http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21652 2026-08-31T05:10:27Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21679 Formulation and quality determination of herbal carbonated soda enriched with coriander, tamarind and green apple as natural base ingredients Bandara, R.G.N.B.; Somaratne, G.M.; Prasantha, B.D.R. Herbal-inspired beverages represent a promising avenue for developing functional, naturally flavored carbonated drinks. This study aimed to formulate and characterize three soda formulations based on coriander (Coriandrum sativum), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), and green apple (Malus domestica), enriched with commercially available ingredients such as dried barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare L.), dried ginger (Zingiber officinale), fresh beetroot (Beta vulgaris) (for coriander formulation), dried ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) roots (tamarind formulation) and dried tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) leaves (for green apple formulation). Each formulation was evaluated under three sweetening systems: bee honey, stevia, and a sugar–stevia blend to identify the most acceptable sensory profile (9-point hedonic scale, n=35). Sensory analysis indicated that the sugar–stevia blend consistently achieved the highest overall acceptability across all formulations, with mean ranks of 2.23 (coriander), 2.93 (tamarind), and 2.43 (green apple). Physicochemical evaluation revealed that the formulated sodas exhibited higher pH values (4.76, 2.70, 3.01) compared with a commercial cola (2.63), lower total soluble solids (4.29 – 6.04 oBrix vs 10.08 °Brix), reduced total and reducing sugars (2.27 – 9.02 g/100 mL vs 10.51 g/100 mL), and markedly lower sodium content (1.50 – 8.31 mg/L vs 51.23 mg/L). Carbonation levels were lower (1.08 1.14 volumes CO₂) relative to cola (3.74 volumes CO₂). Functional analysis demonstrated enhanced bioactive properties, with ascorbic acid concentrations ranging from 6.28 to 20.99 mg/100 mL, total phenolic content of 192– 374 mg GAE/L, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity up to 58.58% in coriander soda. Total plate count analysis confirmed microbiological stability during 14 days of refrigerated storage, with no significant increase (p > 0.05) in microbial counts, which ranged from 730 – 1000 CFU/mL at baseline to 590 – 600 CFU/mL after storage. The pH of all soda formulations increased during storage (from 2.70 – 4.76 to 2.86 – 4.89), with greater increases observed at elevated storage temperatures (25 and 40°C) than under refrigerated conditions (4°C). These findings indicate that herbal carbonated sodas can deliver a nutritionally enriched, low-sugar (total and reducing sugar), and sensory-acceptable alternative to conventional soft drinks. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21674 Analysis of extreme rainfall and flood events: a case study of the Nilwala river basin Rajawatta, K.M.W.; Ranahansi, H.K.N.; Jayaweera, W.M.C.S. The analysis of extreme hydrological events in river basins and rainfall trends is crucial for reducing vulnerability to flooding and developing flood mitigation strategies. Understanding the correlation between flooding and rainfall patterns helps identify flood-prone areas within the region, plan infrastructure, and improve early warning systems, ultimately mitigating the negative impacts of future flood events and protecting communities and resources. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between rainfall and anomalous flood occurrence in the Nilwala River Basin (NRB) using statistical analyses. The study was conducted in the southern province of Sri Lanka.While NRB is characterised by monsoon-induced flooding, an unusual flood event was reported recently. Thalgahagoda, Panadugama, Pitabeddara and Urawa represent the four main gaging stations (GS) of NRB. Water level (m) and rainfall (mm) data were collected from each GS for September, October, November, and December over four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024). The study investigated differences in water levels and rainfall among stations, and the correlation between rainfall and flooding patterns, by analysing the collected data using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT). All stations recorded a significant increment of their highest peak water levels in 2023, compared to previous years: Thalgahagoda (1.69 ± 0.47), Panadugama (5.35 ± 0.99), Pitabeddara (1.84 ± 0.68), and Urawa (1.17 ± 0.51) indicating a potential rise in flood intensity while rapid recovery of water levels was reported in every GSs (1.15 ± 0.39), (4.40 ± 1.07), (1.22 ± 0.55) and (0.63 ± 0.34) respectively in 2024. Results revealed no statistically significant differences in rainfall amounts across the years considered, with only slight variation in mean rainfall values. However, Pitabeddara consistently recorded the highest rainfall in all three years, peaking at 26.46 ± 33.15 mm in 2023. The findings indicate that although interannual rainfall was not significant over the period considered, the downstream section of the basin has been affected by the observed anomalous flood levels. However, the results show a weaker correlation between rising water levels during flood events and consistent rainfall patterns, indicating the potential influence of anthropogenic activities. Overall, the study emphasizes the urgency of enhancing flood management strategies and investigating potential anthropogenic factors, particularly in flood-prone areas such as Thalgahagoda and Panadugama. