3 research outputs found
Utilization of Agro-Industrial Wastes as Edible Coating and Films for Food Packaging Materials
Mostly, food packaging employs synthetic materials obtained from nonrenewable sources. These packaging materials are based on petrochemicals and cause substantial environmental problems by producing massive amounts of non-biodegradable solid wastes. Edible coatings and films are considered as the potential solution to these problems of non-biodegradable packaging solid wastes for maintaining food-environment interactions, retaining food quality, and extending shelf life. In addition, edible coatings and films offer prevention from microbial spoilage of packed foods by controlling moisture and gas barrier characteristics. Increasing environmental concerns and consumer demands for high-quality eco-friendly packaging have fueled the advancement of innovative packaging technologies, for instance, the development of biodegradable films from renewable agricultural and food processing industry wastes. Therefore, the current chapter presents the application of edible coatings and films as an alternative to conventional packaging, emphasizing the fundamental characterization that these biodegradable packaging should hold for specific applications such as food preservation and shelf life enhancement. The primary employed components (e.g., biopolymers, bioactive, and additives components), manufacturing processes (for edible films or coatings), and their application to specific foods have all been given special consideration in this chapter. Besides, a future vision for the use of edible films and coatings as quality indicators for perishable foods is presented
Assessment of the Food Security Status of Households Belonging to different Regions of Himalayan Belt
India has not only achieved self-sufficiency in food production but also enhanced its ability to deal with
inter year fluctuations in production. Despite the much commended economic growth of the country,
the average calorie consumption in India has declined over the years and has been low in comparison
to international standards. Hilly states in particular, confront multiple food insecurity risks owing to
many reasons like dominance of traditional agriculture, low yields of food and cash crops, and lack
of market incentives, etc. Three northern hilly states namely; Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh
and Uttarakhand constitute the Himalayan belt of India. Out of the three hilly states Uttarakhand was
purposively selected for the study due to higher below poverty line (BPL) percentage (RBI, 2012) and
the higher rank (6th rank) in the development disability index (NIPFP report, 2013) than the other two
states. The present study assessed the existing food security status of the state over the National Sample
Survey Organization (NSSO) rounds and measured inequality in calorie intake across various income
groups. The study utilized unit record data on household consumption expenditure surveys extracted
from CDs for two rounds viz., 61st round (2004-05) & 68th round (2011-12) conducted by NSSO. The
state was first categorized into two regions viz., hill and plain region. Households in either region were
further classified into different quartiles on the basis of their monthly per consumer unit expenditure
and across these quartiles the information was obtained. To assess the incidence, depth and severity of
food insecurity Foster, Greer and Thorbecke-FGT (1984) class of poverty measures was used Inequality in
calorie intake among different expenditure class was calculated through Gini coefficient. Results revealed
that despite a noticeable decline in the share of food expenditure till 68th round it was still more than 50%
among people of lower income group (LIG) in plains and LIG and lower middle income group (LMIG)
in hills. At an overall level hilly region fared well in terms of calorie intake than plain region of the state
in each round. The head count index of food insecurity showed that the incidence of food insecurity in
plains came down to 52% in 68th round from 61% of 61st round and 39% from 46% in hills during the
same period. A considerable difference in dietary pattern when viewed in terms milk and milk products
consumption, edible oils, fruits, vegetables and sugars was observed across income groups. The head
count index of food insecurity in 61st round showed that 61% households in Plains and 46% households
in hills were food insecure, this incidence of food insecurity came down to 52% in plains and 39% in hill
region till 68th round. Inequality in plain region was lower in each round, when compared to that in hilly
region. A targeted monitoring to ensure food availability through PDS to lower income population can
be done and range of food products can be increased for this particular target grou