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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of jack fruit based ready to cook (RTC) instant mixes
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Liji, A J; KAU; Suma, Divakar
    The study entitled “ Development of jack fruit based Ready To Cook (RTC) instant mixes ” was conducted in the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period of 2012-2014 with the objective of to develop value added products from raw jackfruit and to evaluate its quality parameters. The Koozha type was selected because of its less popularity compared to Varikka. Three popular raw jack fruit based dishes of Kerala 'namely' Avial', 'Koottu' and 'Olath' were identified for standardization. The preliminary processing methods for each of the products were standardised with respect to size of the jack fruit slices, blanching and immersion in various pre-treatment media in different time durations. The adjuncts in the mixes in various proportions were formulated and dehydrated at 65°C till crisp. These formulations were cooked and evaluated for sensory quality. Cooking methods were optimized with respect to reconstitution time, cooking procedures, cooking time and additional ingredients to be added while cooking. The standardised products were evaluated for their shelf life and these products were packed in PE and laminated pouches. They were stored in ambient conditions for three months. During the storage period yeast colonies were found in 'Koottu' mixes packed in PE pouches. The physical quality of the three mixes were evaluated with respect to appearance, moisture, yield, physiological loss of weight, rehydration ratio and bulk density. The proximate composition of the three products were studied. Calorie, fat and fibre content were found to be higher in Avial mix. Consumer preference study indicated that avial mix was more acceptable amongst the subjects. These products if popularised could overcome the cumbersome handling procedures of jackfruit and make it more popular among the urban classes
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) supplement on the nutritional status of school children
    (College of Agriculture, Thiruvananthapuram, 2014) Stephy, Das; KAU; Rari, K John
    The study entitled “Impact of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) supplement on the nutritional status of school children” was conducted at the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the year 2012-2014. The major objective was to study the impact of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) on the nutritional status of primary school children. The study was conducted at St. Antony’s school of Mararikulam Panchayath in the coastal area of Alappuzha district. The survey was conducted among 300 children of the age group 7- 9 years. Clinical assistance from the physician of Alappuzha medical college was aided in conducting medical camp to screen fifty children with low nutritional status in the age group of 7-9 years. The children were divided into experimental and control group of 30 and 20 respondents respectively. Moringa soup supplement which was formulated by Saranya (2012) in the Department of Home Science and provided at the rate of 15g/child/day to experimental group for sixty days for impact study. The findings of the socio-economic survey, revealed that majority of respondents belonged to the age group 8 years. Dietary surveys revealed an absolutely ill balanced diet with an uniform pattern comprising of rice and fish. All the respondents were non- vegetarians and fish was the main non-vegetarian food in the diet. However consumption of vegetables, green leafy vegetables, pulses, egg and milk products were less. Nutritional status revealed that 66.6 per cent children were below the standard weight and 50 per cent children were below the standard height for their age. Clinical examination after feeding trial indicated that there was decrease in the number of children suffered from lack of hair lustre by 46.62 per cent, dispigmentation by 28 per cent and easy pluckable hair by 33.3 per cent and vitamin A deficiency also decreased to 28.99 per cent. Data on height for age profile, weight for age, mid upper arm circumference ratio, blood haemoglobin and clinical record indicated favourable progress in the case of children belonging to experimental group. Meanwhile in the control group there was no variation. An assessment of anthropometric measurements of the children of experimental group indicated a significant increase when compared with the control group. Hence, it can be concluded that the Moringa oleifera based supplementary food tried in the above feeding trial is found to be a suitable one for popularizing as a supplementary food for the children and it is recommended to provide in the mid-day meal programme for improving their health status.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Capacity building of rural women on enhancement of family nutrition and livelihood security through consumption and value addition of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L) Gaertn)
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Rashmi, R; KAU; Prasasnna, Kumari B
