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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 Tenderisation of buffalo meat by calcium chloride marination(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Kavitha, Rajagopal; KAU; George, T OommenThe present study on the tenderisation of buffalo meat by calcium chloride marination was designed to assess the effect of marination on tenderness and other organoleptic qualities of meat and to compare the effects with those of natural ageing. Samples of longissimus dorsi muscle between 9th and 12th thoracic vertebrae from 14 healthy crossbred Murrah buffaloes of 4 – 8 years old were collected. They were assorted for three treatments, viz., samples neither aged nor calcium chloride marinated; and stored at room temperature for 6 h postmortem (NAM), samples aged only (A), samples which are marinated (AM). Samples of A and AM were stored at 2-4o C. The aerobically packaged samples for the treatment AM after 24 h of storage were marinated by injection with 200 mM calcium chloride solution (5% w/w) at multiple sites. The pH, WHC, cooking loss, color, MFI, WBSF and sensory quality attributes such as juiciness, ease of fragmentation, amount of connective tissue, overall tenderness, flavour intensity and colour of the steaks were assessed. The samples for the treatment NAM were subjected to the study at 1 h and 6 h and the steaks from A and AM at 1 h, 6 h and on days 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. The pH of the steaks was not affected by CaCl2 marination. It followed the normal postmortem pattern, with a pH of 6.7 ± 0.01 at 1 h in all treatments. The ultimate pH of 5.6 reached on day 1 was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than on all days, which gradually increased until day 8 in treatments A and AM. The samples followed a normal rigor with sufficient amount of m-calpain and the increase in pH was due to the accumulation of products of proteolysis. The WHC at 1 h was 0.37 ± 0.021 which declined to a significantly lower (P < 0.05) value of 0.31± 0.021 at the ultimate pH on day 1. This remained almost static till day 8 in both treatments A and AM. On day 1 the pH and calcium induced shrinkage caused loss of water. Later changes in the cytoskeleton improved WHC by removing rigor induced shrinkage of myofibrils. WHC was not significantly affected by calcium chloride marination. The percentage of cooking loss increased significantly (P < 0.05) on da 1 and thereafter it remained static till day 8. Calcium chloride was not found to affect the percentage of cooking loss. The comparatively higher loss observed in the study could be attributed to the lack of external fat covering and marbling in the buffalo LD steaks. Ageing is found to improve the colour of fresh meat from day 1 onwards. But calcium chloride marination did not have any additional effect on the colour of aged meat. The decline in postmortem pH to 5.6 on day 1 contributed to higher L, a, b values which increased the light scattering properties. On subsequent days, L, a, b values remained without significant changes. This could be due to the antioxidant action of amino acids and dipeptides formed during postmortem proteolysis, which preserve the methmyoglobin reducing activity. In treatments A and AM the MFI followed a gradual significant decrease (P < 0.01) from 768.0 ± 40.52 to 541.78 ± 34.63 on day 1 and day 8, respectively in aged steaks. While in marinated it declined to 465.28 ± 29.79 on day 8. Significantly lower (P < 0.01) value of 630 ± 42.88 on day 2 in marinated samples was comparable to that in the aged samples on day 4, indicating the early achievement of tenderness in marinated samples. MFI varied little with ultimate pH. MFI is deemed as a very useful indicator of meat tenderness particularly when sample size is smaller for the determination of shear force or sensory evaluation. Significantly highest (P < 0.01) WBSF value of 11.37 ± 0.61 obtained on day 1 could be attributed to rigor induced shortening. The values declined significantly in treatments A and AM. The values obtained for the marinated steaks were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than the aged samples on all days postmortem. It reduced from 10.48 ± 0.48 at 1 h postmortem to 4.88 ± 0.45 in a course of 8 days. This indicated a 53.44% reduction in values from 1 h to day 8, while in aged sample only a 35.59% reduction was noticed in a course of 8 days. The sensory panel evaluation of organoleptic qualities showed that calcium chloride marinated steaks significantly improved (P < 0.01) in the scores for the different attributes studied on each day of ageing. No flavor problems or alterations in cooked color were noticed at 200mM CaCl2. Correlation studies in between MFI and WBSF revealed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) with r = 0.85 in A and 0.84 in AM on all days from 1 to 8. This indicates that MFI could be used as an indicator of tenderness of fresh meat rather than cooked. WBSF and MFI were strongly correlated with the overall tenderness measured by taste panel evaluation. The overall tenderness was more negatively correlated with SF (r = 0.70) rather than MFI (r = 0.65). The tenderness and other organoleptic qualities of buffalo longissimus