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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 Development, quality assessment and clinical efficacy of functional food supplement (FFS) for life style disease management(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Krishnaja, U; KAU; Mary Ukkuru, PWith a global increase in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases, both nutrition and functional foods play key roles in its prevention and management. Functional foods from natural sources are cost effective, sustainable and reduce the risk factors. In this context, the present investigation entitled “Development, quality assessment and clinical efficacy of ‘Functional Food Supplement’ (FFS) for life style disease management” was conducted to develop a Functional Food Supplement (FFS) using locally available food ingredients that are not included in our daily diet due to ignorance or over sight but are rich in bioactive compounds with the twin ability of nourishment and therapeutic action. The constituents selected for the FFS contain barley, ragi, banana, defatted soy flour, drumstick leaves and mushroom. Different proportions of the ingredients were worked out based on their nutritional qualities, amino acid scores, fibre content and other health promoting properties and sensory qualities. Dehydration and fermentation were the two processing techniques applied to standardize the FFSs. From the twenty combinations worked out, after different levels of screening, four combinations were selected under the dehydration technique. In the fermentation technique, one combination (combination XIV) selected from the dehydration techniques subjected to four different treatments was identified for further investigation. Best suitable combination from each processing technique was identified based on functional properties and sensory qualities. Thus DT4 (B: R: Bp: DSF: DLp: Mp = 3.5:2.0:1.5:2.5:0.25:0.25) from FFS I was selected for in-depth investigation. While in the case of FFS II yeast fermented batter (FT4) was identified as the best combination. The identified FFS I & II were subjected to indepth investigations such as quality analysis based on nutrient content, functional properties, phytochemical content, storage stability and clinical efficacy on the lifestyle diseases. Significant differences were found in the nutrient contents of FFS I & II. FFS I had higher energy content of 384 kcal, protein 21.4 g and fat 1.88g. Nutrient status of FFS II showed (378 kcal) of energy, 16.5 g of protein and 1.56 g of fat which were considerably lower than that of FFS I. Fibre and β – glucan content of FFS I were (4.0 g) and (1.60 g) respectively. Though FFS II is found to contain higher amounts of β–glucans (1.68 g) compared to FFS I, it had significantly lower fibre content of 3.33 g. The variation noted in the carbohydrate content of FFS I was 60.5 g against 58 g of FFS II which were statistically insignificant. FFS II on fermentation had produced a remarkable increase in the β-carotene (2910 µg), thiamine (1.63 mg), riboflavin (1.3 mg), niacin (2.68 mg) and folic acid (40.0 mg) levels. However, vitamin E (3.35 µg) and Vitamin C (8.73 mg) content of FFS I was significantly higher than FFS II. FFS I had a significantly higher composition of all the macro (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus), micro (iron, copper, zinc, manganese) and trace elements (selenium) compared to FFS II. The total antioxidant activity and DPPH free radical scavenging activity of both FFS I & II developed proved to be in favour of the disease management. Phytochemical contents of FFS I was significantly higher than FFS II. Amino acid profile depicted that, Glutamic acid (132.9 nmoles/ml) is the highest amino acid in FFS I while FFS II elicited high amounts of Glycine (107.6 nmoles/ml). The Total Essential Amino acid (TEAA) content, Essential Amino Acid index and Nutritional index per cent were higher in FFS I when compared to FFS II. Assessment of functional qualities of the developed functional food supplements based on the parameters viz. pasting properties, textural properties, colour attributes and particle size showed that, both FFS I & II were equally acceptable and had higher market potentials. Moisture, peroxides and microbial contents were bare minimum during storage, promoting them for better marketability. The cost of one Kg of both FFS I & II was Rs. 200/- and the cost of one portion size of the products was only Rs. 4.0/- indicating better economic viability when scaled up against health. Efficacy of the developed FFS was tested in the selected subjects from Elamkulam panchayat of Malappuram district, with lifestyle diseases viz. hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Impact of the supplementation (20 gm per day) of FFS (I & II) on selected subjects was closely monitored through clinical parameters like fasting and post prandial blood sugar, Glycemic Index, blood pressure and lipid profile and general health and morbidity. The findings proved that both FFS I & II were equally good in