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Departments
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Colleges
Food Science and Nutrition
The department of Food Science and Nutrition is one of the five departments in the Faculty of Community Science, Assam agricultural University, Jorhat, which was established in the year 1973 with a mandate of teaching, research and extension. This department empowers students, under the purview of undergraduate and post-graduate (M.Sc & Ph.D) course curricula in the broad areas of Food Science, Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Food Safety, Quality Control, Food Processing and Preservation, Institutional Food Service Management, Nutraceutical and Functional Foods. As per the guidelines of Indian Council of agricultural Research, a new undergraduate programme Food Nutrition & Dietetics was initiated from 2019. Adorned with highly qualified staff, the department forms an intra intellectual community with diversified areas of interest.
The department is adequately equipped with modern infrastructure for carrying out high quality teaching to produce graduates and postgraduates with knowledge and skills competent enough to work in the arenas of Food Science & Nutrition. It is also accomplished of carrying out research leading to development of environmentally sound and economically viable technologies for sustainable development. The department has been maintaining its standard in research by selecting research problems of national and international standing. Various funding agencies like Food & Nutrition Board, Govt. of India; Wheat Associates, New Delhi; Ministry of Food processing, Govt. of India; Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Nutrition Foundation of India; Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Biotechnology, Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences etc are providing research grants to carry out meaningful research in the, otherwise, unexplored region of the North East India. Major thrust areas of research are Food Studies, Nutrition Studies and Food Service Management Studies. In the extension front department is involved in upliftment of nutritional status of populations from different corners of the society.
The department has introduced certificate courses on Bakery for the educated unemployed youths for enhancing entrepreneurship development and helping them to be economically independent and sustainable.
Vision: The vision of Department of Food Science and Nutrition is to provide value based education and creating professional competency among the student community to compete with the global challenges as well as contribute to strategic research in prevention of diseases through effective application of nutrition knowledge for improving human health and well-being. Mission:
Food and Nutrition is undoubtedly an unique science of applied nature and is the crux of the Quality Human Resource. It’s importance through various life cycles of people in health and disease is the current focus of research for health and nutrition professionals. Curriculum of this department not only benefits the students academically but also looks into the variegated needs of the community to sensitize them about foods and facts in the realm of health, productivity, endurance capacity and cognitive behaviours. Thus, the Mission of the Department could be envisaged as Empowerment of individuals, families and communities in food, nutrition and health related knowledge and practice to generate dependable human resources enabling them to contribute towards the development of self and society.
Thurst areas of research:· Maternal, Infant and Child nutrition
· Nutrition of diverse populations in domestic settings
· Nutrition education in schools, communities and food assistance programs
· Clinical nutrition and biomarkers of nutritional effects on health and disease
· Life cycle nutrition, from mechanisms and models of development through chronic disease
· Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
· Food analysis
· Sports Nutrition
· Public Health Nutrition
· Food product development
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus | * courses are compulsory |
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus |
1 | FN 504 | Advances in Community Nutrition | 3(1 + 2) | * courses are compulsory |
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus |
1 | FN 504 | Advances in Community Nutrition | 3(1 + 2) | |
2 | FN 606 | Nutrition in Agriculture Interface | 3(3 + 0) | * courses are compulsory |
Projects
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On Going
- Assam Agricultural University sponsored project on "Value addition of Grand Naine(G9) banana: For Entrepreneurship Development", projcet cost Rs.730000 Lakh
- Govt. of Assam sponsored project on "Processing and value addition of millet for nutrition and livelihood security” under Millet promotion through R&D activities in Assam", projcet cost Rs.1966900 Lakh
- Govt. of Assam sponsored project on "Processing and value addition of millet for nutrition and livelihood security” under Millet promotion through R&D activities in Assam", projcet cost Rs.1966900 Lakh
- BARC-AAU MoU sponsored project on "Studying enhanced shelf life in fish and fish product using modified packaging", projcet cost Rs.45000 Lakh
- AAU sponsored project on "Value addition of Grand Nane (G9) Banana: For entrepreneurship development", projcet cost Rs.7.8 Lakh
- AAU sponsored project on "Development of climate resilient millet based cropping system", projcet cost Rs.14.2 Lakh
- Government of Assam sponsored project on "Processing and value addition of millet for nutrition and livelihood security” under Millet promotion through R&D activities in Assam",
- ICAR sponsored project on "NAHEP project on Bakery", projcet cost Rs.21,31,358/- Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on "AICRP on Home Science (Food and Nutrition)",
- Indian Council Of Agricultural research sponsored project on "All India Coordinated Research Projects on Home Science",
- Indian Council Of Agricultural research sponsored project on "All India Coordinated Research Projects on Home Science",
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Completed
- Save the Children sponsored project on "Moving towards a sustainable private sector by creating responsible business behaviour in tea industry in Assam as Co-PI", projcet cost Rs.3.29 Lakh implemented in 2019. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Manisha Choudhury)
- Save the Children sponsored project on "Compilation of existing government and private sector schemes relevant for the small tea growers of Assam", projcet cost Rs.0.946 Lakh implemented in 2019. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Manisha Choudhury)
- ICMR sponsored project on "Consumption pattern of food and food products/item high in fat, salt and sugar among selected cities/ towns and rural population of India", projcet cost Rs.50 lac Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
- STC,ICAR sponsored project on "Skill Development training in Food Product Development", projcet cost Rs.20 lac Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "“Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP).", projcet cost Rs.20 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Luna Dutta Baruah)
- ICAR sponsored project on "“Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP).", projcet cost Rs.20 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Premila L Bordoloi)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research sponsored project on "TSP project on livelihood security", projcet cost Rs.20 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP) as Co-PI", implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
- ICMR sponsored project on "ICMR Task Force Study on “Consumption pattern of Food and Food Products/items high in fat, salt and sugar among selected cities, towns, and rural population of India as Co-PI", implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP)", implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ruma Bhattacharyya)
- ICAR sponsored project on "“Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP).", projcet cost Rs.20 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Premila L Bordoloi)
- ICMR Task Force sponsored project on "Consumption pattern of food and food products/items high in fat salt and sugar, among selected cities/town and rural population of India", projcet cost Rs.2278000 Lakh implemented in 2017. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
- BARC-BRNS sponsored project on "Development & evaluation of dehydrated irradiated jackfruit", projcet cost Rs.2770000 Lakh implemented in 2016. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
- DBT sponsored project on "Development of waxy and non waxy foxtail millet genotypes suitable for Assam and Tamil Nadu and preparation of value added food product in collaborati", projcet cost Rs.31 Lakh implemented in 2014.
