ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Optimization of extraction conditions for polyphenols from the stem bark of Funtumia elastica (Funtum) utilizing response surface methodology [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. Furthermore, phenolic compounds do not disperse evenly and may be connected to cell walls, carbohydrates, or proteins. This study looks at the optimization of factors that affect the efficiency for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the stembark of Funtumia elastica. Methods: Five independent variables (solvent concentration, time, the temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and pH) of the extraction process were selected. Single factor analysis as well as the response surface method was used to evaluate the impact of the selected factors on the total phenolic content. The effect of the extraction factors on the phenolic content was statistically significant (p <0.05). For the response surface method, a five/factor, five/level central composite design used, and a fitted second-order polynomial regression model equation was used to show how the extraction parameters affected the total phenolic recovery. Results: The predicted value (R² of 0.5917) agreed with the adjusted value (R² of 0.7707). The residuals for response predictions were less than 5%. The optimal factors for the extraction were ethanol concentration of 75.99% v/v, extraction time of 193.86 minutes, temperature of 63.66°C, pH of 5.62, and solid-liquid ratio of 1:21.12 g/mL. Actual overall content of the phenolic compounds was validated at 82.83 ± 3.335 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) /g weight of extract, which agreed with the predicted response of 89.467 mg GAE/g of the dried extract under the optimal factors. Conclusions: The rich phenolic content of stem-bark of Funtumia elastica points to its potential as a functional medicinal product to alleviate diseases caused by oxidative stress such as asthma,

Source: KNUST
Optimization of Polyphenols Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology and Application of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Phenolic Content Analysis of Pine Bark

The utilization of pine bark for processing water resistant phenol-formaldehyde adhesive for plywood production encounters difficulties due to the very high reactivity of the formaldehyde condensable phenolics and other un-intended compounds (sugars) extracted into solution, as well as time consuming and costly chemical analysis. The potential of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapidly and accurately determining the polyphenolic contents in Pinus caribaea bark extracts was assessed by means of multivariate calibration techniques. To optimize the polyphenol content, four different solvents (aqueous acetone, aqueous ethanol, aqueous NaOH and water) were used in the extractions. Batch experiments were performed at different solvent concentrations, time, temperature and liquidsolid ratio. Mathematical polynomial models were proposed to identify the effects of individual interactions of these variables on the extraction of polyphenols and optimum content using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized conditions were used to extract polyphenols which were used in the formulation of resol resins for plywood manufacture. The first derivative spectra with PLS regression were found to provide the best prediction of the tannin content and Stiasny number of pine bark with a SECV = 0.14 and 1.26 and r2 = 0.97 and 0.95 respectively. The predicted values were thus highly correlated with costly measured values of tannin content and Stiasny number. The highest extraction model efficiency (78.98%) was observed for aqueous extraction when only tannin content was maximized in the numerical optimization process. This corresponded to optimum extraction conditions of 69°C extraction temperature, 126 min extraction time and 23:1 liquid-solid ratio. The RSM model that gave a high tannin content (18.85%) with a corresponding good quality resin (shear strength = 2.4 MPa, 10% delamination) was found for aqueous ethanol extraction when the objective function was to maximize both the tannin content and Stiasny number and minimize the sugar content simultaneously.

Source: KNUST
Optimization of formulation blends of orange and cabbage juices and assessing the qualities of the optimum juice blends

Fruits and vegetables are very importance class of foods which supply human diet with various nutritive requirements including vitamins and minerals which are essential for normal body health and growth. A survey was conducted through a questionnaire to gather information of consumptions patterns, responses and preference of beverage. A study was carried out to determine the sensory qualities, physico-chemical properties, vitamins and mineral compositions of cabbage-orange juice produced from oranges and cabbage. Two varieties of orange (late Valencia and blood orange) and cabbage (Oxylus variety) were processed into nine blends of juice developed from Design Expert (8.0.7.1 version) software. Sensory analysis was conducted on the 9(nine) formulations and were optimized by the same software. Each optimum from each orange variety was selected and with a control (100% late Valencia and blood orange), subjected to physico-chemical analyses and determination of vitamin C and pro vitamin A content. The sensory evaluation results shown that the cabbage-orange juice with a formulation ratio of 80% late Valencia orange and 20% cabbage was selected as optimum by the design expert among the 9 formulations for late Valencia orange variety whiles 74% of blood orange and 26% of cabbage was also selected in the case of the blood orange variety. The results indicated significant differences (p <0.05) in all the characteristic sensory properties which were under aroma, colour, taste, aftertaste and clarity for the both late Valencia and blood orange-cabbage juice blends. However the amounts in blood orange and its optimum were not significantly different (p> 0.05). There were significant differences (p< 0.05) in the physico-chemical analyses with the exception of the total ash content. Pro-vitamin A (β-carotene) contents of two orange varieties and their optimum were significantly different (p<0.05). The vitamin C content of the two orange varieties and their optimum blends were also significantly different (p<0.05). The juices from the two varieties and optimum blends were subjected to mineral analyses such as zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium and a significant difference (p<0.05) between the blends and the orange varieties were also established. Late Valencia-cabbage juice was accepted in the orange fruity scent, sourness, tooth-itching and orange colour attribute while blood orange-cabbage juice was accepted in the sweetness attribute in the sensory analysis. A significant increase (p< 0.05) in the total soluble solids, pH, minerals and the beta carotenes were established whiles a decreased was observed in the total solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C.