lowering the FBS, PPBS, Total Cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and blood pressure levels of the subjects. Both FFS I & II also had a favourable role in enhancing HDL levels. Except, blood pressure all the other parameters of the subjects had come to normal values at the end of supplementation period. Glycemic Index values of FFS I & II and Glycemic load were low which further supports the therapeutic function of the products. Findings of the present investigation strongly recommend that both FFS I & II developed proved to be efficient in the dietary management of the subjects with lifestyle diseases as the developed FFSs are proved to contain therapeutic and health promoting properties. The study recommends that natural food ingredients can be effectively utilized for the development of functional food supplements for the management of lifestyle diseases. With the virtue of the studied parameters, the FFSs could be promoted for commercialization. In vivo studies to prove the therapeutic role of the developed functional food supplements in managing the lifestyle diseases can be taken as a future prospective. Large scale studies to strengthen and validate the clinical role FFS has to be undertaken. Commercialization and market acceptability of the developed FFS has to be promoted for the benefit of subjects who are obsessed with food but are instead stuck to medicines for treatment and management of diseases.ThesisItem Open Access Optimisation and utilisation of resistant starch for value addition in rice products(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Lilia Baby; KAU; Indira, VThe present study was undertaken to standardise processing treatments for optimising resistant starch (RS) formation in rice starch and to evaluate the changes in rice starch properties. The study also aimed to standardise rice flour supplemented with RS, to evaluate its quality attributes during storage and the effect of RS supplemented food products on postprandial glycaemic response. Starch was isolated from the raw and parboiled rice of variety Uma. Raw rice had lower starch content and higher RS, compared to parboiled rice. The effect of processing conditions on the RS content of rice starch was studied in 48 treatments by autoclaving at 121°C and 141°C for 20, 40 and 60 minutes without moisture and with 10, 20 and 40 percentage moisture levels. After autoclaving, the samples were cooled at room temperature and at -20°C. The yield of RS was found to be maximum in samples autoclaved at 141°C for 40 minutes with 10 per cent moisture and cooled at -20°C. Increasing the duration of autoclaving up to 60 minutes at a lower temperature of 121°C was also found to be effective in improving the RS content of rice starch. RS formation not only depends on a single factor but also on multiple factors like time and temperature of autoclaving, moisture as well as cooling conditions. To study the effect of repeated autoclaving and cooling, five treatments yielding maximum RS content were selected. The RS content increased with increase in the number of autoclaving and cooling cycles irrespective of the temperature and time of autoclaving, moisture content and cooling conditions. Repeated autoclaving and cooling lowered the content of rapidly and slowly digestible starch. The moisture and protein content of repeatedly autoclaved and cooled samples were significantly lower than the native starch. The total carbohydrate and amylose content increased during processing and found to be maximum in samples autoclaved at 141°C for 40 minutes and cooled at -20°C. The standardisation of resistant starch supplemented rice flour (RSRF) was carried out by incorporating 10, 15 and 20g of RS to 100g of puttu and idiappam flour. For this, two treatments with maximum RS content were selected. Physical qualities of the flour, in vitro starch digestibility and organoleptic qualities of the products were evaluated. Incorporation of RS decreased the bulk density (BD) and water absorption index (WAI) of flour whereas water solubility index (WSI) increased. In vitro starch digestibility was found to be inversely proportional to the RS content of rice flour. The puttu and idiappam prepared with RS supplemented rice flour were found to be organoleptically acceptable. The storage studies of RSRF were carried out by selecting RS incorporated puttu and idiappam flour having better organoleptic acceptance of their products. The flour was stored for six months under ambient condition after packing in polythene bags. The physical qualities like BD, WAI and WSI of puttu and idiappam flour decreased during six months of storage. A decrease in protein and total carbohydrate content was noticed with an increase in the moisture level. The RS content of flour improved during storage. The count of bacteria, yeast and fungi increased towards the end of storage in both the flour. Insect infestation was not observed throughout the storage period. The organoleptic qualities of the puttu and idiappam decreased slightly, when they were prepared from stored flour. Postprandial glycaemic responses of puttu and idiappam supplemented with RS was assessed among diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in comparison with non-supplemented products. The increase in blood glucose level was relatively at a lower rate when RS supplemented puttu and idiappam were given to diabetic as well as non diabetic subjects. Better response was observed among diabetic subjects.