Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India Research Articles

One-Pot Interference-Based Colorimetric Detection of Melamine in Raw Milk via Green Tea-Modified Silver Nanostructures.

Detection of melamine has proven to be a challenge, requiring the use of complex analytical techniques. This study introduces an innovative, straightforward one-pot technique for qualitative assessment of the milk adulterant melamine. Originally, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by utilizing green tea extract, which acted as both a reducing and sensing element. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Melamine, rich in -NH2 groups, interacts with the biopolyphenols of green tea extract through hydrogen bonding. This interaction inhibits the formation of nanoparticles, resulting in a noticeable colorimetric response. The data obtained were confirmed by a standard UV-vis spectrophotometer and validated by the high-performance liquid chromatography technique. The limit of detection achieved by this scheme was quite low, falling below the permissible levels recommended by government bodies, e.g., the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Evaluation of the Effects of Edible Coatings of Ocimum sanctum and Aloe vera on Jaggery Shelf Life

Background: In western Uttar Pradesh, jaggery is a widespread cottage enterprise based on agriculture, and farmers are forced to sell their product at a lesser price when it is still fresh. Therefore, it was thought to be desirable to create better storage techniques in order to extend its shelf life. Aloe vera, and Ocimum sanctum, often known as "Tulsi," are frequently utilised as antimicrobial food additives because they offer a host of other health advantages in addition to their well-known antibacterial qualities. Because the edible coatings made of these herbs provide a semi-permeable barrier to gases and water vapours, they may prolong the shelf life of jaggery by preventing degradation. Objective: The goal of the current study was to assess the ability of edible coatings of common Indian herbs, such as tulsi and Aloe vera,, to extend the shelf life of jaggery while maintaining attributes that are equal to those of fresh jaggery, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Methodology: The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, total viable count, and antibacterial activity of tulsi-Aloe vera, coated (TAC), Ocimum sanctum, and Aloe vera, (AC) jaggery were assessed and compared with non-coated control. The physicochemical properties were ascertained using standard methodology for measurement of reducing sugars, proteins, phenols, saponins, tannin, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The antimicrobial activity was ascertained by means of the agar double diffusion method. According to established protocol, antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the reducing power assay. Results: According to the research, there is no discernible microbiological deterioration and the edible coatings containing tulsi and Aloe vera, extend the shelf life of jaggery during storage. When compared to uncoated jaggery, coatings were efficient at preventing the growth of both Gramme positive and Gramme negative microorganisms. Over the course of six months, the herb-infused coatings also retained their phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, which improved their anti-oxidant efficacy when compared to the untreated control group.

Exposure assessment and risk characterisation of aflatoxins in randomly collected rice samples from local markets of Hyderabad, India

Aflatoxin (AF) poisoning of staple foods, such as rice, is caused by fungal contamination by Aspergillus species. These AFs are genotoxic, carcinogenic and suppress the immune system. Hence, the present study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence of AF contamination in rice samples collected from local markets of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The rice samples collected were analysed for AF by using HPLC-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Based on AF contamination levels and dietary intake of rice, the health risk was assessed by the margin of exposure (MOE) and liver cancer risk in adults, adolescence and children. The percentage detected contamination with AFB1 and AFB2 of rice samples was 54% and 34%, with the concentration ranging between 0–20.35 µg/kg and 0–1.54 µg/kg, respectively. Three rice samples exceeded the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) total AF acceptable limit of 15 µg/kg. The average MOE values were 53.73, 50.58 and 35.69 (all <10,000) for adults, adolescence and children, respectively. The average liver cancer risk associated with rice consumption in the population of Hyderabad was found to be 0.27, 0.28 and 0.40 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases/year/100,000 individuals in adults, adolescence and children, respectively. This study revealed an adverse health risk to population of Hyderabad due to consumption of AF contaminated rice.