steaks could be improved significantly by post-rigor marination with 200mM CaCl2 (5 % w/w) on day 1 and subsequent ageing at 2 – 4o C for 4 – 8 days. The tenderness improved by 53.44 per cent in marinated steaks as against 35.59 per cent in those aged without marination. The improvement in tenderness could be attributed to the activation of μ- and m-calpain by calcium ions and the autolysis of calpastain at 2 - 4o C of ageing.ThesisItem Open Access Effects of preslaughter stress and irradiation on physicochemical qualities of meat(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Vivek, A K; KAU; Kuttinarayanan, P (Guide)The effect of stress on the blood parameters and physicochemical qualities of meat as well as effect of irradiation on the qualities of fresh meat from stressed cattle were investigated in the present study. A total of 27 culled adult cattle from different farms were grouped into three, having nine animals in each group. Group I animals were considered as control while group II animals were transported for 2 h and slaughtered immediately after transport. Group III animals were transported for 6 to 7 h and given rest for 18 h before slaughter. Blood samples were collected prior to transport in all the animals, immediately after transport in group II and III and after 18 hours rest, before slaughter, in group III animals. Meat samples were collected from all the animals in which half of the samples were subjected to irradiation at 2.0kGy with gamma irradiation, as Cobalt 60 as source. The samples were stored at 40C for further studies. Animals in all the groups were having homogenous blood values prior to transport in cortisol, CK, BUN, creatinine and PCV. After transport, group II had a significant increase in cortisol (P<0.01), CK (P<0.01) and BUN (P<0.05), while group III had a significant increase in cortisol (P<0.01), CK(P<0.01), BUN (P<0.05) and creatinine (P<0.05) except PCV, in which the increase in cortisol and CK were significantly (P<0.01) greater than that in group II. By giving rest, even though there was significant (P<0.01) reduction in cortisol and CK values, the after rest values of cortisol (P<0.01), CK (P<0.01) and BUN (P<0.05) were significantly higher than that of the before transport values. In the case of pH and WHC, the trend was almost similar, with a higher value at zero hour and the decline was drastic in zero to 6 h, followed by 6 to 12 and 12 to 24 h and the control and irradiated samples did not show any significant difference in the decline. Cooking loss of the control and irradiated samples did not have a significant difference at zero hour storage, while the 24h storage brought a significant (P<0.01) increase in cooking loss in all the samples and irradiated samples had a significantly (P<0.05) higher cooking loss at 24h. Shear force values were significantly (P<0.01) less for irradiated samples while storage significantly (P<0.01) increased the values of all the samples. The Hunterlab colour values, L, a, b, C and hue angle, were significantly (P<0.01) higher in irradiated samples at zero hour storage. At 24h storage, the values were significantly (P<0.01) higher than that at zero hour, and only the hue angle values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in irradiated samples. Even though there existed a slight difference between control and irradiated samples in various organoleptic qualities like colour, flavour, juiciness and tenderness, there was no significant difference in overall acceptability between control and irradiated samples. In the present study, the differential response due to irradiation for the stress given to the animals, found to be statistically non significant leading to the result that irradiation conditions did not have an impact on the meat obtained from stressed animal.ThesisItem Open Access Quality and shelf life of low fat restructured turkey meat loaf(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Naseera, A P; KAU; George, T OommenThe health conscious consumers prefer low fat meat products and therefore, the present study was designed to develop a suitable formulary for low fat restructured turkey meat loaf and to assess its physico-chemical and cooking characteristics, sensory qualities, proximate and mineral composition, nutritional value, shelf life and cost of production. Four different formulations, viz., low fat control loaf without fat or fat replacer (LFC), added fat control loaf with 10 per cent sunflower oil added on meat weight basis (AFC), low fat loaf with 0.2 per cent carrageenan (CG) and low fat loaf with 4 per cent nonfat dry milk (NFDM) using skinless lean white and dark turkey meat (2:1), curing ingredients, spices and condiments were prepared. The baked loaves were sliced, packaged aerobically and under vacuum in high density polyethylene and polyamide-polyethylene pouches, respectively. The shelf life of the loaves at 0-4oC for 40 days and -20oC for 60 days were evaluated based on 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (TBARS), sensory qualities, moisture, protein and fat contents. The pH of the loaves with fat replacers was more (P< 0.05) than the uncooked loaf mix in the range of 5.8-6 and could be considered low acid food. NFDM had the highest (P< 0.05) percentages of 93.29 