ICAR - LVAC | Irsha | Bharati Vidyapeeth

Overview

In recognition of the pioneering innovative work under World Bank assisted ICAR-NAIP projects, ICAR has awarded Linseed Value Addition Centre to BVDU, Pune. BVDU’s Linseed Value Addition Centre is linked to 15 linseed growing centres in the country with the major objective of “Linseed Value Addition and product diversification”.

BVDU’s AICRP-Linseed Value Addition Centre is unique as it is the only value addition centre that through it's innovative value addition approach establishes the forward linkage with industries and is also linked to 15 Linseed AICRP centres dedicated primarily with pre-harvest issues.

Goal : Attaining Omega-3 Nutritional Security in the Country and good Health for All

Mission : Linseed Value Addition for profitability

Thrust Area : Linseed Value Addition and product diversification

Impact of linseed value addition :

The economically viable technologies developed by AICRP-BVDU will be implemented at national level with the help of remaining AICRP centres in the country. These technologies are not only valuable to linseed farmers but also to bakery, dairy, pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and poultry industry importantly for human health.
AICRP-linseed value addition centre at BVDU will serve as technology dissemination centre, would be instrumental to take the outcome of the project to the whole country in order to achieve ultimate goal of increase in area under linseed cultivation.

Funding mechanism : This is 100% funded by ICAR, New Delhi sanctioned from April-2015 onwards. ICAR has sanctioned one scientist and one technical assistant under this centre. This centre receives funds towards pay and allowances of staff appointed, recurring contingencies and travelling allowances for the appointed staff.

Implementation of “Flax Bio-village Concept”

AICRP- Linseed Value Addition works in an interdisciplinary approach for developing value added products
Flax Bio-village-Linseed value addition model successfully establishes Farmer Public Private Partnership and creates forward linkage with industry.
Backward linkage with farmers gives better price to farmers; thereby increase in area under linseed cultivation, providing high yielding high omega linseed varieties, increases the productivity and their utility as high omega source, guidance to farmers to sustain in rain-fed farming system

Our Team

Prof. Mahabaleshwar V. Hegde

Dr. Anand A. Zanwar

Mr. Pramod D. Farde

Research Area

Attaining Omega-3 Nutritional Security

Through

Value Addition and product diversification

"Wherever flaxseeds become a regular food item among the people, there will be better health."

-Mahatma Gandhi

Research Activities

Major Activities

Exploitation of medicinal properties of linseed
Development of linseed derived value added products
Stabilization of Omega-3 fatty acid in value added products
Popularization of value added products/technologies
Creating awareness of nutritional importance of Omega-3 fatty acid in the society

Products Developed

Omega-3 Energy Bar

A value added energy bar enriched with omega-3 fatty acid and protein was developed using flaxseed oil emulsion
Contains important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acid, protein, dietary fibre, high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (phosphorus, calcium and potassium)

Flaxseed Powder

The health value of omega-3 fatty acids and SDG-lignan is well established
This is a comparatively richer fraction of SDG-lignan and omega-3 fatty acid
It is also a rich source of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium

Massage oil

Formulation containing flaxseed oil along with other Ayurvedic oils as an adjuvant therapy for Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Provides relief from all types of rheumatic pain and inflammation in the body
This oil need to be applied on joints twice a day or massage gently for 30 minutes before bath when oil is used for whole body massage (preferably under medical supervision)

Flaxseed Hull Powder

Flaxseed is richest source of lignan (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside - SDG)
This is a highly concentrated form of flaxseed to supplement lignan (natural phytoestrogens) and dietary fibre

Omega-3 Flour Pre-mix

Low levels of carbohydrate and adequate amount of dietary fibre, protein as well as omega-3 fatty acid
5-10% mixing of omega-3 flour pre-mix with wheat flour/atta will make it healthier

Flaxseed Mucilage

The mucilage is extracted using hot water extraction methodology and no chemical treatment is given
This product has industrial potential because of its emulsification property and this is a highly concentrated from of the soluble fibre extracted form flaxseed
Liquid mucilage can be consumed with vegetable soups as source of soluble fibre
Dry mucilage can be used as food emulsifier for developing fibre rich food formulations

Flaxseed Bread

A value added bread containing good quality fat (omega-3 fatty acid) and dietary fibre was developed
As compared to regular maida bread, these breads have improved fatty acid composition as the concentration of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids are found high

Impact

The economically viable technologies developed by AICRP-BVDU will be implemented at national level with the help of remaining AICRP centres in the country. These technologies are not only valuable to linseed farmers but also to bakery, dairy, pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and poultry industry importantly for human health

AICRP-linseed value addition centre at BVDU will serve as technology dissemination centre, would be instrumental to take the outcome of the project to the whole country in order to achieve ultimate goal of increase in area under linseed cultivation.

Award

ICAR-AICRP Linseed Value Addition Centre of IRSHA-BVDU has been rated as best oilseed Centre in Linseed by Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi for the duration of 2017-2022.