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation and quality evaluation of banana based probiotic fermented food mixtures(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Sharon, C L; KAU; Usha, VThe study entitled “Standardisation and quality evaluation of banana based probiotic fermented food mixtures” was undertaken with the objective to standardise indigenous food mixtures based on banana flour with probiotic fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus and to evaluate the nutritional factors, organoleptic qualities and storage stability of the food mixtures. Probiotic characteristics like acid and bile tolerance and antimicrobial activity of L.acidophilus MTCC 447 showed an acid tolerance ranging from pH 2.0 - 9.0 , a bile tolerance of three per cent and antagonistic activity against enteropathogens viz Salmonella enteritidis, E.coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The foods selected for developing the probiotically fermented food mixtures were banana (Nendran), defatted soya flour, green gram flour, ripe mango, papaya and tomato. From the 56 combinations tried, 14 fermented food mixtures with L. acidophilus MTCC 447 were selected statistically by applying Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. All the 14 selected food mixtures contained 60-70 per cent banana flour, 20 per cent defatted soy flour / green gram flour and 10-20 per cent fruit pulps. For all the treatments variables of fermentation were optimised as 25g of the food mixture (substrate), pH 4.5, inoculum 300µl (119 x 106 cfu /ml), temperature of incubation 37 ºC and time of incubation 24 hours. All the fermented foods along with unfermented controls were freeze dried. Constituents like titrable acidity (2.59 g lactic acid / 100g), protein (7.82g/100g), iron (6.48mg/100g), thiamine (0.0726 mg/100g) and riboflavin (0.535 mg/100g) were significantly high in fermented food mixtures. in vitro digestibility of starch (82.109 per cent) and protein (85.85 per cent) were also significantly high in fermented food mixtures. Total viable count of L. acidophilus ranged from 9.13 to 9.46 log cfu/g. Mean score of overall acceptability of fermented products were between 7.9-8.0 in a 9 point hedonic scale. From 14 fermented food mixtures, six fermented food mixtures were statistically selected considering all the quality aspects by geometric mean score. The selected food mixtures T1, T2, T3, T7, T8 and T9 along with their respective controls were packed in metallised poly ester / poly ethylene laminate pouches and kept for storage studies under ambient conditions for a period of six months. From the six fermented food mixtures with maximum shelf life qualities, three fermented food mixtures were statistically selected by applying geometric mean score. The treatments with maximum geometric mean score were T1 (70 per cent banana flour, 20 per cent defatted soy flour, 10 per cent mango), T3 (60 per cent banana flour, 20 per cent defatted soy flour, and 10 per cent tomato pulp) and T8 (60 per cent banana flour, 20 per cent defatted soy flour,10 per cent mango and 10 per cent tomato pulp).In all the selected three treatments, viable count of L.acidophilus ranged from 8.84 to 9.12 log cfu/g after six months of storage. This viable count was within the desired level of probiotic organisms recommended Substrate composition was modified by adding sucrose, sorbitol, wheat bran and skimmed milk powder to T1, T3 and T8.The level of these four ingredients were standardised as five per cent in T3, with maximum viable counts of L.acidophilus ranging from 9.45 to 9.54 log cfu/g. Thus five treatments (T3 + sucrose 5 %, T3 + 5% sorbitol, T3 + 5% wheat bran and T3 + 5 % skimmed milk powder) was subjected to quality evaluation and shelf life studies. After modifying the substrate, food mixture T3S (with added sucrose at 5 per cent level) showed high acceptability and an increase in the viable count of L.acidophilus after storage, when compared to T3 (control).T3SB (with added sorbitol at 5 per cent level) was comparable to that of T3 (control) in any aspect. T3W (with added wheat bran at 5 per cent level) was also comparable to T3 (control) but with an increase in the total viable count .T3SK (with added skimmed milk powder at 5 per cent level) showed an increase in all the nutrients, acceptability and viable counts. Hence, these four food mixtures (T3S. T3SB, T3 W and T3 SK) can also be recommended as good probiotic food mixtures. The viable count of L. acidophilus in the developed probiotic food mixtures at the expiry period (after six months of storage) ranged between 95 to 210 x 107 cfu/g and in five grams the viability ranged between 475 to 1040 x 107 cfu. This was within the recommended level of the probiotic organism to assure health benefits. Since the fermented food mixtures were slightly acidic in taste, it can be used with acidic foods like buttermilk, fruit juices etc to enhance their acceptability. The cost of the developed food mixtures ranged between Rs 530 to Rs 550 for 400 grams.