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Chemical analysis of cocoa butters and risk assessment of production processes in five localities in Cameroon
Full text linkThe quality of the cocoa product depends on the post-harvest treatment processes and the extraction method used; therefore, it is important to control the conditions applied to obtain a product of recommended quality. This study aimed to identify the critical stages in the post-harvest treatment and extraction of butter and to propose solutions for controlling them to obtain a product of good chemical quality. A survey of post-harvest treatments and extraction methods for cocoa butter (Theobroma cacao L.) was carried out, after which the critical control points of the process were determined. Samples of butter were collected from producers in various localities, and chemical analyses of fat were conducted. Three production methods were identified: artisanal, semi-industrial, and industrial. The producers of this semi-finished product were mainly women aged between 40 and 50 with no education. The cocoa butters marketed were generally of poor chemical quality. Oils from Yaoundé producers were overall the most chemically acceptable, while those from Douala were less so. These data suggest that producers should take these factors into account when post-harvesting cocoa beans and extracting the fat to guarantee a more stable, high-quality product
Effect of extrusion process parameters on the overall acceptability of snacks produced from aerial yam and soybean flour mixture
Full text linkThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of extrusion cooking parameters on the overall acceptability of the snacks produced from aerial yam and soybean flour mixture. Design Expert (version 11.0.1) was used in the experimental design, with a three-factor experimental setup at five levels each. The aerial yam and soybean flour mixture was formulated in the ratio of 1:3 and extruded using a laboratory-scale single-screw extruder. Response Surface Methodology was adopted in analyzing the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Results showed that the overall acceptability scores ranged from 4.20 to 7.10. Response surface analysis revealed that an increase in barrel temperature, screw speed, and feed moisture resulted in an increase in overall acceptability. The overall acceptability of the snacks was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by barrel temperature and feed moisture, while the screw speed had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on overall acceptability. The interaction of the extrusion cooking parameters had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the overall acceptability of the snacks. The high range of scores recorded for the snacks indicates that the aerial yam and soybean composite flour extruded snacks were generally well accepted by the panelists
Application of shiitake and maitake extracts to wheat flour and their effect on technological and baking properties
Full text linkShiitake and maitake extracts were added to composite flours in the amounts of 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, which subsequently changed the basic technological properties of the composite flours. Compared to control flour, wet gluten content decreased only slightly, but gluten swelling and gluten extensibility decreased significantly. Falling number, Zeleny sedimentation volume, and crude protein also decreased. The experimental loaves were baked from composite flours and evaluated by Volscan. The weight of the experimental loaves decreased in proportion to the amount of addition of medicinal mushroom extract. The volume and specific volume of the experimental loaf decreased with the addition of maitake extract in proportion to its amount. The addition of shiitake extracts in the amount of 5% increased the volume and specific volume of the experimental loaf; however, higher additions (7.5%, 10%) reduced the evaluated parameters in the case of shiitake extract. Nevertheless, all additions were technologically acceptable, and the differences in technological quality of experimental loaves compared to control loaves were not significant. These types of designed foods with nutritional benefits have potential for producers and are desirable to consumers
Freeze assisted-aqueous extraction of rapeseed oil using Tween 20
Full text linkThe traditional oil extraction methods often rely on organic solvents, raising environmental and health concerns, while aqueous extraction offers a potentially greener alternative. Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate the feasibility of the aqueous extraction of oil from rapeseed (canola) using a food-grade surfactant (Tween 20). The physicochemical properties of the rapeseed (moisture, ash, protein, and oil content) were first determined. The effects of key parameters, including seed-to-water ratio, Tween 20 concentration, pH, and pre-treatment temperature and time, were evaluated using a one-factor-at-a-time approach. According to our findings, the optimal oil extraction conditions were as follows: seed-to-water ratio 1:10, Tween 20 concentration 1.4 wt%, pH 12.0, pre-treatment temperature/time combination 190°C/30 min. Under the optimal conditions, an oil extraction yield of 50.5% was achieved. The impact of the pre-treatment step (before or after grinding the seeds) also showed that thermal treatment (190°C/30 min) prior to grinding was much more efficient. Additionally, freezing and rapid defrosting treatments yielded comparable results to the optimized aqueous extraction. The results suggest that aqueous extraction with Tween 20, particularly with optimized pre-treatment, offers a viable alternative to solvent-based methods, although further optimization is needed to match the higher yield of the solvent extraction method
Influence of professional motivation and digital competence on teachers’ career satisfaction
Full text linkThis study aims to examine the factors affecting teachers’ professional motivation and career satisfaction based on their perspectives, with a specific focus on the influence of digital competencies. A teacher's ability to develop a positive attitude toward their profession and achieve their personal career goals is a situation that affects the efficiency of education for both themselves and their students. The study uses a qualitative, phenomenological design, with participants comprising 11 teachers from various subjects and school levels, selected through maximum variation sampling, a purposeful sampling method. According to the findings derived from teachers’ feedback, the attitudes of school administrators, colleagues, and parents have both positive and negative impacts on teachers' motivation and career satisfaction. Teachers primarily attribute their motivation to internal factors and note their efforts to develop digital competencies, ensuring they remain adaptable to the evolving demands of the digital age in education. It has been observed that teachers’ professional motivation is influenced by several factors, including their income levels, the adequacy of the school’s physical environment, communication with administrators and colleagues, student motivation, and their own passion for the profession. Since teachers view their profession not merely as a job but as a mission and social duty, they tend to associate career satisfaction with their ability to contribute to students' growth, inspire them, and make a lasting impact on their lives, rather than with higher salaries or social status. Additionally, societal perspectives and political policies shape how teachers perceive their profession as a long-term career
