eChapters

Brinjal is the fifth most economically important Solanaceous crop after potato, tomato, chilli, and tobacco. Apart from the well-known brinjal species (Solanum melongena L.), two other under-utilized species, the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.) and the gboma eggplant S. macrocarpon are also cultivated. Brinjal, also known as aubergine or eggplant, under the family Solanaceae (Chromosome No.: 2n = 2x =24) is one of th important vegetables of the tropical countries particularly India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Japan, Indonesia, Thiland, Malaysia and the Philippines. Brinjal is the most common, popular and principal vegetable crop grown widely in India for its various shape, size and colour of fruits. Brinjals are rich sources of potential antioxidants: anthocyanin and phenolic compounds.
Origin, domestication and adaptation in India
Brinjal (Solanum melongena) is believed to have been originated in Indo-Burma region and perhaps China is the secondary centre of origin of this crop. Various data indicate, that from the several species that evolved in Africa, one (S. insanum), gave rise to a distinct species which spread to South-East Asia as the wild ancestor of S. melongena (Lester 1998; Ranil et al., 2017). This wild progenitor of the cultivated species has wide distribution in at least 10 habitats in India which amply suggests India being the centre of origin of brinjal.

Introduction

Spices and aromatic herbs have been used since antiquity as preservatives, colorants, and flavour enhancers. Spices, which have long been the basis of traditional medicine in many countries, have also been the subject of study, particularly by the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, because of their potential use for improving health. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies have demonstrated how these substances act as antioxidants, digestive stimulants, and hypolipidemics and show antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-carcenogenic activities. These beneficial physiological effects may also have possible preventative applications in a variety of pathologies. The chapter presents an overview of the potential of spices and aromatic herbs as functional foods ingredients.

All separation procedures depend mainly on some physical characteristics of the compounds. It is relatively easy to separate compounds that have significantly different physical characteristics by simple techniques such as solvent extraction. If the various compounds are similar to each other in their molecular size, any slight difference in any one of their physical properties is exploited to achieve separation. 

A primary objective of extension and development workers is to deliver presentations that are engaging, dynamic, and memorable for their audience. This objective can be most effectively achieved through the use of audio visual aids, which enhance the communication of knowledge and the teaching of skills. Extension teaching methods are defined as the tools and techniques that create environments conducive to the exchange of knowledge and skills between extension workers and their audience. Similarly, audio-visual aids play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of learning by facilitating the communication of knowledge and the teaching of skills.

People predominantly learn through seeing, hearing, and doing by looking, listening, and acting. Audio-visual aids provide extension workers with unique opportunities to enhance the effectiveness and clarity of the developmental concepts being conveyed. These aids allow learners to engage more fully with the material by seeing and hearing, thus fostering a deeper understanding. The success of extension workers and the progress made by their learners are largely dependent on the workers' ability to effectively communicate ideas. For progress and development to occur, it is essential that extension workers communicate clearly and that their learners comprehend the information. Audio-visual aids are crucial in this communication process, guiding learners through the steps of the teaching-learning process.

In light of this, the current unit discusses the important audio-visual aids that are beneficial in extension teaching, aiming to enhance your understanding of their application and impact.

Understanding Audio-Visual Aids

People's attention is captured by various senses in the following proportions: seeing (87.0%), hearing (7.0%), smell (3.5%), touch (1.5%), and taste (1.0%). Consequently, seeing and hearing are the primary senses involved in attracting attention and enhancing learning.

Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic and complex system that plays a crucial role in supporting life as we know it. This chapter explores into the fascinating world of this gaseous envelope that surrounds our planet, exploring its composition, structure, and the processes that drive both our daily weather and long-term climate. It includes:
• Composition and Structure: It will begin by examining the unique blend of gases that make up the atmosphere, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace amounts of others. It will also be explored how the atmosphere is structured into distinct layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere), each with its own characteristics and role.
• Weather: Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere at a specific time and place. We’ll discuss the key elements of weather, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, and precipitation, and how they interact to create the ever-changing weather patterns we experience.
• Climate: In contrast to weather, climate describes the long-term average of atmospheric conditions in a particular region. We’ll investigate the factors that influence climate, including latitude, altitude, proximity to oceans, and atmospheric circulation patterns. We’ll also explore the different climate zones found across the globe.
• Interconnectedness: A key focus of this chapter understands how weather and climate are interconnected. Daily weather patterns are influenced by the same fundamental atmospheric processes that shape long-term climate. For example, the way the sun’s energy interacts with the atmosphere drives both daily temperature variations and global climate patterns.

