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ThesisItem Open Access Agricultural financing through kisan credit card scheme in Thrissur district(Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management,College of Co Operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2005) Ronia C, Antony; KAU; George, K MThe study on ‘The Agricultural Financing through Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Thrissur district’ was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To examine the procedural differences among various lending institutions in implementing the scheme of Kisan Credit Card. 2. To study the farmers’ behaviour towards the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. The study was conducted among three banks of Thrissur district viz., Canara bank, Federal bank and TDCB. The banks were having issued highest number of Kisan Credit cards in the year 2000-01. Branches of these banks were selected from highest amount of crop lending block i.e. Ollukkara block. A sample group of 50 card holders from each banks were selected for survey. Secondary data on procedural formalities of the banks were also used for the study. Statistical tools like percentages, averages, satisfaction index, priority index and bi-variate and multi-variate tables were used for analysis. The analysis on the first objective revealed that there are both similarities and dissimilarities in their formalities. In launching of Kisan Credit Card Scheme, objective, eligibility criteria of farmers, credit limit fixation, security and margin requirement, interest rate, repayment period, issue of cheque books and levying service charges could see many procedural differences among the banks. But in documentation, issue of cards, maintenance of accounts, monitoring mechanism and replacement of lost cards, their formalities are more or less similar. The study revealed that major reasons for selecting the branches were proximity to their residence followed by quality of their service. It was further observed that almost all the respondents agreed that expansion of their agricultural operations and to meet their working capital requirement were the major purpose of joining the scheme. The study again revealed that majority of card holders were the bank’s existing borrowers. Here the banks were inefficient to cater more number of farmers under the scheme. In case of credit utilization pattern of card holders, majority were sanctioned their credit limit above 90 percent of their applied amount. Almost all the farmers were utilizing about full amount of the credit. It was found that most of the farmers have repaid their credit within the time limit. Among the sample banks, TDCB showed comparatively better performance in the repayment. Only a small number of respondents were defaulting their repayment, mainly because of price fall and loan diversion. The study revealed that majority of farmers utilised below Rs. 25000 for agricultural purpose, because the dominance of small and marginal farmers in the scheme. A close observation of the scheme reveals that the respondents are satisfied with the performance of the scheme. The study emphasized that steps should be taken to provide proper extension service to farmers inorder to improve their productivity. The study again suggested that financing under the scheme in a compact area will be more effective than present unplanned scattered lending.ThesisItem Open Access Quality assessment of misty dahi prepared from filled milk(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Magna Thomas; KAU; Mukundan MA trial was conducted to assess the suitability of incorporating coconut fat as coconut cream in misty dahi at various levels and the properties of the product were studied. The physico-chemical properties such as titrable acidity, pH , total solids, setting time, protein, curd tension etc. and organoleptic properties of the treatments were studied. No significant difference was noticed in pH, total solids and fat between the control and treatment misty dahi. The values for titrable acidity, setting time, protein and curd tension registered a significant difference (Pcontrol and treatments and showed an increasing trend with increasing level of fat replacement. Organoleptic quality of the product revealed significant (Pin body and texture and product acidity between control and treatments. The total scores of the sensory evaluation of product showed a significant (P<0.05) difference between control and 50 per cent fat replacement whereas the 100 per cent fat replaced samples were comparable with control. The results of the experiment revealed that coconut fat can be replaced upto 100 per cent level in the misty dahi preparation with an advantage of increased protein and curd tension. The 100 per cent replacement level was comparable to control than 50 per cent replacement level as far as the total organoleptic scores are concerned. The product was nutritious and economically cheaper also.ThesisItem Open Access Organisational behaviour of farm workers as antecedent to the performance of pigs in organized farms(Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Uma, V; KAU; Jiji, R SThe objective of the investigation was to study the relationship between organizational behaviour factors of farm workers and production performance parameters of pigs. The nine organized pig farms; seven under Kerala Animal Husbandry Department and the farms of Kerala Livestock Development Board and Kerala Agricultural University were the locale of the study. A total of 61 farm workers who actually involved with the animals on a daily basis and having a working experience of at least six months were the respondents. The data regarding the organizational behaviour factors viz. attitude towards the job, knowledge of pig keeping, skill in pig keeping and job satisfaction were collected from the respondents using structured interview schedule. Job performance and absenteeism were assessed through supervisory rating. The data on production parameters were collected from farm records. About two-third of the respondents were in the medium category for all the organizational behaviour factors. The