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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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ThesisItem Open Access Nutrient analysis and value addition of underutilized fish(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Jishy, K K; KAU; Omana Pavunny, EFish contains the best proteins and other superior nutritional constituents that place them in a specially important category of food. It has very poor shelf life. Hence, the present study on nutrient analysis and value addition of under utilized fish was aimed at evaluating the nutrients and developing products from three under utilized fish varieties namely netholi (Stoliphorus heterolobus), flat fish (Cynoglossus macrostorus) and veluri (Kovala kova/). This will help in meeting the increasing demand for fish; to avoid wastage of small fish and to provide income to the fisher women. The fresh and dried fish varieties were analysed for chemical constituents like moisture, fat, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A and peroxide value. Fish was found to be rich sources of protein, calcium and phosphorus. Chemical constituents varied significantly between the varieties. The dried fish was packed in polythene covers and was stored for a period of three months. The peroxide value increased during the storage but the increase was not significant. Dried netholi had the highest peroxide value throughout the storage period. The organoleptic qualities decreased during storage. The change of organoleptic scores was not significant; veluri had the highest acceptability throughout the storage period. Microbial enumeration revealed that bacterial population increased I slightly during storage and fungus was found only in second and third month of storage. No traces of yeast were found throughout the storage period. The pickle prepared from fresh and dried fish was stored in glass bottle and polyester laminated HDPE film for a period of six months. The peroxide value of the pickle increased during the storage but the increase was insignificant. The acidity of the pickle increased significantly. The pickle stored in flexible packaging material had higher peroxide value and acidity than pickle stored in glass bottle. Dried fish pickle had higher peroxide value and acidity than fresh fish pickle. The organoleptic evaluation of pickle revealed that appearance and colour decreased during storage. The flavour texture, taste and overall acceptability of pickle increased during storage. Changes in organoleptic scores except appearance were insignificant. Appearance decreased significantly. The pickle stored in glass bottle had better acceptability than pickle stored in polyester laminated IIDPE film, but the variation was insignificant. The fresh fish pickle had better acceptability and among them veluri pickle was found to be the best. A gradual increase in the bacterial and fungal load with storage of pickle was observed but yeast was not found during the storage. The benefit cost analysis showed that all products had BC ratio above one hence, all are economically beneficial.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional profile of fisher women(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Saleena, K; KAU; Omana, PavunnyA study on "nutritional profile of fisher women" was conducted among 100 fisher women of 18-45 years age group in the coastal areas of Thrissur district. The result of the study indicated that majority of them were Hindus. Nuclear family system was found in most of the families and family size ranged in between 3 to 5. Most of the male and female members were literate and engaged in fish related work. Majority of the families had a monthly income in between Rs.500 to Rs.1500. Maximum proportion of income was spent on food items and majority of the families did not have the habit of saving money. Majority of the families had their own houses with brick as wall -.-- material and with thatched or concrete roof. Majority of the houses had separate kitchen with 3 to 5 rooms. Drinking water, electricity and lavatory facilities were satisfactory whereas drainage facilities were found to be inadequate. As a medical aid majority of the families depended on district hospital, primary health centre as well as private doctors for their medical care. Majority of the families were members ofmatsyafed. All the families were non vegetarians and consumed rice as the staple food. Maximum percentage of the food expenditure was for cereals. The most frequently used food items were cereals, fish, fats and oils, sugar and spices and condiments. None of the families planed their meals in advance and maintain time schedule for taking meals. Majority of the families consumed food three times a day and did not give equal importance to all family members in food distribution. Special foods were included in the diet during pregnancy, lactation and infancy. Diet modification during disease conditions was observed. The nutritional profile of the respondents indicated that the body weight of33 per cent and height of24 per cent of the respondents were lower than the reference body weight and height for an Indian reference woman. About 13 per cent of the respondents had various grades of CED. The waist hip ratio indicated that about 97 per cent of the respondents had femoral gluteal obesity and 3 per cent had abdominal obesity. Dietary