NUTRITIVE-VALUE OF A PROCESSED RATION COMPRISING POPULAR INDIAN DISHES

The protein quality of a ready-to-eat military ration comprising khichidi, preserved chapathi, dehydrated arhar (Cajanus cajan L) dal, vegetable pulav, chikki, milk powder and sugar has been evaluated both before and after storage for 6 months at ambient temperature (18-30-degrees-C), and with or without supplementation of a vitamin mix, by feeding to weanling rats for 28 days. The food intake, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and food conversion efficiency of the above ration were compared with those obtained on a casein diet. The data showed an improvement in weight gain without any change in food intake when the rats were fed the ration, whether fresh or stored, supplemented with vitamin mix. The results suggest a need for vitamin supplementation of the processed ration when consumed for extended periods.