respondents were satisfied the most with the job aspect 'opportunity for team work' and dissatisfied the most with 'scope to prove merit and excellence'. Intercorrelations of organizational behaviour factors were worked out using Kendall's tau-b rank order correlation. Significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge and skill; astitude and job satisfaction; knowledge and job satisfaction; knowledge and job performance and skill and job performance. Absenteeism had significant negative correlations with both job satisfaction and job performance. The relationship of organizational behaviour factors with production parameters was worked out using Spearman's rank order correlation. A significant negative correlation was found between attitude towards job and stillbirth per litter. Farm workers' knowledge and skill had significant negative correlations with preweaning mortality. Skill had significant positive correlation with conception rate. Job satisfaction had significant negative correlations with weaning weight and weight gain of piglets. Absenteeism had significant positive correlations with preweaning mortality and mortality.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of preservatives on milk solids in cow and buffalo milk(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Radha, K; KAU; Sathian, C TPooled milk samples were collected from cow and buffaloes maintained at the University Livestock Farm at weekly intervals. Three chemical preservatives viz., formalin (0.4 per cent), potassium dichromate (0.4 per cent) and bronopol (0.1 per cent) were studied for their efficiency of preservation. Calculated levels of preservatives were added and the samples were stored at room temperature in dark place. Major milk constituents like fat, total solids and solids not fat were estimated in control and preserved samples. Physical properties of milk such as pH, titratable acidity, clot on boiling test, lactometer reading as well as efficiency of preservation were studied in control and preserved milk samples .. Milk samples treated with formalin could be stored up to 90 days without any spoilage changes. A cream plug formed after 24 hours of storage and a white sedimentation at the bottom appeared after one month of storage. Potassium dichromate treated samples could be stored for 30 days. There after the samples curdled and became green in colour towards the end of the storage period. 11 Bronopol preserved cow and buffalo milk samples could be stored for 24 and 16 days respectively and samples became mild pink in colour as the storage period advanced. There was a significant increase in titratable acidity in cow and buffalo milk samples preserved with all the three chemical preservatives. The increase in acidity was steady and progressive in formalin and bronopol preserved samples. But an abrupt increase in acidity was noticed in potassium dichromate preserved samples immediately after the addition of preservative and there after a successive decrease was noticed. The pH values showed a significant decline during storage in preserved milk samples. Decline in pH was abrupt in potassium dichromate treated samples whereas it was gradual in samples treated with the other two preservatives. Formalin heated milk samples remained COB negative throughout the storage period of 90 days, whereas potassium dichromate and bronopol treated samples became COB positive after 15 and eight days of storage respectively. No significant variation was noticed in fat percentage of preserved milk samples estimated by Gerber method. But a slight decrease in fat per cent was observed in formalin and III potassium dichromate treated samples. The concentration of Sulphuric acid used was increased to 94 per cent for estimating fat percentage in formalin preserved milk samples. Formalin preserved samples showed inconsistent changes in fat percentage estimated by Milko- Tester. So this method cannot be recommended for formalin preserved milk samples. Bronopol treated milk samples showed lesser variation in milk fat percentage estimated by Milko-Tester when compared to potassium dichromate and formalin. There was a non-significant increase in total solids and solids not fat content in potassium dichromate preserved samples. Potassium dichromate preserved samples showed significant increase in lactometer reading, where as formalin and bronopol treated samples did not show any significant changes in lactometer reading. Formalin appears to be ideal for the existing standard methods of estimating milk solids. With the popularization of instrumental methods for fast and accurate analysis of milk constituents, formalin will not be suitable as a milk sample preservative in future. Further, formalin and potassium dichromate have deleterious effects on human health and environment. Even though bronopol is little expensive, it is best suited for instrumental analysis of milk constituents and safe for handlers. So, bronopol is recommended as a preservative for the near future.ThesisItem Open Access Chemical composition of milk of crossbred goats(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Baiju, B; KAU; Subrahmanyam, MAn investigation was undertaken to study the chemical composition of the milk of Saanen x Malabari and Alpine x Malabari crossbred goats maintained at the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goats for Milk, Mannuthy. A total of 471 milk samples collected both from the morning and evening at weekly intervals were analysed for the fat, protein, lactose and ash contents. The results of the study indicated that there was no significant difference between the two breeds with regard to the fat content of the morning samples of milk, but significant difference was noticed between the fat content of the evening samples and also the total fat content of the milk. In both the crossbreds significant difference could be noticed between the fat contents of the morning and evening samples of milk.No significant difference could be observed between the protein content of the milk of two different crosses but significant difference was noticed between the protein content of morning and evening samples of