profile of respondents indicated that all the food groups were far below the requirement except for fish. The nutrient intake was satisfactory only with respect to protein. Clinical examination showed vanous symptoms of nutritional deficiencies among the respondents. Actual nutrient intake of the respondents indicated that except fat, calcium and vitamin C, all nutrients were lower than the RDA. Biochemical estimation of blood showed 35 per cent of respondents had low haemoglobin values, indicating anaemia.ThesisItem Open Access Effectiveness of IEC materials on health and nutritional practices of adolescent girls(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2004) Sheela, K V; KAU; Subaidabeevi, SA study entitled the "Effectiveness of lEC materials on health and nutritional practices of adolescent girls" was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of information education and communication materials on the knowledge and adoption of health and nutritional practices by the adolescent girls and also to find out the comparative effectiveness of the formulated lEC materials. The study was carried out in Venganoor and Thiruvallam Higher Secondary Schools in Thiruvananthapuram district. The formulated lEC materials viz., flash cards, charts, posters and leaflets were tested for their effecti veness. The topic selected to teach the respondents were importance of nutritious food, body changes in adolescent period, health care and reproductive health and hygiene. Hundred adolescent girls of APL and BPL families belonging to the age group of 13 to 15 years form the study sample. All respondents were exposed to the selected topics at one-week interval using the formulated lEC materials. Gain in knowledge, retention in knowledge and the adoption of gained knowledge on health, and nutritional practices are the dependent variables. Age, family size, type of family, monthly income, educational status of the respondent and family, mass media contact, basic facilities available in the family, health profile and nutritional status were selected as independent variables. The results revealed that the educational programme USing lEC materials had significant effect on the knowledge and adoption of health and nutritional practices by the adolescent girls. The gain in knowledge and retention was more on the topic reproductive health and its hygiene. The lEC materials i. e., lecture + flashcard + leaflet was the most effecti ve in terms of gain knowledge and adoption of knowledge. The knowledge adoption was also more on the topic reproductive health and hygiene and the retention was more in the respondent, who were exposed to treatment 4 i. e., lecture + demonstration + exhibition. The correlation between the overall knowledge gain, retention, adoption and socio-economic variables revealed that the retention have significant relationship with income, education and food consumption pattern. The adoption of the respondents of APL and BPL families have significant relationship with the personal hygiene. The relative effectiveness of the formulated TEe materials revealed that there was significant difference between the selected lEe materials of teaching. The lecture methods in combination with formulated lEe materials have more influence on the gain retention and adoption of knowledge when compared with the lecture method alone.ThesisItem Open Access Quality evaluation of selected leafy vegetables consumed by the tribes of Wayanad district(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Neetha Hyder, C; KAU; Indira, VThe study entitled 'Quality evaluation of selected leafy vegetables consumed by the tribes of Wayanad District' was undertaken to estimate the nutrient composition, anti- nutritional factors and organoleptic qualities of the ten leafy vegetables consumed by the tribal communities ofWayanad district. The leaves were analysed for moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, total carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, carotene and vitamin C. The results revealed that among the nutritional constituents, protein content was highest in Thakara than the other nine leafy vegetables. The fat , phosphorus, and sodium were highest in Kandariyila, where as Kannisoup had the highest value for total carbohydrates, iron and potassium. The highest crude fibre, calcium and ~ carotene were in Valiya kadaladi. Chumalacheera was found to have the highest vitamin C content among the ten leafy vegetables studied. The anti-nutritional factors namely oxalates and nitrates III the leaves indicated that Kandariyila had the highest oxalate and nitrate content. Oxalate content was found to be low in Kozhuppa, while Kannisoup had the lowest nitrate content. Other chemical constituents like phenols, flavanoids and methanol extractable crude alkaloids were also estimated. The total phenol content was highest in Chumalacheera whereas, the flavanoid and methanol extractable crude alkaloid contents were found to be highest in Kandariyila. The average nutritive value computed on the basis of nutrient content of the leafy vegetables revealed that Valiya kadaladi had the highest nutritive value among the leafy vegetables selected for the study. Organoleptic evaluation of the leafy vegetables indicated Churuli as the most acceptable one. Based on the nutrient and anti nutrient composition, the leafy vegetables were grouped into four clusters, each cluster containing similar leafy vegetables. Cluster I contained Churuli, Kandariyila and Murikkila. Kozhuppa and Valiya kadaladi were included in Cluster II and III respectively. Ambasheppu, Chumalacheera, Kannisoup, Ponnankanni and Thakara were included in Cluster IV. Valiya kadaladi, which was included as the sole member of Cluster III, was found to be the best with respect to higher nutrients and lower anti-nutritional factors.