- Sathguru foundation-USAID sponsored project on "Solar drying of fruits and vegetables", projcet cost Rs.0.3 Lakh implemented in 2014. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
- Ministry of Food Processing Industries GOI.New Delhi sponsored project on "Development of Value added products from Minor Fruits of Assam", implemented in 2014. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ruma Bhattacharyya)
- DBT sponsored project on "Development of waxy and non waxy foxtail millet genotypes suitable for Assam and Tamil Nadu and preparation of value added food products.", projcet cost Rs.26,05,000/- Lakh implemented in 2013. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
- USAID initiated by Sathguru Foundation sponsored project on "Food Product Development Programme under AIP", projcet cost Rs.3.0 lac Lakh implemented in 2011. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
- NTRF sponsored project on "Knowledge and practice of women tea plantation workers of Assam regarding Nutrition, Health & Hygiene", projcet cost Rs.4.0 lac Lakh implemented in 2010. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Standardization of selected Ethnic fermented foods and beverages by Rationalization of Indigenous knowledge (NAIP-IV) as CCPI", implemented in 2009. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
- ICMR sponsored project on "Consumption Pattern of Carbonated Soft drinks by Indian population at different times of the year", implemented in 2008. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ruma Bhattacharyya)
- UNICEF sponsored project on "ICMR Co-ordinated project on "Sub Clinical Vitamin A deficiency among children (6-71 month) of Assam and Rajasthan" as Senior Scientist", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
Achivements
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Achievement in Research and technology
The Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science under AAU is one of the pioneer departments engaged continuously in research work since its inception. The research activities and technologies developed therein were the outcomes of various research projects funded by national and international agencies and postgraduate studies. Following are the recent technologies developed by the department.
1. PRATIKAR (I) (Year of release- 2021), Cereal pulse based malted complementary food, rich source of both macro and micro nutrients .
2. POUSTIK (II) (Year of release- 2019): Cereal-pulse based malted complementary food, rich source of both macro and micro nutrients.
3. PAPAYA CANDY (Year of release- 2015): Rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and β- carotene
4. ROYAL CARROTTE YOGHURT (Year of release- 2018): Probiotic drink rich in carotene and proven antidiarrheal property against E. Coli and Clostridium perfringens.
5. ROYAL MANGUE (Year of release- 2018): Probiotic drink rich in carotene and proven antidiarrheal property against E. Coli and Clostridium perfringens.
6. POSHAK MISHRAN (Year of release- 2019): Gluten free and low GI flour mix.
7. PRATIKAR (1) (Year of release- 2021): Multigrain mix with whole wheat flour and other functional ingredients (foxtail millet flour, gram flour and fenugreek seed flour) having blood glucose lowering effect. Richest source of energy, protein, dietary fibre, minerals and vitamins.
8. JACKFRUIT CHIPS (Year 2017): Processed jackfruit chips from matured unripe bulb.
9. DEHYDRATED RIPE JACKFRUIT BULB: Osmotically dehydrated ripe jackfruit bulb.
10. DEHYDRATED TENDER JACKFRUIT - Ready to cook dehydrated tender jackfruit pieces.
11. JACKFRUIT CANDIES: Dehydrated ripe jackfruit pulp. Nutritious energy dense snacks item suitable for children.
12. JACKFRUIT LEATHER: Dehydrated jackfruit pulp with concentrated sugar, Nutritious energy dense snacks item suitable for children.
13. ASSAM MIX II : Nutrient dense complementary foods for infants, young children and geriatrics.
14. SAMAGRA ATTA (Year of release : 2018): Ultra low GI sorghum based multigrain flour rich in dietary fibre and antioxidants.
15. “PRATIKAR” MULTI GRAIN MIX FOR DIABETES (Year of release 2019): Low GI flour mix with functional food ingredients like red rice flour, black rice flour, foxtail millet flour, whole green gram flour, whole bengal gram flour and greens.
16. POSHTIK MULTIGRAIN ATTA FOR OBESITY (Year of release 2019): Contains whole wheat flour and other functional food ingredients like kidney beans flour, red rice flour, whole green gram flour, whole bengal gram flour and greens.
17. NUTRIENT DENSE MULTIGRAIN MIX FOR UNDER NUTRITION: Contains functional food ingredients such as popped foxtail millet, red rice flakes, sesame seed, roasted groundnut, roasted bengal gram, dates and jaggery
18. READY TO FRY FISH CRISP (Year of release : 2019): A healthy snack with goodness of fish. Made from rice flour and fish powder, developed from locally available small fish of Assam. High protein low carbohydrate snack. Good source of calcium and other minerals.