Introduction

Encapsulation may be defined as a process to entrap one substance (active agent) within another substance (wall material). The encapsulated substance, except active agent, can be called the core, fill, active, internal or payload phase. The substance that is encapsulating is often called the coating, membrane, shell, capsule, carrier material, external phase, or matrix. In the food industry, encapsulation process can be applied for a variety of reasons. Encapsulation is a useful tool to improve delivery of bioactive molecules (e.g. antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, phytosterols, lutein, fatty acids, lycopene) and living cells  (e.g. probiotics) into foods [1]. In most cases, encapsulation refers to a technology in which the bioactive components are completely enveloped, covered and protected by a physical barrier, without any protrusion of the bioactive components. Also, encapsulation has been defined as a technology of packaging solids, liquids, or gaseous materials in small capsules that release their contents at controlled rates over prolonged periods and under specific conditions. Produced particles usually have diameters of a few nm to a few mm.

Ultrasonography or sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses echoes of ultrasound pulses to produce images, of the objects or of the areas of different densities in the body, on the screen. This diagnostic procedure is performed through ultrasound machine. Sonogram is a visual image produced from ultrasonography.

The research methodology constitutes a comprehensive and well-structured plan of action for conducting the investigation and serves as a blueprint for the research process. Its purpose is to gain an understanding of the underlying concepts, methods, and techniques employed to define the study, gather relevant information, analyse data, and interpret the findings, thereby revealing concrete evidence and formulating theories.

In this chapter, an in-depth exploration of the research methodology is undertaken to comprehend the concepts, methods, and techniques employed for designing the study, gathering data, conducting data analysis, and interpreting the results. To facilitate clarity and ease of comprehension, the chapter has been divided into the following sub-headings:

1. Research Design

2. Locale of research

3. Pilot study

4. Sampling Design

5. Variables and their Empirical measurement 6. Methods of Data collection

7. Preparation of Interview Schedule

8. Item analysis and Expert’s rating for devising scoring technique for variables

9. Pre-testing of Interview Schedule

10. Data Processing and Analysis for FCM

11. Statistical Tools used for Data Analysis

12. Software used for Data Analysis

This chapter focuses on the statistical methods used for method development. These are categories as follow :

1.SUPAC- Scale-Up and Post-Approval Changes

2.PAT -Process Analytical Technique

1. SUPAC - The acronym “ SUPAC “stands for “Scale-Up and Post- Approval Changes” . It refers to the FDA-recommended testing and filing actions to be taken by a pharmaceutical firm when it changes the manufacturing processes of a drug product that has been approved via a New Drug Application (NDA), an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), or an Abbreviated Antibiotic Drug Application (AADA). FDA has provided its recommendations to industry in the form of SUPAC Guidances or supac guidelines.

Physiotherapy may be defined as the use of physical techniques like massage, exercise, heat, cold, sound waves, electric current etc for the treatment of injuries and movement dysfunction. Physiotherapy deals with the treatment of diseases by physical methods. It is used for treating injuries, strain, spasm, painful conditions, sprain of tendons, paralysis, postoperative trauma etc. It improves functioning of nerve, muscles and bones. The aim of physical therapy is the restoration of function and promotion of tissue healing by assisting normal physiological processes. The physiological response to physical therapy is its effect on the vascular supply; this in turn reproduces similar changes in deeper tissues.

Food provides a sense of wellbeing and comfort and makes people feel good. In this world of a growing population, the need for affordable, safe and good quality food is rising constantly. On the other hand, there is growing awareness of customers who demand that food be produced and supplied hygienically in socially responsible and eco-friendly ways.