Source: KNUST
Optimization of Sensory Acceptability of Milk Chocolate Containing Okra Pectin as Emulsifier

In the preparation of chocolate in Ghana, the only ingredient obtained locally is cocoa. A preliminary study showed the potential of okra pectin as emulsifier in milk chocolate. The present study aims to investigate and optimize the sensory acceptability of milk chocolate when local okra pectin extract is used as an emulsifier or lecithin substitute. A four-component constrained mixture design (Simplex lattice) was used for the recipe formulations using MINITAB (version 17) Statistical Package. The components were sugar, milk, cocoa butter, and cocoa liquor. The lower and upper constraints of the component variables were determined from an existing milk chocolate recipe from the Cocoa Processing Company Limited, Tema, Ghana. The emulsiﬁer, Okra pectin (0.145%) was held constant in all the formulations. The formulated products were evaluated by trained judges for its sensory characteristics such as mouthfeel, aftertaste, flavour, taste, appearance and overall acceptability on a nine-point Hedonic scale. At okra pectin level of 0.145%, the optimal proportion of the ingredients in the milk chocolate based on sensory characteristics were found to be 36.08% sugar, 25.92% milk, 20.00% butter and 18.00% liquor. At these levels, the chocolate samples were either liked moderately or very much, which suggests high overall acceptability (about 90%).

Source: KNUST
Optimization of sensory acceptability of milk chocolate containing okra pectin as emulsifier

The effect of ingredients on the sensory acceptability of milk chocolate containing okra pectin as emulsifier was investigated and optimized. A four component constrained mixture design (Simplex lattice) was used for the recipe formulations using Minitab Statistical software. The lower and upper constraints of the component variables (sugar, milk, cocoa butter, and cocoa liquor) were determined from an existing milk chocolate recipe. The formulated products were evaluated by fifteen (15) trained panel of judges for its sensory characteristics including mouthfeel, aftertaste, flavor, taste, appearance, and overall acceptability on a nine-point hedonic scale. At okra pectin level of 0.145%, the optimal proportion of the ingredients in the milk chocolate based on sensory characteristics was found to be 36.08% sugar, 25.92% milk,20.00% butter, and 18.00% liquor. At these levels, the chocolate samples were either liked moderately or very much, which suggested high overall acceptability (~90%). Validation of the model indicated a good agreement between the predicted and observed ratings for the sensory attributes of the chocolate samples with okra pectin as emulsifier 20.00% butter, and 18.00% liquor. At these levels, the chocolate samples were either liked moderately or very much, which suggested high overall acceptability (~90%). Validation of the model indicated a good agreement between the predicted and observed ratings for the sensory attributes of the chocolate samples with okra pectin as emulsifier

Source: KNUST
Optimization of sensory acceptability of milk chocolate containing okra pectin as emulsifier

The effect of ingredients on the sensory acceptability of milk chocolate containing okra pectin as emulsifier was investigated and optimized. A four component constrained mixture design (Simplex lattice) was used for the recipe formulations using Minitab Statistical software. The lower and upper constraints of the component variables (sugar, milk, cocoa butter, and cocoa liquor) were determined from an existing milk chocolate recipe. The formulated products were evaluated by fifteen (15) trained panel of judges for its sensory characteristics including mouthfeel, aftertaste, flavor, taste, appearance, and overall acceptability on a nine-point hedonic scale. At okra pectin level of 0.145%, the optimal proportion of the ingredients in the milk chocolate based on sensory characteristics was found to be 36.08% sugar, 25.92% milk, 20.00% butter, and 18.00% liquor. At these levels, the chocolate samples were either liked moderately or very much, which suggested high overall acceptability (~90%). Validation of the model indicated a good agreement between the predicted and observed ratings for the sensory attributes of the chocolate samples with okra pectin as emulsifier.

