Food Science Research Journal

Navjot Kaur ¹, Priya Singla ¹, Neerja Singla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, LUDHIANA (PUNJAB), IN

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies in the early part of life may lead to severe health hazards in the later life. Unawareness regarding nutrition, poverty, ignorance and illiteracy in the slum areas leads to less intake of nutrients than recommended and aggravates the health problems to great extent. A study group belonging to low socio economic status residing in slum areas aged (4-6 years) was selected for their daily food and nutrient intake. General information, family history, dietary habits, food and nutrient intake was obtained using a questionnaire. Macronutrient intake of the subjects portrayed a surplus intake of protein and fat in comparison to RDA but micronutrient deficient intakes of the study group was seen. Intake of energy, β-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, ascorbic acid, iron, calcium and zinc was less than recommended intake. Less intake of nutrients were observed to be due to the less average food intake of all the food groups among the subjects.

Keywords

Food Intake, Nutrient Intake, Pre-School Children, Slum Areas.

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Harmanjot Kaur ¹, Kiran Grover ¹, Navjot Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrient, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab), IN

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition counselling along with multiple strategy community intervention provided to pregnant women who have registered in Mother and Child Care Unit of Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, a total of 60 pregnant women in the age group of 20-40 years during 1^st trimester of pregnancy were selected. The subjects were divided into two groups (Control with multiple strategy community intervention and Experimental with nutrition counselling + multiple strategy community intervention). Nutrition counselling with a holistic approach through lectures, discussions, power point presentation and demonstrations was imparted to the subjects for 5 months. The findings revealed that dietary intake of various food groups and nutrient intake of energy, protein, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium and iron significantly (P≤0.05) increased during post intervention in the experimental group but the diet still remained inadequate. A significant (P≤0.05) increase was observed in the mean haemoglobin level of the subjects from 9.22±0.75 g/dl to 10.19±0.85 g/dl in the experimental group. All the anthropometric indices of the neonates in the experimental group were significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the control group. The study recommends that counselling along with multiple strategy community intervention prove to be an effective measure to achieve maternal and child health.

Keywords

Haematological Profile, Multiple Strategy Community Intervention, Neonates, Nutrition Counselling, Pregnancy.

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Megha Bansal ¹, Navjot Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab), IN

Abstract

Ragi is millet, packed with fibre and calcium, is extremely beneficial due to its enormous health benefits. The millet is wholesome and recommended for all age groups. This study was planned to analyse the effect of processing on the nutritional composition of ragi. Raw and malted form of ragi were nutritionally analysed. Significant changes in nutritional composition of ragi were observed during processing. The raw ragi flour had good amounts of crude protein (4.6%), crude fat (3.06%) and crude fibre (14.8%). Amounts of amino acids were on the higher side i.e. tryptophan (116.77mg/100g protein), methionine (181.56mg/100g protein) and lysine (195.67mg/100g protein), as well as total sugars (5.32g/100g) and starch (0.82g/100g). Malting of ragi enhanced the crude protein (7.11%), ash (4.13%), tryptophan (250.13mg/100g protein) and methionine (351.1mg/100g protein) content. The antinutritional components reduced after the process of malting. The results revealed that malting of ragi should be done to enhance its nutritional profile and to maximize health benefits.

Keywords

Malted Ragi, Processing, Proximate Composition, Amino Acids, Anti Nutritional Components.

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Megha Bansal ¹, Navjot Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab), IN

Abstract

Ragi, the low cost millet, is a rich source of dietary fibre, calcium and phytochemicals with nutraceutical potential. Ragi contains about 6-13 per cent protein, 1-2 per cent fat, 65-75 per cent carbohydrates, 15-20 per cent dietary fibre and 2.5- 3.5 per cent minerals. Thirty sportswomen in the age group of 18 to 22 years were selected from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to determine the effect of supplementation of malted ragi (Eleusine coracana) beverage on nutritional status of sportswomen. During experimental period sportswomen were supplemented with 250 ml of most acceptable beverage for the period of four months. The results revealed that the developed beverage was having good amount of energy (218.19 kcal), protein (11.78 g), fat (6.81 g), calcium (172.6 mg), iron (3.73 mg) and phosphorus (102.2 mg) per 100 g. The mean daily food intake of cereals, pulses, ischolar_mains and tubers, fruits, milk and milk products, fats and oils and sugars increased significantly (p<0.05) after experimental period. Also significant increase was observed (p<0.05) in the intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin A, folic acid and vitamin C after the experimental period. The increase in the haemoglobin, TIBC and serum calcium of the sportswomen after experimental period was increased to 12.30 g/dl, 457.01 μg/dl and 9.77 mg/dl, respectively. Therefore, ragi in malted form can be utilized for the development of highly nutritious beverage.

Keywords

Sportswomen, Malted Ragi Beverage, Supplementation, Nutrients, Haemoglobin, Nutraceutical.

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