K. Thirugnanasambandham

Box-Behnken design based statistical modeling for ultrasound-assisted extraction of corn silk polysaccharide.

In this study, ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) conditions on the yield of polysaccharide from corn silk were studied using three factors, three level Box-Behnken response surface design. Process parameters, which affect the efficiency of UAE such as extraction temperature (40-60 °C), time (10-30 min) and solid-liquid ratio (1:10-1:30 g/ml) were investigated. The results showed that, the extraction conditions have significant effects on extraction yield of polysaccharide. The obtained experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis with high coefficient of determination value (R(2)) of 0.994. An optimization study using Derringers desired function methodology was performed and the optimal conditions based on both individual and combinations of all independent variables (extraction temperature of 56 °C, time of 17 min and solid-liquid ratio of 1:20 g/ml) were determined with maximum polysaccharide yield of 6.06%, which was confirmed through validation experiments.

Development of model for barrier and optical properties of tapioca starch based edible films

The film forming solutions composed of tapioca (cassava) starch (1-3 g), glycerol (0.5-1.0 ml), agar (0.5-1.0 g) and span 80 (0.1-0.5 ml) were prepared according to a three-level, four-factor Box-Behnken response surface experimental design. The films were obtained by casting method and they are homogenous and transparent. The influence of film composition (tapioca starch, glycerol, agar and span80) on the barrier and optical properties of the tapioca starch based edible films was evaluated. The results showed that, hydrophilic nature and plasticizing effect of glycerol increases the water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, moisture content, solubility and swelling capacity of the films. But surfactant (span80) incorporation reduces the mobility of the polysaccharide matrix and decreases the barrier properties of the films. Transparency of the films was influenced by plasticizer and surfactant concentration due to the dilution effect of glycerol and span80. The results were analyzed by Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) and second-order polynomial models were developed using multiple regression analysis. The models developed from the experimental design were predictive and good fit with the experimental data with high coefficient of determination (R(2)) values (more than 0.95). The optimized conditions were obtained were tapioca starch of 1.95 g, glycerol of 0.8 ml, agar of 0.7 g and span 80 of 0.3 ml, respectively.

Optimization of microwave assisted extraction of pectin from orange peel.

In this study, microwave-assisted extraction was applied for pectin extraction from the dried orange peel and Box-Behnken response surface design was used to study and optimize the effects of processing variables (microwave power, irradiation time, pH and solid-liquid ratio) on the yield of pectin. The amount of pectin extracted increased with increasing microwave power, while it reduces as the time, pH and solid-liquid ratio increased. From the results, second order polynomial model was developed and it adequately explained the data variation and significantly represented the actual relationship between independent variables and the response. An optimization study using Derringers desired function methodology was performed and optimal conditions based on both individual and combinations of all independent variables (microwave power of 422W, irradiation time of 169 s, pH of 1.4 and solid-liquid ratio of 1:16.9 g/ml) were determined with maximum pectin yield of 19.24%, which was confirmed through validation experiments.

Microwave assisted extraction of pectin from waste Citrullus lanatus fruit rinds.

In this present study, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was applied to extraction of pectin from waste Citrullus Lanatus fruit rinds. Extraction parameters which are employed in this study are microwave power (160-480 W), irradiation time (60-180s), pH (1-2) and solid-liquid ratio (1:10-1: 30 g/ml) and they were optimized using a four factor three levels Box-Behnken response surface design (BBD) coupled with desirability function methodology. The results showed that, all the process variables have significant effect on the extraction yield of pectin. Optimum MAE conditions for the highest pectin yield from waste C. Lanatus fruit rinds (25.79%) were obtained with microwave power of 477 W, irradiation time of 128 s, pH of 1.52, solid-liquid ratio of 1:20.3g/ml respectively. Validation experiment results were well agreed with predicted value.

Microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from mulberry leaves.

