ABSTRACT
An attempt was made to develop coconut shell-based eco-friendly packaging material for the packaging of set-type dahi. Beeswax was used to improve the moisture barrier properties of coconut shell (CS). UV treatment for 60 min showed complete disinfection of the coconut shell surface. The top open side of the coconut shell was sealed with aluminium foil using pectin solution as adhesive. Set-type dahi was prepared and packaged in beeswax coated CS (BCCS) and evaluated for physico-chemical, textural, sensorial and microbiological quality changes for a period of 21 days at 6 ± 1 °C. The rate of increase in acidity was found slower in BCCS as compared to dahi packaged in polypropylene cups (control). There was no whey separation, consequently water-holding capacity and firmness of product were better in dahi packaged in BCCS. The sensorial analysis revealed better body and texture properties for dahi packaged in BCCS. However, the flavour score of dahi packaged in BCCS decreased comparatively after 12 days due to the absorption of coconut flavor by the product. These findings demonstrated the potential of coconut shell based eco-friendly packaging material for packaging set-type dahi and thereby aim to reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastics.
ABSTRACT
The continued increase in human population has resulted in the rise in the demand as well as the price of edible oils, leading to the search for alternative unconventional sources of oils, particularly in the developing countries. There are hundreds of un- or underexplored plant seeds rich in oil suitable for edible or industrial purposes. Many of them are rich in polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, which establish their utility as "healthy oils." Some agrowaste products such as rice bran have gained importance as a potential source of edible oil. Genetic modification has paved the way for increasing the oil yields and improving the fatty acid profiles of traditional as well as unconventional oilseeds. Single cell oils are also novel sources of edible oil. Some of these unconventional oils may have excellent potential for medicinal and therapeutic uses, even if their low oil contents do not promote commercial production as edible oils.
