S. K. Mathanghi ¹, G. Hemalatha ², S. Amutha ², S. Arulmozhiselvan ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Food Engg., College of Food & Dairy Technology, TANUVAS, Chennai - 600 052, IN
2 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, IN

Abstract

The study examines the impact of fruit and vegetable intake of the subjects against various risk factors concerned for Cardio Vascular Diseases and it was conducted at Chennai, being a very good representative metropolitan with normo glucose tolerance subjects belonging to various income strata. A semi-validated food frequency questionnaire was used to measure the fruit and vegetable intake and macro and micronutrients consumption was calibrated using nutrition software. Surplus intake of energy (10.31% in males 27.59% in females), protein intake (33.11% in males and 46.76% in females) and deficit intake of β-carotene, ascorbic acid and folic acid were observed. Lesser intake of fruits and vegetables were associated with greater BMI (>25 kg/m²). The mean body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), hip and waist circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were negatively associated with increase in fruit and vegetable quartiles. Biochemical measurements such as serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HDL, LDL, VLDL, total cholesterol to HDL ratio and post-prandial blood sugar were significantly associated with fruit and vegetable intake.

Keywords

Fruits and Vegetables, Cardiovascular Diseases, Protective Effects.

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P. Karuppasamy ¹, S. Kanchana ¹, G. Hemalatha ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, IN

Abstract

Millets are small seeded annual cereal grains. These are very hardy crops and can be grown successfully in infertility lands. These crops are less prone to diseases and pests'. Millets are particularly low in phytic acid and rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium and B-vitamins. It also contains higher proportion of unavailable carbohydrates and release of sugar from millet is low. Kodo millet and little millet are nutritionally superior to rice and wheat and provide cheap protein, minerals, vitamins and fibre and are rightly designated as nutritious cereals.

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P. Karuppasamy ¹, S. Kanchana ¹, G. Hemalatha ¹, N. Muthukrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai – 625104, IN

Abstract

Millets are small seeded annual cereal grains. These are very hardy crops and can be grown successfully in Infertility lands. These crops are less prone to diseases and pests. It is stable cereals like wheat and rice, some of them are even better with regard to average protein, fat and mineral contents. Millets are particularly low in phytic acid and rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium and B-vitamins. It also contains higher proportion of unavailable carbohydrates and release of sugar from millet is low. Over the past three decades cultivation and production of nutritious cereals is decreasing significantly, because of poverty, shifting consumption pattern from a balanced diet, widespread prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and also low consumption of nutritious cereals. But in the last two decades, grain based snack and convenience foods market had witnessed a very rapid growth all over the world.

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G. Hemalatha ¹, S. Amutha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai-625 104, IN

Abstract

Important traditional fish based snack foods are the crackers, known by different names in many countries of Asia. In India they are called wafers, flakes or crackers and in Malaysia they are called keropak. They are prepared from fish meat, starch, spices and salt. During frying they swell to 2-3 times their initial volume and become crisp and delicious. Minced fish meat, from either single or mixed species of fish is the raw material for the preparation of fish crackers.

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G. Hemalatha ¹, S. Amutha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Home Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, IN

Abstract

Among the ischolar_mains and other vegetables, carrot is the best source of carotene which is the precursor of vitamin A, an essential nutrient for maintaining health. Due to the seasonal and perishable nature of carrots, various methods of processing of carrots are practised. Osmotic dehydration and candying are effective techniques where concentrated sucrose solution is used for preservation of carrots, apple, pineapple, amla etc. Chocolate coating of candied or osmo dried carrots would upgrade the product both nutritionally and taste wise. The goal of chocolate coating is to give a particular character to the various centres and enhance its acceptability. The pressed centres generally conform of nuts, puffed cereals, caramel centers, chewing gum etc. No reports have been cited on candied fruits/vegetables serving as pressed centres. Hence the present study was aimed to study the acceptability and storage behaviour of chocolate coated candied and osmo dried carrot pieces, which in addition to serving as sources of energy, would also contribute ascorbic acid and β-carotene in appreciable amounts.

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G. Hemalatha ¹, A. Jaya Jasmine ¹, V. Ponnuswami ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Reseaich Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, Vallanadu - 628 252, IN

Abstract

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) belonging to the family of Solanaceae, is one of the most popular vegetables consumed widely throughout India. The fruits, however have very poor shelf life and this has been a major constraint in the marketing of brinjal fruits. Owing to the lack of information on an appropriate prepackaging method, the fruits not only lose their quality, but also result in substantial post harvest losses.

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G. Hemalatha ¹, Usha Chandrasekhar ¹, M. Sylvia ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore - 641 043, IN

Abstract

Malnutrition is the primary cause for wastage of human resources and a subsequent degradation of society. Women occupy an important position in any effort for controlling malnutrition as they are entirely responsible for the nutritional status of the family and hence the nation. It is thus imperative, that she maintains good health. Employment is the best and cheapest guarantee to enhance the nutritional status, as it supplements to the household income and paves for better purchasing power.

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G. Hemalatha ¹, P. Paramaguru ¹, V. Ponnuswamy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, Vallanad - 628 252, IN

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava), the apple of the tropics is the fourth most important fruit in India, after mango, banana and citrus. It is highly nutritious, rich in ascorbic acid and minerals. A guava contains more than five times as much vitamin C as orange. The flesh and seeds are also useful source of pectin. Efforts are underway in many guava producing countries to develop new guava varieties suitable for processing, high yield and quality fruits, both for domestic and export markets. The present study thus aims at studying the physico-chemical characteristics of selected guava cultivars so as to aid in horticultural breeding.

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