Cannabis sativa: A therapeutic medicinal plant-global marketing updates

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for recreational, medicinal, or religious purposes and the therapeutic potential of medicinal Cannabis was demonstrated in various medical conditions. The legalization of Cannabis is an important source of economic growth as it contributes to the growing revenue tax, and the creation of new workplaces. The maturity of the Cannabis market varies across the globe mainly due to differing legal environments and public attitudes towards Cannabis. Some countries such as Canada and the United States have adopted fully regulated frameworks that allow the cultivation, consumption, and retail distribution of various Cannabis products. Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the production, distribution and consumption of cannabis in 2013. The Cannabis market in Canada and the USA is experiencing rapid growth due to the country's legalization of recreational use. Regulations can also differ regarding how cannabis is used. However, the use, cultivation, and marketing of Medical Cannabis sativa (drug or Marijuana type ) is banned and prohibited in India due to the presence of high levels of psychoactive principle THC (Narcotic drug). On the other hand, Industrial Cannabis sativa (seed or fiber type) Hemp was legalized in 2021 by The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Government of India, New Delhi. In Azerbaijan, Cannabis is not available for medical or recreational use. Recreational Cannabis and medical marijuana are illegal in Azerbaijan. Marijuana is illegal for medical and recreational purposes in China. There is still a huge prejudice in society about medical Cannabis due to its recreational use. However, this scenario is changing, and the social resistance is decreasing for the medicinal use of Cannabis. The Cannabis (Hemp) market in India is predicted to experience a substantial revenue growth, with projections indicating that it will reach ₹US$100.80m by 2024. The Cannabis market worldwide is projected to reach a revenue of US$60.79bn in 2024. The global legal marijuana market size is expected to reach USD 73.6 billion by 2027 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 18.1% during the forecast period.

Trace metals in commercial seafood products (canned, pickled and smoked): Comparison, exposure and health risk assessment

This study used inductively coupled plasma and mass spectrometry, followed by microwave digestion, to assess the concentration of six trace metals (Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in three canned products (tuna in oil [TIO], sardine in oil [SIO], and mackerel in oil [MIO]), two pickled products (prawn pickle [PP] and fish pickle [FP]), and one smoked product (masmin) collected from Tuticorin market, southern India. Trace metal (TM) levels in canned, pickled, and smoked fish varied from 0.01 to 1.48, 0.009 to 0.94, and 0.08 to 4.13 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of TMs in the seafood was observed in the following order: As > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd > Hg. Regarding their accumulation in the seafood products, masmin showed the highest levels followed by SIO, MIO, TIO, FP, and PP. The results revealed that smoked products showed higher TM concentrations, followed by canned and pickled products. The level of TMs in seafood products was below the maximum residue limit set by the European Commission (EC/1881/2006) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Risk assessment for consumer health implied that the evaluated target hazard quotient (THQ < 1), hazard index (HI < 1), and target cancer risk (TCR < 1.E−04) values did not exceed their guideline values and did not cause non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health impacts through seafood product consumption. The pollution index (Pi) values of TMs in seafood products ranged from 0.01 to 0.7, with As and Cd showing the lowest and highest values, which were below 0.7, indicating their safety for consumption. The metal pollution index (MPI) for TMs in seafood ranged from 9.E−05 to 0.007, with the lowest and highest values associated with PP and TIO products. The MPI value for seafood products was below 1, signifying low TMs accumulation, suggesting the safety of seafood for consumption. The maximum seafood meal consumption limit (CRmm) was calculated, showing that adults can safely consume > 16 meals/month without chronic or acute toxicity. The results of this study suggest that the accumulation of TMs in the analyzed seafood product was below the health guidelines and pollution index values, making it suitable for smooth domestic and international export as well as safe consumption.

Assessment of the Microbial and Chemical Safety in the Street Food – A Review

Improper personal hygiene can facilitate the transmission of pathogenic Bacteria found in the environment and on people’s hands via food. The present study is undertaken to investigate the microbiological quality and chemical residue present in the different street food samples in Karad, Maharashtra. For Microbial Screening of various street food samples, Enrichment spread plates, streak plate techniques, and Biochemical characterization will be performed. For chemical analysis, the chemical Residue present in street food will be analysed by spectroscopy. The Microbial and chemical safety of Street foods will be compared with WHO guidelines for food safety and other food regulatory Standards. FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Strategies For the will be set on the Basis of collected data enhancement of Microbiological and chemical Safety of street-vended food.