Introduction

During the intensive system of poultry production birds are exposed to several types of stresses. The birds can tolerate mild stress but when the stress is severe, there is imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants which lead to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidative damage of tissues, ultimately results in poor performance. Nutrition has a strong impact on oxidative stress. Insufficient intake of antioxidants, a high intake of prooxidants, or both may lead to oxidative stress. The detrimental effects of oxidation process can be prevented by addition of antioxidant compounds in the feed. Vitamin E, carotenoids and selenium (Se) are among important antioxidant components of poultry diets. It is important to understand the role of antioxidants in poultry nutrition in general and in production and reproduction in particular. The chapter, here in will discuss the stressors in poultry production, oxidative stress and possible alleviation through dietary antioxidant supplementation.

In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping organic certification ensures:

• Avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. Fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc) and genetically modified organisms;
• Use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);
• Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
• Maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products and
• Undergoing periodical on-site inspections.

In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.

Economic Importance of Rodent Pests

• They consume and damage foods in the fields and in stores. In addition, they spoil it in store by urine and droppings reducing the sale values.
• Due to their gnawing and burrowing habit they destroy many articles (packing, clothes and furniture) and structures (floors, buildings, bridges, etc). By gnawing the electrical cables they can cause fires.
• They are responsible for transmitting diseases dangerous to human and domestic animals.

Among many pests of agricultural crops and stored grain products, rodents are the major pests which do the great damage. Rodents including rats, mice and squirrels are gnawing animals having chisel like teeth. They have highly developed sense of smell, taste and hearing. They are omnivorous and feed on grains, vegetables, fruits, meat and other products in the houses or in the fields. Rats daily consume food equal to about 10 per cent of their body weight and the figure may go up to 30 per cent in case of mice. Rats are among the most destructive pests of paddy in the field causing about 5-10 percent damage. It is estimated that these animals destroy 30 per cent of the total world’s cereal production. In India, 10 million tonnes of food grains are lost every year. It is often said that if rodent ravages could be controlled, a huge amount of food grains can be saved.

Of the 84 species of order Rodentia in India, 50 belong to family Muridae. The important ones belong to two sub-families, viz., Murinae and Gerbillinae. Murinae has 18 species of genus Rattus, 2 of Bandicota, 7 of Mus, 2 of Apodemus and a few each under eight other genera. The sub-family Gerbillinae has 2 species of Gerbillus, one each of Tatera and Meriones. Family Sciuridae has 10 species of flying squirrels and 13 species of tree squirrels in India.

Liver is situated in cranial abdomen. Scanning of abdomen is started with the examination of liver. Hepatic ultrasonography is a non-invasive diagnostic modality to evaluate liver parenchyma. Differentiation of focal disease from diffuse disease, cystic lesions from solid masses, and obstructive jaundice from non-obstructive jaundice is possible by hepatic ultrasonography.

Abstract

Recently, the reduction of post harvest food losses around the globe is a critical issue for ensuring future food security. Drying techniques is important option to prevent losses and preserve food for long time. The solar thermal energy required to remove moisture from the food during the drying process can be optimized by designing suitable solar dryers. Moreover, the application of solar energy in drying of agricultural products has tremendous potential, since it can easily provide the low temperature heating required for drying and helps in reduction of CO2 emissions. Hence, the present chapter deals with descriptions of different types of solar dryers used to dry various types of agricultural food products and design of solar dryers. Also, the heat and mass transfer parameters with respect to various process variables to estimate the performance of the food dryer system were analyzed. The advantages of solar dryers in terms of net CO2 emissions mitigation potential and the quality attributes of dried food products are also discussed. It is suggested that properly designed solar dryers having low operational cost compared to electrically heated dryers may prove to be an energy saving device for drying of agricultural products. However, the techno-economical and environmental aspects of various efficient solar dryers are needed to be further studied for applications in various irregular shaped food products.

Computer-based instructional teaching and learning platforms, commonly known as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or educational technology (EdTech) platforms, are designed to enhance the educational experience by integrating technology into the learning process. These platforms offer a range of tools and features that support both instructors and students in various educational activities. Here are some key platforms and their features:

Key Platforms

Moodle

Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a widely used open-source Learning Management System (LMS) designed to provide educators, administrators, and learners with a robust, secure, and integrated system to create personalized learning environments. Here's an in depth look at Moodle, its features, and its use cases:

Key Features of Moodle

1. Course Management

• Customizable Course Creation: Instructors can design courses with f lexible layouts, multimedia content, and varied activities.

• Modular Plugins: Extensive library of plugins for activities, resources, and user management