This research aimed to develop an environmentally friendly shoe polish using banana (Musa spp.) peel and charcoal derived from coconut (Cocos nucifera) shell. Four distinct shoe polish formulations were prepared by changing the quantity of banana peel extract (10 g: C1, 20 g: C2, 30 g: C3, and 40 g: C4) while maintaining a constant ratio of coconut shell charcoal as a primary component. A commercially available shoe polish (C5) served as the control sample. Various characteristics, including shine, quick-drying, water resistance, rub resistance, and fading resistance, were assessed post-application on three types of shoes: school shoes, leather shoes, and safety shoes. A customer satisfaction survey involving thirty participants was conducted to evaluate the performance of the shoe polish on the aforementioned shoe types. The survey results indicated that C5 exhibited satisfactory outcomes on school shoes but performed poorly on safety shoes, while C4 demonstrated favorable results on the other two shoe types. Higher banana peel content increased shine, quick-drying, water resistance, and rub resistance. The outcomes highlight the significant potential of the banana peel and coconut shell charcoal-based shoe polish as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial products. Moreover, the study findings propose that this formulation could provide environmentally conscious consumers with a natural and viable option for footwear maintenance

Keywords :  Banana peel extract, Coconut shell charcoal powder, Customer satisfaction

Wastewater generation from lobster culture systems has emerged as a serious environmental concern. Sargassum crassifolium, a naturally abundant yet underutilized brown seaweed species in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, was evaluated in this study for its potential in wastewater bioremediation. This represents the first investigation in Sri Lanka employing a brown seaweed species for such a purpose. The research aimed to assess the efficiency of S. crassifolium biomass in removing nutrients from lobster culture effluents. Biomass optimization experiments were carried out using three different biomass densities (20, 30, and 40 g L-1), where 20 g L⁻¹ was identified as the optimal biomass level for nutrient removal. Initial analyses included key physicochemical parameters of the wastewater ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations. The nutrient removal experiment was performed in six glass tanks (60 × 30 × 28 cm) using the same volume of wastewater (20 L), comprising three replicates of the treatment and one control without seaweed. Experimental duration was 28 days and water quality measurements were taken at three-day intervals and once a week over 28 days. The results indicated that S. crassifolium effectively removed 87.59% of ammonia, 92.86% of nitrite, 62.5% of nitrate, and 50.42% of phosphate. Nutrient removal in the seaweed-treated tanks was significantly higher than in the control (P<0.05). Furthermore, seaweed biomass increased by 43.21% during the study period. Overall, the findings suggest that S. crassifolium serves as an efficient and environmentally sustainable approach for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from lobster culture wastewater, underscoring its potential use in eco-friendly aquaculture wastewater management systems.

Keywords: ioremediation; Lobster aquaculture; Nutrient removal; Sargassum crassifolium; Wastewater treatment

Journal Title : Journal of Technology and Value Addition

Volume : 8

Issue : 1

Page  : 29 – 44

Correspondence :  s20002921@ousl.lk

Alpinia calcarata, commonly known as Heen Araththa, is a medicinal plant with high pharmacological significance in Sri Lankan traditional medicine, which is belonging to Zingiberaceae family. This study aimed to assess the growth and yield of Heen Araththa grown in high temperature with organic manure. This pot experiment was conducted at the Open University of Sri Lanka in Nawala, located in the Low Country Wet Zone, using a temperature-controlled plant house and an ambient temperature poly tunnel to simulate high temperature to mimic global warming. The Two-factor factorial Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was employed, considering two temperature regimes – ambient temperature (27 –32℃, T2) and high temperature (34 –35℃, T4), and three organic manure treatments mixed with 9 kg of Reddish Brown Earth Soil in each pot at the rate of 1kg of compost (100% compost – M1), 1 kg of cow dung (100% cow dung – M2), and 0.5kg of compost and 0.5 kg of cow dung (50:50 mixture of compost and cow dung – M3). Control treatments were only with 10 kg of reddish-brown earth soil without organic manure at high temperature and ambient temperature. Data were analysed using SAS, at a significance level of p=0.05. Growth parameters such as shoot length, number of leaves, number of shoots, and leaf area, along with yield parameters including fresh and dry root weight were measured. Treatment means were compared through ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results indicated that ambient temperature without organic manure (Control treatment) produced the highest shoot length (55.42±11.5 cm), number of leaves (12.52±1.47), leaf area (52.14±32.73 cm2), fresh root weight (122.67±17.47 g) and dry root weight (39.00±13.53 g). The findings suggest that A. calcarata is unlikely to grow and yield optimally under increased temperature conditions. Organic manure application does not consistently enhance growth or yield under increased temperature conditions.

Keywords: Growth, Increased temperature, Medicinal Plant, Organic manure, Yield

Journal Title : Journal of Technology and Value Addition

Volume : 8

Issue : 1

Page  : 45 – 58

Correspondence :  rsivashanker24@gmail.com

Digital transformation has become a strategic pathway for small and medium enterprises to improve sustainability and green value creation. This study examines how the adoption of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the internet of things influences green entrepreneurial practices and sustainability outcomes among small and medium enterprises in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. Using a quantitative research design, primary data were collected from 100 entrepreneurs operating in the Northern province, Sri Lanka through a cluster sampling technique. The study applied confirmatory factor analysis to validate measurement constructs, followed by multiple regression analysis to test the relationships between digital technology adoption and green value creation dimensions. The findings reveal that artificial intelligence and the internet of things significantly contribute to green entrepreneurial practices by improving operational efficiency, innovation capability, and strategic advancement, while blockchain adoption demonstrates a comparatively weaker influence within the sampled enterprises. Further analysis indicates that operational efficiency and strategic advancement act as the most influential drivers of sustainability-oriented performance among green small and medium enterprises. The study also identifies key barriers and enablers shaping technology diffusion, including limited technical expertise, cost-related constraints, and organizational readiness. This research contributes empirical evidence from an underexplored regional context and provides practical implications for entrepreneurs and policymakers seeking to accelerate sustainable digital adoption.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Blockchain technology, Digital transformation, Green entrepreneurship, Internet of things, Small and medium scale enterprises

Journal Title : Journal of Technology and Value Addition

Volume : 8

Issue : 1

Page  : 59 – 67

Correspondence :  apekshika@uwu.ac.lk

Compost tea, a nutrient and microbe-rich organic solution, is used for improving crop growth, yet its application in hydroponic systems remains underexplored. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using compost tea as an organic liquid fertilizer for hydroponic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivation at Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Compost tea was prepared by steeping 1 kg of compost in 10 L of water for 10 days with continuous aeration, and its nutrient composition was analyzed. Six treatments: T1 (water control), T2 (100% Albert’s solution (AS)), T3 (100% compost tea (CT)), T4 (75% CT + 25% AS), T5 (50% CT + 50% AS), and T6 (25% CT + 75% AS) were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. The pH remained stable across treatments, while electrical conductivity gradually decreased in all fertilizer solutions, except the control. After 60 days, T5 and T6 recorded significantly higher (p < 0.05) leaf number (14.33, 16.33), leaf area (743, 846.33 cm²), shoot fresh weight (43.44, 42.15 g) and dry weights (7.04, 8.06 g) and leaf greenness (17.37, 19.23) compared to other treatments. Among the treatments, T5 and T6 showed the best overall growth and yield performance. The results suggest that partial substitution of Albert’s solution with compost tea can improve the growth and yield of hydroponically grown lettuce while supporting more sustainable nutrient management practices.

Keywords: Albert’s solution, Compost tea, Hydroponics, Lettuce, Organic