    The study entitled “Capacity Building of Rural Women on Enhancement of Family Nutrition and Livelihood Security through Consumption and Value Addition of Finger Millet”. (Eleusine coracana(L.)Gaertn.) was carried out in the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, during the year 2012-2014 with the objective of capacity building of rural women to promote consumption of finger millet (Eleusine coracana(L.)Gaertn.) among rural families to enhance their family nutrition and livelihood security through a campaign approach and to assess its impact. One hundred respondents were selected randomly from the beneficiaries of ICDS programme from Kalliyoor panchayath. The findings of the socio-economic survey done revealed that majority of the respondents belonged to the age group between thirty six to fifty five years (70 per cent). Majority (63 per cent) of the respondents were educated up to pre degree. Most of the families had monthly income between 9788-19574 rupees per annum and belonged to middle income group. The food frequency scores revealed that millets were least frequently used. Consumption pattern of finger millet revealed that only 12 per cent were consuming finger millet for feeding their children. Anthropometric assessment of the respondents revealed that 30 per cent of the respondents were in obese grade I category, 37 per cent of the respondents were in obese grade II category while 2 per cent were suffering from severe chronic energy deficiency. Haemoglobin estimation showed that 71 per cent of the respondents were anaemic with mild to severe anaemia. Disease history of the respondents showed that 41 per cent of them wersuffering from various life style diseases like diabetes, hypercholestremia and hypertension. Prior to the conduct of awareness programme ten finger millet based recipes already standardized were collected, prepared and subjected to acceptability tests among a selected panel of judges. The four most highly accepted recipes were later subjected to consumer preference test. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and consumption practices of finger millet conducted before the awareness programme showed that majority of respondents had poor level of knowledge and their attitude and consumption practices were also very low. The impact of the awareness programme assessed after one month showed that there was significant gain in knowledge, change in their attitude and also a significant change in the consumption of finger millet by the respondents pointing out the positive impact of the programme. The mean scores obtained for knowledge (18.57), attitude (84.52) and consumption practices (12.77) were also seen to be increased after the conduct of the awareness programme. Forty per cent of the respondents expressed their interest to start enterprises for preparation and marketing of value added products of finger millet. The study proved that this programme can be successfully implemented in other parts of our state to promote consumption of finger millet thus ensuring nutritional and livelihood security.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation and quality evaluation of coconut based filled paneer
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Suvarna, Mohan; KAU; Suman, K T
    The present study entitled “Development and quality evaluation of fruit based instant snack and pasta product” was carried out at Dept of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum during the period 2011 to 2014. The objective of the study was to develop fruit based ready to eat instant snack and ready to cook pasta product by incorporating locally available fruits and also to assess the quality aspects such as nutritional, chemical, shelf stability and consumer acceptance and preference. Part .I. Development of instant snack The ingredients in instant snack product were jackfruit, papaya, banana, parboiled rice, wheat, horse gram, green gram and coconut. Each component had undergone various degrees of processing and optimization. Eight different combinations (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 and C8) of the instant snack were worked out, from which the best combination C2 was selected based on the nutrient content and sensory evaluation by selected trained panel members. The ratio of the selected combination was 1: 1: 1: 2: 1: 2: 1: 1. The nutritional analysis revealed that instant snack had 349. 8 K Cal, 10.83 g protein, 66.96 g carbohydrates and 4.9 g fat per 100 g of the product. Organoleptic evaluation of the product emphasized that the flavor parameter was highly scored (5.8/6) and all the other parameters were also equally scored well above 5 out of 6. The highlight of the storage study conducted for 3 months showed that there was no significant difference in sensory parameters and chemical constituents and no microbial growth was observed. Consumer acceptance and preference study conducted among three different groups (children, adolescents and adults) showed that all the participants equally preferred the developed instant snack with mean scores ranging from 7.78 to 7.84 out of 9. The cost of the developed instant snack was Rs-170/- per Kg. Part .II. Development of pasta The second part of study, focused on the incorporation of fruits, jack fruit (Koozha) papaya (Pusa Dwarf), banana (Nendran) along with other ingredients ie green gram flour, wheat flour, and tapioca starch for the production of pasta. Different proportions of various ingredients such as wheat flour, green gram flour, tapioca starch, and fruit pulps were tried out for the pasta production. A total number of 19 proportions of pasta were tried out using banana pulp, papaya pulp, jack fruit pulp and mixed fruit pulp.Based on the Mass Flow Rate (MFR) best four proportions were selected from each fruit being banana pasta (P1B), papaya pasta (P2P), jackfruit pasta (P3J) and mixed fruit pasta (P4MF). The MFR values ranged from 0.52 to 2.72. The least MFR value was shown by P3J (0.52). P2P shown greater MFR value (2.72), followed by P4MF (2.11), and P1B (1.79). The ratios of selected proportions of pasta were 3: 5: 1: 1. Physical characteristics such as swelling index, water absorption index, cooking time, cooking loss, colour, and texture were analyzed and found significant difference in certain characters amongst the selected proportions of pasta. The sensory study indicated that the overall score was high for the P1B. The calorie content for P2P, P3J and P4MF pastas were 338.68, 368.65 and 368.65 respectively. Carbohydrates were found to be high in P1B (58.56) followed by P3J (56.91), P4MF (54.46). P2P (51.56) had the lowest carbohydrate content. In general, the nutrient content of P1B was relatively high. Even though a decreasing trend was observed for sensory scores of stored pasta, no significant difference was noticed. Analysis of chemical constituents of developed stored pasta also had no significant change. Fungal and yeast growth was observed only in the third month of storage for all the stored pasta samples. The consumer acceptance and preference study among children, adolescents and adults showed that the product pasta was highly preferred by adolescents followed by adults and children. The costs of the developed products ranged from Rs. 240/- per Kg to 265/- per Kg. Nevertheless, the well accepted ready to eat snacks and pasta products that were developed in the study can be scaled up for potential commercialization and marketing. Other underutilized fruits also can be similarly utilized for development of such products which will have high nutritional value and low cost.