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional status and job performance of anganwadi workers(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Shunmukhapriya, S; KAU; Prasannakumari, BA study on “Nutritional status and job performance of anganwadi workers” was carried out to assess the nutritional status and job performance of anganwadi workers and to find out the relationship between nutritional status and job performance. Data regarding the socio-economic characteristics, job characteristics, food consumption pattern, energy balance, morbidity pattern, job performance and nutritional status of AWWs were studied in detail. From the present study it was found that 43.33 per cent of the AWWs belonged to the age group of 40-50 years and 56.67 per cent of the AWWs were educated up to high school. Social status of the AWWs indicated that 68.33 per cent of them were Hindus and 57.5 per cent belonged to other back ward classes. Seventy eight per cent of the AWWs were married. Fifty one per cent of the AWWs were members of an organization. Nuclear type of families of with four members is common among the surveyed AWWs. Economic status of the AWWs revealed that the mean income of the AWWs from their job was Rs.1363/- per month only and sixty per cent of the AWWs had family income less than Rs.3000. Forty per cent of the AWWs resided in rural areas and had a walk able distance of less than 1 kilometer from the center. Seventy five per cent of the AWWs of the present study had an experience of more than 20 years and had received refresher training 1-5 times and 19.17 per cent of the AWWs received refresher training 6-10 times. All the AWWs of the current study were habitual non-vegetarians. Frequency of use of cereals, other vegetables, fats and oils, nuts and oilseeds, and spices and condiments were daily in the dietaries while egg, meat and baked foods were less frequently used by the AWWs. On analyzing the energy balance of the AWWs it was found that 70 per cent of them were in positive energy balance. On analyzing the anthropometric data, it was found that more than fifty per cent of the AWWs had BMI and MUAC above normal and WHR of all the AWWs were above normal. Actual food intake of the AWWs assessed revealed that intake of food items like green leafy vegetables, milk and milk products as well as fruits were found to be below the RDA where as all the other food items were adequately met by the AWWs. With regard to nutrient intake carotene, iron and riboflavin were inadequate and the rest of the nutrients were adequately met when compared with RDA. Clinical examination of the AWWs revealed symptoms of mild forms of anaemia, dental caries, oedema and vision disorder. Fifty per cent of the AWWs surveyed had high blood pressure. Assessment of the biochemical parameter, haemoglobin level, indicated that 78.33 per cent of the AWWs were suffering from severe to mild forms of anaemia. With regard to morbidity pattern minor ailments like cold, headache, throat pain, cough and fever were reported among majority of the AWWs and it was also seen that 75 per cent of the AWWs had not availed any leave from work for the past six months. Nutritional status index of the AWWs ranged from –3.05 to 15.53 and medium nutritional status index was observed among 63.33 per cent of the AWWs and 18.33 per cent of the AWWs had high nutritional status index. Mean job performance scores of the AWWs ranged between 41.5 and 83.5. Of the 120 AWWs, 61.67 per cent had medium job performance scores and 18.33 per cent of the AWWs had high job performance scores. Self rating of job performance by the AWWs ranged between 21 to 57 .It was found from the study that 73.34 per cent of the AWWs rated themselves to have medium job performance and 13.33 per cent rated as having high job performance A positive and significant correlation was observed between nutritional status index with independent variables like family size, total family income, energy expenditure, energy balance and iron intake. A significant positive correlation was found between job characteristics like experience and number of refresher trainings attended with mean job performance scores as well as self-rating of job performance by AWWs. Dietary variables like calorie intake and iron intake were found to have significant positive correlation with mean job performance scores. A positive and significant correlation was seen between nutritional status index and the job performance rated by CDPOs and the self-rating by AWWs.ThesisItem Open Access Developing rice based complementary food for infants(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Dhanya Jose; KAU; Vimalakumari, N KA study entitled "Developing rice based complementary food for infants" was conducted to formulate a weaning food with rice suitable for feeding infants of six to nine months of age. Sixty four combinations of basic mixes were worked out combining rice with different pulses in varying proportions. Out of