milk. Between the two crossbreds no significant difference could be noticed in the lactose content of the milk. The lactose content was found to be not influenced by either breed or the time of milking. A similar trend was observed in the ash content of milk also. As lactation advanced there was a tendency for the fat, protein and ash content in milk to increase with a decline in the content of lactose. The average composition of the milk of Alpine x Malabari goats was fat 6.29, protein 4.40, lactose 4.06 and ash 0.776 per cent and that of Saanen x Malabari 5.64, 4.40, 4.06 and 0.782 per cent respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Use of condensed coconut water in yoghurt(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Malarkannan, S P; KAU; Geevarghese, P IAn attempt was made to incorporate condensed coconut water in partial replacement of MSNF at 25 and 50 per cent level in yoghurt and to study the properties of the product which were compared with normal yoghurt. An exhaustive review of literature on the various physico – chemical properties of yoghurt and other fermented milk products has been presented. The procedure for the analysis of coconut water and condensed coconut water for its chemical composition, mineral profile and method of condensation has been described. The quantity of ingredients for yoghurt preparation was derived by linear programming model. The treatments were divided into TC (control), T2 (25 per cent replacement of MSNF using condensed coconut water without gelatin), T3 (T2 + gelatin at 0.5 per cent level), T4 (50 per cent replacement of MSNF using condensed coconut water without gelatin) and T5 (T4 + 0.5 per cent gelatin). A pre – trial was conducted to find out the ideal combination of starter culture and gelatin to be added to give good quality yoghurt. A combination of four per cent starter culture with 0.5 per cent gelatin produced good quality yohurt and this combination was used in the subsequent trials. A pilot heat stability test was conducted in treatment mixes to find out the amount of trisodium citrate required to provide sufficient heat stability. Yoghurt mixes prepared were analysed for titratable acidity, pH and total solids. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between control and treatments for the above. No significant difference was observed in pH and fat between the control and treatments. A significant difference (P < 0.01) in titratable acidity, protein and NPN percentage was observed between control and treatments. The curd tension and viscosity showed a decreasing trend with increasing level of replacement but this properties improved to certain extent by addition of gelatin. The setting time and NPN content showed an increasing trend as replacement level increased and this may be due to high mineral and NPN content in coconut water. There was no significant difference in tyrosine value between the control and treatments T2 and T3. No significant difference was observed in L. bulgaricus count and coliform count between control and treatments, whereas but S. thermophiles and yeast and mould count showed significant difference between control and treatments which may be due to a stimulatory factor in coconut water for yeast and mould and inhibitory factor for S. thermophiles resulting in slow growth. Organoleptic quality revealed that 25 per cent replacement of MSNF with or without addition of gelatin produced comparable scores as that of control yoghurt. A savings of 13.95 per cent and 8.14 per cent in cost can be achieved by 25 per cent replacement of MSNF with or without addition of gelatin respectively. The results of the experiment revealed that 25 per cent replacement of MSNF with condensed coconut water can be successfully tried in preparing yoghurt without affecting the physic – chemical and organoleptic properties together with considerable reduction in cost.ThesisItem Open Access Microbiological quality and shelf-life of raw cow`s milk preserved by lactoperoxidase system(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Selvin Joe, J; KAU; Mukundan, MA detailed study was carried out to determine the micro-biological quality and shelf- life of raw cow's milk preserved by lactoperoxidase (LP) system. Literature related to the LP-system have been reviewed . •• A total of 6 trails were conducted to obtain reliable data for statistical analysis. In each trail, three litres of raw cow milk was divided into three equal parts of one litre each. One part was kept as a control (C) and LP-system was activated in the other two parts one part with 20: 10ppm (Tl) and other with 20:20ppm (T2) (SCN-:H202), with in two hours of production of milk. The milk samples were stored at 30 +1 DC . . Before the activation of LP- system the micro-biological quality of raw milk, samples were analysed. After the activation of LP-system the micro-biological quality of control and experimental group milk samples were analysed once in every 3 hours, till the samples showed positive on clot-on-boiling (COB) test. Standard plate count, Coliform count, Titratahle acidity, pH, Methylene blue reduction time, one hour Resazurin reduction test, Clot-on boiling test and Alizarin - Alcohol test were the parameters studied. The mean initial SPC of milk samples was 5.280 log cfu per ml. The control milk samples remained 'Good' quality only for 3 hours storage, while the LP-treated milk samples of both Tl and T2 remained 'Good' quality even after 9 hours of storage. 