Interdepartmental Seminar Report for 19th Jan, 2024

                    Interdepartmental Seminar Report for 19^thJan, 2024

At the beginning of the session, Ms. Sumana Balo, Asst. Prof., Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry welcomed the Dean, School of Agriculture, the faculty members, students and invited our esteemed speaker Dr. Kheyali Ghosh, Asst. Prof., Department of Horticulture on the dais for giving her talk on the topic, “VEGETABLES AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF NUTRACEUTICALS AND PHYTOCHEMICALS”. The presentation with clear understanding and educating the audience was highly appreciated by all the staffs present over there. Students also took active participation in the discussion forum.

The speaker mentioned that nutraceutical is a food or food product that provides health and medical benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. They are the product isolated or purified from foods, and generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food and demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic diseases. Phytonutraceuticals are all the chemical compounds derived from plants that have health-promoting properties. She highlighted on the impact of phytochemicals on the health of humans. Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and protect our cells against oxidative damage. She stated about different nutrients found in major foods, fruits and vegetables, which are responsible for the well-documented health benefits. For example, lutein and zeaxanthin prevent cataracts and macular degeneration; beta-carotene and lycopene protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage; lutein and lycopene may benefit cardiovascular health, and lycopene may help prevent prostate cancer.  It also reduces some risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

At the end, vote of thanks was given by Ms. Sumana Balo and she concluded the session about the beneficial effects of healthy food containing lots of vegetables. In conclusion, we should consume a balanced diet comprising of vegetables which provides phytonutraceuticals to ensure healthy mind and body.

Interdepartmental seminar delivered by Dr. Kheyali Ghosh, held on 19.01.2024