these, eleven combinations having high chemical score (above 80) were selected for formulation of multimixes by adding ingredients in two different ways. In the former method ragi or wheat was added to the basic mix as a second cereal and in the later method an additional pulse was added. Thus 247 combinations were formulated. From these, eleven combinations having chemical score above eighty were selected at random. Thus there were eleven basic mixes and eleven multimixes. These 22 mixes (11+11) were used in the preparation of a comprehensive multimix based on "food square" concept suggested by Protein Advisory Group (1975), which would contain a staple of the locality and a food that would supply protein, a mineral and vitamin supplement and an energy supplement. As the staple and protein components are already present in the 22 primary , mixes, amaranth leaves were added as vitamin-mineral supplement. Sugar and coconut oil were added as energy supplements. While calculating the nutritive value of the 22 combinations, the protein content was found to be very low; hence soya was also included as an additional ingredient to formulate complementary food. The selected ingredients in the multimixes were processed separately by common cottage level techniques and were blended in specified proportions to formulate the 22 comprehensive multimixes. These were converted into a recipe suitable to feed an infant. They were evaluated organoleptically by ten expert judges with the help of a score card. The total scores were compared and ten mixes having highest acceptability scores were selected. These multimixes contained amaranth as vitamin-mineral supplement. As drumstick leaves is also a cheap and easily available green leafy vegetable, ten more multimixes were processed replacing amaranth with drumstick leaves. The multimixes with amaranth were designated with a suffix 'A' while those containing drumstick leaves had the suffix 'DS' along with their serial number. These 20 (10+10) multimixes were processed by "extrusion" to facilitate large scale production for commercial exploitation. These were then evaluated for their yield, nutritive value, organoleptic quality and cost. In order to identify some of the best multimixes from the above 20, they were further ranked on the basis of organoleptic score. Thus 8DS and 3DS were ranked as first and second respectively. Corresponding combinations containing amaranth, viz., 8A and 3A were also selected for further analysis to find out the best multimix. In order to achieve the mulimixes were subjected to chemical, physical, nutritional and sanitary quality analysis and were evaluated for their shelf stability, acceptability and preference. Several parameters were used to evaluate chemical, physical, nutritional quality of the four mixes. As these parameters varied widely, comprehensive indices were worked out using appropriate statistical tools. Thus the product quality index for chemical, physical and rheological qualities and nutritional adequacy were worked out. The multimix 8A secured the highest index value for chemical, physical and rheological characters, while 3A secured the highest score for nutritional adequacy. To identify the most acceptable multimix, an overall adequacy index was also ~orked out and the index value revealed that 8A is the most suitable one since it had the highest index score. Total bacterial count and E. coli contamination if any also ascertained to ensure that the multimixes are safe for feeding infants. Eventhough all the four mixes were not absolutely sterile, the counts were much below the admissible level suggested by BIS. It was further gratifying to note that E. coli was completely absent in all the four multimixes, giving further assurance to sanitary quality. Shelf stability evaluation of the multimixes were carried out through chemical, physical and microbiological methods after storing the mixes for three months in polyethylene covers. Eventhough after storage the peroxide value and bacterial count were within acceptable limits, there was marginal increase in above parameters. Despite of the above variation, the acceptability of the mixes remained unaltered, which confirms the shelf stability. Organoleptic and preference test conducted after storage also indicated 8A as the most acceptable multimix. In order to justify the quality of the product the characteristics of the four mixes were further compared with those specified under IS 1659-1969 standard. From this exercise, it was found that the products were effective in supplying adequate amount of two major nutrients namely, carbohydrate and protein. However the fat content was found to be low, but this was overcome by the addition of coconut oil at the time of serving the mix in the form of a porridge. Vitamin and mineral contents were also found to be low, but such deficiency can be made up by adding commercial vitamin-mineral pre-mixes to the blends while processing the material, which is an acceptable practice followed in preparing infant formulae. To assess the commercial viability of the products, further, the mixes were also com;ared with selected characteristics of a commercial rice based infant formula (Nestum-control). When nutritional adequacy was tested, the commercial formula was found to be ill-balanced. This control sample was noted to contain excess amount of carbohydrate and very low amount of protein and fat