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation and quality evaluation of tempeh and tempeh based instant soup mixes(Department of the home science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Lakshmy, P S; KAU; Usha, VThe study entitled “Standardisation and quality evaluation of ‘Tempeh’ and tempeh based instant soup mixes” was undertaken with the objectives of standardising the fermented food tempeh with green gram, cowpea, soybean, rice and wheat, and to evaluate its quality attributes. The study also aims to evaluate the nutritional and shelf life qualities of tempeh flour, to develop instant soup mixes with tempeh flour and quality evaluation of these products. Tempeh fermentations were carried out with pure cultures of Rhizopus oligosporus – MTCC 556 and twenty different combinations of selected legumes and cereals were used as substrates. Among the different fresh tempeh types prepared, T1 (100% soybean) had good appearance and texture. The treatments with green gram had a comparable texture and appearance with the control (T1). Tempeh types with rice had better appearance and texture than that of wheat. The overall acceptability of tempeh chips prepared with different combinations of fresh tempeh types ranged from 6.9 to 8.9 with the highest overall acceptability score for T2 (100% green gram) and the highest overall acceptability of roast ranged from 7.5 to 8.9 with the highest score for T11 (cowpea 50% + rice 50%). The highest IVSD of 82.83 per cent was for T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%) and the highest IVPD of 88.98 per cent was for T8 (green gram 75% + rice 25%). Fresh tempeh types T2 (green gram 100%), T8 (green gram 75% + rice 25%), and T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%) were selected based on their acceptability, IVSD and IVPD for further studies. T1 (100% soybean) was selected as control. Among the selected fresh tempeh types, the treatment T1 (control) had the maximum moisture (55.85%), protein (21.09%), total fats (10.12 g/100g), β carotene (331.85 µg/100g), thiamine (0.31 mg/100g), calcium (149.10 mg/100g), iron (3.6 mg/100g), phosphorus (270.61 mg/100g) and zinc (2.17 mg/100g) content, whereas the treatment T2 (100% green gram) had the highest fiber (2.52 g/100g), reducing sugar (2.01 g/100g), total sugar (4.21 g/100g) riboflavin (0.30 mg/100g) and potassium (525.11 mg/100g) content. Starch content was highest (29.13 g/100g) in T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%). None of the selected fresh tempeh types had vitamin C. Mineral availability was found to be very high in the three tempeh types (T2, T8 and T9) compared to the control (T1). The availability of calcium (61.77%), iron (66.82%), phosphorus (65.72%), potassium (63.60%) and zinc (88.99%) was highest in T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%). None of the tempeh types showed viability at low pH (1.5 to 2.5), bile acid tolerance (1-4 % level) or antibacterial activity against enteropathogens and hence no probiotic activity can be attributed to any of the selected fresh tempeh types. The appearance, colour, flavour and texture of the fresh tempeh types stored under refrigerated condition were satisfactory up to 12 days for T1 (100% soybean tempeh) and T2 (100% green gram). In T8 (green gram 75% + rice 25%) and T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%), the shelf life was only up to 6 days of refrigerated storage. Frozen tempeh types were comparable to the fresh tempeh even after 30th day of storage. A gradual reduction in the overall acceptability score of the chips and roasts was observed with the stored tempeh types. The bacterial load in the fresh tempeh was found to be high, in the range of 49.3 to 69.3 x 108 cfu/g. A gradual decrease in the bacterial count was observed in all the treatments up to the 6th day of refrigerated storage and thereafter there was a slight increase in the bacterial count. No pathogenic bacteria were identified in fresh tempeh types. The total yeast count in the fresh tempeh types was in the range of 42.6 to 66.3 x105 cfu/g with the maximum in T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%). A decrease in the yeast count was observed on storage in T1 and T2, but in T8 and T9, there was an increase in the total yeast count on the 9th and 12th day of refrigerated storage which resulted in the spoilage of these tempeh types. The only identified fungus in fresh tempeh types were Rhizopus oligosporus. The total fungal count was in the range of 2.6 to 5.3 x 106 cfu/g in fresh tempeh types which was reduced to 1.0 to 2.3 x 106 cfu/g on the 12th day of refrigerated storage. In frozen tempeh types, the bacterial count was reduced to 0.17 to 0.49 