cooking yield, 65.82 moisture retention (MRP) and 108.7 fat retention (FRP). Carrageenan improved (P< 0.05) the cooking yield and MRP but not FRP. The fat replacers significantly reduced the shear force of the loaves. The percentage of moisture, protein, fat and ash in the mixture of skinless turkey white and dark meat were 75.08, 20.79, 2.11 and 0.95, respectively. The white meat is an excellent source of protein and minerals with the least amount of fat. As the percentage of fat in CG and NFDM were 1.53 and 1.57, respectively they can be labeled as ‘low fat’ as per regulations (<3). Moisture loss on baking was significantly lower for CG and NFDM. but it did not affect other components. The per cent contribution of protein in CG and NFDM to the RDA were 26.21 and 26.83, respectively. Addition of nonfat dry milk significantly increased the percentage of carbohydrate, ash, K, Ca and P and their contribution to RDA. The percentage RDA of calories from fat was 0.63 and 0.64 for CG and NFDM, respectively and below the recommended 30 per cent. The TBARS values of the low fat loaves were lesser than the acceptable range of 1mg malonaldehyde/kg loaf for oxidative rancidity, irrespective of packaging and period of storage. Carrageenan and nonfat dry milk had no significant influence on reducing lipid oxidation. The fat replacers increased the sliceability, flavour, juiciness and overall acceptability of the low fat loaves on day zero but it did not affect the texture, saltiness and mouth coating. NFDM was rated higher for colour, flavor and overall acceptability than CG. The packaging, addition of fat replacers and period of storage at 0-4oC and -20oC for 40 and 60 days, respectively did not affect the appearance, colour, texture and mouth coating. Even though the flavour, juiciness and overall acceptability of the packaged loaves with fat replacers reduced (P< 0.05) on storage, these were moderately acceptable up to 40 and 60 days at 0-4oC and -20oC, respectively. Carrageenan and vacuum packaging enabled in retaining flavour and juiciness on storage. Irrespective of the period of storage and packaging a significant reduction in the moisture and corresponding increase in protein and fat of all loaves was noticed on d 60 of storage at -20oC. The cost of production per kg of CG and NFDM were Rs.167/= and Rs.164/=, respectively. The recipes for a low fat (<2 per cent) restructured turkey loaf with 0.2 per cent carrageenan and 4 per cent nonfat dry milk were developed economically with good overall acceptability, cooking yield, nutritional value and shelf life up to 40 and 60 days at 0-4oC and -20oC, respectively under aerobic and vacuum packaging systems.ThesisItem Open Access Preservation of meat cutlet employing gamma radiation under different packaging systems(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Salke, Dinkar Babanrao; KAU; Kuttinarayanan, P (Guide)Ready-to-fry beef cutlets were prepared in the Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy. They were packaged under aerobic condition in HDPE packets and under vacuum in PA-PE packets. Half number of samples was subjected to irradiation employing gamma irradiation at 2.5 kGy. Samples were stored under room temperature (25-30oC) and in chiller (3-4oC). Samples were analysed for proximate composition on the day of preparation and for pH, TBARS, TV, microbiological and organoleptic qualities on day 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 70 of chiller storage. Shelf life of beef cutlet was assessed on the basis of physical signs of spoilage. The nonirradiated samples kept at room temperature were spoiled within 21 h, whereas irradiated sample had the keeping quality of 34-42 h (IRAP and IRVP). In chiller condition the NRAP sample spoiled within 12-15 days, whereas irradiated sample had a shelf life of 50-55 days. The shelf life was 19-22 and 66-71 days in NRVP and IRVP samples, respectively. The proximate composition, Ca and P content were not affected due to irradiation. The pH of the sample was not affected due to irradiation in different treatments, storage and packaging. TBARS and tyrosine value were unaffected by packaging and irradiation, whereas on storage the values were increased. Aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic plate count, yeast and mould count were significantly reduced due to irradiation, while packaging had not shown any significant effect. About 76 per cent reduction in aerobic plate count, 74 per cent reduction in psychrotrophic count and 70 per cent reduction in yeast and mould count was noticed. As storage period enhanced the counts were increased. Since the products are stored under chiller condition the survived bacteria might have been multiplied and count has gone up. The organoleptic qualities were assessed with help of 9 point Hedonic scale. The colour and flavour of the product were unaltered due to irradiation or packaging on the day of preparation. The juiciness and tenderness score had increased due to irradiation with the highest values of tenderness in IRVP samples. The overall acceptability was not affected due to irradiation or packaging on the day of preparation. A gradual decrease in overall acceptability and other score were observed due to storage with IRVP sample scoring the highest. The irradiation preservation of beef cutlet was beneficial for enhancing the keeping quality of beef cutlet under chiller conditions without affecting the qualities. 