Proposal for Innovation Day

Although there are many varieties of daikon, the most common in Japan, the aokubi-daikon, has the shape of a giant carrot, approximately 20 to 35 cm (8 to 14 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) in diameter. One of the most unusually shaped varieties of daikon cultivated in Kagoshima Prefecture is the turnip-shaped sakurajima daikon, which often grows as large as 50 cm (20 in) in diameter and weighs as much as 45 kg (100 lb)( Japan National Tourist Organization, 1975 p. 837). The flavour is generally rather mild compared to smaller radishes.Korean varieties are larger and rounder than the typical long, thin Japanese types and are often spicier. (Chronicle Books, 1999. p. 10) Radishes are moderately high in Vitamin C, carotene and contain properties that appear to be beneficial for symptoms of colds, flu, fever, cough, respiratory problems, and digestive disorders. Radishes also is a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, regulates metabolism, improves blood circulation , is a good treatment for headache, acidity, constipation, whooping cough, gastric problems, gallbladder stones, dyspepsia etc.Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It regulates production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, enzymes and removes excess bilirubin from the blood, being a good detoxifier. It also contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. It protects liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers and soothes them. [4] Laboratory analysis shows the juice of raw daikon is abundant in digestive enzymes ssimilar to the ones in the human digestive tract.These enzymes are diastase, amylase, and esterase, which are known to transform complex carbohydrates, fats and proteins into compounds that is easy to assimilate. Raw daikon is a staple of the Japanese diet; it is used to complement most meals. Shredded daikon is used with fish and tempura dishes, and helps those with a compromised digestive system. The scientists in Japan at Tokyo’s College of Pharmacy have discovered that daikon juice actually inhibits the formation of dangerous chemicals in the body.One such chemical nitrosamine, a type of carcinogen, can form in the stomach from the chemicals in both natural and processed foods. Daikon juice contains substances called â€Å"phenolic compounds,† which can block this dangerous reaction. [5] Kingdom| Plantae| Division| Angiosperms| Subdivision| Eudicots| Class| Rosids| Order| Brassicales | Family| Brassicaceae| Genus| Raphanus| Species| R. sativus| Vvariety| R. sativus var. longipinnatus[1]| Table 1 : Scientific classification of Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus 2. Ananas comosus Figure 2-Ananas comosusAnanas comosus or pineapple is a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries [6] as it is commonly known as is the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family. [Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge, Geo; Freddy Leal (2003)] Pineapples may be cu ltivated from a crown cutting of the fruit, possibly flowering in 20–24 months and fruiting in the following six month. [8][9] Raw pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, containing 44% and 58% of them per 100g respectively.Bromelain purified from pineapple stem or juice, has a wide vvariety of health benefits, and that many of these benefits may not be related to the different enzymes found in this extract. Excessive inflammation, excessive coagulation of the blood and certain types of tumor growth may all be reduced by therapeutic doses of bromelain when taken as a dietary supplement. Potentially important chemical differences appear to exist between extracts obtained from the stem versus the core fruit. However, the practical relevance of these differences is not presently understood.Although healthcare practitioners have reported improved digestion in their patients with an increase in pineapple as their â€Å"fruit of choice† within a meal pla n, we haven't seen published studies that document specific changes in digestion following consumption of the fruit (versus supplementation with the purified extract). [10] Bromelain also works to neutralize fluids to ensure that they are not too acidic. It also helps regulate the secretions in the pancreas to aid in digestion. Apart from that, since bromelain has protein-digesting properties, it can keep the digestive track healthy.