Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

About: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Starch & Fermentation. The organization has 475 authors who have published 587 publications receiving 10285 citations.

Starch-g-Copolymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Abstract: Starch is one of the cheapest and most abundant natural carbohydrate biopolymers and is compatible with hydrocolloids and other water-soluble polymers. Therefore, it can be an effective component in multifunctional systems. To impart end use specific properties, starch is often modified. Chemical modification of starch by grafting various monomers onto it has been found attractive to impart desirable properties to starch without sacrificing its biological nature. Graft copolymerisation is one way to introduce biodegradability and improved properties to a polymer. Usually graft copolymerisation reactions are carried out by free radical initiated polymerisation reaction and in the literature different types of initiating systems are reported. Depending upon the type of monomers and the conditions employed the properties of the starch-graft-copolymers vary to a large extent. In this chapter, the various techniques used for the synthesis of starch-graft-copolymers, their properties and possible end uses are discussed in detail.

Effect of Graft-Copolymerization with Poly(acrylamide) on Rheological and Thermal Properties of Cassava Starch

Abstract: Graft copolymers of different grafting levels were synthesised by the free radical initiated reaction of cassava starch with acrylamide in presence of ceric ammonium nitrate. The viscosity properties of the native granular starch and the grafted starches were determined using a Rapid visco analyzer (RVA) and rheological properties by frequency sweep test under different conditions using a rheometer. Some of the grafted starches exhibited significantly higher and some others exhibited drastically reduced peak viscosity values irrespective of the percentage grafting. All the grafted starches exhibited very good viscosity stability as evidenced from the highly reduced breakdown and higher final viscosity values in comparison to native cassava starch. Thermal analysis of the pure granular cassava starch and grafted starches was carried out using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry. DSC studies showed that in comparison to native starch, the grafted starches showed lower temperatures of transition. The thermal stability of cassava starch was enhanced by grafting as observed from the thermogravimetric data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

Statistical optimization of alpha-amylase production by probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 1407 in submerged fermentation.

Abstract: Production and purification of "-amylase by probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 1407 has been investigated under submerged fermentation using Mann Rogassa Sharpe medium containing (1%) soluble starch in lieu of glucose (2%) as carbon source. Response Surface Methodology was used to evaluate the effect of main variables, i.e. incubation period, pH and temperature on enzyme production. A full factorial Central Composite Design was applied to study these main factors that affected "-amylase production. The experimental results showed that the optimum incubation period, pH and temperature were 36 h, 7.0 and 35∞C, respectively. The purified enzyme (by ammonium sulphate precipitation) had a molecular mass of 75 450 Da in SDS-PAGE.

Gender Roles in Agriculture: The Case of Afghanistan

Abstract: Technological interventions aiming to improve livelihoods that bring gender equity can become successful only when the prevailing gender roles in society and access to different livelihood opportunities are fully understood. This article analyses gender roles in agriculture in the conservative patriarchal society of Afghanistan. Rapid appraisal was conducted through focus group interviews, participatory resource mapping, and so on, in seven villages each from Nangarhar and Baghlan provinces of Afghanistan. Educated women coordinators, facilitators and activists and well established womens’ groups were used to reach and target key women informants as they are not allowed to interact directly with male researchers. Their participation was more in livestock related activities. The study indicated that women’s involvement was less than men’s in both livestock and crop related activities. Age, social stigmas, poverty and shortage of labour influence the gender division of labour, decision-making ability and pa...