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Food and nutrition security of paddy cultivators of Kalliyoor panchayat
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Naziya, Latheef; KAU; Rajani, M
    The present study was carried out at Kalliyoor Panchayat, an adopted village of College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Hundred paddy cultivators from the selected four “Padashekharam Samitis” drawn at random were the main sample. From the hundred families, thirty women were selected as the micro sample and their nutritional status were assessed since the women are the key indicators of food adequacy at household level. The study focused on the importance of food security among the paddy cultivators and thereby assuring nutrition security among them. Findings revealed that the paddy cultivators, though the producers of food grains were not enjoying food security. The objective of the study is to assess the household food and nutrition security of selected paddy cultivators in terms of food availability and its utilization. The outcome of food security can be taken to be the nutritional status of the individuals, with the understanding that food intake is the basic factor and a number of non food factors such as sanitation, access to clean drinking water, access to health care facilities also determine food and nutrition security. Tools were constructed to ascertain the socio-economic status and personal characteristics of the respondents. Monthly expenditure on different food items were observed by purchase inventory. Food frequency, food consumption pattern and food habits of the family were studied with the help of diet survey. For the micro sample, anthropometric measurements, biochemical estimation, clinical assessment, one-day weighment survey were executed. All the respondents in the study reported the use of leased in land for cultivation. It was found that tapioca, rice and fish were most commonly consumed foods. Majority of the respondents substituted gruels instead of rice. The consumption of fruits was very low or rare. Majority of the respondents belonged to SC/ST groups and they took small loans from money lenders. The food availability and accessibility data is collected through food purchase inventory survey of one month duration, which revealed that majority of respondents were not purchasing or procuring enough food needed to meet their requirement based on the recommended allowance for a balanced diet as suggested by ICMR. As far as the micro sample is considered, it was found that their diet did not meet the RDA. Their diet lacked macro as well as micro nutrients. The results of the study reveals that based on the food security indicators (modified version of Chung et.al), only 9% were food secure, 16% moderately food secure and 75% food insecure. The data collected from micro sample denoted that only 10% women were food secure, 73% moderately food secure and 17% food insecure. Therefore it can be concluded that majority of the respondents falls in the food insecure group indicating a considerable percentage execute inappropriate coping mechanisms to be food secure with the available resources.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimisation of process variables for value added pumpkin (cucurbita moschata poir.) products.
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Shabina, B; KAU; Suman, K T
    The present study entitled “Optimisation of process variables for value added pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir.) products” was undertaken to standardise the process variables for value added dehydrated products of pumpkin such as sweet and salted flakes and ready to use custard powder. The study also aimed to evaluate the nutritional and organoleptic qualities and shelf life of the products. The percentage of weight loss, solid gain and water loss increased gradually in dehydrated sweet and salted flakes with increase in concentration of the solute upto four hours of soaking. Fluctuations in the above mentioned parameters were noticed in the fifth and sixth hours of soaking. In sweet flakes, maximum sucrose gain was noticed in flakes prepared from pumpkin slices soaked in 60 per cent sugar solution. The salted flakes prepared using 15 per cent salt solution had the highest percentage of salt gain. The organoleptic qualities of dehydrated sweet and salted flakes and custard were evaluated. Sweet flakes prepared from pumpkin slices soaked in 60 per cent sugar solution containing 0.3 to 0.4 per cent citric acid had maximum mean scores of above 8.00 for different quality attributes. The mean scores for different oragnoleptic qualities of salted flakes was found to be high in flakes prepared by soaking in three per cent salt solution containing 0.3 per cent citric acid for one hour. Among seven treatments tried, custard prepared from custard powder having 5 to 20 per cent pumpkin and 15 to 30 per cent corn flour had maximum mean scores for different quality attributes. Sweet flakes prepared from pumpkin slices soaked in 60 per cent sugar and 0.3 per cent citric acid solution for two hours and