Source: KNUST
Optimization of Production Scheduling as Linear Programming Model

Production levels must allow a manufacturing organization to meet demand for its production as well as sales targets which belong to key performance indicators, inspite of any prevailing constraints. Managerial decision making to achieve objectives carry along with it responsibility to interpret data to identify the way things work or should work. This includes the simultaneous considerations of both production and sales limitations. In a case study for a cable manufacturing company, optimization of production scheduling was treated as a linear programming problem. The simplex algorithm was applied to determine optimal schedules for each of the six fast selling copper products that can yield the total monthly copper budget at sales. In a sensitivity analysis, the impact of varying operational constraints on the linear programming model was examined to verify the effects of changes on outcomes of the model. Interpretations of the results from the analysis formed basis for recommendations to enhance managerial decisions.

Source: KNUST
Optimization of the operational cost of water supply to the city of Accra

The City of Accra is supplied with potable water from two sources; namely, the Kpong and the Weija Works. Raw water quality at Weija is poor. It has high turbidity and suspended solids content; and moreover, algal growth occurs in the impounded reservoir. For these reasons, full conventional treatment is undertaken at Weija to barely bring the quality of the product water within the WHO Quality Standards. At Kpong however, raw water quality is high for most of the year and therefore clarification by use of alum is not, necessary, and is hence not generally practised. Water treatment cost is therefore significantly lower at Kpong than at Weija since the cost of imported alum is largely saved at the former plant. On the other hand, transmission of treated water from Weija to Accra is by gravity over a relatively shorter distance, while from Kpong, potable water is pumped a relatively longer distance, to the City. Transmission cost of water from Weija is thus much lower than from Kpong. In order, to minimise the overall cost of water supply to the City of Accra, a Direct Search optimization technique is used in this work, to obtain optimal quantities of abstraction from each of the Kpong and Weija Works. Under the Accra-Tema Water Supply and Sewerage Master Plan, parallel pipelines will be laid from Kpong to Tema and Tema to Accra. Parallel raw water rising mains are also planned. The effect of a parallel transmission main from Kpong to Tema on the operational cost of water supply to Accra and also on the optimal quantities of abstraction is determined. It is found that for the existing system characteristics of the Accra-Tema Water Supply System, the cost of Water Supply to Accra from Weija is lower than from Kpong. It is also found that the introduction of a parallel pipeline from Kpong to Tema reduces the transmission cost of potable water from Kpong thus increasing the optimal percentage of abstraction from that source. Population and water demand forecasts which form the basis of the Accra-Tema Water Supply and Sewerage Development Master Plan of 1981, are reviewed in the light of more recent (1984) population census data. It is found that the population and therefore the demand projections used in the Master Plan are high. The proposed implementation schedule of works is therefore retarded such that the supply capacities of the Kpong and Weija plants correspond with the revised demands at all times during the planning period.

Source: KNUST
Optimizing banks’ loan portfolio in Ghana [a case study of Nkoranman Rural Bank, Sunyani]

The task of the thesis is to design a model to find the optimal solution for allocating funds for the various types of loans offered by Nkoranman Rural Bank, Sunyani, in order to maximize the net returns. The aims and the objectives of the project are to model the Loan Portfolio of Nkoranman Rural Bank, Sunyani using Linear Programming and solve the Linear Programming Model to maximize profit. A linear programming Model was formulated using the data collected from Nkoranman Rural Bank, Sunyani and Karmarkar’s algorithm, an interior point method is used to solve it. The results show that Nkoranman Rural Bank Limited, Sunyani, will realize an optimal annual profit of GHc 117,123.51 on its loan portfolio if the management of the bank adopts the Model and implement it accordingly. This amount represents 35.5 % of the total fund to be disbursed by the bank for the year 2015, as against the 28.2 % profit made in 2014.

Source: KNUST
Optimizing memory using knapsack algorithm

Knapsack problem model is a general resource allocation model in which a single resource is assigned to a number of alternatives with the aim of maximizing the total return. Knapsack problem has been widely studied in computer science for years. There exist several variants of the problem. The study was about how to select contending data/processes to be loaded to memory to enhance maximization of memory utilization and efficiency. The instance is modeled as 0 – 1 single knapsack problem. In this thesis a Dynamic Programming (DP) algorithm is proposed for the 0/1 one dimensional knapsack problem. Problem-specific knowledge is incorporated in the algorithm description and evaluation of parameters, in order to look into the performance of finite-time implementation of Dynamic Programming. Computer implementation considerations played an important role in its development. We test the presented method with a set of benchmark data and compare the obtained results with other existing heuristics. The proposed method appears to give good results when solving these problems unravelling all instance considered in this study to optimality in "reasonable" computation times. Computational results also shows that the more the number of items or processes, the higher the time to produce optimal results. Conclusively, when the curse of dimensionality can be dismissed, dynamic programming can be a useful procedure for large sequencing problems

Source: KNUST
Optimizing Profit in the Bank A Case Study of Stanbic Bank, Tamale

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal Profit of Stanbic Bank, Tamale in the areas of interest from loans such as Revolving Term Loans, Fixed Term Loans, Home Loans, Personal VAF, Vehicle and Asset Finance as well as interest derived from Current Accounts, ATM withdrawals, Cheque Books and Counter Cheques of at least 90 customers for the period of six (6) months from November , 2011 to April, 2012...

