changes during the past decade and new features of the well-being at work on dairy farms in Finland.