x 108 cfu/g, yeast count to 0.46 to 0.86 x 105 cfu/g and fungal count to 0.06 to 0.1 x 106 cfu/g after 30 days of storage. The flours prepared from the tempeh types were packed in metalised polyester laminate pouches and stored for a period of six months under ambient conditions. The tempeh flours were evaluated for its quality and shelf life attributes. The tempeh flour prepared with T1 had the highest protein (43.15 g/100g), total fats (20.87 g/100g), calcium (331.25 mg/100g), iron (8.03 mg/100g), phosphorus (601.36 mg/100g) and zinc (4.82 mg/100g). Maximum fiber (3.30 g/100g), riboflavin (0.03 mg/100g) and potassium (979.68 mg/100g) were observed in tempeh flour prepared with T2. Starch content was found to be highest (49.38 g/100g) in T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%). Thiamine was not detected in any of the tempeh flours. A decrease in the protein, total fats, riboflavin, and minerals was observed on storage but were not significant. The highest IVPD of 90.86 per cent after storage was for T8 (green gram 75% + rice 25%) and highest IVSD of 83.86 per cent was for T9 (green gram 50% + rice 50%). All the tempeh flours remained within the prescribed limit of microbial load making them microbiologically safe even after six months of storage. Insect infestation was not observed in tempeh flours during storage. Tempeh flours were used for standardising instant soup mixes with suitable blending materials. For each of the selected tempeh flour (T1, T2, T8 and T9), four different compositions of soup mixes viz. S1(50), S2(55), S3(60), S4(65) were developed, the number in brackets indicating the percentage of tempeh flour used. The soup mixes (16 numbers) were packed in metalised polyester laminate pouches and stored for a period of six months under ambient conditions. The soup mixes were evaluated for quality and shelf life attributes. After storage, the moisture content of soup mixes varied from 6.53 to 7.53 per cent. The nutrients ranged from 5.53 to 34.65 g/100g (protein), 16.67 to 51.45 g/100g (starch), 0.40 to 2.83 g/100g (fiber), 0.67 to 17.93 g/100g (total fats), 0.00 to 0.028 mg/100g (riboflavin), 39.96 to 298.60 mg/100g (calcium), 1.12 to 5.17 mg/100g (iron), 227.61 to 551.66 mg/100g (phosphorus), 432.31 to 961.51 mg/100g (potassium), and 2.11 to 4.42 mg/100g (zinc) in different compositions of soup mixes. Water required for cooking the instant soup mixes to a soup of acceptable consistency varied from 1280 to 1530 ml/100g and the cooking time of the instant soup mixes varied from 3-6 minutes. The mean score for overall acceptability of the soups prepared with the stored soup mixes ranged from 7.5 to 8.2. The overall acceptability score of the soups were lowest in compositions S4(65) with all the tempeh flours. The microbial load in all the soup mixes after storage was within the prescribed limit and all the soup mixes can be considered as microbiologically safe even after storage of six months. Insect infestation was not observed in any of the soup mixes. The cost of production of 1 kg of fresh tempeh types varied from Rs. 57.00 to Rs. 68.00, 1 kg tempeh flour varied from Rs. 111.00 to 142.00 and that of soup mixes (50g) varied from Rs. 12.00 to 13.00.ThesisItem Open Access Food and nutritional security scenario of BPL families of central zone of Kerala(Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Blossom, K.L; KAU; Indira, VThe study entitled “Food and Nutritional Security Scenario of BPL Families of Central Zone of Kerala” was undertaken to assess the extent and determinants of food and nutritional security among the BPL families of Central Kerala and to study the impact of food security on the nutritional status of women and preschool children. All the four districts of Central Zone of Kerala namely Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram were selected for the study. A total of 400 BPL families comprising 100 families from each district formed the sample for the study. Detailed study on nutritional status of women and preschool children as well as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) were conducted among 60 women in the age group of 25 to 35 years and 60 preschool children in the age group of 3 to 5 years. The food security of the families was assessed by the three dimensions namely food access, availability and absorption of nutrients. Access and availability were assessed by the socioeconomic status, food consumption pattern and food purchasing pattern of the families. Absorption was determined by assessing the nutritional status of the family members. Overall food security of the families was measured using USDA (2000) module and MSSRF (2008) index. Nutritional security of the families and family members were determined from the intake of nutrients. Nuclear family system with four to six members was observed among most of the families. Educational and occupational status indicated that most of the adult members were literate and working as labourers on daily wages. The monthly income of 72 per cent of families varied from Rs. 4001/- to 12,000/. Most