The research was aimed to observe the effect of malting and fermentation on antinutritional component and functional characteristics of sorghum flour. For whole sorghum flour, cleaned sorghum grain was milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For malting, cleaned sorghum grain was steeped in 0.2% calcium hydroxide solution for 24 hr and then germinated for 48 hr at 90% RH and 27 ± 2°C. Sprout was removed, dried in hot air oven at 50 ± 2°C for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. For fermented sorghum flour, 13.3 mg% diastase and 2 mg % pepsin (on the basis of whole sorghum flour weight) was added to cooked (88 ± 2°C) sorghum flour and left for 1 hr. Lactobacillus plantarum (107 cfu/g) was inoculated and incubated at temperature 30 ± 2°C for 48 hr. The fermented slurry was dried at 50 ± 2°C in hot air oven for 24 hr and milled to pass through 40 mesh sieve. The lower yield of sorghum flour was obtained compared to whole and malted sorghum flour. Germination of sorghum reduced phytate, tannin, and oxalate by 40%, 16.12% and 49.1%, respectively, whereas fermentation of sorghum flour reduced above by 77%, 96.7% and 67.85%, respectively. There was no significant change in hydrogen cyanide in malted sorghum flour compared to whole sorghum flour, but fermentation of sorghum flour reduced hydrogen cyanide by 52.3%. Bulk density and viscosity was significantly reduced by the malting and fermentation, whereas water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity was markedly increased by the malting and fermentation. Fermented flour was good due to reduced ANF and improved functional property despite of lower yield.

Five rice varieties newly adopted in NARC were studied for their varietal differences in relation to quality characteristics such as physicochemical and cooking qualities. In physical analysis bulk density, density, thousand kernel weight and length to breadth ratio were recorded as highest in ‘Lumle-2’ (0.602gm/ml), ‘Lumle-2’ (27.789gm), ‘UPLRI-5’ (1.361gm/ml) and ‘IET-16775’ (4.710) varieties respectively. The milling and head rice recovery were recorded maximum in ‘Lumle-2’ (78.821%) and ‘UPLRI-5’ (78.282%) respectively. Protein, fat, amylose, crude-fiber and total-ash were ranged from 8.292-13.346%, 1.147-1.872%, 24.541-27.396% and 0.707-1.379% respectively. Iron, phosphorous and calcium content were estimated in the range 1.016-2.325mg/100g, 204.036-336.532mg/100g and 16.189-29.813mg/100g respectively. From organoleptic test, ‘IET-16775’ variety was scored as strongest aroma. ‘Lumle-2’, ‘Chhomrong’, ‘Machapuchhre-3’ varieties were shown as intermediate gelatinization-temperature and ‘UPLRI-5’ and ‘IET-16775’ varieties were recorded as high gelatinization-temperature. Water uptake ratio, cooking time, elongation ratio and gruel loss were found in the range 1.696-2.667, 18-25minutes, 1.252-1.428, and 2.477-6.188% respectively.

Sisnu (nettle buds) of variety Urtica plaviflora, an under explored herb of Himalayan region, was preserved by fermentation followed by drying process and quality was evaluated. Chemical analyses of fresh Sisnu was found to be 84.4% moisture, 3.64g crude protein, 4.15g ash, 1.66g fiber, 0.52g fat, 64.10mg potassium, 23.65mg calcium, 17.17mg Sodium and 32.12mg

The performance of nanofiltration (NF) as influenced by hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) and filtration temperature during the concentration of milk protein concentrate (MPC) was investigated. Pasteurised skim milk was concentrated using ultrafiltration (UF) to prepare UF retentate (MPC80, 20% total solids, TS), which was then further concentrated using NF at 22°C and 50°C with or without HC treatments until permeate flux declined to 0.1 L/m 2 /h. Results showed that UF retentate can be concentrated to higher TS (up to 31.5%) at higher filtration temperature or by applying HC, with synergistic effect in combination of both treatments, during NF.

Ostrich meat is very popular due to its healthy composition thereby increasing its demand globally. Therefore, one study has been made on quality of ostrich meats of different ages at chilled and frozen conditions by targeting product development. Meat samples from two differently aged, 10- and 14-months ostriches were collected and divided into three parts for each type. One part was analyzed immediately, one part was put in chilling at 4°C for 72 hours and next part was put in deep fridge at -20°C for 30 days. Proximate analyses were carried out for moisture (73.98 to 75.22%), protein (21.08 to 22.46%), total fat (2.43 to 3.27%) and total minerals (0.83 to 1.82%). There was subsequent decrement in moisture at cold storage practices, at 72 hours chilling by 1% and one month freezing by 2.3% and there was no significant (?) difference in water content due to the age of bird. The amount of protein was found increasing at chilling, freezing and ageing? total fat was significantly different due to the age as well as meat storage practices and total ash was in decreasing trend in case of chilling and freezing conditions but found no difference due to the age.