salted flakes prepared from pumpkin slices soaked in three per cent salt solution containing 0.3 per cent citric acid for one hour were selected as the most acceptable treatments. For the preparation of ready to use custard powder, the treatment having 10 per cent pumpkin powder and 25 per cent corn flour was selected as the most acceptable one. The selected custard powder was evaluated for various physical qualities. The custard powder was freely flowing without any lumps even after three months of storage. Bulk density of the product was found to be constant (0.72g per ml) throughout the storage period. The moisture content and titrable acidity of sweet and salted flakes and custard powder increased during storage, whereas a reduction in pH was noticed during storage. Due to inter conversion of biological components, the reducing sugar, total sugar and TSS showed a decreasing trend in all the three products. A decrease in β carotene content was also noticed during three months of storage. The enhanced moisture absorption during storage slightly decreased the crispness of flakes thereby affecting their acceptability. The mean scores for different organoleptic qualities of sweet and salted flakes decreased during three months of storage. The custard prepared from custard powder was acceptable throughout the period under study. Microbial count was not observed in sweet and salted flakes initially. But on storage, microbial contamination was noticed from first month onwards. In custard powder, bacterial and fungal growth was not observed throughout the storage period but yeast count of 0.33x103 cfu g-1 was observed at the end of three months of storage. Insect infestation was not observed in custard powder throughout the storage period. Cost of production of dehydrated sweet and salted flakes and custard powder was computed and was found to be slightly higher than the flakes and custard powder available in the market.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality evaluation in organic amaranthus (amaranthus tricolor L.)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Aparna, T; KAU; Seeja, Thomachan
    The study entitled ‘Quality evaluation in organic amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)’ was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different organic manures on the physical characters, biochemical and nutritional constituents, antinutritional factors and organoleptic qualities of amaranthus. Amaranthus were grown with four different organic manures namely vermicompost, farm yard manure, neem cake and poultry manure. They were compared with amaranthus cultivated by applying recommended NPK which was taken as the control. Edible leaves of amaranthus (cv. Arun) cultivated under the All India Co-ordinated Research Project (VC) in the Department of Olericulture were collected for the study. The quantity of organic manures used in each treatment was equivalent to 100 per cent recommended nitrogen. Amaranthus cultivated using poultry manure had increased plant height (130.30 cm) and maximum yield (20.17 t/ha) and was late flowering (125.75 days). The appearance of amaranthus cultivated with NPK, farm yard manure and poultry manure was found to be good with maroon red colour. The leaves of amaranthus were analysed for various biochemical and nutritional components. Amaranthus cultivated using vermicompost had the highest moisture, beta carotene, carotenoids, and chlorophyll. The protein and starch were found to be maximum in amaranthus grown with poultry manure. Amaranthus cultivated with recommended NPK had the lowest fibre and protein content. Application of farm yard manure helped to improve the mineral content in amaranthus, in which maximum levels of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc were observed. Maximum iron content was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using poultry manure where as phosphorus was maximum in amaranthus grown with recommended NPK. Lowest mineral content was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using vermicompost. Anthocyanin and vitamin C were also found to be high in amaranthus cultivated using farm yard manure. Lowest content of vitamin C was noticed in amaranthus grown with recommended NPK. The antinutritional factors in amaranthus were also evaluated. Low levels of nitrates and oxalates are considered as desirable in green leafy vegetables. The lowest percentage of oxalate was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using neem cake where as the nitrate was found to be low in amaranthus grown with recommended NPK and vermicompost. Amaranthus cultivated using organic manures and recommended NPK was found to be organoleptically acceptable. Comparatively, highest mean scores for different organoleptic qualities were noticed in amaranthus grown with poultry manure. Among the different treatments amaranthus cultivated using farm yard manure was found to be the most ideal treatment for various quality attributes followed by poultry manure.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality evaluation of fruit beverages
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sujatha, Sethy; KAU; Indira, V