Synergetic Effect of Fermented Coconut Inflorescence Sap for the Production of Virgin Coconut Oil

The study aimed to optimize the process parameters for the production of virgin coconut oil (VCO) by exploring the use of aerobic fermented neera (coconut inflorescence sap) at different concentrations (ranging from 5% to 25%). Fermented neera can be prepared from fresh neera without incurring additional expenses, presenting a potential advantage over commercially available cultures in the market. Coconut milk was extracted from a coconut kernel using a hydraulic coconut milk expeller. The extracted coconut milk was then fermented with varied concentrations of fermented neera ranging from 5% to 25%, and then, the oil layer was separated. Fermented neera as a starter at a concentration of 10% resulted in the highest VCO yield of 19.8% following 14 hours of fermentation. The study also found that the fermentation duration of the starter (6-hour, 8-hour, and 10-hour fermented neera) and its concentration had significant effects on the yield of VCO. However, the effects of starter on the physical properties (moisture content, viscosity, specific gravity, and refractive index) and biochemical profile (free fatty acid, peroxide value, acid value, saponification value, iodine value, and total phenolic content) of the resultant VCO were not significant. The physicochemical properties of the VCO produced using the fermented neera-based coconut milk fermentation method met the standards stipulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC). Thus, fermented neera offers a novel economical alternative to enhance the fermentation rate during VCO production.

Milk Quality Prediction Using Machine Learning

Milk is the main dietary supply for every individual. High-quality milk shouldn't contain any adulterants. Dairy products are sold everywhere in society. Yet, the local milk vendors use a wide range of adulterants in their products, permanently altering the evaporated. Using milk that has gone bad can have serious health consequences. On October 18 of this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the nation's top food safety authority, released the final result of the National Milk Safety and Quality Survey (NMSQS) and declared the milk readily available in India to be "mostly safe." According to an FSSAI survey, 68.4% of the milk in India is tainted. The quality of milk cannot be checked by any equipment or special system. Milk that has not been pasteurized has not been treated to get rid of harmful bacteria. Infected raw milk may contain Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and other dangerous pathogens. These microorganisms pose a major risk to your family's health. Manually analyzing the various milk constituents can be very challenging when determining the quality of the milk. Analyzing and discovering with the aid of machine learning can help with this endeavor. Here a machine learning-based milk quality prediction system is developed. The proposed technology has shown 99.99% classification accuracy.

Nutraceutical Regulations in India: A comprehensive Review

The term "Nutraceutical" was coined from "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical" in 1989, a Nutraceutical is any substance considered as a food or its part which, in addition to its normal nutritional value provides health benefits including the prevention of disease or promotion of health. Due to the adverse effects of drugs, consumers are preferring food supplements to improve health. Nutraceutical demand will grow with increasing risk of diseases is expected to boost product demand over the forecast period. High cost associated with healthcare treatments has resulted in rising consumer interest in Nutraceuticals. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established, which consolidates various acts and orders that were in existence to handle food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The regulatory framework of Nutraceuticals in India needs attention from the relevant authorities. Globally, the regulatory authorities are aware of changing needs of consumers and proactively protect consumers by amending existing laws to accommodate changes but in India old laws such as Prevention of Food adulteration Act, 1954, which regulates packaged foods, still exist for manufacturers.