11 \ 1 \ 383 The standard plate count and coliform count (CC) of control milk samples showed a steady increase from the initial period itself, whereas in the LP-treated milk samples of T1 and T2 the SPC and CC showed a reduction than the initial count after 3 hours of storage and both SPC and CC slightly exceeded the initial count even after 6 hour of storage . .. Based on the titratable acidity, the control milk had the acceptable quality (0.18 per cent lactic acid) of only upto 6 hours while the LP-treated milk remained with in the acceptable limit for 12 h. According to the Alizarin - Alcohol test, the control milk remained stable only for 3 hours and the LP- treated milk remained stable for 9 hours of storage at 30+ 1 DC. The milk samples of control group had the shelf-life of 12 hours where as the LP-treated milk samples of T1 and T2 had the shelf-life of 18 hours based on the clot-on-boiling test. The micro-biological quality and shelf-life of milk samples, both T1 and T2 did not show significant difference during the entire period of storage.ThesisItem Open Access Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Withania somnifera and Catharanthus roseus in rats(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Arivuchelvan, A; KAU; Joy, A DThe present study was undertaken with the objective of determining the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of withania somnifera and Catharanthus roseus. Alcoholic extract of both the plants were used for the study and the effect produced by the above plants were compared with that of the known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug namely, diclofenac sodium which served as the positive control drug. To assess the anti-inflammatory effect two methods namely, cotton pellet and carrageenin induced paw oedema were adopted. In cotton pellet method five groups of eight rats each were used per plant. First group was kept as a control, which received five per cent gum acacia only. IInd, IIIrd and IVth group received 200, 400, 600 mg/kg alcoholic extract of C. roseus Vth group served as the positive control which received diclofenac sodium 3 mg/kg dose level. All the drugs were administered orally. C. roseus produced significant anti granuloma activity when compared to control group. Higher activity was produced by 600 mg/kg body weight extract (35.88 per cent anti-inflammatory activity). For W. somnifera also same experimental design was adopted with dose rates of 750, 1000, 1500 mg/kg body weight. W. somnifera produced dose dependent antigranuloma activity. Higher dose (1500 mg/kg body weight) produced more antigranuloma activity (53.92 per cent) which was comparable to the antigranuloma activity of diclofenac sodium. Haematological parameters before and after treatment showed no significant changes for both the plants. In carrageenin induced paw oedema method al so five groups of eight rats each were used per plant. All the three doses of extract and reference drug were given thirty minutes prior to the carrageenin injection and the paw thickness was recorded three hour after injection. c. roseus produced significant antioedema activity in this model. Higher dose (600 mg/kg) produced equipotent effect compared to diclofenac sodium 3 mg/kg. W. somnifera also produced dose dependent anti oedema activity. Extract at the dose rate of 750, 1000, 1500 mg/kg produced 19.4, 35.23, 44.62 per cent antioedema activity respectively. But the reference drug diclofenac sodium produced higher antioedema activity. For evaluating antinociceptive effect of C. roseus and W. somnifera, seven groups of eight animal each were used. All the dose rates of both the plant extracts were compared with diclofenac sodium for a period of two hours showed no significant analgesic effect.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of lactose hydrolysed condensed whey and bifidobacterium bifidum in yogurt(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Beena, A K; KAU; Prasad, VAn experiment was conducted to assess the possibilities of utilizing whey solids in the form of condensed whey or lactose hydrolysed condensed whey as a substitute for NDM. Their effect was also studied in conjunction with B. bifidum as a dietary adjunct. A detailed review of literature has been presented on the issues of lactose intolerance, hypercholesteraemia, beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria in alleviating these conditions and also on acid tolerance and bile tolerance of cultures used in the present study. Methodology for the condensation of cheese whey, estimation of lactose in whey, B-galactosidase specific activity in the products, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesetrol and triglycerides in serum, assessment of acid tolerance and bile tolerance of lactic cultures used here have been detailed. The experiment comprised of preparation of yogurt and bifidus yogurt using three methods of fortification viz. skim milk powder, condensed whey and lactose hydrolysed condensed whey. The products prepared were then analysed for B-galacosidase specific activity. Hypocholesteraemic and growth promoting effects of these products were assessed in a biological study using rats. Hypocholesteraemic and growth promoting effects of whole milk was also assessed in the biological study. Acid tolerance and bile tolerance of lactic cultures used in this study were also determined, in vitro. From the above study, following conclusions were made. 1. B-galactosidase specific activity was noticed in substantial amount, in yogurt under different treatments. Bifidus yogurt showed a reduction in B-galactosidase specific activity, however, the activity was found to be enhanced when fortification was done with lactose hydrolysed condensed whey indicating that bifidus yogurt fortified with lactose hydrolysed condensed whey is superior. 2. No significant hypocholesteraemic effect was noticed in rats due to consumption of milk. All the rats fed with yogurt and bifidus yogurt except that given yogurt A1 showed a substantial reduction in serum LDL-cholesterol level and cardiac risk factor. However, bifidus yogurt supplemented with whey proteins showed maximum hypocholesteraemic effect and lowest cardiac risk factor showing the superiority of bifidus yogurt with whey proteins. 3. All rats given yogurt and bifidus yogurt showed a better daily weight gain when compared to the group fed whole milk along with feed and cholesterol. 4. Evaluation of acid tolerance of lactic cultures showed that, among the three cultures tested, B. bifidum exhibited maximum acid tolerance followed by S. salivarius ssp. Thermophilius. L. delbrueckii spp. Bulgaricus was found to be acid sensitive. 5. Bile tolerance study of pure and active cultures revealed that none of the tested cultures were completely inhibited by bile indicating theses cultures were bile tolerant to some extent.