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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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Subject: Livestock Product Technology × Author: KAU × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2008 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of hurdle technology, chitosan and gamma radiation on quality parameters of chicken fry
    (Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Shijin, A; KAU; Kuttinarayanan, P
    The study on the effect of low dose gamma radiation and chitosan coating on shelf-life and quality changes of ready-to-eat chicken fry under vacuum packaging was conducted in the Department of Livestock Products Technology, Mannuthy. Half of the prepared chicken fry was coated with 0.5 per cent chitosan in one per cent glacial acetic acid. The other half was coated with equal quantity one per cent glacial acetic acid. The whole samples were packed under vacuum in PA-PE pouches. Half of the packets from each treatments were irradiated at 2.5 kGy employing Gamma Chamber 5000. Sufficient numbers of packets from each treatment were stored under room temperature (25-30°C) and in chiller (1-4°C). Samples were analysed for proximate composition on the day of preparation and for TBARS, TV, microbiological and organoleptic qualities on day 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 of chiller storage, while those at room temperature on day 0, 5, 10 and 15 or until spoilage, whichever was earlier. Shelf life of chicken fry was assessed based on the physical signs of spoilage. The spoiled samples were not subjected to any further analysis. The non-irradiated control samples had a shelf life of 5.33±0.23 days at room temperature and 28.16±0.33 days in chiller. The shelf life was extended to 7.33, 8 and 10 days for CH-NIR, IR and CH-IR samples respectively at room temperature. In chiller storage, the samples were consumable up to 67 days (IR) and 73 days (CH-IR). The proximate composition of the product analysed on the day of preparation was not significantly affected due to irradiation or chitosan coating. The TV showed a decreasing trend due to irradiation whereas the TBARS values were increased and it was controlled by chitosan coating. Storage had a significant effect in increasing both these physicochemical qualities. Aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic plate count and yeast and mould count were significantly reduced due to irradiation, chitosan coating and their combination. Whereas the extend of reduction due to chitosan coating alone was not up to the combined effect of chitosan coating and irradiation. As storage period enhanced the counts increased. The increase was rapid in room temperature stored samples and it was slow and steady in chiller samples. As the storage period enhanced, in the chiller stored products, the survived bacteria might have multiplied and count has gone up beyond the initial count as evidenced by the higher count in terminal end of the storage period. The organoleptic qualities were assessed with help of nine point Hedonic scale. The colour, juiciness, tenderness and overall acceptability of the product were improved by irradiation, chitosan coating and their combination. But flavour showed a decrease in score. A gradual decrease in organoleptic qualities was observed due to storage. Even after 60 and 70 days of chiller storage, the samples had an overall acceptability score of above 7 indicating the samples are preferred by the consumers. The cost of chicken fry was Rs. 109.83 per kg and addition of chitosan at a level of 0.5 per cent increased the cost of the same by Rs. 4.38 per kilogram. The irradiation preservation of ready-to-eat chicken fry was beneficial for enhancing the keeping quality of the product under chiller conditions without affecting the qualities. Some of the bad effects of irradiation like increase in fat rancidity can be controlled by the beneficial coating with natural antioxidants like chitosan. Microbial count like aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic count, yeast and mould count were significantly (P<0.05) reduced due to irradiation at 2.5 kGy, the lowest limit prescribed by PFA. The hurdle technology combined with irradiation and chitosan coating has significantly increased the keeping quality of the product. Considering the extended shelf life, wholesomeness of the product, reduced microbial load and energy saving aspects, chitosan coating followed by irradiation can be advocated as a suitable method for preservation of ready-to-eat value added meat products.