Foodborne Diseases - A Public Health Challenge

+Foodborne diseases are caused by consuming foods contaminated with toxic chemicals or biotoxins or foods containing bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or foods containing bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Foodborne infections are a major global health problem that causes substantial morbidity and mortality around the world. Each year, over 600 million people are affected by foodborne diseases. Children under five years are particularly at a high risk comprising 30% of the total foodborne deaths annually. Foodborne diseases are classified as foodborne infection, foodborne intoxication and foodborne toxic infection. Ingestion of viable pathogens like bacteria, viruses, parasites and protozoa along with the food leads to food infection. Ingestion of preformed toxins, previously generated by bacteria in food, are causes foodborne intoxication. Staphylococcal intoxication and botulism are some examples of food intoxication. Foodborne toxic infection is caused by microorganisms that create toxins in situ after being eaten with food, infecting the intestine. Cholera, listeriosis and Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis are some examples of toxic infections. Foodborne diseases can be prevented by proper sanitation and hygiene, using safe raw materials and using the right temperature to prepare and store food. Safe food handling practices can be ensured by following HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) guidelines. Foodborne disease will continue to be a major hazard around the world, but with effective sanitation and hygiene, prevention is not difficult.

Examining claims on food packages in India: Are they inadequate and deceptive?

This study examines the presence of claims on 230 food packages marketed in India and the extent of compliance with guidelines provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The results reveal that word claims (natural) and nutrient content claims are most popularly used on food packages. Still, a large number of claims used on food packages cannot be classified or verified due to the absence of clear definitions from the regulator. In addition to this, unhealthy foods carry claims and foods also contain claims which have been stated as prohibited. These findings call for timely necessary actions on part of the regulator to protect the health of consumers.

The effect of different decontamination processes on the residues of fipronil and its metabolites in chili fruits (Capsicum annuum L.).

Fipronil is a broad-spectrum phenyl pyrazole insecticide that has a high degree of environmental toxicity. Commonly available chilies in the market are treated with fipronil insecticides. Demand for insecticide-free chili has thus been increasing globally. This needs various sustainable and economical methods to remove insecticides from chilies. The present study examined the effectiveness of several cleaning methods to remove pesticide residues in chili fruits. A supervised field trial was conducted in randomized block design at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, India. Chili samples were subjected to seven different household methods. The samples were extracted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The residues were analyzed using a gas chromatograph-electron capture detector and confirmed by GC-MS. Of the seven methods, the acetic acid treatment removes the maximum residue effect of fipronil and its metabolites (desulfinyl [MB046513]), sulfide (MB045950), and sulfone (MB046136) on chili fruits. By contrast, the tap water treatment was the least effective. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have set the maximum residue limit value of 0.001 mg kg-1 for fipronil on green chili.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in commercially important marine species from Puducherry coast, Southeast India

Safety of aquatic products is one of the important public health concerns globally, mainly in developing countries with culture and capture fisheries. In the present study, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, As and Cd in the muscle tissues of crustaceans, molluscs and finfishes collected from the Pondicherry (Puducherry) coast were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Among the analysed organisms, maximum concentration of Cu (26.1 ±0.83μg/g) was observed in Perna viridis, Zn (25.03 ±0.82μg/g) in Charybdis feriata, 1.33 ±0.04μg/g of Cr in Atule mate, 1.48 ±1.05μg/g of Pb in Sardinella fimbriata, 2.88±2.16μg/g of Cd in Nemipterus jopanicus and 0.72 ±0.15μg/ g of As in Decapterus russelii. Among the various marine organisms studied, the benthic species showed higher metal accumulation than the pelagic species. The heavy metal accumulation level differed significantly between the organisms. The elemental levels in analysed organisms are within the maximum acceptable levels proposed by various international standards and guidelines. Hazard index (HI) of all the analysed marine organisms showed distinctly lower values than threshold value as suggested by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for all the studied elements. Overall, the analysed marine organisms are considered safe for human consumption and export. This study provides the baseline data on heavy metal contamination in edible marine organisms from the Puducherry coast of India that will help in developing effective management plans and continuous monitoring of the coast.