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. Vacuum packaging of the product combined with irradiation has shown about 25 per cent increase in keeping quality compare to ordinary packaging and 4 times increase compared to nonirradiated samples. Irradiation of the product combined with chiller storage requires less electrical energy for preservation of the product. Considering the extended shelf life, wholesomeness of the product, reduced microbial load and energy saving aspects vacuum packaging followed by irradiation can be advocated as a suitable method for preservation of meat and meat products.ThesisItem Open 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, PThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Determination of residues of carbofuran and its metabolites in tissues of buffaloes and ducks(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Poulson Joseph; KAU; George T, OommenA research work on the determination of residues of carbofuran and its metabolites in tissues of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was under taken. The objectives were to develop and standardise a suitable simple method of extraction of residues of carbofuran and its metabolite from meat, liver, kidney and fat of buffaloes and ducks for reversed phase HPLC analysis and to apply this method for further screening of animal tissues for monitoring these residues Fifteen samples of each tissue of buffaloes and ducks were randomly collected from different lots of slaughtered animals in Kerala. Different solvents, viz., acetonitrile (ACN), acetone, methanol, hexane and 2-propanol were used for the extraction of carbofuran residues and its metabolite from tissues. The extracted samples were cleaned up by liquid-liquid partitioning for HPLC analysis using Schimadzu LC-10 AVP series with UV/VIS detector at 211 nm in a mobile phase of acetonitrile (35): water (65). Certified standard references of carbofuran and its metabolites, viz., 3-hydroxy carbofuran, 3-keto carbofuran, 3-hydroxy 7-phenol carbofuran, 3-keto 7-phenol carbofuran and carbofuran phenol were analysed in HPLC to identify the chromatogram peaks of respective compounds. Excellent linearity was observed for carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran at 1, 10 and 100 ppm. Based on the highest percentage of recovery, ACN was chosen as the best solvent for extraction of residues from meat, liver and kidney and hexane for fat. This solvent system was applied for the extraction of residues in a further HPLC residue monitoring programme in the tissues of buffaloes and ducks. In buffalo meat, liver, kidney and fat the residues of carbofuran and its metabolites could not be detected and hence denoted as below detection limit (BDL). Residues could not be detected in all duck tissue samples, except in one sample, wherein 3-hydroxy carbofuran was detected at 2 ppm and 0.9 ppm in meat and kidney, respectively which is above the MRL. An appropriate method is developed for the screening of animal tissues to detect the presence of residues of carbofuran and its metabolites. This would enable in monitoring and surveillance of residues of carbofuran in animal tissues, hazard analysis and determining the critical control points.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of low dose gamma radiation on the quality of intermediary moisture pet food(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Rana Raj, V R; KAU; Kuttinarayanan, PThe effect of low dose gamma irradiation on the quality of intermediary moisture pet food was assessed in the present study. Dog biscuits were prepared using meat cum bone meal, plain flour (Maida), blood, rendered fat, eggs, wheat bran and black gram flour. The mix was baked at different time temperature combinations to attain three different moisture levels of 10, 15 and 25 per cent. The samples were separately packed in High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) packets at a rate of 200g each and then subjected to gamma irradiation using Gamma Chamber 5000 at various doses of zero, 2.0 kGy, 3.0 kGy, 4.0 kGy, 6.0 kGy and 8.0 kGy. After irradiation the samples were kept in ambient temperature for further analysis like proximate composition, development of rancidity, microbiological quality and palatability/ acceptability attributes on the day of preparation and then on 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of storage or till spoilage which ever was earlier. The proximate compositions of the dog biscuits of all moisture levels were not significantly affected by various doses of irradiation and days of storage. The TBARS values were shown a significant (P<0.05) increase with the increase in the doses of irradiation. The days of storage were also affected the TBARS values significantly (P<0.05). The samples irradiated at 6.0 and 8.0 kGy of all moisture level dog biscuits were spoiled between 120 to 150 days where as the samples irradiated at 4.0 kGy showed a higher shelf life in the absence of any developed rancidity changes. The aerobic plate count was shown a significant reduction as the