of the families did not earn any income from domestic animals and 27.25 per cent had the habit of saving money. The monthly expenditure pattern of the families revealed that 76 per cent spent up to 50 per cent of their income for food. Most of the families had own houses built with bricks, tiled roofing and cement flooring. Electricity and toilet facilities were present in almost all houses. Health care facilities were found to be satisfactory and 82 per cent of families utilised the public health facilities available in their locality. Three meal a day pattern was followed by 98 per cent of the families and they kept regular time schedule for taking meal. However, only 37 per cent planned their meal in advance and only 48 per cent of families included raw fruits and vegetables in their diet. Most frequently used food items were cereals, pulses, other vegetables, fats and oils, sugar and fish. Green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits, milk and milk products and eggs were used to a lesser extent. All families spent upto ten per cent of their food expenditure for the purchase of cereals. Fifty five to 61 per cent of the families spent 11 to 20 per cent of the monthly food expenses for the purchase of fish and other vegetables. The quantity of vegetables, fruits and milk and milk products purchased by majority of the families satisfied less than 25 per cent of the requirement. Gross inadequacy in the intake of all food groups except non vegetarian items was noticed among the family members. The intake of macro and micronutrients was also found to be lower than the recommended dietary allowances suggested by ICMR. Different grades of malnutrition were noticed among children, adolescents and adult members. On the basis of anthropometric indicators, normal nutritional status was noticed only among 37 per cent children below 12 years, 45 per cent adolescents, 48 per cent adults and 55 per cent elderly. Gross deficit in the intake of certain food groups and nutrients was also noticed among women and preschool children. Mild form of nutritional anaemia was prevalent among 40.82 per cent women and 31.71 per cent preschool children. However, clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies were noticed only to a lesser extent among women and preschool children. The blood profile for serum protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine was also found to be in the normal range indicating adequacy in the protein status among women and preschool children. The overall food and nutritional security was found to be below 20 per cent among the BPL families of Central Kerala. Families without children had better food and nutritional security. Comparatively, severe food and nutritional insecurity affected only a small proportion of the families. Mild to moderate forms of insecurity were more prevalent. Food security had a positive impact on the nutritional status of women and preschool children. Among the different factors affecting food security, family size was found to be the most important one.ThesisItem Open Access Quality evaluation of medicinal rice (Oryza sativa L) ev. njavara for product development and therapeutic value(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Reshmi, R; KAU; Nandini, P VA study entitled “Quality evaluation of medicinal rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Njavara for product development and therapeutic value” was conducted to assess the major quality parameters such as physico-chemical characteristics, nutritional composition and antioxidant activity. Two eco types of Njavara rice Njavara black (NB) and Njavara yellow (NY) were procured from RRS, Moncompu and one eco type of Hraswa was obtained from ARS, Mannuthy. Hraswa was treated as the control. The study was conducted in three phases. The first phase experiment envisaged the quality evaluation of the selected rice varieties. In the second phase of experimentation, a product (grits) was developed using both the ecotypes of Njavara; Its physical, chemical, nutritional composition, sensory and shelf life qualities was assessed and finally in the third phase of experiments the product was tested for its therapeutic value viz. glycemic index and antioxidant properties. In the first experiment, the parameters selected to study under physico-chemical characteristics were moisture, size, shape, length, width, L/B ratio, colour, thousand grain weight, gel consistency, bulk density, gelatinization temperature, chalkiness index, viscography and hardness. Regarding the colour of the rice samples all the samples were red in colour. The L/B ratio and moisture content was recorded highest for NY among the three selected rice varieties. Thousand grain weight was highest for the variety Hraswa (control) and lowest for NY. The assessment of the calorific value/energy of the three rice varieties revealed that NY had the highest value for calories when compared to the other two varieties. The protein content was found to be higher in NB and lowest in Hraswa (control) variety. The evaluation of protein