Changes in morphology and yield attributes of Nigella sativa L. by copper (Cu) induced toxicity

The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Cu-induced toxicity on the growth, yield parameters, and Cu accumulation in the seeds of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) plants. In this experiment, plants grown in earthen pots filled with 3 kg of garden soil were contaminated with different dilutions (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0) of Cu in millimoles (mM), except for the control. Growth, yield, and Cu bioaccumulation parameters were recorded and analyzed at the harvesting stage. Results revealed that all doses of Cu show a considerable negative effect on the growth and yield parameters of black cumin as the concentration of Cu increased in the soil and reduced all of the growth parameters significantly (p ≤ 0.05). With each Cu dose, the levels of chlorophyll a and b in the tissues of fresh leaves decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Fruit and seed yield also decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from the lower to the higher dose of Cu (1.5 mM to 4.0 mM). Cu bioaccumulation levels in the seeds of all treated plants (Control to 4.0 mM Cu) are under the threshold limit for Cu set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and World Health Organization (WHO) for spices and are safe for human consumption. Finally, due to the low seed yield in Cu-contaminated soil, it is advised to farmers that Nigella sativa should not be grown in Cu-contaminated soil to avoid economic loss.

Mycotoxin Monitoring, Regulation and Analysis in India: A Success Story.

Mycotoxins are deleterious fungal secondary metabolites that contaminate food and feed, thereby creating concerns regarding food safety. Common fungal genera can easily proliferate in Indian tropical and sub-tropical conditions, and scientific attention is warranted to curb their growth. To address this, two nodal governmental agencies, namely the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), have developed and implemented analytical methods and quality control procedures to monitor mycotoxin levels in a range of food matrices and assess risks to human health over the last two decades. However, comprehensive information on such advancements in mycotoxin testing and issues in implementing these regulations has been inadequately covered in the recent literature. The aim of this review is thus to uphold a systematic picture of the role played by the FSSAI and APEDA for mycotoxin control at the domestic level and for the promotion of international trade, along with certain challenges in dealing with mycotoxin monitoring. Additionally, it unfolds various regulatory concerns regarding mycotoxin mitigation in India. Overall, it provides valuable insights for the Indian farming community, food supply chain stakeholders and researchers about India's success story in arresting mycotoxins throughout the food supply chain.

Dissipation kinetics, risk assessment, and waiting period of spiromesifen on chili fruits using gas chromatography-electron capture detector.

A supervised field trial was designed in Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to assess the dissipation and persistence of spiromesifen in chili fruits. Spiromesifen (22.9% suspension concentrate) was sprayed two times at an interval of 10 days at the recommended dose (96 g. a.i. ha-1 ) and double the recommended dose (192 g. a.i. ha-1 ) with four replications. Sampling was done according to the planned interval of days after the second spray. Extraction and cleanup were performed using the modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and the spiromesifen residue was analyzed by GC-electron capture detector and confirmation performed using GC-MS. The average initial deposit of spiromesifen was 1.207 mg kg-1 and 1.948 mg kg-1 at the recommended and double the recommended dose, respectively. The half-life values of spiromesifen ranged between 2.7 and 3.2 days at the recommended and double the recommended dose. The safe waiting period was calculated for the respective doses and it was concluded that an average of 7 days is safe for picking. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) have set the maximum residue limit of 0.1 mg kg-1 for spiromesifen in green chili. The theoretical maximum residue contribution value of spiromesifen was lower than the maximum permissible intake at both the applications on the 0th day. Hence, there will be no adverse effects on human health after consumption of green chilies.

Past, Present, and Likely Future of Nutraceuticals in India: Evolving Role of Pharmaceutical Physicians.

Nutraceuticals are gaining importance owing to the current pandemic situation and increasing focus on overall health. Nutraceuticals include products, which help in maintaining immunity and prevent diseases. It also includes products that support the optimal functioning of the human body. Poor nutrition plays an important role in lifestyle-related disorders as well. Various nutraceuticals have exhibited therapeutic potential, hence gaining popularity. Nutraceuticals are mainly categorized into dietary supplements and functional foods. With multiple factors contributing to the growth of nutraceutical industry in India, we are marching toward global leadership in nutraceuticals. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is solely responsible for regulating the approvals, promotions, and labeling standards for health supplements and nutraceuticals. As the understanding of these nutraceuticals is improving, the regulations are becoming stricter and there is a pressing need to monitor the usage of such products regularly and stringently. Nutrivigilance and phytovigilance are relatively new concepts in our country; however, regulatory authorities need to proactively observe the adverse effects and issues related to substandard and counterfeit nutraceutical products. Healthcare professionals including pharmaceutical physicians can play an important role in safeguarding the population by advocating the rational use of nutraceuticals, food supplements, and consumer health products.

