Ananda Chandrasekara

Wayamba University of Sri lanka · Department of Applied Nutrition

The demand for probiotic food products has been increased over the last few decades. The current study aimed to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical properties of two set yoghurt types prepared using cow milk (CM) and buffalo milk (BM) with three different concentrations of inulin (1%, 2% and 3% w/v). Two types of starter cultures BB12...

Appropriate nutrition has a profound effect on the performances of athletes. Understanding their present knowledge, attitudes and practices is of utmost importance in changing their dietary behavior. The objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on diet and nutrition among a group of Sri Lankan national athletes. After obtaining th...

Background: The glycaemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate-containing foods based on their postprandial blood glucose concentration relative to a referent carbohydrate, generally pure glucose. However, testing GI is an in-vivo process which is costly and consumes much time compare to the in-vitro starch digestion (hydrolysis index – HI) method. Objec...

Underutilized roots and tuber crops have the potential to commercialize and contribute to the regular diet of the consumers. These crops provide several nutrients and health benefits, besides, to serve as major sources of carbohydrates. This study was aimed to characterize the flours and starches of Dioscorea alata (Kahata-ala-KA and Hingurala-H),...

Diabetes is one of the most challenging global health problems. Currently, reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes is recognized as an effective treatment against diabetes. In this study, in vitro α-amylase and amyloglucosidase inhibitory effect of selected, underutilized and locally grown ce...

Diabetes is one of the most challenging global health problems. Currently, reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes is recognized as an effective treatment against diabetes. In this study, in vitro α-amylase and amyloglucosidase inhibitory effect of selected, underutilized and locally grown ce...

Diabetes is one of the most challenging global health problems. Currently, reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes is recognized as an effective treatment against diabetes. In this study, in vitro α-amylase and amyloglucosidase inhibitory effect of selected, underutilized and locally grown ce...

Diabetes is one of the most challenging global health problems. Currently, reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes is recognized as an effective treatment against diabetes. In this study, in vitro α-amylase and amyloglucosidase inhibitory effect of selected, underutilized and locally grown ce...

The chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) are increasing throughout the populations and the burden of diseases is rising globally. Epidemiological evidences supports claim that intake of foods with certain health benefits and reducing the risk of NCDs are having positive correlation, therefore, a rise in demand for foods including phytochemicals...

In the current study, the effect of two exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing starter cultures (YF‐L903 and YC‐X11) and a commercial starter culture (STI‐12) on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory attributes of probiotic goats' milk set‐yoghurt was evaluated after processing and storage at 4°C for 28 days. The type of starter culture had...

In this study, antioxidant, chemical, microbiological, and sensory attributes changes taking place during the production of probiotic yoghurt using pulp of soursop (Annona muricata), sweetsop (Annona squamosa), and custard apple (Annona reticulata) were evaluated. The products were stored at 4 °C for 28 d, during which time physicochemical properti...

In this study, antioxidant, chemical, microbiological, and sensory attributes changes taking place during the production of probiotic yoghurt using pulp of soursop (Annona muricata), sweetsop (Annona squamosa), and custard apple (Annona reticulata) were evaluated. The products were stored at 4 °C for 28 d, during which time physicochemical properti...

Curd is one of the most commonly consumed fermented milk products of Sri Lanka. This research was performed with the objective to identify probiotic Lactobacillus spp. present in curd and to determine whether the minimum level of probiotics as specified by the International Dairy Federation (>10 7 cfu/g) is achieved. Isolation of probiotic Lactobac...

Dehydrated vegetables, which constitute a basic ingredient of ready meals, have captured a good market worldwide. In Sri Lanka, instant noodles are becoming popular and industries focus on development of dehydrated vegetable sachets for these products. However, the quality and safety aspects are vital in these products considering the method of pre...

Spices are known for their appetite stimulating effect and often used as active ingredients in appetizers in which pepper, ginger, cinnamon and cumin are much popular. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Pepper (Pepper nigrum) play an important role in alleviating indigestion whereas cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.), is known for its anti-microbial...

Tomato sauce is a processed food that contains not less than 6% of tomato solids with added sugar, salt, spices and vinegar with or without optional ingredients. It is generally packed in four-litre plastic containers for commercial users. Long-term storage of tomato sauce in plastic containers results in bulging of some of the containers. Bulged c...