when compared to BIS recommendation. It is of special interest to note that this commercial formula was not adequate even to meet half of the protein requirement of a young infant, while the developed four mixes had a balanced proportion of the three major nutrients (after addition of coconut oil to the recipe). Another important feature was that the control sample had higher proportion of minerals especially sodium and potassium which agam introduces another element of ill-balance, which may endanger the kidney function of the infant on prolonged use. However the multimixes developed had low levels of minerals and vitamins. These, if necessary, could be made upto desired level by adding vitamin-mineral pre-mixes in specified amounts while processing the blends. Another most important feature that was highly noticeable was the cost. The developed mixes were very cheap (18 to 34 Rs/kg) when compared with commercial infant formula (147 Rs/kg). The study revealed that the developed product 8A containing rice (550 g), black gram dhal (250g), soya (150g) and amaranth (50g) was found to meet the requirements specified by IS (1659-1969) for majority of the characteristics (nine out of eleven) and hence could be proclaimed as a nutritious complementary food for infants of Kerala being indigenous, low cost and easy to prepare and feed.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional status and stress determinants of women workers in rubber plantations(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Dhanya Prakash, K; KAU; Subaida Beevi, SThe abstract of the study is presented here. The present study aims to assess the nutritional status of the women workers, to assess the stress determinants of women workers and to study the relationship between the stress and nutritional status of women workers. Eighty women working in rubber plantations formed the experimental group and 20 women working solely in household activities formed the control group as subjects of study. The present study was found that majority of the respondents were in the age group of 36 - 45 and were belonging to Hindus. Majority of the respondents had high school education. Most of the respondents were from nuclear family with four members. Majority (53.75 percent) of the respondents belonged to the age group 36-45. Eighty percent of the experimental group belonged to the Small family while in the control group all the 20 families belonged to Small family. Educational attainment of the respondents (Experimental Group) indicated that majority of the group (50 percent) had high school level education only 3 percent were illiterate. In the control group majority of this group i.e. 50 percent have got high school level education and none of them were illiterate. The family income of the experimental group reveals that majority (58 percent) of the respondents had the monthly family income between 2500-5000 .In control group 75 percent of the respondents have the income between 2500-5000.On observing monthly expenditure patterns of the families, the respondents spent majority of their income for the purchase of food items. The food use frequency revealed that the food items like cereals, nuts and oilseeds (coconut), spices and condiments, fats and oils were consumed daily by all the respondents. Comparing the RDA with the nutrient intake, the intake of energy, protein and calcium was higher than the recommended in experimental group whereas the iron intake was found to be low. The intake of energy, protein, calcium retinol, riboflavin, and niacin was higher than that of the recommended allowances of the control group .The iron intake was lower than the RDA percent. The fat intake was higher than the RDA. The result revealed that 10 percent of the respondents were in positive energy balance while 90 percent of them were in negative energy balance. But majority of respondents in control group (55 per cent) was in positive energy balance, as intake was greater than energy expenditure while 45 percent were in negative energy balance. Sixty four percent of the women were found to be normal, one percent of them were chronically energy deficient and 14 percent of the women had overweight in experimental group. In control group 55 percent of the women were found to be normal, 30 percent women were over weight and 5 percent of them were chronically energy deficient. Biochemical assessment of the respondents revealed that 66 percent of the experimental group was below the normal level of heamoglobin while in control group it was 45 percent. Thirty three percent of the experimental group had normal range of heamoglobin level and in control group it was 55 percent. The Nutritional Status Index of the respondents ranged from 250-350. Seventy six percent of the respondents had the mean NSI 321. Twenty percent of the respondents were having an average nutritional status index of 290. Four percent of the respondents had the NSI above 350. In the control group, 75 percent of the respondents had the mean NSI of 324.35. Twenty percent of the respondents were having mean nutritional status index of 289.72 and 5 percent of the respondents were having the NSI of 363.49. In stress determinants it is found that 77.5 per cent of the experimental were having mild stress and 16.25 per cent had low stress whereas 6.25 percent had high stress. In control group all the respondents had low stress. The experimental group had higher stress when compared to the control group. It is also revealed that stress from environment is related to the nutritional status of experimental group when compared to the control group. There is relationship between stress scores and health problems. The experimental group had more stress and health problems when compared to the control group. Higher the stress scores more the health problems. It is also found that there is significant relationship between the job stress and health problems of the respondents. The experimental group had more job stress and they were more prone to health problems when compared to the control group.