Egg drink, a nutritious way to quench thirst

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 29

In an attempt to provide a nutritious alternative to existing soft drinks, scientists at GADVASU have come up with an egg drink, which is full of minerals, vitamins and proteins. The drink was introduced at Pashu Palan Mela, recently held at GADVASU. It got a good response of farmers/visitors.

Giving details about the egg drink, Dr Manish Chaitli said egg albumen or egg white is rich in protein with high biological value. The egg drink is a novel versatile nutritious product, which offers an excellent alternative to existing soft drinks. It provides energy along with the quality egg proteins. It has been developed from whole egg liquid as a base material incorporating various other ingredients as per the formulation.

“The existing cold drinks in the market have negligible amount of proteins, high quantity of sugar, synthetic flavours and colours, whereas the egg drink provides 3-5% proteins and 2-3% fat and energy to the tune of 115-125 cals/200ml. It can be developed in various flavours, such as orange, mango, cardamom, banana, chocolate and vanilla,” said Dr Chaitli.

The scientists said they had also developed an egg drink concentrate which can be easily stored and transported. The egg drink concentrate is used to develop egg drink by mixing with chilled water in appropriate proportion. It can also be mixed with hot milk. The quality parameters of the egg drink concentrate depend on the quality and composition of raw material being used. This technology has been transferred to two entrepreneurs for commercial exploitation by GADVASU.

When asked if the egg drink had a smell of egg, which most of the persons did not like, Dr Manish Chatli said the drink was developed in different flavours without the smell of an egg.

The GADVASU scientists said the venture could be easily started at the home level with an investment of few thousands only and it would help in not only generating employment but also providing a nutritious alternative drink in the summer season.

Dr AS Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, has appreciated the efforts of the scientists and urged the unemployed youth to get trained from GADVASU in livestock processing and start their own enterprise.