FoodSci: Indian Journal of Research in Food Science and Nutrition

M. Amirthaveni ¹, Palak Daga ¹

Affiliations
1 Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Capsicum, a common name of Capsicum annuum L., is an annual herbaeceous plant of the Capsicum genus belonging to the Solanaceae family. India contributes to one fourth of the world production of capsicum with an average annual production of 0.9 million tons. About 1.67 million metric tonnes of capsicums was produced in India during the period of 2013-2014. Capsicums are highly perishable and harvested over a restricted period. Therefore the need for proper storage techniques arises to regulate marketing and to provide high-quality produce throughout the year. Edible coatings are thin layer of edible materials formed directly onto the surface of the food that can be eaten as part of the whole product without bringing any undesirable change in the foodstuff. Use of edible coatings as an alternative post harvest preservation technique for fruits and vegetables has been gaining an increasing interest. Green capsicum was coated with two different coatings made of gum Arabic and Aloe vera gel and were kept at refrigerated and ambient storage for a period of 25 days and were observed for the post harvest quality characteristics. It was seen that these edible coatings were found to be effective and acceptable in extending the shelf life of capsicum in both refrigerated as well as ambient conditions. However, the capsicums stored in refrigerator were found to be marketable for a long period of time. The edible coatings showed remarkable retention of nutrients during storage.

Keywords

Aloe Vera Gel, Ambient Conditions, Capsicum, Edible Coatings, Gum Arabic.

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K. Gomathi ¹, M. Amirthaveni ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Home Science, Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem – 636016, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore – 641043, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Prediabetes an asymptomatic intermediate state of hyperglycemia with blood glycemic parameters above normal but below the diabetes threshold with high probability of developing diabetes. Hence, main aim of the study was to screen the prediabetics using IDRS (Indian Diabetic Risk Score). Around 948 healthy volunteers (office administrators, employees, trainees and authorities) between the age of 25-60 years were selected from a Central Government funded center and from five private industries for screening the prediabetic subjects. From the 948 participants screened, 540 (57%) were males and 408 (43%) were females. About 35% male and 36.3% female subjects, were having an IDRS of ≥ 60 and were categorized as subjects with high risk vulnerabilities. From the high risk vulnerabilities group, about 120 (35.6%) subjects (64 male and 56 female) who had fasting blood glucose level ranging between 100-125 mg/dl were identified as prediabetics.The study revealed that the prediabetics can be screened in a simple and effective way for large populations.

Keywords

Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Indian Diabetic Risk Score, Prediabetes.

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