For CMU, it is essential to build a solid foundation for Thai society in different dimensions to accommodate future changes. As the country is becoming an aged society as indicated by the increasing proportion of the elderly population, researchers from CMU Faculty of Agro-industry have come up with a brilliant idea of jelly food that is both easy to eat and sufficiently nutritious for this demographic.
Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, is a common problem among the elderly. Its causes range from oral health conditions to congenital disorders causing choking or even life-threatening conditions. To address this issue, CMU has developed two varieties of jelly food – Fruit Jelly and Red-Fish-Maw-Soup Jelly. These jellies will help improve the elderly’s health by providing sufficient essential nutrients while reducing chewing difficulties and anxiety.
The Fruit Jelly is a soft jelly that has a real taste of fresh fruit. It is also rich in fibre and antioxidants but without any harmful food additives. This jelly is ideal for the elderly who have chewing and swallowing difficulties, as it has passed the texture and sensory acceptability tests. This product was developed by Assistant Professor Dr. Thunnop Laokuldilok of the Division of Marine Product Technology.
On the other hand, the Red-Fish-Maw-Soup Jelly focuses on providing proteins in a form of chewable soft jelly that retains the authentic taste of a red fish maw soup. It only takes 1.7 seconds on average for people with swallowing difficulties to swallow according to a test on a sample group. Consumers will have the options to enjoy it in jelly form or turn it into a hot soup. This product was developed by Assistant Professor Dr. Akkasit Jongjareonrak of the Division of Food Process Engineering.