quality showed that values of essential amino acids like threonine, valine, methionine and isoleucine of Hraswa (control variety) was lower than the values of raw Njavara rice samples. Whereas leucine, phenylalanine, lysine and tryptophan values of Hraswa were higher than Njavara black and yellow varieties. Amino acid score (AAS) of the rice samples revealed that NY had more amino acid score than NB. Soluble fibre content was more for NB and lower for Hraswa (control) variety. NB had the highest value for total phenol content. Trace element content of the rice samples revealed that NB had the highest value for Fe. As for Mn, Zn, Cu and Se, Hraswa (control) variety had the highest values. The results of the antioxidant properties revealed that for DPPH scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical activity NY had highest antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 31.62 µg/ml for DPPH and 46.00 µg/ml for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. For superoxide radical scavenging activity, NB had the highest activity with an IC50 value of 48.78 µg/ml. In the second phase of the experiment, both the Njavara ecotypes were first parboiled and then converted to grits form and its nutritional composition, sensory and shelf life qualities were assessed. The results revealed that the energy content of the NY (G) was higher when compared to NB (G). It was found that processing influences the calorific values of rice positively. The protein content was found to be highest in NY (G) and the results showed a decrease in protein content due to processing when compared to raw values. As a result of processing the essential and non-essential content of both the Njavara varieties were found to decrease and the decrease was found more in NY (G) when compared to NBG). The EAA index of the rice samples showed that NB (G) had higher value. NY (G) had higher soluble fibre content; the results revealed that soluble fibre content has decreased as result of processing. NB (G) had the highest value for total phenol content and the results revealed that after processing the total phenol content had increased. Trace element analysis of the Njavara rice samples in the present study revealed that all the trace elements viz., Fe, Mn, Zn Cu and Se increased in content after processing with NB(G) having the highest value for all the trace elements. Antioxidant properties showed that for DPPH scavenging activity NY grits had highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 35.89 µg/ml. For hydroxyl radical scavenging activity also NY grits was having highest activity. (IC50 = 53.78 µg/ml). Superoxide radical scavenging activity showed that NB grits had highest activity (IC50 value = 48.78 µg/ml). To ascertain the shelf life quality of the developed product, moisture percentage, peroxide value, insect count and microbial growth was determined. The assessment of microbial growth revealed that the highest microbial load was found in NB(G) but these levels were within the prescribed specification. Results of the selection of superior variety showed that NB (G) was found to be superior in quality, but statistically the values of NY (G) and NB(G) were not having much difference. In the third phase of experiments, Njavara grits were tested for their therapeutic value viz. glycemic index and antioxidant properties. For assessing the therapeutic value, different breakfast recipes like uppuma, porridge, kozhukatta and oratti were tried in the laboratory incorporating Njavara rice grits. The formulated recipes were then subjected to sensory evaluation. Njavara grits uppuma obtained the highest score for overall acceptability. For assessing the efficacy of Njavara on the blood sugar levels, a feeding trial for 3 months was conducted among five diabetic subjects in the age group of 40-50 years. Blood sugar levels was monitored initially (before the supplementation) and finally (after the supplementation). The results revealed that, for all subjects, blood sugar levels decreased after supplementation study. Mean glycemic index and Glycemic load of the Njavara rice was found to be 72 and 36 respectively. Antioxidant properties in the blood samples of the subjects revealed that after the supplementation with Njavara the DPPH scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical activity and superoxide anion-radical scavenging activity of all the five subjects under study had appreciably increased.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional profile of middle-aged women of below poverty line (bpl) families with special reference to micronutrients(Kerala Agricultural University;Thiruvananthapuram, 2005) Anitha Chandran, C.; KAU; Chellammal, S.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) for product development and by-product recovery(Kerala Agricultural University;Thiruvananthapuram, 2005) Pandey, Shruti; KAU; Ukkuru, P. MaryThesisItem Open Access Physico-chemical and nutritional attributes of cashew apple and its products(Kerala Agricultural University;Thrissur, 2006) Suman, K.T.; KAU; Indira, V.