Yoghurt is a potential source of probiotic lactobacilli, because the bacterium is highly adapted to milk environment and is also able to resist low pH values. Regular yogurt consumption can be a contributing factor to the establishment and survival of Lactobacillus bulgaricus in upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The objective of the present s...

Tomato sauce is a processed food that contains not less than 6% of tomato solids with added sugar, salt, spices and vinegar with or without optional ingredients. It is generally packed in four-litre plastic containers for commercial users. Long-term storage of tomato sauce in plastic containers results in bulging of some of the containers. Bulged c...

There has been much interest in the use of glycemic index (GI) which is use to classify carbohydrate foods on their ability to raise the postprandial blood glucose concentration and this is depend on number of factors including variety and processing methods. Although rice is a staple food in many Asian countries, there have not much enough studies...

Results of this study showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in proximate composition among the rice varieties. Highest ash and crude fat content was found for 100% polished red fragrance while ash and crude fat content was lowest for Suwadel. The GI of 10% and 100% polished red Basmathi were 48±4.7% (low GI) and 54±5.7% (low GI) respectively. Re...

Rural and regional Australians have a higher likelihood of mental illness throughout their lifetime than people living in major cities, although the underlying reasons are not yet well defined. Additionally, rural populations experience more lifestyle associated co-morbidities including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research conduct...

Alcohol consumption patterns nationally and internationally have been identified as elevated in rural and remote populations. In the general Australian population, 20.5% of adult males and 16.9% of adult females drink at short-term, high-risk levels. Farmers are more likely to drink excessively than those living in major cities. This study seeks to...

Reduction of psychological distress and obesity by increasing physical activity: The ‘Farming Fit’ study Ananda Chandrasekara, Susan Brumby, Deakin University & National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH), VIC, Scott McCoombe, Hannah Simkin, Paul A Lewandowski, Deakin University, VIC, Peter Kremer, University of Melbourne, VIC Background: Australian f...

To examine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, psychological distress and associations between physical and mental health parameters within a cohort of the Australian farming community. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Farming communities across Australia. Data of men (n = 957) and women (n = 835) farmers from 97 location...

Studies have confirmed that the rate of mental illness is no higher in rural Australians than that of urban Australians. However, the rate of poor mental health outcomes, and in particular suicide, is significantly raised in rural populations. This is thought to be due to lack of early diagnosis, health service access, the distance-decay effect, po...

Rural Australians face a higher mental health and lifestyle disease burden (obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease) than their urban counterparts. Our ongoing research reveals that the Australian farming community has even poorer physical and mental health outcomes than rural averages. In particular, farm men and women have high rates of over...

Improved and traditional rice varieties grown in Sri Lanka namely, Bg 300, Bg 352, Bg 358, Bg 406, LD 356, Rathkaral, Wedaheenati and Heendikwel were studied for their in vivo glycemic response. Proximate compositions and amylose content of rice were determined according to standard methods and available carbohydrate content was calculated using th...

Four locally available sources of Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.), Hingurala (Dioscorea alata) Innala (Plectranthus rotundifolius), rice bran and commercially available raftiline ® were tested for their prebiotic quality in obtaining increased biomass of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus. These sources were incorporated at two levels (1 and 3%...

Four locally available sources of Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.), Hingurala (Dioscorea alata) Innala (Plectranthus rotundifolius), rice bran and commercially available raftiline ® were tested for their prebiotic quality in obtaining increased biomass of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus. These sources were incorporated at two levels (1 and 3%...

Pittu and roti are two traditional food items consumed by Sri Lankan people mostly for breakfast or dinner. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and kurakkan (Eleucine coracana L.) are two types of cereal that can be used to prepare them. The determination of blood glucose elevating effect (glycaemic response) of pittu and roti prepared from rice flour and kurak...

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has reached to an epidemic proportion in Sri Lanka. The need for achieving better control of blood glucose level has been evident in diabetes management. However it is not easy to achieve this goal in a large proportion of patients. This is partly due to limitations of currently available pharmacological agents whi...

Effect of Low and High Glycaemic Index Diets on Developing the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Rats A. Chandrasekara, G. Denyer 1 and I. Caterson1 Department of Food Science and Technology Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya Peradeniya, Sri Lanka ABSTRACT. Several observational studies have shown that the chronic consumption of high glyca...