dose of irradiation increased, also a significant (P<0.05) increase was noticed with the days of storage. In 10 per cent moisture level dog biscuits, the samples irradiated at 6.0 and 8.0 kGy revealed 100 per cent reduction of aerobic organisms, where as the same result was obtained for the samples irradiated at 8.0 kGy in case of 15 per cent moisture level dog biscuits. Coliforms and staphylococcal organisms were present only in 25 per cent moisture level dog biscuits and they were completely destroyed at an irradiation dose of 4.0 kGy and above. All the samples under study were found free from E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium and faecal streptococcal organisms. The yeast and mould count also showed the same trend as aerobic organisms. The samples of 10 and 15 per cent moisture level dog biscuits were found free from yeast and mould when irradiated at 4.0 kGy and above, while the same result was obtained for 25 per cent moisture level samples on irradiation at 6.0 and 8.0 kGy. The palatability/ acceptability studies were conducted using the dog biscuits of 5, 10, 15 and 25 per cent moisture levels irradiated at 4.0 kGy. The dogs preferred intermediary moisture dog biscuits of 15 and 25 per cent moisture levels when compared with dry dog biscuits having 5 and 10 per cent moisture. It was observed that gamma irradiation of dog biscuits significantly reduced the microbial load with out affecting their proximate compositions. But higher doses of irradiation induced the production of oxidative rancidity. The palatability studies revealed that intermediary moisture level food was more preferred by the dogs than dry food. This study also found that the dog biscuits containing 10 per cent moisture and irradiated at 4.0 kGy had got the highest shelf life of more than 180 days.ThesisItem Open Access Hygienic processing technique for quality pig casing manufacture(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Thankachan, O T; KAU; George T OommenThe fresh small intestines of Large White Yorkshire pigs slaughtered in the Meat Technology Unit were harvested in order to evolve a suitable technique for the hygienic production and storage of pig rounds and to study the economic feasibility of its production. All the pigs were 8-9 months old and of the body weight 70-90 kg and maintained on the same nutritional status. The efficiency of sliming of the pig small intestine by the fermentation technique and by different concentrations of alkaline chemicals such as calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide was studied. The various quality parameters of the pig rounds such as cleanliness, appearance, yield, calibre, strength, texture, aerobic mesophilic counts on storage, shelf life and organoleptic qualities after stuffing with fresh pork sausage mix were evaluated. The economic feasibility of production of the rounds was also computed. The pig rounds processed were clean, white, almost transparent and without holes or cuts. The mean length of the round was 17.9 m and the yield was 77.6%. The rounds obtained were of 'Narrow' grade having 29 mm diameter. The casings were strong enough to withstand the pressure of stuffing. Although the overall acceptability of the rounds processed by fermentation technique was' good' the shelf life of the casings on storage in 40% sodium chloride at ambient temperature was less than 15 days. Addition of a little common salt in the water for soaking prevented over fermentation and putrifaction of the intestines till 30 hr. In order to improve the quality of the rounds by reducing the processing time and deteriorative changes, chemical sliming could be resorted to. On inspection and evaluation of the various qualities it was observed that the rounds processed using sodium bicarbonate (2% and 3%) and sodium hydroxide (0.5% and 1 %) were the most acceptable and ranked ‘good'. Their shelf life was also not less than 30 days. The commercial processing of pig small intestine into good quality pig rounds using sodium bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide was economically feasible.ThesisItem Open Access Shelf-life of marinated Rabbit meat(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Jayachandra Kamath, G; KAU; Kuttinarayanan, PSix Newzeland White crossbred rabbit were slaughtered and cut into suitable size. Cut - up parts were divided into 4 equal parts. Three marinades were prepared containing either curd, lime or vinegar, besides a control with salt alone. Samples were stored at -60 C and -200 C for 30 days period. Samples were subjected to different parameters like pH on zero day and tyrosine value, TBA number, aerobic plate count and sensory evaluation on zero, 5th, 15th and 30th day of storage. In this study, observed that the treatments had no significant effect on pH, tyrosine value, TBA number, aerobic plate count whereas storage period had significant effect on above parameters. Marination, storage period and temperature had significant effect on organoleptic qualities. The rabbit meat marinated with lime had lowest pH. Tyrosine value and TBA number obtained was lowest on zero day. On storage, the rabbit meat cuts treated with marinade gave higher scores in taste panel study. Treatment with lime juice was more expensive.