Analytical method development, validation and study on behaviour of ipfencarbazone in paddy (rice).

Supervised field trial was conducted to study persistence of a pre-emergent herbicide, ipfencarbazone (25% SC) on rice crop. Single application of two different doses, 156.25 g a.i.ha-1/625 mL formulationha-1 and 312.50 g a.i.ha-1/1250 mL formulationha-1, was applied. Method was validated to analyse ipfencarbazone in rice samples (leaf/plant, grain, straw and husk) and in soil. Initial accumulation of ipfencarbazone in rice plants was 6.72 and 14.71 mg kg-1 in standard and double dose, respectively. The residues decreased linearly with r2 values of 0.92 and 0.98 in different doses and reached below limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.01 μg kg-1 (for rice plant/leaf) and 0.05 μg kg-1 (for rice grain, husk, straw) on 30th and 97th (harvest) day respectively after application in both the doses. An average half-life of ipfencarbazone was approximately 4 days. Less than LOQ levels at harvest and short half-life suggest that the use of ipfencarbazone is safe, provided good agricultural practices (GAP) are followed. The data can be used by regulatory authorities like Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and CODEX for establishing maximum residue limits (MRLs) of ipfencarbazone.

Development of a predictive model for determination of urea in milk using silver nanoparticles and UV–Vis spectroscopy

Determination of urea in milk is inevitable in the dairy industry for the quality control processes. A simple and cost-effective method was developed to determine the concentration of urea in milk by silver nanoparticles (uncapped and citrate capped) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The developed nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and a colour change was noted from yellow to blue upon nanoparticles interaction with urea. A predictive model was developed using the spectral data from the analyzed samples. The developed model was able to measure urea concentration (between 6 mg/dL to 90 mg/dL) in milk with the coefficient of determination (R2) more than0.90 and was validated through para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) method suggested by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The average accuracy and sample percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) obtained through the developed method + model ranged from 62.67 to 121.85% and 0.11–1.21%. The regression model for uncapped nanoparticles was found to be best-fitted (having R2 = 0.92, average accuracy 103.75 ± 8.69%), with higher closeness to the values obtained for urea by FSSAI-DMAB method. This proposed study proves to be useful for the qualitative and quantitative determination of urea in milk by small businesses in the dairy industry.

Effect of incorporation of Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) carbohydratederivatives on quality attributes of skim milk

Reducing the fat content of dairy products adversely affects their flavour, texture and mouthfeel which consequently affect the consumer acceptance of skim milk. It was observed in the present study that pasteurized toned milk (3% fat, 8.5% SNF) had better sensory properties and higher viscosities than pasteurized skim milk, showing the importance of fat in consumer acceptance of milk samples. In commercial practice, skim milk is therefore traded only upon UHT treatment as it was much better in sensory properties than pasteurized skim milk. Since carbohydrate derivatives are usually used as fat mimetics, Inulin fruitafit text and fruitafit HD and polydextrose were added at different levels (0-2.5%) to skim milk to improve its quality attributes. It is observed that incorporation of a 1% level of polydextrose in combination with either of inulins (@ 1%) had improved viscosity and sensory properties. The rheological properties of such milk were comparable to that of toned milk and better than that of UHT skim milk. The quality of the skim milk added with carbohydrate derivatives was not affected by the normal processing treatments, such as homogenisation, pasteurization, boiling and sterilization. The gross constituents such as fat, protein, lactose and ash contents did not differ much with the control skim milk sample. The pH, acidity, and color (measured as % reflectance) of the skim milk samples added with the derivative were within the normal range. The samples were heat-stable, had high MBR time and when packed in LDPE pouches and stored at 50C kept well for two days. After appropriate approvals from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) pasteurised skim milk added with GRAS carbohydrate derivatives can be commercialised with improved consumer acceptance and affordability.