Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to develop the innovation product prototype of high calcium rice vegetative seasoning from Water meal (Wolffia globosa) and to study its feasibility. The study was divided into 4 parts as product concept testing by using survey questionnaire, developing the prototype, market testing with a sample and studying commercialization feasibility. Result from the product concept testing showed that 68% of the respondences were interested in the concept of rice seasoning. Then, the prototype made from water meal has been developed. Water meal was dried at 50C to determine the drying time. The result showed that the moisture content was stable (changed less than ±0.001%) after seven hours of drying. The rice seasoning from water meal was developed. The formula contained 50% dried water meal, 25% ground dried fish, 15% roasted white sesame, 5% roasted black sesame, 3% soy sauce, 1.3% sugar, and 0.7% chilli. The chemical composition analysis (100 gram net weight) were 31.57% carbohydrate, 29.35% protein, 25.40% fat, 8.56% fiber, 9.98% ashes, 3.7% moisture, 589.36 mg of calcium and 583.44 mg of phosphorous. The sensory evaluation of rice seasoning showed that average liking scores of overall, color, flavor, and texture of the developed formula were significantly higher than the leading brand of rice seasoning from seaweed available in the market (p<0.05). Moreover, the 88% of respondences were interested in purchasing if the prototype product is launched. This indicated that there was the possibility to bring this innovative product to the commercial. The feasibility study indicated that this product had an opportunity to commercialization because the financial analysis for 5 years showed that when growth rate was at 5% yearly with the investment of 1,000,000 baht the pay back period was at 2.5 years with 1,365,736.10 baht NPV and 43.75% IRR.