Description -  Nutrient availability is an essential soil characteristic that should be continually monitored in agricultural applications. The most essential nutrients necessary for optimum plant growth are Nitrogen(N), Phosphorous(P) and Potassium(K). Nitrogen is necessary for the vegetative plant growth phase since it is a primary element for proteins, DNA,& hormones. The growth phase is characterized by the lengthening of the trunk and an increased production of foliage. Phosphorous is also found in DNA and is responsible for many physiological & biological processes. Furthermore, phosphorous stimulates root growth, blooming, and is necessary in the formation of seeds.  Specifically, plants uptake phosphorous in the form of phosphate, while potassium is taken up by the plant in its elemental form. Potassium is used in protein synthesis and improves the quality of the fruits and flowers. Maintaining the proper balance of these nutrients at different stages of...

Description -  Did you know? How important is the Turbidity parameter in Sugar Processing?  Many foods we eat contain a variety of sweeteners, from natural sweeteners such as honey and molasses to refined sugars like granulated table sugar. In the 1970s, the development of high fructose corn syrup shifted food manufacturers away from using refined sugar in their products. High fructose corn syrup was an attractive alternative due to its less expensive raw materials and ease of handling. Recently, consumers have raised health concerns about the additive, leading to demand for products without high fructose corn syrup. As a result, food and beverage manufacturers have reverted back to using refined sugar in their products, offering them as an alternative to high fructose corn syrup varieties. The sugar refining process begins with either sugar cane or sugar beets. Sugar cane plants store natural sugar in their stalks, which are crush...

Description Although consumers focus on the flavour and alcohol content in beers, brewers know that the vast majority of their product is water. Water is what makes many of the well-known beers of the world so unique. For example, the Pilsen region of the Czech Republic is known for producing the pilsner, a pale golden lager with a crisp hoppy flavour. This style of beer was easy to produce because the low alkalinity of the Pilsen water required very little malt to bring the pH into the ideal range for brewing. This contrasts with the water commonly found in Dublin, which has a much higher alkalinity and therefore requires darker malts to lower the pH to the ideal range for brewing. This made Ireland an ideal place to brew porters, stouts, and other dark beers. Traditional brewers understood the influence of source water qualitatively without an understanding  of pH or water chemistry. Since then, our understanding of brewing chemistry has expanded. We now kno...

Description Over the past few years, with the popularity of cooking shows, there has been an increasing trend of people experimenting more with flavors and tastes. One way that people experiment in the kitchen is through the use of spices and herbs. Considering the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) identifies over 100 varieties of herbs and spices, there are many different options for flavor combinations. Spices and herbs have been traded throughout the world for use in food seasoning and coloring for thousands of years. Traditionally, spices were processed and dried by being laid in the sun to dry. Since then, much more stringent standards have been established. These standards ensure that the final product is unadulterated and meets health and safety standards. These standards are set by several governing bodies, such as the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) and the European Spice Association (ESA). According to both of these regulatory agencies, mois...

 Description Bees use nectar to make honey; they collect nectar from a variety of plants, which means a variety of types of honey. Honey is a naturally produced functional food, foods that have been proven to have a positive effect on health, which has advantageous properties. These properties include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound and sunburn healing, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities. Honey is characterized by many different traits, color being the most important physical trait. From the color of honey one can determine the geographical origin as well as what variety of plants the honey originates from. Honey color is used to determine floral origin and is important aspect in commercial activities. Many factors have been found to affect the color of honey including minerals, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Darker honey has been found to have higher antioxidant capacity, ...