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation and quality evaluation of protein enriched mango bars(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sherin, N A; KAU; Usha, VThe present study on “Standardization and quality evaluation of protein enriched mango bars” was aimed to standardize protein enriched mango bars with pulse protein and to improve the storage life of fruit bars with suitable packaging materials. The CMB was prepared using standard procedure and PEMB was standardized with green gram as a source of protein and were analysed for moisture, acidity, TSS, reducing sugar, total sugar, crude fiber, protein, carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium. There was significant variation in the nutrient content of CMB and PEMB. The moisture, crude fiber, protein, calcium, iron and potassium were significantly high in PEMB than CMB. The CMB and PEMB packed in two packaging materials namely metallised polyester polyethylene laminate pouches (MPP) and polypropylene (PP) bags were stored for three months under ambient conditions. The chemical constituents, organoleptic qualities and the microbial load were analysed initially and after three months of storage. The acidity, TSS and reducing sugar had increased whereas the moisture, total sugar, crude fiber, protein, carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium had decreased after the storage period. The CMB and PEMB packed in MPP had better retention of nutrients than PP packed sample. The organoleptic evaluation revealed that there was significant reduction in the sensory qualities of mango bar such as appearance, colour, texture and taste on storage but there was no significant reduction in the flavour of PEMB due to storage. Both the fruit bars had better acceptability in MPP stored samples after storage. The overall acceptability of CMB was high in both the packaging materials than PEMB. A gradual increase in the bacterial, fungal and yeast count was observed during storage of CMB and PEMB. The CMB and PEMB packed in MPP showed less bacterial, fungal and yeast growth. The PEMB packed in PP had highest BC ratio. But nutrient retention and acceptability was more in MPP and it had BC ratio above one hence, economically beneficial also.ThesisItem Open Access Quality evaluation of selected vegetables under rain shelter and open field cultivation(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Nashath, K H; KAU; Usha, VThe study on “Quality evaluation of selected vegetables under rain shelter and open field cultivation” was aimed at assessing the duration of maturity, nutritional composition, anti nutritional factors and acceptability of the two varieties of amaranth, capsicum and tomato cultivated under rain shelter and open field in rainy season in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The vegetables are analysed for moisture, fibre, protein, starch, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, vitamin C, b carotene and lycopene (tomato only). The results revealed that among the different constituents present in amaranth the mean content of moisture, protein, phosphorous and sodium were high in ‘Arun’ grown under rain shelter. The mean fibre, starch, calcium, iron, potassium and vitamin C contents were highest in the variety ‘Mohini’ under rain shelter. The b carotene content of amaranth was highest in the variety ‘Mohini’ under open field condition. Regarding the nutrient constituents of capsicum the mean content of moisture, starch, calcium, phosphorous and vitamin C were highest in the variety ‘Pusa Deepthi’ growing under rain shelter where as the mean content of fibre, protein, iron, potassium and sodium were highest in the variety ‘California Wonder’ cultivated under same condition. The b carotene content was high in ‘California Wonder’ cultivated under open field condition. In tomato the mean content of protein, starch, calcium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin C, b carotene and lycopene were highest in the variety ‘Anagha’ cultivated under rain shelter where as mean content of moisture, fibre, sodium and potassium were highest in the variety ‘Shakthi’ cultivated under the same condition. The anti nutritional factors namely oxalates and nitrates present in amaranth cultivated under rain shelter and open field conditions were also analysed. The results revealed that the oxalate and nitrate content of amaranth showed no significant variation between rain shelter and open field crops in both the varieties. Results of organoleptic evaluation of vegetables indicated that significant variation in acceptability between the vegetables cultivated under rain shelter and open field condition. The vegetables cultivated under rain shelter were found to be more acceptable.