Research

Agricultural Sciences

Title :	Novel Functional Foods from Millets Fermented beverages and Microgreens for improved gut health and immunity
Area of Research :	Agricultural Sciences
Focus Area :	Basic Science, Food and agriculture, Health
Principal Investigator :	Dr. Ramalakshmi A, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu (641003), Dr. Umamaheswari T, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Trichy, Tamilnadu (620027), Dr. Geethanjali S, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Trichy, Tamilnadu (620027)
Co-PI:	Dr. Balakrishnan M, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu (641003), Dr. Hemalatha G, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, Tamilnadu (625104), Dr. Parimalarangan R, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu (641003), Dr. Selvi J, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, Tamilnadu (625104)
Contact info :	ramalakshmia@gmail.com,umamaheshwari.t@tnau.ac.in geethanjali.s@tnau.ac.in,bala_tnau@tnau.ac.in ghlatha68@gmail.com,parimalaranganr@tnau.ac.in selvisathi81@gmail.com
Timeline Start Year :	2024
Timeline End Year :	2026
Total Budget (INR):	71,83,680

Details

Executive Summary :

Researchers are exploring functional fermented foods, including millet-based ones, to improve gut health and reduce non-communicable diseases risk. Fermenting these foods with elite Lactobacillus sp. reduces their anti-nutritional properties, enhances immunity, and improves texture and viscosity. The project aims to develop a spicy yoghurt-like fermented beverage from millets, and probioticate traditional millet porridge using retort processing for improved stability. The project also explores the potential of microgreens from millets as super foods, assessing their bioavailability, functionality, and effect on gut microbiota.

Equipments :

Rapid Visco-analyser ( Rs.1150000.00 ) , Rapid Visco-analyser ( Rs.0.00 ) , Growth chamber ( Rs.200010.00 ) , Growth chamber ( Rs.0.00 ) , Microplate reader ( Rs.234230.00 ) , Microplate reader ( Rs.0.00 )