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The selenium (Se) content in meals consumed by Sri Lankans for lunch, composed of fixed and random menus, was determined using Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The samples were obtained from five districts in Sri Lanka. The Se content (μg/kg) in meals of fixed and random menus was in the range of 48-70 and 53-60 respectively. These values are comparable to the daily requirement of Se (55 μg/kg) prescribed by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. There is no significant difference in Se content in meals consumed by people in the districts of Kandy, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Rathnapura, and Colombo, as well as among individual households in each district. The effects of different cooking methods on the Se content indicate that the level of Se (μg/kg) in fried chicken (30.45 - 52.49) is less than that in a chicken curry (61.38 - 84.25). The percentage loss of Se during cooking for chicken, dahl (Lens culinaris) and Gotukola (Centella asiatica) were 89.6%, 84.1%, and 79.9% respectively. The present study revealed that Se content in Sri Lankan menus provides the required Se for people. However, the different methods of cooking indicate that there is a loss of Se during cooking.

The analysis of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was performed in processed spices marketed in Penang, Malaysia, using immunoaffinity columns and HPLC equipped with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The processed powdered spices analysed include dried chilli, fennel, cumin, turmeric, black and white pepper, poppy seed, coriander, 'garam masala', and mixed spices for fish, meat and chicken curry. Two different studies were carried out. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.01 ng g(-1) for each aflatoxin (AF) and 0.10 ng g(-1) for OTA (signal-to-noise ratio = 3:1). In the first study, 34 commercial processed spices analysed with a mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for total AF were 1.61 ng g(-1), 0.01-9.34 ng g(-1) and 85%, respectively, and for AFB1 were 1.38 ng g(-1), 0.01-7.68 ng g(-1) and 85%, respectively. The mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for OTA were 2.21 ng g(-1), 0.14-20.40 ng g(-1) and 79%, respectively. Natural co-occurrence of AF and OTA was found in 25 (74%) samples. In the second study of 24 commercial processed spices, the mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for total AF were 8.38 ng g(-1), 0.32-31.17 ng g(-1) and 88%, respectively, and for AFB1 were 7.31 ng g(-1), 0.32-28.43 ng g(-1) and 83%, respectively. Fifteen positive samples for total AF and two positive samples for OTA exceeded the permissible Malaysian limit of 5 ng g(-1). Contamination of both mycotoxins in spices may represent another route of exposure to consumers due to their frequent and prolonged consumption, as spices are common ingredients in popular dishes among Asian countries.

A quantitative analysis of mineral contents in several kinds of foods is needed to obtain information on a comprehensive elemental composition as well as an investigation on the effects of human health and nutrition based on the dietary intake of mineral elements. In 2012, six kinds of new Korean space foods (KSF) such as sweet pumpkin porridge, dakgalbi (spicy grilled chicken), Manila clam porridge, ox leg bone-cabbage soup, ginseng-chicken porridge, and chicken curry rice were developed by KAERI, and the contents of more than 15 elements in the samples were determined using an instrumental neutron activation analysis. A certified reference material associated with a biological food sample was used for analytical quality control. The analytical results were evaluated according to the elemental concentrations with KSF samples and compared with the reported values. These results will be applied toward the identification of gamma-irradiated foods.

RTE Pineapple chicken curry, a traditional Kerala recipe, was prepared and standardized by using de-boned broiler meat chunks, pineapple and spices. The product having both meat and gravy (1:1.9) was packed in polyethylene pouches and stored at -18℃± 2℃for 6 months. During frozen storage, the free fatty acid (FFA) values were 0.28 - 0.46 (as percentage oleic acid) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were 1.68 - 2.45 (mg of malonaldehyde/Kg of sample) increased in both meat and gravy. Meat and gravy pH were in the range of 5.5 to 6. Marginal decrease in shear force values (43.4 - 39.6 N) were also observed. During storage the SPC was found to be decreasing over period of storage (100, 40, 20, -18℃± 2℃for 6 months.

Changes in physicochemical properties and microbiological quality of chicken curry during frozen storage were investigated. The curry, containing both meat chunks and gravy, was packed in polyethylene pouches, placed in waxed cartons, frozen and stored at -18 2C for 6 months. During frozen storage, free fatty acid (FFA) values (as percentage oleic acid) and TBA values (mg malonaldehyde/kg sample) increased in both meat and gravy. Meat and gravy pH were in the range 5.7-6.0. Marginal decreases in shear force values (from 34.5 to 30.0 N) for meat and in viscosity values (from 199.4 to 141.6 mPa) for gravy were also observed. Changes in Hunter colour (L*, a*, b*) values were also marginal. Standard plate counts (SPC), spore counts and psychrophilic counts (log cfu/g) were 4.5, 2.2 and 2.1, respectively, in freshly prepared curry; corresponding counts after frozen storage for 6 months were also low, at 2.3, 2.4 and 1.6, indicating that the product was microbiologically safe. Sensory scores suggested that the ready-to-use chicken curry was acceptable after frozen storage for 6 months.

Summary A hydrocolloidal fibre composite made from rice bran and barley flour, called Ricetrim, was found to have similar rheological properties to coconut cream. Coconut cream displayed a very narrow region of linear viscoelastic behaviour, both above and below strain values of 0.1%, the oscillatory shear modulus dropped sharply with increasing strain, indicating non-linear viscoelastic behaviour. This region of linear viscoelastic behaviour extended to strains of 10%. When Ricetrim was substituted for coconut cream in Thai foods, it was found to produce acceptable products, but with lower saturated fat contents. Cookies, pumpkin pudding, layer cake, dip for pot crust, taro custard and saute chicken curry were produced with fat contents reduced by 47.8, 94.3, 59.8, 75.3, 61.3 and 60.6%, respectively. Some differences in flavour and texture were observed at the higher levels of substitution, but these differences appeared to present only small changes in the overall score of general acceptability, or suitability, of the fibre gel foods. Scanning electron micrographs of the pumpkin pudding revealed only small changes in their surfaces with Ricetrim addition, even at higher levels of substitution.

Proximate and mineral composition of 30 different traditional and popular Indian foods, categorised as either ready-to-eat or easy-to-reconstitute or freeze dried products have been evaluated. Of the 30 products, the proximal score of eleven and mineral composition of two items have been reported recently, elsewhere. The various products employed for the present study include vegetable pulav, dehydrated pulses/curries, upma, mutton/chicken curry, which form part of main meals, and certain fruit beverage powders of pineapple, mangoes and grapes. All the products, tested for their shelf stability (minimum of 6–12 months at ambient conditions) and microbiological safety, have been found to provide approximately 350–660 kcals 100 g −1 (on moisture-free-basis), depending on the type of product. The pulse, meat/chicken items were found to be protein-rich. Fat content in all the products varied, depending on the amount of hydrogenated oil used in their preparations. However, the fruit-based products contained negligible amounts of both protein and fat. The various minerals and trace elements analysed, include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminium and lead. The elemental composition of each of the products varied with the different ingredients going into their preparation. However, it is noteworthy, that contaminants such as lead and aluminium are present in quantities well below the limits prescribed by standard institutions such as PFA and ASC. The nutrient database generated hitherto, while suggesting that the products are nutritionally good/safe, also enables nutrient-labelling of the products. Further, it helps the nutritionists and food planners to formulate different diets to meet the varied needs of the consumer.