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Background: Lifestyle diseases are ailments caused due to unhealthy living pattern. Maize being an affordable and inexpensive cereal crop for unprivileged people and has potential benefits also which can be utilized with other grains to develop functional flour. Methods: The present investigation was conducted during 2020-21 in the Laboratory of Department of Food and Nutrition, Dr. RPCAU. The raw ingredients viz. maize (variety 'Lakshmi'), flaxseed, chickpea, barley, ragi and wheat were procured from local market Pusa or farmers. After processing with various methods, different proportions of flour were developed. Bulk density, water absorption capacity and proximate composition were determined. Result: The result showed that bulk density ranged from 0.57 to 0.67 g/ml, whereas water absorption capacity varied from 1.08 to 2.16 g/ml. Proximate composition such as moisture content ranged from 6.53 to 11.55 g/100 g, ash 1.26 to 1.9 g/100 g, protein 5.83 to 11.08 g/100 g, fat 1.60 to 5.33 g/100 g, fibre 11.09 to 18.27 g/100 g, carbohydrate 56.45 to 65.09 g/100 g whereas level of minerals like iron varied from 3.68 to 5.71 mg/100 g, zinc 2.83 to 3.76 mg/100 g and calcium 25.73 to 132.28 mg/100 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designed experiments were conducted to prepare extrudates from different cereals blends using twin screw extruder. Linear model was developed using Response Surface methodology (RSM) to study the effect of the variables (rice, wheat, maize) on SEI (sectional expansion index), WAI (water absorption index), WSI (water solubility index), texture and color. Maize had a significant positive linear effect on the SEI and a significant negative effect on the texture of the extrudate. Rice had a positive linear effect on the WAI and WSI Combination of maize and wheat had a significant effect on the color of the extrudates. Maximum desirability of 0.659 was recorded at the 45.4% rice, 27.3% maize and 27.3% wheat levels. The predicted responses in terms of SEI, WAI, WSI, texture and color were 5.14,5.27g/g,l 1.24 per cent, 44.81N, 28.65 respectively. The predicted values registered non-significant difference from the experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filed experiments were conducted during 2004-2006 in maize (Zea mays L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping sequence to study the effect of application of P fertilizer along with P solubilizing microorganisms on yield, P response and nutrient availability in an alkaline soil Typic Haplustept. The results revealed that the grain yield significantly increased with the application of fertilizer. Highest grain yield was recorded with the inoculation of VAM in combination with SPP @ 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 in maize and PSB along with RP @30 kg P2O5 ha-1in wheat crop. Higher yield response was found to be (141.3%) in maize and (127.5% ) wheat with the application of 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 + VAM, whereas P use efficiency was highest with the inoculation of VAM along with 30 kg P2O5ha-1 in maize (32.7 kg grain kg-1P2O5) and wheat (34.3 kg grain kg-1P2O5). A significant improvement in organic carbon and available N and P was also observed with the combined use of SSP and VAM or rock phosphate and P solubilizing microorganisms. The results indicated that inoculation of biofertilizers in combination with limited doses of rock phosphate or SSP produced higher and sustainable crop yields, maintained the soil health and reduced the P fertilizer cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]