Practical Applications and Experiences on S&T
Services
Virmila B. Alvarez
ABSTRACT
The paper articulated the various science and technology
(S&T) services and interventions of the Philippine
Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and highlighted the
impact and practical applications for the Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The PTRI's experiences along this field have addressed
the SMEs' common problems and could serve as lessons
learned to avoid its recurrence. Other SMEs in various
regions could relate and find solutions to similar
problems and experiences encountered. Recommendations
for successful S&T services and interventions were also
discussed toward empowering the SMEs.
Effect of Exposure and
Refrigeration Duration on Bivoltine Silkworm
Eggs Hatchability
Adelfa M. Basaen, Kye-Myeong Kim, Bruno Boedts
and Rosemarie Delos Reyes
ABSTRACT
The relationship of
exposure and cold storage duration of silkworm eggs
was studied to determine its effect on the
hatchability. Two bivoltine silkworm hybrids, PTRI SW
3 and PTRI SW 4, produced locally under semi-temperate
conditions were tested by subjecting these under seven
different exposure durations of 25oC and
four refrigeration or cold storage periods of 31 days,
50 days, 60 days and 70 days at 5oC -7oC.
The results revealed that three days of exposure at 25oC
gave the highest hatching percentage. On the other
hand, the highest hatchability for PTRI SW 3 was
attained with cold storage of 70 days while PTRI SW 4
required 90 days. The effect of the combination of
exposure and refrigeration periods proved that newly
laid silkworm eggs exposed for longer period must
undergo longer refrigeration to break the diapause to
give higher hatchability.
Curcuminoid Contents of Water
Extracted-Spray Dried and Acid
Extracted-Air Dried Yellow Ginger (Curcuma longa
L.) Dye Powders
Christopher J. Belmonte
ABSTRACT
Yellow ginger (Curcuma longa L.) is a
good source of orange-yellow color pigment that
consists of a mixture of curcuminoids, namely,
curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin.
This study aims to evaluate the curcuminoids in the
yellow ginger dye powder produced using the Philippine
Textile Research Institute's (PTRI) developed powder
production methods, namely; the water extraction-spray
drying and acid extraction-air drying. The dye powders
were subjected to thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and
ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and compared
with a curcuminoid standard. The chromatogram of the
powder produced by the water extraction-spray drying
method revealed one spot, which was assumed as
bisdemethoxycurcumin, while the acid extraction-air
drying method showed the presence of the three
pigments identical to the standard. The calibration
graph using UV-Vis spectophotometer revealed that the
water extracted-spray dried powder has 0.6%
curcuminoids while the acid extracted-air dried has
16% curcuminoids. Results obtained indicated the
positive advantage of the latter method over the
former procedure.
Sampling Techniques for Fabric Weight Determination
of
Woven Fabrics
Rowena Caridad C. Jurado
ABSTRACT
Two sampling techniques for fabric weight
determination were compared using light, medium, and
heavy weight woven fabrics. The first technique using
a pneumatic sample cutter is accurate, easy and fast
to use but very expensive. The second technique using
a template as a guide for the specimen size is a crude
method, tedious and time-consuming but very cheap and
affordable.
The sampling was done in pairs. Results showed the
two techniques were not significantly different, which
means that both techniques could be used. Therefore,
the use of a simple template as a replacement for a
pneumatic sample cutter would be beneficial for
testing laboratories that could not afford the
exorbitant price of a pneumatic sample cutter.
Performance Wear Test Evaluation
of Two PTRI-Developed
Indigenous Fiber-Based Fabrics
Nora B. Mangalindan
ABSTRACT
The performance of two indigenous fiber based fabrics
from cotton/polyester/pineapple and cotton/polyester/kenaf
blends developed by the Philippine Textile Research
Institute (PTRI) was evaluated through actual wear
test. Eighty female and 20 male respondents strictly
followed the instructions in the conduct of the
performance test for six wearings. A survey
questionnaire was distributed to record observations
specifically on the fabrics' handle expressed in terms
of softness, smoothness, comfort and itchiness as well
as colorfastness of the dyed fabric, strength and
fabric weight. The fabrics' properties were also
tested using the established methods of test for
textiles.
Respondents' ratings and observations revealed that
both indigenous fiber based fabrics have promising
textile potentials although the fabric handle
properties of the resulting fabrics, particularly the
kenaf based, still need improvement. Laboratory test
results also showed that the fabrics are considerably
strong but quite inferior in terms of handle
properties. Clearly, there is still a need to improve
the fabric finishing technology to minimize their
harsh feel and impart the necessary "body" to the
fabric.
Rejuvenation of Old and
Unproductive Mulberry
Trees Through Ground-Level Pruning
Pepito M. Toring, Zenaida I. De Guzman
and Adelfa M. Basaen
ABSTRACT
The effect of ground-level pruning in the rejuvenation
of old and unproductive mulberry trees was evaluated
at the mulberry field of the Philippine Textile
Research Institute-Technology Center (PTRI-TC), La
Trinidad, Benguet from May 1998 to 2001.
Ground-level pruning was found to be an easier and
cheaper method than totally uprooting and replanting a
mulberry. Ground-level pruning was completed in just 5
man-days to rehabilitate the 800 old mulberry trees.
Activities on the preparation of planting materials,
land preparation, transplanting and the maintenance of
a nursery were eliminated. Consequently, labor cost
was decreased to P750.00. Harvest time was
substantially shortened and reduced to about 6 months.