In this study, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of polysaccharides from mulberry leaves was investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of three extraction factors on the yield of polysaccharides was examined. The results showed that optimum extraction conditions were determined as follows: weight of the sample of 20 g, microwave power of 170 W, extraction time of 10 min. Under these optimal extraction conditions, polysaccharide yield was found to be 9.41%. Three factors-three level Box-Behnken response surface design (BBD) coupled with RSM was used to model the extraction process. ANOVA was used to examine the statistical significance of the developed model. Extracted polysaccharide was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Response surface modeling and analysis of barrier and optical properties of maize starch edible films

In this work, four factors with three level Box-Behnken response surface design was employed to investigate the influence of process variables (maize starch, sorbitol, agar and Tween-80) on the barrier (water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, thickness, moisture content and solubility) and optical (transparency) properties of the maize starch based edible films. Casting method was employed to prepare the edible films. The results showed that, addition of sorbitol and Tween-80 reduces the water vapor and oxygen permeability of the films, its due to the reduction of molecular mobility between polymer matrixes, where as, it also increases the thickness, moisture content, solubility and transparency of the films. The results were analyzed using Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) and second-order polynomial models are developed for all responses in order to predict the effect of process variables over the barrier and optical properties of the films.

Degradation behavior of biocomposites based on cassava starch buried under indoor soil conditions.

Degradation of cassava (tapioca) starch based composite films during indoor soil burial experiments was analyzed using five factors, three levels Box-Behnken response surface design. From the results, it was observed that, increased water sorption promotes the entry of soil microorganism and it utilizes the starch films as a source of energy for their growth. The reduction in weight and mechanical property was associated with preferential loss of matrix components of the films. The microorganisms associated with the degradation of films were quantified and identified. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the formation of patterns and cracks on the surface of the materials aged in the soils. From the results, second order polynomial models were developed for the responses. The results of the study demonstrated that, the tapioca starch based composites were showed a limited lifetime in biotic environment which make them suitable for being disposed in landfills after their use.

Application of chitosan as an adsorbent to treat rice mill wastewater--mechanism, modelling and optimization.

The objectives of the present study is to investigate the chitosan as an adsorbent to treat rice mill wastewater under different process conditions such as agitation time (2-6 min), initial pH (2.5-6.5), chitosan dose (400-800 mg/l) and settling time (10-30 min) in order to study the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The results showed that, all process variables have significant effect on the removal efficiencies. The optimum process conditions were determined (agitation time of 4 min, initial pH of 4.5, chitosan dose of 600 mg/l and settling time of 20 min) and showed high removal efficiencies (COD: 98% and TSS: 95%). FT-IR spectrophotometry was used to analyze and confirm the adsorption process. From the experimental data, Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to develop the second order polynomial models with high coefficient of determination values (COD: 0.991 and TSS: 0.989).

Chitosan based grey wastewater treatment--a statistical design approach.

In this present study, grey wastewater was treated under different operating conditions such as agitation time (1-3 min), pH (2.5-5.5), chitosan dose (0.3-0.6g/l) and settling time (10-20 min) using response surface methodology (RSM). Four factors with three levels Box-Behnken response surface design (BBD) were employed to optimize and investigate the effect of process variables on the responses such as turbidity, BOD and COD removal. The results were analyzed by Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) and second order polynomial models were developed in order to predict the responses. Under the optimum conditions, experimental values such as turbidity (96%), BOD (91%) and COD (73%) removals are closely agreed with predicted values.

Process optimization and analysis of microwave assisted extraction of pectin from dragon fruit peel.

Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) technique was employed for the extraction of pectin from dragon fruit peel. The extracting parameters were optimized by using four-variable-three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) coupled with response surface methodology (RSM). RSM analysis indicated good correspondence between experimental and predicted values. 3D response surface plots were used to study the interactive effects of process variables on extraction of pectin. The optimum extraction conditions for the maximum yield of pectin were power of 400 W, temperature of 45 °C, extracting time of 20 min and solid-liquid ratio of 24 g/mL. Under these conditions, 7.5% of pectin was extracted.