Source: KNUST
Optimizing the conditions of ethanol production from cassava and sweet potato

Cassava and sweetpotato are root and tuber crops cultivated in Ghana that could serve as industrial raw material for ethanol production. Investigations were conducted to optimize the yield of ethanol from two (2) varieties each of Cassava and Sweetpotato. Response surface methodology was used to model the optimum liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation conditions for ethanol production from the cassava and sweetpotato varieties. Three starch hydrolytic enzymes (Liquozyme SC DS, Spirizyme Fuel, Viscozyme L) and two strains of yeast (Bio-Ferm XR, Baker’s yeast) were used for fermentation. The best liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation times established were 2.1 hours, 4 hours and 57.4 hours at 34oC respectively with Liquozyme SC DS, Spirizyme Fuel/Viscozyme L and Bio-Ferm XR (Lallemand) yeast. The combination of Viscozyme L and Spirizyme Fuel enzymes in a ratio of 1:1 was the best enzyme mix for saccharification for a duration of 4 hours. The yeast to employ for best fermentation was Bio-Ferm XR at temperature of 34oC for 57.4 hours duration. The results also indicated that 10 months matured Sika bankye and 3 months old Apomuden were the best cassava and sweetpotato varieties respectively for ethanol production. The best ethanol yield established from the study was 16.2% v/v from a 50:50 cassava:sweetpotato flour combination. Ethanol production with Sika bankye and Apomuden in a 50:50 ratio with GH¢ 119.00 as cost of fresh roots and tubers, ethanol yield of 15.5% v/v, selling price of GH¢ 4.7 per litre of ethanol and the use of a 10,000 litres per day capacity ethanol distilling plant generates net profit of between 11% and 31% over a period of five years. Ethanol production with cassava and sweetpotato is therefore a profitable venture.

Source: KNUST
Optimizing The Conditions Of Ethanol Production From Cassava And Sweetpotato

Cassava and sweetpotato are root and tuber crops cultivated in Ghana that could serve as industrial raw material for ethanol production. Investigations were conducted to optimize the yield of ethanol from two (2) varieties each of Cassava and Sweetpotato. Response surface methodology was used to model the optimum liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation conditions for ethanol production from the cassava and sweetpotato varieties. Three starch hydrolytic enzymes (Liquozyme SC DS, Spirizyme Fuel, Viscozyme L) and two strains of yeast (Bio-Ferm XR, Baker’s yeast) were used for fermentation. The best liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation times established were 2.1 hours, 4 hours and 57.4 hours at 34oC respectively with Liquozyme SC DS, Spirizyme Fuel/Viscozyme L and Bio-Ferm XR (Lallemand) yeast. The combination of Viscozyme L and Spirizyme Fuel enzymes in a ratio of 1:1 was the best enzyme mix for saccharification for a duration of 4 hours. The yeast to employ for best fermentation was Bio-Ferm XR at temperature of 34oC for 57.4 hours duration. The results also indicated that 10 months matured Sika bankye and 3 months old Apomuden were the best cassava and sweetpotato varieties respectively for ethanol production. The best ethanol yield established from the study was 16.2% v/v from a 50:50 cassava:sweetpotato flour combination. Ethanol production with Sika bankye and Apomuden in a 50:50 ratio with GH¢ 119.00 as cost of fresh roots and tubers, ethanol yield of 15.5% v/v, selling price of GH¢ 4.7 per litre of ethanol and the use of a 10,000 litres per day capacity ethanol distilling plant generates net profit of between 11% and 31% over a period of five years. Ethanol production with cassava and sweetpotato is therefore a profitable venture.

Source: KNUST
Optimizing Transportation Cost of Solid Waste: A Case Study in the Sunyani Municipality

Ridding our cities, towns and communities of filth has been one of the major concerns of various governments in Ghana. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have the responsibility of ensuring that the populace is not engulfed with filth to the detriment of their health. Owing to the increasing prices of petroleum products and high maintenance cost of vehicles used in the collection and transportation of solid waste by Zoomlion in the Sunyani Municipality. This thesis sought to determine the number of trips each type of vehicle (skip, compactor and roll-on) used in the transportation should go per day to minimize operational cost. The problem was formulated as an Integer Linear Programming problem and was solved using the software called Linear programming Software ( LIPS). The results show that if only one skip vehicle makes 14 trips per day, the expected quantum of solid waste needed to be hauled to the landfill site at Asufufuo, 5km away, per day, can be achieved at a minimum cost of GH199.92.

Source: KNUST