    The present study on “Quality evaluation of fruit beverages” was undertaken to evaluate the quality attributes of commercially available fruit beverages with respect to chemical constituents, acceptability and microbial contamination. Three most popular beverages and three least popular beverages were selected for the study after conducting a market survey in the different super markets and bakeries of Thrissur Corporation area. Both the most popular and least popular beverages were analysed for chemical constituents like acidity, TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, sodium, potassium, vitamin C, -carotene, pectin, sulphur dioxide, colouring agents and heavy metals. The mean acidity of beverages varied from 0.64 per cent to 1.15 per cent and the acidity of beverages increased during storage. None of the beverages satisfied the FPO specification for acidity. The TSS of the beverages was in accordance with the FPO specifications suggested for squash and syrup. In squash A and D, the TSS content remained constant where as in other beverages it increased with storage time. An increase in the total sugar and non-reducing sugar contents of all beverages was noticed while the reducing sugar content of squash A, D and E decreased with advancement of storage period. Highest vitamin C and -carotene content were observed in squash E and the vitamin C and -carotene contents decreased in all the beverages during storage. The highest sodium content was observed in squash A and lowest in syrup C. But, the potassium content was highest in syrup C and lowest in squash D. Sodium and potassium contents remained constant during storage. Among the six beverages studied pectin content was highest (1.01%) in squash D and lowest in squash E (0.78%). The sulphur dioxide content was highest in squash A and lowest in squash D. Both pectin and sulphur dioxide contents of all beverages decreased during storage. The sulphur dioxide content was found to be within the permissible limit in all beverages. Tartrazine and sunset yellow were found to be the predominant colours added to the beverages. In syrups a combination of two colours were present. The quantity of colour added to syrup C, squash D and E were found to be within the permitted level. However, in squash A, B and syrup F, the quantity exceeded the level permitted by FPO. The beverages were contaminated with heavy metals like lead and cadmium. However, the quantity of cadmium was found to be very low. The highest lead content was detected in squash B and the lowest in squash E. Highest cadmium content was detected in squash E. Though the beverages were found to be acceptable initially the organoleptic qualities degraded during storage. Bacteria and fungi were detected in beverages, which increased during storage, and the count was highest in the later part (seventh to ninth month) of storage. However, yeast or E. coli were not detected in the beverages during the storage period.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritional evaluation and acceptability of ivy genotypes ( Coccinia indica (L) voigt)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2006) Renjumol, P V; KAU; Usha, V
    Ivy gourd (Coccinia indica) is a perennial underexploited cucurbitaceous vegetable grown in the southern, western and eastern parts of India. The study on ‘Nutritional evaluation and acceptability of ivy gourd genotypes (Coccinia indica (L.) Voigt)’ was also to asses the chemical composition and acceptability of four ivy gourd genotypes in different stages of maturity i.e., vegetable maturity and over maturity. The physical characteristics of the fruits of all genotypes showed variations. Maximum fruit length and fruit weight were observed in the released variety Sulabha. The day for attaining vegetable maturity was 7 days for CG-82 and 9 days for Sulabha and CG-81. Sulabha took 6 days from vegetable maturity to show visible changes of over maturity, where as the other three genotypes over matured within 5 days. The fruits in vegetable maturity and over maturity were analysed for moisture, fibre, protein, vitamin C, β-carotene, total phenol, total pectins, mucilage, calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. There was no significant difference between genotypes in the case of constituents like protein and total pectins. But in other constituents like moisture, fibre, vitamin C, β-carotene, total phenol, mucilage, calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium, there was significant difference between the genotypes. When compared to vegetable maturity and over maturity, there was significant difference in constituents between these two maturity stages. The changes in constituents like vitamin C, β-carotene and total phenol analysed in three different stages of vegetable maturity i.e., the day just before the average vegetable maturity (7th day after flowering), the day of average vegetable maturity (8th day after flowering) and the day just after the day of average vegetable maturity (9th day after flowering). Vitamin C and total phenol showed a decreasing trend with increased maturity. But β-carotene content increased as maturity increased. Changes in vitamin C, β-carotene and total phenol in average vegetable maturity and observed vegetable maturity revealed that there was no significant difference in vitamin C content of all genotypes in these two maturity stages. But in the case of β-carotene and total phenol there observed a significant difference between these two maturity stages. The acceptability of ivy gourd genotypes revealed that in observed vegetable maturity there was no significant variation in the overall acceptability in between genotypes. In over mature stage also no significant variation was observed in overall acceptability in between genotypes. Overall acceptability of ivy gourd genotypes in their observed vegetable maturity was found to be more acceptable when compared to their over maturity stage. Acceptability studies on 7th, 8th and 9th days after flowering indicated that, acceptability of CG-27 with regard to appearance, colour and texture was high in the 8th day, which was also its observed vegetable maturity. Variation was not observed in vitamin C, β-carotene and total phenols in the 8th day. In CG-81 no significant variation was observed in acceptability as well as in vitamin C and total phenols between 7th, 8th and 9th day, but β-carotene was high in 9th day. In CG-82 also the same trend was observed but β-carotene was very low in the 7th day. In Sulabha taste was highly acceptable during the 9th day, which was its observed vegetable maturity. There was no difference in vitamin C and total phenols but β-carotene was high in the 9th day. In all genotypes β-carotene content was significantly high in over mature stage.