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21673 Perceptions and behavioral intentions of paddy farmers toward digital extension tools for agricultural information: a comparative study of leaflets, voice recordings, and video under the yaya program Palihawadana, D.A.; De Silva, W.N.; Silva, K.N.; Gamage, K.R.R. This study assessed paddy farmers’ perceptions and behavioral intentions toward digital extension tools: digital leaflets, voice recordings, and videos for agricultural information under the Yaya Program in Galle district, Sri Lanka, using a stratified random sample of 1,130 farmers and a pre-tested questionnaire. The analytical approach included descriptive statistics, reliability assessment, repeated-measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Participants rated videos and digital leaflets more effective than voice recordings, with videos being most favored for clarity, engagement, and comprehension. The constructs exhibited excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values spanning from 0.857 to 0.978. Regression results indicated that attitudes, output quality, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subjective norms significantly influenced farmers’ behavioral intention to adopt digital extension tools. In contrast, individual innovativeness generally did not significantly predict adoption. The findings highlight the importance of digital extension tools in agricultural extension and suggest that policymakers and extension officers should prioritize video-based digital extension tools, complemented by digital leaflets and voice-recording-based digital extension tools, to maximize adoption and reach among diverse paddy farmer populations in Sri Lanka. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21672 Development of value-added tropical almonds (terminalia catappa l.) And evaluation of physicochemical, sensory, nutritional and shelf-life properties Gamage, K.R.R.; Fernando, K.M.C.; Fernando, G.S.N.; Thudugala, P.K.; Karunarathne, K.H.T. Tropical almond (Terminalia catappa L.) kernels are a highly nutritious yet underutilized resource in Sri Lanka, despite their rich content of protein, healthy lipids, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Limited consumer awareness, processing difficulties, and a lack of value-added products have hindered their commercial potential. This study was conducted to develop two value-added snack products: sugar-coated and savory tropical almonds, and to evaluate their nutritional, physicochemical, functional, and shelf-life characteristics under different packaging conditions. Sugar-coated almonds were formulated using 30%, 40%, and 50% (w/w) sugar levels, while savory almonds were developed using 5%, 7.5%, and 10% (w/w) spice mixtures. Sensory evaluation indicated that the formulation containing 40% (w/w) sugar in the sugar-coated almonds and 7.5% (w/w) spice in the savory almonds received the highest overall acceptability scores. Proximate analysis revealed that savory almonds had the highest protein (39.60 ± 1.87%), fat (78.00 ± 4.21%), and fiber (7.15 ± 0.65%), which was attributed to the composition of the coating mixture. Sugar-coated almonds exhibited a lower peroxide value (5.70 ± 0.64 meq/kg), indicating better oxidative stability. Among functional properties, sugar-coated almonds showed higher antioxidant activity (30.04 ± 3.46 mM Trolox/g) while savory almonds demonstrated the highest flavonoid content (4.13 ± 1.06 mg QE/g). Shelf-life evaluations were conducted over 12 weeks using paper zip-lock pouches and zip lock pouches with an inner aluminium foil layer, with or without silica gel, to assess changes in color, moisture content, pH, water activity, and microbial growth. Results indicated that packaging with an inner aluminium foil layer, combined with silica gel, provided the best protection, maintaining product quality and minimizing microbial growth throughout storage. Overall, the study demonstrates that value addition through sugar-coated and savory tropical almond snacks can significantly improve the usability and marketability of this underexploited nut, offering promising opportunities for commercial production and rural entrepreneurship. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z