The main purpose of this study is to extract the bioactive compounds from the pineapple waste using Microwave assisted extraction(MAE), as there is large amount of left over after processing which has potential uses. Bromelain a proteolytic enzyme found in the pineapple peel, stem, crown and core possess a lot of bioactive compounds like phenolics, antioxidants and enzymes which is useful in the food industry as well in pharmaceuticals. In this study MAE technique using water as solvent was employed to extract the bio actives and the proteolytic enzyme bromelain from the pineapple waste (peel and core) . Response surface methodology with Box Behnken design using the three independent variables time (min), power (watt) and solid to solvent ratio(g/ml) to determine the effect on the amount of Total protein, phenolic content and antioxidants (FRAP). Further using the optimized condition, the protein sample was purified using acetone to obtain Bromelain enzyme. This enzyme was freeze-dried, and applied to meat chunks as a tenderizer, and physiochemical parameters were determined and comparing it with the commercial bromelain from pineapple stem and results were analyzed.

Extreme volatility in prices of potato is haunting the producers and consumers of the state for the last few years. The instability is greater in market arrival compared to prices across the markets and months within the same markets. In general, peak/ just after harvesting periods have experienced the higher level of fluctuations than lean periods in both cases. Trend in market arrivals is negative in all the markets except Champadanga whereas price trend is positive in all markets with difference in magnitudes. Seasonal indices of markets arrivals reflect an upward movement starting from harvesting season to lean season in Champadanga, whereas a continuous deceleration is recorded in Dhupguri and Memari. Irregular movement is observed in Bishnupur and Jhargram markets may be due to differences in availability of marketing facilities particularly storage, transport, nearby large terminal markets. Excepting Champadanga market, current price is negatively related with market arrivals and positive with lagged prices which are very common in highly perishable vegetable crops like potato.

Drying of agro products is one of the most important post harvest operations in agricultural processing. This paper presents the design. Development and experimental investigations of solar tunnel dryer with control system for drying agro product (coconuts). The experiments were conducted in a hemispherical shaped solar tunnel dryer for drying coconuts and compared with open sun drying. The weather parameters such as ambient temperature and ambient RH, wind velocity, wind direction, solar radiation and rainfall were monitored along with dryer temperature and relative humidity. The dryer temperature and relative humidity was monitored and controlled with control system using exhaust fans at chimneys. The coconuts were loaded in a tray and trolley system inside the dryer and drying experiments were performed between 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. It was found that the time required to dry coconuts from initial moisture content of 110.5 per cent (d.b) to a final moisture content of around 7.36 per cent (d.b) in solar tunnel drying mode was 49.5 hours, whereas 80 hours for open sun drying mode. The drying characteristics such as moisture reduction, drying rate and moisture ratio were analyzed.

Laboratory experiment was conducted during Kharif-2013 to evaluate the effect of the Cry toxins (Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab) against Tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fab.). For this eleven Bollgard-II cotton hybrids and one non Bt cotton were grown in the field. The leaves, squares and bolls which were collected (Periodically at 60, 75, 90 and 125 DAS) from the field were taken to the lab. On those plant parts different instars (first, second, third and fourth instar) of S. litura were reared in the laboratory conditions to know the effect of Cry toxin on the length and width of the S. litura larvae. The length and width of the larvae were decreased in BG-II reared larvae then non BT. Hence, the cry toxins showed a significant effect on the length and width of the S. litura larvae. Within the instars also the effect of Cry toxins were more on the first, second and third instar larvae when compared to the fourth instar larvae.

The grass cutting machine is available in various types like Reel (cylinder) mower, Rotary and mulching mower, Riding mower, Robotic mower, and Professional mower. The grass cutting machine is of two types’ electric motor and mechanical power. In the modification of lawn mower we used two types of blade, mulching type blade and flat type blade. The mulching type blade having field efficiency is 93.7% with average speed 1.822 km/hr and the flat type blade having field efficiency is 83.17% with average speed 1.89 km/hr. Results shown that the mulching type blade is most suitable.