Analysis and empirical study on the influencing factors of the tourism economy in Hunan Province
Full text linkTourism is a key driver of regional economic development and a foundational sector for national economic growth. Understanding the factors influencing the tourism industry is crucial for policy and investment decisions. This study examines the determinants of tourism revenue in Hunan Province, China, from 2003 to 2019. Using factor and regression analysis, the study investigates the impact of nine independent variables: rail and road travel distances, civil air passenger traffic, total number of tourists, art performance groups, GDP, urban and rural disposable income, and food and beverage consumption. All nine factors positively correlate with Hunan’s tourism revenue, indicating that economic and infrastructural variables significantly influence tourism industry growth. Strengthening tourism infrastructure, enhancing investment channels, and supporting supply-side reforms are essential for sustained growth. Regional collaboration and innovation should be prioritized to drive long-term industry development. Policymakers should focus on expanding tourism consumption capacity, improving connectivity, and fostering an innovation-driven tourism economy to enhance regional and national economic benefits
Recession worries and management in America: Do’s and don’ts for workers, jobs, leaders, and organizations to go into economic downturns with open eyes
Full text linkRecessionary periods are recurring challenges in any economy, particularly during times marked by high inflation, political instability, trade conflicts, global pandemics, rising consumer costs, and stagnating wages. This study aims to explore how organizations, managers, and workers can navigate and adapt to the complex realities of economic downturns. Using a qualitative methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight senior executives and business experts who collectively possess nearly 300 years of professional experience in the United States. Their insights offer a nuanced understanding of how recessions affect employment, organizational strategy, and workforce resilience. The findings reveal that, while recessions present significant threats, they also offer strategic opportunities for reinvention and growth. Workers and organizations that approach these periods with preparation, adaptability, and empathy are better positioned to endure economic hardship and even emerge stronger. Practical recommendations include preparing for economic disruptions with strategic foresight, maintaining transparent communication, supporting employee well-being, and identifying new market opportunities. These insights equip working professionals and organizational leaders to face recessions with clarity and resilience, enabling them to remain agile and thrive amid uncertainty. Today’s working adults, managers, and organizations should be prepared to enter a recession with “open eyes” while having contingent plans for the worst, empathizing with employees’ concerns, and taking advantage of upcoming opportunities to keep the organization afloat
Managing Director’s Muslim and Ownership Meeting Report: Evidence from Malaysia
Full text linkPursuant to Section 343(1) of the CA2016, ownership has the right to inspect without charge the ownership meeting report and request a copy of the report, which is evidence of the proceedings during the ownership meeting. The aim of this study is to investigates the factors influencing the online disclosure of ownership meeting reports among Malaysian listed companies. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset comprising hand-collected information from company websites, annual reports, and financial databases, including Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters Eikon/DataStream, the analysis focuses on 261 Malaysian listed companies for the financial year ending 31 December 2016. The results reveal that the online disclosure of ownership meeting reports is significantly higher when a Muslim Managing Director earns a mandate and holds a prominent position on the board of directors, indicating the potential influence of leadership characteristics on transparency and accountability. The study has important implications for policymakers, particularly in light of recent regulatory emphasis in Malaysia and Singapore on enhancing the timeliness and accessibility of meeting reports. The value of the study may also look at the timeliness of online disclosure of ownership meeting report, as the regulators in Malaysia and Singapore have given more emphasis on this important matter recently
Driving Purchase Intention for Sustainable Intercity Bus Services through Social Media Marketing
Full text linkThis study examines the impact of social media marketing activities on consumer purchase intentions in the context of bus transportation services. Using a quantitative approach and SEM-PLS on data from a questionnaire to 272 respondents, results show that social media marketing activities have a significant and positive direct effect on purchase intentions. These activities not only enhance brand awareness but also positively influence brand associations in consumers’ minds. While brand awareness does not significantly affect purchase intentions, brand associations play a crucial role in positively influencing consumer decisions. Additionally, the study reveals that social media marketing does not indirectly influence purchase intentions through brand awareness but does significantly contribute to brand associations, which subsequently drive purchase intentions. These results emphasize the importance of leveraging social media as a strategic tool for building strong brand awareness and associations to ultimately increase consumer purchase intentions for bus transportation services
Traceability Technology in Plastic Waste Management for Recycling Paper Industry: A Circular Economy Review
Full text linkThe global increase in plastic waste generation poses a significant challenge to environmental sustainability. Among major contributors is plastic waste from the recycling paper industry. The circular economy represents an emerging paradigm in the management of plastic waste in Indonesia. Despite growing interest in digital innovations, the integration of traceability technology such as blockchain and IoT remains underexplored. This study explores the role of smart technology in enhancing traceability of plastic waste management within the recycling paper industry in the context of the circular economy framework using the PRISMA protocol. Through a systematic literature review of 40 peer review from Scopus and ProQuest published between 2013 and 2024, the study highlights the current practices, drivers, and barriers in adopting smart technologies, while enabling alignment with sustainability reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Boards (SASB). This review contributes to the field of sustainability accounting by framing digital traceability of plastic waste not only as technical solution but also as a driver of ESG aligned innovation. The findings propose a future research agenda to explore innovative approaches and solutions for optimizing plastic waste traceability in line with sustainable practices and circular economy principles