The R&D Division strives to keep abreast of the latest dynamics in the development sector and propels scientific research in fields of food, agriculture and environment, thereby contributing to the knowledge domain as well as pioneering the dissemination of this knowledge in palatable form to the drivers of development across the country. Of the many functions, that the division plays, its core being able to translate scientific know-how into practical and functional inputs for the farmers, thereby, being able to customize best farming practices, encapsulate best agri technologies for progressive farmers, promote technology update and motivate behaviour change through impactful learning methodologies. It also undertakes field-oriented research projects on soil health, integrated remediation of contaminated soil using Phyto-technologies, climate smart agriculture, new food product development etc.
Research Projects undertaken at NAF:
Environment and Agriculture:
Mitigation of entry of heavy metals into the food chain project: As an efficient and low-cost adsorbent, biochar has attracted extensive attention and research in the field of heavy metal pollution water and soil treatment due to its superiority in heavy metal adsorption. Hence, three types of biochar such as coconut shell, rice husk and wood biochar were collected and characterized. The adsorption/ desorption study with respect to different biochar as well as heavy metals such as Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb has been completed. Incubation study to assess the chemical transformation of heavy metal contaminated soil with different biochar study has also been completed. Factors affecting the interaction between biochar and the heavy metals are being studied. Study of mechanism involved in adsorption of heavy metals by biochar is under progress and the manuscript is under preparation.
Nutritional Profiling of Traditional Rice Varieties of Tamil Nadu: This project aims at profiling of nutritional composition of different traditional rice varieties and providing a comprehensive data on nutritional composition, vitamins, determination of amylose content, quantification of bioactive compounds, and estimation of antioxidant activity. Traditional rice is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds to protect against lifestyle disorders including diabetes, obesity and hypertension and so on. So far, a set of 37 varieties were procured directly from farmers from 11 districts of Tamil Nadu and were analyzed for nutritional composition, bioactive compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins including vitamins B1, B2 and A; amylose content and antioxidant activity. More varieties are to be procured from farmers from other districts of Tamil Nadu for further studies.
New Food Product Development:
Effect of aloe vera and vegetable edible coating containing coleus amboinicus extract on quality and stability of high value fruits under appropriate storage conditions: The main objective is to develop an edible coating containing aloe vera solution and vegetable gelatin with coleus amboinicus (Karpooravalli) leaf extract as the bioactive component. The high medicinal value and the antimicrobial properties of the Coleus amboinicus (Karpooravalli) leaf will aid in increasing the post-harvest life of fruits and vegetables. Coating of high value fruits such as plums, avocados etc. using the developed edible coating solution of known concentration and study their properties for a specific period of time under appropriate conditions
